Ergonomic Microscope Accessories
Physical comfort helps you work in a consistent, efficient way. With ergonomic stereo and compound microscope accessories, you can reduce the risk of neck and back strain, even if you spend the entire day at the microscope. These accessories allow you to easily adapt your microscope to your individual needs, wherever and however you use it.
Contact a Leica specialist for expert advice so you can find the right ergonomic solution for your needs and budget.
Making Your Workplace More Ergonomic
Every person is different. It is important to ensure the microscopes are set up according to the user’s needs. Making ergonomic adaptations can help improve concentration and reduce strain-related injuries and illnesses.
- Sitting position: Ensuring the table and chair are adapted correctly enables the user to sit upright and in a relaxed posture to avoid muscle strain.
- Viewing position: Adjusting the viewing height and position of the binocular tubes can reduce strain on shoulder and neck muscles.
- Microscope position: The microscope itself should be adjusted to the correct position to ensure that the user's arms can rest in a comfortable position without causing strain.
Ergonomic Bases
A well-working system starts with a good foundation. This is why Leica Microsystems has developed different bases for both stereo and compound microscopes.
Ergonomic Bases
For Stereo Microscopes:
The TL3000 Ergo & TL5000 Ergo transmitted light bases allow the user to maintain a proper and natural position to rest their arms when working with a microscope and helps to avoid unnecessary shoulder muscles and tendon strain.
For Compound Microscopes:
The ErgoLift is a special adjustable plate with a comfortable hand rest that raises or lowers the entire microscope to the user's preferred position with a few simple hand movements. In addition, the adaptable stage for both right- and left-handed people makes simultaneous focus and movement control easy and promotes a relaxed body position – even after hours of work at the microscope.
ErgoModules and ErgoWedges
No matter how tall you are, you can achieve an optimal sitting position for a comfortable posture with the ErgoModules or ErgoWedges. By inserting an intermediate piece below the binocular tube, you can bring the eyepieces of the microscope closer to your eyes.
There are two main types of ErgoModules and ErgoWedges:
- Variable that can be adjusted to optimize viewing height and angle.
- Fixed to increase the height of the binocular tube with these intermediate pieces.
Please refer to our ergonomics overview table below to learn which ErgoModules or ErgoWedges apply to our different stereo and compound microscopes.
Ergonomic Modules and Wedges – Overview
ErgoModule 30 mm - 120 mm - Comfortable observation for taller users
The ErgoModule 30 mm - 120 mm "stretches" low standing stereo microscopes (e.g., M50) allowing taller users to sit and observe samples comfortably.
ErgoModule 50 mm - Increase the height of your M-series stereo microscope
The ErgoModule 50 mm raises the height of the eyepieces by 50 mm, so that the user can sit upright and be appreciably more comfortable.
ErgoWedge 5° - 25° - Flexible wedge for maximum comfort
Mounts to M series stereo microscopes give the user the opportunity to set their most comfortable viewing angle from 5° to 25°. Combine it with other ergo modules for up to 70° viewing angle adjustment.
ErgoWedge 15° - Improves viewing conditions
A fixed intermediate piece which adds 15° of angular tilt range to the binocular tubes. This is ideal for microscopes that are normally used by a single user with repetitive tasks.
ErgoModule L 2/25 - Increases the height of your microscope
Raises the viewing position by 30 mm for various Leica compound microscopes.
ErgoModule L 4/25 - Comfortable observation for taller users
Raises the viewing position by 60 mm for various Leica compound microscopes. (Available for selected binocular tubes only.)
Variable ErgoModule - Adjustable comfort for multiple users
Stepless vertical tube height adjustment of between 50 mm - 80 mm for increased ergonomics and comfortable work.
ErgoTubes
Adaptable ergonomic tubes can be adjusted perfectly to your seated height and posture. With these tubes you can bridge the gap between the microscope and your eyes.
There are two main categories:
- Variable ErgoTubes: Adaptable to a range of viewing angles, allowing users to freely choose the optimal working position.
- Fixed ErgoTubes: Provide a fixed viewing angle or length, suitable for a single microscope user.
Please refer to our ergonomics overview table below to learn which ErgoTubes apply to our different stereo and compound microscopes.
Ergonomic Tubes – Overview
ErgoTube 10° - 50° - Perfect tool for multi-user workstations
One popular ergonomic accessory is the ErgoTube 10° - 50° - it is practical for any M series stereo microscope and is especially good for multi-user workstations.
Inclined binocular tube 45° - For increased productivity
Fits to ErgoModules and other accessories such as video-/phototubes or coaxial illumination.
ErgoTube 45° - Brings the microscope closer to you
The long binocular tubes displace the viewing point 65 mm upwards and 65 mm towards the observer. It allows the observer to maintain proper upright posture and to move the eyepieces closer when the microscope is in a bio-clean hood or must be positioned far from the edge of a workbench.
Trinocular ErgoTube 5° - 45° - Provides a wide range of adjustment
The Trinocular ErgoTube (5° - 45° observation angle) provides a wide range of adjustment options to provide a comfortable, relaxed seated position at the microscope. The built-in photo port offers the possibility to equipe the microscope with a digital camera.
Straight binocular tube - Provides an ergonomic horizontal viewing
Provides horizontal viewing if the stereo microscope is fitted in a tilted position to the swingarm and flexarm stands.
Ergonomic 15° Tube - Short tube with a fixed angle
For single-user systems, this ergonomic tube option comes with a fixed, ergonomic 15° viewing angle.
Ergonomic VarioTube - Short tube with a variable angle
With this short tube the viewing angle can be varied between 7.5° and 32.5° to support multiple users or changing positions throughout the day.
Ergonomic VarioTube - Longer tube for high flexibility
The Ergonomic VarioTube offers the user a longer binocular tube with variable viewing angles between 0° and 35°.
Ergonomic Vario Photo Tube - Long variable tube to support your imaging needs
When you need ergonomic flexibility and a camera, the Ergonomic Vario Photo Tube supports 50-50 beam splitting and also offers a variable viewing angle.
Ergonomic Advanced Vario Tube - Variable tube with eyepiece extension capabilities
This binocular ergonomic tube offers the user variable viewing angles between 0° and 35° and a variable eyepiece extension from 0 mm to 30 mm.
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