Patent ID: 7884999
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical microscope apparatus comprising: a microscope having a stage for mounting a specimen, a transmission-illumination optical system, and an image-forming optical system; and a housing surrounding the microscope, wherein the housing includes a fixed housing and a movable housing provided in such a manner as to be openable and closeable relative to the fixed housing, wherein, among optical parts constituting the transmission-illumination optical system or the image-forming optical system, at least some optical parts disposed above the stage are movable, wherein a switching mechanism is provided, the switching mechanism being configured to retract said some optical parts away from an optical axis of another optical system when the movable housing is disposed in an open position relative to the fixed housing and to substantially align the optical axes of both optical systems when the movable housing is disposed in a closed position, wherein the optical microscope apparatus further comprising: a sensor for detecting an open state or a closed state of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing; and a control unit for controlling the position of the stage by receiving a detection signal from the sensor.