IP Library Granted Patent US 7,777,941
Granted Patent B2
US 7,777,941 · App. 11/467,447 · Granted Aug 17, 2010

Greenough-type stereomicroscope

Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,777,941
App. No.
11/467,447
Granted
Aug 17, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stereomicroscope of the Greenough type includes a first monocular microscope and a second monocular microscope, which define a first beam path and a second beam path, respectively, wherein the first and second microscopes are arranged at a convergence angle to one another and comprise magnification systems for producing equal magnifications which can be varied synchronously with one another. At least one optical element in the first microscope has a different optically effective diameter compared to at least one corresponding optical element in the second microscope.

Claims (24)

1. A Greenough-type stereomicroscope comprising:

a first monocular microscope defining a first beam path and including a first magnification system defining a first optical axis, a first optical element having a first optically effective diameter, and a first observation unit disposed in the first beam path and configured to convey light of the first beam path forming a first partial image of a 3-dimensional image to a first eye of a user; and

a second monocular microscope defining a second beam path and including a second magnification system defining a second optical axis disposed at a convergence angle to the first optical axis, a second optical element corresponding to the first optical element and having a second optically effective diameter, and a second observation unit disposed in the second beam path and configured to convey light of the second beam path forming a second partial image of the 3-dimensional image to a second eye of the user,

wherein the first and second magnification systems are configured to produce an equal magnification with one another that is synchronously variable,

wherein the first optical element has a different optically effective diameter than the corresponding second optical element such that the first partial image and second partial image have different resolution and depth of field, and

wherein a first numerical aperture of the first microscope is greater than a sine of the convergence semi-angle.

2. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first optical element includes at least one of a lens element and a diaphragm.

3. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first numerical aperture of the first microscope is at least 10% greater than a second numerical aperture of the second microscope for at least one magnification setting or one magnification range of the first and second microscopes.

4. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 3 , wherein the first numerical aperture is 10% to 50% greater than the second numerical aperture.

5. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first numerical aperture of the first microscope is 10% greater than a second numerical aperture of the second microscope at a maximum magnification setting of the first microscope and the second microscope.

6. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 5 wherein the first numerical aperture is 10% to 50% greater than the second numerical aperture.

7. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first optical axis of the first microscope and a second optical axis of the second microscope are arranged symmetrically to a perpendicular in an object plane of the stereomicroscope.

8. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein angles of the first optical axis and the second optical axis are arranged asymmetrically to a perpendicular in an object plane of the stereomicroscope.

9. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second microscopes are mounted such that respective angles between the first and second optical axes and a perpendicular in an object plane of the stereomicroscope are adjustable.

10. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 9 , wherein the angles between the first and second optical axes are adjustable while maintaining a constant convergence angle.

11. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second microscopes each include a zoom system configured for selecting the magnification.

12. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one filter configured to be positioned in the first beam path and wherein the first microscope has a higher numerical aperture.

13. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 12 , wherein the at least one filter is a graduated filter.

14. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 13 , wherein the positioning of the at least one filter is performed manually.

15. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 14 , wherein the first and second optically effective diameters are variable in a fixed relationship to one other.

16. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 13 , wherein the positioning of the at least one filter is controlled by a selecting the magnification.

17. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a decoupling device disposed in the first beam path and wherein the first microscope has a higher numerical aperture, the decoupling device configured to direct light at least partially from the first beam path to a documentation device.

18. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second optical elements include respective first and second diaphragms and wherein the first optically effective diameter is greater than the second optically effective diameter.

19. The Greenough-type stereomicroscope as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first and second optically effective diameters are variable independently of one other.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 024430 FRAME 0774. THE ASSIGNOR HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INEREST. Recorded Jul 6, 2010
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
To: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 024639/0685 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2010
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
To: LEICA INSTRUMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 024430/0774 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2006
From: ZIMMER, KLAUS-PETER
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
Reel/Frame 018474/0694 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2005 040 475 · Aug 26, 2005 · national
DE 10 2006 036 768 · Aug 7, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070047072A1 · Mar 1, 2007