A novel method is disclosed to allow for the simultaneous capture of image data from multiple depths of a volumetric sample. The method allows for the seamless acquisition of a 2D or 3D image, while changing on the fly the acquisition depth in the sample. This method can also be used for auto focusing. Additionally this method of capturing image data from the sample allows for optimal efficiency in terms of speed, and light sensitivity, especially for the herein mentioned purpose of 2D or 3D imaging of samples when using a tilted configuration as depicted in FIG. 2. The method may be particularly used with an imaging sensor comprising a 2D array of pixels in an orthogonal XY coordinate system where gaps for electronic circuitry are present. Also other imaging sensor may be used. Further, an imaging device is presented which automatically carries out the method.

Catadioptric eyepiece system having an exit pupil, comprising a display having a surface disposed in an object plane; optics providing a beam path from the display to the exit pupil and being configured to image a portion of the object plane into an intermediate image formed in a curved intermediate image plane; wherein the optics comprise: a lens system of positive optical power comprising at least one lens, wherein the lens system is disposed in the beam path downstream of the display and upstream of the intermediate image; a concave first mirror disposed in the beam path downstream of the intermediate image and upstream of the exit pupil; and a first beam splitter disposed in the beam path between the lens system and the first mirror and between the first mirror and the exit pupil.

A module for a visualization apparatus includes an imaging optic accommodated in a base body for generating a viewing image of an object region with an optical viewing beam path. The module includes a display unit for visualizing an image superimposed on the viewed image of the object region with orientation information. The module has an image acquisition unit having an image sensor for acquiring an image of the object region. The module contains a switching unit for selectively providing and blocking an optical beam path from the display to the image sensor. The switching unit, in a first switching state, provides the image of a geometric structure on the display onto the image sensor with the optical beam path and, in a further switching state blocks the optical beam path from a geometric structure on the display to the image sensor.

A module for a visualization apparatus includes an imaging optic accommodated in a base body for generating a viewing image of an object region with an optical viewing beam path. The module includes a display unit for visualizing an image superimposed on the viewed image of the object region with orientation information. The module has an image acquisition unit having an image sensor for acquiring an image of the object region. The module contains a switching unit for selectively providing and blocking an optical beam path from the display to the image sensor. The switching unit, in a first switching state, provides the image of a geometric structure on the display onto the image sensor with the optical beam path and, in a further switching state blocks the optical beam path from a geometric structure on the display to the image sensor.

Presented herein are methods and systems for visualizing an object region. The system including an electronic image capturing device, comprising an optical assembly, which provides a first optical channel for a first imaging beam path imaging the object region on a first sensor area of the image capturing device and a second optical channel for a second imaging beam path imaging the object region on a second sensor area of the image capturing device and which contains a microscope main objective system, through which the first imaging beam path and the second imaging beam path pass, comprising a first image producing device for the visualization of the object region for a first observer, to whom a first image of the object region, captured on the first sensor area, and a second image of the object region, captured on the second sensor area, are suppliable, and comprising a second image producing device for visualizing the object region for a second observer.

Presented herein are methods and systems for visualizing an object region. The system including an electronic image capturing device, comprising an optical assembly, which provides a first optical channel for a first imaging beam path imaging the object region on a first sensor area of the image capturing device and a second optical channel for a second imaging beam path imaging the object region on a second sensor area of the image capturing device and which contains a microscope main objective system, through which the first imaging beam path and the second imaging beam path pass, comprising a first image producing device for the visualization of the object region for a first observer, to whom a first image of the object region, captured on the first sensor area, and a second image of the object region, captured on the second sensor area, are suppliable, and comprising a second image producing device for visualizing the object region for a second observer.

The invention relates to a tube for a surgical microscope. The tube has a base part, an intermediate part, which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the base part, and an ocular part which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the intermediate part. The imaging beam path is guided through the base part, the intermediate part and the pivotable ocular part. The tube has a tube lens system which transfers a parallel imaging beam paths into an intermediate image. The parallel imaging beam path enters via an opening in a connecting piece of the base part. The tube has a first displaceable mirror element which can be moved about the rotational axis on the base part. The tube lens system is a telesystem which has a lens unit having positive refractive power and a lens unit having negative refractive power.

The invention relates to a tube for a surgical microscope. The tube has a base part, an intermediate part, which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the base part, and an ocular part which is pivotable about a rotational axis on the intermediate part. The imaging beam path is guided through the base part, the intermediate part and the pivotable ocular part. The tube has a tube lens system which transfers a parallel imaging beam paths into an intermediate image. The parallel imaging beam path enters via an opening in a connecting piece of the base part. The tube has a first displaceable mirror element which can be moved about the rotational axis on the base part. The tube lens system is a telesystem which has a lens unit having positive refractive power and a lens unit having negative refractive power.

A microscope (10) is described, having an aperture limiter (12), arranged in the beam path (22), for generating at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is embodied to set the aperture of the at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is furthermore embodied in such a way that in a first operating mode a first optical channel, and in a second operating mode at least one second optical channel, is selectively generatable. The aperture limiter is also arranged in the pupil plane of the beam path.

A microscope (10) is described, having an aperture limiter (12), arranged in the beam path (22), for generating at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is embodied to set the aperture of the at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is furthermore embodied in such a way that in a first operating mode a first optical channel, and in a second operating mode at least one second optical channel, is selectively generatable. The aperture limiter is also arranged in the pupil plane of the beam path.