Patent ID: 8456739

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a microscope including a microscope body; an object field light source for object field illumination; a stand on which the microscope is mounted, the stand including a plurality of support arms arranged to support the microscope, the support arms being adjustable for positioning the microscope in a room; and at least one of the microscope and the stand including a cavity therein and a light-transmitting passage opening from the cavity to the room, and at least one light source located in the cavity, the at least one light source being arranged to emit light outwardly through the associated passage opening into the room; wherein the associated passage opening is disposed such that the emitted light from the at least one light source indirectly illuminates an exterior surface of the microscope or of the stand apart from the area to be viewed through the microscope, and wherein the passage opening is defined by a gap or a slot on the microscope body or on the stand.