Inverted-stage light microscope

An inverted-stage light microscope is a specialized optical instrument used primarily in laboratory research. It flips the traditional microscope design by placing the light source above and the specimen below, allowing direct observation of cells in culture vessels like Petri dishes or microplates without disturbing them.

These devices are typically regulated as medical instruments, with classification and supply rules varying by jurisdiction. They are designed for high-magnification studies of living cells and tissues, often used in microbiology, cell biology, and virology research settings.