Patent ID: 6771416
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An inverted microscope comprising:an image output port that forms an image of an observation sample to an external surface of a microscope main body, an observer side and a front side the microscope main body, and below a lens tube to which eyepieces are attached, wherein: at least one of a photograph device, a TV camera and a digital camera device is selectively coupled/decoupled to the image output port; the photographic device exposes and forms the image of the observation sample onto a film surface thereof; the TV camera photographs the image of the observation sample by a photographing elements thereof and outputs image data thereof; the digital camera device photographs the image of the observation sample and records the image data as a still image on a recording medium; and at least a first camera and a second camera are attachable to the microscope main body, the photographing device comprising: a light path switching mechanism that guides an image formation light flux from the microscope main body to at least one of the first camera and the second camera; a photographing shutter arranging in a light path of the image formation light flux in a light incoming side of the light path switching mechanism; and shutter mechanism arranged in the light path toward the first camera side split by the light path switching mechanism, and blocking the light flux on the light path in synchronization with the switching actions of the light path switching mechanism, wherein the shutter mechanism comprises: a light path switching lever which pulls and inserts a throttle plate, which has an opening for passing the image formation light flux toward the first camera, and moves to a position to pass the image formation light flux or to a position to block the image formation light flux, in synchronization with the pulling and inserting operation of the light path switching lever; an openable and closable mechanical shutter main body having a size sufficient to block the image formation light flux through the opening, and a link mechanism which moves the mechanical shutter main body to the position to close the opening before the throttle plate blocks the image formation light flux in synchronization with the movement of the throttle plate.