The present invention relates to a method of reading out information from a data carrier and to a data carrier utilizing the concept of structured-illumination microscopy or saturated structured-illumination microscopy.

The present invention relates to a method of reading out information from a data carrier and to a data carrier utilizing the concept of structured-illumination microscopy or saturated structured-illumination microscopy.

A microscope system may comprise a plurality of microscope modules, a cassette for holding a plurality of slides, a slide loader configured to move the plurality of slides between the cassette and the plurality of microscope modules, and a processor coupled to the slide loader. The processor may be configured with instructions which, when executed, cause the slide loader to move a slide into or from a selected microscope module among the plurality of microscope modules. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

A microscope system may comprise a plurality of microscope modules, a cassette for holding a plurality of slides, a slide loader configured to move the plurality of slides between the cassette and the plurality of microscope modules, and a processor coupled to the slide loader. The processor may be configured with instructions which, when executed, cause the slide loader to move a slide into or from a selected microscope module among the plurality of microscope modules. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

A method is provided comprising: positioning a slide that includes a concave region that is formed in a top surface of the slide and that can contain an object, such that a focal point of an objective lens of a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) device is within an area of the concave region between a bottom surface of the concave region and the top surface of the slide; and using the FLIM device to capture a sequence of wide field images of a portion of the object within a field of view of the objective lens.

A method is provided comprising: positioning a slide that includes a concave region that is formed in a top surface of the slide and that can contain an object, such that a focal point of an objective lens of a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) device is within an area of the concave region between a bottom surface of the concave region and the top surface of the slide; and using the FLIM device to capture a sequence of wide field images of a portion of the object within a field of view of the objective lens.

A sample holder system for holding a microscopic sample in a microscope system comprises a first and a second rotation element, which are rotatably connected to one another. The side surfaces of the two rotation elements in each case enclose an angle α, with the result that the rotation elements have a wedge-shaped cross section. The second rotation element is configured to receive a sample, while the first rotation element can be rotatably connected to a holder receiving surface. The rotation elements are each rotatable by an angle β about a rotation axis. The inclination of the third side surface on which the sample can be received is settable by combining all of the involved angles α and β.

A base assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor surface to receive a sample, and a platform connected to the base assembly. The base assembly includes (a) an aperture configured to receive a lid surface of a lid in a position to define an imaging space between the sensor surface and the lid surface and (b) a movement portion movable toward and away from the base assembly. The platform and the base assembly are configured to limit contact between the sample and the base assembly other than at the sensor surface.

A base assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor surface to receive a sample, and a platform connected to the base assembly. The base assembly includes (a) an aperture configured to receive a lid surface of a lid in a position to define an imaging space between the sensor surface and the lid surface and (b) a movement portion movable toward and away from the base assembly. The platform and the base assembly are configured to limit contact between the sample and the base assembly other than at the sensor surface.

A microscope objective for imaging a specimen using a microscope, the microscope objective having a front lens enclosed by a surround and being designed for microscopy with an immersion liquid. In the microscope objective, the front lens and/or the surround thereof is provided with a coating which can be switched between a state which repels the immersion liquid and a state which does not repel the immersion liquid.