Inverted Microscope
We all have came across a device called microscope it might
be the optical(light) or electron microscope. Belonging to a science background
we are well aware about the working principle and construction of
microscopes. But, have you ever heard about an inverted
microscope? Yeah! Do we know what
exactly it is and how it works, and why it is inverted! Let's find out.
Introduction
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| Image Source-Google | Image by- Indiamart |
The inverted Microscope was invented by J.
Lawrence (1850). He a member of faculty at Tulane University now called Medical
College of Louisiana. It is called inverted because of the arrangement of
lenses with respect to the stage.
Principle
The working principle is as same as the light microscope i.e., light rays are focused on specimens and an image is formed which is further magnified by objective lenses. The condenser concentrates the light on the specimen placed on the stage.
The objective lens collects the light and forms an image then sends it to the ocular for further magnification. Cells are viewed through the bottom part of the culture vessel. Here total optical points are reached with the help of ibidi
polymer coverslip and ibidi glass sliding.
Components of the Inverted microscope
1. Stage- It can hold
large vessels like Petri plates. Allows examination of specimens within the
glass tubes or Petri plates.
2. Objective lens- It is movable, 4-6 lenses could be used according to the
need of magnification power. They can move vertically over specimens.
3. Adjustment knob- Fine and coarse dual-concentric knobs
are given for fine and precise focusing
on the objective lens over the specimen.
4. Turret- Also called nose piece, it holds the objective.
5. Condenser lens- It concentrates the light on the specimen.
6. Accessories- For better and desired results, removable
camera, fluorescent illumination, the scanner could be found attached to these
microscopes.
Difference
A normal light microscope has its objective lens
above the stage and the condenser and light source are below the stage. While in the inverted microscope the light source and condenser lens are arranged above the
stage and the objective lens and a turret are arranged below the stage.
Applications
- Used in diagnosis of fungal growth
- Also used in nematode detection in stool or blood samples.
- Also used to observe microbial growth progress.
- Viable cell count and kinetics where cells grow at the bottom of culture media or vessel.
- A large amount of medium can be viewed.
- We can directly observe tissue culture flask in their original state and vessel.
- We can also view the sample on a glass slide and coverslip.
- The specimen is not touched with the objective lens of the glass slide therefore the sterility of the sample is maintained.
- Used in micromanipulation where space above specimen is required or samples with micro tools that are there to hold them.
- Also used in metallurgical processes.
- Also required in microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay (MODS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
Limitations
- It is a very costly instrument.
- Rarely available.
- Hard to purchase.
- Since glass vessels are thick therefore require high quality lenses and precise lens' combination.
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