JP5540896B2 - Microscope control apparatus, imaging system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope control device, an imaging system, and a program.

  In a microscope apparatus, a series image may be acquired in order to observe a plane, a three-dimensional structure, and dynamic changes of an observation target. When acquiring the series image, the user needs to set a plurality of imaging positions in the microscope apparatus in advance.

  In addition, the technique which converts the cell as an observation object into computer-readable image data by an optical reading means, and acquires the picked-up image of a cell is disclosed (refer patent document 1).

JP 2007-195533 A

However, since the imaging position is usually determined by the horizontal and vertical positions of the observation object, there is a problem that the work of setting the imaging position takes time. In particular, when there are a large number of imaging positions to be set, the operation is very troublesome.
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for easily setting a plurality of imaging positions.

  In order to solve the above problem, the microscope control apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention sequentially moves the imaging position according to the setting information related to the imaging position defined from the horizontal position and the vertical position. A microscope control apparatus that controls a microscope apparatus that captures an imaging object at each imaging position, wherein the microscope control apparatus is a vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on a stage on which the imaging object is placed, and is at the predetermined horizontal position. Best focus position acquisition means for acquiring the focal position from the microscope apparatus as a best focus position, a predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions, and the predetermined number of the best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. Based on the best focus surface calculation means for calculating the model surface of the stage as a best focus surface, and the sequential Based on the horizontal position input means for receiving the input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be moved, and each of the input horizontal position and the best focus plane, each focal position at the input horizontal position is estimated. Vertical position estimating means; vertical position registering means for registering the estimated focal positions at the inputted horizontal positions as vertical positions corresponding to the inputted horizontal positions; Setting information output means for outputting a horizontal position and each registered vertical position to the microscope apparatus as the setting information is provided.

  In the microscope control apparatus, the vertical position estimating unit calculates each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane, and sets each calculated vertical position as each focal position estimated at each horizontal position. Also good.

  In the microscope control apparatus, a plurality of vertical positions are registered for each of the input horizontal positions from within a predetermined range in a vertical direction based on the estimated focal positions at the horizontal positions. Also good.

  The microscope control apparatus includes: horizontal position display means for displaying the input horizontal positions in a first display area; vertical position display means for displaying the registered vertical positions in a second display area; The first display area may further include horizontal position re-input means for receiving re-input of each horizontal position and vertical position input means for receiving input of each vertical position in the second display area. Good.

  In order to solve the above problem, an imaging system according to another aspect of the present invention is an imaging system including a microscope apparatus having a stage on which an imaging target is placed and a microscope control apparatus communicating with the microscope apparatus. The microscope apparatus sequentially moves the imaging position in accordance with the setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information related to the imaging position on the stage defined from the horizontal position and the vertical position from the microscope control apparatus. Stage moving means for causing the imaging apparatus to take an image of an imaging object placed on the stage at each of the sequentially moved imaging positions, and the microscope control device is arranged at a predetermined horizontal position on the stage. It is a corresponding vertical position, and the focal position at the predetermined horizontal position is acquired from the microscope apparatus as the best focus position. Based on the best focus position acquisition means, the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions, and the predetermined number of the best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. Based on the best focus plane calculating means, horizontal position input means for accepting input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be sequentially moved, and the input based on each inputted horizontal position and the best focus plane Vertical position estimating means for estimating each focal position at each horizontal position, and registering each estimated focal position at each inputted horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each inputted horizontal position Vertical position registration means, and the input horizontal position and the registered vertical position as the setting information. And setting information output means for outputting to the device.

  In the imaging system, the vertical position estimating unit calculates each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane, and sets each calculated vertical position as each focal position estimated at each horizontal position. Good.

  In order to solve the above problem, a program according to another aspect of the present invention sequentially moves an imaging position according to setting information related to an imaging position defined from a horizontal position and a vertical position, and each of the sequentially moved images A vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on a stage on which the imaging target is placed, and a focal point at the predetermined horizontal position on a computer of the microscope control apparatus that controls the microscope apparatus that images the imaging target at the imaging position Based on a best focus position acquisition step for acquiring a position from the microscope apparatus as a best focus position, a predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions, and the predetermined number of the best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. The best focus plane calculation step for calculating the model plane of the stage as the best focus plane And a horizontal position input step for receiving input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be sequentially moved, and each focus at each input horizontal position based on each input horizontal position and the best focus plane A vertical position estimating step for estimating a position; a vertical position registering step for registering each estimated focal position at each inputted horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each inputted horizontal position; A setting information output step of outputting each input horizontal position and each registered vertical position to the microscope apparatus as the setting information is executed.

  In the above program, the vertical position estimating step may calculate each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane, and estimate each calculated vertical position at each horizontal position.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of imaging positions can be set easily.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the functional block diagram of the imaging system by embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of an imaging system. 3 is a display example by the microscope control device 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging system. 3 is a display example by the microscope control device 1.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a microscope apparatus 2 and a microscope control apparatus 1 that communicates with the microscope apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the microscope apparatus 2 includes a stage 20, a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an illumination unit 26, a drive unit 27, a lens unit 28, and a CCD 29.

  The stage 20 is an installation base for an imaging object (observation object) and can be driven in a horizontal direction (XY direction) and a vertical direction (Z direction). The illumination unit 26 disposed above the stage 20 includes a light source and an illumination optical system, and illuminates the imaging target. The lens unit 28 disposed below the stage 20 is composed of an imaging optical system such as an objective lens, and forms an image of the imaging target on the CCD 29.

  The storage unit 22 stores various information. For example, the storage unit 22 is transmitted from setting information (for example, objective lens magnification information, settable filter information, etc.) related to the microscope, a program for executing each operation of the control unit 21, and the microscope control device 1. 23, the setting information received through the memory 23 is stored.

  The control unit 21 controls the operation of each unit of the microscope apparatus 2 based on the information stored in the storage unit 22. For example, the control unit 21 outputs a drive control signal for driving the stage 20 to the drive unit 27 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 22. That is, the drive unit 27 drives the stage 20 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction in accordance with the drive control signal from the control unit 21. Note that the drive unit 27 can be adjusted to a desired horizontal position or vertical position by a sensor mounted on the stage 20.

  Further, the control unit 21 outputs an imaging command to the CCD 29 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 and causes the CCD 29 to image the imaging target. That is, the CCD 29 photoelectrically converts the image of the imaging target in accordance with the imaging command from the control unit 21. The control unit 21 that has output the imaging command to the CCD 29 acquires an electrical signal from the CCD 29. That is, the CCD 29 outputs an electrical signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion to the control unit 21.

  In addition, when the control unit 21 acquires an electrical signal from the CCD 29, the control unit 21 generates a captured image based on the electrical signal. When the captured image is generated, the control unit 21 outputs the captured image to the microscope control device 1 via the communication unit 23.

  As shown in the figure, the microscope control device 1 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and includes a main body 10, a keyboard 14 a, a mouse 14 b, and a display 15. The main body 10 includes a CPU 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The keyboard 14a and the mouse 14b accept input of various operations from the user. The keyboard 14a and the mouse 14b are referred to as an operation receiving unit 14.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining processing of the imaging system. FIG. 4 is a display example by the microscope control apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope apparatus 2 includes a setting information storage unit 200, a best focus position measurement unit 210, a setting information acquisition unit 220, a stage moving unit 230, and an imaging unit 240. The setting information storage unit 200 corresponds to the storage unit 22 in FIG. 1, and the best focus position measuring unit 210, the stage moving unit 230, and the imaging unit 240 correspond mainly to the control unit 21 in FIG. 220 mainly corresponds to the communication unit 23 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope control apparatus 1 includes a best focus plane storage unit 100, a setting information storage unit 102, a best focus position acquisition unit 110, a best focus plane calculation unit 120, a horizontal position input unit 130, and a vertical position estimation unit. 140, a vertical position registration unit 150, a setting information output unit 160, and an imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170. The imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 includes a horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input unit 172 and a vertical position display / vertical position input unit 174.

  The best focus plane storage unit 100 and the setting information storage unit 102 correspond to the storage unit 12 of FIG. 1, and the best focus plane calculation unit 120, horizontal position input unit 130, vertical position estimation unit 140, vertical position registration unit 150, and The imaging position display / imaging position input means 170 mainly corresponds to the CPU 11 in FIG. 1, and the best focus position acquisition means 110 and the setting information output means 160 correspond mainly to the communication unit 13 in FIG.

  The best focus position measuring unit 210 of the microscope apparatus 2 is a vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on the stage 20 (hereinafter referred to as a reference horizontal position), and the focal position at the reference horizontal position is set as the best focus position. Measure (detect). Specifically, the best focus position measuring unit 210 measures the best focus position corresponding to each of three or more reference horizontal positions.

  Specifically, the best focus position measurement unit 210 acquires each reference horizontal position from the best focus position acquisition unit 110 of the microscope control apparatus 1 and drives the stage 20 in the vertical direction, thereby matching the reference horizontal position. The focal position is measured as the best focus position at each reference horizontal position. Alternatively, when the best focus position measurement unit 210 is not in a mode of acquiring each reference horizontal position from the best focus position acquisition unit 110 but in a mode in which the reference horizontal position is held in advance, the best focus position of the held reference horizontal position is determined. You may make it measure similarly. The reference horizontal position and the best focus position are used for calculating the best focus surface (described later).

  When the best focus position measurement unit 210 measures each best focus position at each reference horizontal position, the best focus position measurement unit 210 outputs each best focus position at each reference horizontal position to the best focus position acquisition unit 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the best focus position measuring unit 210 includes a best focus position 1 corresponding to the reference horizontal position 1, a best focus position 2 corresponding to the reference horizontal position 2, and a reference horizontal position 3. The best focus position 3 corresponding to is output to the best focus position acquisition means 110.

  When the best focus position measurement unit 210 measures the best focus position of the reference horizontal position held in advance, it is necessary to output each best focus position to the best focus position acquisition unit 110 together with each reference horizontal position. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the best focus position measuring unit 210 includes a set of the reference horizontal position 1 and the best focus position 1, a set of the reference horizontal position 2 and the best focus position 2, and a reference horizontal position 3. And the best focus position 3 are output to the best focus position acquisition means 110. In addition, although the example shown to Fig.3 (a) (b) is an example with three reference | standard horizontal positions, it is the same also when a reference | standard horizontal position is four or more places.

  The setting information acquisition unit 220 of the microscope apparatus 2 acquires setting information related to the imaging position on the stage 20 defined from the horizontal position and the vertical position from the setting information output unit 160 of the microscope control apparatus 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the setting information acquisition unit 220 receives setting information including the imaging position P1, the imaging position P2, the imaging position P3, the imaging position P4, and the imaging position P5 from the setting information output unit 160. get. In addition, although the example shown in FIG.3 (c) is an example with five imaging positions, imaging positions may be other than five.

  When the setting information acquisition unit 220 acquires the setting information related to the imaging position from the setting information output unit 160, the setting information acquisition unit 220 stores the setting information related to the imaging position in the setting information storage unit 200. Note that the setting information acquisition unit 220 acquires various setting information such as setting information related to the imaging timing from the setting information output unit 160 in addition to the setting information related to the imaging position, and stores it in the setting information storage unit 200. Good.

  The setting information storage unit 200 of the microscope apparatus 2 stores various setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 220 from the setting information output unit 160. The setting information storage unit 200 may store various setting information in advance in addition to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 220 from the setting information output unit 160.

  The stage moving unit 230 of the microscope apparatus 2 sequentially moves the imaging position according to the setting information related to the imaging position stored in the setting information storage unit 200. For example, when the setting information related to the imaging position shown in FIG. 3C is stored in the setting information storage unit 200, the stage moving unit 230 moves the imaging position in the order of P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. . The stage moving unit 230 may control the timing for moving the imaging position in accordance with the setting information related to the imaging timing described above.

  The imaging unit 240 of the microscope apparatus 2 images the imaging object installed on the stage 20 at each sequentially moved imaging position. For example, when the setting information related to the imaging position shown in FIG. 3C is stored in the setting information storage unit 200, the imaging unit 240 images the imaging object at the imaging position P1, and the imaging object at the imaging position P2. The imaging object is imaged, the imaging object is imaged at the imaging position P3, the imaging object is imaged at the imaging position P4, and the imaging object is imaged at the imaging position P5.

  As described above, the setting information related to the imaging position includes a plurality of imaging positions defined from the horizontal position and the vertical position, and the microscope apparatus 2 sequentially moves the imaging position according to the setting information, and sequentially The imaging object is imaged at each moved imaging position. It should be noted that the imaging object can be imaged while changing the position in the Z direction at each imaging position (Z stack), imaging while changing the conditions of a microscope device such as a filter, or a combination of these. .

  The best focus position acquisition unit 110 of the microscope control apparatus 1 outputs each reference horizontal position to the best focus position measurement unit 210 when the best focus position measurement unit 210 of the microscope apparatus 2 does not hold the reference horizontal position. Each best focus position at the reference horizontal position is acquired from the best focus position measuring means 210. When the best focus position acquisition unit 110 acquires each best focus position at each reference horizontal position, the best focus position acquisition unit 110 supplies a set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position to the best focus surface calculation unit 120.

  On the other hand, the best focus position acquisition unit 110 acquires each best focus position from the best focus position measurement unit 210 together with each reference horizontal position when the best focus position measurement unit 210 holds the reference horizontal position. When the best focus position acquisition unit 110 acquires each best focus position together with each reference horizontal position, the best focus position acquisition unit 110 supplies a set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position to the best focus surface calculation unit 120.

  The best focus plane calculation unit 120 of the microscope control apparatus 1 acquires a set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position from the best focus position acquisition unit 110. When the best focus plane calculation unit 120 acquires a set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position, the best focus plane calculation unit 120 calculates a model plane of the stage 20 (hereinafter referred to as a best focus plane) based on the set. In other words, the best focus plane calculation unit 120 is configured to determine the stage 20 based on the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions (reference horizontal positions) and the predetermined number of best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. Find the best focus surface. The predetermined number, that is, the number of sets of the reference horizontal position and the best focus position is 3 or more as described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the best focus plane calculation unit 120 includes a set of a reference horizontal position 1 (X _V1 , Y _V1 ) and a best focus position 1 (Z _V1 ), a reference horizontal position 2 (X _V2). , Y _V2 ) and best focus position 2 (Z _V2 ), and a set of reference horizontal position 3 (X _V3 , Y _V3 ) and best focus position 3 (Z _V3 ), A coordinate 1 (X _V1 , Y _V1 , Z _V1 ) is obtained from the set of the best focus position 1, and a coordinate 2 (X _V2 , Y _V2 , Z _V2 ) is obtained from the set of the reference horizontal position 2 and the best focus position 2. The coordinates 3 (X _V3 , Y _V3 , Z _V3 ) are obtained from the set of the reference horizontal position 3 and the best focus position 3. Then, the best focus plane calculation unit 120 sets a plane in a three-dimensional space including the coordinates 1, 2 and 3 as the best focus plane.

  Note that the best focus plane calculation unit 120 obtains N (N is 4 or more) sets of the reference horizontal position and the best focus position, for example, from the coordinates of coordinates 1, coordinates 2,. A plane in the three-dimensional space where the value based on each distance (for example, the sum of the squares of the distances) is the minimum is set as the best focus plane, or a curved surface in the three-dimensional space including the coordinates 1, coordinates 2,. The best focus surface.

  When the best focus plane is calculated, the best focus plane calculation unit 120 stores information defining the best focus plane (for example, a mathematical expression defining a plane or a curved surface in a three-dimensional space) in the best focus plane storage unit 100.

  The horizontal position input unit 130 of the microscope control apparatus 1 accepts input of each horizontal position of each imaging position sequentially moved by the microscope apparatus 2 as setting information for the microscope apparatus 2. In other words, an input of each horizontal position of each imaging position included in the setting information referred to by the microscope apparatus 2 is received from the user. When receiving the input of each horizontal position, the horizontal position input unit 130 stores each horizontal position in the setting information storage unit 102 and supplies it to the vertical position estimation unit 140.

The vertical position estimation unit 140 of the microscope control apparatus 1 acquires each horizontal position from the horizontal position input unit 130. When the vertical position estimation unit 140 acquires each horizontal position, the vertical position estimation unit 140 determines each focal position at each horizontal position based on each horizontal position and information defining the best focus plane stored in the best focus plane storage unit 100. Is estimated. Specifically, the vertical position estimating unit 140 calculates each vertical position (Z) of each horizontal position (X, Y) on the best focus plane, and sets this as each focal position at each horizontal position. That is, when the coordinate of the nth input horizontal position is the coordinate (X _n , Y _n ), the vertical position estimation unit 140 determines the straight line (X _n , Y _n ) in the three-dimensional space and the best focus plane. Find the intersection. When the coordinates of the intersection are the coordinates (X _n , Y _n , Z _n ), the vertical position estimation unit 140 receives the vertical position Z _n as the nth input horizontal position (X _n , Y _n ). The focal position of
When the vertical position estimation unit 140 estimates each focal position at each horizontal position, the vertical position estimation unit 140 supplies the vertical position registration unit 150 with each focal position at each horizontal position.

  The vertical position registration unit 150 of the microscope control apparatus 1 acquires each focal position at each horizontal position from the vertical position registration unit 150. When the vertical position registration unit 150 acquires each focal position at each horizontal position, the vertical position registration unit 150 registers each focal position estimated at each horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each input horizontal position. Specifically, the vertical position registration unit 150 stores each focal position in the setting information storage unit 102 in association with each horizontal position already stored in the setting information storage unit 102.

  The setting information output means 160 of the microscope control apparatus 1 outputs each horizontal position input by the horizontal position input means 130 and each vertical position registered by the vertical position registration means 150 to the microscope apparatus 2 as setting information. Specifically, each horizontal position and each vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 is output to the microscope apparatus 2 as setting information. Thereby, the microscope apparatus 2 sequentially moves the imaging position according to the setting information, and images the imaging target object at each of the sequentially moved imaging positions.

  The setting information output unit 160 outputs the setting information to the microscope apparatus 2 again when the horizontal position or the vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 is updated after the setting information is output to the microscope apparatus 2. Output to.

  The horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input unit 172 of the microscope control apparatus 1 sets each horizontal position received by the horizontal position input unit 130, that is, each horizontal position stored in the setting information storage unit 102, as a first value. Display in the display area. Specifically, the horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input unit 172 displays each horizontal position in the first display area 310 of the confirmation screen 300 as shown in FIG. The first display area 310 represents a part or all of the XY plane on the stage 20.

  The vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 of the microscope control device 1 stores each vertical position registered by the vertical position registration means 150, that is, each vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 in association with each horizontal position. The position is displayed in the second display area. Specifically, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 displays each vertical position in the second display area 320 of the confirmation screen 300 as shown in FIG. The second display area 320 represents the height direction (Z-axis direction) calculated from the Z coordinate.

  As described above, the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 displays each horizontal position in the first display area 310 of the confirmation screen 300 and displays each vertical position in the second display area 320 of the confirmation screen 300. To do. The imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 does not particularly limit the conditions and timing for displaying each horizontal position and each vertical position. For example, according to a request from the user, each horizontal position and each vertical position are displayed. The vertical position may be displayed.

  Further, the horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input unit 172 receives re-input (change) of each horizontal position in the first display area 310. Similarly, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 receives input (change) of each vertical position in the second display area 320. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), in the second display area 320, a vertical circle is displayed by dragging and dropping a black circle indicating the vertical position (height) of P3 and moving the vertical position of P3. The vertical position input unit 174 receives input (change) of the vertical position of P3. The same applies to the first display area 310.

  The horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input unit 172 updates the setting information (horizontal position) stored in the setting information storage unit 102 when re-input of each horizontal position is accepted. Similarly, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 updates the setting information (vertical position) stored in the setting information storage unit 102 when receiving the input of each vertical position.

  As described above, the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 accepts an input for changing the horizontal position or the vertical position in the first display area 310 or the second display area 320 of the confirmation screen 300. The imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 reflects the change content in the setting information storage unit 102 when receiving an input of a change in the horizontal position or the vertical position.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging system will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the imaging system. The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing until the best focus plane is stored. The flowchart of FIG. 6 represents the flow of processing from when the best focus plane is stored until the horizontal position is input and the captured image is acquired. 5 and 6, the left side represents the operation of the microscope control apparatus 1, and the right side represents the operation of the microscope apparatus 2. Note that the microscope apparatus 2 does not hold the reference horizontal position in advance.

  In FIG. 5, the best focus position acquisition unit 110 outputs a predetermined number of reference horizontal positions to the best focus position measurement unit 210 (step Sa10). The best focus position measurement unit 210 acquires a predetermined number of reference horizontal positions from the best focus position acquisition unit 110 (step Sb10).

  Subsequent to step Sb10, the best focus position measuring unit 210 measures each best focus position at each reference horizontal position (step Sb12). The best focus position measurement unit 210 outputs each best focus position at each reference horizontal position to the best focus position acquisition unit 110 (Sb14). The best focus position acquisition unit 110 acquires each best focus position at each reference horizontal position from the best focus position measurement unit 210 (Sa14). The best focus position acquisition unit 110 supplies a set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position to the best focus surface calculation unit 120.

  Next, the best focus surface calculation unit 120 calculates the best focus surface based on the set of each reference horizontal position and each best focus position (step Sa16). The best focus plane calculation unit 120 stores information defining the calculated best focus plane in the best focus plane storage unit 100 (step Sa18). Then, the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends.

  5 is an example of an aspect in which the microscope apparatus 2 does not hold the reference horizontal position in advance as described above. However, if the microscope apparatus 2 is in an aspect in which the reference horizontal position is held in advance, step Sa10, Step Sb10 is omitted.

  In FIG. 6, the horizontal position input means 130 receives the input of each horizontal position of each imaging position (step Sa20). The horizontal position input unit 130 stores each horizontal position in the setting information storage unit 102 (step Sa22) and supplies it to the vertical position estimation unit 140. The vertical position estimation unit 140 determines each focal position at each horizontal position based on each horizontal position acquired from the horizontal position input unit 130 and information defining the best focus plane stored in the best focus plane storage unit 100. Estimate (step Sa24). The vertical position estimation unit 140 supplies each estimated focal position at each horizontal position to the vertical position registration unit 150. The vertical position registration unit 150 stores each estimated focal position in the setting information storage unit 102 in association with each horizontal position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 (step Sa26).

  The imaging position display / imaging position input means 170 determines whether a confirmation request for each horizontal position and each vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 has been received (step Sa28). The imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 determines that the confirmation request has been received when there is an input for displaying the confirmation screen 300 as shown in FIG. When the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 determines that the confirmation request has been received (step Sa28: Yes), for example, each image is displayed in the first display area 310 of the confirmation screen 300 as illustrated in FIG. The horizontal position is displayed, and each vertical position is displayed in the second display area 320 (step Sa30).

  Subsequent to step Sa30, the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 determines whether a request for changing the horizontal position or the vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102 has been received (step Sa32). The imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 determines that the change request has been accepted when a black circle indicating a horizontal position or a vertical position is dragged and dropped, as shown in FIG. 4B. When the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 determines that the change request has been received (step Sa32: Yes), the changed content is reflected in the setting information storage unit 102 (step Sa34).

  On the other hand, if the imaging position display / imaging position input means 170 determines that the confirmation request has not been received (step Sa28: No), it skips steps Sa30, Sa32 and Sa34, and proceeds to step Sa36. If the imaging position input unit 170 determines that the change request has not been received (step Sa32: No), the process skips step Sa34 and proceeds to step Sa36.

  Subsequent to step Sa28 (No), step Sa32 (No), or step Sa34, the setting information output means 160 determines whether or not a transmission request has been acquired (step Sa36). For example, the microscope control apparatus 1 includes a transmission request receiving unit (not shown) that receives an input indicating that setting information should be transmitted from the user, and the setting information output unit 160 sends a transmission request via the transmission request receiving unit. get. When the setting information output unit 160 determines that a transmission request has not been acquired (step Sa36: No), the setting information output unit 160 returns to step Sa28.

  On the other hand, when the setting information output unit 160 determines that the transmission request has been acquired (step Sa36: Yes), the setting information related to the imaging position is determined by using each horizontal position and each vertical position stored in the setting information storage unit 102. Is output to the setting information acquisition means 220 (step Sa38). The setting information acquisition unit 220 acquires setting information related to the imaging position from the setting information output unit 160 (step Sb38) and stores it in the setting information storage unit 200 (step Sb40).

  The stage moving unit 230 moves the imaging position according to the setting information related to the imaging position stored in the setting information storage unit 200 (step Sb42). Next, the imaging unit 240 images the imaging target at each imaging position after movement (step Sb44). The microscope apparatus 2 includes a captured image storage unit (not illustrated), and the imaging unit 240 stores captured images captured at each imaging position in a captured image storage unit (not illustrated).

  The stage moving unit 230 determines whether or not the movement to the last imaging position in the order indicated in the setting information has been completed, that is, whether or not the imaging positions have been moved to all the imaging positions indicated in the setting information. (Step Sb46). If the stage moving unit 230 determines that the movement to the last imaging position in the order has not been completed (step Sb46: No), the process returns to step Sb42.

  When the stage moving unit 230 determines that the movement to the last imaging position is completed (step Sb46: Yes), the microscope apparatus 2 outputs the captured image at each imaging position to the microscope control apparatus 1 (step Sb46: Yes). Sb48). Specifically, the microscope apparatus 2 includes captured image output means (not shown), the microscope control apparatus 1 includes captured image acquisition means (not shown), and the stage moving means 230 moves the imaging position to the last imaging position in the order. The captured image output means (not shown) that notifies the end of the movement is notified, and the captured image output means (not shown) that has acquired the notification stores each captured image stored in the captured image storage unit (not shown). It outputs to the captured image acquisition means (not shown) of the microscope control apparatus 1. The captured image acquisition unit (not shown) acquires the captured image at each imaging position from the captured image output unit (not shown) (step Sa48). Then, the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, an example in which the microscope apparatus 2 collectively outputs the captured images captured at the respective imaging positions to the microscope control apparatus 1 after the imaging at the last imaging position is completed. 2, every time imaging at each imaging position ends, the captured images captured at the imaging position may be collectively output to the microscope control device 1.

  As described above, according to the imaging system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of imaging positions can be set easily.

  In the embodiment described above, the stage 20 is driven in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction as the mode for moving the imaging position. However, the stage 20 is fixed and the lens unit 28 (objective lens) is moved in the horizontal direction. The imaging position may be moved by driving in the vertical direction.

  In addition, in FIG. 1, the illumination unit 26 is arranged above the stage 20, and the aspect in which the imaging target is illuminated from above the stage 20 has been described. However, the illumination unit 26 is arranged below the stage 20 and the stage The imaging object may be illuminated from below 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the best focus position measurement unit 210 uses the autofocus function to automatically measure the best focus position at each reference horizontal position. However, the user can visually check each reference horizontal position. The best focus position may be confirmed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the vertical position registration unit 150 acquires each focal position at each horizontal position, each vertical position estimated at each horizontal position corresponds to each inputted horizontal position. Although described as being registered as the vertical position, in this case, the vertical position registration unit 150 is configured to input each horizontal input from a predetermined range in the vertical direction with reference to each focal position estimated at each horizontal position. A plurality of vertical positions may be registered for each position. That is, when acquiring a plurality of captured images as a Z stack at each horizontal position, the vertical position registration unit 150 determines the focal position estimated at the horizontal position for each vertical position of the plurality of captured images. You may make it register from the predetermined range used as a reference | standard. Note that the vertical position registration unit 150 may hold information on the predetermined range in advance or may receive information from the user. In addition, various methods are conceivable as a method for registering a plurality of vertical positions from the predetermined range. As an example, the vertical position registration unit 150 sets the number of registrations in advance, and the interval between the vertical positions is set. You may make it register the vertical position for the said registration number so that it may become equal intervals.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 of the microscope control device 1 is registered in the second display area 320 of the confirmation screen 300 as shown in FIG. Although the display mode for displaying the position (height) has been described, the display mode by the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 is not limited to this. FIG. 7 is a display example by the microscope control device 1. For example, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174, as shown in FIG. 7A, in addition to the registered vertical position, each focus position estimated by the vertical position estimation means 140 (in the example of FIG. 7). It is good also as a display mode which displays a horizontal bar (bar). Thereby, each focal position can be confirmed even after the vertical position is changed by the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174.

  Further, for example, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 may display the predetermined range in the vertical direction based on the focal position, as shown in FIG. 7B. Thereby, the range of the Z stack can be easily confirmed. Further, the vertical position display / vertical position input means 174 may display as shown in FIG. 7C by combining FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

  In FIG. 1, the microscope apparatus 2 and the microscope control apparatus 1 are described as separate bodies. However, the microscope apparatus 2 may have the function of the microscope control apparatus 1. For example, in FIG. 1, the storage unit 22 of the microscope apparatus 2 instead of the storage unit 12 of the microscope control apparatus 1 includes a best focus plane storage unit 100 and a setting information storage unit in addition to the setting information storage unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. The control unit 21 of the microscope apparatus 2 replaces the CPU 11 of the microscope control apparatus 1 with the best focus surface calculation means 120, the horizontal in addition to the best focus position measurement means 210, the stage moving means 230, and the imaging means 240. The position input unit 130, the vertical position estimation unit 140, the vertical position registration unit 150, and the imaging position display / imaging position input unit 170 may be configured. When the microscope apparatus 2 also has the function of the microscope control apparatus 1, the microscope apparatus 2 includes an operation reception unit 14 of the microscope control apparatus 1, an operation reception unit (not shown) corresponding to a display, and a monitor (monitor).

  Note that a program for executing each process of the microscope control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system. By executing, the above-described various processes related to the microscope control apparatus 1 may be performed. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” means a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk built in a computer system, etc. This is a storage device.

  Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic DRAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), etc., which hold programs for a certain period of time. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscope control apparatus, 2 ... Microscope apparatus, 10 ... Main body, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Communication part, 14a ... Keyboard, 14b ... Mouse | mouth, 15 ... Display, 20 ... Stage, 21 ... Control part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Memory | storage part, 23 ... Communication part, 26 ... Illumination part, 27 ... Drive part, 28 ... Lens part, 29 ... CCD, 100 ... Best focus surface storage part, 102 ... Setting information storage part, 110 ... Best focus position acquisition Means 120: Best focus plane calculation means 130 ... Horizontal position input means 140 ... Vertical position estimation means 150 ... Vertical position registration means 160 ... Setting information output means 170 ... Imaging position display / imaging position input means 172 ... Horizontal position display / horizontal position re-input means, 174 ... Vertical position display / vertical position input means, 200 ... Setting information storage unit, 210 ... Best focus Position measuring means, 220 ... setting information obtaining unit, 230 ... stage moving means, 240 ... imaging device, 300 ... confirmation screen 310 ... first display area, 320 ... second display area

Claims (8)

A microscope control apparatus that sequentially moves an imaging position according to setting information related to an imaging position defined from a horizontal position and a vertical position, and controls a microscope apparatus that captures an imaging object at each of the sequentially moved imaging positions. And
A best focus position acquisition unit that acquires a focus position at the predetermined horizontal position from the microscope apparatus as a best focus position, which is a vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on a stage on which an imaging target is placed;
Best focus surface calculation means for calculating a model surface of the stage as a best focus surface based on a predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions and the predetermined number of best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. When,
Horizontal position input means for receiving input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be sequentially moved;
Vertical position estimating means for estimating each focal position at each inputted horizontal position based on each inputted horizontal position and the best focus plane;
Vertical position registration means for registering each estimated focal position at each inputted horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each inputted horizontal position;
A microscope control apparatus comprising: setting information output means for outputting the input horizontal positions and the registered vertical positions as the setting information to the microscope apparatus. In the microscope control apparatus according to claim 1,
The microscope control apparatus, wherein the vertical position estimating means calculates each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane, and sets each calculated vertical position as each focal position to be estimated at each horizontal position. In the microscope control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The vertical position registration means registers a plurality of vertical positions for each of the input horizontal positions from within a predetermined range in the vertical direction with respect to each estimated focal position at each horizontal position. A microscope control device. In the microscope control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Horizontal position display means for displaying each input horizontal position in a first display area;
Vertical position display means for displaying each registered vertical position in a second display area;
Horizontal position re-input means for receiving re-input of each horizontal position in the first display area;
The microscope control apparatus, further comprising: a vertical position input unit that receives an input of each vertical position in the second display area. An imaging system comprising a microscope apparatus having a stage on which an imaging object is placed, and a microscope control apparatus communicating with the microscope apparatus,
The microscope apparatus is
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information related to the imaging position on the stage defined from a horizontal position and a vertical position from the microscope control device;
Stage moving means for sequentially moving the imaging position according to the setting information;
Imaging means for imaging an imaging object placed on the stage at each sequentially moved imaging position;
The microscope control device includes:
Best focus position acquisition means for acquiring from the microscope apparatus as a best focus position a vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on the stage, the focal position at the predetermined horizontal position;
Best focus surface calculation means for calculating a model surface of the stage as a best focus surface based on a predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions and the predetermined number of best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. When,
Horizontal position input means for receiving input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be sequentially moved;
Vertical position estimating means for estimating each focal position at each inputted horizontal position based on each inputted horizontal position and the best focus plane;
Vertical position registration means for registering each estimated focal position at each inputted horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each inputted horizontal position;
An imaging system comprising: setting information output means for outputting the input horizontal positions and the registered vertical positions to the microscope apparatus as the setting information. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the vertical position estimating means calculates each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane and sets each calculated vertical position as each focal position to be estimated at each horizontal position. A computer of a microscope control apparatus that sequentially moves an imaging position according to setting information related to an imaging position defined from a horizontal position and a vertical position, and controls a microscope apparatus that captures an imaging object at each of the sequentially moved imaging positions. In addition,
A best focus position acquisition step of acquiring from the microscope apparatus a vertical position corresponding to a predetermined horizontal position on a stage on which an imaging target is placed, and using the focal position at the predetermined horizontal position as a best focus position;
A best focus surface calculating step of calculating a model surface of the stage as a best focus surface based on a predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions and the predetermined number of best focus positions corresponding to the predetermined number of predetermined horizontal positions. When,
A horizontal position input step for receiving an input of each horizontal position of each imaging position to be sequentially moved;
A vertical position estimating step for estimating each focal position at each inputted horizontal position based on each inputted horizontal position and the best focus plane;
A vertical position registration step of registering each estimated focal position at each inputted horizontal position as each vertical position corresponding to each inputted horizontal position;
A program for executing a setting information output step of outputting the inputted horizontal positions and the registered vertical positions as the setting information to the microscope apparatus. The program according to claim 7,
The vertical position estimating step calculates each vertical position at each horizontal position on the best focus plane, and sets each calculated vertical position as each focal position estimated at each horizontal position.

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