Microscope, device incorporated therein and method of contacting components on its rotor

Abstract

The invention relates to a microscope, a device incorporated therein and a method of contacting components on a rotor thereof, the device comprising a stator for connection to a static component of the microscope, in particular a stand, and comprising a rotor arranged to be rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the rotor has a plurality of mounting sites configured for receiving a microscope component, in particular an optical unit component, respectively. The device is characterized in that there is an electrical rotary feedthrough comprising a first part connected to the stator and a second part connected to the rotor, at least one electrical connection is made between the stator and the rotor via said electrical rotary feedthrough, and an electrical connection is made on the rotor from said second part of said rotary feedthrough to at least one of said mounting sites for electrically contacting a microscope component to be arranged in said mounting site.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for incorporation into a microscope as described in the preamble of claim 1. In a second aspect, the apparatus relates to a microscope as described in the preamble of claim 11. Finally, the invention relates to a method for contacting a microscope component on a rotor of a microscope. Background Technology

[0002] Among the various variations in the prior art, such as from WO2006 / 037490A1, a general-type device for incorporation into a microscope is known, and the device has at least the following components: a stator for connection to a static component, particularly a support; and a rotor arranged to be rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the rotor has a plurality of mounting sites configured to receive microscope components, particularly optical unit components, respectively.

[0003] Similarly, among various variations of the prior art, such as from WO2006 / 037490A1, a general-type microscope is known, and the microscope includes at least the following components: at least one microscope objective; a holder for holding the sample to be examined; and a light source for providing illumination.

[0004] Modern microscope systems consist of a variety of optical and mechanical components. To meet diverse applications, these components should be interchangeable. Therefore, once the microscope is turned on, it is desirable for the microscope to identify which interchangeable components are present. It is known to use specific storage media (e.g., the DS2431 manufactured by Maxim) to store information about such interchangeable components. Such a solution is described in WO2006 / 037490A1. For example, in practice, interchangeable microscope components (e.g., objectives or filter boxes) can be identified. These components are typically arranged on a so-called turntable (e.g., objective turntable, reflector turntable). In known solutions, interchangeable components are read only at specific locations on the turntable. This means that a full or near-full rotation of the corresponding turntable is always required to make at least one electrical contact with all components and read the information associated with the corresponding component. Because reading these components requires a full or near-full rotation of the turntable, in known solutions, the component identification process is typically performed only after the user has explicitly requested it.

[0005] In this context, another common type of problem involves the operation of motorized components mounted on a turntable (e.g., a motorized correction ring objective on an objective turntable). In known solutions, the motorized correction ring objective is connected to the support via an external cable. Since the objective turntable is rotatable, this connecting cable for the correction ring objective gets wrapped around the turntable during rotation. Therefore, if the turntable is accidentally rotated too much, there is a risk that the connecting cable will tear. To reliably avoid this tearing, constraints could, admittedly, be added so that the objective turntable can only rotate a maximum of half a turn in each direction. However, this naturally limits the operator's freedom of control. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem solved by this invention can be considered as providing a device and a microscope for incorporation into a microscope, in which multiple microscope components can be changed with particular flexibility. Furthermore, the identification of the corresponding components is designed to be achieved in a particularly simple manner. Finally, the objective is to describe in detail a method for contacting microscope components on a rotor of a microscope.

[0007] The problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1, by a microscope having the features of claim 11, and by a method having the features of claim 13.

[0008] Preferred configurations of the apparatus according to the invention, the microscope according to the invention, and the method according to the invention are described below, particularly with reference to the dependent claims and drawings.

[0009] According to the present invention, an apparatus of the above type has been developed, characterized in that: an electric rotating feeder is present, the electric rotating feeder comprising a first portion connected to the stator and a second portion connected to the rotor; at least one electrical connection is formed between the stator and the rotor via the electric rotating feeder; and an electrical connection is formed on the rotor from the second portion of the rotating feeder to at least one mounting location for electrical contact with a microscope component to be arranged in the mounting location.

[0010] In the case of microscopes of the type described above, according to the present invention, there exists a device according to the present invention.

[0011] In the case of the method according to the invention for contacting a microscope component on a rotor, the device according to the invention is used. Then, according to the invention, the microscope component is mounted at least one mounting location, preferably multiple mounting locations, particularly at each mounting location, of the mounting locations on the rotor, and the microscope component is electrically connected to the microscope controller via a rotating feedthrough, at least for its power supply and / or for its drive.

[0012] The device according to the invention is used for integration into a microscope. This is also considered to refer to the case where a functional microscope is achieved solely through the integration of the device according to the invention.

[0013] The terms stator and support are considered to refer to components that do not move during the intended use of the microscope (i.e., are stationary relative to the working environment, such as the stage on which the microscope is erected).

[0014] The term "rotor" is generally considered to refer to a component that is fixed to the stator in a manner that allows the rotor to rotate relative to the stator, particularly by an arbitrary angle of rotation, and particularly in a releasable manner. The terms "rotor" and "turntable" are used primarily as synonyms in this application.

[0015] The mounting location is understood to refer to a facility on the rotor that allows microscope components (such as objectives or filter housings) to be mounted on the rotor, particularly in a releasable manner. To achieve such a mounting location, the rotor may be provided with threads, holes, receiving slots, and similar constructions in ways known in principle.

[0016] For the purposes of this specification, the term microscope component refers to any kind of interchangeable component that can be used in an optical microscope. The term optical unit component refers to such a component that affects light in a certain way (e.g., by diffraction, refraction, polarization rotation and / or spatial and / or spectral filtering).

[0017] Typically, such components, particularly optical unit components, have mechanical means, such as frames, bases, or housings, for advantageous mechanical connection and fixation of the associated microscope components to the mounting location. These mechanical means are always implied in the context of the term "optical unit component" as used in this specification.

[0018] Microscope components that can be accessed via a rotating feedthrough and introduced into the optical path of the microscope can be one or more of the following: objectives, filter elements (color filters, neutral density filters, spatial filters, apertures), beam splitters, accessories (such as threaded rings), coupling sleeves, housings for component identification, beam deflection devices, DIC sliders, TIC sliders, cameras, condensers, light sources, adjustable turntables, TV ports, tubes, prisms, mirrors, miniature filter plates, and stages.

[0019] The term light source is considered to refer to a fundamentally known unit that provides illumination light, particularly a laser, which has the desired characteristics for imparting effects with the respective desired contrast (transmitted light, reflected light, dark field illumination, oblique light illumination, point illumination, wide field of view illumination, etc.).

[0020] The key term in this invention is the term "electric rotary feeder." This electric rotary feeder is, for example, a component capable of realizing at least one electrical connection, preferably multiple electrical connections, between a first part that can be connected to the stator and a second part that can be connected to the rotor. Such electric rotary feeders are available on the market in various variations and for a variety of applications.

[0021] What can be considered the central concept of the present invention is to omit the permanent contact connection via a connecting line as used in the prior art, and instead achieve the permanent contact connection of the components via a rotating feeder.

[0022] One of the main advantages of this invention is that the permanent contact connection of the microscope components via the rotating feedthrough eliminates any restrictions on the rotation of the turntable for the user.

[0023] Another major advantage is that, compared to existing technology solutions where microscope components are only temporarily accessed and identification of all components on the turntable requires a test run of the turntable, all microscope components on the turntable are always accessible and identifiable.

[0024] The present invention enables simple and universal operation of electrical, electromechanical and electronic functions implemented on a rotatable component, which is typically a filter box in an objective lens stage or a reflector stage.

[0025] With the aid of so-called rotating feedthroughs, such as slip ring solutions encapsulated within a hollow shaft (e.g., the RotarX series manufactured by B-Command), various electronic devices (e.g., storage media, motors, sensors, illumination, etc.) of all modifiable microscope components can be read, accessed, and / or used at any point in time. Due to the encapsulated slip rings, electrical contact is continuously present, i.e., continuously present in every rotational position and also continuously during the rotation of the turntable. In effect, it is as if the components are continuously connected via a wire. Therefore, once the microscope has been turned on, the turntable or other components do not require mechanical movement, for example, to access and identify all modifiable microscope components (either within the microscope component itself or in the functional components assembled to that corresponding microscope component).

[0026] The storage medium can be read in a very short time (in milliseconds). Since the movement of the turntable is no longer required and the readout process is completed within milliseconds, this invention enables the identification of microscope components every time the device is started or during this period, without any limitations for the user when using the microscope.

[0027] Furthermore, this invention enables the automatic identification of microscope components that are interchangeable even during microscope operation, such as interchangeable filter boxes. An advantage over EP1794638B1 is the ability to use any storage medium. Previously, in the case of the EP1794638 solution, the storage medium was limited to 4 kilobits. The use of a rotating feedthrough eliminates this limitation and allows for the use of larger storage media. With larger storage media, other bus systems (such as I2C or SPI buses) are typically used. Admittedly, these bus systems have the disadvantage of requiring more lines compared to Maxim's single-wire bus. However, this can be easily solved by using a rotating feedthrough with sufficient slip rings.

[0028] Furthermore, slip rings offer the advantage of eliminating external wiring arrangements, especially in cases involving motorized microscope components (such as mechanical objective lenses) on a turntable. This eliminates the risk of external wire tangling and tearing.

[0029] Furthermore, these moving parts can be accessed even when they are not located in the optical path of the support. In this regard, for example, in the case of a moving correction ring objective, the correction ring can be moved to a predetermined position before the objective is actually pivoted into the optical path.

[0030] To achieve this invention, it is sufficient to form an electrical connection on the rotor to one of the mounting locations. In an advantageous and suitable variant, an electrical connection is formed on the rotor from the second portion of the rotating feedthrough to each mounting location for electrical contact with microscope components to be arranged in the respective mounting locations. Each microscope component mounted on the mounting location can then be accessed or actuated at any time.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a contact device is provided at at least one mounting location, preferably at each mounting location, for contacting a microscope component to be arranged in the corresponding mounting location. Advantageously, the contact device is configured such that contact with a particular microscope component is automatically achieved when the microscope component is inserted into or mounted on or at the corresponding mounting location. Obviously, a corresponding contact device must also be present at the corresponding microscope component.

[0032] Advantageously, a contact device is present at at least one mounting location, or preferably at multiple mounting locations or at each mounting location, for contacting a functional component that is respectively connected to a microscope component to be arranged in the corresponding mounting location. Each microscope component mounted on the mounting location can then be accessed or actuated at any time via the corresponding functional component.

[0033] The invention is achieved when a mounting portion on the rotor is equipped with a microscope component and the microscope component is identified and / or operated via an electric rotary feedthrough. The advantages of the invention are particularly evident when multiple mounting portions of the rotor, preferably each mounting portion, are equipped with a microscope component.

[0034] Advantageously, the functional components are assembled to at least one microscope component, and preferably to multiple microscope components or optical unit components, or to each microscope component or optical unit component. At least one, preferably multiple, and particularly each functional component, can provide at least one of the following functions: identifying the microscope component and / or providing information about the microscope component to which the associated functional component is arranged; sensor function; actuator function; interface function with other components of the microscope component. The term interface function should also be considered to simply provide contact with the associated microscope component.

[0035] It is possible to implement arbitrary electronic circuits, sensors, and actuators in microscope components and / or functional components. Limitations include the available structural space, the number of electrical connections provided via the rotating feedthrough and the associated available electrical power, and, if appropriate, the available bandwidth for data transmission.

[0036] Regarding the method according to the invention, preferably, functional components are assembled into at least one microscope component, preferably each microscope component, and for at least one functional component, preferably multiple functional components, particularly each functional component, at least one of the following functions is provided: identifying and / or providing information about the corresponding microscope component on which the associated functional components are arranged, sensor function, actuator function, interface function with other components of the microscope component.

[0037] In an advantageous variant of the method according to the invention, the microscope components can be identified by their respective functional components.

[0038] Particularly preferably, the microscope components mounted on the rotor mounting site can be automatically identified when the microscope is started and / or during microscope operation, especially when the rotor is stationary relative to the stator. This variant demonstrates significant advantages compared to prior art where all components must be moved to specific positions by means of the rotor for identification purposes.

[0039] The present invention also enables variations of the method in which the identification, driving, reading and / or operation of microscope components and / or functional components are performed in a manner independent of the rotational position of the rotor, and / or in a manner independent of whether the rotor is rotating.

[0040] In the special case of the last variant, the microscope component to be initialized and / or electrically set in a specific manner can be initialized and / or set before it enters the microscope's optical path due to the rotation of the rotor. Therefore, time can be saved during microscope operation.

[0041] Another preferred variant of the device according to the invention is characterized by the presence of a position sensor for determining the rotational position of the rotor relative to the stator. This increases the convenience of operator control because, in addition to information about which components are located on the rotor or turntable, it is now possible to determine at any given time which components are currently in the optical path or how far the rotor has traveled to bring a particular microscope component into the optical path.

[0042] To drive a rotor or turntable, an electric motor, such as a stepper motor, can exist in a manner known per se.

[0043] Electrical connections to the microscope components can be used to provide power to the corresponding microscope components. Alternatively or additionally, data transmission, particularly bidirectional data transmission, is possible. For example, sensor measurement data (e.g., temperature sensor measurement data) can be transmitted from the corresponding microscope component back to the microscope controller. On the other hand, characteristic curves important for the operation of the corresponding microscope component can also be written into a memory chip, for example, in a functional component on the microscope component. In advantageous variations of the device according to the invention, wires for implementing a bus system, particularly one or more single-wire buses, digital bus systems, can be present in the rotating feedthrough, and / or power supply lines can be present for power supply and / or for data connections to optical unit components and / or to functional components assembled to the microscope component.

[0044] Finally, control commands can also be transmitted via wires in the rotating feedthrough to actuators that form or are connected to microscope components (e.g., microscope objectives). For example, control commands can be transmitted to adjustable microscope objectives or heating elements.

[0045] The transmission of energy and / or information between the controller and microscope components can, in principle, be achieved using known protocols and / or bus systems, such as RS232, RS422, CAN, USB, etc. 2 C, SPI, etc.

[0046] For the microscope according to the invention, it may be suitable to have a microscope controller that is connected to the device according to the invention via a bus system and / or a power supply line.

[0047] The device according to the invention can be advantageously implemented as an objective stage or a filter converter. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Other advantages and features of the invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the equipment;

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention is shown;

[0052] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0053] Figure 5 A block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown; and

[0054] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment of the device 100 according to the present invention, illustrated schematically, will be combined with Figure 3 Embodiments of the microscope 200 according to the invention, illustrated schematically, are described together. Identical and functionally equivalent parts are generally identified by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device 100 according to the invention, shown for incorporation into a microscope 200, primarily comprises a stator 30 and a rotor 40 as key components. The stator 30 is used to connect to static components of the microscope 200, particularly a support 94, and the rotor 40 is arranged to be rotatable relative to the stator 30. The rotor 40 has a plurality of mounting portions 41, 42, 43, and 44 configured to receive microscope components 71, 72, 73, and 74, respectively.

[0057] According to the invention, there is an electric rotary feeder 50, which includes a first portion 53 connected to the stator 30 and a second portion 54 connected to the rotor 40. At least one electrical connection 67, 69 is formed between the stator 30 and the rotor 40 via the electric rotary feeder 50. Each of the lines 67, 69 schematically shown can represent multiple electrical wires in reality.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, an electrical connection 67 is formed on the rotor 40 from the second portion 54 of the rotating feeder 50 to each of the mounting locations 41, 42, 43, 44, for electrical contact with microscope components 71, 72, 73, 74 arranged in the respective mounting locations 41, 42, 43, 44. Figures 1 to 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the microscope component is an optical unit component, specifically various microscope objectives 71, 72, 73, and 74. Each of the microscope objectives 71, 72, 73, and 74 can be positioned in the optical path of the microscope 200 by the corresponding positioning of the rotor 40 relative to the stator 30.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment variant, a position sensor 56 is present to establish the relative position of the rotor 40 with respect to the stator 30. The measurement data from this position sensor can be processed, for example, by the microscope's controller 99.

[0060] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, each of the microscope objectives 71, 72, 73, and 74 is provided with functional components 81, 82, 83, and 84. Each functional component 81, 82, 83, and 84 has a memory chip (not shown) on which information about the corresponding microscope objective 71, 72, 73, and 74 is stored. This information enables at least the identification of the corresponding microscope objective 71, 72, 73, and 74. Furthermore, other data, such as the technical characteristic curves of the corresponding individual microscope objectives 71, 72, 73, and 74, can also be stored on the relevant functional components 81, 82, 83, and 84.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment variant, contact units 68 are additionally present at mounting locations 41, 42, 43, and 44, respectively, and the corresponding functional components 81, 82, 83, and 84 can be contacted through these contact units. This contact can be achieved by creating a conductive connection via a plug-in connection. However, the contact does not necessarily have to be conductive. For example, functional components 81, 82, 83, and 84 can also be magnetically or electro-optically written to or read from.

[0062] The device 100 according to the invention is incorporated Figure 3 In the microscope 200 shown schematically, the static portion 30 of the device 100 is connected to the support 94 of the microscope 200. The microscope 200 further includes a tube 95, which can accommodate additional optical components, such as a tube lens (not shown), in a manner known in principle, and is similarly connected to the support 94 in a manner not shown in more detail. Furthermore, there is a sample holder 93 for holding the sample 92 to be examined, and a light source 91 mounted on a base 98. Figure 3 In the illustrative exemplary embodiment, similarly, the sample holder 93 and the base 98 are connected to the bracket 94. The optical axis of the system is identified by reference numeral 70. Downstream of the tube 95 is a unit 97, which may house an eyepiece and / or a camera.

[0063] Finally, a controller 99 is provided for controlling the microscope 200, which can be connected to a control computer 96 with conventional peripherals (screen, keyboard, mouse). The controller 99 can also be integrated into or implemented by the control computer 96. Specifically, the controller 99 can read the measurement data from the position sensor 56. Correspondingly, the desired microscope component 71 can be positioned in the optical path together with the motor actuator for the rotor 40 (not shown in the figures and implemented in a manner known in principle). Each microscope objective 71, 72, 73, 74 can, in principle, be identified by the controller 99 at any point in time via the line connection 69, and similarly, if other information exists on the corresponding functional components 81, 82, 83, 84, that other information about the microscope objective can be read by the controller 99 at any point in time.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 To describe different variations of the contacts of microscope components 71, 72, and 73.

[0065] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Three microscope components 71, 72, and 73, a rotating feedthrough 50, and a microscope controller 99 are schematically shown. Additional microscope components may be present in each case, indicated by large black dots. Figure 4 and Figure 6 In this context, microscope components 71, 72, and 73 can be, for example, P&C boxes as known in principle. Figures 4 to 6 In the middle, functional components 81, 82, and 83 can be Maxim's ACR components.

[0066] In such Figure 4In the variant of the device 110 shown according to the invention, power supply and data transmission between the microscope controller 99 and the microscope components 71, 72, 73 are both achieved via a single single-wire bus 64. In this example, the rotating feedthrough 50 can be simple in nature, and in principle, only one electrical connection needs to be provided if the grounding wire can be implemented by a metal housing. If the grounding wire cannot be implemented by a housing, then the rotating feedthrough 50 must be able to provide two electrical connections.

[0067] In such Figure 5 In the example of the device 120 according to the invention shown, power supply is achieved via a separate line 66, and data transmission is achieved via a digital bus 65. The digital bus can be, for example, i 2 C, SPI, or CAN bus. For example, in Figure 5 In this case, microscope components 71, 72, and 73 can also be organic or mechanical microscopes. Functional components 81, 82, and 83 can also be omitted. The digital bus can be, for example, a CAN bus used for this purpose.

[0068] In such Figure 6 In the example of the device 130 shown according to the invention, the power supply and data transmission with each microscope component 71, 72, 73 are achieved via separate single-wire buses 61, 62, 63.

[0069] exist Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the variations, data transmission can be unidirectional or bidirectional in each case. In the case of unidirectional data transmission, the microscope controller 99 reads data only from functional units 81, 82, and 83. In the case of bidirectional data transmission, data can also be transmitted to functional units 81, 82, and 83, transmitted via functional units 81, 82, and 83 to microscope units 71, 72, and 73, and / or transmitted directly to microscope units 71, 72, and 73. For example, the data may contain control commands for microscope units 71, 72, and 73. In the case of some or all of the microscope units 71, 72, and 73, functional units 81, 82, and 83 can be omitted. Then, microscope units 71, 72, and 73 can directly contact the controller 99.

[0070] This invention details a novel device for incorporation into a microscope, which achieves the following significant advantages and possibilities of use:

[0071] It can automatically identify all microscope components mounted on the turntable every time the device is started and during use.

[0072] All functions (actuator functions, motor functions, data transmission functions) can be activated at any time, regardless of the rotational position of the turntable, even during turntable rotation. All these functions can then be activated regardless of whether the individual microscope components being accessed are located in the optical path. Specific components to be initialized and / or electrically configured (e.g., mechanical microscopes) can be initialized and / or properly configured before they are actually introduced into the optical path by the rotation of the turntable.

[0073] This eliminates the limitations on the capacity of storage units allocated to microscope components (especially through separate functional units). Instead, it enables the use of storage units with virtually any desired storage capacity and virtually any desired bus link.

[0074] List of reference numerals

[0075] 30. Static components (stator) of device 100

[0076] 40. Rotating components (turntable, rotor) arranged in a specific configuration.

[0077] 41. Mounting location, base

[0078] 42. Mounting location, base

[0079] 43. Mounting location, base

[0080] 44. Mounting location, base

[0081] 50 Rotary Feeder

[0082] 53 Static portion of rotating feeder 50

[0083] 54 Rotating part of rotating feeder 50

[0084] 56. Position sensors (magnetic, optical, etc.)

[0085] 60. Wires used for power supply and data transmission

[0086] 61. A separate single-wire bus

[0087] 62 separate single-wire buses

[0088] 63. Separate single-wire bus

[0089] 64-unit single-wire bus

[0090] 65 Digital Bus

[0091] 66 Power Supply

[0092] 67 Wires

[0093] 68. Contact device, contact unit

[0094] 69 electrical wires

[0095] 70 optical axis

[0096] 71 Optical Unit Components

[0097] 72 Optical Unit Components

[0098] 73 Optical Unit Components

[0099] 74 Optical Unit Components

[0100] 81 Functional components, identification components

[0101] 82 Functional components, identification components

[0102] 83 Functional components, identification components

[0103] 84 Functional components, identification components

[0104] 91 Light Source

[0105] 92 samples

[0106] 93 Sample Holder

[0107] 94 stents

[0108] 95 tubes

[0109] 96. Control computer, PC

[0110] 97. Eyepieces and / or cameras

[0111] 98 base

[0112] 99 Microscope Controller

[0113] 100 The device according to the invention

[0114] 110 The device according to the invention

[0115] 120 The device according to the invention

[0116] 130 The device according to the invention

[0117] 200 Microscope according to the present invention

Claims

1. A device for incorporation into a microscope (200), The device includes a stator (30) for connection to the static components of the microscope (200), particularly the support (94); The device includes a rotor (40) arranged to rotate relative to the stator (30), wherein the rotor (40) has a plurality of mounting portions (41, 42, 43, 44) configured to receive microscope components, particularly optical unit components (71, 72, 73, 74), respectively. Its features are, An electric rotary feeder (50) is present, the electric rotary feeder (50) comprising a first portion (53) connected to the stator (30) and a second portion (54) connected to the rotor (40). At least one electrical connection (67, 69) is formed between the stator (30) and the rotor (40) via the electric rotary feeder (50), and An electrical connection (67) is formed on the rotor (40) from the second portion (54) of the rotating feeder (50) to at least one of the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44) for electrical contact with the microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) to be arranged in the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44).

2. The device according to claim 1, Its features are, An electrical connection (67) is formed on the rotor (40) from the second part (54) of the rotating feeder (50) to each of the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44) for electrical contact with microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) to be arranged in the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44) respectively.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one of the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44), preferably multiple mounting locations or each mounting location, there is a contact device (68) for contacting functional components (81, 82, 83, 84), which are respectively connected to microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) to be arranged in the corresponding mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, At least one of the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44) of the rotor (40), particularly multiple mounting locations, preferably each mounting location is equipped with a microscope component (71, 72, 73, 74).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, Functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) are assembled into at least one of the microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74), preferably into each microscope component.

6. The device according to claim 5, Its features are, At least one of the functional components (81, 82, 83, 84), preferably multiple functional components, and in particular each functional component provides at least one of the following functions: identifying and / or providing information about the corresponding microscope component (71, 72, 73, 74) on which the associated functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) are arranged, sensor function, actuator function, and interface function with other components of the microscope component (71, 72, 73, 74).

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Its features are, A position sensor (56) is present, which is used to determine the rotational position of the rotor (40) relative to the stator (30).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Its features are, In the rotating feedthrough (50), wires for implementing a bus system, particularly one or more single-wire buses, digital bus systems, and / or power supply lines are implemented for power supply and / or for data connection with the optical unit components (71, 72, 73, 74) and / or with the functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) assembled to the optical unit components (71, 72, 73, 74).

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The device is implemented as an objective lens stage.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The device is implemented as a filter converter.

11. A microscope, include: At least one microscope objective (71), A retainer (98) for holding the sample (92) to be inspected, and Light source (91), said light source (91) is used to provide illumination light, Its features are, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 exists.

12. The microscope according to claim 11, Its features are, A microscope controller (99) is present, which is connected to the device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 via a bus system and / or power supply line.

13. A method for contacting microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) on a rotor (40) of a microscope (200), said method using the apparatus (100, 110, 120, 130) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. in, The microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) are mounted on at least one of the mounting locations (41, 42, 43, 44) of the rotor (40), preferably multiple mounting locations, particularly at each mounting location, and The microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) are electrically connected to the microscope controller (99) via the rotating feedthrough (50) at least for the purpose of power supply and / or driving of the microscope components.

14. The method according to claim 13, Its features are, Functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) are assembled into at least one of the microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74), preferably into each microscope component, and At least one of the functional components (81, 82, 83, 84), preferably multiple functional components, and in particular each functional component provides at least one of the following functions: identifying and / or providing information about the corresponding microscope component (71, 72, 73, 74) on which the associated functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) are arranged, sensor function, actuator function, and interface function with other components of the microscope component (71, 72, 73, 74).

15. The method according to claim 14, Its features are, The microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) are identified by their respective functional components (81, 82, 83, 84).

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, Its features are, The microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) mounted on the mounting portions (41, 42, 43, 44) of the rotor (40) are automatically identified when the microscope (200) is started and / or during operation of the microscope (200), especially when the rotor (40) is stationary relative to the stator (30).

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, Its features are, Identification, driving, reading and / or operation of the microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) and / or the functional components (81, 82, 83, 84) are performed in a manner independent of the rotational position of the rotor (40) and / or in a manner independent of whether the rotor (40) is rotating.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, Its features are, The microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) to be initialized and / or electrically configured in a specific manner are initialized and / or configured before the microscope components (71, 72, 73, 74) enter the optical path of the microscope (200) due to the rotation of the rotor (40).

Images