US 7,564,623 B2
	Microscope illumination device and adapter therefor
Vitaly J. Vodyanoy, Auburn, Ala. (US); and Oleg M. Pustovyy, Auburn, Ala. (US)
Assigned to Auburn University, Auburn, Ala. (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/106,819.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/563175, filed on Apr. 16, 2004.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/634850, filed on Dec. 10, 2004.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/650607, filed on Feb. 07, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/655805, filed on Feb. 24, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/660484, filed on Mar. 10, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2005/0237605 A1, Oct. 27, 2005
Int. Cl. G02B 21/06 (2006.01); G02B 21/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 359—385  [359/368; 359/387]

33 Claims

1. A stand-alone illumination device for a microscope comprising: at least one collimating lens for collimating light generated by a light source; a flat mirror for reflecting the collimated light; and a darkfield condenser for receiving the reflected light from the flat mirror and directing a hollow cone of light onto a sample under observation, wherein the stand-alone illumination device is removably attachable to any transmitted light microscope, at a condenser location of the microscope, as a single unit.