Counter-balancing microscope assembly

Abstract

A microscope for use in all surgical disciplines, without need for ordinary or special tools, comprising an assembly of microscope, illumination module (magnification changer), fiber optics cable to the module, a mechanical assembly to which they are connected, means for focusing the microscope, means for mounting such assembly of elements to a fulcrum axis through the mechanical assembly, and a tilt-axis adjustable counterweight to balance the assembly, with or without addition or removal of elements, all operatively mounted to a support arm. A second adjustable counterweight is provided to prevent lateral or transverse tipping of such assembly when laterally extending accessories (e.g., observer's tube assembly) are added or removed. The mechanical assembly includes tension controls to change tilt of the microscope about the support arm, with the tilt-axis counterweight being accordingly adjusted. The support arm is mounted to a mounting member of a ceiling, wall or other counterweight stand, either directly or through an angle coupling. The support arm's position is swingable through an 180.degree. arc, and when so swung, the noted mounting means is swung 180.degree. about the fulcrum axis so that the microscope et al elements and first counterweight means remain in the same relative positions for use in surgical procedures. A safety latching system on the focusing means sub-assembly prevents fall-out of the weighted microscope et al elements from the mounting means should the tension controls be relaxed too much.