阅读说明：本技术 浸没物镜和浸没显微镜方法 (Immersion objective and immersion microscopy method ) 是由 约翰内斯·克诺布利希 英戈·法尔布施 马库斯·施蒂克 拉尔夫·沃列申斯基 托马斯·奥尔特 于 2021-04-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种浸没物镜,包括容纳有光学元件的物镜本体(10)、至少一个浸没液灌(20、20’、20”)和位于物镜主体(10)上的至少一个物镜主体配合连接件(12)。浸没液灌(20、20’、20”)可通过物镜主体配合连接件(12)以可拆卸的方式支撑。至少一个泵(31)通过物镜主体(10)支撑,其中泵(31)被布置成将浸泡液(2)从浸泡液罐(20、20’、20”)输送到物镜正面(15)。控制电子部件(40)通过物镜主体(10)支撑,并且被配置成控制至少一个泵(31)。(An immersion objective comprises an objective body (10) accommodating optical elements, at least one immersion liquid tank (20, 20') and at least one objective body mating connection (12) on the objective body (10). The immersion liquid tank (20, 20') can be detachably supported by the objective body mating connection (12). At least one pump (31) is supported by the objective body (10), wherein the pump (31) is arranged to transport the immersion liquid (2) from the immersion liquid tank (20, 20') to the objective front face (15). Control electronics (40) are supported by the objective body (10) and configured to control the at least one pump (31).)

1. An immersion objective lens comprising

-an objective body (10) in which optical components are accommodated;

-at least one immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 "); and

-at least one objective body mating connection (12) on the objective body (10), wherein the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") is detachably supportable by the objective body mating connection (12);

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-at least one pump (31) supported by the objective body (10), wherein the pump (31) is arranged to transport the immersion liquid (2) from the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") to the objective front face (15); and

-control electronics (40) supported by the objective body (10), wherein the control electronics (40) are configured to control the at least one pump (31).

2. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump (31) is detachably supported on the objective body (10) by the at least one objective body mating connection (12).

3. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the objective body mating connection (12) comprises at least one objective body plug/socket connection (13), through which plug/socket connection (13) at least one of the pump (31) and the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") can be electrically connected.

4. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the immersion objective comprises an electrical interface (5) and a mechanical mounting connection (7) for connecting the immersion objective,

wherein the control electronics (40) are electrically connected to the electrical interface (5) and the objective body mating connector (12).

5. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the objective body mating connection (12) is designed to be symmetrically contactable, so that the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") can be supported in different directions for inverted and upright microscopes, and

wherein the objective body mating connector (12) is located above the middle of the objective body (10).

6. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the objective body mating connection (12) is configured to establish an electrical connection also with a component of the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ");

wherein each immersion liquid tank (20, 20') comprises a mating plug/socket (23) for connection to the objective body mating connector (12); and

wherein each immersion liquid tank (20, 20') comprises a liquid level sensor (26) which is electrically connectable to the objective body mating connector (12) by a mating plug/socket (23).

7. The immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one pump (31) is accommodated in a respective immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ");

wherein each immersion liquid tank (20, 20 ') comprises an air outlet valve (25) arranged at the end of the immersion liquid tank (20, 20') opposite to the pump (31).

8. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that each immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") comprises a folded bag containing the immersion liquid (2) so that the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20") can be drained with an inverted microscope and an upright microscope.

9. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that each immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") comprises a filling opening (28) for refilling the immersion liquid (2).

10. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one pump adapter (30), the pump adapter (30) comprising:

-a mating plug/socket (33) for connecting to an objective body mating connector (12);

-a pump (31) electrically connected to a mating plug/socket (33);

-a support (34) for supporting in a removable manner the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ").

11. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump adapter (30) comprises an electrical plug/socket connection (35) and the immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") comprises a mating plug/socket connection (22).

12. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that each immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") has a respective receiving recess (29) in its lower region for receiving a respective pump (31);

wherein each immersion liquid tank (20, 20') comprises a pump coupling (24) in a lower region thereof, the pump coupling (24) being configured for fluid connection of a pump (31) and preventing leakage of immersion liquid (2) when the pump (31) is disconnected; and

wherein a receiving recess (29) for mechanical support is formed on the pump (31) or the pump adapter (30).

13. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that the control electronics (40) are accommodated in a control electronics housing (41) comprising a plug/socket connection (44), by means of which plug/socket connection (44) the control electronics housing (41) can be electrically connected to and mechanically supported by a plug/socket connection (14) on the objective body (10); and

wherein the at least one immersion liquid pot (20, 20 ') and a control electronics housing (41) of the control electronics (40) are arranged around the objective body (10) in the form of ring segments, wherein the at least one immersion liquid pot (20, 20') and the control electronics housing (41) each have an inner side in the shape of a circular segment, which abuts against the objective body (10).

14. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two immersion liquid pots (20, 20', 20 ") with different immersion liquids (2) are provided on the objective body (10);

wherein the Y-shaped channel is connected to two immersion liquid tanks (20, 20') for mixing the immersion liquid (2) contained therein.

15. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that a residual immersion liquid tank (19) is additionally provided on the objective body (10),

wherein a residual immersion liquid pump is provided for sucking immersion liquid (2) from the objective front face (15) into the residual immersion liquid tank (19), wherein the residual immersion liquid pump is supported by the objective body (10).

16. Immersion objective according to claim 1, characterized in that each pump (31) comprises a tube connector fitting (32) and

at least one replaceable tube (45) is provided which is detachably connected to the tube connector fitting (32) and opens into the objective front face (15).

17. An immersion microscopy method using an immersion objective comprising

-an objective body (10) in which optical components are accommodated; and

-at least one immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ");

-wherein the at least one immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") is detachably supported on the objective body (10) by at least one objective body mating connection (12);

the method is characterized in that:

-delivering immersion liquid (2) from an immersion liquid tank (20, 20', 20 ") to the objective front face (15) by means of at least one pump (31) supported by the objective body (12); and

-controlling at least one pump (31) by means of control electronics (40) supported by the objective body (10).

18. The immersion microscopy method of claim 17, further comprising: when the immersion objective (1) is mounted on an optical microscope for operation, at least one immersion liquid tank (20, 20 ') is filled through a filling opening (28) in the immersion liquid tank (20, 20').

Technical Field

The invention relates to an immersion objective and an immersion microscopy method.

Background

Immersion objectives are used in many optical microscopy applications. An immersion objective is an objective whose front side is immersed in an immersion medium (immersion liquid) during operation. For example, an immersion liquid is applied to a cover slip on which the sample to be analyzed is placed.

The immersion liquid should generally be used in a controlled and targeted manner. This usually requires the user to practice and then manually operate. Using an electronically controlled immersion device, it should be possible to apply a certain amount of immersion liquid which can be set or reproduced accurately, in particular at precisely defined positions. In the case of long-term analysis, it should be possible to add the immersion liquid precisely. At the same time, simple operability for the user should be free of manual user-induced errors that may lead to inaccurate application of immersion liquid. Furthermore, for simple operability, a compact design of the entire immersion system is desired. It should be avoided that different components for the immersion liquid hamper the immersion operation and the operation of the microscope. In particular, the function of the other microscope components should ideally not be adversely affected by the immersion device.

In the prior art, numerous immersion systems for automatic dosing of immersion liquid are known, which, however, do not fully satisfy the above-mentioned objects.

EP1717628B1 describes an immersion objective on which an immersion liquid line for dosing and delivering an immersion liquid is fixed. An immersion liquid tank with a corresponding pump is provided separately from the immersion objective. The overall system is relatively large and guiding the tube to the objective may be an obstacle, for example in case the objective is changed by an objective turret, or other microscope components, such as an overview camera, are used at the same time.

Similarly, WO2019/016048a1 describes an objective lens to which channels from a separate immersion liquid tank lead. The necessary pumps and immersion liquid tanks limit the flexible operation of the microscope. Furthermore, special resilient mounting attachments are required, which have to be designed for specific purposes.

In DE10333326B4, immersion liquid is brought in from an immersion liquid container at a distance from the front end region of the objective lens via a feed conduit. An accessory comprising a microchannel is connected to the objective, the microchannel being connected to a suction device for removing immersion medium.

In DE10123027B4, an immersion medium is fed directly to the immersion region between the slide and the front of the objective lens by means of an immersion device located outside the objective lens via a feed conduit (microchannel). The immersion medium to be subsequently discharged is led away via a pipe and a corresponding collecting device located outside the objective.

DE102005040828a1 describes a fully automatic microscope system which, in addition to an automatic immersion operation, is also capable of automatically cleaning the front lens of the microscope objective at the end of the immersion operation. The components required for the addition and removal of immersion liquid are located next to the microscope stand. The pipes for the immersion liquid must be placed correspondingly to the dosing and discharge of the immersion liquid.

WO2019/063782a2 describes an immersion objective and an immersion apparatus provided separately from the immersion objective. A channel is formed in the front lens of the immersion objective, to which channel the immersion device is connected for delivering an immersion liquid via the channel to a region between the slide and the front lens.

DE102017217380a1 discloses a feed member for immersion medium. The feed member is disposed at a distance from the objective lens and includes an intermediate conduit through which the pump delivers the immersion liquid to a front region of the objective lens.

In DE102013011544a1, protective devices for preventing liquid leakage from the immersion membrane area and devices for automatically feeding immersion liquid into the immersion membrane area are used on inverted microscopes. The protective device is statically arranged in the body of the microscope stand. The means for delivering the immersion liquid to the area of the immersion membrane comprises a water blocking system in communication with the protection means.

DE 102006042088B 4 and US 3837731 a each describe an objective lens with a cover attached. The cover is used for supporting the pipeline or comprises a channel for feeding and discharging the immersion liquid. Similarly, JP2005234458A describes an immersion device placed at a distance from the objective lens, by means of which immersion device a tube leads to the objective lens.

DE102015200927a1 describes an immersion device formed separately from the objective lens. Parts of the objective lens and the immersion device may be supported so as to be adjacent to each other on the objective turret. Due to the size of the immersion device, the immersion liquid tank is again located at a distance and is connected to the part on the objective wheel via a pipe. There is no need for mechanical modifications of the objective lens used, so that the operation can be improved and different objective lenses can be used successively. For this purpose, the injection device must be arranged sufficiently far from the objective to change the objective by means of the objective turret and to move the microscope stage unhindered. For this purpose, the injection device can be arranged in particular on the axis of the objective wheel or directly on the microscope stand outside the installation space of the objective wheel. Thus, the immersion medium can be injected into the slide unimpeded. Due to this arrangement of the injection device on the microscope stand, the immersion liquid has to be injected over a distance of about 20-30 mm. Due to this relatively large distance, the flow of the immersion liquid must be configured in accordance with its parameters (e.g. flow rate, flow path, flow characteristics) to ensure that the desired volume of immersion liquid for the objective lens reaches the desired impact position completely and reliably. One problem here is the tendency caused by the flow energy of the immersion liquid to cause bubbles to form both in the flow itself and at the impact position of the emerging meniscus of immersion liquid (initial immersion) or the meniscus of immersion liquid already present between the objective lens and the slide (supplemental immersion). For microscopic applications, bubbles visible in the object field are undesirable. In addition, air bubbles in the submerged region can cause microscope failure, such as autofocus system failure. Therefore, due to the problem of bubbles in this injection technique, a number of measures have been proposed to avoid and reduce bubbles, such as optimizing the pump parameters, degassing the immersion medium or "bubble removal exercises" by using different microscope stages.

DE202017000475U1 describes an immersion liquid component which is arranged separately from the objective and which is injected by means of an injection device from a distance in front of the objective.

It is advantageous to introduce the immersion medium close to the sample in terms of flow characteristics and immersion of as few bubbles as possible. The equipment required for this purpose, at least the tubes or channels, must therefore be positioned or fixed on the objective itself or directly close to the objective. This is technically challenging because the space for component mounting between the objective lens and the sample is limited, which may increase the risk of collisions during use. It must also be ensured that the immersion medium is dosed and discharged through the pipe. This complicates or limits the use of the microscope, for example, changing objective lenses, focusing, manipulating or incubation. Due to the large space requirements of the immersion equipment (sleeves, immersion covers, pipes, immersion liquid containers, external pumps, etc.) and the attendant risk of collision, there may also be problems in combination with other microscope components, such as overview cameras, sensors or water stop/accident prevention equipment. These are protective devices to prevent immersion or sample fluid from penetrating the microscope, especially under an inverted microscope. Functional limitations may lead to certain situations, such as replacement of the rotation direction limiting objective lens. When not in use, it is also necessary to move the immersion device to a parked position to avoid further restricting other microscope functions.

A versatile immersion objective allows a relatively compact design. Which comprises an objective body accommodating the optical components, at least one immersion liquid tank and at least one objective body fitting connection on the objective body. The immersion liquid tank may be detachably supported by the objective lens body attachment. The immersion liquid tank may be supported on the attachment piece of the objective body directly or indirectly via an intermediate part on the attachment piece of the objective body.

Accordingly, a universal immersion microscopy method comprises an immersion objective having an objective body accommodating optical components and at least one immersion liquid tank which is detachably supported on the objective body by at least one objective body mating connection.

General immersion objectives are known, for example, from JP2010026218A and WO2008/028475a 2.

JP2010026218A describes an immersion apparatus in which an immersion liquid container is separately attached to the outside of the objective lens. Other necessary functions and control elements of the immersion device are kept at a distance from the objective lens. In WO2008/028475a2, the immersion liquid tank may be supported on the objective lens in a similar manner. For this purpose, a cover with an immersion liquid channel is placed on the objective lens and the immersion liquid tank is blocked in the cover. Other components of the immersion device, in particular functional components including the pump and control electronics, are fixed to the objective turret separately from the objective.

To increase the functionality of the objective, DE102013006997a1 describes an objective socket with an electrical interface.

The known submerged systems are limited in their flexibility and maneuverability. To some extent, specific and precise arrangements of parts must be made. In other cases, there is a risk of collision with the immersion system components if used inadvertently.

Disclosure of Invention

The indicated features of immersion objective and immersion microscopy, which allow for an automatic, precise supply of immersion liquid, and which are easy to handle and do not unduly interfere with other microscope functions, may be considered as objects of the present invention.

This object is achieved by an immersion objective and an immersion microscopy.

According to the invention, an immersion objective of the above-mentioned type comprises:

-at least one pump supported by the objective body, wherein the pump is arranged for pumping the immersion liquid from the immersion liquid infusion to the objective front face; and

-control electronics supported by the objective body, wherein the control electronics are configured to control the pump.

According to the invention, a method of the above-mentioned type of setting is characterized in that:

-transporting the immersion liquid from the immersion liquid tank to the front side of the objective lens by means of at least one pump, which pump is supported by the objective lens body; and

-controlling at least one pump by control electronics supported by the objective body.

By means of the invention, all components required for immersion can be arranged on and supported by the objective. These components include at least an immersion liquid tank, an immersion liquid pump and corresponding control electronics. The component may be supported directly on the objective body or via an intermediate component on the objective body. This avoids the need for a discrete immersion device spatially separate from the objective lens used, in contrast to the known prior art. Thereby avoiding the risk of collision with parts of the separate immersion apparatus during changing of the objective lens. Due to the small volume of the immersion device integrated in the objective, other microscope functions are not or hardly hindered. The user does not have to position parts of the immersion apparatus precisely because the correct position of the immersion liquid composition is already determined by the position of the objective lens. Furthermore, the immersion objective according to the invention can be easily used with a variety of different optical microscopes, since no modification of the optical microscope or special arrangement of the immersion liquid parts on the microscope holder or objective turret is necessary. There is a significant difference here from the prior art discussed above, in that parts of the immersion device, such as the pump, always have to be arranged on the objective turret or the holder, respectively.

For example, the invention enables automatic supply of immersion liquid in long-term experiments, particularly in the form of replenishment immersion, some of which last for several days. This advantage is particularly important compared to situations where the supplementary immersion has to be performed manually by the user, e.g. every 30 minutes.

Alternative embodiments

Advantageous variants of the immersion objective according to the invention and of the method according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and will be explained in more detail in the following description.

Objective lens main body matching connecting piece

An objective body mating connection may be understood as a connection for mechanical support and optionally for electrical connection. The mechanical support and electrical connection functions may be performed by separate portions of the connector. For example, the mechanical support may be provided by a clamping connection, a plug/socket connection, a tensioning connection or a threaded connection. Thus, the electrical contacts may be provided at a distance, for example by elastic or spring mounted electrical contact pins or surfaces. However, for a compact structure, the same connecting parts may also affect the electrical contact and the mechanical support of the connecting parts. The objective body mating connector may comprise or consist of an electrical plug/socket connector (hereinafter referred to as the objective body plug/socket connector), wherein the plug/socket connector reinforces the mechanical support or is entirely responsible for the support according to its design.

The objective body mating connector may also include a magnetic coupling point instead of or in addition to a mechanical connection.

At least one immersion liquid tank is supported by at least one objective body mating connector. Alternatively, at least one pump may also be supported by the same connection. In principle, the objective body mating connector here may comprise separate connecting parts (e.g. a plug/socket connector) for the immersion liquid tank and the pump. However, among other things, a compact design is that the objective body mating connector comprises only one connection portion or only one electrical connection, by which both the immersion liquid tank and the pump can be supported or electrically contacted. For example, the immersion liquid tank may be designed to be directly connected to the objective body mating connector, and the pump may be supported in or on the immersion liquid tank. Alternatively, a pump adapter, which will be described in more detail later, may be directly connected to the objective lens body mating connector, and the immersion liquid tank is connected to the pump adapter. In principle, other intermediate components (e.g. sleeves, mounting brackets, control electronics or parts thereof) may also be connected directly to the objective body mating connector, wherein the immersion liquid tank and the pump are connected to the objective body mating connector via this/these intermediate component(s).

The immersion objective may comprise an electrical interface and a mechanical mounting connection for attaching the immersion objective, such as a snap mount or a thread for attaching to an objective turret or a shelf, wherein electrical contacts are also provided. Now, the control electronics supported by the objective body can be electrically connected both to the electrical interface and to the objective body mating connector. Thus, the control electronics may receive control commands and/or electrical energy via the electrical interface and may control the pump via the objective body mating connection and, depending on its configuration, may also communicate with optional electrical components of the immersion liquid tank. In particular a level sensor.

In other words, the objective body mating connector may be configured to establish an electrical connection also with a component of the immersion liquid tank, in particular a liquid level sensor of the immersion liquid tank.

In certain variations, the immersion objective is suitable for use with inverted microscopes and upright microscopes. In this transitional case, the immersion objective is rotated by 180 °. However, according to its design, the immersion liquid tank cannot function properly in an inverted position (upside down) because if the pump only partially fills the immersion liquid tank, air may be drawn in without immersion liquid. In order to solve this problem, it is advantageous if the immersion liquid tank can also be supported on the objective body mating connection piece in a position rotated by 180 ° relative to the objective body. In particular, the objective body mating connector or its electrical connector can be designed to be symmetrically contactable, so that the immersion liquid tank can be supported in different directions to accommodate inverted and upright microscopes. For example, a symmetrical configuration of electrical plug/socket connectors may be used. Designs are also possible in which the objective body mating connector comprises two separate mechanical mounts (and/or two separate electrical connections), one for the inverted microscope and one for the upright microscope. By such a design it is also possible to fit the immersion liquid tank with the objective body in two orientations rotated 180 deg. relative to each other.

The objective body mating connection can in particular be located at an intermediate height position of the objective body, i.e. symmetrically with respect to the height of the objective body. This is advantageous in order to avoid that the immersion liquid tank protrudes beyond the front face of the objective lens or the objective lens mounting connector in case of both inverted microscopes and upright microscopes (i.e. regardless of the direction of support by the objective lens body mating connector).

In order to allow the immersion objective to be used both upside down and upright, the fluid connection to the immersion liquid tank may also be pivotable. The fluid connection can in particular be locked in two particular pivoting positions. The two pivot positions differ in height from each other between the front face of the objective lens and the objective lens mounting link. For both inverted and upright arrangements, the pivot position is used in the individual lower positions. The pump thus draws immersion liquid from the lower region of the connected immersion liquid tank through the fluid connection. In some cases it may be desirable to use immersion liquid tanks of different designs for both upright and inverted arrangements.

Immersion liquid tank

Immersion liquid tanks are generally understood to be liquid containers.

Each immersion liquid tank is connected to the objective body mating connector directly or via an intermediate part, depending on its design. For direct connection, each immersion liquid tank may comprise a mating plug or socket formed to fit the objective body mating connector. Depending on its design, the mating plug/receptacle may provide only mechanical support, as well as electrical connection. To this end, the mating plug/socket may be configured as an electrical plug/socket connection, for example.

In particular, if the immersion liquid tank is directly connected to the objective body mating connection, the corresponding pump can be accommodated in said immersion liquid tank. Thus, a compact pump, often referred to as a micro-pump, can be accommodated in a space-saving manner with a small number of mechanical plug-in connections.

Each immersion liquid tank may include a vent valve. It may be arranged at the end of the immersion liquid tank opposite the pump. Thus, during operation, the pump may be located in the lower part of the immersion liquid tank, while the venting valve is located in the upper part. By means of the vent valve, when the immersion liquid tank is in a partially filled state, the creation of negative pressures, which would hamper the precise delivery of the pump immersion liquid, can be avoided.

Each immersion liquid tank may also comprise a level sensor which may be electrically connected to the objective body mating connector, in particular via a mating plug/socket of the immersion liquid tank.

In some embodiments, each immersion liquid tank may optionally include a fill port for refilling with immersion liquid. A valve or cap on the fill port may prevent ingress of contaminants when the immersion fluid is refilled, for example, by a syringe. The filling opening is advantageously located opposite the position of the pump, i.e. at the upper end of the immersion liquid tank. When the immersion objective is mounted on an optical microscope and put into use, a refill of the immersion liquid may occur. This is an important advantage in long-term experiments.

This feature is particularly useful when the immersion liquid tank has a rigid outer wall. Alternatively, however, the immersion liquid tank may also be designed as a flexible tank, the walls of which contract as the volume of immersion liquid it contains decreases. It is also possible that the flexible bag (the folded bag) is used as or arranged in an immersion liquid tank, wherein the immersion liquid is contained in the bag. In these designs with resilient walls, the volume of the bag decreases as the amount of immersion liquid contained decreases. Thus, the pump can empty the bag regardless of the position at which the pump is attached to the bag. Thus, a structure consisting of a pump and a bag of immersion liquid can be advantageously used with inverted and upright microscopes without having to influence the different orientation of the pump and bag with respect to the objective. In both cases the bag can be completely emptied without the need for a pump to pump air. Thereby improving user-friendliness.

Pump adapter

It is also possible to provide an immersion liquid tank which is not connected directly to the mating connection of the objective body, but via an intermediate piece, in particular a pump adapter. The pump adapter includes: a mating plug/socket for connecting to a mating connector of the objective lens body; a pump electrically connected to the mating plug/receptacle; and a support frame for detachably supporting the immersion liquid tank. The mating plug/socket of the pump adapter can be designed in particular as or comprise an electrical plug/socket connection. This design is particularly suitable for use of the immersion liquid tank as a disposable immersion liquid tank: more expensive parts, such as a pump, are removed from the immersion liquid tank, so that the tank can be designed as a particularly simple and cost-effective disposable component.

The support bracket of the pump adaptor for the immersion liquid tank may be purely mechanical or may be electrically connected. To this end, the support frame may be designed, for example, as an electrical plug/socket connection, and the immersion liquid tank may comprise a matching plug/socket connection. The electrical connection may be used, for example, in a level sensor.

Alternatively, each immersion liquid tank may have a respective receiving recess for accommodating a respective pump in a lower region thereof. In particular, the part of the pump where the pump adapter is located can thus be inserted into the receiving recess. This arrangement may be particularly space-saving. Furthermore, the receiving groove can also be formed for mechanical support on the pump or the pump adapter, in particular for interlocking support. Thus, in addition to the plug/socket connection (mating plug/socket), the receiving groove also helps to mechanically support the immersion liquid cartridge on the pump adapter.

The pump adapter may be L-shaped in cross-section, wherein the long side of the L-shape abuts against the objective body. The part protruding from the long side provided with the pump extends into the receiving recess of the immersion liquid tank.

Each immersion liquid tank may comprise a pump coupling in its lower region. This is designed specifically for the fluid connection of the pump and prevents immersion liquid from leaking through the coupling of the pump when the pump is not connected. For example, the lower quarter of the immersion liquid tank may be understood as the lower region of the immersion liquid tank. Thus, the upper quarter of the immersion liquid tank may designate the upper region.

Control electronic component

The control electronics are configured to control the pump and optionally may also communicate with all other electrical or electronic components of the immersion objective. For example, the control electronics may obtain the current level of the immersion liquid tank from a level sensor. If the immersion fluid tanks each comprise a chip on which identification data and information about the immersion fluid contained are stored, the control electronics can also read such data of the chip.

The control electronics may optionally be further configured to selectively control all or one of the pumps to pump immersion liquid from the immersion liquid bath to the objective lens front face, or conversely to pump immersion liquid from the objective lens front face to the immersion liquid bath.

The control electronics may be housed in a control electronics housing, which may be designed to be removable from the objective body. For this purpose, the control electronics housing can comprise, in particular, a plug/socket connection, by means of which the control electronics housing is electrically connected to the objective body and optionally mechanically supported on the objective body. This facilitates its flexible use. For example, the same control electronics may be used successively for different objectives, or the control electronics may be replaced with newer electronics without having to discard other components of the immersion objective.

Alternatively, the control electronics housing can also be firmly connected to the objective body or formed by a common sleeve or housing part.

If the objective body comprises a plug/socket connection to which the control electronics housing is connected, this plug/socket connection may be arranged closer to the objective mounting connection than to the front side of the objective. The plug/socket connection for connecting the control electronics housing to the objective body may have a key-like shape, as opposed to the objective body mating connection. This allows the connection to be made in a unique orientation so that the control electronics housing can only be fixed in the desired position relative to the objective lens.

The general control electronics housing or the above-mentioned control electronics housing may have a ring segment shape in cross-section (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the immersion objective). In particular, the inner side having the shape of a circular arc segment may abut against the objective lens. The outside of the control electronics housing may also have a ring segment shape, which saves overall space while reducing the likelihood of accidental collisions with other microscope components. The ring segment shape of the control electronics housing may form a closed ring in combination with one or more immersion liquid tanks each having a ring segment shape. The cross-section of the objective body having the shape of the ring segment is typically circular.

In order for the control electronics to be able to effectively utilize the space in the housing with the ring segment shape, the control electronics may comprise a circuit board of rigid-flexible technology. A plurality of circuit boards may be connected by flexible broadband lines so that when viewed together, the circuit boards extend in the shape of a ring segment.

Arrangement of immersion liquid tank

Like the control electronics housing, the at least one immersion liquid tank may be arranged in the shape of a ring segment on the objective body. Each immersion liquid tank may have an inner side in the shape of a ring segment, which inner side abuts against the objective body. The outer side of each immersion liquid tank, viewed radially from the objective axis, may optionally also have the shape of a ring segment.

At least two immersion liquid tanks may also be arranged on the objective body to accommodate different immersion liquids. The objective body may thus have corresponding mating connections for a plurality of immersion liquid tanks.

The Y-channel (Y-splitter) can be connected directly to the two immersion liquid tanks or through two conduits to the two immersion liquid tanks. By means of the Y channel, the contained immersion liquid, such as glycerol and water, can be mixed. Subsequently, a separate conduit continuously directs the mixture to the front of the objective lens. The control electronics can set the mixing ratio of the two immersion liquids by relative control of the respective pumps.

In principle, variants of immersion liquid tanks of different sizes, with cross sections such as quarter-rings or half-rings, can also be used. Thus, two smaller immersion liquid tanks (each having the shape of e.g. a quarter ring) are connected to adjacent objective body mating connectors. In contrast, a larger immersion liquid tank (e.g. having the shape of a half ring) will only be in electrical contact with one of the objective body mating connectors, and will comprise one groove or only contain electrical contact of one mechanical support or of an adjacent objective body mating connector.

Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange a residual immersion liquid tank on the objective, in particular by means of an additional objective body fitting the connector device. A residual immersion liquid pump is supported via the objective lens body and is arranged to pump residual liquid from the objective lens front face into the residual immersion liquid tank. In principle, the residual immersion liquid tank and the residual immersion liquid pump can be designed in the same way as the immersion liquid tank and its pump described above.

Liquid dipping pipe

The immersion liquid can be transported from the immersion liquid tank to the front side of the objective lens by means of a pump via, for example, a channel in the body of the objective lens, a channel in an optical component in the body of the objective lens, and/or through a tube.

Each pump or each immersion liquid tank may comprise a pipe fitting for connecting the pipes. At least one replaceable conduit is removably attached to the adapter fitting and opens onto the front face of the objective lens. In particular, one conduit may be provided per pump. If the Y-channel is connected to two pipe fittings of two pumps, then two pumps (i.e., two immersion liquid tanks) will use one pipe alone.

If a conduit leads from the pipe fitting all the way to the front of the objective, no other parts than the conduit are contaminated by immersion liquid residues or potential bacteria. If the catheter is replaced, laborious cleaning as required in prior art systems is no longer required. Preferably, the conduit may be used once and then replaced, or replaced after a predetermined number of immersion operations. Alternatively, the control electronics may be configured to provide an indication to the user (e.g., via the electrical interface of the immersion objective) that the catheter should be replaced. A pipe connection fitting is advantageous for simple connection of the pipe, although a mechanical interlocking or clamping connection and/or a pipe guide channel or guide groove may additionally be provided in the region of the front side of the objective. The tube guide channel accommodates the conduit and is itself not in contact with the immersion liquid or negligible, whereby laborious cleaning of the tube guide channel is no longer necessary, or frequent laborious cleaning of the tube guide channel is not necessary. Optionally, the conduit or channel may also cause perforation of the front lens.

A filter may be provided at the end of the conduit or channel, i.e. in the region of the front face of the objective lens. The filter may be fixed on the catheter itself or on the front of the objective lens. In one embodiment of the catheter, the filter can be easily replaced with the catheter. By means of the filter, the formation of bubbles in the outflowing immersion liquid is avoided. The bubbles can interfere with, for example, the auto-focusing system or the observation of the sample.

The described catheter can be constructed as a plurality of tube sections arranged in one piece or end-to-end, in particular as described in more detail in the description of the figures.

Pump and method of operating the same

A pump may be understood to mean every device suitable for delivering immersion liquid from an immersion liquid tank or to a residual immersion liquid tank. A compact size pump in the form of a micro pump is advantageous. The pump may be designed as a piezoelectric pump, an electroosmotic pump or a tube pump, for example. In the case of a tube pump or peristaltic pump, the pump causes an external mechanical deformation (sink) of the tube, causing the medium to be transported in the tube. In this process, the tube pump itself does not come into contact with the medium being conveyed (i.e. immersion liquid), and therefore contamination of the tube pump does not occur. If the immersion liquid tank is designed as a flexible bag, the pump can also be a device that exerts pressure on the bag.

In particular, it is not absolutely necessary to make the pump replaceable, when it is not in direct contact with the immersion liquid. The different embodiments described can thus be modified such that the at least one pump is permanently mounted in or on the objective body. The pump can also be arranged next to the control electronics, in particular in the control electronics housing.

A separate pump may be provided for each immersion liquid tank. In principle, a plurality of pumps or immersion liquid tanks may be connected via the same objective body mating connector, although each immersion liquid tank may be connected to a respective objective body mating connector for simple operation.

General features

Immersion objective lens: immersion objective refers to an objective lens designed to be connected to an optical microscope and used with an immersion liquid.

Front side of objective lens: the front of the objective lens represents the end of the immersion objective lens facing the sample. During operation, a portion of the front surface of the objective lens should be immersed in the immersion liquid.

An objective lens: the objective is a housing or casing in which optical components, in particular lenses or mirrors, are accommodated. The objective body may comprise a plurality of parts. For example, the objective body may comprise one or more sleeves for supporting the optical components, and a different outer housing or outer support on which at least one objective body mating connection is formed. The specific structure of the objective lens is not critical as long as the part supported by the objective lens body or by at least one objective lens body mating connector is finally supported by a mechanical mounting connector (e.g. a bayonet connection or a screw connection) of the objective lens.

An adapter that can be connected, for example an adapter that is connected to the objective turret, can be considered as part of the objective body. Within the scope of the invention, a bayonet connection or a bayonet connection designed as an adapter can also be considered as part of the objective. The objective body mating connector may also be formed on the bayonet connector and the immersion liquid tank may be supported by it. In particular, the orientation of the immersion liquid tank can be such that it extends in the direction of rotation of the objective turret or in an enlarged manner on the axis of rotation of the objective turret. The bayonet connection may comprise a connector for the fluid medium with an integrated check valve so that no fluid leaks into the bayonet interface when the objective lens is removed. In order to simplify the use of the objective turret, the conduits can also be connected in contact via a rotatable pipe connection on the axis of rotation of the objective turret.

By the support of the objective lens is meant that the weight of the respective component is taken up by the objective lens body or jointly with the objective lens body by means of a mounting connection of the objective lens body (for example by means of the same electronic bayonet connection). These components are therefore not supported on a support or separated from the objective, in particular the control electronics, the immersion liquid tank and the pump.

The detachable support via the objective body mating connection is intended to mean that non-destructive detachment is possible, without the use of tools if necessary. This is the case, for example, in the case of plug/socket, magnetic or bayonet connections. In order to make efficient use of the installation space, it may be advantageous to support the pump and the immersion liquid tank on the objective body by the same electrical connection and mechanical cooperation means. However, it is in principle also possible to provide separate electrical and/or mechanically cooperating connection means on the objective body for the pump and the immersion liquid tank.

The use of the singular form of description is for ease of understanding and does not necessarily imply that only a single component is provided. For example, if a "pump" is described, additional pumps optionally formed in the manner of the described pump may also be provided.

Plug/socket connection: in the context of the present invention, a plug/socket electrical connector is understood to mean a connection which establishes an electrical connection by being plugged together. The plug/socket connection here may comprise outwardly directed contact pins and/or inwardly directed contact holes. The plug/socket connection can optionally provide mechanical support of the connected components in addition to the electrical connection and can in particular be designed as a plug, socket or mating connector.

The features described as additional features of the immersion objective will also lead to variants of the method according to the invention if implemented as intended. Conversely, the immersion objective may also be configured to carry out the described method variant.

Drawings

Further advantages and features of the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1A-1C show different schematic views of an exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention;

fig. 2A-2C show different schematic views of the immersion objective of fig. 1A-1C with the immersion liquid tank removed;

fig. 3A, 3B show different schematic views of another exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention;

fig. 4A, 4B show different schematic views of another exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention;

fig. 5A shows an exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention, wherein a pump is integrated in an upright arrangement in an immersion liquid tank;

fig. 5B shows an exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention, wherein the pump is integrated in the immersion liquid tank in an inverted arrangement;

fig. 6 shows the re-charging of an immersion liquid tank of one of the exemplary immersion objectives with an immersion liquid;

fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention, in which the control electronics are detachably connected to the objective body;

fig. 8A, 8B show different schematic views of another exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective according to the present invention, wherein the pump is designed to be separated from the immersion liquid tank;

fig. 9A shows a partial enlarged view of an immersion objective of one of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 9B shows a corresponding cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A; and

fig. 10 shows a table showing the estimated immersion amount and other parameters for different objective lenses.

Detailed Description

Various example embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. In general, identical elements and elements functioning in an identical manner are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1C and FIGS. 2A-2C

An exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in fig. 1A-1C and 2A-2C. Fig. 1A is a side view of the immersion objective 1. Fig. 1B shows a top view of the immersion objective 1, i.e. a view from the connection side of the immersion objective 1. Fig. 1C is a bottom view, i.e., a view viewed from a specimen. The immersion objective 1 can be used for optical microscopes. It comprises a mechanical mounting connection 7, such as a bayonet mount or a screw thread, which can be mounted on the objective turret or another mount on the optical microscope stand. The mechanical mounting connection 7 of the present embodiment further comprises an electrical interface 5, which electrical interface 5 is provided, for example, in case a bayonet connector is provided.

The immersion objective 1 makes efficient use of an annular mounting space around its optomechanical core system, here called the objective body 10. The potential available space is generally determined by the spatial conditions on the objective turret of the microscope and, in the case of an objective turret, its maximum size must be within a range in which no collisions with neighboring objectives occur. The user should also be able to change whether the immersion objective 1 on the microscope is in a vertical or upside down position. The available space is utilized efficiently because two immersion liquid tanks 20, 20' and a control electronics housing 41, in which the control electronics 40 are placed, are supported on the objective body 10. Fig. 1A to 1C show the installation state of the immersion liquid tanks 20, 20', the immersion liquid tanks 20, 20' having pumps (not shown here), respectively. A conduit extends from each immersion liquid tank 20, 20' to the objective front face 15. Fig. 1C shows the corresponding tube opening 46 of the catheter. During operation, the tube opening 46 is laterally beside the front lens 16 accommodated in the objective body 10. Immersion liquid can be introduced into the space between the cover glass (slide) and the objective front 15 through the tube opening 46. The tube opening 46 may be positioned on the objective front face 15 in a manner specific to the objective and the immersion liquid, for example depending on the size of the object field (objectfield) and the free working distance that the cone (cone) of immersion liquid is intended to establish, or depending on the viscosity of the immersion liquid. The position of the tube opening 46 on the objective front face 15 is intended to ensure that a suitable and bubble-free immersion liquid cone (cone) can be formed in a reproducible manner between the front lens 16 and the cover glass (slide). When the pump is switched off, the immersion liquid remains, regardless of the arrangement of the objective lens, due to the action of the internal microtubes in the objective lens.

Fig. 2A, 2B and 2C show side, top and bottom views of the immersion objective 1, wherein the immersion liquid tank 20, 20' is separated from the objective body 10. The arrows show in which direction of the objective body 10 the immersion liquid tank 20, 20' may be arranged. The removability of the immersion liquid tank 20, 20' is an important feature that allows the immersion objective 1 to be used on both upright and inverted microscopes, as will be described in more detail later. Detachability is also advantageous for replacing the conduits and optionally refilling the immersion liquid tank 20, 20'.

Residual immersion liquid pot (figure 2B)

As shown in fig. 2B, in a modification of the above-described exemplary embodiment, an empty tank may be used as the residual immersion liquid tank 19 instead of the immersion liquid tank 20'. The immersion liquid which is no longer needed is sucked from the front region of the objective lens into the residual immersion liquid tank 19. This may occur when the immersion liquid is changed or switched to a dry objective. Nevertheless, manual fine cleaning of the front region of the objective lens may still be required. If the residual immersion liquid tank 19 is full, the residual immersion liquid is drained through a built-in drain valve. To remove the residual immersion liquid tank 19, aspiration can be performed manually by using a syringe with an injection needle. However, a design with an electrically powered drain valve and pump is more convenient. In this case, the residual immersion liquid tank 19 is continuously mounted on the objective lens body 10 so as to supply power to the pump. The remaining immersion liquid is then pumped into a collection vessel through a conduit connected to a drain valve. The control electronics can automatically initiate drainage or prompt the user to do so depending on the liquid level.

Exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3B

Another exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in fig. 3A-3B. Fig. 3A is a top view, and fig. 3B is a bottom view. This example embodiment differs from the previous example embodiments in that a single immersion liquid tank 20 is provided. Thus, a single conduit with tube opening 46 leads to objective front face 15.

Fig. 3A also shows how the control electronics 40 are arranged in the control electronics housing 41. The control electronics housing 41 has the shape of an annular segment, i.e. it surrounds a part of the objective body 10 in an annular manner. The control electronics 40 may extend along the circular cross-section depending on the shape of the housing. To this end, a plurality of switchboard 42 may be connected by elastic connectors. This design of the control electronics 40 may also be used with other example embodiments.

In the example shown, the control electronics housing 41 has an outer wall in the shape of a circular arc segment. Alternatively, the outer wall may also be a portion of an ellipse. This is especially true when the Corr function is implemented, where the thickness of the cover glass (slide) and the refractive index and temperature of the immersion liquid can be corrected by internal lens adjustments. An actuator or motor for lens adjustment may be housed in the control electronics housing 41. The control electronics 40 can additionally be configured for Corr control, in particular for controlling the actuator/motor for adjusting the lens. In this way complex workflows are combined into one goal. This brings practical advantages to the user, especially in the case of long-term experiments and incubation conditions. In this way, in particular, the setting errors are reduced and collisions with other components can be avoided.

Exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4B

Another exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in fig. 4A-4B. Fig. 4A is another plan view and fig. 4B is a bottom view. This example embodiment differs from the previous example embodiments in that three immersion liquid tanks 20, 20' are provided. In the present embodiment, three conduits with respective tube openings 46 lead to the objective front 15, depending on the number of canisters.

The different embodiments have in common that the respectively provided immersion liquid tanks 20, 20', 20 "form a ring shape together with the control electronics housing 41. In particular, a closed loop may be formed around the objective body 10. This is an advantage of using space without risk of collision with other microscope components.

One of the immersion liquid tanks 20, 20 'may also be used as a rinse/liquid tank, while another one of the immersion liquid tanks 20, 20', 20 may be used as a residual immersion liquid tank. The cleaning agent is filled in the flushing liquid tank. For the rinsing operation, optionally, the residual immersion liquid is first sucked into a residual immersion liquid tank, then the rinsing agent is pumped from the rinsing liquid tank to the front side of the objective lens and from there into the residual immersion liquid tank. These steps may be initiated by the control electronics 40.

Table of FIG. 10

In the following, the volumes that can be used for the immersion liquid are explained in a simplified form for the exemplary depicted immersion objective 1. Typical objective lenses have a focal length of 45, 60 or 75 mm. Considering the specific spatial conditions on the objective wheel or on the converter, depending on the structure of each immersion liquid tank, the following internal volumes (this estimate is calculated by the "developed" circumference, i.e. width x height of the circumferential segment x) can be thought of:

no. 1 immersion liquid pot 10mmx40mmx25mm 10000mm³＝10000μl＝10ml；

No. 2 or No. 3 immersion liquid pot, 10mmx20mmx25 mm-5000 mm³＝5000μl＝5ml。

The table of fig. 10 relates to a typical objective lens that has been redesigned according to the invention such that all components required for immersion (in particular the immersion liquid tank, the pump, the control electronics) are supported by the objective lens body. Thus, with the immersion objective 1 according to the invention, a typical objective is characterized by an objective body 10 on which the immersion components (immersion liquid tank, pump, control electronics) are supported.

The table contains the following names:

10: the type of objective lens body;

beta: the magnification or replication ratio of each immersion objective;

NA: an aperture for immersing the objective lens;

d: working distance, unit: mm;

v: approximate fluid volume required for immersion operation, unit: μ l.

The volume V of fluid required for immersion can be estimated by the diameter of the immersion cone. 6mm and the specified objective lens specific working distance.

The maximum number of immersions per tank filling (initial immersion) can be estimated from the volumes shown in fig. 10, for example:

objective C-Apochromat 10X/0.45W (51. mu.l/immersion): about 190 immersions of the immersion tank No. 1, or about 95 immersions of the immersion tank No. 2 or No. 3.

Objective LCI Plan-Neofluorr 63x/1.3 imCORPH 3(5 μ l/immersion): about 2000 immersions of the No. 1 immersion tank, or about 1000 immersions of the No. 2 or No. 3 immersion tank.

This evaluation method is in fact simplified, the immersion liquid also remains in the conduit and it is necessary to fill the conduit with immersion liquid, for example at the beginning of the immersion, after a longer interruption of the operation or before long-term experiments, in the case of possible replacement of the conduit. In addition, to remove potential contaminants or bubbles, a rinsing operation is required to clean and degas the immersion liquid components. As a result, in practice, the maximum number of submergings possible may eventually be lower than the estimated number described above.

However, the schematic dimensions of the immersion liquid tank show that a sufficient amount of immersion liquid can be accommodated directly on the objective lens, even in view of the additional requirements of the immersion liquid due to operation. This also applies to long-term experiments using live cell imaging, which are immersed in water and partially performed under incubation conditions, over a period of, for example, several days. Replenishment of immersion may be required in such experiments, for example, by changing the water evaporated from the immersion cone every 20 minutes. The additional immersion requires approximately one third of the initial amount of immersion water. With the above volumes, the supply of immersion liquid would be entirely sufficient for a 5 day experiment with 320 additional immersions.

Example embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B

Fig. 5A and 5B show a further exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 5A shows a side view of the immersion objective 1 used in an upright microscope, while fig. 5B shows a side view of the immersion objective 1 used in a vertical microscope. Fig. 5B shows a side view of the immersion objective 1 used in an inverted microscope. The immersion liquid tank 20 can be connected to the objective body 10 in two different directions in order to adapt the immersion objective 1 to two situations.

The exterior of the objective body 10 includes an objective body mating connector 12, and an immersion liquid tank 20 is supported on the objective body mating connector 12.

Objective body mating connector 12 may include, for example, mechanical interlocking elements, hooks, clips, or magnets (not shown).

In the illustrated example, the immersion liquid tank 20 is directly connected to the objective body mating connector 12, although in a modification, an intermediate member may be connected between the objective body mating connector 12 and the immersion liquid tank 20.

In the case shown, the objective body mating connector 12 further comprises an objective body plug/socket connector 13, which establishes an electrical connection with the immersion liquid tank 20. The objective body plug/socket connection 13 may also assist in the mechanical support of the immersion liquid tank 20 or provide mechanical support separately depending on its design. For mating with the objective body mating connection 12, the immersion liquid tank 20 comprises a mating plug/socket 23, here exemplarily designed as a plug connector.

The objective body mating connector 12 is located at the middle height of the objective body 10 and is designed to be symmetrically contactable. Therefore, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the same immersion liquid tank 20 can be fixed to the objective lens body 10 in different directions relative thereto. The height of the center of the objective body mating connector 12 ensures that the immersion liquid tank 20 does not protrude beyond the objective front face or mounting connector 7 in either direction.

In the side views of fig. 5A and 5B, a single immersion liquid tank 20 is visible, although other tanks may alternatively be provided. Thus, the views from above and below may correspond to fig. 2B-2C, fig. 3A-3B or fig. 4A-4B, depending on the design of the immersion objective 1.

In this embodiment, the pump 31 is integrated in the immersion liquid tank 20. Therefore, only one replaceable conduit 45 is needed to connect the tube opening 46 to the objective lens front face 15. Ease of replacement of the catheter 45 by the customer is an important application-related requirement. For the catheter 45, the catheter 45 may become contaminated or clogged through use, for example, by live cell imaging under incubation conditions of 37 ℃. If long-term experiments lasting several days are imminent, replacement of the catheter is required as a precaution. For this purpose, the line 45 can be simply fastened to the tank-side pipe connection fitting 32. On the side of the objective lens, the conduit 45 may pass through a channel provided for this purpose, for example. The channels may be formed on the objective body 10 or in the objective body 10. A seal may be provided at the channel to prevent immersion liquid from penetrating between the conduit 45 and the channel walls. The end of the conduit 45 having the tube opening 46 may be flush with the objective lens front face 15.

The different lengths of conduit required to reach the objective front face 15 depend on whether the immersion liquid tank 20 is mounted for an upright microscope or an inverted microscope. A conduit storage area is provided on the immersion objective 1, so that the same conduit 45 can be used in both cases. A portion of the conduit 45 is supported in the conduit storage region only in the upright or inverted objective orientation (depending on which of the two objective orientations requires a shorter conduit). The tube storage area may be formed by, for example, undercuts on the immersion liquid tank 20 (not shown). The undercut allows the immersion liquid tank 20 to be form-fitted and securely fixed or interlocking engaged on the objective body 10 without interference from the conduit 45. Alternatively, a clamping element may be provided on the outer wall of the immersion liquid tank 20 or the objective body 10 for accommodating a portion of the conduit 45.

A tube support (not shown) may also be provided that allows for two different support positions for the conduit 45. One support position is used for upright operation of the microscope and the other support position is used for inverted operation of the microscope. In particular, the tube support may be provided on a respective immersion liquid tank. It may comprise interlocking elements for gripping the tube and/or for the rotatable connection. The rotatable connector may be a micro-tube connector and is locked in two rotational positions for both inverted and upright operation.

The immersion liquid tank 20 may comprise a mechanically removable tank cover. The electronically readable level sensor 26 and the venting valve 25 may be integrated in the tank cover. The level sensor 26 detects a level 27 of the immersion liquid 2 during an immersion operation or during mounting of the immersion liquid tank 20 on the objective body 10. During the immersion operation, the exhaust valve 25 compensates for the negative pressure, and there are no air bubbles when the immersion liquid is pumped out of the tank. The vent valve 25 also compensates for positive pressure during charging of the tank. A corresponding filler opening 28, in particular a complementary connection with a rubber seal, can be integrated in the outer wall of the immersion liquid tank 20. Similar to the refillable printer cartridge, the filling may be through the needle of the syringe. The pump 31 and the level sensor 26 or other integrated sensor integrated in the immersion liquid tank 20 are connected to an electrical plug/socket connection 23 located outside the immersion liquid tank 20. To this end, an insulated electrical connection line valve (not shown in the figures) may extend along the inner wall of the immersion liquid tank 20. Through the electrical plug/socket connection 23 with the control electronics 40.

The specific target immersion amounts for initial immersion and supplemental immersion may be stored in the control firmware or software controlling the electronic components 40. Other software tools for setting up and maintaining the immersion device may also be saved in the control electronics 40, such as cleaning or rinsing procedures, in particular degassing procedures for the conduits 45.

In a variation of this exemplary embodiment, the fill port 28 is omitted. In this case, when the immersion liquid tank 20 is empty, the pump 31 is discarded together with the immersion liquid tank 20.

Refill of the immersion liquid tank of fig. 6

Fig. 6 shows the refilling of the immersion liquid tank 20 with immersion liquid 2 by means of a syringe 60 with an injection needle. In this process, the immersion liquid tank 20 may be attached to the objective lens body 10 or detached from the objective lens body 10. When filling the empty immersion liquid tank 20 in the disassembled state, a specified amount of filling is set by a measuring mark on the syringe when the plunger is pulled, and then it is completely poured into the immersion liquid tank 20. The fill level can be monitored in real time by the level sensor 26 when the immersion liquid tank 20 is mounted on the objective body 10. After the immersion liquid tank 20 is filled, the flushing operation is initiated by the control electronics. During the flushing operation, any gas bubbles that may be present are purged from the immersion liquid tank 20 and the conduit 45.

Example embodiment of FIG. 7

Fig. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an immersion objective 1 according to the invention in a side view. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5A and 5B in that the control electronics housing 41 comprises a plug/socket connection 44, by means of which plug/socket connection 44 the control electronics housing 41 can be detachably connected to a corresponding plug/socket connection 14 on the objective body 10.

Example embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8B

A further exemplary embodiment of the immersion objective 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated by a side view in fig. 8A and a top view in fig. 8B.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5A and 5B, the pump 31 and the immersion liquid tank 20 are not firmly connected. Instead, a pump adaptor 30 is used, and the pump adaptor 30 includes a pump 31 and is detachably connectable to the objective lens body 10 and the immersion liquid tank 20. For this purpose, the pump adapter 30 comprises a plug/socket connection which is a mating plug/socket 33 which mates with the plug/socket connection 13 on the objective body 10. Support may be provided on the objective body 10 by interlocking elements or magnetically. As shown in fig. 8B, the inner wall of the pump adapter 30 facing the objective lens body 10 may have a concave shape so as to be able to be in full face-to-face contact with the objective lens body 10. The pump adapter 30 also includes a plug/socket connector 35, which socket connector 35 can be connected to a mating plug/socket connector 22 on the immersion liquid tank 20.

By separating the pump 31 and the immersion liquid tank 20, the immersion liquid tank can be formed as a cost-effective disposable tank. The disposable tank also ensures the availability of the correct immersion liquid 2 without contaminants. The immersion liquid tank 20 is thus not directly connected to the objective body 10 by the pump adapter 30, through which the immersion liquid tank 20 is also in electrical contact. The immersion liquid tank 20 can also be designed as a flexible bag, especially when it is used as a disposable tank.

The pump adapter 30 includes a support bracket 34 for its mechanical connection to the immersion liquid tank 20. For example, a housing shape designed to fit the shape of the immersion liquid tank 20 may be used as the support bracket 34. In particular, the immersion liquid tank 20 may comprise a receiving groove 29, which receiving groove 29 accommodates a part of the pump adapter 30 such that the pump 31 projects into the receiving groove 29 in a form-fitting manner. The plug/socket connection 35 may also be part of the mechanical support bracket 34.

The pump adapter 30 comprises a pipe connection fitting 32 to which pipe 45 leading to the front side 15 of the objective lens can be connected. The pump adapter 30 further comprises a fluid connection 36, which fluid connection 36 can be connected to the pump coupling 24 of the immersion liquid tank 20. The pump 31 can feed immersion liquid 2 from the immersion liquid tank 20 via said connection. The pump coupling 24 prevents fluid leakage when the pump adapter 30 is not connected.

In order to allow both upright and inverted operation, the electrical contact is realized in the same way as described above in this case: the plug/socket connection 13 of the objective body is designed with a medium height and symmetrical contact. The mating plug/socket 33 of the pump adapter 30 may be designed in a similar manner to the already described mating plug/socket 23 of the immersion liquid tank of the previous exemplary embodiment.

In a variation of the example of fig. 8A and 8B, it is also possible to provide a plurality of pump adapters 30 each having one immersion liquid tank 20. The pump adaptor comprises a plurality of plug/socket connections 35 and a plurality of pump adaptor of pumps 31 so that a plurality of immersion liquid tanks 20 can be connected to the same pump adaptor.

Catheter of fig. 9A and 9B

Fig. 9A shows an enlarged view of a cross section around the objective lens front face 15, and fig. 9B is a corresponding side view. The designs shown herein may optionally be provided in any of the example embodiments described above.

Fig. 9A and 9B show the opening of the duct 45 to the front lens 16 on the front face 15 of the objective lens. The duct 45 can be held in a recess or support groove 17 on the objective front face 15, alternatively, instead of the support groove 17, also a circumferentially closed tube channel can be used, for example a perforation in the objective body 10 or in a front cover of the objective body 10. However, the support grooves 17 make cleaning easier.

In addition to the support grooves 17, a plurality of fixing points can be provided on the objective front side 15 or on the objective body 10 (not shown), whereby the guide tube 45 can be guided to the support grooves 17 at defined positions.

In the example embodiment described above, the conduit 45 is formed as an integral piece. Alternatively, however, the conduit 45 may also comprise two pipe sections, which may be connected to each other directly or via intermediate components. Thus, as shown in fig. 9A and 9b, a tube section is arranged on the objective front 15, the other tube section being fixed to a connector connection on the pump 31 or the immersion liquid tank 20. The two pipe sections are joined at a connection point. The connection points may be formed on the objective body 10 such that one of the tube sections corresponds to the tube section of the conduit 45 shown in dashed lines in fig. 5A and 5B, which may be mounted in the inner channel of the objective. The other section corresponds to the section of the conduit 45 indicated by the dashed line in fig. 5A and 5B. In this way the guidance of the tube segments to the objective front face 15 will not depend on whether an upright or an upside-down operation is performed.

Fig. 9B further shows an optional heating element 18, e.g. a heating foil, on the objective body 10. In particular, the objective front 15 can be heated in this way. This temperature regulation is particularly important in living cell applications, which are typically performed under incubation conditions of 37 ℃ to ensure that optimal optical image quality can be obtained by temperature controlled immersion fluids. If the conduit 45 is led beside the heating element 18, the immersion liquid will also be heated in the conduit 45.

The described exemplary embodiments may vary within the framework of the appended claims. In particular, the elements of the different example embodiments, the number, shape and arrangement of immersion liquid tanks described may be combined, for example. Thus, a control electronics housing 41 described in one exemplary embodiment as being connectable by a plug/socket may also be added to other exemplary embodiments. Alternatively, the control electronics housing 41 may also be designed individually as a permanently attached part of the objective body 10.

All the described exemplary embodiments have the advantage that a compact arrangement of the basic immersion liquid components directly on the objective is made possible, the handling and potential use of the immersion objective thus being significantly improved.

List of reference signs

1 immersing an objective lens;

2, immersing liquid;

5 an electrical interface for immersion objective lens;

7 mechanical mounting connection for immersion objective;

10 an objective lens body;

12 objective lens body fitting connection piece;

13 objective body plug/socket connection, e.g. an immersion liquid tank;

14 objective body plug/socket connections for controlling electrical components;

15 objective lens front;

16 a front lens;

17 a support groove on the front surface of the objective lens;

18a heating element;

19 residual immersion liquid tank;

20. 20', 20' immersion liquid tank;

22 a plug/socket connection for immersion tank;

23 mating plug/socket;

a 24-pump coupling;

25 an exhaust valve;

26 a liquid level sensor;

27 level of immersion liquid;

28a filling port;

29 receiving recess of the immersion liquid tank of the pump;

30 a pump adaptor;

31a pump;

32 pipe joint fittings;

33 mating plug/socket of the pump adapter;

34 a support bracket for the pump adaptor;

35 a plug/socket connection of a pump adapter of an immersion liquid tank;

36 a fluid connection of a pump adaptor;

40 control electronics;

41 control electronics housing;

42 a flexible connection circuit board for controlling the electronic parts;

44 control the plug/socket connection of the electronic enclosure;

45 a catheter;

46 an opening on the front side of the objective lens;

60, an injector;

the magnification or replication ratio of the β -immersion objective;

NA submerges the aperture of the objective lens;

d working distance, unit: mm;

v approximate fluid volume of initial immersion.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, and not by way of limitation, and that those skilled in the art can make modifications and variations of the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the invention.