Technical field

Examples relate to a sample container for a microscope system, a sample stage for a micro scope system, a microscope system, and to a method for manufacturing a sample container.

Background

In chemistry, physics and material science related subjects at school and universities, the stu dents learn about phase transitions of solids, liquids and gases. These phase transitions can be artificially induced by creating different environmental conditions for some materials. A spe cial, sealed sample stage system may be set up in order to induce the phase change. Inside the sealed system, the environmental conditions can be changed in a controlled manner, and the transition from one phase to another can be observed. Such sample stages are often limited to high-end microscope systems, which are typically not available for education. Consequently, in many cases, the visualization or live demonstration of such phase transition in real time is often not possible, limiting this exciting topic to a theoretical lecture.

Summary

There may be a desire for an improved concept for inducing and visualizing chemical pro cesses.

This desire is addressed by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

Embodiments are based on the finding that the setup required for inducing a phase change of a chemical sample is often too complex to replicate within an educational environment. Often, a phase change requires a change in temperature and/or a certain atmosphere and pressure, which in many cases might only be created in high-end microscope installations. Embodi ments of the present disclosure address these challenges by providing a sample container that comprises components that can be used to affect a phase change of the material. For example, the sample container includes a heating element for heating the sample, and it is sealed to provide the appropriate atmosphere for the phase change. In conjunction with the sample con tainer, a corresponding sample stage may be used, which comprises a connection element for providing energy for the sample container, in order to power the heating element. By includ ing the means for inducing the phase change within the sample container, the capabilities required from the microscope system may be reduced.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sample container for a microscope system. The sample container comprises a cavity for a sample to be observed using the microscope system. The sample container comprises a case comprising the cavity. The cavity is sealed within the case. The sample container comprises a heating element. The heating element is suitable for heating the sample within the cavity. By providing a sample container with an included heating element, the sample can be heated within the sample container, without re quiring a heating element in the sample stage or microscope system. By sealing the sample within the sample container, an atmosphere can be preserved that is conducive to a phase change of the sample. By including the means for inducing the phase change within the sam ple container, causing the phase change, and thus demonstrating the phase change, may be facilitated.

In various embodiments, a sample is located (i.e. placed) within the cavity. Consequently, the user of the sample container might not be required to seal the sample container after placing the sample, further reducing the complexity for causing the phase change.

For example, the cavity may comprise an atmosphere and/or pressure that is conducive to a state change of the sample, facilitating bringing about the phase change.

In embodiments, a state change of the sample may be observable within the sample container in response to a change in temperature caused by the heating element. This may provide a visualization of the phase change, which can be observed by an audience, either directly, or indirectly via a screen and/or a recording device.

The case may be a transparent case. For example, the case may be at least partially made of glass. For example, the case of the sample container may be a cuvette. Due to the transparency and/or the optical properties of glass, the phase change may be observable from outside the sample container.

In various embodiments, the sample container comprises at least one connection element for connecting the heating element to an energy source. This enables a re-use of the energy source for multiple sample containers.

In some embodiments, the heating element is at least partially arranged within the cavity. This may enable a direct transfer of heat between the heating element and the sample. For example, the sample may be placed on the heating element.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a sample stage for a microscope sys tem. The sample stage comprises a holding means for holding a sample container. The sample container comprises a cavity for a sample to be observed using the microscope system the sample container comprises a case comprising the cavity. The cavity is sealed within the case. The sample container comprises a heating element for heating the sample. The sample stage comprises at least one connection element for connecting an energy source of the microscope system to the heating element of the sample container via a corresponding connection element of the sample container. The sample stage may be used to hold the sample container under the microscope, and to provide the energy for the heating element of the sample container, thus facilitating the use of the sample container.

In some embodiments, the sample stage comprises a light source for illuminating the sample within the sample container. For example, the light source may be used to illuminate the sam ple from below, improving the observability of the phase change.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a microscope system comprising the sample stage and, optionally, an energy source. The energy source is configured to provide energy, such as an electric current, to a heating element of a sample container via the sample stage. By merely providing the energy to the sample stage, via the sample stage, instead of directly heating the sample, a complexity of the microscope system may be reduced. In some embodiments, the microscope system may comprise a camera for recording the sam ple stage. For example, the camera may be used to record the phase change and/or to visualize the phase change on a display.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method for manufacturing a sample container for a microscope system. The method comprises arranging a heating element within the sample container. The heating element is suitable for heating a sample within a cavity of the sample container. The method comprises placing the sample to be observed using the microscope system within the cavity. The method comprises sealing the sample within the sample container. By providing a sample container with an included heating element, the sample can be heated within the sample container, without requiring a heating element in the sample stage or microscope system. By sealing the sample within the sample container, an atmosphere can be applied that is conducive to a phase change of the sample. By including the means for inducing the phase change within the sample container, causing the phase change, and thus demonstrating the phase change, may be facilitated.

Short description of the Figures

Some examples of apparatuses and/or methods will be described in the following by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sample container;

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a sample con tainer.

Fig. 3a shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sample stage and of a microscope system without a corresponding sample container;

Fig. 3b shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sample stage and of a microscope system with a corresponding sample container; Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a microscope system comprising a sample stage with a sample container; and

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a microscope system comprising a microscope and a computer system.

Detailed Description

Various examples will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which some examples are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sample container 100 for a micro scope system 400 (as shown in Figs. 3a, 3b and/or 4). The sample container 100 comprises a cavity 110 for a sample 150 to be observed using the microscope system. The sample con tainer 100 comprises a case 120 comprising the cavity. The cavity is sealed within the case. The sample container 100 comprises a heating element 130. The heating element is suitable for heating the sample within the cavity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sample container, a sample stage and to a microscope system comprising the sample stage. Embodiments are based on the finding that, in order to cause a phase change of a sample, two variables may be controlled for: a temper ature of the sample, and an atmosphere of an environment of the sample. In large and high- end laboratory microscopes, these variables may be controlled for by the microscope system, e.g. using sample stages that can be used to provide a suitable environment. Such precondi tions, however, might not be available in many environments. For example, in schools or universities, less complex microscope systems might be predominately used, e.g. in order to save cost, or in order to remove the complexities from the operation of the microscope. Em bodiments thus provide the means for controlling for temperature and atmosphere within the sample container, which enables the use of cheaper and less complex microscopes for the visualization of phase changes.

Fig. 1 shows a sample container 100 for a microscope system 400. In general, a sample con tainer may be a container for containing the sample. In other words, the sample may be stored within the sample container. For example, the sample may be a sample of a chemical element or a sample of a chemical compound. To use the sample container, the sample container may be placed on a sample stage of the microscope system. For example, the sample stage may comprise a holding mechanism for holding the sample container. In any case, distinction is to be made between the sample stage and the sample container - the sample container is not part of the sample stage, but is a separate component that is to be placed on, or within a holding mechanism of, the sample stage. In general, the sample container may be exchangeable, re moveable, and ultimately disposable or refurbishable. In this regard, the sample container may be a so-called consumable, i.e. a device that is suitable for single use or that may be limited to a limited number of uses, e.g. at most ten uses. After it has been consumed, the sample container may be refurbished (e.g. by cleaning the sample container and placing a new sample within the sample container) or recycled (e.g. by removing the sample and taking apart the components of the sample container.

The sample container comprises a cavity 110, i.e. a chamber or space for holding the sample. The cavity is (hermetically) sealed within the case of the sample container. In other words, the sample container comprises at least one portion that is sealed, the sealed portion compris ing the cavity. In some embodiments, the entire sample container is sealed by the case, and the cavity within is sealed within the case. In other words, the case may be sealed, and the cavity may be arranged within the sealed case. In some cases, however, the case houses a separate sealed element that comprises the cavity with the sample. This sealed element might be inserted (i.e. placed) within the case and held within the case of the sample container. In other words, the case itself might not be sealed, but might merely contain the sealed element comprising the cavity. Alternatively, the case itself may be sealed, and at the same time con tain the separate sealed element, e.g. in order to improve the sealing, or in order to contain the heat within the case of the sample container. In both cases, the case may comprise (i.e. en compass) the cavity.

In embodiments, an atmosphere and/or pressure within the cavity may be contained by the sealing. For example, the atmosphere within the cavity may comprise a gas or liquid (or vac uum) that is present within the cavity, e.g. in addition to the sample. The pressure may be the force that a content (e.g. the atmosphere) of the cavity exerts on walls of the cavity (e.g. on the walls of the case or on the walls of the separate sealed element). The atmosphere/pressure within the cavity may be contained as long as the sealing is intact. In various applications, the atmosphere and/or pressure within the cavity may be created using means that are not available in the setting in which the sample is to be inspected. For example, the present sample container may be used in an educational setting, where such means might be unavailable or might take up more time than is available in a particular class. Therefore, the atmosphere and/or pressure within the cavity may be created at the time of manufacture of the sample container, and the sample may be sealed within said atmosphere and/or pressure during manufacturing of the sample container. For example, the cavity may be factory- sealed or permanently sealed. For example, the sample may be factory-sealed or permanently sealed within the cavity (at the time of manufacturing). For example, the sample may be sealed within the cavity with the atmosphere and/or pressure.

In general, the sample container may be used to illustrate a phase change of the sample. These phase changes are often triggered by a change in temperature of the sample. Accordingly, the state change of the sample may be observable within the sample container in response to a change in temperature caused by the heating element. In other words, the heating element may be configured to change (i.e. increase) the temperature of the sample within the cavity, so that a phase change of the sample occurs, and so that the phase change can be observed within (e.g. from outside the sample container).

The atmosphere and/or pressure may be chosen such, that it is suitable for a phase change of the sample (e.g. from a solid phase to a liquid phase, from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase, or from a solid phase to a gaseous phase). In other words, the cavity may comprise an atmos phere and/or pressure that is conducive to a state change of the sample. For example, the chemical element or chemical compound may exhibit a first phase (e.g. solid or liquid) at a first temperature (e.g. at room temperature) and a first atmosphere/pressure, and a second phase (e.g. liquid or gaseous) at a second temperature and a second atmosphere/pressure. The atmosphere and/or pressure within the cavity may be chosen such, that it is suitable for chang ing the phase of the sample from the first phase to the second phase when the second temper ature is applied to the sample. In this case, the second atmosphere and/or pressure may be chosen for the cavity. In more general terms, the heating element may be suitable for heating the sample from a current temperature (e.g. room temperature) to a desired temperature (e.g. a temperature, at which a phase change is caused). The cavity may comprise an atmosphere and/or pressure that is conducive for a phase change of the sample when the desired temper ature is applied to the sample. As an alternative to the visualization of a phase change, the sample container (and accordingly the sample stage and the microscope system of Figs. 3 and 4) may also be used to observe biological samples, e.g. in order to investigate the influence of different environmental pa rameters on the development of living cultures. Accordingly, the sample may be a biological sample. The heating element may be used to change the temperature within the sample change, e.g. enable an observation of an influence of the temperature on the growth of the biological sample. Accordingly, the atmosphere may be chosen such that it is suitable for the biological sample.

The cavity 110 is suitable for the sample 150 to be observed using the microscope system. In other words, the cavity may (visually) expose the sample towards the microscope system (within the sealed environment). A sample may be located (i.e. placed or arranged) within the cavity. The cavity may be formed such, that the sample can be observed from the microscope. This may be achieved by using a transparent material, such as glass (e.g. Quartz glass) or acrylic glass, as walls of the cavity and/or of the case. For example, at least one side of the cavity may be visually exposed via a transparent material. In some cases, for example if the sample is to be illuminated from the back/below, at least two sides of the cavity may be vis ually exposed via a transparent material. For example, the case may be a transparent case, e.g. a case that comprises at least one (or at least two) transparent portion or portions that visually expose the sample within the cavity. In some cases, the case might even be entirely transpar ent. This can, for example, be achieved by using glass for the case, e.g. Quartz glass or acrylic glass. For example, the case may be at least partially made of glass. For example, at least the one (or two) transparent portion or portions that visually expose the sample may be made of glass. In some embodiments, the entire case may be made of glass. Alternatively, the case may be made of a composite of materials comprising at least one (or two) portions that are made of glass. In some embodiments, the case of the sample container may be a (quartz) cuvette, i.e. a tube-like container with straight sides and a circular or square cross-section. If a separate sealed element is used, it may be implemented similar to the case, e.g. with at least one (or two) transparent portions that visually expose the sample within the cavity.

The sample container 100 comprises a heating element 130. In some embodiments, the heat ing element 130 may be an electric heating element, i.e. a heating element 130 that is config ured to emit heat in response to an application of an electric current. For example, the heating element 130 may be a resistive heating element (i.e. a Joule heater), i.e. an electric heating element that generates heat by applying a current to a conductor, with the heat being generated due to the resistance of the conductor. Alternatively, the heating element 130 may be based on the Peltier effect, i.e. a heating element that is based on the transferring of heat from a first junction of a circuit to a second junction of the circuit. Alternatively, a non-electric heating element may be used, e.g. a passive heating element such as a thermal conductor that is sup plied with heat by an external source. In some embodiments, the heating element is at least partially arranged within the cavity. For example, a resistive heating pad of the heating ele ment may be arranged within the cavity, and the sample may be placed on the resistive heating pad. Alternatively, the heating element may be arranged outside the cavity. For example, the heating element may be configured to heat the sample within the cavity through the walls of the cavity. In both cases, the heating element is suitable for heating (or configured to heat) the sample within the cavity. For example, the heating element may be suitable for heating (or configured to heat) the sample from room temperature to a temperature at which a phase change of the sample can be observed.

In many cases, the sample container is not a self-contained system. For example, the (electri cal) energy being used for the heating element may be supplied by an external entity. Accord ingly, the sample container may comprise at least one connection element 140 (i.e. at least one connector) for connecting the heating element to an energy source. For example, if an electric heating element is used, such as a resistive heating element, the sample container may comprise two electric conductors as connection elements, for connecting the heating element to an electric current source. If the heating element is passive element, the sample container may comprise at least one thermal conductor for connecting the heating element to a heat source. In various embodiments, the at least one connection element 140 may comprise at least one plug, jack or connector to connect the at least one connection element 140 to at least one corresponding connection element of a sample stage of the microscope system (e.g. via a corresponding plug, jack or connector of the sample stage).

More details and aspects of the sample container are mentioned in connection with the pro posed concept or one or more examples described above or below (e.g. Fig. 2 to 3). The sample container may comprise one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below. Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a (corresponding) method for manufacturing a sample container for a microscope system. For example, the sample container may be im plemented similar to the sample container of Fig. 1. The method comprises arranging 210 a heating element within the sample container. The heating element is suitable for heating a sample within a cavity of the sample container. For example, the sample may be placed on the heating element within the cavity. The method comprises placing 220 (i.e. arranging) the sample to be observed using the microscope system within the cavity. For example, the sam ple container may comprise a case that comprises the cavity. For example, the sample may be placed within the case. In some embodiments, the sample is placed within a separate sealed element. In this case, the method may comprise placing the sample in the separate sealed element. Additionally or alternatively, the method may comprise placing the separate sealed element within the sample container, e.g. within the case of the sample container. The method comprises sealing 230 the sample within the sample container. For example, sealing the sam ple may comprise sealing the sample within the cavity (e.g. within the separated sealed ele ment). Alternatively or additionally, sealing the sample may comprise placing the separate sealed container within the sample container, e.g. within the case of the sample container.

As indicated above, features described in connection with the sample container 100 and of Fig. 1 may be likewise applied to the method of Fig. 2.

More details and aspects of the method are mentioned in connection with the proposed con cept or one or more examples described above or below (e.g. Fig. 1 or 3a to 4). The method may comprise one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below.

Figs. 3a and 3b show schematic diagrams of embodiments of a sample stage 300 and of a microscope system 400 with (Fig. 3b) and without (Fig. 3a) a corresponding sample container 100. The sample stage comprises a holding means 310 for holding a sample container 100, e.g. the sample container of Fig. 1. The sample container comprises a cavity 110 for a sample 150 to be observed using the microscope system. The sample container comprises a case 120 comprising the cavity. The cavity is sealed within the case. The sample container comprises and a heating element 130 for heating the sample. The sample container comprises at least one connection element 140 for connecting the heating element 130 to an energy source 410 of the microscope system 400. The sample stage comprises at least one connection element 320 for connecting the energy source 410 of the microscope system to the heating element 130 of the sample container via the corresponding connection element 140 of the sample con tainer.

In Fig. 1, a sample container was introduced that holds a sample that is to be observed using the microscope system. Fig. 3 relates to a corresponding sample stage for the microscope system. In the context of this application, the term “microscope system” is used, in order to cover the portions of the system that are not part of the actual microscope (which comprises the optical components), but which are used in conjunction with the microscope, such as a camera, a display or an energy source of the microscope system.

In general, a sample stage is a stage where a sample is mounted for observation. For example, in laboratory microscope systems, a petri dish or slide comprising an (organic) sample may be placed on the sample stage. Accordingly, the sample stage may be part of the microscope system. In general, the sample stage may be arranged within the microscope system such that it faces a microscope (i.e. an optical component of the microscope system) of the microscope system. In general, a microscope is an optical instrument that is suitable for examining objects that are too small to be examined by the human eye (alone). For example, a microscope may provide an optical magnification of an object, such as the sample mentioned above. The sam ple stage may be used to mount the sample so it can be observed using the microscope.

In embodiments, the sample stage comprises the holding means 310 (i.e. a holder) for holding the sample container 100. For example, the holding means 310 may be a mechanism, or a form-fitted component, that is adapted to hold the sample container. For example, the holding means 310 may be a cut-out for mount for holding the sample container 100. The sample container 110 may be mounted on or in the holding means. In some embodiments, the holding means may be configured to restrain the sample container relative to the sample stage, e.g. in order to avoid displacement of the sample container relative to the microscope.

The sample stage 300 comprises the at least one connection element 320 for connecting the energy source 410 of the microscope system to the heating element of the sample container via a corresponding connection element of the sample container. Thus, the at least one con nection element is a link between the heating element and the energy source. Again, if an electric heating element is used, such as a resistive heating element, the sample stage may comprise two electric conductors as connection elements, for connecting the heating element of the sample container to the electric current source of the microscope system. If the heating element is passive element, the sample stage may comprise at least one thermal conductor for connecting the heating element to the heat source of the microscope system. Additionally, the at least one connection element may comprise at least one jack, plug or connector to connect the at least one connection element of the sample stage to a corresponding at least one con nection element of the sample container, and/or at least one jack, plug or connector to connect the at least one connection element of the sample stage to the energy source of the microscope system. For example, the at least one connection element may comprise at least one electri cally conductive surface that is exposed towards the sample container (e.g. within the holding means), and which may connect to a at least one electrically conductive surface of the sample container that is similarly exposed towards the sample stage. The electrically conductive sur faces may be pressed against each other by the holding means. The same principle may be used for thermal conductors - in this case, thermally conductive surfaces (such as copper surfaces) may be mutually exposed by the connection elements.

In various embodiments, the sample may be illuminated, e.g. in order to better visualize the phase change. In some embodiments, the microscope system may comprise a light source for illumination the sample container (e.g. from above). In some embodiments, however, the sample container may be illuminated from behand (i.e. below) or from the sides (assuming that the microscope is arranged above the sample container). Accordingly, the sample stage may comprise a light source 330 for illuminating the sample within the sample container. For example, the sample stage may comprise a Light -Emitting Diode (LED)-based, a Halogen- based or an incandescent light -based light source 330. The light source 330 may be arranged within the holding means. For example, the light source 330 may be arranged such, that the sample is located between the light source and the microscope of the microscope system. Alternatively, the light source may be arranged such, that the sample is illuminated from the side, e.g. such that an angle between a first straight line between the light source and the sample and a second straight line between the microscope and the sample is between 70° and 110°. For example, the sample may be illuminated using white light, or using wavelengths that are suitable for illustrating the phase change.

More details and aspects of the sample stage are mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below (e.g. Fig. 1 to 2, 4). The sample stage may comprise one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a microscope system 400 comprising a sample stage 300 with a sample container 100, e.g. the sample stage 300 of Fig. 3 and/or the sample container of claim 1. As mentioned above, a microscope is an optical instrument that is suitable for examining objects that are too small to be examined by the human eye (alone). The micro scope comprises one or more optical components, such as lenses, that perform an optical magnification of the sample, which may be observed using an optical eyepiece or using a display of the microscope. Microscopes often also include other devices, such as a light source for illuminating the sample, cameras for recording the magnified view of the sample, and a display for showing the magnified view of the sample. For example, the display may be used within an eyepiece of the microscope, or in addition to an (optical) eyepiece of the micro scope. In order to include such elements, such as a display, light source, but also the sample stage, the term “microscope system” is chosen, which includes the additional devices, and the term microscope is used for the optical instrument that performs the optical magnification of the sample. In some embodiments, the microscope system further comprises the sample con tainer 100.

In at least some embodiments, the microscope system 400 comprises an energy source 410. The energy source is configured to provide energy to a heating element 130 of the sample container 100 via the sample stage 300. For example, the energy source 410 may be config ured to provide electric energy (e.g. an electric current) to the heating element 130. Accord ingly, the energy source 410 may be an electric energy source. For example, the energy source 410 may be an electric power supply. The energy source may be configured to power the heating element of the sample container.

Alternatively, the energy source 410 may be configured to provide thermal energy (i.e. heat) to the heating element 130. Accordingly, the energy source 410 may be configured to generate heat (or cold) and provide the heat (or cold) to the heating element, e.g. via a thermal conduc tor (such as the connection elements 140 / 320 of the sample container and the sample stage) or via a Peltier element. Accordingly, the energy source may be a heater or a cooler, e.g. an electrically powered heater or cooler. In both cases, the energy source may be configured to provide the energy via at least one connection element (i.e. a connector) to a corresponding connecting element 320 of the sam ple stage. Similar to above, if an electric heating element is used, such as a resistive heating element, the microscope system may comprise two electric conductors as connection ele ments, for connecting the heating element of the sample container to the electric current source of the microscope system. If the heating element is passive element, the microscope system may comprise at least one thermal conductor for connecting the heating element to the heat source of the microscope system. Additionally, the at least one connection element may comprise at least one jack, plug or connector to connect the at least one connection element of the sample stage to the corresponding at least one connection element of the microscope system.

In some embodiments, the microscope system may, as described afore, comprise a camera 420 for recording the sample stage, e.g. the sample that is placed on the sample stage. For example, the camera may be a still image camera for recording individual images of the sam ple on the sample stage. Alternatively, the camera may be a video camera for recording a video of the sample on the sample stage. In various embodiments, the microscope system may comprise one or more processors and one/or more storage devices, configured to record the sample stage using the camera. For example, the one or more processors and one or more storage devices may be implemented by a computer system, e.g. the computer system 520 shown in connection with Fig. 5. For example, the one or more processors may be configured to obtain image data of the camera, to process the image data and to store the image data within the one or more storage devices. In general, a video (or sequence of still images) may be recorded in real time, e.g. at a speed that corresponds to the speed of the event being rec orded. In some embodiments, however, other approaches may be taken. For example, the sample stage may be recorded to obtain a slow-motion recording. In this case, a rate (of im ages per second) at which images are being recorded is higher than a rate at which the images are displayed. Alternatively, the sample stage may be recorded to obtain a time-lapse rec orded. In this case, a rate at which images are being recorded is lower than a rate at which the images are being displayed. For example, the one or more processors may be configured to perform a slow motion or time lapse recording, e.g. by processing the image data being ob tained from the camera. In some embodiments, a frame rate of the camera may be adjusted to obtain the image data at the desired rate from the camera. The one or more processors may be configured to store the recording using the one or more storage devices. After (or while) the sample stage is being recorded, the images may be shown on a display of the microscope system. In other words, the microscope system may comprise a display, such as a display that is part of the eyepiece of the microscope of the microscope system, or an auxiliary display. For example, the display may be a display that is connected to the micro scope system e.g. a via a removable cable. For example, the display may be a tablet computer that is coupled with the microscope system. The processor may be configured to provide the recording of the sample stage to the display, e.g. the stored recording (e.g. at “normal” speed, as slow-motion recording or as time lapse recording), or a real-time recording (straight from the camera).

More details and aspects of the microscope system are mentioned in connection with the pro posed concept or one or more examples described above or below (e.g. Fig. 1 to 3). The microscope system may comprise one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a phase transmission visualizer, which may be a dynamic assisted visualizer for the visualization of phase transition in real time.

For example, a compact microscope, such as Leica PAULA (Personal Automated Lab Assis tant), may be equipped with a sample stage that provides electrical termination to connect to a sample chamber / sample container, such as a Quartz cuvette. This transparent sample cham ber (i.e. sample container) may comprise the material and the corresponding atmosphere (i.e. pressure, certain gas, ... ) to allow, by electrical activation of the heating unit (which may be arranged inside the cuvette), to provide the residual activation energy to start the phase tran sition of the respective material. For example, the Quartz cuvette may be equipped with (2 or 3) electrical connectors, hermetically sealed and filled with the material which is about to undergo the phase transition. These cuvettes (sample containers) may be designed as consum ables and might be used once or a couple of times. After usage, the cuvette may be replaced by a new/refurbished one. In general, the sample may be observed through a window from above (through the sample container). Accordingly, the microscope, e.g. PAULA, may be equipped with an additional focusing function. The above-mentioned selection may also be extended to biological samples in order to investigate the influence of different environmental parameters on the development of living cultures.

More details and aspects of the concept are mentioned in connection with the proposed con cept or one or more examples described above or below (e.g. Fig. 1 to 4, 5). The concept may comprise one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed concept or one or more examples described above or below.

Some embodiments relate to a microscope comprising a system as described in connection with one or more of the Figs. 1 to 4. Alternatively, a microscope may be part of or connected to a system as described in connection with one or more of the Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a system 500 configured to perform a method described herein. The system 500 comprises a microscope 510 and a computer system 520. The microscope 510 is configured to take images and is connected to the computer system 520. The computer system 520 is configured to execute at least a part of a method described herein. The computer system 520 may be configured to execute a machine learning algorithm. The computer system 520 and microscope 510 may be separate entities but can also be integrated together in one com mon housing. The computer system 520 may be part of a central processing system of the microscope 510 and/or the computer system 520 may be part of a subcomponent of the mi croscope 510, such as a sensor, an actor, a camera or an illumination unit, etc. of the micro scope 510.

The computer system 520 may be a local computer device (e.g. personal computer, laptop, tablet computer or mobile phone) with one or more processors and one or more storage de vices or may be a distributed computer system (e.g. a cloud computing system with one or more processors and one or more storage devices distributed at various locations, for example, at a local client and/or one or more remote server farms and/or data centers). The computer system 520 may comprise any circuit or combination of circuits. In one embodiment, the computer system 520 may include one or more processors which can be of any type. As used herein, processor may mean any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microproces sor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), multiple core processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), for example, of a microscope or a micro scope component (e.g. camera) or any other type of processor or processing circuit. Other types of circuits that may be included in the computer system 520 may be a custom circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like, such as, for example, one or more circuits (such as a communication circuit) for use in wireless devices like mobile telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, two-way radios, and similar electronic systems. The com puter system 520 may include one or more storage devices, which may include one or more memory elements suitable to the particular application, such as a main memory in the form of random access memory (RAM), one or more hard drives, and/or one or more drives that handle removable media such as compact disks (CD), flash memory cards, digital video disk (DVD), and the like. The computer system 520 may also include a display device, one or more speakers, and a keyboard and/or controller, which can include a mouse, trackball, touch screen, voice-recognition device, or any other device that permits a system user to input in formation into and receive information from the computer system 520.

Some or all of the method steps may be executed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, like for example, a processor, a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some one or more of the most important method steps may be executed by such an apparatus.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be performed using a non- transitory storage medium such as a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disc, a DVD, a Blu-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer readable.

Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed. Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may, for example, be stored on a machine readable carrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods de scribed herein, stored on a machine readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the present invention is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the com puter program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the present invention is, therefore, a storage medium (or a data car rier, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, stored thereon, the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein when it is performed by a processor. The data carrier, the digital storage medium or the recorded medium are typically tangible and/or non-transitionary. A further embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus as described herein comprising a processor and the storage medium.

A further embodiment of the invention is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may, for example, be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example, via the internet.

A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example, a computer or a program mable logic device, configured to, or adapted to, perform one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment according to the invention comprises an apparatus or a system config ured to transfer (for example, electronically or optically) a computer program for performing one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The receiver may, for example, be a com puter, a mobile device, a memory device or the like. The apparatus or system may, for exam ple, comprise a file server for transferring the computer program to the receiver. In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example, a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a micro processor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods are preferably performed by any hardware apparatus.

As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated

Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or de vice corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects de scribed in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

List of reference Signs

100 Sample container

110 Cavity

120 Case

130 Heating Element

140 Connection element

150 Sample

210 Arranging a heating element

220 Placing a sample

230 Sealing the sample

300 Sample stage

310 Holding means

320 Connection element

400 Microscope system

410 Energy source

420 Camera

500 Microscope system

510 Microscope 520 Computer system