New systems and methods are described for maintaining a desired steady state temperature differential between two objects that may otherwise undergo heat transfer to restore thermal steady state. In one application, a cooling microscope assembly and its use with conventional optical microscopes are described for achieving super-resolution imaging. The assembly allows for the high resolution imaging of samples at cryogenic temperatures while maintaining the temperature of the objective lens above freezing by employing circulation systems and a coupling fluid between the sample and objective lens.

New systems and methods are described for maintaining a desired steady state temperature differential between two objects that may otherwise undergo heat transfer to restore thermal steady state. In one application, a cooling microscope assembly and its use with conventional optical microscopes are described for achieving super-resolution imaging. The assembly allows for the high resolution imaging of samples at cryogenic temperatures while maintaining the temperature of the objective lens above freezing by employing circulation systems and a coupling fluid between the sample and objective lens.

A system for detecting microbial cells in a sample includes an apparatus configured to image at least one cell in the sample, and a cooling device. The apparatus includes a holder having an internal portion and an external portion which are configured so as to secure a membrane between the portions, and an imaging device disposed above the external portion and configured to permit examination of the at least one cell. The apparatus further includes a stage attachable to a stage platform configured to connect to a motor, and a projecting member projecting from an upper surface of the stage and configured to receive and exchange solution. The cooling device includes a thermoelectric cooling element and/or at least one tube configured to circulate a cooling medium beneath the stage so as to cool the sample.

A system for detecting microbial cells in a sample includes an apparatus configured to image at least one cell in the sample, and a cooling device. The apparatus includes a holder having an internal portion and an external portion which are configured so as to secure a membrane between the portions, and an imaging device disposed above the external portion and configured to permit examination of the at least one cell. The apparatus further includes a stage attachable to a stage platform configured to connect to a motor, and a projecting member projecting from an upper surface of the stage and configured to receive and exchange solution. The cooling device includes a thermoelectric cooling element and/or at least one tube configured to circulate a cooling medium beneath the stage so as to cool the sample.

A front projection display device is provided including an image-generating source configured to generate an image, a wide angle lens system adapted to receive the image, and a screen. The wide angle lens system may be configured to increase distortion of the image in a first stage and decrease distortion of the image in a second stage. The screen may be configured to receive the image from the wide angle lens system on a first side and reflect the image back to a viewer on the first side. In another embodiment, a screen is provided for a front projection system, the screen may be configured to receive light from a steep angle and may include any number of surface topographies configured to reflect light back to the viewer along a desired viewing plane.

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).

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).

An optical vacuum cooling cryostage for correlative light and electron microscopy comprises a vacuum chamber, an anti-contamination system adapter interface, an electron microscope specimen holder adapter interface, an upper optical window, a lower optical window, a vacuum pumping system adapter interface and a vacuum valve, wherein the anti-contamination system adapter interface is arranged in one end of the vacuum chamber, the electron microscope specimen holder adapter interface is arranged in the other end of the vacuum chamber, the upper optical window is arranged on the upper wall of the vacuum chamber, the lower optical window is arranged on the lower wall of the vacuum chamber and opposite to the upper optical window.

An optical vacuum cooling cryostage for correlative light and electron microscopy comprises a vacuum chamber, an anti-contamination system adapter interface, an electron microscope specimen holder adapter interface, an upper optical window, a lower optical window, a vacuum pumping system adapter interface and a vacuum valve, wherein the anti-contamination system adapter interface is arranged in one end of the vacuum chamber, the electron microscope specimen holder adapter interface is arranged in the other end of the vacuum chamber, the upper optical window is arranged on the upper wall of the vacuum chamber, the lower optical window is arranged on the lower wall of the vacuum chamber and opposite to the upper optical window.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for image cytometry analysis, in particular using light sources to be cooled. Thereby is provided optimal light conditions for image cytometry.