JP2003107003A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct a change in the quantity of light and/or the illuminance distribution caused by a change in the setting position of an object in an apparatus which images the object by illuminating the object set in a dark box with light. SOLUTION: The setting position of a sample 100 is detected by a position sensor 20. A bundle optical fiber 50 is moved by a position control unit 70 on the basis of the setting position of the sample 100 along a linear rail set to a corner of the dark box 10 to which the optical fiber 50 is inserted, so that distance between an emitting part of the optical fiber 50 as a vertical light source and the setting position of the sample 100 becomes a fixed distance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device, and more particularly to an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject placed in a dark box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus in which a subject is placed in a dark box and the light source provided in the dark box illuminates the subject to pick up the image of the subject is used in various fields. For example, in the field of biochemistry, a fluorescence detection system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance is known. According to this fluorescence detection system, by reading the fluorescence image, the gene sequence,
The expression level of a gene, the separation and identification of a protein, or the evaluation of the molecular weight and characteristics can be performed.
For example, after adding a fluorescent dye to a solution containing a plurality of DNA fragments to be electrophoresed, a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, or on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye. Then, the plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed, or the plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support.
After electrophoresis, the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye to label the electrophoresed DNA fragment, and the fluorescent dye is excited by excitation light to detect the resulting fluorescence. By generating an image and detecting the distribution of DNA on the gel support, or by denaturing the DNA after electrophoresing multiple DNA fragments on the gel support, and then by Southern blotting. D, which is complementary to the target DNA, by transferring at least a part of the denatured DNA fragment onto a transfer support such as nitrocellulose.
A probe prepared by labeling NA or RNA with a fluorescent dye is hybridized with a denatured DNA fragment, and only a DNA fragment complementary to the probe DNA or probe RNA is selectively labeled, and the fluorescent dye is excited by excitation light. And generate an image by detecting the generated fluorescence,
The desired DNA distribution on the transcription support can be detected.

In recent years, a microarray analysis system has attracted attention as a biochemical analysis system. For example, in a microarray analysis system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance, hormones, tumor markers, enzymes, antibodies, antigens, abzymes, sparse regions, etc. are placed at different positions on the surface of a carrier such as a glass slide or a membrane filter. Protein, nucleic acid, cDNA, DNA, RNA, etc.
A large number of independent spots are formed by dropping a specific binding substance that can specifically bind to a biological substance and whose base sequence, base length, composition, etc. are known, using a spotter device. Then, hormones, tumor markers, enzymes, antibodies, antigens, abzymes, other proteins, nucleic acids,
A substance derived from a living body, such as cDNA, DNA, or mRNA, which has been collected from the living body by extraction, isolation, or the like, or which has been subjected to chemical or chemical modification, and which is a fluorescent labeling substance such as a fluorescent substance or a fluorescent dye. The microarray in which the substance labeled with is specifically bound to the specific binding substance by hybridization is irradiated with excitation light to photoelectrically emit the fluorescence emitted from the labeling substance such as a fluorescent substance or a dye. It is used to analyze biologically derived substances.

In the above-mentioned biochemical analysis system, in order to detect fluorescence and the like, an excitation light source and C are placed in a dark box.
Using an imaging device equipped with a CD, the above-mentioned microarray, gel, or the like is set as a sample in a dark box, and fluorescence emitted from the sample is imaged by a CCD as an imaging means by irradiating the sample with excitation light from an excitation light source. Is being detected.

[0005]

However, the present invention is not limited to the biochemical analysis system, but an image pickup device in which a subject is placed in a dark box, light is emitted from a light source provided in the dark box, and the image is picked up by the image pickup means. In general, the position of the light source for irradiating light (including excitation light) was usually fixed. On the other hand, since the size of the subject is not uniform, the conventional dark box can be used to capture the subject of any size (assuming that it fits in the dark box) by the image capturing means. It can be installed at different heights. for that reason,
The amount of light emitted from the light source to the subject, the illuminance distribution, etc.
There is a problem that the quality of the captured image is affected, depending on the position where the subject is installed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when capturing an image of a subject placed in a dark box, the amount of light and / or the illuminance applied to the subject due to fluctuations in the position where the subject is placed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup device capable of reducing variation in distribution.

[0007]

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention comprises a dark box having subject setting means capable of setting subjects at different height positions, and a light source for irradiating the subject set on the subject setting means with light. An image pickup apparatus comprising a unit and an image pickup means for picking up an image of the subject, wherein the light source unit includes a light source and a light amount and / or illuminance irradiating the subject due to a difference in a position where the subject is installed. It is characterized by comprising a light adjusting means capable of adjusting the light source so as to correct the variation of the distribution.

Further, although the image pickup means of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an ordinary camera or the like, depending on the application etc., for example, in a biochemical analysis system, CC
It can be D.

The light adjusting means of the present invention is for making the amount of light and / or the illuminance distribution applied to the subject substantially uniform regardless of the position where the subject is installed.
The light source position adjusting means may adjust the position of the light source so as to follow the position of the subject.

The light adjusting means of the present invention is preferably constructed based on the type of the light source. For example, the light source emits light from a bundle optical fiber provided in the dark box with a variable irradiation angle. When the light is emitted, the light adjusting means can be constituted by an irradiation angle adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation angle of the bundle optical fiber. In the case where the light source has a configuration including a light emitting unit and a light reflecting unit that reflects the light from the light emitting unit to the subject, the light adjusting unit is configured to adjust the reflection angle of the light reflecting unit. It can be constituted by an angle adjusting means.

The above-mentioned light adjusting means is a mechanism for performing the adjustment manually, for example, a rail, a slider, etc., which is provided through the wall of the dark box and moves the position of the light source up and down manually from the outside. Irradiation angle of the bundle optical fiber, operation means for manually changing the reflection angle of the reflection means and the like from the outside and measurement means for transmitting the irradiation angle and the reflection angle to the outside may be indirect, In the imaging device of the present invention,
It is desirable that the light adjusting means does not involve human hands. Specifically, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes position detecting means for detecting a position where the subject is installed, and the light adjusting means includes the position detecting means. The light source may be directly adjusted based on the position of the subject detected by the detection means.

The position detecting means may be provided exclusively for the light adjusting means, but when the subject is imaged by another part of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, for example, the image pickup means. The position detecting means used for focusing may be used.

[0013]

According to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, a light source for irradiating a subject placed in a dark box with a light source is irradiated with light and / or illuminance due to a change in the position where the subject is placed. Since the adjustment can be performed so as to correct the variation in the distribution, even if the position where the subject is installed changes, a high quality image can be captured by the image capturing unit.

Further, by adjusting the position of the light source so as to follow the position of the subject, it is possible to prevent the distance between the subject and the light source from varying even if the position of the subject changes. Therefore, it is possible to reliably maintain the irradiation light amount and the illuminance distribution on the subject to be uniform.

Further, when the light source is constituted by a bundle optical fiber for emitting light from a light emitting portion such as a halogen lamp outside the dark box into the dark box, an irradiation angle adjusting means for adjusting an irradiation angle of the bundle fiber and a dark box inside the dark box. When the light source is configured to reflect the light from the light emitting section to the subject by the reflecting section, the light adjusting means of the present invention configured by a reflection angle adjusting means for adjusting the reflection angle of the reflecting section is a light source. Since it is not moved, there is an advantage that a mechanism such as a rail for moving the light source is not required. Along with that, it is not necessary to provide a light shielding means or the like as compared with the case where a mechanism such as a rail is provided so as to penetrate the wall of the dark box.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the structure of an image pickup apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a dark box 10, an installation metal fitting 12 for installing a transparent tray 15 mounted on the inner wall of the dark box 10 and having a sample 100, which will be described later, in the dark box 10, and an image pickup device. CCD camera body 40, a lens portion 42 installed on the top of the dark box 10 for focusing on the sample 100 when the CCD camera 40 takes an image of the sample 100, and a lens part 42 provided on the bottom of the dark box 10
Bottom light source 30 which emits excitation light from the lower part, a bundle optical fiber 50 which introduces and emits excitation light from the external halogen lamp light source 60 into the dark box 10, and is provided on the inner wall of the dark box 10 to set the installation position of the sample 100. The position sensor 20 for detecting and the position sensor 20 located outside the dark box 10
And a position control unit 70 for adjusting the position of the handle optical fiber 50 so as to keep the distance between the light emitting unit of the bundle optical fiber 50 and the sample 100 substantially constant based on the position of the sample 100 detected by. . The position sensor 20 transmits the information indicating the detected position of the sample 100 to the position control unit 70 and also to the lens unit 42, and the lens unit 42 transmits the position of the sample 100 transmitted from the sensor 20. Adjust the focus based on the information.

FIG. 2 is an image view seen from the outside of the dark box 10 for explaining the operation of the position control unit 70 shown in FIG. As shown, optical fiber 50
Is inserted from a corner portion of the dark box 10, and a light shielding portion 80 made of a light shielding elastic material is provided at a corner portion into which the optical fiber 50 is inserted. Shading part 80
Shuts out light from the outside of the dark box 10 over and around the range in which the optical fiber 50 moves up and down. Further, a linear rail (not shown) which is covered with the light shielding portion 80 is provided along the corner where the optical fiber 50 is inserted, and the optical fiber 50 is moved along the linear rail by the position control portion 70. To be made.

The imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used as an example in a biochemical analysis system, and a sample 100 to be imaged is a hybridized microarray carrying an image of a fluorescent substance. Or gel. These samples 100 are placed on the tray 15 and installed in the dark box 10, and the bottom light source 30 and the optical fiber 5 are placed.
Irradiation of excitation light from 0 produces a fluorescence image.
The CCD camera 40 captures a fluorescence image generated from the sample 100 and provides it for biochemical analysis.

FIG. 3 shows the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the imaging device 1 starts when the sample 100 is placed in the dark box 10. The position sensor 20 detects the position of the installed sample 100 and transmits it to the lens unit 42 and the position control unit 70 (S10). Based on the position information of the sample 100, the lens unit 42 adjusts the focus, and at the same time, the position control unit 70 sets the distance between the light emitting unit of the optical fiber 50 and the installation position of the sample 100 to the predetermined distance of the apparatus. Thus, the optical fiber 50 is moved along the linear rail (S12). After that, the excitation light is emitted upward from the bottom light source 30, and the halogen lamp 60 outside the dark box 10 is activated to emit light, so that the excitation light is emitted from the optical fiber 50 to the sample 100 (S14). The fluorescence is generated from the sample 100 by the irradiation of the excitation light from the bottom light source 30 and the optical fiber 50, and this fluorescence image is captured by the CCD camera 40 (S1).
6).

As described above, according to the image pickup apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the position control section 70 and the light emitting section of the optical fiber 50 serving as the light source and the sample 100 are based on the position information of the sample 100 from the position sensor 20. Since the optical fiber 50 is moved so that the distance between the position where the sample is installed and the position where the sample is installed is substantially constant, the excitation light projected from the optical fiber 50 onto the sample 100 even if the position where the sample is installed changes. Since the light amount and the illuminance distribution can be kept substantially constant, a high quality image can be captured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the position control unit 70 automatically adjusts the position of the optical fiber 50 for the sake of simplifying the image pickup operation. The optical fiber 50 may be moved to the linear rail.

The position controller 70 may be provided inside the dark box 10.

Further, in this embodiment, even if the position where the sample 100 is installed changes, the position of the bottom light source 30 is adjusted because the fluctuations in the light quantity and the illuminance distribution of the excitation light from the bottom light source 30 are small. However, the position of the bottom light source 30 may also be adjusted based on the position where the sample 100 is installed, and the light amount and the illuminance distribution of the excitation light with which the sample 100 is irradiated may be corrected from the bottom light source 30 side. .

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the structure of the image pickup apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The image pickup device 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes a dark box 10, an installation metal fitting 12 for installing a transparent tray 15 on the inner wall of the dark box 10 on which a sample 100 described later is placed, and an image pickup device 12 for image pickup. Of the CCD camera body 40, a lens portion 42 installed on the top of the dark box 10 of the body, and a bottom portion of the dark box 10 for focusing on the sample 100 when the CCD camera 40 images the sample 100. 1
00, a bottom light source 30 that emits excitation light, a bundle optical fiber 50 that introduces and emits excitation light from an external halogen lamp light source 60 into the dark box 10, and the dark box 10.
The position sensor 20 provided on the inner wall of the sample 100 for detecting the installation position of the sample 100 and the position of the sample 100 located outside the dark box 10 and detected by the position sensor 20 are used to detect the emission angle of the light emission part of the bundle optical fiber 50. And an irradiation angle control section 70a for adjusting in a direction indicated by an arrow I. The position sensor 20 transmits information indicating the detected position of the sample 100 to the irradiation angle control unit 70a and also to the lens unit 42, and the lens unit 42
Adjusts the focus based on the position information of the sample 100 transmitted from the sensor 20.

That is, the image pickup apparatus 2 of the present embodiment adjusts the irradiation angle of the optical fiber 50 instead of adjusting the vertical position of the optical fiber 50 as in the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Even if the value changes, the light amount and the illuminance distribution of the excitation light with which the sample is irradiated are corrected. The imaging device 2 shown in FIG. 4 is also used in a biochemical analysis system as an example, and the sample 100 to be imaged is a hybridized microarray carrying an image of a fluorescent substance or a gel. And so on. These samples 100 are placed on the tray 15 and installed in the dark box 10, and the bottom light source 30 and the optical fiber 5 are placed.
Irradiation of excitation light from 0 produces a fluorescence image.
The CCD camera 40 captures a fluorescence image generated from the sample 100 and provides it for biochemical analysis.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation of the imaging device 2 starts when the sample 100 is placed in the dark box 10. The position sensor 20 detects the position of the installed sample 100, and the lens unit 42 and the irradiation angle control unit 7 are detected.
0a (S20). Based on the position information of the sample 100, the lens unit 42 performs focus adjustment and
The irradiation angle controller 70a adjusts the light emitting part of the optical fiber 50 in the direction of arrow I to adjust the irradiation angle (S2).
2). After that, excitation light is emitted upward from the bottom light source 30, and the halogen lamp 6 outside the dark box 10 is emitted.
When 0 is activated to emit light, excitation light is also emitted from the optical fiber 50 onto the sample 100 (S24). Irradiation of excitation light from the bottom light source 30 and the optical fiber 50 causes fluorescence from the sample 100, and this fluorescence image is CC
An image is taken by the D camera 40 (S26).

As described above, according to the image pickup apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the same effect as that of the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained, and since the optical fiber 50 is not moved,
Since the rail and the wide range of light-shielding treatment accompanying the movement of the optical fiber 50 are not required, the device can be configured easily.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the structure of the image pickup apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The image pickup device 3 shown in FIG. 6 includes a dark box 10, an installation metal fitting 12 for mounting a transparent tray 15 on the inner wall of the dark box 10 on which a sample 100, which will be described later, is placed, and an image pickup device 12. Of the CCD camera body 40, a lens portion 42 installed on the top of the dark box 10 of the body, and a bottom portion of the dark box 10 for focusing on the sample 100 when the CCD camera 40 images the sample 100. 1
Bottom light source 30 which emits excitation light from the lower part of 00, and a bundle optical fiber 50 which introduces excitation light from an external halogen lamp light source 60 into the dark box 10 and emits it horizontally.
A reflection plate 55 that reflects the excitation light emitted from the optical fiber 50 onto the sample 100, a position sensor 20 provided on the inner wall of the dark box 10 for detecting the installation position of the sample 100, and a position sensor 20. A reflection angle control unit 70b for adjusting the reflection angle of the reflection plate 55 in the direction indicated by the arrow k based on the detected position of the sample 100. It should be noted that the position sensor 20 transmits information indicating the detected position of the sample 100 to the reflection angle control unit 7.
0b and the lens unit 42, and the lens unit 42 sends the sample 10 transmitted from the sensor 20.
Focus adjustment is performed based on the position information of 0.

That is, the imaging device 3 of the present embodiment reflects the excitation light horizontally emitted from the optical fiber 50 instead of directly irradiating the sample with the excitation light from the optical fiber 50 as in the imaging device 2 shown in FIG. Since the light is reflected by the plate 55 and reflected on the sample, the reflection angle of the reflection plate 55 is adjusted to correct the light amount and the illuminance distribution of the excitation light due to the change of the installation position of the sample. Note that, as an example, the imaging device 3 shown in FIG. 6 is also used in a biochemical analysis system, and the sample 100 to be imaged is a hybridized microarray carrying an image of a fluorescent substance, It becomes gel etc. These samples 100 are placed on the tray 15 and placed in the dark box 10.
The fluorescent light image is generated by irradiating the excitation light from the bottom light source 30 and the reflection plate 55. The CCD camera 40 captures a fluorescence image generated from the sample 100 and provides it for biochemical analysis.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image pickup device 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation of the imaging device 3 starts when the sample 100 is placed in the dark box 10. The position sensor 20 detects the position of the installed sample 100, and the lens unit 42 and the reflection angle control unit 7 are detected.
0b (S30). Based on the position information of the sample 100, the lens unit 42 performs focus adjustment and
The reflection angle controller 70b adjusts the reflection angle by adjusting the reflection plate 55 in the direction of the arrow k (S32). Then, the excitation light is emitted upward from the bottom light source 30, and the halogen lamp 60 outside the dark box 10 is activated to emit the excitation light, and the excitation light is emitted from the optical fiber 50 and reflected by the reflector 55 to the sample 100. Is done (S3
4). The fluorescence is generated from the sample 100 by the irradiation of the excitation light from the bottom light source 30 and the reflection plate 55, and this fluorescence image is captured by the CCD camera 40 (S36).

As described above, the image pickup apparatus 3 of the present embodiment can obtain the same effect as that of the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, and since the optical fiber 50 is not moved, the rail or the optical fiber 50 can be moved. Since a wide range of light-shielding treatment or the like that accompanies it is not necessary, the device can be configured easily. Further, since the reflection angle control unit 70b adjusts the reflection plate, there is an advantage that the reflection angle control unit 70b is easier to configure than the irradiation angle control unit 70a of the imaging device 2 of FIG. 4 that adjusts the irradiation angle of the optical fiber 50.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Further, each of the image pickup devices of the above-mentioned embodiments is
Although it is assumed that the imaging device of the present invention is used in a biochemical analysis system as an example, the imaging device of the present invention is not limited to the field of biochemical analysis.
The present invention can be applied to any field that requires a device for irradiating a subject placed in a dark box with light and imaging the subject.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of an image pickup apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a position control section 70 in the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
For explaining the operation of

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of an image pickup apparatus 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of an image pickup apparatus 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus 3 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 imaging device 10 dark box 12 Tray set fittings 15 transparent tray 20 position sensor 30 bottom light source 40 CCD camera body 42 Lens 50 bundle optical fiber 55 Reflector 60 halogen lamp 70 Position control unit 70a Irradiation angle control unit 70b Reflection angle control unit 80 Light shield

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A dark box having subject setting means capable of setting the subject at different height positions, a light source unit for irradiating the subject with light, and an image pickup means for picking up the image of the subject. An image pickup apparatus comprising: the light source unit, wherein the light source unit and the amount of light emitted to the subject due to a difference in a position where the subject is installed
Alternatively, an image pickup device comprising: a light adjusting unit that corrects a variation in illuminance distribution. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup means is a CCD. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light adjusting unit is a position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the light source so as to follow the position of the subject. 4. The light source emits light from a bundle optical fiber provided in the dark box with a variable irradiation angle, and the light adjusting unit adjusts an irradiation angle of the bundle optical fiber. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 5. The light source includes a light emitting portion and a light reflecting means for reflecting light from the light emitting portion onto the subject, and the light adjusting means adjusts a reflection angle of the light reflecting means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, which is an adjusting unit. 6. A position detecting means for detecting a position where the subject is installed is provided, and the light adjusting means adjusts the light source based on the position of the subject detected by the position detecting means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus.