JP2002207177A - Fluorescent microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope which is capable of preventing degradation in the image quality of an observed image even when, for example, an imaging device, personal computer, etc., are connected to the microscope. SOLUTION: This microscope has a stage 31, an illumination optical system for irradiating a specimen 11 on the stage 31 with illumination light, an objective supporting section for supporting an objective lens 13, a light shielding section 110 which is arranged around the stage 31 and shields the incident light on the stage 31 from outside and changing means for changing the arrangement position of the light shielding section 110. The light shielding section 110 includes planar members 32a, 32b and 32c which cover the space on the stage 11 respectively from the front and both flanks of the stage 11, a joining member 34 which fits these members openably and closably to the stage 11 and struts for supporting the main planes of the planar members 32a, 32b and 32c of an open state to the plane flush with the main plane of the stage 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a fluorescence image is observed with a fluorescence microscope, a specimen is irradiated with excitation light through an objective lens.
The sample irradiated with the excitation light causes a Stoke shift in a material constituting the sample, and emits fluorescence having a longer wavelength than the excitation light. Fluorescence observation can be performed by forming an image of the fluorescence with an objective lens and observing the image.

[0003] The intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from the specimen is very small as compared with the intensity of the excitation light, and is generally only about 1 / 100,000 of the intensity of the excitation light. Since the intensity of the fluorescent light to be observed is very weak as described above, it is important to observe in an environment where external light other than the fluorescent light is removed as much as possible in order to improve the image quality of the fluorescent image. Therefore, conventionally,
A fluorescent microscope is installed in a dark room to darken the entire room, thereby preventing external light and light from room lights in the room from entering the optical axis of the microscope. Further, in this method, since the observer's eyes adapt to the darkness, there is also obtained an advantage that it is easy to see a fluorescent image with low brightness.

In recent years, as shown in FIG.
Increasingly, an imaging device 19 such as a CD camera is attached, and an image display device 22 such as a CRT or a personal computer 20 is connected with a cable 23 for use. Thus, the fluorescent image captured by the imaging device 19 is
2 for observation, and image data of a fluorescent image can be taken into the personal computer 20 and processed. Since the image display device 22 and the personal computer 20 are observed and operated by the observer of the fluorescence microscope, it is desirable to install the image display device 22 or the personal computer 20 in the immediate vicinity of the fluorescence microscope 100, and is generally installed in a dark room together with the fluorescence microscope. .

[0005]

The light emitted from the screens of the image display device 22 and the display 21 for the personal computer 20 and the light emitted from the indicator lamp of the switch of the personal computer 20 enter the objective lens of the fluorescent microscope 100. This causes the image quality of the fluorescent image to deteriorate. In the case of a sample that is easily discolored, there is a problem that discoloration starts due to these lights. Further, since the personal computer 20 is in a dark room, there is a problem that it is very difficult for the observer to operate the personal computer 20.

The influence of light from outside the microscope during observation is not a problem limited to the fluorescence microscope.

An object of the present invention is to provide a microscope capable of preventing deterioration of the quality of an observed image even when an imaging device or a personal computer is connected to the microscope.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present application, the following microscope is provided.

That is, a stage, an irradiation optical system for irradiating illumination light toward the sample on the stage, an object support for supporting an objective lens at a position facing the sample, A microscope, comprising: a light-shielding portion disposed around the light-shielding portion to block light incident on the stage from the outside; and changing means for changing an arrangement position of the light-shielding portion.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A fluorescence microscope according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a fluorescence microscope according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The fluorescence microscope according to the first embodiment includes a main body 14, a stage unit 110 having a dark room function, a substage 51 supporting the stage unit 110, an objective lens 13, a revolver 61 supporting the objective lens 13, a lens barrel 17, It has an eyepiece 101 and an epi-illumination device (not shown). The epi-illumination device irradiates the sample 11 with excitation light through the objective lens 13. An imaging device 19 such as a CCD camera is attached to the upper part of the lens barrel 17 via a straight tube 18. The imaging device 19
An image display device 22 such as a CRT and a personal computer 20 are connected by a cable 23. A display 21 is connected to the personal computer 20. In addition, a condenser lens 52 used for transmitted illumination is disposed below the stage unit 110.

The stage unit 110 with a dark room includes a stage 31, a front panel 32a and a side panel 3 arranged so as to surround the stage 31 from the front and left and right sides.
2b and 32c. The front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are attached to the side surfaces of the stage 31 by hinges 34 so that the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c can be opened forward and left and right around the stage 31 as shown in FIG. The main body 14 has a portion facing the back surface of the stage 31 having a width equal to the width of the stage 31 and a closed height, as shown in FIGS.
It has a back panel 32d having the same dimensions as 2b and 32c. Further, an overhanging portion 33 is provided on the upper portion of the rear panel 32 d of the main body 14 so as to project from the revolver 61 to the near side. The width and the depth of the overhang portion 33 are respectively equal to those of the stage 31. When the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are closed as shown in FIG. 1, the stage 31 is surrounded together with the rear panel 32d and the overhanging portion 33 to form a dark room.

A sub-stage 51 for supporting the stage 31
Is attached to the main body 14 via a vertical movement mechanism (not shown). Therefore, by rotating the handle 53, the substage 51 moves up and down with respect to the main body 14, and the specimen 11 on the stage 31 can be moved to the focal position of the objective lens 13. The side panels 32b and 32c move up and down as the stage 31 moves up and down, while the back panel 32d is fixed. For this reason, the side panel 3
The rear panels 32d and 2b, 32c are slidably in contact with each other. An elastic member such as rubber is attached to the sliding surface so as to be able to slide while keeping the dark room. Further, a groove for inserting the upper ends of the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c is formed in the overhang portion 33. The depth of the groove is equivalent to the movable range of the vertical movement of the stage 31. When the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c rise, the upper end is inserted into the groove, so that the stage 31 can be held while maintaining the dark room. Can be moved up and down.

Further, the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are provided with support columns 62 for inserting and fixing the support columns 43 as shown in FIG. When the support column 43 is inserted into the column receiving portion 62 and the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are opened, the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are opened.
Constitutes a stage surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the stage 31. Thus, the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are configured to be used as sub-stages on which experimental devices such as the patch clamp electrodes 44 are mounted.

Next, the operation of each part when observing the fluorescence image of the specimen 11 with the fluorescence microscope of the present embodiment will be described. First, the front panel 32a of the stage unit 110
Then, at least one of the side panels 32b and 32c is opened, and the specimen 11 is mounted on the stage 17. When the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are closed, the space around the specimen 11 becomes a dark room, and can shield external light. So, personal computer 2
0, the light of the display 21 and the image display device 22
It does not reach sample 11. Next, by operating the handle 53 to move the stage 31 up and down, the specimen 11
Is moved to the focal position of the objective lens 13. that time,
The side panels 32b and 32c slide on the back panel 32, and the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c
Move within the groove of the overhang portion 33. Thereby, the dark room of the stage unit 110 is maintained.

Next, excitation light is emitted from the epi-illumination device, and the sample 11 is irradiated with the excitation light through the objective lens 13. The sample 11 emits fluorescence by irradiation with the excitation light. After the emitted fluorescent light is collected by the objective lens 13,
The light is deflected by the deflecting member in the lens barrel 17 and reaches the eyepiece 101. Thereby, a fluorescent image can be observed. Further, by removing the deflection member in the lens barrel 17 from the optical path, the fluorescent light travels to the straight tube 18 and forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging device 19. The formed fluorescent image is converted into an electric signal by the imaging device 19 and displayed on the image display device 22. Also,
The image data of the fluorescent image is taken into the personal computer 20 and processed. The processing conditions and the processing results are displayed on the display 21. The observer can use the image display device 22
Allows a fluorescent image to be observed by the personal computer 20.
Is operated to perform desired processing on the fluorescent image, and the result can be observed on the display 21. At this time, the sample 11
Since it is arranged in the dark room formed by the stage unit 110, the light emitted from the screens of the image display device 22 and the display 21 and the personal computer 20
Does not reach the sample surface 11. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent the image quality of the fluorescent image from being degraded by these lights, and a high-quality fluorescent image can be observed by the image display device 22 or the eyepiece unit 101. Further, there is no possibility that the specimen 11 may be discolored by light from the image display device 22 or the like. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to darken the entire room where the fluorescence microscope is installed, the operation of the personal computer 20 and peripheral devices can be easily performed.

When the stage unit 110 is in a closed dark room, the space around the specimen 11 is sealed, so that the stage unit 110 can be used as a heat retaining chamber for keeping the specimen 11 warm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c are opened and supported by the support columns 43, so that the front panel 32a and the side panels 32b and 32c can be used as a substage. Thus, it is possible to mount the experimental equipment such as the patch clamp electrode 44 on the wide stage surface and work efficiently.

In the above embodiment, the rear panel 3
Although the 2d and the overhang portion 33 are configured integrally with the main body 14, they may be configured separately from the main body 14 and supported on the stage 31. In this case, all the members constituting the dark room are supported by the sub-stage 51 together with the stage 31. Therefore, by removing the stage unit from the sub-stage 51 and mounting it on the sub-stage of the conventional fluorescence microscope, it becomes possible to provide the conventional fluorescence microscope with a dark room function.

Next, a fluorescence microscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fluorescence microscope of FIGS. 3 and 4 has the same configuration as the fluorescence microscope of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the dark room unit 70. That is, the fluorescence microscope of FIGS.
4, dark room unit 70, stage 12, substage 5
1. Objective lens 13, revolver 6 supporting objective lens
1, a lens barrel 17, an eyepiece 101, and an epi-illumination device 15. An imaging device (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is attached to the upper part of the lens barrel 17 via a straight tube 18. The image display device and the personal computer are connected to the imaging device via a cable. In addition, a condenser lens 52 used for transmitted illumination is disposed below the stage unit 110.

The dark room unit 70 includes a fixing portion 72 fixed to the main body 14, a semi-cylindrical door portion 71, and a fixing portion 72.
And a hinge 73 for opening and closing the door portion 71. In addition, at the bottom of the fixed part 72 and the door part 71,
An opening 74 for inserting the substage 51 is opened. The substage 51 supports the stage 12 in the internal space of the darkroom unit 70. Therefore, the dark room unit 70 of the second embodiment is supported by the main body 14 and does not move up and down together with the stage 12,
2 moves in the internal space of the darkroom unit 70.

The door 71 of the dark room unit 70 has an end opposite to the hinge 73 fixed to a fixing part 72 by a screw 75. When taking the specimen in and out, the screw 75 is removed, and the door 71 is opened by opening the hinge 73 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The dark room unit 70 of FIGS.
By forming the door portion 71 in a semi-cylindrical shape, the internal space can be widened, and the stage 12 can be moved inside.

In the fluorescence microscope of FIGS. 3 and 4, since the specimen is arranged in the dark room unit 70, the light emitted from the screen of the image display device or the display is similar to the fluorescence microscope of the first embodiment. Light from the indicator light of the personal computer does not reach the sample surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the fluorescent image from deteriorating due to such light, and a high-quality fluorescent image can be observed by the image display device or the eyepiece unit 101. Further, there is no danger that the specimen will be discolored by light from the image display device or the like. Further, since there is no need to darken the entire room in which the fluorescence microscope is installed, it is possible to easily operate a personal computer and peripheral devices.

Next, a fluorescence microscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The fluorescence microscope shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a configuration in which the periphery of the stage 12 is covered with a black light-shielding curtain 82 to make the space above the stage 12 a dark room. The fluorescence microscope of FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a main body 14, a stage 12,
A sub-stage 51, a revolver 61 to which the objective lens 13 is attached, a lens barrel 17, an eyepiece 101, and an epi-illumination device 15 are provided. The curtain rail 81 is, as shown in FIG.
It is attached so as to surround the main body 14 on the upper side, and a curtain 82 is hung. The hem of the curtain 82 reaches the stage 12 as shown in FIG.
Is surrounded from the periphery. The length up to the hem of the curtain 82 is
In consideration of the range in which the stage 12 can move up and down, the skirt of the curtain 82 is determined to always reach the stage 12. Therefore, by closing the curtain 82 when observing the sample, the upper space of the stage 12 can be made a dark room. If the curtain 81 is opened and approached, the specimen 11 can be easily taken in and out.

The fluorescent microscopes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 have a simple structure, but similarly to the fluorescent microscopes of the first and second embodiments, light emitted from the screen of an image display device or a display or a personal computer. The effect of preventing the light of the indicator lamp from reaching the sample surface and preventing the fluorescent image from deteriorating the image quality can be obtained. Further, discoloration of the specimen due to light from the image display device or the like can be prevented. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to darken the entire room where the fluorescence microscope is installed, there is an advantage that the operation of the personal computer and peripheral devices can be easily performed.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a microscope capable of preventing deterioration of the quality of an observed image even when an imaging device or a personal computer is connected to the microscope. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a fluorescence microscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention and external devices connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration in which a stage unit of the fluorescence microscope in FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a fluorescence microscope and a dark room unit thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the fluorescence microscope of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a fluorescence microscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the fluorescence microscope of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a configuration of a conventional fluorescence microscope and external devices connected thereto.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 specimen, 12 stage, 13 objective lens, 14
... Main body, 15 ... Epi-illumination device, 17 ... Barrel, 18 ... Straight tube, 19 ... Imaging device, 20 ... Personal computer,
21 ... Display for personal computer, 22 ...
Image display device, 23: cable, 31: stage, 32
a: Front panel, 32b, 32c: Side panel, 32d
... back panel, 33 ... overhang, 34 ... hinge, 43
... Supporting strut, 44 ... Patch clamp electrode, 62 ... Strut receiving part, 70 ... Dark room unit, 71 ... Door part, 72 ... Fixed part, 73 ... Hinge, 74 ... Opening part, 81 ... Curtain rail, 82 ... Curtain, 51: Substage, 52: Condenser lens, 53: Handle, 61: Revolver, 1
01: eyepiece, 110: stage unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A stage, an irradiation optical system for irradiating illumination light toward a sample on the stage, an object support for supporting an objective lens at a position facing the sample, A microscope, comprising: a light-shielding portion disposed around the light-shielding portion to block light incident on the stage from the outside; and changing means for changing an arrangement position of the light-shielding portion. 2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the light-shielding portion includes a plurality of plate-shaped members arranged around the stage from the front surface and both side surfaces of the stage, respectively.
A joining member attached to a joint between the plurality of plate members and the stage, and a support for supporting a main plane of the plurality of plate members on the same plane as a main plane of the stage. A microscope characterized by including. 3. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the light-shielding portion has a box-shaped member for arranging the stage in an internal space, and the box-shaped member has a door that can be opened and closed. And a microscope. 4. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding unit includes a curtain that covers a space on the stage where the specimen is placed.