microscope

Abstract

This invention relates to a microscope comprising a housing having a receiving portion for receiving at least one biological sample, an optical module including a plurality of objectives, and an illumination system for illuminating at least one biological sample and / or a light-collecting system for collecting light from at least one biological sample, wherein the optical module is arranged within an internal space of the housing. The microscope is characterized in that it includes a replacement system for replacing an objective with one of other objectives, wherein the replacement system is configured to replace the objective by moving the optical module relative to the housing and / or by moving the housing relative to the optical module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a microscope. Additionally, this invention relates to a method for changing the objective lens of a microscope and the use of the microscope in an incubator for biological samples. Background Art

[0002] As is known from the prior art, microscopes are used to observe biological samples, such as cells. In this context, microscopes are known to have one or more receiving sections into which a sample carrier containing multiple containers or other substrates (e.g., culture dishes, bottles, etc.) can be inserted. The microscope has an optical module that can move in two or three spatial directions within the microscope housing by means of an axis system. Furthermore, the microscope has objectives screwed onto the optical module. The microscope can be placed in a cell culture incubator, and cell development can be observed using the microscope. Such a microscope is disclosed in WO 2020 / 157 077A2.

[0003] A known drawback of microscopes is that, depending on the application, users require different magnifications. This means that users sometimes have to manually change the installed objective lens to another. This requires the user to access the inside of the microscope, which can interfere with ongoing observation. Furthermore, users must keep the cell culture incubator running for extended periods, which can be detrimental to cell culture. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a microscope with easily replaceable objectives.

[0005] This objective is achieved by means of a microscope, which includes a housing having a receiving portion for receiving at least one biological sample, an optical module including a plurality of objectives, an illumination system for illuminating at least one biological sample, and / or a light acquisition system for acquiring light from at least one biological sample, wherein the optical module is arranged in an internal space of the housing, characterized in that the microscope includes a replacement system for replacing the objectives with objectives from other objectives, wherein the replacement system is configured to replace the objectives by means of moving the optical module relative to the housing and / or by means of moving the housing relative to the optical module.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily changing objective lenses.

[0007] This objective is achieved by replacing the objective lens of a microscope, wherein the microscope includes an optical module comprising a plurality of objective lenses, an illumination system for illuminating at least one biological sample, and / or a light acquisition system for acquiring light from at least one biological sample, wherein the optical module is arranged in the internal space of a housing, characterized in that the optical module is movable relative to the housing to replace the objective lens with an objective lens from another objective lens, and / or the housing is movable relative to the optical module to replace the objective lens with an objective lens from another objective lens.

[0008] The advantage of this invention is that objectives can be automatically changed using other objectives from the microscope without the user needing to access the internal space of the microscope housing. Therefore, the user no longer needs to enter the internal space of the incubator and / or the internal space of the microscope housing to exchange objectives. Thus, objective changing is harmless to the biological samples being observed under the microscope. Furthermore, ongoing observation is not disturbed by objective changing, but objective changing can be performed automatically after the observation is completed.

[0009] Microscope objectives can differ in nature. Specifically, objectives may differ in magnification or other optical properties.

[0010] The optical module is understood as a single, moving component unit. This means that when the optical module moves, all its components move. Specifically, when the optical module moves, all components of the illumination system and / or all components of the acquisition system move. The objective lens is part of the optical module, so when the optical module moves, the objective lens moves along with the other components of the optical module.

[0011] Biological samples can contain liquids and / or biological particles. Biological particles can be microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, yeast, fungi, and viruses, or cells, DNA, RNA, or proteins. A biological sample may contain one or more of the aforementioned biological particles. In this regard, the fluid can be a cell suspension that can promote the growth of cells arranged in the fluid. Alternatively, the particles can be glass or polymer beads and have a volume substantially the same as that of cells.

[0012] The receiving portion can be configured to receive one or more sample carriers. Specifically, the receiving portion can be a through-hole in the housing. The sample carrier can be a substrate or contain at least one well. More specifically, the sample carrier can be a multi-well containing multiple wells. Multi-wells with 24, 48, 96 or more wells are known and can be arranged in the receiving portion of the housing. The optical module can be moved to different observation positions where biological samples arranged on the substrate or in the wells can be observed.

[0013] The observation position is the position of the objective lens, which is used to observe biological samples arranged in the receiving section. The optical module can be moved to multiple observation positions. The number of observation positions depends on the number of biological samples to be observed. The optical module can remain in the observation position for a predetermined time.

[0014] When changing objectives, it can be understood as replacing the objective in the observation position with another objective from the microscope's other objective lenses. In other words, after changing the objective, the other objectives are positioned in the observation position. Both objectives change their position relative to the optical module housing.

[0015] A lens replacement system is a system that allows the replacement of objectives with other objectives. The advantage of such a system is that it does not require a specific actuator to change the objective, and is therefore considered a passive system. Consequently, the optical module is lightweight and has a simple structure.

[0016] To replace the objective lens with another objective lens, the optical module can be moved relative to the housing, where the housing itself does not move. Alternatively, the housing can be moved relative to the optical module, where the optical module itself does not move. Or, both the optical module and the housing may move relative to each other.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the objectives and / or microscope are configured such that, during replacement, the position of the objective changes from the observation position to the storage position, and / or the position of the other objective changes from the storage position to the observation position. The storage position is the position for observing biological samples without using the corresponding objective. When the optical module moves relative to the housing and / or when the housing moves relative to the optical module, the objective in the storage position can be moved to the observation position. Alternatively, when the optical module moves relative to the housing and / or when the housing moves relative to the optical module, the objective in the observation position is moved to the storage position. The storage position and the observation position are far apart from each other. This configuration allows objective replacement to be performed using objectives already arranged within the internal space of the housing. Therefore, the user does not need to enter the internal space of the housing to replace the objective with one arranged in the objective storage outside the microscope housing.

[0018] The optical module can be configured to translate for objective lens replacement. Specifically, the optical module moves only in one direction to change the objective lens. The optical module can be configured such that its movement causes rotation of the objective lens. The axis of rotation for rotating the objective lens can be transverse or perpendicular to the direction of movement of the optical module for changing the objective lens position. The objective lens can be arranged such that its length axis is radially distanced from the axis of rotation. Therefore, the replacement system is configured to cause objective lens rotation in a simple manner through translational movement of the optical module. This means that the optical module is configured to allow both translation and rotation of the objective lens for objective lens replacement.

[0019] The internal space of the housing may include a replacement section, to which the optical module must be moved to change objectives with other objectives. This means that movement of the optical module outside the replacement section will not result in rotation of the objectives and / or a change in their position. Therefore, it can be ensured that objective replacement can only occur in a specific part of the internal space, namely the replacement section.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the replacement system may include a first gear component and a second gear component. The replacement system may be configured such that the first and second gear components engage with each other to replace the objective lens with another objective lens. Therefore, when the optical module is located in the replacement section of the internal space, the first and second gear components engage with each other. Specifically, the first gear component may form a mating connection with the second gear component to change the position of the objective lens. However, the replacement system is configured such that when the optical module is not arranged in the replacement section of the internal space, the first and second gear components do not engage with each other. Therefore, the objective lens can only be easily replaced when the optical module is located in the replacement section of the internal space.

[0021] The first gear component can be fixedly connected to the optical module. This means that when the optical module moves, the first gear component moves with the optical module. However, the first gear component may move relative to the optical module. Specifically, the first gear component can rotate relative to the optical module housing. The first gear component can be connected to and / or arranged on the optical module housing. By moving the optical module arranged in the replacement section and rotating the first gear component, the position of the objective lens can be changed from the operating position to the storage position, and vice versa. The position of the objective lens may also be changed from the storage position to another storage position.

[0022] The objective lens can be fixedly connected to the first gear assembly. This means that the objective lens does not move relative to the first gear assembly, but rather rotates; therefore, when the first gear assembly rotates, the objective lens rotates. The objective lens can be directly mounted on the first gear assembly. The objective lens can be releasably connected to the first gear assembly. Therefore, the user can attach the objective lens to the first gear assembly required for the biological sample observation process.

[0023] The second gear component can be fixedly connected to the housing. Therefore, the second gear component cannot move relative to the housing and / or the first gear component, but is designed to be stationary. Specifically, the second gear component is arranged on the housing wall of the housing.

[0024] The first gear part can be a gear wheel. The second gear part can be a rack. Therefore, a simple replacement system can be provided. Specifically, the replacement system contains only two gear parts, thus simplifying its structure. The replacement system is configured to use a provided drive mechanism to move the optical module for objective lens replacement with other objectives. Therefore, a specific drive mechanism for replacing objectives with other objectives is not required.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the microscope may include a control unit. When the position of the objective lens changes, i.e., when the objective lens is replaced by another objective lens, the control unit may cause the optical module to move to the replacement section. Alternatively, when the position of the object changes, the control unit may cause the housing to move, thereby arranging the optical module in the replacement section. Additionally, the control unit may move the optical module a predetermined distance to replace the objective lens with another. Moving the optical module a predetermined distance causes a first gear component to rotate a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is selected such that after the first gear component rotates, the objective lens arranged in the storage position can be arranged in the observation position.

[0026] After the observation process is completed, the control unit moves the optical module to the replacement section to change the objective lens in the observation position to the predetermined objective lens in the storage position. Alternatively, after the observation process is completed, the control unit can move the housing to the replacement section to change the objective lens in the observation position to the predetermined objective lens in the storage position. Therefore, it can be ensured that the predetermined objective lens is positioned in the storage position after the observation process is completed. Thus, the observation process can always begin with the same objective lens, and / or the objective lens in the observation position is always known at the start of the observation process.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the microscope may include a fixation system for holding a first gear component in position. For observation of biological samples, the objective lens must not move, specifically, it must not rotate, after being placed in the observation position. This is secured in a simple manner by the fixation system, as described below.

[0028] The fixing system can be configured such that the first gear component is held in position by means of a form-fit connection between the first gear component and the optical module housing. Alternatively or additionally, the first gear component can be held in position by means of a magnetic connection between the first gear component and the optical module. Finally, a connection is achieved between the first gear component and the optical module housing, and movement of the first gear component is prevented due to this connection.

[0029] The fixing system may include at least one engaging element and at least one receiving element comprising a cavity, wherein when the engaging element is arranged in the cavity of the receiving element, the first gear component is held in the position of the first gear component. Therefore, the structure of the fixing system remains simple.

[0030] The fixing system may include multiple engagement elements. These engagement elements may be arranged circumferentially away from each other. The engagement elements may be spherical. Specifically, the engagement elements may be designed as spheres. The first gear component may include a groove. The engagement elements may be arranged in the groove. Additionally, a spring may be arranged in the groove. The spring may act on the engagement element. Specifically, the spring may provide a force to the optical module housing on the engagement element. The number of engagement elements may correspond to the number of objectives.

[0031] The receiving element can protrude from the optical module housing. Specifically, the receiving element can protrude from the optical module housing in a direction toward the first gear component. The fixing system can include multiple receiving elements. Specifically, the number of receiving elements can correspond to the number of objectives. The receivers can be arranged far apart from each other along the circumference of the optical module housing. The advantage of the fixing system with the above structure is that the position of the objectives can be kept independent of the position of the objectives positioned at the observation position.

[0032] The microscope may include a detection device for detecting the position of the objective lens in the operating position and / or for detecting the position of the first gear component. By detecting the position of the first gear component, the position of the objective lens positioned in the observation position can be indirectly determined.

[0033] The microscope may have a drive mechanism to move the optical module in a first direction and a second direction. The drive mechanism may be electrically connected to a control unit. The first and second directions are perpendicular to each other and form a plane. This plane may have a constant distance in a third dimension, perpendicular to the first and second dimensions of the biological sample. This means that when the optical module moves along the first and / or second dimension, the distance between the optical module and the biological sample in the third dimension does not change. The optical module can move along the first and / or second dimension to change the position of the objective lens from an observation position to a storage position, and vice versa. An axis system is used to move and guide the optical module along the first and / or second directions.

[0034] The microscope may include additional actuation mechanisms for moving the objectives in a third dimension. Specifically, a further actuation mechanism can simultaneously move a first gear assembly and all objectives in the third dimension. The optical module housing may have a housing portion that is movable relative to the rest of the housing. A further actuation mechanism may be coupled to and move the housing portion in a third dimension. The first gear assembly may be connected to the housing portion. Specifically, the first gear assembly may be disposed on the housing portion. After the optical module is positioned in the observation position, the control unit can cause the objectives to move in a third dimension.

[0035] The acquisition system may have an image sensor. The image sensor may have three fluorescence channels. Additionally, the acquisition system includes filters, specifically emission filters. Furthermore, the acquisition system may include tube lenses and steering lenses for guiding the detection light emitted from the biological sample. The illumination system may have one or more light sources. For example, the illumination system may have three light sources to provide blue, green, and red illumination light. The microscope may be a fluorescence microscope, such that the light sources provide excitation light propagating to the biological sample. Furthermore, the illumination system may include one or more collimator lenses and one or more other filters, specifically excitation filters. Specifically, the illumination system may have one collimator lens and one excitation filter for each light source. The components of the acquisition system and illumination system can be arranged within or on a housing of the optical module. Thus, a compact optical module is achieved.

[0036] The microscope can be an inverted microscope. Furthermore, the optical module can be designed such that the output illumination light, specifically the excitation light, and the detection light received by the objective lens are coaxial with each other. Specifically, within the objective lens in the observation position, the light can be coaxial with each other. After the biological sample is exposed to the illumination light, the detection light is emitted from the biological sample. The illumination light is generated by at least one light source of the illumination system.

[0037] A particular advantage is the use of the microscope according to the invention in an incubator for biological samples. An incubator is a device for creating controlled outdoor conditions for various culture and growth processes. Therefore, temperature and / or humidity can be controlled by means of an incubator. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The subject matter of the invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein elements with the same or similar functions mostly have the same reference numerals. It is shown that:

[0039] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 It does not have an upper part of the shell. Figure 1 The microscope in which the optical module is located outside the replacement section.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a top view of the optical module located outside the replacement section.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the optical modules arranged in the replacement section.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a top view of the optical module in the replacement section.

[0044] Figure 6This is a top view of the optical module as it is being replaced and moved along a predetermined distance.

[0045] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a microscope.

[0046] Figure 8 This is a 3D cross-sectional view of the optical module.

[0047] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the optical module with the housing section raised.

[0048] Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional view of the objective lens and the first gear component.

[0049] Figure 11 This is a 3D view of the optical module housing.

[0050] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 An enlarged view of a portion of the optical module housing shown.

[0051] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view showing the objective lens position fixed using a fixation system.

[0052] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view showing the objective lens position without the aid of a fixation system. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 The microscope 1 shown includes a housing 2 with a receiving portion 3. The receiving portion 3 is used to receive biological sample carriers (not shown). Specifically, the receiving portion 3 is adapted to receive six biological sample carriers. In addition, the microscope 1 includes an optical module 4 arranged within the internal space 8 of the housing 2.

[0054] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The microscope shown is a perspective view without the upper part of housing 2. From Figure 2 As can be clearly seen, the optical module 4 includes several objectives 5a, 5b, and 5c, namely, a first objective 5a, a second objective 5b, and a third objective 5c. The first objective 5a is positioned at the observation position. The remaining objectives 5b and 5c are positioned at storage locations. The optical module 4 also includes an illumination system 6 for illuminating at least one biological system and a light acquisition system 7 for collecting light from at least one biological sample. Both systems are arranged within the optical module housing 13, as shown below. Figures 7 to 9 As shown.

[0055] The optical module 4 is movable relative to the housing 2. Specifically, the optical module 4 can move in two directions, x and y. By moving the optical module 4 along at least one of the x and y directions, all components of the optical module 4 can be moved. However, the optical module 4 is not configured to move in the third direction, z. These directions refer to a Cartesian coordinate system with axes extending in the x, y, and z directions.

[0056] The microscope 1 includes a replacement system 9, which is configured to replace the first objective lens 5a with one of two other objectives 5b and 5c by means of moving the optical module 4 relative to the housing 2. Figure 2 In this configuration, the optical module 4 is located outside the replacement section 12 of the internal space 8. This means that, in this position, the first objective lens 5a in the observation position cannot be replaced by one of the other objectives 5b or 5c.

[0057] The replacement system 9 includes a first gear component 10 and a second gear component 11. The first gear component 11 is a large gear, and the second gear component 11 is a rack. Objective lenses 5a, 5b, and 5c are fixedly connected to the first gear component 10. The first gear component 10 is connected to the optical module housing 13 such that when the optical module 4 moves, the first gear component 10 moves together with the optical module 4. Additionally, the first gear component 10 can rotate relative to the optical module housing 13, as described below. The rack 11 is arranged on the housing wall 14 and extends along dimension y.

[0058] Figure 3 A top view is shown of the optical module 4 arranged outside the replacement section 12. Figure 3 It is evident that the first gear component 10 is not engaged with the second gear component 11. This means that the teeth of the large gear are not engaged with the teeth of the rack.

[0059] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The state of the optical module 4 is shown, wherein the optical module 4 is arranged in the replacement section 12 of the internal space 8. Figure 4 A perspective view of the optical module arranged in the replacement section 12 is shown. Figure 5 A top view of the optical module 4 arranged in the replacement section 12 is shown. In this arrangement, the first gear component 10 engages with the second gear component 11. Specifically, a particular tooth engages with a portion of the teeth of the rack 11. To replace the first objective lens 5a with the second objective lens 5b, the optical module 4 is moved a predetermined distance along the y-direction.

[0060] Figure 6 The state of optical module 4 after it has moved along the y-direction is shown. Specifically, Figure 6 The optical module 4 located in the replacement section 12 is shown, and from Figure 5The top view shows the position moved along a predetermined distance. Due to the engagement of the first gear component 10 and the second gear component 11, when the optical module 4 moves along the y-direction, the first gear component 10 moves along... Figure 4 The rotation axis R shown rotates. Due to the rotation of the first gear component 10, the first objective lens 5a moves from the observation position to the storage position. The third objective lens 5c moves from the storage position to the observation position. The second objective lens 5b moves from one storage position to another. When the movement of the optical module 4 is complete, the first objective lens 5a is replaced by the third objective lens 5c.

[0061] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An axis for guiding the movement of the optical module 4 is also shown. The arrangement of this axis allows the optical module 4 to move along a plane extending in the x and y directions.

[0062] Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of microscope 1 is shown. Specifically, Figure 7 The sample carrier arranged in the receiving section 3 is shown. The sample carrier is a substrate and contains a biological sample 27, such as... Figure 7 As shown. The lighting system 6 and the data acquisition system 7 are arranged inside the housing 13.

[0063] In this example, the illumination system 4 has two light sources 30. However, the number of light sources is not limited to two. Downstream of each of the two light sources 30 is a collimating optical element 31, such as a collimating lens. Additionally, each collimating optical element 30 is preceded by another filter 26. Each of these other filters is an excitation filter. The two illumination beams are combined in a beam-converging optical system 32 to form illumination light 25. Illumination light 25 is deflected by a deflection device 33 (such as a mirror) by 90°. Illumination light 25 exits the optical module 4 and the objective lens and exposes the biological sample 27.

[0064] The acquisition system 7 has an image sensor 23 for receiving the acquired light. The acquired light corresponds to the light emitted from the biological sample 27 after exposure to illumination light 25. Before the image sensor 23 are a tube lens 34, a steering optics element 35, and a filter 24, specifically an emission filter.

[0065] The optical module 4 also includes a reflector 36. The reflector 36 is configured to redirect the acquisition light 37 received through the objective lens to the image sensor 23.

[0066] Microscope 1 includes a drive mechanism 21 for driving optical module 4 along the x and y directions. The x and y directions define a plane that maintains a constant distance in the z-direction from another plane extending in the x and y directions, and contains the biological sample 27. That is, when optical module 4 moves along the x and y directions, the distance between objectives 5a, 5b, and 5c in the z-direction remains unchanged. Furthermore, microscope 1 includes a control unit 15. Control unit 15 controls the movement of optical module 4. Additionally, control unit 15 controls the observation process.

[0067] Figure 8 A perspective cross-sectional view of the optical module 4 is shown with the objective lens not moving along the z-direction. The optical module 4 includes another drive device 22. The other drive device 22 is coupled to the housing portion 28 of the optical module housing 13. A first gear component 10 is connected to the housing portion 28. The other drive device 22 is configured to move the housing portion 28 along the z-direction. Figure 9 A perspective cross-sectional view of the optical module 4 is shown with the housing portion 28 lifted by another drive device 22. From Figure 9 It is clear that housing portion 28 is raised from the rest of the optical module housing.

[0068] Figure 10 A perspective view of the objective lens and the first gear component 10 is shown below. Figure 11 A perspective view of the optical module housing 13 is shown. Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 The diagram shows an extended portion of the optical module housing 13. All figures show components of the fixing system 16. The fixing system 16 includes engaging elements 17 and receiving elements 18. Engaging elements 17 protrude from the underside of the first gear component 10 toward the optical module housing 13. The underside of the first gear component 10 faces the optical module housing 13. Engaging elements 17 are designed to be spherical. The fixing system 16 includes three engaging elements 17, which are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the first gear component 10.

[0069] The receiving element 18 protrudes from the optical module housing 13 in a direction toward the first gear component 10. The receiving element 18 includes a cavity 19 for receiving the engagement element 17. The fixing system includes three receiving elements 18, which are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the optical module housing 13.

[0070] from Figure 12 As can be clearly seen, the bearing 29 is arranged on the optical module housing 13. The bearing 29 allows the first gear component 10 to rotate relative to the optical module housing 13, specifically relative to the housing portion 28.

[0071] Figure 13A cross-sectional view is shown, in which the objective lens is fixed in position by means of a fixing system 16. In this case, a coupling element 17 is arranged in the cavity 19 of the receiving element 18. The coupling element 17 is partially arranged in the groove 20 of the first gear component 10. A spring is also arranged in the groove 20. The spring acts on the coupling element 17, pressing it into the cavity 19. Figure 14 A cross-sectional view is shown with the objective lens position not fixed by means of a fixation system. In this case, the engagement element 17 is not arranged in the cavity 19.

[0072] Reference marker:

[0073] 1. Microscope

[0074] 2 shells

[0075] 3 Receiving Section

[0076] 4 optical modules

[0077] 5a First Objective

[0078] 5b Second Objective

[0079] 5c Third Objective

[0080] 6 Lighting System

[0081] 7. Data Acquisition System

[0082] 8 Interior Space

[0083] 9. Replace the system

[0084] 10 First Gear Component

[0085] 11 Second gear component

[0086] 12 Replacement parts

[0087] 13 Optical Module Housing

[0088] 14 Shell Wall

[0089] 15 control units

[0090] 16 Fixed System

[0091] 17 Connecting elements

[0092] 18 receiving elements

[0093] 19 cavities

[0094] 20 grooves

[0095] 21 drive unit

[0096] 22 Another drive unit

[0097] 23 Image Sensors

[0098] 24 filters

[0099] 25 illumination light

[0100] 26 Other filters

[0101] 27 biological samples

[0102] 28. Shell section

[0103] 29 bearing

[0104] 30 light sources

[0105] 31 Collimating Optical Elements

[0106] 32 Converging Optical System

[0107] 33 Deflection device

[0108] 34-tube lens

[0109] 35 Steering Optical Components

[0110] 36 reflectors

[0111] 37 light collection

[0112] R-axis rotation.

Claims

1. A microscope (1), comprising: The shell (2) has a receiving portion (3) for receiving at least one biological sample (27). The optical module (4) includes: a plurality of objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c), an illumination system (6) for illuminating the at least one biological sample (27), and / or a light acquisition system (7) for acquiring light from the at least one biological sample (27), wherein the optical module (4) is arranged in the internal space (8) of the housing (2), characterized in that... The microscope (1) includes a replacement system (9) for replacing the objectives (5a, 5b, 5c) with one of the other objectives (5a, 5b, 5c), wherein the replacement system (9) is configured to replace the objectives (5a, 5b, 5c) by moving the optical module (4) relative to the housing (2) and / or by moving the housing (2) relative to the optical module (4).

2. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The objectives (5a, 5b, 5c) are configured such that during replacement, a. The position of the objectives (5a, 5b, 5c) is changed from the observation position to the storage position, and / or wherein b. The positions of the other objectives (5a, 5b, 5c) are changed from the storage position to the observation position.

3. The microscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a. The optical module (4) is configured to translate so that the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) can be replaced by the other objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c), and / or wherein b. The optical module (4) is configured such that movement of the optical module (4) causes rotation of the objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) and / or c. The internal space (8) of the housing (2) includes a predetermined replacement section (12) to which the optical module (4) must be moved to replace the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) with the other objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c).

4. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The replacement system (9) includes a first gear component (10) and a second gear component (11).

5. The microscope (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, a. The first gear component (10) and the second gear component (11) engage with each other to replace the objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) with the other objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) and / or b. The first gear component (10) and the second gear component (11) are connected in a mating manner to allow the objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) to be replaced with the other objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) and / or c. When the optical module (4) is not arranged in the replacement part (12) of the internal space (8), the first gear component (10) and the second gear component (11) do not engage with each other.

6. The microscope (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, a. The first gear component (10) is fixedly connected to the optical module (4), and / or b. The objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) are fixedly connected to the first gear component (10), and / or c. The first gear component (10) is arranged on the optical module housing (13).

7. The microscope (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, a. The first gear component (10) is configured to rotate relative to the optical module housing (13), and / or b. Rotate the first gear component (10) to change the position of the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) from the observation position to the storage position, and vice versa.

8. The microscope (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, a. The second gear component (11) is fixedly connected to the housing (2), and / or wherein b. The second gear component (11) is arranged on the housing wall (14) of the housing (2).

9. The microscope (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, a. The first gear component (10) is a gear, and / or b. The second gear component (11) is a rack.

10. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microscope (1) includes a control unit (15).

11. The microscope (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, a. When the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) is replaced by the other objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c), the control unit (15) moves the optical module (4) to the replacement section (12), and / or the housing (2) is moved such that the optical module (4) is arranged in the replacement section, and / or b. The control unit (15) moves the optical module (4) and / or the housing (2) a predetermined distance to replace the objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c) with the other objective lenses (5a, 5b, 5c), and / or c. The control unit (15) moves the optical module (4) to the replacement part (12), and / or the housing (2) is moved such that the optical module (4) is arranged in the replacement part (12) to replace the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) located at the observation position with a predetermined objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) located at the storage position after the observation process is completed.

12. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microscope (1) includes a fixation system (16) for holding the first gear component (10) in the position of the first gear component.

13. The microscope (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, a. The first gear component (10) is held in position by means of a form-fitting connection between the first gear component (10) and the optical module housing (13), and / or b. The first gear component (10) is held in position by means of the magnetic connection between the first gear component (10) and the optical module (4).

14. The microscope (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The fixing system (16) includes at least one engaging element (17) and at least one receiving element (18) containing a cavity (19), wherein when the engaging element (17) is arranged in the cavity (19) of the receiving element (18), the first gear component (10) is held in the position of the first gear component.

15. The microscope (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, a. The coupling element (17) is spherical, and / or b. The engagement element (17) is arranged in the groove (20) of the first gear component (10), and / or c. The spring is arranged in the groove (20) of the first gear component (10) and acts on the engagement element (17).

16. The microscope (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, a. The receiving element (18) protrudes from the optical module housing (13), and / or b. There are multiple receiving elements (18), wherein the receiving elements (18) are arranged apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the optical module housing (13).

17. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, a. The microscope (1) includes a detection device for detecting the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) at the observation position and / or for detecting the position of the first gear component (10), and / or b. The microscope (1) has a drive device (21) for moving the optical module (4) in a first direction and a second direction.

18. The microscope (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, a. The microscope (1) includes another drive mechanism (22) for moving the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) or the other objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and / or wherein b. The control unit (15) causes, after the optical module (4) is positioned at the observation position, the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) or the other objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) to move along the third direction, and / or wherein c. The other drive device (22) moves the housing portion (28) of the optical module housing (13) upward relative to the rest of the housing of the optical module housing (13) on the third party.

19. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, a. The acquisition system (7) includes an image sensor (23) and / or at least one filter (24), and / or b. The lighting system (6) includes at least one light source (30) and / or at least one other filter (26).

20. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical module (4) is designed so that the output illumination light and the received detection light are coaxial with each other.

21. The microscope (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microscope (1) is an inverted microscope.

22. A method for replacing the objective lens of a microscope (1), wherein, The microscope (1) includes: an optical module (4) comprising: a plurality of objectives (5a, 5b, 5c), an illumination system (6) for illuminating at least one biological sample (27), and / or a light acquisition system (7) for acquiring light from the at least one biological sample (27), wherein the optical module (4) is arranged in the internal space (8) of the housing (2), characterized in that the optical module (4) is movable relative to the housing (2) for replacing the objectives (5a, 5b, 5c). For one of the other objectives (5a, 5b, 5c), and / or wherein the housing (2) is moved relative to the optical module (4) for replacing the objective (5a, 5b, 5c) with one of the other objectives (5a, 5b, 5c), wherein the optical module (4) is moved to a replacement portion (12) of the internal space (8) of the housing (2) for replacing the objective (5a, 5b, 5c) with the other objective (5a, 5b, 5c).

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The optical module (4) arranged in the replacement section (12) is moved a predetermined distance to replace the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) with the other objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c).

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The optical module (4) is moved to the replacement section (12) of the internal space (8), and / or the housing (2) is moved such that the optical module (4) is arranged in the replacement section (12) after the observation process is completed, so as to replace the objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c) with a predetermined objective lens (5a, 5b, 5c).

25. The use of a microscope (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in an incubator for biological samples (27).

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