Patent ID: 7136223
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A microscope comprising at least one ocular lens, at least one objective lenses and a microscope stage assembly which in turn has a stage planar surface, said stage assembly comprising: means for attachment to a frame of the microscope so that the planar surface is essentially perpendicular to an optical path through a center of the objective lens; and an object holder for holding an object for examination by the microscope; means for moving the object holder relative to the optical path so that a held specimen moves in a z direction parallel or coincident with the optical path said means comprising at least one rotatable focusing knob attached to a pinion to move a rack that moves the stage in the z direction; and means for moving the object holder in an x or y direction perpendicular to the z direction so that a held specimen moves through the optical path parallel to the planar surface, said means for moving the object holder comprising an x-y control having coaxial x and y control knobs, said x-y control being mounted so that the rotational axis of the x and y control knobs intersect a rotational axis of the rotatable focusing knob of the microscope, when the optical path passes through a center of a specimen holding area of the object holder.