DE19702754A1 - Laser-scan-microscope filter changer - Google Patents

Abstract

The filter changer centres round a wheel (3) containing several filters (5) to be inched into the microscope detection beam (12) and for exchange without wheel removal. The microscope housing wall has a closable opening to a shaft (6) between the wall and wheel for filter insertion and exchange. The filter is exchanged in the wheel together with the filter mount (8), the filters in turn rotating in mount or wheel. The filter wheel has a guide (11) for reproducible filter positioning and the wheel in turn holds the mount in place by magnet. There is a stepping motor (2) for the wheel, wheel axis (4) and filters. The wheel is supplemented by a receiver (10) to enable filter mounts and their filters to be exchanged by e.g. guided pincers etc.

Description

Field of application of the invention are microscopes, in particular Laser scan microscopes, for example according to DE 43 23 129 A1. Such systems contain one or more Detection channels in which replaceable filters for Wavelength-dependent, broadband or narrowband detection are arranged.

To replace these filters it is known to be motor or to use hand-operated filter wheels, the different Swing the filter into the beam path one after the other (Handbook of biological confocal microscopy, Second Edition 1995, Plenum Press, London, New York).

The number of filters is determined by the filter wheel. If you want to examine other wavelengths, you have to find a new one Insert the filter wheel.

This requires a complete readjustment.

The object of the invention is to avoid this disadvantage. This is done according to the claims by at least one Position on the filter wheel is designed separately replaceable. This allows a single filter to be reproduced be replaced, d. H. without additional adjustment. It is advantageous that a large number of filters without great technical effort in the detection beam path can be used.

When training this position as compared to standard Filter standardized exchange point this is special advantageously possible.

This is achieved by a control unit belonging to the microscope Filter wheel adjusted by motor until the entry point for position a new filter with the replacement point of the Filter wheel matches.

The filters are replaced with a filter holder together, the filter reproducible in the filter holder and is advantageously rotatably supported and the filter holder by suitable mechanical and / or for example  magnetic aids reproducibly held on the filter wheel is.

Due to the rotatable mounting of the filter and its coating is usually not completely constant over its area, can simultaneous eccentric light path with respect to the Filter center point advantageous by rotating the filter the place with the best intensity for the let through Wavelength or the wavelength range by rotation be determined what is weak especially when examining emitting samples can play a crucial role.

Further advantages and the functioning of the invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a housing retained in a microscope filter wheel,

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the filter,

Fig. 3 A spatial representation with the filter holder inserted.

A filter wheel 3 , which is driven by means of a stepping motor 2 and has an axis of rotation 4 and which has a plurality of spectral filters 5 , is fastened to a device-fixed carrier.

A guide shaft 6 with a removable cover 7 , which ensures the light density, is used to insert or remove interchangeable filter holders 8 .

The stepper motor 2 is connected to a position sensor 9 , so that a clear detection of the position of the filter wheel 3 is made possible.

In the filter wheel 3 , a receptacle 10 is provided which is aligned with the guide shaft 6 in the replacement position, so that the filter holder 8 with the filter inserted can be replaced from the outside, for example by means of operating pliers which engage in guides 11 .

In this case, the orientation of the filter wheel 3 in the detection beam path 12 , which is represented here schematically by a dashed line 12 running eccentrically to the filter center, is advantageously maintained.

Due to the rotatable arrangement of the filters in the filter holder 8 , the filter point with the highest transmission for the wavelength used can be adjusted during the adjustment. The filter wheels 3 designed according to the invention can also be provided in a plurality of detection channels.

Claims (8)

1. filter changer in a microscopic beam path, especially in the detection beam path of a laser microscope, preferably a laser scan microscope, with a fixed articulated rotatable filter wheel is provided, the multiple filters includes, optionally in the detection beam path can be brought in, means for replacing at least one filter without Replacement of the filter wheel are provided. 2. Filter changer according to claim 1, with means for removal / supply through a closable opening in the Housing wall of the microscope. 3. Filter changer according to claim 2, with a guide shaft between the housing wall and the filter wheel. 4. Filter changer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the Filters together with a filter holder on the filter wheel are interchangeable. 5. Filter changer according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the filter are rotatable in the filter holder or filter wheel. 6. Filter changer according to one of claims 1-5 with means for reproducible mounting of the filter holder in the filter wheel. 7. Filter changer according to one of claims 1-6, wherein a guide is provided on the filter wheel for the filter holder. 8. filter changer according to one of claims 6 or 7, means on the filter wheel for magnetic mounting of the inserted Filter holder are provided.