JP3290719B2 - Lighting equipment for video microscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video microscope illuminating device in which an objective lens body is brought close to or in contact with an object to be observed, and an enlarged image thereof can be displayed on a monitor.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting device capable of switching between epi-illumination and side-illumination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In magnifying observation using a video microscope, one of important matters is an irradiation angle of illumination light for irradiating an object to be observed. Generally, the speculum method of the object to be observed includes epi-illumination in which illumination light is incident on the object to be observed from the optical axis direction, and side-illumination in which illumination light is incident on the object to be observed from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. There is.

The above-mentioned epi-illumination is suitable for the whole observation of the object to be observed, but is easily affected by light reflected from the surface of the object to be observed. The side illumination has an advantage in that it can provide a shadow so that a three-dimensional structure that cannot be seen only by incident light can be observed, but is not suitable for illumination of a concave portion of an object to be observed.

Therefore, if one illumination device can freely select epi-illumination and side-illumination and can combine them,
More effective observation can be performed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-86717 (first conventional example) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-86718 (second conventional example) disclose a technique that allows free selection between epi-illumination and side-illumination. Has been described.

In the first conventional example, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the entrance surface 1a and the reflection surface 1b are formed at the base end opening of the illumination head 1 attached to the distal end of the objective lens body.
And are alternately formed. The opening of the base end face of the illumination head 1 is arranged so as to face the circularly arranged emission end faces 2a of the light guide means 2 such as an optical fiber, and the mask body 3 is placed between the base end opening and the emission end face 2a. It is arranged. The mask body 3 has cutouts 3a corresponding to the entrance surface 1a and the reflection surface 1b formed at the base end opening of the illumination head 1.

When side illumination is performed in the illumination device configured as described above, the notch 3a of the mask body 3 is made to face the incident surface 1a of the base end surface opening as shown in FIG. Then, the annular illumination light from the light guiding means is introduced into the illumination head from the incident surface 1a, and the object to be observed is laterally illuminated from the tip.

When performing epi-illumination, FIG.
As shown in (b), the notch 3a of the mask body 3 faces the reflection surface 1b of the base end surface opening, and the annular illumination light from the light guide means is reflected toward the optical axis by the reflection surface 1b. Further, the reflected light is reflected by the shielding body 4 toward the object to be observed to form incident light. As described above, in the first conventional example, it is possible to switch between epi-illumination and side-illumination by rotating the mask body 3.

In the second conventional example, as shown in FIG. 11, an incident surface 5a and a reflecting surface 5b are formed alternately at the base end opening of the illumination head 5 as in the first conventional example. I have. The optical fiber is divided into two systems 6 and 7, one of the optical fibers 6 has an output end face 6a facing the incident face 5a, and the other has an output end face 7a facing the reflection face 5b.

In the illuminating device thus configured, side illumination is provided by supplying illumination light only to one optical fiber 6, and epi-illumination is provided by supplying illumination light only to the other optical fiber 7.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned first conventional example, since about half of the total light amount supplied from the light guide means 2 is shielded by the mask body 3,
About half of the illumination light is wasted, and a light source having a large power is required to obtain bright illumination light, resulting in an increase in cost.

In the above-mentioned second conventional example, since two systems of optical fibers must be provided and the emission end faces 6a, 7a of each system must be alternately arranged, the assembly work becomes complicated and the workability is deteriorated. There is. Further, in the illumination light supply unit, a switching mechanism using a mirror is required to divide the illumination light by system, which increases the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can freely switch between epi-illumination and side-illumination without wasting illumination light, and is excellent in assembling workability and inexpensive. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device for a video microscope.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an illumination device for a video microscope according to the present invention is provided with an annular shape around an outer periphery of a distal end portion of an objective lens body having an optical system for enlarging an image of an object to be observed. Light guiding means for guiding the illumination light, and the annular illumination light attached to the tip of the objective lens body.
An illumination head that emits side emission from the head tip ,
The annular illumination light is reflected toward the optical axis of the optical system.
Reflecting surface, between the light guide means and the illumination head
A plurality of arcuate members provided so as to be forward and backward, the object to be watched illumination light reflected by the reflecting surface of the plurality of circular <br/> arc member
A reflection ring for reflecting toward the object, and the arc
When a member is between the light guide means and the illumination head
Reflects the illumination light from the light guide means on the arc member.
After that, the object is reflected by the reflection ring to drop the object.
Illuminate, and the arc member is connected to the light guide means and the illumination head.
When not in between, the observation head
The object was to be side-lit . The plurality of arc portions
Some arc members of the material are connected to the light guide means and the illumination head.
Position between the projector and the
It is preferable to be able to perform illumination combined with.

In the illumination device for a video microscope according to the present invention, the plurality of arc members are provided between the light guide means and the illumination head.
When placed, the ring from the light guide means by each arc member
Illumination light is reflected toward the reflection ring, and further reflected
The object to be observed is reflected by the ring, and is illuminated by incident light.

[0015] Further, a plurality of arc members are provided with the light guide means and the illumination head.
When not in between, the annular illumination light from the light guide means
Insert the illumination head inside the illumination head through the annular opening.
And is emitted as side emission from the opening at the tip of the illumination head.
You.

As described above, according to the present invention, the tip of the objective lens body is
Light guide means and illumination head for guiding annular illumination light to the outer periphery of the end
A plurality of arc members arranged between the base member and the base end surface
To selectively switch between epi-illumination and oblique illumination.
available.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional structure of a main part of a video microscope illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows a schematic overall structure. First, the overall configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 8 shown in FIG. 1 denotes an objective lens body to which the illumination device according to the present embodiment is attached. The objective lens main body 8 is provided with an objective lens optical system 10 that forms an image of the observation target M on the image sensor 9. Image sensor 9
Is connected to a signal cable 11, and is connected to a processing device (not shown) via the signal cable 11.
The observed object M converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 9
Is sent to the display for observation via the processing device so that the image can be magnified and observed.

The objective lens body 8 is connected to a light guide means 12 formed of a number of optical fibers for guiding illumination light from a light source provided in the processing apparatus. The light guide means 12 is disposed through the outer peripheral portion of the objective lens body 8 to the tip of the objective lens. The tip of each optical fiber 12 forms an annular exit end face centered on the optical axis at the tip of the objective lens. ing.

A base end face of the illumination head 14 is attached to a front end of the objective lens body 8 so as to face the annular output end face. The illumination head 14 is made of a methacrylic resin or the like that transmits light, transmits illumination light from the distal end of the optical fibers arranged in an annular shape to the distal end of the head through the inside, and performs side-illumination. It has a function of maintaining the positional relationship of the objective lens optical system 10 so as to form an image on the image sensor 9. Next, a configuration of a portion related to a switching mechanism of the lighting device will be described with reference to FIGS. A plurality of optical fibers 12-1 to 12 constituting light guiding means 11
-N is arranged in an annular shape on the outer peripheral portion of the objective lens body 8 and has a ring lens 2 of the same diameter on an annular emission end face formed by the tip end faces of the optical fibers 12-1 to 12-n.
1 is provided.

A fixed ring 22 having a flange having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the objective lens body 8 is screwed to the tip of the objective lens body 8 having a screw groove formed on the outer peripheral surface.
An annular fixing member 23 is fixed to the lower surface of the flange of the fixing ring 22 with screws at a plurality of locations.

A cylindrical space having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the ring lens 21 and opening downward is formed on the inner periphery of the distal end of the fixing member 23, and a screw groove is formed on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical space. Have been. A flange 14a having the same diameter as the cylindrical space and having a thread groove formed on the outer periphery is formed on the outer periphery of the illumination head 14. And fixing member 2
The base end of the illumination head 14 is inserted and fixed by screwing a flange 14a onto the peripheral surface of the cylindrical space at the opening at the distal end of the illumination head 3. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fixing member 23.

As shown in the figure, a cylindrical sliding space having a diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the annular opening 14c in the base end face of the illumination head is formed on the upper surface of the fixing member 23 concentrically with the center opening. Have been. A plurality of arc members 24-1 to 24-4 shown in FIG. 4B are accommodated in the sliding space of the fixing member 23, and further, between the upper surface of the arc member and the lower surface of the fixed ring 22 in the thrust direction. The operation ring 25 shown in FIG. 5 is sandwiched with a slight gap.

In the sliding space of the fixing member 23, the central opening through which the reflected light and the reflected light from the object to be observed M pass is formed at the center, and guides 26 each of which are diametrically oriented around the central opening. It has a bottom surface 27 on which -1 to 26-4 are formed. A cutout portion 28 for inserting a later-described rotating lever of the operation ring 25 is formed in an outer peripheral portion forming a sliding space of the fixing member 23.

The plurality of arc members 24-1 to 24-4
As shown in FIG. 4A, an annular body having the same diameter as the inner diameter of the annular opening 14c of the illumination head 14 is radially
It is divided. The lower surface of each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 has a corresponding one of the above guides 26-1 to 26-4.
Guide grooves 29-1 to 29-4 (only 29-2 is shown in FIG. 4) are formed so as to be slidable. Each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 has a corresponding one of the guides 26-1 to 26-4 corresponding to each of the guide grooves 29-1 to 29-4.
-4 and arranged in the sliding space. Further, cam pins 31-1 to 31-4 are implanted at the center of the upper surface of each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4. On the other hand, the operating ring 25 is formed with elongate cam grooves 32-1 to 32-4 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the diameter direction in the circumferential direction. The cam pins 31-1 to 31-4 are inserted into the corresponding cam grooves 32-1 to 32-4. The operating ring 25 has a rotating lever 3 protruding from the outer periphery thereof.
The pivot lever 33 protrudes outside from the notch 28. Cam groove 32 of operation ring 25
-1 to 32-4 and the cam pins 31-1 to 31-1 of the respective arc members 24
The relationship with 31-4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5A, each cam pin 31
When are located at the inner peripheral end of each cam groove 32, the arc members 24 are assembled together to form an annular body as shown in FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, when each cam pin 31 is located at the outer peripheral end of each cam groove 32,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the arc members 24 are separated from each other and retracted from the central portion (the annular opening 14c of the illumination head 14).

Each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 has
Each of the reflection surfaces 34 for reflecting the illumination light from the optical fiber 12 toward the optical axis is formed. As shown in FIG. 4A, when each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 forms an annular body, each of the reflecting surfaces 34 integrally forms an annular reflecting surface 35.

Then, on the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the objective lens body,
A reflection ring 36 is provided for reflecting the illumination light reflected by the annular reflection surface 35 formed by the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 to the distal end opening 14b of the illumination head 14. Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

The optical fibers 12-1 to 12-
Illumination light guided to the objective lens body 8 through n
The light enters the ring lens 21 through optical fibers arranged in an annular shape on the outer peripheral portion of the objective lens 8 and is converted into parallel light.

At this time, the operating ring 25 is at the position shown in FIG. 5A, and each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 is connected to the annular opening of the illumination head 14 as shown in FIGS. Part 14
It is assumed that they are arranged on c. Each arc member 24-1-2
In the state where 4-4 has advanced onto the annular opening 14c, the reflecting surface 34 of each of the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 forms the annular reflecting surface 35 shown in FIG. The illumination light is entirely reflected by the annular reflecting surface 35 toward the optical axis. The reflected light is reflected by the reflection ring 36 and is incident on the object M as incident light.

On the other hand, when the rotating lever 33 in the state shown in FIG. 5A is rotated by A degrees along the notch 28 to the state shown in FIG. Are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the diametrical direction, each cam pin 31 is pushed outward. As a result, each of the arc members 24 connected to the operation ring 25 via the cam pins 31 is moved outward by being guided by the guide 26 in conjunction with the rotation of the operation ring 25.

Each of the arc members 24 moved outward by being guided by each of the guides 26 of the fixing member 23 is separated from each other as shown in FIG. 4B, and the annular opening of the illumination head 14 as shown in FIG. Completely retreat from above 14c. Therefore, the annular illumination light proceeds straight as it is, enters the illumination head 14, propagates through the illumination head 14, and is radiated to the observation target M as side emission light from the distal end opening 14b.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of arc members 24-1 to 24- housed by the fixing member 23 are provided between the distal end of the objective lens body 8 and the base end surface of the illumination head 14.
4 is provided on the annular opening 14c of the illumination head 14 so as to be able to advance and retreat, and each arc member 24 is made to advance and retreat in conjunction with the operation ring 25 via a cam mechanism, so that the illumination light is not wasted. In addition, epi-illumination and side-illumination can be freely switched without complicating the structure. Further, since it is not necessary to divide the optical fiber into two systems, it is possible to achieve excellent assembling workability, to reduce costs and downsize the apparatus. Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

This modification relates to a modification of the operating ring in the above-described embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the operation related to the shape of the operation ring and the deformed shape of the operation ring will be described here.

In the operation ring 40 of the present modification, guide grooves 41-1 to 41-4 bent in a dogleg shape are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In the guide grooves 41-2 and 41-4 opposed to each other with the center therebetween, one bent side is on the inner circumference described later, and the end of the other side is on the outer circumference described later. The remaining two guide grooves 41-1 and 41-3 opposed to each other with the center interposed therebetween have one bent side on the outer circumference and the other end on the inner circumference described later. is there.

The inner circumference is a circumference where each guide pin is located when each arc member forms the annular reflecting surface 35, and each arc member is separated from the outer circumference. The circumference where each guide pin is located when completely retracted from the annular opening 14c.

If such an operation ring 40 is used, the positional relationship between the operation ring 40 and the cam pins 31-1 to 31-4 is shown in FIG.
In the case of the relationship shown in FIG.
4-4 is in the state shown in FIG.
All of the annular illumination light from 2 is reflected and becomes incident light.

Next, the operation ring 40 is rotated by B degrees, and FIG.
When the state shown in FIG. 3B is changed from the state shown in FIG. 3A, the cam pins 3 engaged with the opposed cam grooves 41-1 and 41-3 are formed.
1-1 and 31-3 move to a bending point on the outer circumference, and the cam pins 31-2 and 31-4 engaged with the opposed cam grooves 41-2 and 41-4 are moved on the inner circumference. Move to the inflection point. At this time, the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 are in the state shown in FIG. That is, the cam pin 31-
Each of the arc members 24-2 and 24-4 having the cam pins 31-1 and 3-4 on the outer circumference.
Each of the arc members 24-1 and 24-3 having 1-3 moves to the outer retreat position. Therefore, the arc member 24-
The light incident on each of the reflection surfaces 34, 2-4 is reflected and becomes incident light, and the light incident on the position where the arc members 24-1 and 24-3 are retracted enters the illumination head 14 as it is and becomes the side emission. . Therefore, illumination that combines epi-illumination and side-illumination is performed.

Further, when the operation ring 40 is rotated to C degrees from the state of FIG. 6B to the state of FIG. 6C, the cam pins engaged with the respective cam grooves 41-1 to 41-4. 31-
All of the circular members 1-31-4 have moved to the outer circumference, and all the arc members 24-1 to 24-4 are in the state shown in FIG. Become.

As described above, according to the present modification, the operating ring 40 has the guide grooves 41-1 to 41-1 bent in a V shape.
By forming 4 along the circumferential direction, it is possible to switch between epi-illumination and side-illumination, and it is also possible to select illumination combining both illuminations.

In the above-described modified example, the ratio between the incident light and the side light is 1: 1. However, by increasing the number of arc members and changing the ratio of the number of arc members to be advanced and retracted,
Various ratios can be realized. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to freely switch between epi-illumination and side-illumination without wasting illumination light, and it is excellent in assembling workability and inexpensive video. An illumination device for a microscope can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a video microscope illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a different operation state of a cross section shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fixing member provided in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an advanced state and a retracted state of each arc member provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a positional relationship between an operation ring and a guide pin provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the operation ring.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the arc members when the operation ring is in the state of FIG. 6 (b).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an illumination device for a video microscope.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a first conventional example.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 Object body, 12 Optical fiber, 14 Illumination head, 14c Annular opening, 21 Ring lens,
22 ... fixed ring, 23 ... fixed member, 24-1 to 24-4 ...
Arc member, 25 ... operation ring.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light guiding means for guiding illumination light annularly tip outer periphery of the objective lens body having an optical system for enlarging an image of the observed object, attached to the tip of the objective lens main body, the circular be reflected towards the illumination head for emitting illumination light annularly side Shako from head tip, the illumination light of the annular optical axis of the optical system
Reflecting surface, between the light guide means and the illumination head
A plurality of arc members provided so as to be able to advance and retreat, and illumination reflected by the reflection surface of the plurality of arc members
Bei a reflective ring that reflects the light to the object to be observed, the
The arc member is located between the light guide means and the illumination head.
When the illumination light from the light guide means is
After the reflection, the light is reflected by the reflection ring to be observed.
The object is incident-light illuminated, and the arc member is located between the light guide means and the illumination head.
The object under observation is illuminated by the illumination head.
A lighting device for a video microscope. 2. An arc portion of the plurality of arc members.
Material is located between the light guide means and the illumination head.
Performs illumination that combines epi-illumination and side-illumination
The video microscopper according to claim 1, wherein
Lighting equipment