Patent ID: 7910355
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: C12M,G02B

Abstract:
1. A culture observation apparatus, which is used for observing a cultured cell while culturing the cell, comprising: a culture device that cultures the cultured cell, the culture device including a first space that is controlled to an environment suitable for culture of the cell, and a second space that is controlled to a lower humidity condition than the first space; and a microscope which is used for observing the cultured cell, and which includes an objective optical unit including an objective lens; wherein the objective lens comprises a plurality of lenses, a plurality of lens frames that hold the lenses and that have at least one through hole, and a cylinder member that houses the lens frames to be held therein; wherein the cylinder member extends into the first space through an opening formed in a partition wall that separates the first space and the second space, with a gap between the cylinder member and the partition wall being sealed by a sealing member; wherein a first part of the cylinder member is exposed in the first space and a second part of the cylinder member is exposed in the second space; wherein the objective lens includes a flow path which makes a space formed by the lenses and the lens frames to be vented with the second space; and wherein the cylinder member has a flow path that connects the through hole of the lens frames to the second space.