An apparatus for imaging a feature within a specimen is provided. According to one implementation the apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to support a specimen on an upper surface of the substrate so that the specimen resides over a hole that extends through the substrate. A heater is located vertically above the upper surface of the substrate. The heater is configured to heat the specimen when the specimen is supported on the substrate. An imaging device is located vertically below the lower surface of the substrate. The imaging device has an unobstructed line of sight to and through the hole in the substrate. The lower surface of the substrate is supported on a heat insulating platform in a manner that permits air to flow between the heat insulating platform and the lower surface of the substrate.

An apparatus for imaging a feature within a specimen is provided. According to one implementation the apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to support a specimen on an upper surface of the substrate so that the specimen resides over a hole that extends through the substrate. A heater is located vertically above the upper surface of the substrate. The heater is configured to heat the specimen when the specimen is supported on the substrate. An imaging device is located vertically below the lower surface of the substrate. The imaging device has an unobstructed line of sight to and through the hole in the substrate. The lower surface of the substrate is supported on a heat insulating platform in a manner that permits air to flow between the heat insulating platform and the lower surface of the substrate.

A laser light containment dome providing increased safety to microscopy users while allowing the microscopy instrument to be used in an effective and efficient manner is provided. The laser light containment dome includes a hemisphere or dome shaped enclosure that prevents dangerous intensities of laser light from exiting an objective lens and or microscopy sample holder while still allowing the user to witness and measure the direction of laser light in three dimensions.

A laser light containment dome providing increased safety to microscopy users while allowing the microscopy instrument to be used in an effective and efficient manner is provided. The laser light containment dome includes a hemisphere or dome shaped enclosure that prevents dangerous intensities of laser light from exiting an objective lens and or microscopy sample holder while still allowing the user to witness and measure the direction of laser light in three dimensions.

The present invention relates to the field of testing and evaluation of biological samples and provides an apparatus for cultured samples including at least one independently accessible module adapted for incubating at least one of a number of samples wherein the at least one module is operatively associated with a light source and a movable optical inspection means adapted for motion about a viewing axis through the module to enable a sweeping of viewing area. The invention also provides a method of assessing cultured samples for viability, including the steps of: disposing biological samples in a substantially elliptical arrangement within a culturing chamber of an independently accessible module and imaging individual samples of the substantially elliptical arrangement with optical inspection means driven within an X-Y plane that is normal to a viewing axis through the module to obtain time lapse measurement of development of individual samples.

The present invention relates to the field of testing and evaluation of biological samples and provides an apparatus for cultured samples including at least one independently accessible module adapted for incubating at least one of a number of samples wherein the at least one module is operatively associated with a light source and a movable optical inspection means adapted for motion about a viewing axis through the module to enable a sweeping of viewing area. The invention also provides a method of assessing cultured samples for viability, including the steps of: disposing biological samples in a substantially elliptical arrangement within a culturing chamber of an independently accessible module and imaging individual samples of the substantially elliptical arrangement with optical inspection means driven within an X-Y plane that is normal to a viewing axis through the module to obtain time lapse measurement of development of individual samples.

Dual magnification systems and apparatuses for testing and viewing a single objective in a scanning optical microscope and methods of using the systems and apparatuses are provided. Two optical paths allow two wavelengths of light to be magnified to separate magnification levels such that a lower magnification optical path can be used to examine a target area while a higher magnification optical path can be used to examine a subset of the target area and elicit test sample responses to localize a condition of interest.

Dual magnification systems and apparatuses for testing and viewing a single objective in a scanning optical microscope and methods of using the systems and apparatuses are provided. Two optical paths allow two wavelengths of light to be magnified to separate magnification levels such that a lower magnification optical path can be used to examine a target area while a higher magnification optical path can be used to examine a subset of the target area and elicit test sample responses to localize a condition of interest.

Dual magnification systems and apparatuses for testing and viewing a single objective in a scanning optical microscope and methods of using the systems and apparatuses are provided. Two optical paths allow two wavelengths of light to be magnified to separate magnification levels such that a lower magnification optical path can be used to examine a target area while a higher magnification optical path can be used to examine a subset of the target area and elicit test sample responses to localize a condition of interest.

Dual magnification systems and apparatuses for testing and viewing a single objective in a scanning optical microscope and methods of using the systems and apparatuses are provided. Two optical paths allow two wavelengths of light to be magnified to separate magnification levels such that a lower magnification optical path can be used to examine a target area while a higher magnification optical path can be used to examine a subset of the target area and elicit test sample responses to localize a condition of interest.