JP2006023493A - Microscope and microscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope designed so that while an eye-piece lens or a display device is observed, the relative positions of an objective lens and a specimen placed on a stage can be checked. <P>SOLUTION: A mirror 15 is disposed facing the side of a stage 7. A mirror 16 is disposed above the mirror 15. Observation light L2 representing the relative positions of the specimen 8 and the objective lens 5 is reflected in the direction of the mirror 16 by the mirror 15 and then enters an optical-path switch mirror 17. The optical-path switch mirror 17 allows the incident observation light L2 to pass through it as it is or allows the incident observation light 12 to reflect in the direction of an eye-piece lens barrel 4. By setting the optical-path switch mirror 17 to a reflecting state, the observation light L2 is guided to the eye-piece lens 11 by the optical-path switch mirror 13. This enables an observer 14 to observe the relative distance between the specimen 8 and objective lens 5 through the eye-piece lens 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope and a microscope system used for magnified observation of a biological specimen or the like.

  Conventionally, when focusing an observation specimen in a microscope, a stage or objective lens on which the specimen is mounted is moved up and down. In that case, focusing is performed manually by a moving mechanism combining a rack and a pinion, or focusing is performed by driving the moving mechanism with a driving force such as a motor (for example, the conventional technique of Patent Document 1). Column).

JP 2002-72099 A

  By the way, when performing such focusing, the stage or the objective lens is moved in advance until the distance between the objective lens and the specimen becomes small, and then the objective lens is focused away from the observation specimen. It is common to make it. Therefore, in order to confirm that the objective lens does not collide with the observation specimen or to confirm that the objective lens is close to the observation specimen, the observer changes the posture from the observation state once and observes on the stage. It was necessary to observe the specimen and the objective lens directly from the stage.

The invention according to claim 1 is applied to a microscope that adjusts the distance between the stage on which the sample is placed and the objective lens to perform focusing, and the relative distance between the sample placed on the stage and the tip of the objective lens And an optical system for forming an image indicating the above as an observation image on the eyepiece tube.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the first aspect, the optical system includes a mirror that is disposed on the side of the stage and reflects light from the sample and the objective lens, and the light reflected by the mirror is the eyepiece. And a light guide optical system guided to the tube.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the first or second aspect, a magnifying optical system for magnifying and observing a relative interval is provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microscope system including a microscope that adjusts a distance between a stage on which a sample is placed and an objective lens to perform focusing, and includes a sample placed on the stage and a tip of the objective lens. It is characterized by comprising a photographing means for photographing a relative interval and a display device for displaying a photographed image of the relative interval photographed by the photographing means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm the relative distance between the sample placed on the stage and the tip of the objective lens while observing the eyepiece lens and the display device as in the case of sample observation. Therefore, for example, the operation of moving the objective lens to the closest position of the sample before focusing can be easily and quickly performed.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
-First embodiment-
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a schematic configuration of a microscope 1. The microscope 1 includes a base portion 2, a main body portion 3, and an eyepiece tube 4. The main body 3 is provided with a revolver 6 to which an objective lens 5 is attached. The revolver 6 is provided with a plurality of objective lenses 5 having different magnifications. 7 is a stage on which the sample 8 is placed, and is moved up and down by the stage drive unit 9. An illumination optical system (not shown) is provided inside the base unit 2, and illumination light from the light source 10 is irradiated to the sample 8 through the illumination optical system.

  The eyepiece tube 4 provided at the upper part of the main body 3 is provided with an eyepiece 11 for visual observation and a straight tube portion 12 to which an imaging device such as a CCD camera can be attached. The optical path switching between the eyepiece 11 and the straight tube portion 12 is performed by an optical path switching mirror 13. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the observer 14 is observing with the eyepiece 11 with the naked eye, and light L1 (hereinafter referred to as sample light) L1 from the objective lens 5 is reflected by the optical path switching mirror 13, and the eyepiece 11 Led to. On the other hand, when the optical path switching mirror 13 is switched to the through state by removing the reflection mirror of the optical path switching mirror 13 or the like, the light from the objective lens 5 travels straight and is guided to the straight tube portion 12. Hereinafter, in the optical path switching mirror 13, a state in which light is guided to the eyepiece lens 11 side is referred to as a reflection state, and a state in which light is guided to the straight tube portion 12 is referred to as a through state.

  Further, in the microscope 1 according to the present embodiment, a mirror 15 is disposed on the side of the stage 7, and light (hereinafter referred to as observation light) L <b> 2 reflected by the mirror 15 is converted into a parallel light beam by the imaging lens 51. Thus, the light is reflected by the mirror 16 and the optical path switching mirror 17, an intermediate image is formed by the second objective lens 50, and guided to the eyepiece tube 4 along the optical axis of the objective lens 5. In FIG. 1, the optical path switching mirror 17 is set in the sample observation state, and the observation light L <b> 2 indicated by a broken line passes through the optical path switching mirror 17.

  The microscope 1 is an infinite microscope, and the parallel light from the objective lens 5 is converged by the second objective lens 50 provided on the eyepiece tube 4 and the image is observed through the eyepiece 11. It has become a structure. The optical path switching mirror 17 is inserted in the optical path of the parallel light, and an image showing the relative position of the sample 8 and the objective lens 5 is formed on the eyepiece tube 4 as an observation image.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the optical path switching mirror 17, and is a perspective view showing the mirror 16 and the optical path switching mirror 17. In FIG. 2, (b) shows a normal sample observation state. The optical path switching mirror 17 includes a reflecting portion 17a provided with a reflecting surface 170 and a through portion 17b through which light passes. When it is desired to confirm the relative position of the sample 8 and the objective lens 5, that is, the distance between them, the optical path switching mirror 17 is manually slid in the left-right direction in the figure, and the reflecting portion 17a is moved to the objective lens as shown in FIG. 5 on the optical axis.

  On the other hand, when normal sample observation is desired, the through portion 17b is disposed on the optical axis of the objective lens 5 as shown in FIG. The reflecting portion 17a may be a flat mirror disposed at an angle of 45 degrees, or a reflecting film formed on a joint surface obtained by bonding two prisms. The through portion 17b is configured by a simple cavity.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining optical path switching. FIG. 3 shows an optical path for normal specimen observation, and FIG. 4 shows a case where the optical path switching mirror 17 is in a state as shown in FIG. Indicates the optical path. In general, when focusing on a microscope, the stage 7 on which the sample 8 is placed is driven upward to bring the sample 8 and the tip of the eyepiece 5 as close as possible, and then the stage 7 is slowly moved. Look down to find the position that is in focus.

  In the case of a conventional microscope, as shown by reference numeral 21 in FIG. 4, the stage 7 is raised while observing with the naked eye from the side of the stage 7, and is brought close to each other so that the sample 8 and the tip of the eyepiece 5 do not collide. . On the other hand, in the case of the microscope 1 according to the present embodiment, when the stage 7 is raised to bring the sample 8 and the tip of the eyepiece 5 close to each other, the reflecting portion 17a has the optical axis of the objective lens 5 as shown in FIG. The optical path switching mirror 17 is switched so as to be arranged above. Thereby, the stage 7 can be observed from the side through the eyepiece 11.

  The observation light L2 traveling to the side of the stage is reflected by the mirror 15 so that the traveling direction is changed by 90 degrees, further reflected by the mirror 16, and incident on the optical path switching mirror 17. In FIG. 4, since the reflecting portion 17a is arranged on the optical axis of the objective lens 5, the observation light L2 is reflected upward along the optical axis by the mirror portion 170 of the reflecting portion 17a. Thereafter, the observation light L <b> 2 is reflected in the direction of the eyepiece lens 11 by the optical path switching mirror 13 and is observed by the observer 14. On the other hand, the sample light L <b> 1 from the objective lens 5 is reflected leftward in the figure by the mirror unit 170 and does not reach the eyepiece lens 11. Reference numeral 22 denotes an illumination optical system that guides and illuminates the light from the light source 10 to the sample 8 on the stage 7.

  Next, when performing focusing and sample observation, the through portion 17b of the optical path switching mirror 17 is disposed on the optical axis of the objective lens 5 as shown in FIG. As a result, the observation light L2 passes straight through the through portion 17b and is not guided toward the eyepiece lens 11. Similarly, the sample light L1 also passes through the through portion 17b and is reflected by the optical path switching mirror 13 toward the eyepiece lens 11.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the relative position between the sample 8 and the objective lens 5 can be seen while looking into the eyepiece 11 without looking into the microscope from the side and checking the stage 7 as in the prior art. Confirmation can be made. Therefore, the work efficiency is improved, and the positional relationship viewed from the side can be observed by the eyepiece lens 11, so that the visibility is also improved.

-Second Embodiment-
In the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the eyepiece 11 observes the sample and confirms the relative position between the sample 8 and the objective lens 5 with the naked eye. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a case will be described in which a CCD camera 30 is attached to the straight tube portion 12 provided in the eyepiece tube 4 for observation. When the CCD camera 30 is attached to the straight tube portion 12 and the camera observation is performed, the optical path switching mirror 13 is in a reflecting state.

  An image pickup signal of the CCD camera 30 is input to the personal computer 31, where image processing and the like are performed, and a sample image as a processing result is displayed on the display monitor 32. The personal computer 31 is installed with dedicated software for performing image processing of image signals, image display, control of the microscope 1, and the like. Therefore, the input devices 33a and 33b are operated to operate the microscope 1, for example, the switching operation of the optical path switching mirrors 13 and 17, the raising and lowering of the stage, the focusing, and the selection of the objective lens 5 by rotating the revolver 6. Can be performed.

  6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining optical path switching. FIG. 6 shows an optical path for normal specimen observation as in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 confirms the relative position as in FIG. The optical path of the case is shown. In FIG. 6, the sample light L <b> 1 is guided to 30 attached to the straight tube portion 12 and imaged on the image sensor 302 by the lens 301 provided in the CCD camera 30. The imaging signal is transmitted to the personal computer 31 and is displayed as an image on the display monitor 32 after image processing. This image is an image obtained by viewing the stage 7 from the side, and is hereinafter referred to as a stage image.

  The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows a series of procedures from placing the sample 8 on the stage 7 to observing with a microscope. Hereinafter, the observation procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 8, the sample 8 is placed on the stage 7. Here, the observer places the sample 8 on the stage 7, but the sample is automatically placed on the stage 7 and replaced by using a remotely operable sample placement loader. be able to. In step S2, the microscope observation software installed in the personal computer 31 is activated. By using the observation software, it is possible to cause the personal computer 31 to remotely operate the microscope 1 and display an image.

  In step S3, the input devices 33a and 33b are operated to switch the optical path switching mirror 13 to the straight tube portion 12 side so as to be in the state shown in FIG. At this time, since the through portion 17b of the optical path switching mirror 17 is arranged on the optical axis, a microscopic observation image of the sample 8 is displayed on the display monitor 32, but it does not match the pin yet. In step S4, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical path switching mirror 17 is switched to place the reflecting portion 17a on the optical axis. As a result, a stage image is displayed on the display monitor 32 in step S5.

  Next, in step S6, the stage 7 is raised by operating the input devices 33a and 33b while viewing the stage image on the display monitor 32. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the stage 7 has reached the limit position in the upward direction. If it is determined that the limit is reached, the process proceeds to step S8, and if not, the process proceeds to step S9. When the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, the display monitor 32 displays the limit and then the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S7 to step S9, it is confirmed by the display monitor 32 that the objective lens 5 has approached the sample 8, and the stage ascent is stopped.

  In step S10, the input devices 33a and 33b are operated to place the through portion 17b of the optical path switching mirror 17 on the optical axis as shown in FIG. 6 and switch to the normal observation mode. As a result, the image on the display monitor 32 is switched to the microscope observation image of the sample 8. In step S11, focusing is performed while observing the image on the display monitor 32. That is, by operating the input devices 33a and 33b, the stage 7 is slowly lowered to increase the distance between the sample 8 and the objective lens 5.

  In step S12, it is determined from the microscope observation image displayed on the display monitor 32 whether or not the subject is in focus. If it is determined in step S12 that the subject is in focus, the series of focusing operations ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the subject is not in focus, the process proceeds to step S13, where it is determined whether or not the focusing operation is to be performed again from the beginning. If it is determined in step S13 that the focusing operation is to be redone, the process returns to step S4 and the processes from step S4 to step S12 are repeated again. If it is determined that the focusing operation is not to be redone, a series of focusing operations are performed. finish.

  In the above-described embodiment, the manual method in which focusing is performed manually has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an AF microscope that automatically performs focusing. That is, before focusing by AF, a stage image is displayed on the display monitor 32, the stage 7 is raised by remote control, the objective lens 5 is positioned at the closest position of the sample 8, and then AF focusing is performed. Let it be done.

  In the case of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing in step S12 that has been visually focused may be replaced with the AF focusing processing. In this way, once the objective lens 5 is set at the closest position and AF distance is adjusted while increasing the distance from the objective lens 5, the in-focus position can be surely found in AF focusing.

  In the case of the second embodiment described above, since the objective lens 5 can be moved to the closest position of the sample 8 while looking at the display monitor 32 as in the case of the sample observation, the first operation can be performed. As in the embodiment, the workability can be improved and the working time can be shortened.

-Third embodiment-
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. Also in the present embodiment, the CCD camera 30 is attached to the straight tube portion 12, and a microscope observation image captured by the CCD camera 30 is displayed on the display monitor 32 for observation.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the observation light L2 is guided onto the optical axis of the objective lens 5 using the mirrors 15 and 16 and the optical path switching mirror 17, and the relative position observation is performed. In this embodiment, the relative position is observed by an electronic imaging device 40 such as a CCD camera. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, an electronic imaging device 40 is provided on the side of the stage of the microscope 1, and the imaging signal is taken into the personal computer 31. And the image imaged with the electronic imaging device 40 is displayed on the display monitor 32 as a stage image.

  As an image display method on the display monitor 32, the microscope observation image by the CCD camera 30 and the stage image by the electronic imaging device 40 may be displayed side by side, or may be displayed simultaneously with the switching of the optical path switching mirror 17. You may switch and display a microscope observation image. In the third embodiment as well, the objective lens 5 is brought close to the sample 8 by remote operation while observing the stage image and the microscope observation image displayed on the display monitor 32 as in the second embodiment. And the microscopic observation of the sample 8 can be performed.

  In the above-described example, the case where the objective lens 5 is moved to the closest position has been described. However, when an observer who is accustomed to microscope observation knows to some extent the position in focus, the eyepiece lens 11 or the display monitor is used. While observing 32, the stage 7 can be quickly moved to a position considered to be the in-focus position.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, an enlarged image of the stage image can be obtained by disposing a zoom optical system between the stage 7 and the mirror 15 or the electronic imaging device 40. It becomes easier to confirm the relative position with the lens 5. In the example described above, an infinite microscope has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a finite microscope. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

  In the correspondence between the embodiment described above and the elements of the claims, the mirrors 15 and 16 and the optical path switching mirror 17 are optical systems, the mirror 16 and the optical path switching mirror 17 are light guiding optical systems, and the electronic imaging device 40. Shows a photographing means, and the display monitor 32 constitutes a display device.

1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention and shows a schematic configuration of a microscope 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the optical path switching mirror 17, (a) shows the through state which is a normal observation state, (b) shows the reflective state which is a stage observation state. It is a figure explaining the optical path in the case of performing normal sample observation. It is a figure which shows the optical path at the time of switching the optical path switching mirror 17 like Fig.2 (a). It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows schematic structure of a microscope system. It is a figure explaining the optical path in the case of performing normal sample observation in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the optical path in the case of confirming the relative position in 2nd Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of procedures from placing a sample 8 on the stage 7 to observing with a microscope. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microscope 4 Eyepiece tube 5 Objective lens 7 Stage 8 Sample 10 Light source 11 Eyepiece 12 Straight tube part 13, 17 Optical path switching mirror 15, 16 Mirror 17a Reflection part 17b Through part 30 CCD camera 31 Personal computer 32 Display monitor 33a, 33b Input device 40 Electronic imaging device 170 Reflecting surface L1 Sample light L2 Observation light

Claims (4)

In a microscope that adjusts the distance between the stage on which the sample is placed and the objective lens,
A microscope comprising an optical system for forming an image showing a relative distance between a sample placed on the stage and the tip of the objective lens as an observation image on an eyepiece tube. The microscope according to claim 1,
The optical system includes a mirror disposed on a side of a stage to reflect light from the sample and the objective lens, and a light guide optical system that guides light reflected by the mirror to the eyepiece tube. A microscope characterized by The microscope according to claim 1 or 2,
A microscope provided with a magnifying optical system for magnifying and observing the relative interval. A microscope system including a microscope that adjusts a distance between a stage on which a sample is placed and an objective lens to perform focusing,
Imaging means for imaging the relative distance between the sample placed on the stage and the tip of the objective lens;
A microscope system comprising: a display device configured to display a photographed image of the relative interval photographed by the photographing means.

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