Patent ID: 8665517

Claim:
A microscope connecting unit comprising: a microscope connector that is connectable to a microscope used to observe a sample; three or more connection ports to which an irradiating unit that irradiates the sample with light or a detecting unit that detects light generated at the sample is connectable; two or more light-path combining units that are disposed between the microscope connector and the connection ports and that combine light paths optically connecting the microscope with the irradiating unit or the detecting unit; and a relay optical system that is configured to form the light paths and relay a primary image of the sample formed by the microscope to the connection ports to form respective secondary images, wherein the relay optical system comprises: a first lens which is provided between the microscope connector and the light path combining units, and which is configured to shape light entering from the microscope into substantially parallel light beams; and a plurality of second lenses each of which is provided between said each of the connection ports and the light path combining units, and which is configured to focus the substantially parallel light beams transmitted through the first lens to said each of the connection ports.