JP2002182123A - Microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take a measure so as not to interfere with the next inspection when an electric source is turned off while leaving a sample (a prepared speci men) in a microscope device by mislaying etc. SOLUTION: This microscope device is provided with a closed casing, an image formation optical system which fetches a picture of the sample, a picture gaining means which detects the picture of the sample from the image formation optical system in the casing and gains a picture data, a supporting member which places the sample and takes the same into the casing and a display device which displays the picture of the sample on the basis of the picture data gained by the picture gaining means. In addition, this microscope device is provided with a discriminating means which discriminates whether the sample is placed on the substrate member or not when starting the microscope device and a controlling means which performs a first processing step when it is discriminated that the sample is placed on the supporting member by the discriminating means and performs a second processing step which is different with the first processing step when the sample is not placed thereon.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging optical system, an image acquiring means, and a sample supporting member in a sealed housing, and based on the image data acquired by the image acquiring means. The present invention relates to a microscope device having a display device for displaying an image of the sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A box-type microscope apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-271794 is controlled by a computer, and when a slide is inserted into a closed housing, the slide is automatically retracted, and the slide is retracted. Is performed by an image processing technique.

In this microscope apparatus, once the slide is inserted into the housing, the operator cannot touch the slide and can observe the slide only on the screen of the monitor device of the computer. In addition, this microscope device has a laterally long shape with a rectangular parallelepiped box placed sideways, in which an imaging optical system such as an objective lens and a zoom optical system for observing a prepared sample is arranged, Further, an illumination device for illuminating the preparation is arranged on the opposite side of the imaging optical system with respect to the stage on which the preparation is mounted. Further, a sensor for acquiring a whole image of the preparation and a sensor for acquiring a small area image of the preparation are separately arranged.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned microscope apparatus, the microscope inspection of the slide is performed in a completely enclosed space. For this reason, if the operator turns off the power by mistake or intentionally without removing the slide from the housing, the slide will be released when another operator tries to use the same microscope device. A new preparation will be inserted without knowing that it is left in the housing.

When such a situation occurs, the slide left in the microscope apparatus may be damaged, or the microscope apparatus may be damaged. In addition, since the above-mentioned microscope apparatus has a horizontally long box shape, it is difficult to freely arrange an imaging optical system such as an objective lens, and when preparing a plurality of magnifications of the imaging optical system. This is a major structural limitation. Further, the microscope apparatus has a structure in which a sensor for capturing an entire image and a sensor for capturing a minute area image are separately arranged, so that cost and space are inefficient.

[0006] A first object of the present invention is to provide a countermeasure for preventing the next inspection when the power is turned off while the sample (preparation) is left in the microscope apparatus (eg, left behind). To take. A second object of the present invention is to provide a microscope apparatus in which components of the microscope apparatus can be easily arranged while securing the degree of freedom of the imaging optical system in the box-type microscope apparatus.

[0007]

The first object of the present invention is to start up the microscope apparatus (system on) at the next inspection.
The presence or absence of a sample (preparation) on the supporting member (stage) is detected in conjunction with the above, and if there is a preparation, an image of the preparation is displayed on a monitor. This image may be an image stored when the system was previously turned off, or an image captured when the microscope apparatus was turned off. Further, the display image may be an entire image or a partial image of the slide, or may be a simple warning display.

The first object of the present invention is to automatically prepare a slide when an abnormality occurs during the examination or when the system is intentionally stopped, or when the power of the microscope apparatus is intentionally turned off. Is performed. A second object of the present invention is to provide a microscope apparatus having a vertically long box shape. Hereinafter, the solving means will be described for each claim. In the following, reference numerals indicating the correspondence with the elements shown in the drawings are given in parentheses. However, this code is
It does not limit the invention.

The microscope apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a sealed housing (10a), an imaging optical system (17, 15) for capturing an image of a sample, and the imaging optical system in the housing. An image acquisition unit (18) for detecting an image of the sample and acquiring image data; a support member (11) for mounting the sample and retracting the sample into the housing; In a microscope device provided with a display device (60) for displaying an image of the sample based on the image data, it is determined whether or not the sample is placed on the support member when the microscope device is started. Determination means (11
a), the first processing step is performed when it is determined by the determination means that the sample is mounted on the support member, and when the sample is not mounted, the first processing step is performed. Control means (50, 52, 53) for executing a second processing step different from the processing step.

A microscope apparatus according to a second aspect is the microscope apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising the following control means. When the control means determines that the sample is mounted on the support member by the determining means, the first processing step causes a display device to display that the sample is mounted. Execute the control of.

A microscope apparatus according to a third aspect is the microscope apparatus according to the first aspect, further including a display device as described below. That is, the display device performs a display based on the image data of the sample or a warning display indicating that the sample is present. The microscope device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the microscope device according to the first aspect, further comprising a switching mechanism for switching setting contents of a predetermined optical system included in the microscope device, wherein the control unit is configured to: As a result of the discrimination by the discriminating means, when it is recognized that the sample is mounted, the apparatus further includes a microscope control means for controlling the switching mechanism in order to reproduce the setting contents before the end of the system.

A microscope apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the microscope apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means includes:
When the determination unit determines that the sample is placed on the support member, the control of the first processing step of driving the support member to discharge the sample out of the housing is performed. Execute. The microscope apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an optical device (17, 15) having a sealed housing (10a), an imaging optical system arranged in the housing, and capturing an image of a sample; An illumination device (16) arranged in the housing and illuminating the sample; and an image acquisition unit (18) arranged in the housing and detecting an image of the sample from the imaging optical system and acquiring image data. ), A support member (11) placed in the housing, for mounting the sample thereon, and being drawn into the housing, and displaying the image of the sample based on the image data acquired by the image acquiring means. In a microscope apparatus comprising: a display device (60); and a control unit (50, 52, 53) for controlling the optical device, the illumination device, the image acquisition unit, the support member, and the display device, the imaging is performed. The optics can be And the lens,
A first imaging optical system for acquiring an image of the entire region of the sample, and a second imaging optical system for acquiring an image of a minute region of the sample, wherein the optical device includes the imaging device; An optical drive device (111, 121) for switching an optical system is provided, wherein the housing has a box shape that is long in the vertical direction, and an insertion / eject opening ( 10
b) is formed, the first and second imaging optical systems are arranged on the optical axis of the objective lens, the imaging optical systems are vertically stacked, and the imaging is performed with the support member interposed therebetween. The illumination device is arranged on the opposite side of the optical system.

Further, the microscope device according to claim 7 is
7. The microscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition unit has a common imaging device for acquiring an image of the entire region of the sample and an imaging device for acquiring an image of a minute region of the sample, The means first controls the optical driving device to acquire the entire image of the sample, drives the first imaging optical system of the imaging optical system, and acquires the entire image with the image sensor. And then controlling the optical driving device to acquire the detailed image of the sample by controlling the objective lens or /
And driving the second imaging optical system, controlling the image acquisition means to acquire the detailed image with the imaging device, the display device, the sample of the sample acquired by the image acquisition means A first display area for displaying the entire image and a second display area for displaying the detailed image of the minute area, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the control based on entire image data of the entire image stored in a memory. The image is displayed in the first display area, and is displayed in the second display area based on the detailed image data of the detailed image acquired by the image acquisition means in real time.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microscope apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a first imaging optical system as described below. The first imaging optical system,
The second imaging optical system is not arranged on the optical axis of the objective lens, but is arranged on the optical axis of the objective lens.
A microscope apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the microscope apparatus according to the sixth aspect, including the following optical device. The optical device includes an objective lens holder unit having a plurality of the objective lenses, and an optical system support unit including the first imaging optical system and the second optical system, and the optical driving device includes the objective lens. A drive source is arranged on each of the holder and the optical system support.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a microscope system 1 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram (and microscope systems 2 and 3 described later). FIG. 2 is a bird's-eye view of the microscope device 10 constituting the microscope system 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the microscope device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the microscope system 1 includes a microscope device 10, a host computer 50, a display device 60, and an input device 70 such as a keyboard 70a and a mouse 70b.

The host computer 50 includes a control board, a CPU, a memory, and a nonvolatile storage unit such as a hard disk of the microscope apparatus 10. The host computer 50 has a GUI (Graphical User
Interface) is installed and the host computer 5
The image displayed by the display device 0 on the display device 60 includes not only a microscope image but also an image for accepting various inputs by the operator.
Various instructions can be given to the microscope apparatus 10 via the “0”.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the microscope apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has each optical system housed in a box-shaped housing 10a. In the housing 10a, the support surface of the sample stage 11 supporting the test sample 10A is kept horizontal (hereinafter referred to as an XY plane), as shown in FIGS.

In this embodiment, a sample sensor 11a for detecting the presence or absence of the sample 10A is provided at a position where the sample 10A is mounted on the sample stage 11, as shown in FIG. The sample sensor 11a is, for example,
It has a convex portion projecting upward (+ Z direction) from the support surface of the test sample 10A, and is elastically downward (-Z direction) when the convex portion is pressed by the weight of the test sample 10A. Contact 11a-1 to be pressed down and movable contact 11a
This is a mechanical switch that has a fixed contact 11a-2 that is arranged at a position that comes into contact with the movable contact 11a-1 only when -1 is pressed down and that is fixed to the sample stage 11 side. The movable contact 11a-1 and the fixed contact 11a-2 of the sample sensor 11a are each made of a conductor, and the output of the sample sensor 11a indicating the connection state of the contacts is controlled by the host computer 50 via a connector 19 described later. Connected to board. That is, a signal indicating the presence or absence of the test sample 10A on the sample stage 11 is detected by the host computer 50.

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show:
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sample stage 11 and an enlarged view of a sample sensor 11a viewed from an insertion / removal opening 10b side. By the way, sample sensor 1
1a is preferably provided on the periphery of the support surface of the test sample 10A so as not to block the opening 11b for transmitting the illumination light on the sample stage 11.

The elastic force of the movable contact 11a-1 is determined by the weight of the test sample 10A (note that the test sample 10A is composed of a standardized preparation and a sample dropped thereon. Is adjusted to an appropriate size according to the known size, so that the horizontality of the test sample 10A is not impaired by the formation of the sample sensor 11a.

For example, if the entire movable contact 11a-1 is formed in the shape of a leaf spring made of aluminum, it is easy to simultaneously secure appropriate elasticity and appropriate conductivity. As described above, the sample stage 11 described above has a sufficiently long stroke (maximum movement amount) in a predetermined direction (hereinafter, referred to as an X direction) in a horizontal plane, and moves in the X direction. As a result, the specimen 10A is fed from the normal microscope image reading area E1 to the outside of the housing 10a, and conversely, is fed from the outside of the housing 10a to the microscope image reading area E1. It is possible.

The wiring path for electrically connecting the sample sensor 11a and the connector 19 is as follows.
The selection is made so as not to hinder the movement of the sample stage 11. In addition, the sample stage 11 is placed at the position of the housing 10a corresponding to the feeding path of the sample stage 11.
An opening / closing opening 10b that can be freely opened and closed is formed so that the opening / closing opening 10b can be inserted / removed inside / outside the area a.

The feeding path from the microscope image reading area E1 to the insertion / removal opening 10b is formed in the entire image reading area E.
2 (described later) is sufficiently long.
Instead of increasing the X-direction stroke of the sample stage 11, a handling mechanism (a so-called robot arm) is used.
May be provided. This handling mechanism grasps the test sample 10A and moves the test sample 10A between the sample stage arranged in the microscope image reading area E1 and the insertion / removal opening 10b. However, it is preferable to increase the stroke of the sample stage 11 because it can be easily implemented without providing a special mechanism such as a handling mechanism.

Inside the housing 10a, an objective lens holder 15, a transmission illumination unit 16, an optical system support unit 17, an imaging unit 1
8 and the like. This objective lens holder 15
Is equipped with a plurality of objective lenses (high-magnification objective lens 14a, low-magnification objective lens 14b, etc.) for generating microscope images at different magnifications, and any one of them is attached to the microscope image reading area E1. To face. The optical system support unit 17 includes a plurality of different imaging optical systems (a high-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a, a low-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b, and a whole image reading optical system 17c).
), And one of them is inserted into a predetermined optical path from the test sample 10A to the imaging unit 18 (described later). The imaging unit 18 is arranged at a predetermined position and captures an optical image formed on the imaging surface to generate image data. The transmission illumination unit 16 illuminates the sample stage 11 from the side opposite to the objective lenses (14a, 14b).

Here, of the optical systems supported by the optical system support section 17, the optical path into which the high-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a and the low-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b are inserted is as follows.
This is an optical path from the objective lens of the objective lenses 14a and 14b facing the microscope image reading area E1 to the imaging unit 18. These high-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17
a, the low-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b is an imaging optical system that forms a light beam obtained through the objective lens at different magnifications.

On the other hand, the optical path into which the whole image reading optical system 17c is inserted extends from the whole image reading area E2, which corresponds to a feeding path between the microscope image reading area E1 and the insertion / removal opening 10b, to the imaging section 18. Light path. The whole image reading optical system 17c is provided with a whole image reading area E2.
Is an imaging optical system that generates an optical image of

The visual field range of the entire image reading optical system 17c is either the high magnification objective lens 14a or the low magnification objective lens 14b, the high magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a and the low magnification detailed image. It is much wider than the field of view set by either one of the observation optical system 17b.
For example, the area is so large that substantially half the area of the test sample 10A can be included at a time. Further, the whole image reading optical system 17c has a long focal depth, that is, a so-called fixed focus type that can generate an optical image of the test sample 10A on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 18 without requiring focus adjustment. Is an imaging optical system.

The transmitted light section 16 includes the light source lamp 1.
6a, a neutral density filter 16b, a special filter 16c, a field stop 16d, an aperture stop 16e, and the like. The transmission illumination unit 16 transmits illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 16a to the microscope image reading area E1 via the neutral density filter 16b, the special filter 16c, the field stop 16d, the aperture stop 16e, and a predetermined optical system. Lead.

The transmission illumination unit 16 can illuminate not only the microscope image reading area E1 but also the entire image reading area E2. That is, the transmission illumination unit 16
Represents the entire image reading area E2 in addition to the light source lamp 16a.
Or a configuration in which the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 16a can be guided not only to the microscope image reading area E1 but also to the entire image reading area E2.

The neutral density filter 1 in the transmission illumination unit 16
6b has a plurality of types of dimming portions having different dimming degrees,
It is configured such that the degree of dimming of the illumination light can be changed. For example, the dimming filter 16b includes a rotatable holder and a plurality of types of dimming units arranged in the circumferential direction of the holder, and the dimming units are inserted into and extracted from the luminous flux of the illumination light by the rotation. Change the dimming degree.

The special filter 16c has a plurality of types of filter units having different optical characteristics (for example, two types of filters, a monochromatic interference filter and a color temperature correction filter), and can change the wavelength spectrum distribution of the illumination light. It is configured to be able to. For example, the special filter 16c includes a rotatable holder and a plurality of types of filter units arranged in the circumferential direction of the holder. To change.

The field stop 16d enlarges or reduces the field stop diameter of the illumination light. For example, the field stop 16d includes a plurality of blades and a cam mechanism similar to a stop applied to a photographic camera or the like, and the field mechanism diameter is changed by driving the cam mechanism. The aperture stop 16e enlarges or reduces the aperture stop diameter of the illumination light. For example, the aperture stop 16e includes a plurality of blades and a cam mechanism similar to an aperture applied to a photographic camera or the like, and the diameter of the aperture stop is changed by driving the cam mechanism.

The sample stage 11 described above is not only in the X direction but also in the Y direction and the Z direction (this is also the optical axis direction of the objective lens facing the microscope image reading area E1). It is configured to be movable. For example, the sample stage 11 includes a gear mechanism such as a rack and pinion gear and a mounting table, and can be moved by driving the gear mechanism.

The objective lens holder 15 comprises, for example, a turret on which a plurality of objective lenses 14a and 14b are mounted, and a gear mechanism for rotating the turret in a step-like manner via a positioning depression click mechanism. The objective lenses to be made to face the microscope image reading area E1 by driving the
Switch between.

The optical system support section 17 supports, for example, a high magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a, a low magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b, and a whole image reading optical system 17c in a row in the Y direction. FIG. 3 shows a structure arranged in the Z direction for clarity of the structure.) And a guide mechanism for sliding the support member in the Y direction, and the guide member is driven to be inserted into the optical path. The imaging optical system to be switched is switched between the high magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a, the low magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b, and the whole image reading optical system 17c.

As described above, each part housed in the housing 10a
It is driven under the direction of the host computer 50 (see FIG. 1), and its state is detected by the host computer 50. That is, the neutral density filter 16b includes an actuator 116b for rotating the neutral density filter 16b and a position sensor 126b (for example, DC
It consists of a combination of a motor and a potentiometer)
The special filter 16c includes a special filter 1
An actuator 116c for rotating the actuator 6c and a position sensor 126c (for example, a combination of a DC motor and a potentiometer) for detecting the rotational position are provided. The field stop 16d has an actuator 116d for driving a cam mechanism and its actuator. Position sensor 1 for detecting position
26d (for example, a combination of a DC motor and a potentiometer) is provided.
An actuator 116e for driving the cam mechanism and a position sensor 126e for detecting the position thereof (for example, a combination of a DC motor and a potentiometer) are provided. The sample stage 11 is provided with an actuator 115 for driving the gear mechanism and the position thereof. Position sensor 12 to detect
5 (for example, a combination of a step motor and an origin sensor) is provided. The objective lens holder unit 15 includes an actuator 111 for driving a gear mechanism and a position sensor 121 (a DC motor and a potentiometer) for detecting its position. The optical system support unit 17 includes an actuator 117 for driving a guide mechanism and a position sensor 127 for detecting the position of the actuator.
(Including a combination of a DC motor and a potentiometer).

Further, in addition to the above-described sample sensor 11a, the above-described light source lamp 16a (16a '), actuators 116b, 116c, 116d, 116e, 11
5, 111, 117, position sensors 126b, 126c,
126d, 126e, 125, 121, 127 and the imaging unit 18 are connected to a control board of the host computer 50 via a connector 19.

On the other hand, in the host computer 50, a program for causing the CPU to perform a control process (see FIG. 5) of the microscope device 10 described below is stored in a storage unit or the like in advance. FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the host computer 50 (CPU) that operates based on the program of the present embodiment.

When this program is started, the host computer 50 first refers to the connection state of the sample sensor 11a (step S1), and confirms that the test sample 10A is mounted on the sample stage 11. (Step S2YES) Immediately, the whole image is fetched and displayed on the display device 60, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (Step S3). In step S3, a warning display may be performed instead of displaying the entire image.

In this step S3, the host computer 50 arranges the sample stage 11 so that the test sample 10A is located in the whole image reading area E2, and makes the whole image reading optical system 1
7c is set. Further, the host computer 50
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-33056, each image data at each position is taken in from the imaging unit 18 while the sample stage 11 is moved in a step-like manner, and the image data is stitched together. Image data of the entire image of the sample 10A is generated and displayed on the display device 60. At this time, the whole image reading area E2 is illuminated with sufficient brightness to obtain the whole image.

For example, the host computer 50 determines that the visual field range of the entire image reading optical system 17c is
The sample stage 11 is stopped at a position including the half area on the insertion / removal opening side of A, and at that time, the imaging unit 18 is driven to capture image data, and the field of view of the entire image reading optical system 17c is covered. The sample stage 11 is stopped at a position including the remaining half area on the anti-insertion / removal-port side of the specimen 10A, and at that time, the imaging unit 18 is driven to capture image data. An overall image of the test sample 10A is generated by joining the data.

FIG. 6 shows an operation screen that displays an image for accepting various inputs by the operator in addition to the entire image (image of the entire area) 72. In addition,
When the program is started, the host computer 50 sets each unit in the microscope apparatus 10 to a home position (predetermined state). When the operation of capturing and displaying the entire image in step S3 is completed, the host computer 5
0 indicates a state in which the sample stage 11 is moved in the X direction and the test sample 10A is located in the microscope image reading area E1 in order to prepare for the acquisition of a detailed image (image of a minute area) 74 (step S6 described later). , And one of the high-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17a and the low-magnification detailed image observation optical system 17b is set. Then, the host computer 50 causes the display device 60 to display the image of the detailed image 74 in real time.

On the other hand, if the host computer 50 recognizes in step S2 that the test sample 10A is not mounted, the host computer 50 performs step S4 or step S10 (described later) without taking in and displaying the entire image. Proceed to). Therefore, if the sample sensor 11a is present immediately after the start of the program, the entire image 72 (an operation screen on which the entire image 72 is arranged) is displayed, and the sample sensor 1a is displayed.
If there is no 1a, an operation screen where the entire image 72 is not displayed is displayed in a relatively short time.

That is, the operator looks at the display device 60 immediately after the program is started, and determines whether or not the entire image 72 is displayed on the display device 60.
The presence or absence of the test sample 10A can be confirmed. Moreover, when there is no test sample 10A, it can be confirmed earlier than when there is the test sample 10A. In this embodiment,
On this operation screen, a read button 79b and a save button 7
9a, a sample insertion / removal button 71, and an end button 79c are also provided.

The operator inputs a read button 79b, a save button 79a, a sample insertion / removal button 71, an end button 79 via the input device 70.
By selecting c, the past setting contents are reproduced on the microscope device 10 and the current microscope device 10 is reproduced.
Can be stored in the host computer 50, the insertion / removal opening 10b of the microscope device 10 can be opened / closed (for mounting or removing the test sample 10A), and the program can be terminated.

That is, when recognizing that the read button 79b has been selected (step S4 YES), the host computer 50 performs a process for reproducing the past setting contents on the microscope device 10 (step S5). Step S
The host computer 50 in FIG.
A reading screen as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display device 60.

The reading screen displays a list of the file names of the setting files (described later) stored in steps S9 and S14 (described later) executed in the past, and displays one of them in the reading screen. A box 91b (such as a dialog box conforming to a general-purpose operating system) to be designated by the operator is arranged. In the box 91b, the storage date and time of each file may be displayed in addition to each file name. The reading screen also displays an OK button 91c for notifying the operator that the file specification has been completed.

The operator selects a desired file name (hereinafter, referred to as "B") on the box 91b by moving a selection cursor on the screen or the like, and then selects the OK button 91c to select the host. A reproduction instruction can be given to the computer 50. When recognizing that the OK button 91c has been selected, the host computer 50 reads out the specified setting file B from the storage unit, analyzes the contents of the setting file B, and sets the microscope device 10.

Here, each setting file contains the setting contents of the microscope apparatus 10 (the driving voltage of the light source lamp 16a, the dimming degree of the dimming filter 16b, the filter type of the special filter 16c, the aperture diameter of the field stop 16d, the aperture stop). 16e, the X-direction position, the Y-direction position and the Y-direction position and the Z-direction position of the sample stage 11, and the observation magnification are stored. Therefore, the host computer 50 responds to the microscope setting information. The setting contents of the microscope device 1
Reproduce to 0.

This reproduction is performed, if necessary, by the position sensor 12.
6b, 126c, 126d, 126e, 125, 12
The host computer 50 sets the drive voltage to be applied to the light source lamp 16a while monitoring the output of
The special filter 16c is driven by driving the actuator 116c.
Is set, the actuator 116b is driven to set the dimming degree of the neutral density filter 16b, the actuator 116d is driven to set the aperture diameter of the field stop 16d, and the actuator 116e is driven to set the aperture stop 16.
This is realized by setting the stop diameter of e, driving the actuator 115 to set the positions of the sample stage 11 in the X, Y, and Z directions, and driving the actuators 111 and 117 to set the observation magnification.

Each time the operation buttons on the operation screen are adjusted or changed, the host computer 50 (step S6).
YES), the setting contents of the microscope device 10 are appropriately changed (step S7). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operator designates a desired observation point on the entire image 72 on the operation screen with the cross cursor 73 or the like, the host computer 50 sets the optical axis of the currently set objective lens to that position. The sample stage 11 is set to X so that it matches the observation point.
The focus is adjusted by moving the sample stage 11 in the Y direction, and further moving the sample stage 11 in the Z direction, and then driving the imaging unit 18 to drive a detailed image (this is an enlarged image of the observation point, ie, a microscope Image data) is displayed on the operation screen in real time. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 74 denotes a detailed image displayed in this manner.

The focus adjustment can be easily realized by, for example, a hill-climbing method based on the intensity of an image signal taken in by the image pickup unit 18, which is known in a video camera or the like. In addition, the moving target for performing the focus adjustment is not limited to the sample stage 11, but may be an optical system on the objective lens side.

Returning to FIG. 5, the host computer 50
When recognizing that the save button 79a has been selected (step S8 YES), a process for storing the current settings of the microscope device 10 is performed (step S9). The host computer 50 in step S9 first displays, for example, a storage screen as shown in FIG.

A box 92 for receiving an input of a file name to be given to the setting file from the operator is displayed on the save screen.
a and an OK button 92c for notifying the operator that the input of the file name is completed is displayed. The operator
After inputting the file name (for example, “A”) in the box 91a, the OK button 91c is selected.

Upon recognizing that the OK button 91c has been selected, the host computer 50 transmits the setting contents of the microscope device 10 to the position sensors 126b, 126c, 126d, 1
26e, 125, 121, 127, and the light source lamp 16a. Also, the host computer 50
Creates a setting file storing “microscope setting content information” indicating the acquired setting content, assigns the input file name A to the file, and stores the file in the storage unit.

When the host computer 50 recognizes that the sample insertion / removal button 71 has been selected (step S1).
0YES), the sample stage 11 is moved in the X direction, and the sample stage 11 is protruded outside the insertion / removal opening 10b so that the operator can place the test sample 10A with his / her finger (see FIG. 2) (step S11). Thereafter, when recognizing that the sample insertion / removal button 71 has been selected (step S12 YES), the host computer 50 moves the sample stage 11 in the X direction and stores it in the housing 10a.

When the host computer 50 recognizes that the end button 79c has been selected (step S1).
3) Similarly to step S9 described above, a setting file storing microscope setting content information indicating the current setting content is created, and in order to indicate that the setting file was created at the end of the program, for example, After a file name such as "at the end of the system" is given and stored in the storage unit (step S14), the program is shut down.

As described above, if the setting contents are automatically stored immediately before the end of the program, the operator can display the setting contents at the time when the program was previously ended from the reading screen shown in FIG. The microscope device 10 at a desired timing.
Can be reproduced. Specifically, the operator may select the read button 79b, select the setting file "at the time of system termination", and select the OK button 91c.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the whole image 72 is displayed immediately after the program is started by the operator.
The operator recognizes that the test sample 10A has been left in the microscope apparatus 10 from the end of the previous program to the present by the display. At this time, the setting contents at the end of the previous program are usually the setting contents suitable for observation of the test sample 10A.

Therefore, as a result of viewing the displayed whole image 72, if the operator has a will to continue observing the test sample 10A as it is, the setting contents at the time when the previous program was terminated are set. Is simply reproduced as described above, the observation of the test sample 10A can be started in a short time without adjusting or changing each operation button.

When the result of the determination in step S13 is NO, the host computer 50 proceeds to step S15 where the immediately preceding step S10
Determine whether the result of the determination is YES or NO, and
When it is recognized that it is ES, there is a possibility that a test sample that has not been placed may be newly placed, so the process returns to step S1 and, similarly to the start of the program, sample sensor 11a
Is detected and processing is performed according to the detection (steps S1 and S1).
Perform 2).

On the other hand, if the host computer 50 recognizes NO as a result of the determination in step S15, there is no possibility that the test object sample 10A has been newly placed by the operator. Is omitted,
The process returns to step S4. Steps S6 and S
Other operations of the host computer 50 in 7 are as follows.

As the operation buttons on the operation screen, in addition to those described above, there are a radio button 76 for allowing the operator to select the type of the special filter 16c, a radio button 75 for allowing the operator to select the observation magnification, a slider group 77, and the like. Yes, slider group 77
The lamp adjustment bar 77a allows the operator to adjust the voltage of the light source lamp 16a, the dimming adjustment bar 77b allows the operator to select the dimming degree of the dimming filter 16b, and the field stop 16
Field stop adjustment bar 77 that allows the operator to adjust the stop diameter of d
d, an aperture stop adjustment bar 77e that allows the operator to adjust the aperture diameter of the aperture stop 16e, an X position adjustment bar 77x that allows the operator to adjust the position of the sample stage 11 in the X direction, and the position of the sample stage 11 in the Y direction. A Y-position adjustment bar 77y that allows the operator to adjust, a focus adjustment bar 77z that allows the operator to perform focus adjustment, a zoom adjustment bar 77f that allows the operator to perform digital zoom, and the like.

The host computer 50 has a radio button 76
The actuator 116c is driven in accordance with the selection state of (i) to change the filter type of the special filter 16c, the drive voltage applied to the light source lamp 16a is changed in accordance with the operation of the lamp adjustment bar 77a, and the operation of the dimming degree adjustment bar 77b is performed. In response, the actuator 116b is driven to change the dimming degree of the dimming filter 16b, and according to the operation of the field stop adjusting bar 77d, the actuator 116d is driven to change the stop diameter of the field stop 16d, and the aperture stop adjusting bar 77e is driven.
The actuator 116e is driven in accordance with the operation of (1) to change the aperture diameter of the aperture stop 16e, and the X position adjustment bar 77x
In response to the operation of the Y position adjustment bar 77y, the actuator 115 is driven to change the positions of the sample stage 11 in the X direction and the Y direction, and the actuators 111 and 117 are driven according to the selected state of the radio button 75 for observation. The magnification is changed, the actuator 115 is driven according to the operation of the focus adjustment bar 77z, the position of the sample stage 11 in the Z direction is changed, and the image is enlarged to the image data of the detailed image 74 according to the operation of the zoom adjustment bar 77f. / Reduce image processing. In addition, the host computer 50 may use the position sensors 126b, 126c, 126d, 126e, 1 as necessary.
The above operation is performed while monitoring the outputs from 25, 121, and 127.

In this embodiment, the timing for saving the setting contents is determined by the operator by the save button 79a or the end button 79.
It is assumed that c has been selected. In addition, when an operator unexpectedly terminates a program due to an unexpected accident, such as periodically, at the time of an event (when a cursor is specified, or when operating an operation button), or the like. It may be possible to reproduce the new setting contents later.

[Second Embodiment] Next, FIGS.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The microscope system 2 of the present embodiment is the same as the microscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a host computer 52 is provided instead of the host computer 50.

The host computer 52 of the present embodiment
Like the host computer 50 of the first embodiment, the host computer includes a control board, a CPU, a memory, and a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk of the microscope device 10, and causes the CPU to perform control processing of the microscope device 10. The content of the program for this is partially different from that in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the host computer 52 (CPU) which operates based on the program of the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same steps as those shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the description thereof will be omitted.

As is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is different from FIG.
21 is at the inserted point. This step S21
Is executed only once immediately after startup. That is, when the host computer 52 recognizes that the test sample 10A is mounted on the sample stage 11 in step S2 immediately after the start of the program (step S2 YES), the host computer 52 executes the same step S3 as the host computer 50. At the same time, the setting contents at the time when the previous program was ended are reproduced in the microscope device 10 (step S21).

Here, for example, it is assumed that the test sample 10A has been left in the microscope apparatus 10 from the end of the previous program to the present. At this time, the contents of the settings at the end of the previous program are usually
The setting content is suitable for the observation of A. As in the present embodiment, in the case where the test sample 10A is present immediately after the start of the program, if the setting content at the time when the previous program was ended is automatically reproduced, the operator can adjust each operation button. Observation of the test sample 10A can be started in a short time without any change.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the test sample 10A is not mounted on the sample stage 11, the host computer 52
Each part in the microscope apparatus 10 is set to the home position as in the first embodiment. Note that the host computer 52 of the present embodiment operates in the same manner as the host computer 50 except for step S21 executed immediately after the above-described activation, so that the operator temporarily desires to observe another test sample. However, if the sample insertion / removal button 71 (see FIG. 6) is selected at a desired timing after the execution of the step S21, the specimen can be replaced.

[Third Embodiment] Next, FIGS.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The microscope system 3 of the present embodiment is the same as the microscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a host computer 53 is provided instead of the host computer 50.

The host computer 53 of the present embodiment
As with the host computer 50 of the first embodiment or the host computer 52 of the second embodiment, the microscope device 1
0, a control board, a CPU, a memory, and a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk. However, the contents of a program for causing the CPU to perform control processing of the microscope apparatus 10 are different from those in the embodiments. Different.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the host computer 53 (CPU) operating based on the program of the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the steps shown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals for the same steps,
Hereinafter, the description thereof will be omitted. As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is different from FIG. 8 in that step S31 is inserted in place of step S3 immediately after the start of the program and step S31 immediately before the end of the program.
The point is that step S34 is inserted instead of 14.

This step S31 is a procedure for displaying the whole image as in step S3. However, the image data used for display is not newly acquired from the microscope apparatus 10 but is the same as the previous program. This is the image data stored at the end. Step S34 is a procedure for storing the current setting contents of the microscope apparatus 10 as in step S14, but the stored information includes the image data of the entire image 72 at that time in addition to the setting contents.

That is, when the host computer 53 recognizes that the test sample 10A is mounted on the sample stage 11 in step S2 immediately after the start of the program (step S2 YES), the host computer 5
Step S21 similar to that of Step 2 is executed, and at the same time, the image data stored at the end of the previous program is read from the storage unit, and the entire image 72 based on the image data is displayed on the display device 60 (Step S31).

To enable this operation, the host computer 53 recognizes that the end button 79c has been selected in step S13 (step S13).
YES), the image data of the entire image 72 displayed at that time is stored in the storage unit (step S34), and the program is shut down. In the storage unit,
If only the storage area for one entire image is secured and the content of the storage area is updated every time the end button 79c is selected, the storage area occupied by this processing can be saved.

As described above, the image data to be referred to display the entire image 72 is stored in the microscope device 10.
If the image data is not the image data newly acquired from but the image data stored at the end of the previous program, the time required for reading from the storage unit is much shorter than the time required for the acquisition. The time to display is greatly reduced.

Therefore, the operator can view the entire image 72 in a short time when the test sample 10A is present immediately after the start of the program. [Others] In each of the above embodiments, a mechanical sample sensor 11a as shown in FIG. 3 has been described as an example of a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sample.
Other sensors such as a photoelectric switch may be used as long as the presence / absence of the sample 10A on the sample sensor 11a can be detected.

Also, instead of providing a sensor, the imaging unit 1
The host computer itself may recognize the presence / absence of the test sample 10A based on the image signal obtained through the control unit 8. That is, the brightness of the image signal output by the imaging unit 18 differs between the presence and absence of the test sample 10A. Therefore, the host computer recognizes the presence or absence of the test sample 10A, for example, as follows. be able to.

First, by driving the imaging unit 18, for example, image data of the entire image of the test sample 10A is taken in, and the image data of one line near the center of the image data is referred to to obtain those images. The value of the luminance average or luminance sum of the signal is obtained as a detection signal. Then, the detection signal is compared with a predetermined value. If the detection signal exceeds the predetermined value, there is no test sample 10A, and if not, the test sample 10A is present. Make a decision.

Note that, instead of the transmission type microscope apparatus 10,
When a reflection type microscope device is used, the result of the determination is reversed. That is, when the detection signal exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the test sample 10A exists, and when the detection signal does not exceed the predetermined value, it is determined that there is no test sample 10A. Incidentally, in the microscope apparatus 10, the entire image reading optical system 1
Reference numeral 7c denotes a fixed-focus type imaging optical system, which does not require focus adjustment, and the time required to acquire a detection signal can be kept short.

In each of the above embodiments, the entire image is obtained by the entire image reading optical system 17c. However, if it is allowed to increase the time until the end of the obtaining, the entire image reading optical system 17c can be used. The present invention can be applied to other microscope devices such as a microscope device in which a diode array is formed at the sample insertion / removal opening instead of the system 17c (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-271794).

In each of the above-described embodiments, instead of (or in addition to) the sample insertion / removal button 71 disposed on the display device 60, a sample insertion / removal opening 10b on the outer surface of the housing 10a is inserted. A sample insertion / removal button 78 (see FIG. 2) composed of a mechanical switch having the same function as the release button 71 may be provided.
In the above embodiments, the setting contents that can be adjusted and changed include the driving voltage of the light source lamp 16a,
6b, the filter type of the special filter 16c, the aperture diameter of the field stop 16d, the aperture diameter of the aperture stop 16e, the positions of the sample stage 11 in the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction, the observation magnification, and the like. However, different settings may be made depending on the type of the microscope device and as necessary (for example, in the case of a fluorescence microscope, the type of the excitation filter and the like can be adjusted and changed). .

Further, in the microscope system of each of the above embodiments, the control processing of the microscope apparatus 10 is performed by a computer on which a dedicated control board is mounted, but a part or all of the control processing is performed by the microscope apparatus 10. May be performed by a dedicated controller provided inside or outside the device. Also,
A general-purpose computer in which part or all of the control processing is installed in advance may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the following operation may be performed instead of step 3 in FIG. 5 and steps 3 and 21 in FIG. That is, when the system becomes abnormal during the inspection by the microscope apparatus, or when the system is intentionally stopped, or when the power of the microscope apparatus is intentionally turned off, the slide discharge operation is automatically performed. For this purpose, the stage is driven and controlled, and the operation of the system is terminated.

[0088]

As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, even when the power is turned off while the sample (preparation) is left in the microscope apparatus (for example, left behind) in the apparatus. It does not hinder the next inspection. Further, according to the inventions described in claims 6 to 9, a box-type microscope device in which each component of the microscope device is easily arranged while securing the degree of freedom of the imaging optical system is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microscope system 1 of a first embodiment, a microscope system 2 of a second embodiment, and a microscope system 3 of a third embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bird's-eye view of a microscope device 10 constituting the microscope system 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the sample stage 11, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the sample sensor 11a viewed from the insertion / removal opening 10b side.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the microscope device 10.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a host computer 50 (CPU) that operates based on the program of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation screen.

7A is a diagram illustrating a reading screen, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a saving screen.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a host computer 52 (CPU) that operates based on the program of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of a host computer 53 (CPU) that operates based on the program of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 Microscope system 10 Microscope device 50, 52, 53 Host computer 60 Display device 70 Input device 80 Work bench 10a Housing 10b Insertion / removal opening 10A Test sample 11 Sample stage 11a Sample sensor 11a-1 Movable contact 11a- 2 Fixed Contact 15 Objective Lens Holder 16 Transmission Illumination 16a Light Source Lamp 16b Dimming Filter 16c Special Filter 16d Field Stop 16e Opening Stop 116b, 116c, 116d, 116e, 115, 1
11, 117 actuators 126b, 126c, 126d, 126e, 125, 1
21, 127 Position sensor 17 Optical system support 17a High-magnification detailed image observing optical system 17b Low-magnification detailed image observing optical system 17c Whole image reading optical system 18 Imaging unit 19 Connector E1 Microscope image reading area E2 Whole image reading area 71 Sample insertion / removal button 72 Overall image 73 Cursor 74 Detailed image 75, 76 Radio button 77 Slider group 77a Lamp adjustment bar 77b Dimming degree adjustment bar 77d Field stop adjustment bar 77e Opening aperture adjustment bar 77x X position adjustment bar 77y Y position adjustment bar 77z Focus adjustment bar 77f Zoom adjustment bar

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image acquisition system comprising: a sealed housing; an imaging optical system for capturing an image of a sample; and an image of the sample from the imaging optical system in the housing for obtaining image data. Means, the microscope device comprising a support member on which the sample is placed and pulled into the housing, and a display device that displays an image of the sample based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. A determination unit configured to determine whether the sample is mounted on the support member when the microscope apparatus is started; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the sample is mounted on the support member by the determination unit. And a control unit that executes a first processing step when the sample is not loaded, and executes a second processing step different from the first processing step when the sample is not mounted. 2. The microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit loads the sample when the determination unit determines that the sample is mounted on the support member. Controlling the first processing step of displaying on a display device that the operation is performed. 3. The microscope device according to claim 1, wherein the display device performs display based on image data of the sample,
Alternatively, the microscope apparatus performs a warning display indicating that the sample is present. 4. The microscope device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching mechanism for switching setting contents of a predetermined optical system constituting the microscope device, wherein the control unit determines a result of the determination by the determination unit, A microscope apparatus further comprising: microscope control means for controlling the switching mechanism in order to reproduce the setting contents before the end of the system when recognizing that the sample is mounted. 5. The microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when the determination unit determines that the sample is placed on the support member, places the sample in the housing. A microscope apparatus for controlling the first processing step of driving the support member to discharge the body from the body. 6. An enclosed device, an optical device disposed in the case and having an imaging optical system for capturing an image of a sample, an illumination device disposed in the case and illuminating the sample, An image acquisition unit that is arranged in the housing, detects the image of the sample from the imaging optical system, and obtains image data, and is arranged in the housing, places the sample, and places the sample in the housing. A support member to be retracted, a display device that displays an image of the sample based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition device, the optical device, the illumination device, the image acquisition device, the support member, and the display device A microscopic device comprising: a plurality of objective lenses; a first imaging optical system for acquiring an image of an entire region of the sample; and a microscopic device of the sample. Get image of area A second imaging optical system for the optical device, the optical device includes an optical drive device for switching the imaging optical system, the housing has a vertically long box shape, the box An insertion / removal opening for inserting / removing the sample is formed on one wall surface of the mold, and the first and second imaging optical systems are arranged on the optical axis of the objective lens to vertically move the imaging optical system. Laminated and arranged
A microscope device, wherein the illumination device is arranged on the opposite side of the imaging optical system with the support member interposed therebetween. 7. The microscope device according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition unit is common to an imaging device that acquires an image of the entire region of the sample and an imaging device that acquires an image of a minute region of the sample. Wherein the control means first controls the optical driving device to obtain the entire image of the sample to drive the first imaging optical system of the imaging optical system, and the imaging device Controlling the image acquisition means so as to acquire the entire image, and then controlling the optical driving device to acquire the detailed image of the sample, thereby controlling the objective lens and / or the second imaging optical system; And controlling the image acquisition unit so as to acquire the detailed image by the imaging element, wherein the display device displays the entire image of the sample acquired by the image acquisition unit. Display area and the minute area A second display area for displaying the detailed image of the area, wherein the control means causes the first display area to display on the first display area based on the entire image data of the entire image stored in the memory, and acquires the image in real time. A microscope device configured to display the detailed image data in the second display area based on the detailed image data of the detailed image acquired by the means. 8. The microscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first imaging optical system is not disposed on an optical axis of the objective lens, and the second imaging optical system is provided on the objective lens. A microscope device which is arranged on an optical axis. 9. The microscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the optical apparatus includes an objective lens holder having a plurality of the objective lenses, and an optical system including the first imaging optical system and the second optical system. A microscope device comprising: a support section; and the optical drive device includes a drive source disposed at each of the objective lens holder section and the optical system support section.