In a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopy, encompassing at least an objective (2) and a sample stage (3) having a cutout (7) for a coolable holder (8) for a sample carrier mount, the cutout (7) being covered by a cover (6), the sample stage (3) is displaceable in two horizontal directions (4). The cover (6) rests floatingly on the sample stage (3), and the objective (2) passes through a cutout (12), corresponding to the objective (2), in the cover (6). The method for cooling a holder (8) for a sample carrier mount in a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopes, by means of a flow of liquid nitrogen through a cooling conduit (15), open at at least one end, in the holder (8), is notable for the fact that the quantity of liquid nitrogen is dimensioned so that all of the nitrogen is present in gaseous form at at least one open end (16) of the cooling conduit (15).

A microscope apparatus includes a sample carrying module, a light source module and a lens module. The sample carrying module includes an adhesive element and a body having a light-transmission region and a sample viewing surface. The adhesive element is detachably adhered to the body, and at least partially covers the light-transmission region, such that the adhesive element is disposed adjacent to the sample viewing surface. The light source module is detachably disposed at a side of the body, and includes a base and a light source. The base has an aperture, and the sample carrying module is detachably disposed at a side of the aperture. The light source is disposed in the base. The lens module includes at least one lens, which is detachably disposed at one side of the sample carrying module and substantially focuses at the sample viewing surface, and corresponds to the light source module.

A portable microscope apparatus operated with an image capture device includes a sample carrying module, a lens module, a first polarizer and a second polarizer. The sample carrying module includes a transparent carrier and a sample adhesive element including a substrate and a glue layer. The substrate has a concave portion and an extending portion. The concave portion is adjacently connected to the extending portion to form a first surface. The glue layer is at least partially disposed on the first surface and in an integrated form with the substrate. The lens module is detachably connected to the image capture device, and disposed between the sample carrying module and the image capture device. The first polarizer is disposed on an optical path on one side of the sample carrying module. The second polarizer is disposed on the optical path on the other side of the sample carrying module.

Disclosed herein are sample dishes for use with microscopes that are simple to mount on a microscope and facilitate easy manipulation of tissue samples disposed thereon during imaging as well as methods of their use. A sample dish comprises an optical interface and, optionally, a support member that holds the optical interface. The optical interface of a sample dish is suitably transparent and planar such that a focal plane of a microscope can reside uniformly at or within a surface of a sample during imaging. In certain embodiments, a support member comprises a dish for holding excess fluid. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises separation ribs. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises one or more manipulation members (e.g., tabs). In certain embodiments, a sample dish is used with an imaging artifact reducing fluid.

Disclosed herein are sample dishes for use with microscopes that are simple to mount on a microscope and facilitate easy manipulation of tissue samples disposed thereon during imaging as well as methods of their use. A sample dish comprises an optical interface and, optionally, a support member that holds the optical interface. The optical interface of a sample dish is suitably transparent and planar such that a focal plane of a microscope can reside uniformly at or within a surface of a sample during imaging. In certain embodiments, a support member comprises a dish for holding excess fluid. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises separation ribs. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises one or more manipulation members (e.g., tabs). In certain embodiments, a sample dish is used with an imaging artifact reducing fluid.

A slide system for optical microscopy using immersion fluid including a cover glass having a first refractive index and a transparent film having a second refractive index. The second refractive index of the transparent film is matched to the first refractive index of the cover glass. The transparent film protects the cover glass from immersion fluid used for optical microscopy and the transparent film is configured such that the immersion fluid used can be removed by lifting off the transparent film.

A slide system for optical microscopy using immersion fluid including a cover glass having a first refractive index and a transparent film having a second refractive index. The second refractive index of the transparent film is matched to the first refractive index of the cover glass. The transparent film protects the cover glass from immersion fluid used for optical microscopy and the transparent film is configured such that the immersion fluid used can be removed by lifting off the transparent film.

A method of image-based analysis of multiple samples includes using a sample holder having multiple locations of interest and multiple focal structures that are each associated, one or more, with the multiple locations of interest, wherein the multiple samples are dispersed across the multiple locations of interest and obtaining image areas of the multiple locations of interest. Multiple digital image areas are thus obtained for use in an analysis of the multiple samples with each of the image areas including at least one of the locations of interest and at least one of the focal structures. An image processing algorithm is used to analyse each of the digital image areas and check if the focal structure indicates that the image area is in clear focus. An indication is provided and/or remedial action is taken if the image processing algorithm indicates that any digital image areas are out of focus.

Methods and compositions are provided for preparing a biological specimen for microscopic analysis. These methods find many uses, for example in medicine and research, e.g., to diagnose or monitor disease or graft transplantation, to study healthy or diseased tissue, to screen candidate agents for toxicity and efficacy in disease modification. Also provided are reagents, devices, kits and systems thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods.

The invention relates to a method for inspecting a sample with an assembly comprising a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a light microscope (LM). The assembly comprises a sample holder for holding the sample. The sample holder is arranged for inspecting the sample with both the SEM and the LM, preferably at the same time. The method comprising the steps of: capturing a LM image of the sample in its position for imaging with the SEM; determining a position and dimensions of a region of interest in or on the sample using the LM image; determining values to which the SEM parameters need to be set to image the sample at a desired resolution; and capturing a SEM image of the region of interest, preferably using the first electron beam exposure of said region of interest.