A Rigid Illuminator Giving Transmitted Light to Facilitate Microhardness Testing of Calcified Tissues

Abstract

The structural form of calcified tissues necessitates their examination with transmitted light to identify various morphological features which are not evident with incident illumination alone. To achieve stability for indentation, the specimens must be rigidly mounted. A Leitz Model 514095 base illuminator was fitted with a bottom plate of 3 mm brass for attaching it to the graduated stage and a perforated, 3 mm thick brass top plate, surmounted by a 6 mm thick piece of plate glass. The 25 mm hole in the top plate coincided with a ground glass disc to transmit diffused light through the plate glass to the specimen. Thus, the specimen could be examined on a rigid microscope stage, morphological features identified, and subsequent interpretation of indents made with the usual incident illumination.