Optical wave guide light collector for microscope

Claim 2

A self-contained microscope system for operating in ambient light, comprising: a base including an integral stage section for holding a specimen to be viewed and an inner cavity having access to an external ambient light source, said stage section defining a stage hole; an eyepiece section adjustably mounted to said base for holding a lens, said eyepiece section aligned with said stage hole; means for finely adjusting the position of said eyepiece section relative to said base to adjust the focus of said lens; an optical wave guide light collector including a collector element and a light pipe having a first, enlarged end interconnected with said collector element and a second, smaller end for alignment with said stage hole for transmitting the collected light to the specimen being viewed; and means in said cavity for holding said collector element for disposition in a field of ambient light.

Claim 3

The microscope of claim 1 further including means, disposed in said base, for holding the smaller end of said light pipe proximate said stage hole.

Claim 4

The microscope of claim 2 in which said means for holding the smaller end of said light pipe includes guide means for centering said smaller end at said stage hole.

Claim 5

The microscope of claim 3 in which said guide means releasably holds said smaller end of said light pipe.

Claim 6

The microscope of claim 4 in which said light pipe is flexible to facilitate removal from said guide means.

Claim 7

The microscope of claim 1 in which said means for holding the enlarged end of said light pipe releasably holds said light pipe.

Claim 8

The microscope of claim 6 in which said light pipe is flexible to facilitate removal from said means for holding the enlarged end of said light pipe.

Claim 9

The microscope of claim 1 in which said second, enlarged end is generally conical in shape.

Claim 10

The microscope of claim 4 in which said conical shape has an angle of approximately 45°.

Claim 11

The microscope of claim 1 in which said collector element directs ambient light from a wide field of view to the enlarged end of the light pipe for concentration at the stage hole.

Claim 12

The microscope of claim 1 in which said collector element has an angle of admittance of approximately 45°.

Claim 13

The microscope of claim 1 in which said collector element is a lens.

Claim 14

The microscope system of claim 1 in which said collector element is fixed to said enlarged end of the light pipe.

Claim 15

The microscope of claim 1 in which said cavity communicates with said stage hole.

Claim 16

The microscope of claim 1 in which said light collector is disposed within said cavity.

Claim 17

The microscope of claim 1 in which the second, smaller end of said light pipe is believed to concentrate the ambient light on the specimen.

Claim 18

The microscope of claim 1 in which the second, smaller end of said light pipe has an end surface with a matte finish for diffusing the ambient light.

Claim 19

A self-contained microscope system for operating in ambient light, comprising: a base including an integral stage section for holding a specimen to be viewed said stage section defining a stage hole; an inner cavity in said base in communication with said stage hole and having access to an external ambient light source; an eyepiece section adjustably mounted to said base for holding a lens, said eyepiece section aligned with said stage hole; means for finely adjusting the position of said eyepiece section relative to said base to adjust the focus of said lens; an optical wave guide light collector including a flexible light pipe having a first, enlarged end and a second, smaller end for alignment with said stage hole, said light pipe for transmitting ambient light to the specimen being viewed; guide means in said cavity for removably holding the smaller end of said light pipe proximate and centered at said stage hole; a wide-angle collector element attached to said first, enlarged end for collecting ambient light and concentrating it in said light pipe; and means in said cavity for removably holding said collector element in said cavity for disposition in a field of ambient light.

Claim 20

A self-contained microscope system for operating in ambient light, comprising: a base including an integral stage section for holding a specimen to be viewed said stage section defining a stage hole; an inner cavity in said base in communication with said stage hole and having access to an external ambient light source; an eyepiece section adjustably mounted to said base for holding a lens, said eyepiece section aligned with said stage hole; means for finely adjusting the position of said eyepiece section relative to said base to adjust the focus of said lens; an optical wave guide light collector including a flexible light pipe having a first, enlarged end and a second, smaller end for alignment with said stage hole, said light pipe for transmitting ambient light to the specimen being viewed; guide means in said cavity for removably holding the smaller end of said light pipe proximate and centered at said stage hole; a wide-angle collector element attached to said first, enlarged end for collecting ambient light and concentrating it in said light pipe; and means in said cavity for removably holding said collector element in said cavity for disposition in a field of ambient light.