JP2002277745A - Microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope device which can have its observation state switched easily and speedily without interrupting the sample observation. SOLUTION: As for the microscope device which can have its observation state switched, a microscope control part 20 sets the observation state of a microscope main body 1 according to the indication of an observation condition changeover switch 19a and the set observation state is recorded in a 1st recording part 22a of the observation state recording part 22; when a return switch 19c is operated after the microscope control part 20 sets an observation state different from the starting observation state, the observation condition in the 1st recording part 22a is read out by a state return control part 21 to put the microscope main body 1 back into the starting observation state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope apparatus capable of switching various observation states.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, microscope apparatuses for magnifying and observing fine specimens have been widely used in various industrial fields including the biological field.

In such a microscope apparatus, the observation method used for specimen observation can be changed by changing the magnification or type of the objective lens or changing the illumination method. That is, in such a microscope apparatus, for example, an observation method such as a bright field, a dark field, fluorescence, differential interference, and polarization can be appropriately switched and used depending on the type and characteristics of the sample.

[0004] In a routine routine performed by a microscope screener or a clinical laboratory technician using a microscope apparatus capable of switching these observation methods, the microscope operation can be performed without interrupting the specimen observation in order to reduce the burden on the user. Has become important in reducing the number of operations of the microscope and improving the inspection efficiency.

[0005]

However, in the conventional microscope apparatus, in order to switch the observation state of the microscope to various desired modes, it is necessary to perform not only the suspension of the specimen observation but also a combination of a plurality of series of operations. In many cases, there is a problem that the operation is complicated and time-consuming, for example, it is necessary to instruct to drive different optical members according to the observation state to be switched. In addition, even when a user wants to return to an observation state serving as an observation reference during observation of a certain sample, the user needs to perform a troublesome operation such as a plurality of operations.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope apparatus capable of easily and quickly switching observation states without interrupting specimen observation.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An observation state setting unit configured to set an observation state of the microscope apparatus in a microscope apparatus capable of switching an observation state;
In the observation state setting means, an observation state recording means for recording an observation state initially set, a return operation means, and the observation state recording by a return operation by the return operation means when the observation state is different from the initial observation state. An observation state restoring means for reading out the observation state recorded in the means and returning to an initial observation state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the observation state recording means includes a first recording means for recording an observation state set first, and a return operation by the return operation means. A second recording unit that records an observation state set when the operation is performed; and the observation state restoration unit records the observation state in the first and second recording units every time a return operation is performed by the return operation unit. The observation state is read out alternately and the observation state is switched.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, further comprising switching means for switching the operation of the observation state return means between a first return operation mode and a second return operation mode. In the first return operation mode, the operation is such that the observation state recorded in the first and second recording means is alternately read and switched for each return operation by the return operation means, and the second return operation mode is provided. Then, only when the return operation is being performed by the return operation means, the observation state is switched to the observation state recorded in one of the first or second recording means, and when the return operation is completed, the first or second recording means is turned off. It is characterized by operating to switch to the observation state recorded on the other side.

As a result, according to the present invention, even when temporarily switching to an observation state different from the first observation state, it is possible to easily return to the first observation state by the return operation of the return operation means.

Further, according to the present invention, different observation states temporarily switched are also recorded in the second recording means, so that the return operation of the return operation means is repeated, thereby alternately changing the observation state of the microscope main body. You can also switch.

Further, according to the present invention, the input switching means is further provided, and by operating the input switching means, the observation state of the microscope main body can be switched only during the return operation by the return operation means.

[0013]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a microscope apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 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. The epi-illumination light pipe 2 is arranged in a direction parallel to the base 1a. An observation lens barrel 3 is provided at the tip of the incident light projector 2. The observation lens barrel 3 is provided with an eyepiece 4.

The incident light tube 2 is provided with a lamp house 5. The lamp house 5 includes a light source 5 for epi-illumination.
One.

An epi-illumination light source 5 is provided inside the epi-illumination light pipe 2.
An epi-illumination filter unit 7, an epi-illumination aperture stop opening / closing unit 8, and an optical path switching unit 9 are arranged along one illumination optical path 6. The optical path switching unit 9 switches between observation methods such as a bright field and a dark field, and has a plurality of optical elements 91 corresponding to each observation method. Switching is possible. The optical element 91 folds the illumination light incident from the epi-illumination light source 51 through the epi-illumination filter unit 7 and the epi-illumination aperture stop opening / closing unit 8 by 90 °, thereby observing the observation optical path 10.
The light is reflected along.

On the observation optical path 10, an objective lens 12 held by a revolver 11 is arranged. Revolver 11
Allows a desired objective lens 12 to be selectable on the first observation optical path 10. Then, the illumination light reflected by the optical element 91 is irradiated onto the surface of the sample 14 on the stage 13 via the objective lens 12, and the light reflected on the surface of the sample 14 is observed from the objective lens 12 via the optical element 91. It is led to the lens barrel 3.

A beam splitter 16 is arranged on the observation optical path 10 on the opposite side of the objective lens 12 with respect to the optical path switching unit 19. This beam splitter 1
Numeral 6 is arranged in the observation lens barrel 3 and divides the second observation optical path 15 into the eyepiece 4 and the image pickup unit (not shown).

In this case, the revolver 11, the optical path switching unit 9, the incident light aperture stop opening / closing unit 8 and the incident light filter unit 7 are motorized, respectively.
It can be driven by the drive circuit 17.

Epi-illumination light source 51 and drive circuit 17
Are connected to the control box 18. An input operation unit 19 is connected to the control box 18.

The control box 18 has a microscope control unit 20, a state restoration control unit 21 as observation state restoration means, and an observation state recording unit 22 as observation state recording means.

The microscope control section 20 controls the entire apparatus and has a function of an observation state setting means. The observation condition changeover switch 19a of the input operation section 19 is provided.
Is connected. Here, the observation condition switch 1
9a comprises a plurality of switches for selecting the objective lens 12, switching between bright-field and dark-field observation, opening and closing an incident-aperture aperture, selecting an incident-light filter, adjusting lamp voltage, and the like. Thereby, the microscope control unit 20
Starts the dimming of the epi-illumination light source 51 in response to an instruction from the observation condition changeover switch 19a, and through the drive circuit 17, the revolver 11, the optical path switching unit 9, the epi-aperture stop opening / closing unit 8, and the epi-illumination filter unit. For 7, it is possible to select the objective lens 12, switch between bright-field and dark-field observation, open and close the incident aperture stop, select an incident light filter, and the like. Microscope control unit 2
0 indicates to the state return control unit 21 the current observation state such as the selection information of the objective lens 12, the lamp voltage, the switching state between the bright field and the dark field, the opening / closing state of the epi-aperture aperture, and the selected epi-illumination filter. Information and the epi-illumination light source 51
, The revolver 11 via the drive circuit 17,
The objective lens 12 is provided to the optical path switching unit 9, the incident light aperture stop opening / closing unit 8 and the incident light filter unit 7.
, Switching between bright-field and dark-field observation, opening and closing of an incident-aperture aperture, and selecting an incident-light filter.

The state return control section 21 is connected to the recording switch 19b of the input operation section 19 and the return switch 19c as a return operation means.
When the information of the current observation state such as the selection of the objective lens 12, the lamp voltage, the switching state of the bright field and the dark field, the opening / closing state of the epi-aperture aperture, and the selected epi-illumination filter is given, the recording switch 19b is provided. Is operated, the information on the current observation state is stored in the first state of the observation state recording unit 22.
When the return switch 19c is pressed, the information of the observation state immediately before the return switch 19c is pressed is recorded in the second recording unit 22b, and the first recording unit 22a records the observation state information. The recorded observation state information is read and provided to the microscope control unit 20.

The recording switch 19 of the input operation unit 19
b and the return switch 19c are tact switches, of which the return switch 19c has an LED 9
d is provided. The LED 9d indicates the operation status of the return switch 19c.
The light is turned on when c is pressed, and is turned off in other cases.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 201, the status flag is set to 0.
Set to. This status flag indicates that the recording switch 19b
It is determined whether or not the state has been returned to the reference observation state by the push operation of. The state flag = 0 in the initial state.

A case will be described in which observation is performed from such a state using the reflected bright field observation as a reference observation state.

In step 202, the user instructs the observation state. In this case, the user uses the observation condition changeover switch 19a of the input operation unit 19 to first select the objective lens 12 of, for example, 5 times as the objective lens 12 and instruct switching to bright field observation. Then, the microscope control unit 20 drives the revolver 11 via the drive circuit 17 to switch the objective lens 12 having a magnification of 5 times specified by the user onto the first observation optical path 10 and, at the same time, to switch the optical path switching unit 9. By driving, the optical element 91 for bright-field observation is switched to the first observation optical path 10. Subsequently, when the observation condition changeover switch 19a instructs lamp voltage, opening / closing of an epi-aperture aperture, selection of an epi-illumination filter, and the like, the microscope control section 20 performs dimming of the epi-illumination light source 51, and controls the driving circuit 17 The aperture opening / closing unit 8 and the filter unit 7 for epi-illumination are driven through the unit to select the filter for opening / closing the epi-aperture aperture and for epi-illumination for bright field observation.

Next, in order to record the reference observation state set in this way, in step 203, the recording switch 19
Press b to operate. Then, in step 204, the state return control unit 21 detects the pressing operation of the recording switch 19b, and the microscope control unit 20 sends the objective lens 12,
Information on the current observation state such as the lamp voltage, the switching state of the optical path switching unit 9, the opening / closing state of the epi-aperture stop, and the selected epi-illumination filter is acquired, and in step 205, these information are recorded in the first recording unit 22a. To record.

Next, in order to switch the current bright-field observation state to another observation state, for example, dark-field observation, step 20 is executed.
In step 2, the user instructs selection of the objective lens 12 and switching to dark-field observation by using the observation condition changeover switch 19a of the input operation unit 19, and then continues the lamp voltage, opening / closing of the epi-aperture aperture, and epi-illumination. Instructs selection of a filter. As a result, the microscope control unit 20 operates the drive circuit 17
, The objective lens 12 having the magnification designated by the user is switched to the first observation optical path 10, and at the same time, the optical path switching unit 9 is driven. The element 91 is connected to the first observation optical path 10.
Switch up. Further, while controlling the epi-illumination light source 51, the epi-illumination aperture stop opening / closing unit 8 and the epi-illumination filter unit 7 are driven to select the opening / closing of the epi-illumination aperture stop and the epi-illumination filter for dark field observation.

In this state, when the return switch 19c is pressed in step 206, the state of the return flag is determined in step 207. In this case, since the return flag is set to 0, step 208 is executed. The state return control unit 21 detects the operation of pressing the return switch 19c, and the microscope control unit 20 controls the objective lens 12, the lamp voltage, the switching state of the optical path switching unit 9, the opening / closing state of the epi-aperture aperture, and the selected epi-illumination. Information on the current observation state such as a filter is acquired, and in step 209, the information is recorded in the second recording unit 22b. Next, in step 210, the observation state information recorded in the first recording unit 22a is read out, and the microscope control unit 20 is read.
Give to. The microscope control unit 20 executes step 21
In step 1, an instruction is issued to return to the bright-field observation state, which is the basic observation state, according to the information read from the first recording unit 22a. As a result, the drive circuit 17 drives the revolver 11 and the objective lens 12 having a magnification of 5 based on the read information
To the first observation optical path 10, and at the same time, the optical path switching unit 9 switches the optical element 91 for bright field observation to the first observation optical path 10. Further, the first recording unit 22a
Based on the lamp voltage, the opening / closing of the epi-aperture aperture, and the information of the epi-illumination filter read out from the controller, the dimming of the epi-illumination light source 51 is performed. Then, an epi-illumination filter is selected, and the bright-field observation in the reference observation state recorded in the first recording unit 22a is set.

Further, the state return control section 21 executes step 2
At 12, the LED 9d of the return switch 19c is turned on, and at step 213, the return flag is set to 1.

Thereafter, when the return switch 19c is pressed again in step 206, the return flag is determined to be 1 in step 207.
Proceed to. In step 214, the observation state information recorded in the second recording unit 22 b is read out by the state return control unit 21 and given to the microscope control unit 20. In step 215, the microscope control unit 20 instructs the dark field to return to the observation state based on the information read from the second recording unit 22b. As a result, the driving circuit 17
The revolver 11 is driven to switch the objective lens 12 having a magnification based on the readout information onto the first observation optical path 10, and at the same time, the optical path switching unit 9 switches the dark field observation optical element 91 to the first observation optical path 10. Switch up. Based on the lamp voltage read from the second recording unit 22b, the opening / closing of the epi-aperture aperture, and the information of the epi-illumination filter, the epi-illumination light source 51
Dimming, and the incident aperture stop opening / closing unit 8
The epi-illumination filter unit 7 selects the opening / closing of the epi-illumination aperture stop and the epi-illumination filter.
The observation state by the dark field recorded in is set.

Further, the state return control unit 21 determines in step 2
At 16, the LED 9d of the return switch 19c is turned off, and at step 217, the return flag is reset to 0.

Accordingly, in this case, the bright field observation is recorded in the first recording section 22a as the reference observation state, so that even when the observation mode is temporarily switched to another observation state, the return switch 19c is pressed. Can return to the initial reference observation state, and by recording other observation states that have been temporarily switched to the second recording unit 22b, by repeatedly pressing the return switch 19c, These observation states can be switched alternately. Thus, the user can easily and quickly switch the observation state of the microscope main body 1 without performing a plurality of operations, thereby reducing the burden on the user and performing the microscope operation without interrupting the sample observation. This enables efficient microscopic observation.

In the above-described embodiment, the bright field observation is recorded as the reference observation state and the switching to the dark field observation is described. However, other observation methods such as fluorescence observation, differential interference observation, polarization observation, and the like are described. And the number of observation states to be recorded may be plural.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, the input operation section 19 has an input switch 19e as input switching means. The input changeover switch 19e is connected to the state return control unit 21, and by operating the input changeover switch 19e, the observation state can be switched only during the pressing operation of the return switch 19c. The input switch 19e is provided with an LED 19f. This LED 19f displays the state of the selection flag, and lights when the selection flag is set to 1,
It is turned off when reset to zero.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, at step 401, the status flag is set to 0.
, And in step 402, the user indicates the observation state. The steps up to this point are the same as steps 201 and 202 shown in FIG.

Next, at step 403, the selection flag for selecting the return operation by the state return control unit 21 is set to 0.

From this state, the input selector switch 19e
The case where is not pressed will be described. Also,
Here, the objective lens 12 on the first observation optical path 10 is
Switching is performed as necessary based on a 20-fold (high-fold) one.

In this case, if the input changeover switch 19e has not been pressed in step 404, the selection flag remains at 0 and the LED 19f is turned off.

In this state, when the recording switch 19b is pressed in step 405, in step 406, the state return control unit 21 acquires information on the observation state instructed in step 402 from the microscope control unit 20. At 407, recording is performed on the first recording unit 22a. In this case, assuming that the reference 20-times objective lens 12 is selected on the first observation optical path 10 by the instruction of the observation state in step 402, this objective information is used as a part of the information of the observation state. It is memorized.

Next, from the state where the selection flag is 0, the first observation optical path 1
When the magnification of the objective lens 12 above 0 is changed to 5 times and the return switch 19c is pressed, information on the observation state at this time is recorded in the second recording unit 22b. In this case, in step 408, it is determined that the selection flag is not 1, and in step 409, if it is determined that the return switch 19c is pressed, the flow proceeds to step 411 because the return flag is 0 in step 410. Then, the state return control unit 21
The information on the current observation state is acquired from the microscope control unit 20, and is recorded in the second recording unit 22b in step 412. In this case, the information of the objective lens 12 having a magnification of 5 specified in step 402 is stored as a part of the information on the observation state.

Next, in step 413, the observation state information recorded in the first recording section 22a is read out and given to the microscope control section 20. In step 414, the microscope control unit 20 instructs to drive the observation state according to the information read from the first recording unit 22a (the operation according to the drive instruction is the same as that described in the first embodiment). ). In this case, since the information of the reference 20 × objective lens 12 is read from the information recorded in the first recording unit 22a, the drive circuit 17 drives the revolver 11 to drive the revolver 11 on the first observation optical path 10. 20 objective lenses
Switch to double. Then, in step 415, the state return control unit 21 turns on the LED 9d of the return switch 19c, and sets the return flag to 1 in step 416.

Here, when the return switch 19c is pressed again, the return flag = 1 is determined in step 410, so that the flow proceeds to step 417. Then, the state return control unit 21 reads the observation state information recorded in the second recording unit 22b, and gives the information to the microscope control unit 20. The microscope control unit 20 determines in step 418
Then, an instruction to drive an observation state according to the information read from the second recording unit 22b is issued. In this case, the second recording unit 22b
Since the information of the five-fold objective lens 12 is read out from the information recorded in the, the drive circuit 17 drives the revolver 11 to switch the objective lens 12 on the first observation optical path 10 to five-fold. Then, in step 419, the state return control unit 2
1 turns off the LED 9d of the return switch 19c, and resets the return flag to 0 in step 420.

Therefore, in this state, the return switch 19
Each time c is pressed, the magnification of the objective lens 12 on the first observation optical path 10 can be appropriately switched from 5 times to a reference 20 times.

Next, a case where the input changeover switch 19e is pressed will be described. In this case, as described above, the observation state information including the information of the reference 20 × objective lens 12 is recorded in the first recording unit 22 a, and the 5 × objective lens is currently placed on the first observation optical path 10. It is assumed that 12 has been selected for observation.

In this state, when it is determined in step 404 that the input changeover switch 19e has been pressed, in step 421, the selection flag = 0 is determined, and step 422 is performed.
, The selection flag = 1, and the LED 19 in step 423
f lights up.

Next, at step 424, the return switch 1
When the push operation of the key 9c is determined, the state return control unit 21
Acquires the information of the current observation state from the microscope control unit 20 in step 425, and records it in the second recording unit 22b in step 426. In this case, the information of the objective lens 12 of 5 times is stored as a part of the information of the observation state.

Next, in step 427, the observation state information recorded in the first recording section 22a is read out and given to the microscope control section 20. In step 428, the microscope control unit 20 instructs to drive the observation state according to the information read from the first recording unit 22a. In this case, since the information of the reference 20 × objective lens 12 is read from the information recorded in the first recording unit 22a, the drive circuit 17 drives the revolver 11 to drive the revolver 11 on the first observation optical path 10. The objective lens 12 is switched to 20 times. Then, in step 429, the state return control unit 21 turns on the LED 9d of the return switch 19c, and in step 430
Sets the return flag to 1.

From this state, when the pressing operation of the return switch 19c is released in step 431,
In step 2, information on the observation state recorded in the second recording unit 22b is read and provided to the microscope control unit 20.
The microscope control unit 20 determines in step 433 that the second
Of the observation state according to the information read from the recording unit 22b. In this case, since the information of the 5-fold objective lens 12 is read from the information recorded in the second recording unit 22b, the drive circuit 17 drives the revolver 11 to
The objective lens 12 on the observation optical path 10 is switched to a magnification of 5 times. Then, in step 434, the state return control unit 21
Turns off the LED 9d of the return switch 19c, and resets the return flag to 0 in step 435.

Therefore, in this state, the return switch 19
When the objective lens 12 of the first observation optical path 10 is switched to the reference 20 times only while the pressing operation of the first observation optical path 10 is being performed and the pressing operation of the return switch 19c is released, the first observation optical path 10
Of the objective lens 12 can be switched to 5 times.

Next, when the input switch 19e is pressed again, the selection flag is determined not to be 0 at step 421, the selection flag is set to 0 at step 422, and the LED 19f is turned off at step 423. I do. Accordingly, when the return switch 19c is pressed from this state, the process proceeds to step 410 through step 408.
The pressing operation of the return switch 19c is determined, and the processing after step 410 is executed.

Therefore, in this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected. In addition, by providing the input changeover switch 19e, the input changeover switch 19e is provided.
By the operation of e, an operation of returning the switched observation state to the reference observation state can be performed only while the return switch 19c is pressed. As a result, the burden on the user who wants to simplify the operation by schooling or the like can be reduced, and more efficient microscope observation can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the data is recorded in the first storage unit 22a with reference to the objective lens 12 on the high magnification side of the bright field observation, and the second time is stored only while the return switch 19c is pressed. 1, the information of the high-magnification side objective lens 12 is read out from the low-magnification side objective lens 12, and the information is switched from the low-magnification side objective lens 12 to the high-magnification side objective lens 12. The information on the low-magnification side objective lens 12 is read from the second storage unit 22b only while the recording operation is being performed on the return switch 19c, and the information is switched from the high-magnification side to the low-magnification side objective lens 12. You may do so. In addition to being applicable to combinations of objective lenses with other magnifications, the observation state is also
The present invention can be applied not only to bright-field observation but also to various observation methods such as dark-field observation, fluorescence observation, differential interference observation, and polarization observation.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, there is provided a microscope apparatus which can easily and quickly switch between a reference observation state and another observation state without interrupting the specimen observation. it can.

[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 flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscope main body 1a ... Base part 1b ... Body part 2 ... Epi-illumination light projection tube 3 ... Observation lens-barrel 4 ... Eyepiece lens 5 ... Lamp house 51 ... Epi-illumination light source 6 ... Illumination optical path 7 ... Epi-illumination filter unit 8 ... Epi-illumination Aperture stop opening / closing unit 9 Optical path switching unit 91 Optical element 10 First observation optical path 11 Revolver 12 Objective lens 13 Stage 14 Sample 16 Beam splitter 17 Drive circuit 18 Control box 19 Input operation unit 19a ... Observation condition changeover switch 19b ... Recording switch 19c ... Return switch 19d ... LED 19e ... Input changeover switch 19f ... LED 20 ... Microscope control unit 21 ... State restoration control unit 22 ... Observation state recording unit 22a ... First recording unit 22b ... Second recording unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] An observation state setting means for setting an observation state of the microscope apparatus, and an observation state recording means for recording an observation state initially set by the observation state setting means. Means, return operation means, and observation for reading an observation state recorded in the observation state recording means by a return operation by the return operation means when the observation state is different from the initial observation state, and returning to the first observation state. A microscope apparatus comprising: a state return unit. 2. An observation state recording means for recording an observation state set first, and an observation state set when a return operation is performed by the return operation means. A second recording unit, wherein the observation state return unit alternately reads the observation state recorded in the first and second recording units and switches the observation state every time a return operation is performed by the return operation unit. 2. The microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch an operation of the observation state return unit between a first return operation mode and a second return operation mode, wherein in the first return operation mode, the return operation is performed by the return operation unit. Operates so as to alternately read and switch the observation state recorded in the first and second recording means for each operation, and in the second return operation mode, while the return operation is being performed by the return operation means. Operating only to switch to the observation state recorded in one of the first or second recording means and to switch to the observation state recorded in the other of the first or second recording means when the return operation is completed. The microscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: