A simple device for making a standard inverted phase-contrast microscope movable.

A simple, useful and inexpensive device was designed and tested which allowed, under visual control at high magnification, large areas of a culture to be scanned without removing the microelectrodes inserted into remote parts of the nervous tissue. Such a device consisted of making removable, over several millimeters, an inverted phase-contrast microscope without disrupting either the preparation or the microelectrodes. This was realized by fixing the stage to a rigid metallic framework. At the same time, the optic portion of the microscope could slide smoothly on a base consisting of a pair of mirrors separated by greased, precision ball-bearings. All the focusing and scanning movements were achieved by the original rack and pinion controls of the microscope.