JP2002214532A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope which has excellent operability and is capable of preventing the error in insertion and removal of optical elements and exhibiting sufficiently observation performance. SOLUTION: An optical element changeover member 19 of the microscope constituted in such a manner that a sample 14 is irradiated with illumination light emitted from a light source 5 and the observation of a visual observation optical path or TV observation optical path capable of changing over the reflected light from the specimen 14 is made possible is provided with a triangular prism 23, a columnar prism 24 and filters 21 and 22 optimum for these observation optical paths. By operating this microscope to move, the observation optical paths are changed over by the triangular prism 23 and the columnar prism 24 and simultaneously the filters 21 and 22 optimum for the observation optical paths of this time are changed over onto the optical path of the illumination light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope capable of switching an observation optical path for visual observation, photographing, or television (TV) observation, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, visual observation, photography or television (T
V) Some microscopes that enable observation can switch the observation optical path so that optimal conditions suitable for each observation can be obtained. In such a microscope, various filters are prepared so that brightness and color suitable for each observation and photographing can be obtained at the time of switching the optical path, and these filters are replaced every time the optical path is switched. .

On the other hand, recently, there has been a microscope in which not only ordinary visible observation but also invisible ultraviolet region and infrared region are made possible by using TV observation.
Some have a dedicated light source corresponding to each observation, and others use a common light source. In this case, the one having the dedicated light source has an independent light path, so that the optimum illumination can be obtained only by switching the illumination light path, but the one using the common light source is for visual observation. In order to obtain the optimal illumination for each observation, a filter or the like must be inserted and removed every time these optical paths are switched. For example, in the case of infrared observation, in order to sharpen the observation image, a bandpass filter is inserted into the illumination optical path as needed, and a large number of infrared wavelengths from the light source are used.
The heat ray absorption filter normally used for visible observation is excluded, but is always inserted when switching to visible observation.

[0004]

However, inserting an optimum filter into each optical path each time the observation optical path is switched in this way requires a troublesome operation for replacing these filters, resulting in poor operability. In addition, there is a problem that a target observation cannot be performed or a sufficient observation performance cannot be exhibited due to a mistake in insertion and removal of the filter. In addition, mistakes in filter insertion and removal when performing invisible observation
There is also a problem that invisible light enters the illumination light path for visible observation carelessly.

On the other hand, in consideration of such light path switching, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-8283, when the light path of the light-field and dark-field microscopy in an incident light bright-dark field apparatus is switched. In the case of switching to bright field observation, insert the anti-glare filter into the illumination optical path, and when switching to dark field observation, remove the anti-glare filter from the illumination optical path,
In some cases, the increase in brightness when switching from dark-field observation to bright-field observation is suppressed, and adjustment of the amount of illumination is not required during dark-field observation.

[0006] However, such a configuration has the following problems.
Only one type of anti-glare filter can be inserted into and removed from the optical path. For switching, it is not possible to cope with the idea of inserting and removing an optimum filter in the illumination light path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope which is excellent in operability, can prevent mistakes in insertion and removal of an optical element, and can exhibit sufficient observation performance.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a microscope in which illumination light provided from a light source via an illumination optical path is applied to a sample and light from the sample can be observed through a plurality of observation optical paths capable of switching, a first optical system for switching the plurality of observation optical paths An element, a second optical element inserted and removed on the illumination light path to generate illumination light respectively corresponding to the plurality of observation light paths, and the first and second optical elements are provided. An optical element switching means for inserting the second optical element suitable for the switched observation optical path into the illumination optical path in conjunction with the switching of the observation optical path by the first optical element. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the optical element switching means includes the first optical element and the second optical element provided on the same member, and the observation optical path by the first optical element. The second optical element is moved at the same time when the second optical element is moved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the optical element switching means provides the first and second optical elements on different members, and connects these members by connecting means. The member provided with the second optical element is moved at the same time as the movement of the member provided with the first optical element accompanying the switching of the observation optical path by the first optical element. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an illumination light provided from a light source via an illumination optical path is applied to a specimen, and light from the specimen is transmitted to a visual observation optical path having an eyepiece and an infrared light observation camera. A microscope capable of observing by switching to an infrared observation optical path provided with a heat ray absorption filter that cuts off infrared wavelengths of illumination light from the light source; and a predetermined infrared wavelength of illumination light from the light source. A bandpass filter that transmits only the light beam, an observation light path switching means for switching the visual observation light path and the infrared observation light path, and the heat ray absorption filter and the bandpass filter in cooperation with the observation light path switching means. Filter switching means for switching on and off the path, wherein the filter switching means is configured to switch the heat when the observation optical path switching means switches to the visual observation optical path. The absorption filter is inserted into the illumination light path, it is characterized in that so as to insert the band-pass filter in the illumination light path is when it is switched to the infrared observation light path.

As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily replace an optical element such as a filter on an illumination optical path when the observation optical path is switched, and to prevent a mistake at the time of switching the optical element.

According to the present invention, various observations can be performed by selectively combining the member provided with the first optical element and the member provided with the second optical element.
Improvement of system performance can also be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily respond to the exchange of the optical element.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an epi-illumination microscope to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microscope main body. The microscope main body 1 has a horizontal base 1a and a body 1b formed upright with respect to the base 1a. At the upper part, an epi-illumination light pipe 2 is arranged in a direction parallel to the base 1a. At the tip of the epi-illumination light pipe 2,
The observation lens barrel 3 is formed integrally. The observation lens barrel 3 is provided with an eyepiece 17 and a TV camera 18.

A lamp house 4 is detachably provided on the incident light projection tube 2. The lamp house 4 has a light source 5 for epi-illumination, and a collector lens 7 is arranged on an optical axis of an illumination optical path from the light source 5 and an illumination optical axis 6.

Inside the epi-illumination light pipe 2, lenses 8 and 9 and a half mirror 10 are arranged along the illumination optical axis 6. The half mirror 10 bends the illumination light incident through the lenses 8 and 9 by 90 ° and reflects the illumination light along the observation optical axis 11 on the reflection optical path side. In this case, the half mirror 10 is connected to the incident light pipe 2 via the mirror frame 12.
Installed inside.

An objective lens 13 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11, and the illumination light reflected by the half mirror 10 is irradiated on the surface of the sample 14 on the stage 15 by the objective lens 13.
The light reflected on the surface of the sample 14 is made to enter the half mirror 10 from the objective lens 13.

An imaging lens 16 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11 on the transmission optical path side of the half mirror 10. The imaging lens 16 is provided with the half mirror 10 and the mirror frame 12.
The reflected light from the surface of the sample 14 is formed on the eyepiece 17 or the TV camera 18 as a sample image.

Optical elements are interlocked on the illumination optical axis 6 and the observation optical axis 11 between the half mirror 10 and the lens 9 on the illumination optical axis 6 and above the imaging lens 16 on the observation optical axis 11. An optical element switching member 19 is provided as an optical element switching means for performing the switching.

The optical element switching member 19 has an L-shaped cross section. One wall surface 19a is located on the illumination optical axis 6 and the other wall surface 19b is located on the observation optical axis 11, respectively. As shown in FIG.
0b, and can linearly move along the shafts 20a and 20b in a direction crossing the illumination optical axis 6 and the observation optical axis 11. Also, the optical element switching member 19
Is formed with two through-holes 19a1 and 19a2 formed side by side on one wall surface 19a along the direction of linear movement, and filters having different characteristics as optical elements inserted into the illumination optical path in these through-holes 19a1 and 19a2. 21 and 22 are provided, and two through holes 19b1 and 19b2 are formed on the other wall surface 19b along the linear movement direction.
A triangular prism 23 and a cylindrical prism 24 are provided in the through holes 19b1 and 19b2 as optical elements for switching the observation optical path. When such an optical element switching member 19 is linearly moved along the shafts 20a and 20b, the triangular prism 23 and the cylindrical prism 2 are moved.
4 is selectively positioned on the observation optical axis 11, and at the same time, the filters 21 and 22 corresponding to the triangular prism 23 and the cylindrical prism 24 are positioned on the illumination optical axis 6.

In this case, when the triangular prism 23 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11 as shown in FIG. 2A, the sample image of the imaging lens 16 is guided to the optical axis 26 of the visual observation optical path, and the eyepiece An image is formed on the image 17 and visually observed, and a filter 21 most suitable for the visual observation at this time is located on the illumination optical axis 6. When the cylindrical prism 24 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11 as shown in FIG. 2B, the sample image of the imaging lens 16 is guided to the optical axis 27 of the TV observation optical path, and the TV camera 18
An image is formed on the image pickup surface, and a filter 21 most suitable for TV observation at this time is positioned on the illumination optical axis 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical element switching member 19 is provided with a lever 25 for operating linear movement.

In this configuration, when performing visual observation, the optical element switching member 19 is operated to move the triangular prism 23 to the observation optical axis 1 as shown in FIG.
1 and at the same time, a filter 21 optimal for visual observation is positioned on the illumination optical axis 6.

In this state, when illumination light is generated from the light source 5, the illumination light passes through the collector lens 7, the lenses 8, 9 and further enters the half mirror 10 through a filter 21 optimal for visual observation. The light is reflected by the half mirror 10 and irradiated on the surface of the sample 14 by the objective lens 13. The light reflected by the surface of the sample 14 enters the objective lens 13 again, passes through the half mirror 10, and is incident on the imaging lens 16. As a result, the sample image is guided to the optical axis 26 of the visual observation optical path via the triangular prism 23, formed on the eyepiece 17 and visually observed.

On the other hand, when performing TV observation, the optical element switching member 19 is operated to position the cylindrical prism 24 on the observation optical axis 11 as shown in FIG. The optimal filter 22 is located on the illumination optical axis 6.

In this case as well, when the illumination light of the light source 5 is applied to the surface of the sample 14 by the objective lens 13 as described above, the light reflected by the surface of the sample 14 passes through the cylindrical prism 24 as a sample image. The light is guided to the optical axis 27 of the television observation optical path, and is imaged on the imaging surface of the TV camera 18. If the image output of the TV camera 18 is displayed on a monitor (not shown) or the like, TV observation becomes possible.

Therefore, in this way, when performing visual observation, if the triangular prism 23 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11 by moving the optical element switching member 19, visual observation is performed in conjunction with this. The optimal filter 21 can be positioned on the illumination optical axis 6. Also, when performing TV observation, by operating the optical element switching member 19 and positioning the cylindrical prism 24 on the observation optical axis 11, In conjunction with this, the optimal filter 22 for TV observation can be positioned on the illumination optical axis 6, so that each time the conventional observation optical path is switched, an optimal filter is inserted into each optical path. These filters can be easily exchanged, and mistakes in inserting and removing the filters can be prevented. As a result, the operability is excellent, and the intended observation can be reliably performed. It is also possible to exert Do not observed performance.

Incidentally, in order to balance the brightness between the visual observation and the TV observation, ND or the like may be provided in the through holes 19a1 and 19a2 of the one wall surface 19a of the optical element switching member 19. If the user wants to use the optical path for TV observation by the TV camera 18 for photographing,
What is necessary is just to put a photo filter in a2.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of a main part of the second embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, two through holes 19a1 (19a) formed in one wall surface 19a of the optical element switching member 19 are provided.
2) slider 31 holding filters 21 and 22
(32) is provided so as to be insertable and removable. A lid 33 is provided at the opening of each of the through holes 19a1 (19a2) to prevent the slider 31 (32) inserted into the through holes 19a1 (19a2) from falling off.

In this way, the optical element switching member 1
9 can be easily attached and detached from the outside from the outside, and it is possible to easily respond to the replacement of the filter.
Further, optimal observation can be performed, and excellent maintainability can be expected.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the third embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, an observation lens barrel 47 is separately attached to the tip of the incident light projection tube 2. This observation lens barrel 47
Is provided with an eyepiece 17 and a TV camera 18.

Above the imaging lens 16 on the observation optical axis 11 in the observation lens barrel 47 and the half mirror 1 in the epi-illumination light pipe 2
Optical element switching members 40 and 41 are provided between the lens 0 and the lens 9 as optical element switching means for switching optical elements in conjunction with the observation optical axis 11 and the illumination optical axis 6 respectively.
Is provided.

The optical element switching member 40 has a plate shape, is supported by a pair of shafts 42a, 42b, and is linearly movable along the shafts 42a, 42b in a direction crossing the observation optical axis 11. . The optical element switching member 40 has two through holes 4 along the linear movement direction.
0a1 and 40a2 are formed side by side.
1, 40a2, triangular prism 23 and cylindrical prism 24
Is provided. Then, by operating the lever 43, the optical element switching member 40 is moved to the shafts 42a, 4a.
By linearly moving along 2b, the triangular prism 23 and the cylindrical prism 24 can be selectively positioned on the observation optical axis 11.

On the other hand, the optical element switching member 41 has a plate shape, and is capable of linearly moving along a guide groove 44 formed in a direction crossing the illumination optical axis 6 on the inner wall of the incident light projection tube 2. . In the optical element switching member 41, two through holes 41a1 and 41a2 are formed side by side along the direction of linear movement, and filters 21 and 22 having different characteristics as optical elements are provided in these through holes 41a1 and 41a2. . The optical element switching member 41 is provided with a connecting rod 45 as connecting means. The connecting rod 45 penetrates the incident light projection tube 2 and the observation lens barrel 47, and
The guide groove 44 protrudes into the observation lens barrel 47 through an elongated hole 46 formed in the direction 4, and the tip of the guide groove 44 is locked by a notch 40 a formed in the optical element switching member 40. Thus, when the triangular prism 23 and the cylindrical prism 24 are selectively positioned on the observation optical axis 11 by linearly moving along the shafts 42a and 42b of the optical element switching member 40, the optical element switching is performed in conjunction with this movement. The member 41 is also moved linearly along the guide groove 44, and the filter 2 corresponding to the triangular prism 23 and the cylindrical prism 24 is formed.
1 and 22 are positioned on the illumination optical axis 6.

Also in this case, when the triangular prism 23 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11 as shown in FIG. 5A, the sample image of the imaging lens 16 is guided to the optical axis 26 of the visual observation optical path,
An image is formed on the eyepiece 17 and visually observed, and a filter 21 optimal for the visual observation at this time is located on the illumination optical axis 6. When the cylindrical prism 24 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11 as shown in FIG. 2B, the sample image of the imaging lens 16 is guided to the optical axis 27 of the television observation optical path, and the TV camera 1
An image is formed on the imaging surface 8 and a filter 21 most suitable for TV observation at this time is located on the illumination optical axis 6.

Even with such a configuration, when performing visual observation, the optical element switching member 40 is operated to operate the optical element switching member 40 as shown in FIG.
When the triangular prism 23 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11, the optical element switching member 41 is also linearly moved along the guide groove 44 in conjunction with the triangular prism 23, as shown in FIG. In the case of performing TV observation, the optical element switching member 40 is operated to operate the optical element switching member 40, as shown in FIG.
Is positioned on the observation optical axis 11, the optical element switching member 41 is also linearly moved along the guide groove 44 in conjunction therewith, and the filter 22 optimal for TV observation can be positioned on the illumination optical axis 6. it can.

Accordingly, even in this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected.
Is detachable separately from the epi-illumination light tube 2 on the side of the microscope main body 1, and by attaching to the epi-illumination light tube 2, the optical element switching members 40 and 41 are connected, and these are linked to perform observation. Since the optical elements can be switched on the optical axis 11 and the illumination optical axis 6, various observations can be performed by selectively combining the observation lens barrels 47, thereby impairing the operability described above. In addition, the system performance can be improved. Further, such a third embodiment can be combined with the idea of the above-described second embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

In the fourth embodiment, the combination of filters in the optical element switching member applied to the above-described first to third embodiments is limited, and the details are shown in FIGS. 2 will be described.

In this case, a TV camera 18 capable of capturing an image up to the infrared region is used. Further, the optical element switching member 19 is provided with through holes 19a1 and 19a2 in one wall surface 19a.
Of these, the through holes 19a1 corresponding to the triangular prism 23
That is, when the triangular prism 23 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11, a heat ray absorption filter (infrared cut filter) is used as the filter 21 attached to the through hole 19a1 positioned on the illumination optical axis 6, and In the through hole 19a2 corresponding to the cylindrical prism 24, that is, when the cylindrical prism 24 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11, the filter 22 attached to the through hole 19a2 positioned on the illumination optical axis 6 has an infrared region. A bandpass filter that passes only the wavelength is used.

In this way, at the time of visual observation, the heat ray absorbing filter is inserted on the illumination optical axis 6 and the TV camera 1
8, a bandpass filter is inserted on the illumination optical axis 6. Thus, in the visual observation using the eyepiece 17, infrared light from the light source 5 is cut by the heat ray absorption filter. It can be prevented from reaching the eyepiece 17 side, and in TV observation by the TV camera 18, light other than infrared light of a predetermined wavelength is cut by a bandpass filter, and a clear infrared image without flare is captured. be able to.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operability is excellent, and the insertion / removal of the optical element can be prevented.
A microscope capable of exhibiting sufficient observation performance can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical element switching member applied to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical element switching member applied to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscope main body 1a ... Base part 1b ... Body part 2 ... Epi-illumination light projector tube 3 ... Observation lens-barrel 4 ... Lamp house 5 ... Light source 6 ... Illumination optical axis 7 ... Collector lens 8.9 ... Lens 10 ... Half mirror 11 ... Observation optical axis 12 ... Mirror frame 13 ... Objective lens 14 ... Sample 15 ... Stage 16 ... Imaging lens 17 ... Eyepiece lens 18 ... TV camera 19 ... Optical element switching member 19a ... One wall surface 19b ... The other wall surface 19a1.19a2 ... Through hole 19b 1.19b2 ... through hole 20a. 20b Shaft 21.22 Filter 23 Triangular prism 24 Cylindrical prism 25 Lever 26, 27 Optical axis 31, 32 Slider 33 Cover 40, 41 Optical element switching member 40a1.40a2 Through hole 41a1.41a2 ... through-hole 42a. 42b ... shaft 43 ... lever 44 ... guide groove 45 ... connecting rod 46 ... long hole 47 ... observation lens barrel

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A microscope in which illumination light provided from a light source via an illumination optical path is applied to a sample, and observation from a plurality of observation optical paths capable of switching light from the sample is enabled. A first optical element to be switched; a second optical element inserted and removed on the illumination optical path to generate illumination light respectively corresponding to the plurality of observation optical paths; and a first optical element and a second optical element. Provided, the first
Optical element switching means for inserting the second optical element suitable for the switched observation optical path on the illumination optical path in conjunction with the switching of the observation optical path by the optical element. A featured microscope. 2. The optical element switching means, wherein the first and second optical elements are provided on the same member, and the second optical element is moved simultaneously with the movement of the observation path by the first optical element. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the microscope is moved. 3. The optical element switching means, wherein the first and second optical elements are provided on different members, and the first and second optical elements are connected by connecting means, and the first and second optical elements are connected by a connecting means. 2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the member provided with the second optical element is moved at the same time as the movement of the observation optical path by the first optical element. 4. A sample is irradiated with illumination light provided from a light source via an illumination optical path, and light from the sample is applied to a visual observation optical path having an eyepiece lens and an infrared observation optical path having an infrared light observation camera. A microscope capable of observing by switching to a heat ray absorption filter that blocks an infrared wavelength of the illumination light from the light source; and a band pass that transmits only a predetermined wavelength of the infrared light of the illumination light from the light source. A filter, observation light path switching means for switching the visual observation light path and the infrared observation light path, and inserting and removing the heat ray absorption filter and the band pass filter on the illumination light path in conjunction with the observation light path switching means. And a filter switching unit that switches the heat ray absorbing filter forward when the observation optical path switching unit switches to the visual observation optical path. Was inserted into the illumination optical path, when it is switched to the infrared observation light path is characterized in that so as to insert the band-pass filter in the illumination light path microscope.