Microscope module for a microscope arrangement for imaging a sample

Abstract

A microscope module for imaging a sample includes at least one illumination objective for producing an illumination beam along an illumination beam path) arranged to illuminate lower surfaces of the sample and at least one detection objective having a detection path. The detection path is at an angle to the illumination beam path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microscope module for imaging a sample comprising:
 at least one illumination objective for producing an illumination beam along an illumination beam path and arranged to illuminate lower surfaces of the sample;   at least one detection objective) having a detection path, wherein the detection path is at an angle to the illumination beam path.   
     
     
         2 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the detection path to the illumination beam path is substantially orthogonal. 
     
     
         3 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , further comprising a sample holder for holding the sample, wherein a bottom of the sample holder is at least partially transparent to the illumination beam. 
     
     
         4 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination objective and the detection objective are in an immersion medium in contact with the at least partially transparent bottom of the sample holder. 
     
     
         5 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the refractive index of the immersion medium is substantially similar to that of the at least partially transparent bottom of the sample holder. 
     
     
         6 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially transparent bottom of the sample holder is made of a membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is in a culture medium. 
     
     
         8 . The microscope module of  claim 7 , wherein the culture medium has a refractive index substantially similar to that of the at least partially transparent bottom of the sample holder. 
     
     
         9 . The microscope module of  claim 3 , wherein the at least partially transparent bottom of the sample holder comprises a protrusion in which the sample is held. 
     
     
         10 . The microscope module of  claim 9  wherein the illumination beam is arranged to illuminate the sample through a bottom of the protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The microscope module of  claim 10  in which the protrusion is elongated. 
     
     
         12 . The microscope module of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination beam path is arranged at substantially 30° to horizontal. 
     
     
         13 . A method of imaging a plurality of samples comprising:
 arranging an illumination objective to illuminate lower surfaces of a plurality of samples;   arranging a detection objective to detect emitted light at an angle to the illumination objective; and   creating an image of the one or more of the plurality of samples.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising selecting different ones of the plurality of samples.