Micromanipulation system comprising a protective system for capillaries

Abstract

A manipulation system for microscope applications comprises a micromanipulation tool ( 1 ) and a protective device ( 2 ) protecting the tool, wherein the tool ( 1 ) and the protective device ( 2 ) are movable relative to one another between a position protecting the tool in a contactless manner and a position releasing the tool for the manipulation.

1 . A manipulation system for microscope applications, comprising a micromanipulation tool and a protective device protecting the tool, wherein the tool and the protective device can be moved relative to one another between a position protecting the tool in a contactless manner and a position releasing the tool for the manipulation. 
     
     
         2 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective device is mounted on a tool holder accommodating the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The manipulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the tool is fixed to the tool holder with a clamping member, whose diameter is larger than that of the tool, and wherein the internal diameter of the protective device is substantially the same as or larger than the diameter of the clamping member. 
     
     
         4 . The manipulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the tool is fixed to the tool holder with a clamping member and the protective device can lockingly engage on the clamping member. 
     
     
         5 . The manipulation system according to  claim 4 , wherein the outer surface of the clamping member comprises nut-like flat portions with a width across flats and wherein a region of the protective device is formed corresponding to this width across flats. 
     
     
         6 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective device on the longitudinal axis of the tool can be pushed or slipped over the tool in a contactless manner. 
     
     
         7 . The manipulation system according to  claim 6 , wherein the protective device comprises a rear wall with an opening in the axial direction of the tool, via which the protective device is guided on the longitudinal axis of the tool. 
     
     
         8 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective device is a protective sleeve that can be folded over the tool in a contactless manner. 
     
     
         9 . The manipulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the protective device is mounted on the tool holder via a horizontal hinge pin. 
     
     
         10 . The manipulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the protective device is rotatably mounted on a carrier arm about a horizontal axis and can be slipped over the tool by moving the carrier arm. 
     
     
         11 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a swivel arm swivelable about a horizontal rotation axis, on whose end remote from the rotation axis is provided a tool adjustment device movable along three orthogonal working axes, on which the tool is swivelably mounted about a tool axis parallel to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         12 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tool adjustment device movable along three orthogonal working axes, on one end of which is swivelably mounted a swivel arm about a horizontal rotation axis, and on whose end remote from the rotation axis the tool is swivelably mounted about a tool axis parallel to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         13 . The manipulation system according to  claim 11 , wherein the protective device is arranged in a stationary manner relative to the tool adjustment and to the rotation axis of the swivel arm. 
     
     
         14 . The manipulation system according to  claim 11 , wherein the tool adjustment with the working axes is arranged in a suspended manner. 
     
     
         15 . The manipulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective device can be moved by means of a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. 
     
     
         16 . A system for manipulating cells under a microscope, comprising a capillary as cell manipulation tool and a protective device protecting the capillary, wherein the capillary and the protective device can move relative to one another between a position protecting the capillary in a contactless manner and a position releasing the capillary for manipulation. 
     
     
         17 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the protective device is mounted on a capillary holder accommodating the capillary. 
     
     
         18 . The manipulation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the capillary is fixed to the capillary holder with a clamping nut or clamping sleeve as clamping member, whose diameter is greater than that of the capillary, and the internal diameter of the protective device is substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the clamping member. 
     
     
         19 . The manipulation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the capillary is fixed to the capillary holder with a clamping nut or clamping sleeve as clamping member, and wherein the protective device can lockingly engage on the clamping member. 
     
     
         20 . The manipulation system according to  claim 19 , wherein the outer surface of the clamping nut has flat portions with a width across flats and a region of the protective device is formed corresponding to this width across flats. 
     
     
         21 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the protective device can be pushed or slipped over the capillary along the longitudinal axis of the capillary in a contactless manner. 
     
     
         22 . The manipulation system according to  claim 21 , wherein the protective device comprises a rear wall with an opening in the axial direction of the capillary, via which the protective device is guided on the longitudinal axis of the capillary. 
     
     
         23 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the protective device is a protective sleeve that can be folded over the capillary in a contactless manner. 
     
     
         24 . The manipulation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the protective device is mounted on the capillary holder via a horizontal hinge pin. 
     
     
         25 . The manipulation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the protective device is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis on a carrier arm and can be slipped over the capillary by moving the carrier arm. 
     
     
         26 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a swivel arm swivelable about a horizontal rotation axis, on whose end remote from the rotation axis is provided a capillary adjustment movable along three orthogonal working axes, on which the capillary is swivelably mounted about a capillary axis parallel to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         27 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a capillary adjustment movable along three orthogonal working axes, on one end of which a swivel arm is swivelably mounted about a horizontal rotation axis, and on whose end remote from the rotation axis is swivelably mounted the capillary about a capillary axis parallel to the rotation axis. 
     
     
         28 . The manipulation system according to  claim 26 , wherein the protective device is arranged in a stationary manner relative to the capillary adjustment and to the rotation axis of the swivel arm. 
     
     
         29 . The manipulation system according to  claim 26 , wherein the capillary adjustment with the working axes is arranged in a suspended manner. 
     
     
         30 . The manipulation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the protective device can be moved with the aid of a mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic drive.