JP2003121746A - Confocal scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a confocal scanner provided with a dust-proofing function by sealing a connection opening without obstructing the attachment and detachment of a C-mount to and from the connection opening. SOLUTION: In the confocal scanner which is used by being connected to a confocal microscope via the C-mount, the connection opening for the C-mount is sealed by a member configured so as to make exciting light incident on the confocal microscope and observation light returned from the confocal microscope pass and so as to freely attach and detach the C-mount.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a confocal scanner used in a confocal microscope, and more particularly to a dustproof structure of the confocal scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a confocal microscope in which a confocal scanner is attached to an optical microscope. In this case, the confocal scanner and the optical microscope are connected via the C mount. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the confocal scanner. The confocal scanner 1 includes the scanner 1 inside the case 2.
0 and an optical system section 20 are built in, and an eyepiece mount 30 and a camera mount 50 are hermetically attached to the upper and side openings of the case 2, respectively.

Further, a C mount 1 is provided under the case 2.
00 is provided with a connection port 60, and a screw 6 is attached to the connection port.
1 is formed and the screw 1 of the hollow C mount 100 is formed.
It can be screwed with 01. The relay lenses 31 and 51 are hermetically mounted in the eyepiece lens mount 30 and the camera mount 50, respectively, and also serve as a dustproof mechanism.

The scanner 10 is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-
The scanner described in No. 60980 “Optical Scanner for Confocal” can be used. The scanner 10 is for optically scanning a sample in a microscope, and includes a condensing disk 11 having a plurality of microlenses, a pinhole disk 12 having a plurality of pinholes, and these two disks as one body. It is provided with a motor 13 for rotating the motor, a light source 14 for generating excitation light, and a dichroic mirror 15.

Focusing disk 11 and pinhole disk 1
The pinholes 2 are connected in such a manner that pinholes are located at the respective focal positions of the plurality of microlenses. Light source 14
The excitation light emitted from passes through the microlens, then passes through the dichroic mirror 15, and is condensed in a pinhole. This light passes through the pinhole, passes through the inside of the C mount 100 screwed into the connection port 60 at the bottom of the case 2, enters the objective lens (not shown) of the microscope, and irradiates the sample (not shown). To do.

Reflected light (hereinafter referred to as "observation light") from the sample, which emits light upon irradiation with excitation light, passes through the objective lens again and is focused on the pinhole. The light passing through the pinhole is reflected by the dichroic mirror 15 and enters the optical system section 20.

The light incident on the optical system section 20 is reflected by the first mirror 21, passes through the relay lens 22, and is reflected by the second mirror 23. The third mirror 24 is movably arranged, and when it is removed from the optical path, the light from the second mirror 23 directly enters the eyepiece mount 30. If the mirror 24 is placed in the optical path at the angle as shown,
Light from the second mirror 23 is reflected here and enters the camera mount 50.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional confocal scanner, the cylindrical C mount 100 is connected to the connection port 60 at the bottom of the case 2.
Since the C-mount is hollow, even if this C-mount is mounted, this portion still becomes the opening of the confocal scanner, which is a problem of dust-proof measures.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to realize a confocal scanner having a dustproof function by sealing the connection port without obstructing the attachment / detachment of the C mount. Especially.

[0010]

In order to achieve such an object, the invention of claim 1 is a confocal scanner used by being connected to a confocal microscope via a C mount. The connection port is sealed with a member formed so that the excitation light incident on the confocal microscope and the observation light returning from the confocal microscope can pass through, and C
The feature is that the mount can be freely attached and detached. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize a confocal scanner in which the connection port is sealed without obstructing the attachment / detachment of the C mount and the dustproof measure is taken.

In this case, the member is provided with a filter or a field lens which allows excitation light and observation light to pass therethrough. Further, as in claim 3, transparent glass can be used as the filter. Further, as in claim 4, an observation diaphragm may be provided on the member.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a confocal scanner according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a portion different from FIG. 4 is a connection port 60 a of the case 2. Other parts are the same as those in FIG. 4, and the description of those parts is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the peripheral portion of the lens holder 62 is airtightly attached to the connection port 60a. The lens holder 62 is, for example, a member having a shape in which a disc 63 and a cylinder 65 are combined. This disc 63
A through-hole 64 that allows excitation light and observation light to pass therethrough is formed in. In the cylinder 65, for example, a filter 66 for dustproofing of glass is attached in an airtight manner. With this structure, the connection port 60a is sealed by the lens holder 62. That is, the opening is closed and the confocal scanner is in an airtight state.

It should be noted that instead of the filter 66, it is also possible to use a condensing lens, that is, a field lens, for allowing the excitation light of the scanner 10 to efficiently enter the objective lens. In this case, the filter 66 or the field lens is attached by a known mechanism so as not to fall off the lens holder 62.

Further, C is provided between the connection port 60a and the cylinder 65.
There is a gap 67 into which the tip of the mount 100 can be inserted.
Since the length and the inner diameter of the threaded portion at the tip of the C mount 100 are set to be substantially constant due to optical restrictions, a screw having a length and diameter corresponding to that is provided in the connection port 60a.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the C mount 100 is attached to the connection port 60a having such a configuration. C mount 10
The connection port 60a has a complete dustproof structure regardless of whether the connection port is 0 or not.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes many changes and modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

The lens holder structure of the present invention can be applied not only to the confocal scanner, but also to a CCD camera for C-mount coupling as shown in FIG. CCD camera case 2
As shown in FIG. 2, the lens holder 6 is inserted into the opening 211 of the lens holder 6.
2 and the C mount 100 are attached to form a dustproof structure. The observation light is the C mount 100 and the lens holder 62.
And the image is formed on the CCD element 220.

[0019]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. (1) The connection port can be sealed without obstructing the attachment / detachment of the C mount to the connection port, and the connection port provided with dustproof measures can be easily formed. (2) A transparent glass filter or field lens is attached to the member (lens holder) that seals the connection port,
Excitation light can be efficiently incident on the microscope.

(3) The through hole provided in the member for sealing the connection port can also be used as an observation diaphragm. (4) The present invention is not limited to the confocal scanner, but can be easily applied to, for example, a CCD camera that performs C-mount coupling.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a confocal scanner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connection port with a C mount attached.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an application example to a CCD camera.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional confocal scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Confocal scanner 2 cases 10 scanner 11 Focusing disc 12 pinhole disc 13 motor 14 Light source 15 dichroic mirror 20 Optical system section 21,23,24 mirror 22, 31, 51 Relay lens 30 eyepiece mount 40 eyepiece 50 camera mount 60a connection port 61 screws 62 lens holder 63 plates 64 through holes 65 cylinder 66 filters 67 Gap 100 C mount 101 screws

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A confocal scanner used by being connected to a confocal microscope via a C mount, wherein the connection port with the C mount returns from the excitation light incident on the confocal microscope and the confocal microscope. A confocal scanner characterized by being sealed with a member that allows observation light to pass therethrough, and having a C mount that can be freely attached and detached. 2. The confocal scanner according to claim 1, wherein the member is provided with a filter or a field lens that allows the excitation light and the observation light to pass therethrough in an airtight manner. 3. The confocal scanner according to claim 2, wherein transparent glass is used as the filter. 4. The confocal scanner according to claim 1, wherein the member is provided with an observation diaphragm.