Patent ID: 7440183

Claim:
An indexable microscope comprising: an optical beam path; an objective; a common central receiving plate having an upper side and a lower side and positioned within a microscope housing; and, a plurality of optical components, the plurality of optical components separate and different from the objective, that are switchable into and out of the beam path, wherein the plurality of optical components are arranged on at least two independent mechanical assemblies to be indexed separately and are switchable selectably into and out of the beam path by indexing the respective assembly and wherein a first mechanical assembly from the at least two independent mechanical assemblies is connected to the upper side and a second mechanical assembly from the at least two independent mechanical assemblies is connected to the lower side, wherein one of the first mechanical assembly and the second mechanical assembly is disposed between the receiving plate and the objective in the beam path, wherein the objective is disposed in a location different than respective locations for the at least two independent mechanical assemblies, and wherein the receiving plate is rotationally fixed.