Stereo microscope of the Greenough type and related optical assembly variable imaging system

Abstract

A stereo microscope of the Greenough type includes two separate imaging channels. The imaging channels have, starting from a common reference plane, beam paths that extend parallel to one another. An optical assembly sets a stereo angle in a Greenough stereo microscope.

Claims

1. A microscope, comprising: a first imaging channel having a first beam path; and a second imaging channel having a second beam path, wherein: the first and second imaging channels are separate channels; starting from a common reference plane, the first and second beam paths are parallel to each other; the stereo angle between the first and second imaging channels is adjustable in a range from 0° to 20°; and the microscope is a Greenough type stereo microscope.

2. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising an optical assembly configured to set a stereo angle, wherein the optical assembly is configured so that an intersection line of object planes of the first and second imaging channels remains spatially fixed when adjusting the stereo angle.

3. The microscope of claim 1, wherein the microscope is a modular microscope.

4. The microscope of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second beam paths is as an infinity optical system.

5. The microscope of claim 1, further comprising a displacement device, wherein: the first imaging channel comprises a first plurality of lenses; the second imaging channel comprises a second plurality of lenses; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel; and at least some of the first plurality of lenses and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are on the displacement device.

6. The microscope of claim 1, wherein: the first imaging channel comprises a first plurality of lenses; the second imaging channel comprises a second plurality of lenses; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel.

7. The microscope of claim 1, wherein: the first imaging channel comprises a first mirror and a second mirror; the second imaging channel comprises a third mirror and a fourth mirror; the first mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from an object plane into a reference plane; the second mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; the third mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; the fourth mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; on an object side, the first and second imaging channels enclose an adjustable stereo angle; and the optical assembly is an optical assembly to set a stereo angle in the microscope.

8. The microscope of claim 7, wherein the second mirror is pivotable about an axis extending parallel to the reference plane, wherein the axis is spatially fixed when the second mirror is pivoted.

9. The microscope of claim 7, wherein the first mirror is displaceable so that the first mirror has a constant average distance from the object plane during the displacement.

10. The microscope of claim 7, wherein the first mirror is a plane mirror.

11. The microscope of claim 7, further comprising an imaging system, wherein: the imaging system comprises: a displacement device; a first a plurality of lenses along the first imaging channel; and a second plurality of lenses along the a second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are supported by the displacement device; and the imaging system is a variable imaging system.

12. The microscope of claim 11, wherein: the second mirror is pivotable about an axis extending parallel to the reference plane; the axis is spatially fixed when the second mirror is pivoted; the first mirror is displaceable so that the first mirror has a constant average distance from the object plane during the displacement; and the first mirror is a plane mirror.

13. The microscope of claim 12, wherein the microscope is a modular microscope.

14. A microscope, comprising: a first imaging channel having a first beam path; and a second imaging channel having a second beam path, wherein: the first and second imaging channels are separate channels; starting from a common reference plane, the first and second beam paths are parallel to each other; the microscope is a stereo microscope of the Greenough type; the first imaging channel comprises a first mirror and a second mirror; the second imaging channel comprises a third mirror and a fourth mirror; the first mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from an object plane into a reference plane; the second mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; the third mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; the fourth mirror is configured to transfer imaging light from the object plane into the reference plane; on an object side, the first and second imaging channels enclose an adjustable stereo angle; the optical assembly is an optical assembly to set a stereo angle in the microscope; the second mirror is pivotable about an axis extending parallel to the reference plane; and the axis is spatially fixed when the second mirror is pivoted.

15. The microscope of claim 14, wherein the first mirror is displaceable so that the first mirror has a constant average distance from the object plane during the displacement.

16. The microscope of claim 15, wherein the first mirror is a plane mirror.

17. The microscope of claim 16, further comprising an imaging system, wherein: the imaging system comprises: a displacement device; a first a plurality of lenses along the first imaging channel; and a second plurality of lenses along the a second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are supported by the displacement device; and the imaging system is a variable imaging system.

18. The microscope of claim 14, wherein the first mirror is a plane mirror.

19. The microscope of claim 18, further comprising an imaging system, wherein: the imaging system comprises: a displacement device; a first a plurality of lenses along the first imaging channel; and a second plurality of lenses along the a second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are supported by the displacement device; and the imaging system is a variable imaging system.

20. The microscope of claim 14, further comprising an imaging system, wherein: the imaging system comprises: a displacement device; a first a plurality of lenses along the first imaging channel; and a second plurality of lenses along the a second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses are usable only in the first imaging channel; at least some of the second plurality of lenses are usable only in the second imaging channel; at least some of the first plurality of lenses and at least some of the second plurality of lenses are supported by the displacement device; and the imaging system is a variable imaging system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and details of the disclosure emerge from the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in whichs:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction and beam path of the imaging light in a stereo microscope of the Greenough type according to a first variant,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows beam paths in the region of a mirror stairway according to a first variant in three different positions for setting different stereo angles,

(4) FIG. 3 shows an illustration in accordance with FIG. 2 of a further variant of the mirror stairway,

(5) FIGS. 4A, 4B schematically show by way of example two beam paths in the imaging beam path of an imaging channel of a stereo microscope according to FIG. 1 with different positions of a variable setting system, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows by way of example one possible way in which the variant of the mirror stairway illustrated in FIG. 3 can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(7) First, optical component parts of the imaging optical unit of a stereo microscope of the Greenough type 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. The optical component parts are arranged in a main body 2, which is indicated only highly schematically in FIG. 1.

(8) The imaging optical unit discloses, in particular starting from the two object planes 3l, 3r of the left and right imaging channels 4l, 4r, an optical component part 5 for setting the stereo angle b. The stereo angle b is here understood to be, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, the angle between the center rays of the left imaging channel 4l and the right imaging channel 4r.

(9) The optical component part 5 can in particular have a mirror stairway 6l, 6r for each of the imaging channels 4l, 4r. The mirror stairways 6l, 6r in each case have a first mirror 12l, 12r and a second mirror 13l, 13r.

(10) The optical component part 5 will be described in yet more detail below.

(11) An objective assembly 7 is arranged downstream of the optical component part 5 in the beam path.

(12) Furthermore arranged downstream of the objective assembly 7 in each of the imaging channels 4l, 4r is in each case an optical device 8 for adapting the beam paths thereof to the eye distance of the observer and/or for image erection. In particular, a tube system serves as the optical device 8. The optical device 8 can in each case have an even number of at least four reflective prism or mirrors faces. In addition to the image erection, the optical device 8 realizes the adaptation of the imaging beam path to the view angle (not illustrated). An intermediate image location, in particular an intermediate image plane 9, is situated downstream of the optical device 8 in the beam path. The intermediate images are observed in each case using an eyepiece 10. FIG. 1 schematically shows in addition in each case one eye pupil 11.

(13) The beam paths of the two imaging channels 4l, 4r are separate from one another. In particular, they are completely separate. This is to be understood to mean that each of the optical component parts of the stereo microscope of the Greenough type 1 is used only in one of the two imaging channels 4l, 4r. There are no individual lenses or mirrors that are used both in the left imaging channel 4l and in the right imaging channel 4r. The stereo microscope of the Greenough type 1 is therefore also referred to simply as a Greenough stereo microscope 1.

(14) All optical components of the imaging channels 4l, 4r are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center plane 17. Imaging between the object plane and the intermediate image plane is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. In particular, it is possible to realize imaging using an objective, an afocal magnification changer and a tube lens in each channel. The distances adjacent to the afocal magnification changer are suitable for dividing the system into modules and in this way for attaining a modular stereo microscope of the Greenough principle. A multiplicity of configurations is realizable and increases the flexibility over a classical Greenough stereo microscope of analogous type, as is known for stereo microscopes of the Abbe type.

(15) On the object side, the beam paths of the two imaging channels 4l, 4r are tilted with respect to one another by the stereo angle b, also referred to as the convergence angle b.

(16) This stereo angle b is adjustable using the optical component part 5. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

(17) In FIG. 2, beam paths are illustrated by way of example in the right imaging channel 4r for different positions of the mirrors 12r, 13r of the mirror stairway 6r. The different positioning of the mirrors 12r, 13r are indicated by indices (1, 2, 3).

(18) For the sake of simplicity, only the mirror stairway 6r in the right imaging channel 4r will be described below. The mirror stairway 6l in the left imaging channel 4l is embodied accordingly.

(19) The mirrors 12l, 12r, 13l, 13r of the mirror stairways 6l, 6r each serve for transferring imaging light 14 from an object plane 15 into a reference plane 16. In FIG. 1, the reference plane 16 is identical for both imaging channels 4l, 4r.

(20) The mirrors 12l, 13l and 12r, 13r are in particular in each case plane mirrors.

(21) In the variant illustrated in FIG. 2, the second mirror 131, 13r is pivotable in each case about an axis that extends perpendicular to the axis 19 of the left and right imaging beam paths within the objective assembly 7. The axis about which the second mirror 131, 13r is pivotable in each case extends through the reflection face of the mirror 131, 13r. In particular, it extends through a center line of the mirror 131, 13r. The center line of the mirror 131, 13r is thus spatially fixed when the latter is pivoted. It defines the location of an optical axis 19 in the two beam paths of the objective assembly 7.

(22) The imaging channels 4l, 4r have, at least starting from the reference plane 16, optical axes that extend parallel to one another.

(23) The respective first mirror 121, 12r of the mirror stairway 61, 6r in the variant according to FIG. 2 is mounted such that, when the second mirror 131, 13r is pivoted, it likewise pivots about the axis about which the second mirror 131, 13r is pivotable in each case and is displaced at the same time.

(24) The mirrors 131 and 12r, 13r are to this end arranged in each case on a displacement device, which is not illustrated in the figure.

(25) A further variant of the mirror stairway 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. The general details of this variant correspond to those of the mirror stairway 6 according to FIG. 2, with reference hereby being made to the description thereof.

(26) In deviation of the variant according to FIG. 2, the pivot axis about which the second mirror 13r is pivotable is not spatially fixed when the mirror 13r is pivoted. It is displaced in a linear manner in particular in a direction parallel to the optical axis 19 when the mirror 13r is pivoted. The pivot axis can also have a displacement component extending transversely to the optical axis 19 when the mirror 13r is pivoted. The mirror 13r is displaced in the case of the pivoting in particular such that a specific point on the surface of the mirror 13r, in particular the center of the reflection face, is displaced parallel to a plane that is defined by the optical axes 19 of the two beam paths of the objective assembly 7.

(27) In this variant according to FIG. 3, a center line of the mirror 12r has a constant distance from a central object field point 20 in the case of the displacement of the mirror 12r.

(28) The mirror 12r has in particular a constant average distance from the object plane 15 in the case of the displacement.

(29) The text below, with reference to FIG. 5, will describe by way of example how the displaceability of the mirrors 12r, 13r and of the mirror stairway 6r is able to be realized.

(30) The mirror 12r is displaceable with respect to the central objective field point 20 in the object plane 15. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a guide cam K1 that is concentric with the central object field point 20. The mirror 12r is displaceable in particular from a first displacement position with the guide and pivot point F1 via second displacement positions, not illustrated, into a third displacement position. In particular, it is continuously displaceable. A guide and pivot point of the mirror 12r in the third displacement position is designated F2.

(31) A follower T1 is fixedly connected to the mirror 12r. The follower T1 touches a spatially fixed cam K2. The follower T1 moves, upon displacement of the mirror 12r from the first into the third displacement position, from a touch position F3 to a touch position F4.

(32) The guide and touch elements are embodied such that, in the case of a movement initiated from the outside, the pivot point of the mirror 12r follows the cam K1 and the touch point of the follower T1 follows the cam K2.

(33) The mirror 13r is in this case moved synchronously with the mirror 12r. The mirror 13r is displaced in particular from a first end position (13r1), via intermediate positions that are not illustrated in the figure, into a second end position (13r3). In this case, a guide and pivot point of the mirror 13r moves from the position F5 into the position F6 along the guide K3 that extends parallel to the optical axis 19. A follower T2 that is fixedly connected to the mirror 13r here touches a spatially fixed cam K4. The follower T2 moves in particular along the cam K4 from the touch position F7 to the touch position F8.

(34) The guide and touch elements are embodied such that, in the case of a movement initiated from outside, the guide and pivot point of the mirror 13r follows the cam K3 and the follower T2 follows the cam K4.

(35) Along a spatially fixed guide, described by the straight line K5, a cam disk KS is arranged displaceably on a guide point F9. The cam disk KS carries the cam K6.

(36) The mirror 13r touches the cam disk KS at the cam K6 in the touch point F5. The guide and pivot point F1 is rotatably connected via a lever H1, in particular in an articulated fashion, to the cam disk KS at a point F11. With the movement of the mirror 12r from the position 12r1 into the position 12r3, the cam disk KS is displaced. Here, the guide point F9 travels to the position F10. Here, the guide and pivot point F5 of the mirror 13r travels along the cam K3 and the displaced cam K6 to the position F6.

(37) The cams K1 to K6 are designed such that all mirror positions 12r.sub.i, 13r.sub.i of the mirrors 12r and 13r are adjustable coupled by an actuating movement initiated from outside.

(38) Due to the fact that the reference plane 16 for both imaging channels 4l, 4r is identical, it is possible to arrange the displaceable optical component parts, in particular the displaceable lens groups of the left and right imaging channels 4l, 4r of the objective assembly 7 on a common carriage 21, 22. The carriages 21, 22 are an example of a mechanical element of a displacement device.

(39) The guides in FIG. 1 are referenced by way of example to the variants in FIGS. 4A and 4B. First and third lens groups of the right and left channels are mounted and driven on a common carriage 21. Second lens groups of the right and left channels are mounted and driven together on a second carriage 22. A forced coupling exists between the drive for carriage 21 and carriage 22.

(40) It is also possible to arrange only some of the lenses of the left imaging channel 4l and of the right imaging channel 4r on a common carriage 22, while other lenses of one imaging channel 4l, 4r are arranged, in particular displaceably, independently of the corresponding lenses of the respective other imaging channel 4r, 4l.

(41) By arranging optical component parts of the objective assembly 7, in particular of the left imaging channel 4l and of the right imaging channel 4r on a common carriage 22, the complexity for guiding and driving can be reduced. On account of the arrangement on a common displacement device, it is in particular possible to ensure that the respective lenses of the left imaging channel 4l and of the right imaging channel 4r are displaced together, in particular synchronously, and parallel to one another.

(42) FIGS. 4A and 4B show by way of example different arrangements of the lens group in one of the imaging channels 4l, 4r of the objective assembly 7.

(43) In addition, a stop 23 is shown in the exemplary beam paths of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

(44) In addition, FIGS. 4A and 4B show the location of a further reference plane 24. The reference plane 24 describes the end of the installation space of the objective assembly 7 and the transition thereof to the optical device 8.

(45) Due to the parallel guiding of the beam paths in the two imaging channels 4l, 4r starting from the reference plane 16, a variation of the eye distance of the observer is possible in a simple manner without a disturbing image rotation.

(46) Instead of one or both of the eyepieces 10, the image produced by the imaging optical unit, in particular the intermediate image, can also be recorded using one or more cameras.