Ophthalmic microscope with an input device comprising two rotatable wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to an ophthalmic microscope, in particular a slit-lamp microscope, comprising a microscope unit (1) with a slit illumination (2), a control unit (3) for controlling the microscope and an input device (4) for entering control commands by a user. The input device (4) comprises a first rotatable wheel and a second rotatable wheel arranged on the same rotation axis in series. Said arrangement of wheels allows a comfortable control of the microscope by a user.

Description

[0001] P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0002] 1

[0003] Ophthalmic microscope with an input device comprising two rotatable wheels

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The invention relates to an ophthalmic microscope, in particular a slit-lamp microscope, comprising a microscope unit, a control unit for controlling the microscope, a slit illumination and an input device for entering control commands by a user.

[0006] Background Art

[0007] WO2022 / 135663 describes an ophthalmic microscope, in particular a slit-lamp microscope, which can be placed on a table. A slit-lamp microscope is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source adapted to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye. The slit-lamp microscope facilitates an examination of the anterior segment and posterior segment of the human eye, which includes the eyelid, sclera, conjunctiva, iris, natural crystalline lens, and cornea.

[0008] While a patient is seated in the examination chair, they rest their chin and forehead on a headrest to steady the head. Using the microscope, the ophthalmologist or optometrist then proceeds to examine the patient's eye.

[0009] The microscope may have a joystick and a touch-sensitive display as an input element. The user can operate the joystick and touch the display for controlling numerous functions of the device, in particular the position of the microscope unit, the slit illumination, the width and the height of the slit, and a camera recording images.

[0010] Some Aspects

[0011] Hence, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ophthalmic microscope which can be easily operated by the user.

[0012] In some aspects, this problem is solved by the ophthalmic microscope of claim 1.

[0013] Accordingly, the invention relates to an ophthalmic microscope, in particular a slit-lamp microscope, comprising

[0014] - a microscope unit: this is the part of the microscope that observes and magnifies the eye to be examined. P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0015] 2

[0016] - a slit illumination: The slit illumination may comprise an illumination source with a light source, a modulator and imaging optics. The slit illumination is adapted to project a slit-shaped light beam onto the eye to be examined.

[0017] - a control unit for controlling the microscope and the slit illumination: the control unit is an electronic unit controlling parts of the microscope. The control unit may receive user commands and image data, may control actuators, e.g. for positioning the microscope unit or a headrest, or the control unit may control a camera and receive camera data. The control unit may be connected to an external system, e.g. via wireless connection.

[0018] - an input device for entering control commands by a user: the user can control the microscope via the input device. The control unit monitors the input device to detect how the user operates the microscope.

[0019] The input device comprises a first rotatable wheel and a second rotatable wheel. They are arranged in series on the same rotation axis, i.e., they are arranged coaxially and at different positions along the rotation axis. The arrangement of two rotatable wheels in a row has the advantage that at least two setting values can be changed in an easy way. The user needs to change setting values while they are looking through the eyepiece of the microscope. Two rotatable wheels arranged in a row can easily be operated by touch alone and without seeing the wheels.

[0020] The first rotatable wheel may be adapted to be rotated for changing a first setting value, the second rotatable wheel may be adapted to be rotated for changing a second setting value, and both, the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel, may be adapted to be rotated simultaneously for changing a third setting value. This configuration has the advantage that with only two rotatable wheels three different values can be set. Again, all three values can be set by touch alone and without seeing the wheels.

[0021] The control unit may be adapted such that the user can assign different device settings to the first setting value, the second setting value and the third setting value. It is to be expected that the user will assign, to the three setting values, the device settings that are used most, since they can be changed in an easy way and while looking through the eyepiece. The assignment may be made via a touch-sensitive screen, where different device settings can be selected and assigned to the rotatable wheels.

[0022] The slit illumination is adapted to project a slit-shaped light beam onto the patient's eye, i.e., by means of a light source, a spatial light modulator modulating the light field from the light source, and imaging optics projecting the spatial light modulator onto the patient's eye. The first and second setting values may be P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0023] 3 either the height of the slit or the width of the slit or vice versa. The assignment of these two device settings to the two rotatable wheels is advantageous, since they are most changed while the user looks through the eyepiece.

[0024] The third setting value may be the brightness of the slit illumination. This is another device setting which is often changed while the user sees through the eyepiece. Overall, the slit width, the slit height and the brightness of the slit illumination can be changed only with two rotatable wheels.

[0025] The input device may be fixated at, i.e., mounted to, a casing of the slit illumination. The first rotatable wheel is arranged distal to the casing and the second rotatable wheel is arranged proximal to the casing. In other words, the two wheels are arranged in a row extending from the casing. The two rotatable wheels can not only be used to change setting values, they provide a comfortable handle for rotating the whole casing which is pivotal, in particular pivotal around a vertical axis. "Vertical" means within an accuracy of + / -300, in particular + / - 10° .

[0026] The casing, which is pivotal, may house the slit illumination. The slit-shaped light beam can be projected onto the eye to be examined from different angles, i.e. the two rotatable wheels arranged in a row provide a handle for rotating the slit illumination and illuminating the eye from different positions.

[0027] The first rotatable wheel may be further away from the casing than the second rotatable wheel. The user can clearly differentiate between the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel only by touching them. The user can touch the casing and then knows which rotatable wheel is closer to the casing.

[0028] The input device may be mounted to a surface section of the casing, with the rotation axis of the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel being arranged in normal direction with respect to the surface section. "Normal" means perpendicular within an accuracy of + / -300, in particular + / -100.

[0029] The maximum diameter of the first rotatable wheel may be larger than the maximum diameter of the second rotatable wheel. The different size of the two rotatable wheels allows the user to clearly differentiate between the two rotatable wheels. The user knows only by the haptic feedback which one of the two wheels they are rotating.

[0030] In this case, if the first rotatable wheel is further away from the casing than the second rotatable wheel, the variation of the size of the diameter makes it easier for the user to grip the wheels (namely the first wheel) and pull for pivoting the slit illumination in respect to the support member of the microscope.

[0031] The first rotatable wheel may comprise a recess, in particular a groove, in particular extending around the whole circumference. The recess further P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0032] 4 improves the haptic feedback of the rotatable wheels. The user can better grip the wheels and better differentiate between the first rotatable wheel and the second rotatable wheel.

[0033] The first rotatable wheel may comprise a first axial section and a second axial section. The first axial section may be arranged more distally with respect to the casing than the second axial section, and the first axial section may have a lager average diameter than the second axial section. This makes it easier for the user to grip the wheels (namely the first wheel) and pull for pivoting the slit illumination in respect to the support member of the microscope.

[0034] The first rotatable wheel may comprise a third axial section, wherein the average diameter of the third axial section has a size between the average diameter of the first axial section and the second axial section. In axial direction, the second axial section may be arranged between the first and third axial sections, thereby forming a groove as described above. Since the first axial section has the largest diameter, the user can easily grip and pull it in an axial direction for pivoting the casing. The third axial section may be arranged more proximally than first axial section and the second axial section

[0035] The rotation sensor for measuring the rotation of the first and second rotatable wheel may be magnetic and comprise permanent magnets and at least two magnetic sensors, e.g. Hall effect sensors.

[0036] For example, the microscope may comprise

[0037] - At least one first permanent magnet and at least two, in particular at least four, second permanent magnets, with the polarization of the first permanent magnet being transversal (i.e., neither parallel nor anti-parallel, in particular perpendicular) to the polarization of the second permanent magnets. The at least one first permanent magnet is fixedly connected to the first rotatable wheel and the at least two second permanent magnets are fixedly connected to the second rotatable wheel, or the at least one first permanent magnet is fixedly connected to the second rotatable wheel and the at least two second permanent magnets are fixedly connected to the first rotatable wheel. In this context, "fixedly connected" is to be understood such that the permanent magnet(s) rotates with the wheel it is fixedly connected with.

[0038] - At least two magnetic field sensors for measuring the rotation of the first rotatable wheel and for measuring the rotation of the second rotatable wheel separately.

[0039] Only one magnetic sensor, in particular only one 3D Hall effect sensor, may be provided for measuring the rotation of the first rotatable wheel and at least two magnetic sensors, in particular at least two Hall effect sensors, are provided P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0040] 5 for measuring the rotation of the second rotatable wheel. The 3D Hall effect sensor may measure the rotation of one single permanent disc magnet rotating with the first rotatable wheel. The second rotatable wheel may comprise at least two, in particular at least four, permanent magnets arranged at regular azimuthal intervals along the azimuthal circumference of the second rotatable wheel and being altematingly polarized in directions parallel and anti-parallel to the rotation axis.

[0041] The rotation axis may be horizontal in normal use position of the microscope. "Horizontal" means within an accuracy of + / -300, in particular + / - 10° . A horizontal orientation of the rotation axis provides a comfortable handle for rotating the slit illumination around the patient's eye.

[0042] The microscope may comprise a first and a second of said input devices, each comprising one of said first rotatable wheel and one of said second rotatable wheel. The first and the second input device may be arranged on opposite sides of the casing. Such a configuration ensures that, at any rotation position of the slit illumination, one of the two input devices is accessible for the user and that the setting values can be changed at any time during the examination of the patient's eye.

[0043] The input device may be removable from the microscope by only loosening a fixation device, in particular by only loosening at least one screw

[0044] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045] The technology will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows an ophthalmic microscope with a headrest for the patient, a microscope unit and an input device for controlling the microscope by the user;

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a slit illumination of the microscope having a light source, a modulator, imaging optics and rotatable wheels fixated at the casing of the slit illumination;

[0048] Fig. 3 shows the slit illumination of Fig. 2 from the opposite side;

[0049] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the two rotatable wheels fixated at the casing of the slit illumination and coaxially arranged in a row;

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a rotatable wheel and the magnets; and

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a bottom view of a sensor circuit board of an input device. P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0052] 6

[0053] Embodiments

[0054] Microscope

[0055] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an ophthalmic microscope, namely a slit-lamp microscope.

[0056] The microscope shown here has a microscope unit 1, a slit illumination 2, a control unit 3 for controlling the microscope, and an input device 4 arranged at the slit illumination 2. The control unit 3 may be incorporated at least in part into the microscope and / or it may at least in part be a separate device. The input device 4 is used for entering control commands by the user.

[0057] The microscope comprises a support member 5 resting e.g. on a desk. The microscope unit 1 as well as the slit illumination 2 are individually pivotal about a vertical pivot axis in respect to support member 5. They may be manually operated, i.e., their angular positions are changed manually. Alternatively and / or in addition, electric angular actuators may be provided to pivot the microscope unit 1 and / or the slit illumination 2.

[0058] The microscope further includes a headrest 6 mounted to the support member 4 for receiving the patient's head.

[0059] Slit illumination 2 may be adapted to project a, e.g., a slit-shaped light beam onto the eye to be examined. The slit illumination 2 may comprise a light source 37, a modulator and imaging optics.

[0060] The light source 37 may e.g. comprise several units emitting different wavelengths, e.g. in the red, green, blue, and infrared range of the optical spectrum. These units can be controlled separately in order to change the color of light source 37.

[0061] The modulator is a spatial light modulator defining the cross section of the illumination field generated by the light source 37. It may e.g. be one of the solutions described in US5943118, such as a liquid crystal display or a controllable micro-mirror array.

[0062] The imaging optics project the light from modulator onto the anterior surface of eye, e.g. via a mirror.

[0063] Slit illumination 2 may be arranged above or below the mirror.

[0064] An entry objective of the microscope projects the image of an eye to be examined into an eyepiece 7 and / or a camera 8. A beam splitter may be arranged to split light between eyepiece 7 and camera 8.

[0065] The microscope may provide changeable zoom optics for changing the optical magnification. Changeable zoom optics may include continuously P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0066] 7 changeable zoom optics or stepwise changeable zoom optics (e.g. implemented as a Galilean optical system).

[0067] Eyepiece 7 is located at a user side of microscope unit 1 while headrest 6 is located at a patient side of microscope unit 1. Horizontal direction z, which extends from the user-side towards the patient side of microscope unit 1, defines the forward direction of the microscope.

[0068] A touch-sensitive screen 9 and a joystick 10 are arranged below the microscope unit 1. Both are connected to control unit 3.

[0069] Joystick 10 is used for controlling various functions of the microscope. Joystick 10 is partially covered by a casing 12 and is tiltably mounted with respect to the support member 5. In rest position, joystick 10 is upright. At the upper end of the joystick 10, a push-button and two wheels are provided. Wheels are coaxial to the joystick axis 11 and can be rotated by the user to change current settings of the microscope and / or to operate its software. A rotation sensor is coupled to the wheels. It may be an optical, mechanical, or magnetic sensor.

[0070] Touch-sensitive screen 9 is used for showing operating information of the microscope, for displaying images or videos recorded by means of camera 8, as well as for receiving touch commands from the user. For displaying images or videos, control unit 3 is also connected to camera 8.

[0071] Screen 9 is arranged next to joystick 10 as shown in Fig. 1. With respect to the joystick axis 11, the screen 9 is tilted by an angle of 45°. The tilted screen allows the user to have a direct view on the screen when positioning the eyes before the eyepieces 7.

[0072] Control unit 23 is connected to a plurality of actuators for controlling the functions of the microscope. These may e.g. include at least one of the following actuators:

[0073] - A driver for controlling slit illumination 2.

[0074] - A driver for controlling zoom optics.

[0075] - A driver for controlling the height of headrest 6.

[0076] - Drivers for setting the x- and z-positions of the microscope unit 1 in respect to support member 5.

[0077] The following are some examples of control operations that the software and hardware of control unit 3 can be adapted to support:

[0078] - The displacement of the microscope unit 1 along the directions x and z can be controlled by tilting joystick 10.

[0079] - Camera 8 can be triggered for recording at least one image (e.g. a still image or a video sequence) by tapping button at the top of the joystick 10. P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0080] 8

[0081] Input Device

[0082] Fig. 2 show a more detailed view of slit illumination 2 of the microscope. Slit illumination 2 comprises a casing 13 with a left side wall 15 and a right side wall 14, i.e. they are arranged on opposite sides of casing 13. "Right" and "left" are from the perspective of the user sitting on the side of the eyepiece 7.

[0083] Both, on the left side wall 15 and on the right side wall 14, an input device 4 is fixated. Each input device 4 comprises a first rotatable wheel 20 and a second rotatable wheel 21. Both wheels are arranged on a common rotation axis 22 in series. The first rotatable wheel 20 is arranged distally to the casing 13 and the second rotatable wheel 21 is arranged proximally to the casing 13, i.e. the first rotatable wheel 20 is further away from the surface of the casing 13 and the second rotatable wheel 21 is closer to the surface of the casing 13.

[0084] The rotation axis 22 of both rotatable wheels is normal with respect to the surface section of casing 13 the respective input device is mounted to, i.e., to left and right side walls 15, 14, respectively.

[0085] Rotation axis 22 is arranged horizontally.

[0086] The first rotatable wheel 20 and the second rotatable wheel 21 can be rotated independently of each other. Either, only one of both rotatable wheels 20, 21 is rotated by the user, or both can be rotated simultaneously, i.e. three different setting values can be changed by rotating the two wheels 20, 21. The following setting values, or permutations thereof, may be associated with the wheels 20 and 21 :

[0087] - the first rotatable wheel 20 may be rotated for changing the height of the slit of the slit illumination;

[0088] - the second rotatable wheel 21 may be rotated for changing the width of the slit of the slit illumination; and

[0089] - both, the first rotatable wheel 20 and the second rotatable wheel 21, may be rotated simultaneously for changing the brightness of the slit illumination.

[0090] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of input device 4. It shows the first rotatable wheel 20, the second rotatable wheel 21, the rotation axis 22 and the adjacent surface section of casing 13 of slit illumination 2. The first rotatable wheel 20 may comprise a first axial section 23, a second axial section 24 and a third axial section 25. The first axial section 23 is arranged more distally to the casing than the second axial section 24. The first axial section 23 has a larger average diameter than the second axial section 24. The third axial section 25, which is arranged more proximally, has an average diameter which is between the average diameter of the first axial section 23 and the second axial section 24. P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0091] 9

[0092] Furthermore, the maximum diameter 26 of the first rotatable wheel 20 is larger than the maximum diameter 27 of the second rotatable wheel 21. The variation of the diameter along the rotation axis 22 provides a better grip for the user when gripping the input device 24. The second axial section 24 with a small average diameter is formed as a groove 38 extending around the whole circumference of the first rotatable wheel 20.

[0093] The third axial section 25 may have the same average diameter 27 as second rotatable wheel 21, which makes it easier for the user to simultaneously rotate the first and second rotatable wheels 20, 21.

[0094] Rotation Detection

[0095] The input device 4 comprises a bearing sleeve 28, which is fixated at the casing 13 with screws, i.e., the bearing sleeve 28 does not rotate with the wheels 20, 21. The bearing sleeve 28 encloses an inner rotation element 29 which is firmly connected with the first rotatable wheel 20, e.g., by adhesion, i.e., the inner rotation element 29 rotates with the first rotatable wheel 20. Several slide bearings 30 are used for separating the different rotating elements and the non-rotating elements. Spring washers 31 are arranged between the slide bearings 30 to generate a rotational resistance when rotating the first and second rotatable wheels 20 and 21.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the rotation sensor is magnetic and comprises several permanent magnets. One first permanent magnet 32, which may be disk-shaped, is arranged at the proximal end of the inner rotation element 29 and rotates with the first rotatable wheel 20. First permanent magnet 32 is arranged on rotation axis 22 and is polarized in a direction perpendicular to rotation axis 22.

[0097] Four second permanent magnets 33 are mounted to rotate with the second rotatable wheel 21. They are arranged at regular azimuthal intervals along the azimuthal circumference of the second rotatable wheel 21, i.e. the mutual azimuthal angle is 45°, and they are alternatingly polarized in directions parallel and anti-parallel to rotation axis 22, as best seen in Fig. 5. They are arranged on a circle coaxial to rotation axis 22, i.e., the all have the same distance from rotation axis 22. They generate a magnetic field that alternates, along the direction of rotation axis 22. The four axial permanent magnets 68 are mounted in axial bores of the second rotatable wheel 21.

[0098] Three Hall effect sensors are located stationary on a printed circuit 40 board, e.g., located in casing 13. Circuit board 40 may hold further components. The first Hall effect sensor 34 is arranged on the rotation axis 22 and it may be a 3D Hall effect sensor. A second Hall effect sensor 35 and a third Hall effect sensor 36 are P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX i o arranged in respect to rotation axis 22 under a mutual azimuthal angle of 45°. This arrangement makes it possible to distinguish the direction into which the rotatable wheel 21 is rotated.

[0099] With first Hall sensor 45 being arranged on rotation axis 22 and the second magnets 33 being arranged on a circle coaxial to rotation axis 22 and polarized parallel and / or anti-parallel to rotation axis 22, the magnetic field of the second magnets 33 at the location of first Hall sensor 45 remains substantially unchanged when second rotatable wheel 21 is rotated.

[0100] Since first permanent magnet 32 is polarized transversally, in particular perpendicularly, to rotation axis 22, the direction of its field at the location of first Hall sensor 45 changes as the first rotatable wheel 20 is rotated. Hence, first Hall sensor 45 can be used to detect the rotation of first rotatable wheel 20. For example, if first Hall sensor 45 is a 2D or 3D Hall sensor adapted to at least generate signals indicative of the field components perpendicular to rotation axis 22, it can be used to determine the azimuthal orientation of first permanent magnet 32 and therefore of first rotatable wheel 20.

[0101] On the other hand, the signals of the second and third Hall sensors 35, 36 not only change when the second wheel 21 is rotated but also when the first wheel is rotated. However, the signal of the first Hall sensor can be used to determine the azimuthal angle of first permanent magnet 32 and therefore to calculate an estimate of the contribution of first permanent magnet 32 to the signals of the second and third Hall sensors 35, 36. This estimate may be subtracted from the signals of the second and third Hall sensors 35, 36 to generate corrected signals, and the rotation of the second permanent magnets 33 can then be detected more reliably from the corrected signals.

[0102] In more general terms, the microscope may comprise at least one first permanent magnet 32 and at least two second permanent magnets 33, with the polarization directions of the first permanent magnet 32 being transversal to the polarization directions of the second permanent magnets. As mentioned above, the first permanent magnet(s) 32 is / are fixedly connected to first wheel 20 and the second permanent magnet(s) 33 is / are fixedly connected to the second wheel 21, or vice versa.

[0103] Further, the microscope may comprise at least two, in particular at least three, magnetic field sensors 34, 35, 36, for measuring a rotation of the first rotatable wheel 20 and a rotation of the second rotatable wheel 21 separately.

[0104] This design is based on the understanding that one of the wheels may be equipped with several permanent magnets while a single permanent magnet P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0105] 11 may suffice for the other wheel as long as the directions of polarization are transversal as mentioned.

[0106] The microscope may comprise at least a first magnetic field sensor 34 arranged on the rotation axis 22 and at least a second magnetic field sensor 35 arranged at a distance from the rotation axis 22. The first magnetic field sensor 34 is adapted to measure at least a magnetic field direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis 22. In this design, the fields of the magnets will act differently on the signals of the field sensor 34, which allows to distinguish between rotations of the first and second wheels.

[0107] There may be a second and a third magnetic field sensor arranged at a distance from the rotation axis 22 in order to not only detect the rotation but also the direction of rotation.

[0108] If the second permanent magnets 33 are arranged on a circle coaxial to the rotation axis 22, their field close to the rotation axis 22 will depend less on the rotational position of their wheel than their field further away from the rotation axis 22, which allows to better distinguish their field from the field of the first permanent magnet.

[0109] On the other hand, if the first permanent magnet 32 is arranged on the rotation axis 22, its field close to the rotation axis will vary stronger with its rotational position than its field further away from the rotation axis. Hence, this again allows to better distinguish between the fields of the first and second permanent magnets.

[0110] For a strong signal, the second permanent magnets 33 may be poled alternatingly parallel and anti -parallel to the rotation axis. In other words, the direction of the poling alternates as a function of the azimuthal angle (the azimuthal angle in respect to the rotation axis).

[0111] For ease of design, the first permanent magnet 32 is fixedly connected with the first rotatable wheel 20, and the second permanent magnets 33 are fixedly connected with the second rotatable wheel 20. To get first permanent magnet 32 closer to casing 13, it may be located, as shown, on an inner rotation element 29 that rotates with first rotatable wheel 20 and extends at least through part of second rotatable wheel 21.

[0112] Notes

[0113] While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX

[0114] 12 may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX13Claims1. Ophthalmic microscope, in particular a slit-lamp microscope, comprising- a microscope unit (1),- a slit illumination (2),- a control unit (3) for controlling the microscope (1) and the slit illumination (2),- an input device (4) for entering control commands by a user, wherein the input device (4) comprises a first rotatable wheel (20) and a second rotatable wheel (21) arranged on the same rotation axis (22) in series.

2. The microscope of claim 1 wherein- the first rotatable wheel (20) is adapted to be rotated for changing a first setting value;- the second rotatable wheel (21) is adapted to be rotated for changing a second setting value.

3. The microscope of claim 2 wherein both, the first rotatable wheel (20) and the second rotatable wheel (21), are adapted to be rotated simultaneously for changing a third setting value.

4. The microscope of claim 3 wherein the control unit (3) is adapted such that the user can assign different device settings to the first setting value, the second setting value and the third setting value.

5. The microscope of claim 3 or 4 wherein the third setting value is a brightness of the slit illumination (2).

6. The microscope of any of the claims 2 to 5 wherein the slit illumination (2) is adapted to project a slit-shaped light beam, wherein- the first setting value is a height of the slit, and the second setting value is a width of the slit, or- the first setting value is the width of the slit, and the second setting value is the height of the slit.P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX147. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein the input device (4) is fixated at a casing (13) of the slit illumination (2), wherein the first rotatable wheel (20) is arranged distally to the casing (13) and the second rotatable wheel (21) is arranged proximally to the casing (13).

8. The microscope of claim 7 wherein the casing (13) houses the slit illumination (2).

9. The microscope of claim 7 or 8 wherein the first rotatable wheel (20) is further away from the casing (13) than the second rotatable wheel (21).

10. The microscope of any of the claims 7 to 9 wherein the input device is mounted to a surface section of the casing (13) and the rotation axis (22) is arranged in normal direction with respect to the surface of the casing (13).

11. The microscope of any of the claims 7 to 10 comprising a support member (5), wherein the casing (13) is pivotal in respect to the support member (5), in particular pivotal around a vertical axis.

12. The microscope of any of the claims 7 to 11 wherein the first rotatable wheel (20) comprises a first axial section (23) and a second axial section (24), wherein- the first axial section (23) is arranged more distally to the casing (13) than the second axial section (24), and- the first axial section (23) has a lager average diameter than the second axial section (24).

13. The microscope of claim 12 wherein the first rotatable wheel(20) comprises a third axial section (25), wherein an average diameter of the third axial section (25) has a size between the average diameter of the first axial section (23) and the second axial section (24), in particular wherein the third axial section is arranged more proximally than first axial section and the second axial section.

14. The microscope of claim 13 wherein the average diameter of the third axial section (23) is equal to an average diameter of the second rotatable wheelP194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX1515. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein the maximum diameter (26) of the first rotatable wheel (20) is larger than the maximum diameter (27) of the second rotatable wheel (21).

16. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein the first rotatable wheel (20) comprises a recess (38), in particular a groove, in particular extending around the whole circumference.

17. The microscope of any of the preceding claims comprising at least one first permanent magnet (32) and at least two second permanent magnets (33), wherein a polarization of the first permanent magnet (32) is transversal to a polarization of the second permanent magnets (33), wherein the at least one first permanent magnet (32) is fixedly connected to the first rotatable wheel (20) and the at least two second permanent magnets are fixedly connected to the second rotatable wheel (21), or the at least one first permanent magnet (32) is fixedly connected to the second rotatable wheel (21) and the at least two second permanent magnets are fixedly connected to the first rotatable wheel (20), and at least two magnetic field sensors (34, 35, 36), in particular Hall effect sensors, for measuring a rotation of the first rotatable wheel (20) and a rotation of the second rotatable wheel (21) separately.

18. The microscope of claim 17, wherein a polarization direction of the first permanent magnet (32) extends non-parallel, in particular perpendicularly, to the rotation axis (22) and wherein there are several second permanent magnets (33), wherein the second permanent magnets (33) are polarized altematingly parallel and anti-parallel to the rotation axis (22).

19. The microscope of claim 18 comprising at least a first magnetic field sensor (34) arranged on the rotation axis (22) and at least a second magnetic field sensor (35), in particular a second and a third magnetic field sensor (35, 36), arranged at a distance from the rotation axis (22), wherein the first magnetic field sensor (34) is adapted to measure at least a field direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (22).P194410PC002024-12-20.DOCX1620. The microscope of any of the claims 18 or 19 wherein the second permanent magnets (33) are arranged on a circle coaxial to the rotation axis (22).

21. The microscope of any of the claims 18 to 20 wherein the first permanent magnet (32) is arranged on the rotation axis (22).

22. The microscope of any of the preceding claims 18 to 21 wherein the first permanent magnet (32) is located on an inner rotation element (29) that rotates with the first rotatable wheel (20) and extends at least through part of the second rotatable wheel (21).

23. The microscope of any of claim 17 to 22 wherein only one magnetic sensor (34), in particular only one Hall effect sensor, is provided for measuring the rotation of the first rotatable wheel (20) and at least two magnetic sensors (35, 36), in particular at least two Hall effect sensors, are provided for measuring the rotation of the second rotatable wheel (21).

24. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein the rotation axis (22) is horizontal in normal use position of the microscope.

25. The microscope of any of the preceding claims wherein the microscope comprises a first and a second of said input device (4) each comprising one of said first rotatable wheel (20) and one of said second rotatable wheel (21).

26. The microscope of any of the claims 7 to 11 and of claim 25wherein the first and the second input device (4) are arranged on opposite sides of the casing (13).

27. The microscope of any of the preceding claims, wherein the input device (4) is removable from the microscope by only loosening a fixation device, in particular by only loosening at least one screw.

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