A method for manipulating at least one beam path in a microscope includes ascertaining a refractive index of a sample arranged in a sample volume and/or of an optical medium arranged in the sample volume. At least one microscope parameter is set in dependence on the ascertained refractive index for manipulating the beam path.

A method is used for optical scanning of at least one object region placed on a transparent specimen holder. The method is as follows: for each sample lateral position of plural predefined sample lateral positions performing a focus determination by: performing laser reflection and using a first camera taking plural first images to determine a reference distance between the specimen holder and an objective lens; performing transmission flash illumination and using a second camera taking plural second images to define a focus distance taking into account the reference distance; after completing the focus determination, determining a focus distance topology across the object region based on the focus distances determined for ail sample lateral positions; and laterally moving the specimen holder and acquiring third images while focusing according to the focus distance topology.

In a method for automatically focusing a microscope, an overview image that shows a sample and an environment is recorded. An image processing algorithm ascertains in the overview image at least one boundary of an object that is not the sample itself. A focus setting is then ascertained at a location of at least one of the ascertained boundaries.

A microscope comprises a microscope objective, a camera and an imaging optical system for imaging an object through the objective to the camera along a first optical path. A projection optical system is provided for projecting a test image onto the object through the objective, and the imaging optical system is configured to image the projected test image from the object to the camera through the objective and along at least part of the first optical path. A focus adjustment system is provided for focusing the test image at the camera. Using the same objective and the same camera for both imaging and focusing allows reduction of the cost of the microscope in comparison with known microscopes that provide separate focusing systems.

Provided is a medical control apparatus including an imaging control unit that adjusts an inward angle which is an angle formed by an imaging direction in a first imaging device that captures a medical image for the right eye and an imaging direction in a second imaging device that captures a medical image for the left eye to the inward angle corresponding to a display device that displays the medical image for the right eye and the medical image for the left eye.

Provided are a microscope apparatus capable of executing auto-focus control that appropriately follows a high-speed scan in a case of capturing a high-magnification and wide view image of an observation target contained in a container having large variations in the bottom surface, and a program. In a case where a microscope apparatus main body scans the bottom surface of the cultivation container by synchronously controlling a piezoelectric element and an actuator serving as optical axis-directional transport devices having different properties from each other, an objective lens of the imaging optical system is transported to a focus position in the optical axis direction.

An observation apparatus, an observation method, and an observation program capable of capturing an image by appropriately adjusting a focus regardless of a size of an effective range in which a distance to a cultivation container can be measured within a field of view are provided. An observation apparatus includes an imaging unit 37 that images an observation target in a field of view smaller than an accommodation part 22 at a series of imaging positions and acquires a series of partial images, a measurement unit 38 that measures a distance from the imaging unit 37 to the accommodation part 22, a storage unit 44 that stores shape information of a container 20 and a series of imaging position information, a calculation unit 45 that calculates effective range information indicating an effective range in which the measurement unit 38 is capable of performing measurement before imaging within a field of view of the imaging unit 37 at the imaging positions, based on the shape information and the imaging position information, and a control unit 40 that controls a focus of the imaging unit 37 using a measurement result measured by the measurement unit 38 in the effective range and a measurement result of the measurement unit 38 in a field of view adjacent to the field of view including the effective range in a case where the effective range is smaller than or equal to a threshold value.

System and method using a projected reference to guide adjustment of a correction optic. In an exemplary method, a reference may be projected onto an imaging detector by propagation of light generally along an optical axis that extends from the reference, through an objective, to a surface of a sample holder, and from the surface, back through the objective, to the imaging detector. The light may propagate through an off-axis aperture located upstream of the imaging detector and spaced from the optical axis. A plurality of images of the reference may be captured using the imaging detector, and with a correction optic at two or more different settings. A setting for the correction optic may be selected based on the plurality of images, and a sample may be imaged while the correction optic has the selected setting.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for controlling a microscope. An example method can involve generating a graphical user interface for a microscope, the graphical user interface having a display area for displaying a visual representation of a specimen positioned in an optical path of a microscope; a control panel for adjusting the visual representation of the specimen displayed in the display area; and a file control panel for naming an album and filename associated with an image of the visual representation of the specimen displayed in the display area. The method can further involve receiving an input via the graphical user interface, the input requesting an adjustment of the visual representation of the specimen displayed in the display area; and based on the input, adjusting the visual representation of the specimen displayed in the display area.

Provided herein are systems and methods for simultaneous imaging and stimulation using a microscope system. The microscope system can have a relatively small size compared to an average microscope system. The microscope can comprise in part an imaging light source and a stimulation light source. Light from the imaging light source and the stimulation light source can be spectrally separated to reduce cross talk between the stimulation light and the imaging light.