WO2018087665A1

WO2018087665A1 - Portable upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility

Info

Publication number: WO2018087665A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/056974
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samrat SINGH; Dipendra Singh BHADAURIYA; Sathyamoorthy G.; Binil JACOB; Alsaad Liqayat LAMBE; Greeshma UNNIKRISHNAN; Mahesh Kumar RATHOR; Eesha PUSALKAR
Original assignee: Singh Samrat
Priority date: 2016-11-14
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2018-05-17

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a utility model more particularly to a microscope (100) comprising an optical assembly (101), an illumination assembly (102), a mechanism for movement of sample stage along X-Y axis and focusing along Z axis (103), and a holder (104) for an electronic mobile imaging and communication device. The said illumination assembly is designed to emit light from artificial battery-run light source onto the sample. The said optical assembly is designed to include combination of mirrors, prims and lens to capture and display magnified microscopic images of the sample at a magnification of up to 1500X. The said focussing assembly comprises of various screws, nuts levers to permit movement of sample slide along three-dimensions for precise focussing. The said holder of smart device is designed to align camera aperture of holder to optical assembly to directly visualize, process, transmit and store microscopic images of the sample.

Description

TITLE

PORTABLE UPRIGHT BRIGHT FIELD MICROSCOPE WITH SMART DEVICE

COMPATIBILITY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Indian patent application no. 201621038757 filed on 14 November 2016.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001 ] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to optical elements, optical systems and optical apparatus, and particularly to microscopes and more particularly to portable upright microscopes with smart phone compatibility that are suitable for but not limited to use in medical, educational, agricultural and environmental sectors for capturing, transmitting and displaying magnified images of a sample to be examined.

BACKGROUND

[002] Accurate and timely diagnosis of ailments is the first crucial step in ensuring effective treatment. Presently, the use of bulky, bench-top and expensive microscopes denies prompt detection and diagnosis of diseases and disorders and further complicates the impending treatment and such microscopes are particularly unsuitable for diagnosis at point of care. Transportation of samples to a laboratory for testing increases the cost of tests and delays treatment, thereby making the tests unaffordable to a large section of the population and decreasing the effectivity of treatment. This is prominent particularly in rural areas which restricts quick accessibility of patients to critical health care therapy for their ailments.

[003] For environmental studies and agricultural practices, the microscopic analysis samples on the field is critical to observe microorganisms in their natural environment or to detect infections in plants and to examine the health of saplings, to observe seeds, mites, nematodes, insects, plant cross sections. The use of bulky, bench-top and expensive microscopes causes hindrance in this task since they are not compact and robust enough to survive the frequent transportations and rough handling endured during field use and often result in misalignment of the optics if not handled carefully.

[004] Microscopes are an important learning tool for education, however their scarcity often compels many students to share a single microscope with the effect that it is difficult to ensure that the student is observing the required sample area as only one person can observe at a time. Presently, some microscope designs permit coupling of the microscope to an image processor like a computer for better viewing of the sample object. These microscopes are designed for observation of microscopic sample by looking through the eyepiece and require additional accessories such as a camera mount and a computer to observe, process, store and transmit captured images the sample on a screen. This increases the cost of equipment and space required and makes the process cumbersome. There is thus a need for a low cost, portable, high magnification microscope that also has processing power to facilitate transmission and image processing directly.

[005] In the present invention, the utility model of an upright bright field microscope is described herein under, which is portable and allows display of the magnified image of a microscopic sample directly onto a handheld smart device such as a mobile phone or tablet to allow direct capturing, saving, transferring, processing and analysis of a digital image of the sample. The utility model described herein under also has an innovative optical assembly and illumination assembly coupled with a unique focussing mechanism and X-Y movement assembly permitting accurate viewing of the image which can be magnified up to 1500 X.

[§§6] In one prior art, a cell phone holder fixed to a microscope especially suitable for teaching, common activities and scientific research has been described. However, the device lacks the intricate focussing mechanism and the combination of lenses and mirrors used in the present invention to achieve the desired magnification of up to 1500 X.

[007] In another prior art, a design where the lens of the camera phone is replaced with a set of eyepiece and objective lenses that magnifies an image and displays it via an electronic microscopic vision chip is disclosed. In the present invention, the smart device is used as it is without any modification, thus allowing it to retain its normal image capturing ability when not in use as a microscope.

[§§8] In another prior art, a dedicated handset with a small attachment of lenses for magnification is disclosed. The height of the objective lens from the sample can be adjusted through a three screw arrangement. In the present invention, focusing is achieved by movement of the sample stage using a screw and bell crank lever mechanism coupled to a Z stage mechanism. Simple rotation of a knob is sufficient to vary the distance between the sample and the objective lens.

[009] In yet another prior art, the arrangement used to mount the smartphone to microscope is disclosed. However, the invention is restricted to a specific intervention whereas the present invention is broad-based. Also, the focussing mechanism and X-Y movement are also not disclosed in the prior art. [0010] In the present invention, a technique for taking a picture of an image observed under a microscope by means of a film camera, a digital camera, a camera function of a portable phone, or the like has been developed. Various adapters and attachments to be provided in the microscope to capture an image observed under a microscope with a film camera, a digital camera, or a camera function of a portable phone have been proposed.

[0011] The present invention discloses an upright bright field microscope herein under, which is portable and allows display of the magnified image of a microscopic sample directly onto a handheld smart device such as a mobile phone or tablet to allow direct capturing, saving, transferring, processing and analysis of a digital image of the sample for use in medical, agricultural, environmental and educational sectors, attempts to address the technical problems identified in the preceding paragraphs and to solve the long-standing need

SUMMARY

[0012] Before the invention comprising an upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular components described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility and the other concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the disclosure nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0013] In one embodiment, an upright, movable bright-field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility is disclosed. The microscope may comprise of: a uniquely designed, path- length maintained, optical assembly for capturing, transmitting and displaying magnified images of a sample to be examined under the microscope. The said optical assembly may comprise of an objective lens for capturing light from the illuminated sample and focusing the said light to produce a magnified image. The optical assembly may further comprise an enclosed, novel, bent optical tube comprising of two mirrors or one prism and one mirror for transmission of the captured magnified image of the sample onto a lens stack, wherein said lens further magnifies the magnified image produced by the said one or more objective lens and projects onto the camera of a smart device. [0014] In one embodiment, an upright, movable bright-field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility is disclosed. The said microscope may comprise of a uniquely designed sample movement mechanism and sample focusing mechanism for enabling linear movement of a sample stage along three dimensions to enable accurate focusing and viewing of sample and wherein such unique design makes the said microscope compact and portable.

[0015] In one embodiment, an upright, movable bright-field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility is disclosed. The said microscope may comprise of an illumination system to uniformly illuminate said sample on the sample stage. The illumination system may comprise of a battery or an external power adapter run artificial light source wherein said light source may comprise a Light emitting diode (LED). The illuminations system may further comprise of a casing for protection of the said battery run artificial light source. The illumination system may further comprise of A first lens that is rounded, curving outward and placed just above the artificial light source. The illumination system may further comprise of a blur filter and a second lens having one spherical surface and one flat surface above the blur filter and wherein, said illumination system is designed in a manner to maintain the compactness of the said microscope.

[§016] In one embodiment, an upright, movable bright- field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility is disclosed. The microscope may comprise a holder for placing the said compatible smart device wherein such a holder is attached to the optical assembly of the said microscope. The said holder may be so designed to maintain the required distance between the camera of the said smart device and the said lens stack for the magnified image to be displayed on the screen in focus and with maximum display size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[§§17] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific design disclosed in the document and the drawings.

[§§18] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components. [0019] Figure 1 represents the complete innovation, namely a compact, portable upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility (100). Figure 1A represents the microscope (100) with smart device holder (104) aligned horizontally and figure IB represents the microscope

(100) with smart device holder (104) aligned with an inclined angle to the base of the said microscope. The other innovative components of the said microscope (100), namely, a novel optical assembly (101), a novel illumination assembly (102), a novel X-Y movement and focussing mechanism (103) and a novel holder for the smart device (104).

[§§20] Figure 2 represents in detail some of the various possible embodiments of the optical assembly

(101) represented in Figure 2A, 2B and 2C respectively. Each figure represents the objective lens (201), the first mirror (202), a second mirror / prism (203), a lens stack (204) and the holder for the smart device (104).

[§§21] Figure 3 represents in detail the various components of the said illumination assembly (102).

The various components include an artificial light source (302), a casing for the said artificial light source (301), a first lens (303), a blur filter (304) and a second lens (305); all components arranged to ensure uniform illumination of the sample under observation in the said microscope (100)

[§§22] Figure 4 represents in detail the X-Y movement mechanism and the Z-stage focussing system (103). The various components of the said X-Y movement mechanism and Z-stage focussing system include a Y knob (401), Y plate (402), a Y pillar (403), a X-Y connector (404), X knob (405), X plate (406), sample slide (407), finely threaded screw (408), a moving nut (409), a guiding pin (410), a bell crank lever (411), Z-stage (412), a focussing knob (413), a sample stage (414), a base plate (415) and illumination system (102).

[0023] The figures depict the embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only.

One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of an upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility and its components illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[§§24] Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[§§25] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any upright bright field microscope with smart device compatibility or components thereof similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary designs are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0026] The invention relates to optical illumination techniques that use a combination of lenses to magnify images of small samples and further employ handheld devices with display screens to project magnified images of the sample on to the display screen. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an upright bright-field microscope with a holder for a handheld smart device to project, record, transmit and save data onto the smart device.

[0027] With reference to the Figure 1, describes the microscope system (100) in detail. The upright, bright-field, portable and compact microscope with smart device compatibility (100) has the following novel constituents:

an optical assembly (101),

an illumination assembly (102),

a X-Y slide movement mechanism and a Z-axis movement mechanism for micro-focussing of the image (103) and

a holder for smart device with smart device compatibility features (104).

[0028] With reference to the Figure 2, in one embodiment, the said optical assembly illustrated in Fig.

1 (101) is further elaborated in figure 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and may comprise of an objective lens (201) to magnify the image of the sample and a novel bent optical tube (not shown in the figure). The said novel bent optical tube may comprise optical elements for reflecting and refracting light like prisms, mirrors and other glass lenses to magnify the magnified image produced by the objective lenses. [0029] In one embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of an objective lens (201) comprising one or more lenses of varying powers made from glass housed in cylindrical casing which gather light from the object being observed. The said light from the objective lens produces a magnified real image of the object being observed which is further magnified by the said optical tube (not shown in figure) and reflected onto the camera of said smart device held within a smart device holder.

[§§30] In one embodiment, the said optical assembly may comprise a single objective lens with fixed magnification.

[0031] In another embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise a rotatory nosepiece with multiple objective lenses with provision for variable magnification.

[§§32] In yet another embodiment, the said optical assembly may comprise single objective lens in case of fixed magnification or a rotatory nosepiece with multiple objective lenses in case of variable magnification or a combination of both.

[0033] In one embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube (not shown in figure) wherein, the shape of the optical tube is designed in a way such that light travelling within the optical tube from the said objective lens is bent at certain angles along the path of the tube which may enable the microscope to be compact and portable.

[0034] In one embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube comprising of at least one of the combinations of prisms and mirrors and a lens stack. In a preferred embodiment, the said optical tube (not shown in figure) comprises at least one of the combinations comprising of a first mirror (202, not shown separately in figure), a second mirror or prism (203, not shown separately in figure) and a lens stack (204, not shown separately in figure). The said lens stack (204) may be composed of at least one of the combinations of double convex and concave-convex lenses that further magnifies the magnified image produced by the objective lenses and projects it onto the camera of the said smart device or an independent camera module. Referring to figure 2, some combinations of the above mentioned elements of the optical tube have been illustrated in Figures 2A, Figure 2B and Figure 2C respectively. It is to be noted that the said combinations are mere illustrations and do not confine or restrict the scope of the inventions to the said combinations.

[§§35] In one embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube wherein the said optical tube may comprise two plane mirrors, mirror 1 (202a) and mirror 2 (203a), to bend the light from the objective lenses. Both the mirrors may be aligned in such a way to bend the light at identical angles. The light reflected from the said second mirror (203a) may emerge perpendicular to the base, and may pass through the said lens stack (204a) composed of double convex and concave-convex lenses and the said reflected light may be projected onto the camera of the said smart device or said independent camera module placed parallel to the base.

[§§36] In another embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube wherein said optical tube may comprise of two plane mirrors, mirror 1 (202b) and mirror 2 (203b), to bend the light from the objective lenses. The mirrors may be aligned in such a way to project the emerging light onto the camera of the said smart device or said independent camera module placed at an angle of 45 degree to the base, after passing through said lens stack (204b) composed of double convex and concave-convex lenses. The alignment of the mirrors may be modified to change the viewing angle of the smart device.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube wherein said optical tube may comprise of one plane mirror (202c) and one right angle prism (203c) to bend the light from the objective lenses. The alignment of the right- angle prism may be designed to bend light by 180 degree. The mirror and prism may be aligned in such a way to project the emerging light onto the camera of the said smart device or said independent camera module placed at an angle of 45 degree to the base, after passing through the lens stack (204c). The alignment of the mirror and prism may be modified to change the viewing angle of the smart device.

[0038] In still another embodiment (not shown in figure), the optical assembly may comprise of the said optical tube wherein said optical tube may comprise of one right angle prism and one special prism with reflective coating on one surface capable of bending light from the objective lenses at 45 degree. The alignment of the right-angle prism may be designed to bend said light by 180 degree. The two prisms are aligned in such a way to project the emerging light onto the camera of the smart device or said independent camera module placed at an angle of 45 degree to the base after passing through the said lens stack. The alignment of the prisms may be modified to change the viewing angle of the smart device.

[§§39] With reference to the Figure 3, in one embodiment of the invention the said illumination assembly (102) may comprise of a two-lead semiconductor light source (302) enclosed within a protective casing (301) wherein said light source may comprise a p-n junction diode which emits light when activated and wherein, more specifically the light source may comprise a light emitting diode (LED).

[§§40] In one embodiment, the said illumination assembly (102) may comprise of a combination of lenses comprising a first lens (303) that is rounded, curving outward that may be placed just above said light source. The said first lens may be separated from a second lens (305) having one spherical surface and one flat surface which may be placed above the first lens. A wavelength filter or blur filter (304) can be used for separating the said first and second lenses wherein the said wavelength filter or blur filter may reflect, transmit or absorb different wavelength of light emitted from the said light source.

[§§41] In a preferred embodiment, the said light source (302) enclosed within a protective casing (301), the said first lens (303), the said blur filter (304) and said second lens (305) may be stacked in close contact with each other to form the illumination assembly.

[§§42] In one embodiment, the said illumination assembly (102) may be designed to prevent uneven illumination and image distortions caused due to placing light source very close to the sample and may result in the light emerging from the assembly to illuminate the sample placed on the sample stage uniformly.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the illumination assembly (102) may be provided with light intensity regulator to regulate the intensity of the light falling on the sample slide and wherein the said light source may be replaced to change the incident wavelength as per the need of the user.

[0044] With reference to the Figure 4, in one embodiment of the invention, the said X-Y slide movement mechanism (103) may comprise of a combination of the X movement mechanism and the Y movement mechanism. X-Y Moving mechanism may consist of two knobs X Knob (405) and Y Knob (401) that may help the user to move the sample slide (407) fixed on the slide holder which is on the sample stage (414) along the respective X axis and Y axis. The sample holder may be attached to the X plate (406) and may possess a clamping system to hold the sample slide. The said movement may allow scanning of different areas of the specimen on the sample slide.

[0045] In another embodiment, the Y movement mechanism may comprise of a Y pillar (403) attached to the sample stage (414), a Y plate (402) connected to the Y pillar, a Y knob (401), a rack and pinion system and a dovetail groove. The Y movement mechanism may convert the rotatory motion of the Y knob to linear motion of the Y plate using the rack and pinion system which is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move relative to the pinion, thereby translating the rotational motion of the pinion into linear motion.. The dovetail groove may guide the movement of the Y plate and maintains the linearity.

[0046] In yet another embodiment, a connector (404) may connect the Y plate (402) to the X mechanism. The X mechanism may comprise of a X knob (405), a X plate (406), a worm gear mechanism and a dovetail groove. The X movement mechanism may convert the rotatory motion of the X knob to linear motion of the X plate by the worm gear mechanism which may assist in movement of the sample along the X axis. The dovetail groove may guide the movement of the X plate and help maintain the linearity.

[§§47] In one embodiment of the invention, micro-focussing of the sample may be achieved by employing the said Z-axis focussing mechanism. In a reported prior art, focusing mechanism involves movement of the objective lens along the z axis, which affects the magnification achieved by the system, since magnification is dependent on the tube length. In the present invention, the said Z mechanism for focussing may comprise of movement of the sample stage (414) along the Z-axis.

[0048] In another embodiment, the Z mechanism may comprise of using a finely threaded screw (408), a moving nut (409) and a bell crank lever (411) mechanism coupled to the Z stage (412). The Z mechanism may comprise of focusing of the magnified image by simple rotation of the knob to vary distance between the sample (407) and the objective lens (201).

[0049] In yet another embodiment, the Z stage mechanism may comprise of movement of the sample stage (414) in the vertical direction and may permit very fine and very stable focusing of the magnified image.

[§§50] In still another embodiment, The Z stage (412) may be composed of two parts, one of which is attached to the Z stage support (416) and the other to the sample stage. A bell crank lever (411) may be attached to the first part of the Z stage which is attached to the Z stage support. Relative motion between the two parts of the Z stage may be achieved using ball bearings or cross roller guides. The sample stage (414) may be held in the upward position using a spring. Rotational motion of the focusing knob may cause linear movement of the moving nut along the guiding pin (410), which in turn may push one hand of the bell crank lever, pushing the sample stage to be vertically displaced in the downward direction. The Z stage support along with the Z stage (back) may be fixed to the base plate (415). Rotation of the focusing knob in the opposite direction may cause the sample stage to move upwards due to tension in the spring.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention the said optical assembly (101) may be connected to said holder of smart device (104) with smart device compatibility features. The design of the holder may align the camera of a smart device or an independent camera module to the optical assembly while securing the device firmly.

[§§52] In another embodiment, the camera of the said smart device may be aligned to the said optical assembly such that the light emerging from the said lens stack may be projected directly into the camera at an angle of 90 degrees, enabling the magnified image to be displayed on the screen of the smart device or an independent screen connected to the camera module. [0053] In yet another embodiment, the holder (104) may also maintain the exact distance required between the said camera of the said smart device and the said lens stack for the magnified image to be displayed on the screen in focus and with maximum display size.

[§§54] In some embodiments, the holder (104) may be designed with dimensions specific to certain smart devices such as mobile phones, tablets, etc. or in other cases, may be designed to be a universal design to fit all smart devices.

[§§55] In some embodiments, the holder may be kept detachable to allow interchangeable use of multiple smart devices. The orientation of the holder may be designed to keep the smart device horizontal, or at an angle, depending upon the design of the optical tube.

[0056] In one embodiment, the said microscope (100) provides for a range of magnification from 10X to 1500 X while permitting accurate focussing to enable viewing of highly magnified image.

[§§57] In one embodiment, the said LED illumination (302) is powered by a rechargeable/non- rechargeable battery that may make the device portable. The illumination system may also work on direct AC power supply. Circuits for battery charging and LED intensity regulation may also be provided.

[§§58] In one embodiment of the invention, the disclosed microscope (100) is compact and extremely handy to enable researchers to use it for field studies of significance to the environmental and agricultural sector. In another embodiment, the disclosed microscope (100) is beneficial for education sector, permitting better access viewing of magnified sample to students. In still another embodiment, the disclosed microscope is of use for medical professionals to seek expert help through remote diagnosis.

[0059] The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An upright, movable bright-field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility, the microscope (100) comprising of:

a optical assembly (101) for capturing, transmitting and displaying magnified images of a sample to be examined under the microscope and wherein said optical assembly comprises of: An objective lens (201) for capturing light from the illuminated sample and focusing the said light to produce a magnified image, and

An enclosed, bent optical tube comprising of two mirrors or one prism and one mirror for transmission of the captured magnified image of the sample onto a lens stack, wherein said lens further magnifies the magnified image produced by the said one or more objective lens and projects onto the camera of a smart device.

2. The microscope with an optical assembly (101) as described in Claim 1 wherein the said objective lens can comprise of a single objective lens in case of fixed magnification or can comprise of a rotatory nosepiece with multiple objective lenses in case of variable magnification

3. The microscope with an optical assembly (101) as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein the bent optical tube provides a channel through which the light from the sample passes and wherein such bent optical tube further comprises of:

A combination of two plane mirrors (202a & 203a; 202b & 203b) or a combination of one plane mirror (202c) and one right angled prism (203c); and

said lens stack (204) comprising of:

A first outward curving lens that is symmetrical across both its horizontal and vertical axis and

A second lens having one side depressed and one side outwardly curving.

4. The microscope with an optical assembly (101) comprising said optical tube as described in claim 3 wherein said combination of two plane mirrors or said combination of one plane mirror and one right angled prism is arranged so that light is bent at an angle between 0 to 180 degree inside said optical tube.

5. The microscope with an optical assembly (101) comprising said optical tube as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein said combination of two plane mirrors or said combination of one plane mirror and one right angled prism is arranged either so that the path length is maintained at 160mm, or so that the path length can be adjustable with help of additional lenses to a value up to infinity

6. The microscope with an optical assembly (101) as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein the said lens stack within the optical tube is placed such that it projects the magnified image onto the camera of said compatible smart device

7. An upright, movable bright- field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility and comprising of:

A sample movement mechanism and sample focusing mechanism (103) for enabling linear movement of a sample stage (414) along three dimensions to enable focusing and viewing of sample and wherein such unique design makes the said microscope compact and portable.

8. The microscope with a focusing mechanism as described in Claim 7 and comprising of:

Mechanism for movement of the sample slide holder on the sample stage along X and Y axes and comprising of:

Linear movement along X Axis, comprising of linear movement of a X plate (406) with the attached sample holder along X-axis, wherein the rotational motion of a X-knob (405) is converted into linear movement of the X-plate by the worm gear mechanism and said movement is maintained by a dovetail groove, and

Linear movement along Y Axis, comprising of linear movement of a Y-plate (402) connected to the sample-stage-attached Y-pillar (403), wherein_the rotational motion of a Y-knob (401) is converted into linear movement of the Y-plate by the rack and pinion mechanism and said movement is maintained by a dovetail groove

A connecting mechanism (404) for connecting the movement of the sample slide holder on the sample stage along X and Y axes

9. The microscope with a focusing mechanism as described in any of the claims claimed above and comprising of:

Vertical movement of the sample stage (414) along the Z-axis for micro-focusing of the magnified image while maintaining the compactness of the design, wherein, rotational motion of Z-knob (413) induces in micro-movement of the sample stage along Z axis, wherein a finely threaded screw (408) with a moving nut (409) and the moving nut attached to a bell crank lever (411) system results in the said micro-focusing of the magnified image_^

10. An upright, movable bright-field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility and comprising of:

An illumination system (102) to uniformly illuminate said sample on the sample stage comprising of:

A battery or an external power adapter run artificial light source (302) wherein said light source may comprise a Light emitting diode (LED)

A casing (301) for protection of the said battery run artificial light source

A first lens (303) that is rounded, curving outward and placed above the artificial light source

A blur / wavelength filter (304)

A second lens (305) having one spherical surface and one flat surface above the blur filter And wherein, said illumination system is designed in a manner to maintain the compactness of the said microscope.

11. The microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein said sample stage (414) is in between said objective lens (201) and illumination assembly (102) and further wherein the sample stage is above the illumination assembly but beneath the objective lens and wherein said sample stage is provided with clamps for firmly positioning said specimen in place.

12. The microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the intensity of light emitted from said artificial light source is regulated by a light intensity regulator.

13. An upright, movable bright- field microscope having provision for smart device compatibility and comprising of:

A holder (104) for placing the said compatible smart device wherein such a holder is attached to the optical assembly of the said microscope.

14. A microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as described in Claim 13 wherein the said smart device belongs to group of devices further comprising a mobile phone, a tablet or other such devices with a built-in camera or an independent camera module.

15. A microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein the said holder (104) maintains the required distance between the camera of the said smart device and the said lens stack (204) for the magnified image to be displayed on the screen in focus and with maximum display size.

16. A microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein the said holder (104) is configured either in a manner to align the display of the smart device horizontally or in a manner to align the display of the smart device in an inclined manner such that the light emerging from the lens stack (204) is projected directly into the camera at an angle of 90 degrees, enabling the magnified image to be displayed on the screen of the smart device

17. A microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as described in any of the claims claimed above wherein the said holder can be configured with dimensions specific to certain smart devices comprising of mobile phones, tablets or can be configured with dimensions of a universal design to fit all smart devices.

18. A microscope having provision for smart device compatibility as described in in any of the claims claimed above wherein the said holder is detachable to allow interchangeable use of multiple smart devices.