MICROSCOPE SYSTEM AND MICROSCOPE INSPECTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope system improved in microscope imaging performance by combination with fluorescence of an infrared or near infrared wavelength and a corresponding microscope method. SOLUTION: This microscope system comprises a filter enabling the simultaneous observation of a tissue with visible light and fluorescence. A series of recorded fluorescent images can be observed over a visible light image. The end of the series of images can be automatically determined. A thermally protective filter can be inserted to the beam path of an irradiation system at such an automatically determined end of the images. Further, the fluorescent image can be analyzed to identify its coherent fluorescent part. The display of the circumferential line of the coherent part can be generated, and depth profile data can be obtained only from the coherent part. The irradiation light beam for exciting the fluorescence can be modified to improve the contrast of the fluorescent image. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO