Apparatus for Aiding Manual, Mechanical Alignment of Optical Equipment

摘要

A microscope subject illumination system including a position targeting accessory that identifies a point on a subject by a distinctive illumination pattern cast on the subject. The system includes an automatic control to switch between illumination sources so that the distinctive pattern is easier to discern during subject positioning. The control may automatically extinguish the targeting illumination after a configurable period of time.

主权项

1. A subject-positioning aid for a microscope, comprising:
means for casting a first visible-light marker on a subject; and means for casting a second visible-light marker on the subject, said first visible-light marker and said second visible-light marker intersecting at a point and visible on the subject under direct view, said point lying within an enlarged view of the subject as seen through the microscope, wherein the means for casting the first visible-light marker and the means for casting the second visible-light marker are fixed to the microscope; wherein the means for casting the first visible-light marker comprises a light source and a line-generator lens to cause the light source to cast a substantially planar fan of light onto the subject, and wherein the point at which the first and second visible-light markers intersect on the subject is substantially independent of a distance between the light-casting means and the subject.