JP4511105B2 - Scanning laser microscope and external signal recording method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique applied to a technical field related to a scanning laser microscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a light beam emitted from a light source is scanned two-dimensionally on a sample (specimen), light from the sample (reflected light, transmitted light, or fluorescence) is detected by a photodetector, and the detected light is detected. A scanning laser microscope that obtains image data by converting it into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion means is known.
[0003]
The configuration and operation of a conventional scanning laser microscope will be briefly described.
A light beam emitted from a light source is scanned two-dimensionally on the sample, light (reflected light, transmitted light, fluorescence, etc.) according to the material and shape of the sample is detected by a photodetector, and the detected light is photoelectrically converted. This is converted into an electrical signal by the unit. Subsequently, the converted electric signal is converted into image data which is a digital signal by an A / D converter, and the obtained image data is recorded in an image memory. Subsequently, an image based on the image data recorded in the image memory is displayed on a computer display.
[0004]
Thus, when observing a sample using a scanning laser microscope, for example, a change in the temperature of an observation target (sample) such as a cell, at the same time as obtaining a sample image such as obtaining image data according to the sample, Alternatively, it may be necessary to measure and record the change over time of the response caused by stimulating the cells.
[0005]
In such a case, the CPU of the computer that controls the scanning laser microscope performs external processing in addition to processing such as scanning laser microscope control such as light beam scanning, image data processing, image data transfer and image display, etc. Data obtained from detectors (various sensors, etc.) and various input devices are recorded in real time, and if necessary, visualization processing such as graphing is performed based on the recorded data and connected to a computer. It was displayed on the display device. The data obtained from the above-described external detector, various input devices, etc. is an example of an external signal and is also referred to as an event signal.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a CPU that is in a high load state due to simultaneous execution of various processes such as scanning of a light beam and capturing of image data may not be able to respond instantaneously to an event signal. As a result, there arises a disadvantage that a delay occurs between the timing at which the event signal is input, that is, the timing at which the event signal is generated and the timing at which the event signal is recorded.
[0007]
Thus, in a conventional scanning laser microscope, if an event signal (including an interrupt signal) is input to a high-load CPU during two-dimensional scanning, the CPU cannot respond instantaneously. There is a delay between the time when the event signal is generated and the time when it responds.
[0008]
Regarding this problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-287860, responsiveness becomes important when a control command of an SEM (scanning electron microscope) is given to the SEM control means as an operation signal by an input means such as a keyboard or a mouse. A technique for improving the response speed from operation to control by directly giving a command related to processing to the SEM control means is disclosed.
[0009]
As described above, the CPU of the computer performs various processes such as scanning laser microscope control such as light beam scanning, image data processing, monitoring of various sensors, and recording and processing of signals obtained from the various sensors. If performed at the same time, a very high load is applied to the CPU. For example, it cannot immediately respond to signals (event signals) from various sensors, and between the generation of signals from the various sensors and the recording of the signals. There was a problem that a delay occurred.
[0010]
In view of the above circumstances, the problem of the present invention is that between generation of an external signal from an external device and recording of the generated external signal when a CPU that performs processing related to scanning of a light beam is in a high load state. It is an object to provide a scanning laser microscope and a method for recording an external signal that can eliminate the occurrence of delay.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first aspect of the present invention is a scanning laser microscope, which includes a scanner unit that two-dimensionally scans a light beam on a sample, a light detection unit that detects light from the sample, and a light beam from the light detection unit. An A / D converter that converts an output signal into a digital signal; a CPU that controls the scanner unit and generates image data of the sample from the digital signal output from the A / D converter; and the image data A display unit for displaying the external signal, an external device for outputting an external signal, and a data recording unit that is connected to the external device and records the time when the external signal is output, The data recording unit performs the recording operation independently of the CPU; The data recorded in the data recording unit is After scanning of the light beam The scanning laser microscope is configured to be read by the CPU.
[0012]
According to the above configuration, the time when the external signal is output from the external device is recorded in the data recording device, and the data recorded in the data recording device is read out by the CPU. It is possible to acquire data such as the external signal at the time when the external signal is output from the external device in the load state.
[0013]
The second aspect of the present invention is a CPU that performs at least control processing for two-dimensional scanning of a light beam on a sample or processing for generating image data from an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting light from the sample. When in a load state, the external signal output from the external device and the time when the external signal was input are recorded in a data recording unit that operates independently of the CPU, and the CPU is in a low load state. The external signal output from the external device recorded in the data recording unit and the time when the external signal is input are read from the data recording unit by the CPU. An external signal recording method.
[0014]
According to the above method, independent of the operation of the CPU, the external signal output from the external device and the time when the external signal is input are recorded and read when the CPU is in a low load state. Therefore, for example, when the CPU is in a high load state, the external signal at the time when the external signal is input from the external device to the data recording unit (the time when the external signal is output from the external device) is acquired. It becomes possible.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a scanning laser microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The scanning laser microscope includes a light source 1, a confocal scanner 2, an objective lens 3, a stage 4, a photodetector 5, a photoelectric conversion unit 6, an A / D converter 7, and a CPU 9. A computer (PC) 8, a frame memory 10, a display device 11, a recording medium 13 storing (recording) a control program 12, a data recording device 14, and an external device (external connector). It comprises a detector 15.
[0016]
The light beam irradiated from the light source 1 is irradiated from the objective lens 3 and is scanned two-dimensionally on the sample (specimen) surface placed on the stage 4 by the confocal scanner 2 to obtain the material and shape of the sample. The corresponding light (reflected light, transmitted light, fluorescence, or the like) is detected by the photodetector 5, and the detected light is converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 6. The A / D converter 7 is connected to the CPU 9 of the computer 8 and converts the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 6 into image data that is a digital signal.
[0017]
The obtained image data is recorded in a frame memory 10 connected to the CPU 9. The image data recorded in the frame memory 10 is then read out by the computer 8 and an image based on the image data is displayed on the display device 11.
The detector 15 is connected to the data recording device 14, and the data recording device 14 is connected to the CPU 9 of the computer 8.
[0018]
The CPU 9 controls the operation of the entire scanning laser microscope including the detector 15 by reading and executing the control program 12 stored in the recording medium 13.
The control program 12 stored in the recording medium 13 is recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and the CPU 9 is recorded on the portable recording medium. The control program 12 may be read and executed to control its operation. Alternatively, the control program 12 is recorded on a recording medium of an external device such as a server device, and the CPU 8 communicates with the server device to read out and execute the control program 12 from the recording medium. It may be controlled.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the data recording device 14.
In the figure, n sensors 21 (hereinafter, n sensors 21 may be simply referred to as sensors 21) provided in the detector 15 connected to the data recording device 14 include n signal lines 22. And is connected to the latch circuit 23.
[0020]
The sensor 21 is, for example, a sensor for detecting temperature, a sensor for detecting pH, a sensor for detecting flow rate, a sensor for detecting Co, a sensor for detecting a signal from an external device, or a signal for a manual switch. Sensors and the like. The signal output from the sensor 21 is an example of an external signal and is also referred to as an event signal.
[0021]
The latch circuit 23 and the address counter 28 are each connected to the CPU 9.
The counter circuit 24 is connected to the latch circuit 23 through m signal lines 25, and the latch circuit 23 is connected to the memory 27 and the CPU 9 through m + n signal lines 26.
[0022]
The counter circuit 24, the latch circuit 23, the memory 27, and the address counter 28 operate in synchronization with a sampling clock when the electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 6 is converted into image data that is a digital signal.
The latch circuit 23 latches m + n-bit data from the sensor 21 and the counter circuit 24 at the same timing as the sampling clock, that is, in synchronization with the sampling clock, and records the latched data in the memory 27.
[0023]
The address counter 28 counts the address of the memory 27 in synchronization with the sampling clock, and designates a data storage destination in the memory 27.
The memory 27 records m + n-bit data from the latch circuit 23 at an address designated by the address counter 28 in synchronization with the sampling clock.
[0024]
The CPU 9 that executes the control program 12 reads the data recorded in the memory 27 and performs visualization processing such as graphing when the load on the CPU 9 is reduced at an arbitrary timing, for example, after the end of scanning of the light beam. After that, the data after the visualization processing is displayed on the display device 11.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the data after the visualization processing and the image based on the above-described image data can be displayed on the display device 11 simultaneously or individually. For example, a display unit different from the display device 11 In addition, the data after the visualization processing may be displayed. Thereby, for example, the data after the visualization processing can be displayed on the display unit, and an image based on the above-described image data can be displayed on the display device 11.
[0026]
Next, a data reading process from the data recording apparatus 14, which is one of the control processes realized by the CPU 9 reading and executing the control program 12 stored in the recording medium 13, will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of data reading processing from the data recording device 14.
[0027]
In the figure, first, in step S1, a data read command is issued to the data recording device 14 by the CPU 9 executing the control program 12.
In step S2, it is determined whether or not data is recorded in the memory 27. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to step S3. If the determination result is No, the process proceeds to step S8. Ends.
[0028]
In step S3, data having a data width of m + n bits recorded in the memory 27 is read. As described above, the data having a data width of m + n bits indicates that the m-bit data is a counter value and the n-bit data is a signal from the sensor 21.
[0029]
In step S4, the generation time of the signal from the sensor 21 is calculated based on the data of the data width m + n bits read in the previous step. This calculation is performed by the following equation (1).
Time = (1 / S) * C Formula (1)
However, Time is a signal generation time from the sensor 21 (elapsed time from the start of scanning until an external signal is generated), S is a sampling clock, and C is a counter value (m-bit data). Thus, since the generation time of the signal from the sensor 21 is obtained based on the counter value, it can be said that the counter value represents the generation time of the signal from the sensor 21.
[0030]
When the calculation related to the generation time of the signal from the sensor 21 is completed, the memory address for reading the next data width m + n bits of data from the memory 27 is advanced by one.
In step S5, it is determined whether or not all data of the data width m + n bits recorded in the memory 27 of the data recording device 14 has been read. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to step S6. In the case of No, the processing returns to step S3, and the processing such as the data reading described above is repeated.
[0031]
In step S6, the signal generation time from the sensor 21 calculated in step S4 and the signal (n-bit data) obtained from the data width m + n bits read in step S3 are calculated. ) And a visualization process such as graphing is performed.
[0032]
In step S7, display based on the visualization process of the previous step is performed on the display device 11, the process proceeds to step S8, and this flow is finished.
Next, in the scanning laser microscope having the above-described configuration, the operation in the case of simultaneously recording signals from an external device together with acquisition of a sample image such as acquisition of image data corresponding to a sample image (specimen image) is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
However, here, as an example, a case will be described in which electrical stimulation is applied to a sample to be observed and a physiological reaction on the sample due to the electrical stimulation is recorded as a time-series image.
This operation is realized by the CPU 9 reading and executing the control program 12 stored in the recording medium 13.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a scanning laser microscope including an electrical stimulation device.
In the figure, the data recording device 14 is connected to an electrical stimulation device 41 which is an external device. The electrical stimulation device 41 is a device that applies electrical stimulation to a sample, and outputs a trigger signal when the stimulation is applied. Further, the output trigger signal is directly input to the latch circuit 23 of the data recording device 14, and the trigger signal can be latched by the latch circuit 23. This trigger signal is an example of an external signal and is also referred to as an event signal.
[0035]
The electrical stimulation device 41 may be controlled by the CPU 9 reading and executing the control program 12 stored in the recording medium 13, or may operate independently of the CPU. May be.
In addition, the sensor 21 of the detector 15 shown in the figure detects the physiological reaction of the sample when the electrical stimulation is applied to the sample by the electrical stimulation device 41. However, only in this example, the total number of sensors 21 of the detector 15 is n-1, and outputs from the n-1 sensors 21 are input to the latch circuit 23 and latched.
[0036]
Other configurations are as shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a time chart of image data, a trigger signal, a signal from the sensor 21, and a counter value acquired in synchronization with the sampling clock. In the figure, the electrical stimulation device indicates a trigger signal output from the electrical stimulation device 41, the detector indicates a signal from the sensor 21 output from the detector 15, and the counter indicates a counter value ( C).
[0037]
As shown in the figure, the scanning laser microscope records various data in synchronization with a sampling clock which is a reference signal for recording.
For example, when the sample surface is two-dimensionally scanned and the signal from the light detector 5 is converted into image data as a digital signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 6, the image data is recorded in the frame memory 10 for each frame. The Thereafter, the image data is read out as necessary and displayed on the display device 11.
[0038]
Further, when electrical stimulation is given to the sample by the electrical stimulation device 41 at time T1 during scanning on the sample surface, a trigger signal output from the electrical stimulation device 41 is recorded at time T1, The physiological reaction of the sample after time T1 is detected by the sensor 21 of the detector 15, and the signal from the sensor 21 is recorded in synchronization with the sampling clock.
[0039]
In the example shown in the figure, a trigger signal is output when the electrical stimulation device 41 applies electrical stimulation to the sample at time T 1, and the trigger signal is recorded by the data recording device 14.
Moreover, the sensor 21 of the detector 15 detects the physiological reaction of the sample caused by the electrical stimulation at time T1, and the signal from the sensor 21 corresponding to the detection is recorded by the data recording device 14. .
[0040]
The above operation will be described in more detail.
The latch circuit 23 includes n-1 bit data which is a signal from the n-1 sensors 21, 1 bit data which is a trigger signal from the electrical stimulation device 41, and a counter value C (mbit data). Are latched in synchronization with the sampling clock and output to the memory 27.
[0041]
Thereby, each data having a data width of m + n bits from time T1 is recorded in the memory 27.
When the load on the CPU 9 decreases, for example, when the scanning of the light beam is terminated, the CPU 9 reads the data with the data width m + n bits recorded in the memory 27 of the data recording device 14 at an arbitrary timing, and indicates the counter value C. Bit data and n-bit data which are a trigger signal and a signal from the sensor 21 are extracted.
[0042]
The CPU 9 uses the above-described equation (1) to generate a trigger signal output when the electrical stimulation device 41 applies electrical stimulation to the sample, and a sensor that is a physiological reaction of the sample detected by the detector 15. The time when the signal from 21 is generated is obtained from the counter value C, which is the extracted m-bit data, and the sampling clock.
[0043]
Using this equation (1), the time when the trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 changed are recorded in the memory 27 as all data (all data widths m + n) from the start of scanning to the end of scanning on the sample surface. Bit data), time-series data regarding changes in the trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 from the start of scanning to the end of scanning can be obtained.
[0044]
Thereafter, the obtained time series data is visualized, for example, graphed, etc., and the visualized data is displayed on the display device 11.
By recording the trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 and the count value indicating the time when the signal is generated in the memory 27 by the operation as described above, the CPU 9 always monitors the change of the signal from the sensor 21. There is no need for processing such as recording these signals.
[0045]
Therefore, even if the CPU 9 is executing high-load processing such as scanning laser microscope control processing such as scanning of a light beam or image data processing, the generation of the trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 and its signal The trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 can be recorded accurately without causing a delay between the recording and the recording.
[0046]
In the above-described operation, recording of the trigger signal and the signal from the sensor 21 is performed in synchronization with a sampling clock when the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 6 is converted into image data that is a digital signal. Generation time of trigger signal and signal from sensor 21 during scanning on sample surface, point on sample surface corresponding to that time, state of signal from sensor 21 at that time, or trigger signal and sensor from start of scanning Time until signal generation from 21 can be easily obtained.
[0047]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, the above-described detector 15 is omitted, and the latch circuit 23 has a trigger signal output from the electrical stimulation device 41 and an output signal of the counter circuit 24. Alternatively, it may be configured such that only one is latched.
Further, in the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, the electrical stimulation device 41 is applied as an external device that gives a stimulus to the sample. By doing so, you may make it apply the chemical | medical agent injection apparatus which gives irritation | stimulation to a sample. However, in this case, the medicine feeding device is a device for feeding medicine to the sample, and outputs a trigger signal when the medicine is placed.
[0048]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, the electrical stimulation device 41 is connected to the data recording device 14, and the trigger signal output from the electrical stimulation device 41 is the latch circuit of the data recording device 14. 23, the electrical stimulation device 41 and the detector 15 are connected, for example, and the trigger signal output from the electrical stimulation device 41 is input to one of the n sensors 21. The trigger signal may be input to the latch circuit 23 of the data recording device 14 and latched as one of the signals from the n sensors 21.
[0049]
Next, another configuration example of the data recording device 14 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the data recording device 14.
In the figure, the data recording device 14 is shown as 14 'and the detector 15 as 15'.
[0050]
The n sensors 21 provided in the detector 15 ′ connected to the data recording device 14 ′ are connected to the gate circuit 61 and the latch circuit 23 through the n signal lines 22.
The gate circuit 61 inverts the output signal when the signal from the sensor 21 input via the signal line 22 is changed. For example, when the output signal of the gate circuit 61 is “0” and the input signal from the sensor 21 is changed, “1” is output as the output signal.
[0051]
The sensor 21 is connected to a latch circuit via n signal lines 22, the counter circuit 24 is connected to a latch circuit 23 via m signal lines 25, and the latch circuit 23 includes m + n lines. The signal line 26 is connected to the memory 27 and the CPU 9.
[0052]
The latch circuit 23 is connected to the output of the gate circuit 61, and in synchronization with the output signal from the gate circuit 61, the signal from the sensor 21 (n-bit data) and the signal from the counter circuit 24 (m-bit data). Data) and m + n-bit data is latched, and the latched data is output to the memory 27.
[0053]
The memory 27 records the m + n-bit data latched by the latch circuit 23 at the address specified by the address counter 28.
The counter circuit 24 uses the sampling clock as an input signal and increments the count by one in synchronization with the sampling clock.
[0054]
When one of the signals from the sensor 21 changes from, for example, “1” to “0” or “0” to “1”, the output signal of the gate circuit 61 changes.
The output signal of the gate circuit 61 is input to the latch circuit 23, the memory 27, and the address counter 28, respectively, and the latch circuit 23 synchronizes with the output signal of the gate circuit 61 and outputs m + n bits from the sensor 21 and the counter circuit 24. Latch data.
[0055]
The address counter 28 updates the address each time the output signal of the gate circuit 61 changes, and designates the address of the data storage destination in the memory 27.
The memory 27 records m + n-bit data from the latch circuit 23 at an address specified by the address counter 28 in synchronization with the output signal of the gate circuit 61.
[0056]
The interrupt signal line 29 to the CPU 9 is a signal line used for interrupting the signal from the sensor 21 to the CPU 9 when the signal from the sensor 21 changes. In addition, whether or not the CPU 9 accepts this interrupt can be set in advance.
[0057]
With such a configuration of the data recording device 14 ′, a counter value indicating the time when the signal from the sensor 21 changes, that is, the moment when the change in the signal from the sensor 21 occurs, and the signal from the sensor 21 at that time Since only the data is recorded in the memory 27, the amount of data recorded in the memory 27 can be reduced and the memory capacity can be saved as compared with the configuration of the data recording device 14 shown in FIG. it can.
[0058]
Further, as described above, the CPU 9 reads the data recorded in the memory 27 at an arbitrary timing when the load on the CPU 9 decreases, for example, after the end of the light beam scanning, and performs a visualization process on the read data. The visualized data is displayed on the display device 11.
[0059]
The operation in the case of simultaneously recording signals from the external device together with the acquisition of the sample image using the data recording device 14 ′ is the same as the operation described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. Is done. However, in this case, the latch circuit 23 latches only when the signal from the sensor 21 changes.
[0060]
As described above, by using the data recording device 14 ′ having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the signal from the sensor 21 and the counter value indicating the time when the signal is generated can be recorded in the memory 27. However, it is not necessary to monitor the signals from the sensor 21 and record these signals.
[0061]
Therefore, even if the control of the scanning laser microscope such as scanning of the light beam or the processing of high load such as image processing is executed, there is a delay between the generation of the signal from the sensor 21 and the recording of the signal. Will not occur, and the signal from the sensor 21 can be recorded accurately.
[0062]
Further, since the latch circuit 23 latches the signal (n-bit data) from the sensor 21 only when the signal from the sensor 21 changes, the memory capacity of the memory 27 can be saved.
Further, since the signal from the sensor 21 is recorded together with the counter value from the counter circuit 24 that operates in synchronization with the sampling clock, the point on the sample surface when the signal from the sensor 21 is generated during scanning, at that time The state of the signal from the sensor 21 or the time from the start of scanning to the generation of the signal from the sensor 21 can be easily obtained.
[0063]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of the data recording device 14.
In this figure, the data recording device 14 is shown as 14 ', and the detector 15 is shown as 15'. However, in the configuration shown in the figure, the memory 27 of the data recording device 14 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted, and the output data of the latch circuit 23 is directly input to the frame memory 10.
[0064]
In the figure, n sensors 21 provided in a detector 15 ′ connected to a data recording device 14 ′ are connected to a latch circuit 23 via n signal lines 22.
The counter circuit 24 is connected to the latch circuit 23 via m signal lines 25, and the latch circuit 23 is connected to the frame memory 10 and the CPU 9 via m + n signal lines 26.
[0065]
The address counter 28 is connected to the latch circuit 23 and further connected to the frame memory 10.
The photoelectric conversion unit 6 is connected to an A / D converter 7, and the AD converter 7 is connected to a frame memory 10.
[0066]
The counter circuit 24, the latch circuit 23, the frame memory 10, and the address counter 28 operate in synchronization with a sampling clock used when converting the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 6 into image data that is a digital signal.
The latch circuit 23 latches m + n-bit data from the sensor 21 and the counter circuit 24 in synchronization with the sampling clock, and records the latched data in the frame memory 10.
[0067]
Here, if the resolution of the A / D converter 7 is X bits and the data length of the frame memory 10 is Y bits, Y = (m + n) + X.
The address counter 28 counts the address of the frame memory 10 in synchronization with the sampling clock, and designates a data storage destination in the frame memory 10.
[0068]
The frame memory 10 records m + n-bit data from the latch circuit 23 and X-bit image data from the A / D converter 7 at an address specified by the address counter 28 in synchronization with the sampling clock.
According to such a configuration, the frame memory 10 for recording the image data acquired via the photoelectric conversion unit 6 is used as a memory for recording the signal from the sensor 21 and the counter value indicating the generation time of the signal. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the memory 27 shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.
[0069]
Further, with respect to the operation in the case of simultaneously recording signals from the external device together with the acquisition of the sample image by using the data recording device 14 ′ having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, for example, using FIG. 4 and FIG. The operation is performed in the same manner as described above.
As described above, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the data recording device 14 'is provided, and the signal from the sensor 21 is accurately recorded by latching the signal from the sensor 21 and the counter value in synchronization with the sampling clock. be able to.
[0070]
The CPU 9 that controls the scanning laser microscope by recording the signal from the sensor 21 and the counter value indicating the time when the signal is generated in the frame memory 10 monitors the signal from the sensor 21. There is no need to record the signal.
[0071]
Therefore, even if the control of the scanning laser microscope such as scanning of the light beam or the processing of high load such as image processing is executed, there is a delay between the generation of the signal from the sensor 21 and the recording of the signal. Will not occur, and the signal from the sensor 21 can be recorded accurately.
[0072]
The scanning laser microscope and the external signal recording method of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the scanning laser microscope, the CPU is in a high load state due to processing such as specimen image acquisition and scanning laser microscope control such as light beam scanning. However, since an external signal from an external device such as a sensor can be recorded in real time, a delay between the generation of the external signal and the recording of the external signal can be eliminated. In addition, the point on the sample when the signal from the external device is generated, or the time from the start of scanning to the generation of the signal from the external device can be easily obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a scanning laser microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data recording apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data reading processing from a data recording apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a scanning laser microscope including an electrical stimulation device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a time chart of image data, a trigger signal, a signal from a sensor, and a counter value acquired in synchronization with a sampling clock.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the data recording apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third configuration example of the data recording apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Light source
2 Confocal scanner
3 Objective lens
4 stages
5 photodetectors
6 Photoelectric converter
7 A / D converter
8 PC
9 CPU
10 frame memory
11 Display device
12 Control program
13 Recording media
14, 14 'data recording device
15,15 'detector
21 n sensors
22 n signal lines
23 Latch circuit
24 Counter circuit
25 m signal lines
26 m + n signal lines
27 memory
28 Address counter
41 Electrical stimulator
61 Gate circuit

Claims (13)

A scanning laser microscope,
A scanner unit for scanning a light beam two-dimensionally on the sample;
A light detection unit for detecting light from the sample;
An A / D converter that converts an output signal from the light detector into a digital signal;
A CPU for controlling the scanner unit and generating image data of the sample from a digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit;
A display unit for displaying the image data;
An external device that outputs an external signal;
A data recording unit that is connected to the external device and records the time when the external signal is output;
With
The data recording unit performs the recording operation independently of the CPU;
The data recorded in the data recording unit is read by the CPU after scanning of the light beam is completed .
A scanning laser microscope. The external device is a sample stimulating device that gives a stimulus to the sample, and the external signal output from the sample stimulating device includes a trigger signal for notifying that a stimulus has been given,
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 1. The specimen stimulator includes an electrical stimulator,
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 2 . The sample stimulating device includes a medicine input device,
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 2 . The external device is a detector that detects the state of the sample, and the external signal output by the detector includes a detection signal of the state of the sample.
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 1. The data recording unit records the external signal and a time when the external signal is generated in synchronization with a sampling clock in the A / D conversion unit;
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 1. The display section displays the data read by the CPU,
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 1. A second display unit for displaying data read by the CPU;
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 1, further comprising: A scanning laser microscope,
A scanner unit for scanning a light beam two-dimensionally on the sample;
A light detection unit for detecting light from the sample;
An A / D converter that converts an output signal from the light detector into a digital signal;
A CPU for controlling the scanner unit and generating image data of the sample from a digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit;
A display unit for displaying the image data;
A sample stimulator for providing a stimulus to the sample and outputting a trigger signal for notifying that the stimulus has been applied;
A data recording unit which is connected to the sample stimulating device and records the time when the trigger signal is output during scanning of the light beam;
With
The data recorded in the data recording unit is read by the CPU after scanning of the light beam is completed.
A scanning laser microscope. The CPU reads the data recorded in the data recording unit, performs a visualization process, and displays the data on the display unit.
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 9 . The data recording unit includes a latch unit that latches the trigger signal in synchronization with a sampling clock in the A / D conversion unit.
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 10 . The data recording unit includes a memory unit that records the trigger signal in synchronization with a sampling clock in the A / D conversion unit,
The scanning laser microscope according to claim 10 . When the CPU that performs at least control processing for two-dimensional scanning of the light beam on the sample or processing for generating image data from an electrical signal obtained by photoelectric conversion of light from the sample is in a high load state, the external device Recording the external signal output from and the time when the external signal is input to the data recording unit operating independently of the CPU,
When the CPU is in a low load state, the external signal output from the external device and the time when the external signal is recorded, recorded in the data recording unit, are recorded from the data recording unit by the CPU. Read out,
A method of recording an external signal.

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