Inverted microscope system (100), comprising: a
control system (150) for fluid immersion for inverted
microscopy, wherein the
control system comprises: a sensor ring (104) coupled to a distal region of a
microscope lens used with an
inverted microscope (120), wherein the sensor ring (104) forms a first ring in fluid communication with the
microscope lens, the first ring being able to convey a fluid that forms an immersion layer on a surface of the
microscope lens during imaging using the microscope lens, and wherein the sensor ring (104) further comprises: a plurality of sensor electrodes (306) arranged circumferentially around the first ring and defining a first
diameter, wherein each sensor
electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes (306) has an arc shape, and wherein each of the plurality of sensor electrodes remains in contact with the fluid when the microscope lens is immersed in the fluid; a common
electrode (304) arranged as a second ring within the first ring, the common
electrode remaining in fluid communication with the fluid; and a fluid port (612) for receiving additional fluid to replenish the immersion layer; a fluid refilling
system (208) coupled to the fluid connection and capable of providing the additional fluid; an immersion controller (206) coupled to the plurality of sensor electrodes (306), the common electrode (304) and the fluid refill
system (208), wherein the immersion controller is capable of: when the microscope lens is immersed in the fluid, a first resistance of the fluid is measured between each of the plurality of sensor electrodes (306) and the common electrode (304) in order to detect the fluid at each respective sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes; when the fluid exposes a first sensor electrode, which is contained in the plurality of sensor electrodes, measuring a second resistance of an air gap at the first sensor electrode; and in response to the detection of the air gap, controlling the fluid replenishment system (208) to provide the additional fluid, wherein the immersion control (206) is able to provide a fluid and thereby immerse the microscope lens at least up to the first
diameter, the first
diameter being larger than a second diameter corresponding to an
optical axis (114) of the microscope lens.