JP2003307684A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope which makes a user possible to perform good observation while preventing an operation error in changing over of objective lenses. <P>SOLUTION: A revolver driving section 68 is controlled to judge whether an objective lens arranged in an optical path is an immersion system or not in accordance with the information from a rotating position sensor 69 for detecting the rotating position of a revolver 40 and an objective lens data memory section 66 for storing the information as to whether the objective lens is the immersion system or not when the revolver rotating switch 60 indicating the changeover of the objective lens is pushed and to stop the rotation of the revolver 40 when the objective lens is judged to be the immersion system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 objective lenses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of microscopes, microscopes equipped with an electric revolver in which a revolver is electrified have become widespread so that an operator does not need much labor other than observation of a specimen.

The electric revolver is provided with a forward rotation button and a reverse rotation button on the microscope operation panel, and the objective lens is switched by rotating the revolver forward or backward, and all objective lenses mounted on the revolver on the microscope operation panel. There is a method in which the objective lens is automatically switched by providing buttons corresponding to, and rotating the revolver by pressing those buttons.

By the way, the objective lens mounted on the revolver is an immersion objective lens which is used by filling the space between the tip of the objective lens and the cover glass on which the sample is placed with a liquid such as water or oil. , A dry objective lens that does not fill the space between the tip of the objective lens and the sample.

In an inverted microscope, for example, when the immersion objective lens disposed in the optical path is switched to the dry objective lens, the specimen and the cover glass are staged before the immersion objective lens is removed from the optical path. Then, the tip of the immersion objective lens and the liquid under the specimen are wiped off, the specimen is placed on the stage again, and then the revolver is rotated to insert the drying objective lens into the optical path.

[0006]

However, for example, in an electric revolver, the objective lens is switched only by pressing the switch of the controller at hand, so the liquid attached to the tip of the objective lens or the cover glass should not be wiped off. The objective lens may be switched.

Since the distance between the tip of the immersion objective lens and the specimen (working distance, hereinafter referred to as WD) is narrow, the objective lens is switched without wiping off the liquid adhering to the tip of the objective lens or the specimen. When this happens, the liquid remaining on the sample may adhere to the tip of the dry objective lens, making the image extremely difficult to see or becoming invisible as an image.

Even in the case of the upright microscope, when the immersion objective lens is switched to the dry objective lens as in the case of the inverted microscope, the liquid adhered to the tip of the immersion objective lens or the cover glass. If the liquid is not wiped off, the liquid may adhere to the tip of the dry objective lens or the sample, making the image extremely difficult to see, or not visible as an image.

That is, regardless of which type of microscope, an inverted microscope or an upright microscope, is used, it is possible to switch to a dry objective lens without wiping off the liquid adhering to the tip of the immersion objective lens or the cover glass. If this happens, there is a risk that good observation may not be possible due to operator error.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a microscope capable of performing a favorable observation while preventing an operation error in switching the objective lens.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 drives an objective lens holding portion for holding an objective lens and switching the objective lens to an observation position, and the objective lens holding portion. Objective lens holding section driving means, objective lens position detecting means for detecting the position of the revolver, and an objective lens for storing information as to whether or not the objective lens held by the objective lens holding section is an immersion system. Based on the information from the data storage means, the objective lens position detection means and the objective lens data storage means, it is judged whether or not the objective lens arranged at the observation position is the immersion system, and the immersion system And a control means for controlling the objective lens holding portion drive means so that the objective lens holding portion is not driven.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the microscope according to the first aspect, there is provided a switching instruction means for instructing switching of the objective lens.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the first or second aspect, when the objective lens holding section is controlled so as not to be driven, the objective lens of the liquid immersion system is at the observation position. It is characterized by having a warning means for informing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control means controls the objective lens holding portion so as not to be driven, and then the objective lens When the switching is instructed again, the objective lens holding unit driving means is controlled so that another objective lens is arranged at the observation position by driving the objective lens holding unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the fourth aspect, the re-instruction is performed by operating only an instruction means dedicated to re-driving, or both the switching instruction means and other input means. It is characterized by being performed by operating.

[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 right side view of an electric microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This electric microscope is an inverted type and comprises a microscope body 10, a lens barrel 20, a stage 30, an electric revolver (objective lens holding section) 40, and a revolver rotation switch (switch instruction means) 60.

A lens barrel 20 having a binocular portion 21 is provided at one end of the microscope body 10.

An eyepiece lens 22 for observing the magnified image with the naked eye is provided in the binocular portion 21.

A plurality of objective lenses 50 of different types are mounted on the electric revolver 40 arranged below the stage 30.

A vertical movement handle 1 is provided on the side surface of the microscope body 10.
1 is provided. When the vertical movement handle 11 is operated, a vertical movement mechanism (not shown) can move the electric revolver 40 in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 50 in conjunction with the operation of the vertical movement handle 11. Therefore, the height of the objective lens 50 can be changed to focus on the specimen (not shown).

The illumination column 12 provided at the other end of the microscope body 10 is provided with a transillumination system composed of a lamp house 15 accommodating a halogen lamp and the like and a condenser lens 16.

The revolver rotation switch 60 is provided in the control box 65. The revolver rotation switch 60 has button type switches 61 and 62 for instructing the rotation direction of the revolver 40, and when the button type switches 61 and 62 are pushed, the revolver 30 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise.

The control box 65 is provided with a display 63 and a buzzer (warning means) 64 together with the revolver rotation switch 60.

Next, the objective lens 50 will be described.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining the relationship between the objective lens and the sample.

A Petri dish 35 as a sample is placed on the upper surface of the stage 30. The petri dish 35 is a circular glass dish having an opening 31 in the center thereof.
A cover glass 32 is attached to. Petri dish 3
A culture solution 33 is filled in the container 5, and a sample 34 is put therein.

An immersion objective lens 50 is arranged below the stage 30. A liquid 5 such as water or oil is filled between the tip of the objective lens 50 and the cover glass 32.

The objective lens 50 includes a lens 51 and an inner cylinder 5.
2, an outer cylinder 53, and a coil spring 54.

The lenses 51 are respectively held by a plurality of lens holders 55 held by the inner cylinder 52.

The inner cylinder 52 is slidably inserted in the outer cylinder 53 in the vertical direction.

The outer cylinder 53 has a cylindrical shape, and a screw 56 for fixing the objective lens to the revolver (see FIG. 1) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the outer cylinder 53.

The coil spring 54 has a large diameter portion 52a of the inner cylinder 52.
Is provided between the lower end surface of the inner cylinder 52 and the upper end surface of the small diameter portion 53a of the outer cylinder 53, and urges the inner cylinder 52 upward.

When adjusting the focus position, the objective lens 5
For example, when the front end portion of 0 hits the cover glass 32, the inner cylinder 52 moves in the direction opposite to the cover glass 32 due to the contraction action of the coil spring 54, and the front end lens (the lens located at the front end of the plurality of lenses 51) is moved. 2) and damage to the cover glass 32 are prevented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a revolver control system of the electric microscope.

The revolver control system has a data input section 65.
An objective lens data storage unit (objective lens data storage unit) 66, a control unit (control unit) 67, a revolver rotation switch 60, a revolver drive unit (objective lens holding unit drive unit) 68, and a rotational position sensor ( Objective lens position detecting means) 69, buzzer (warning means) 64, display 63
With.

As described above, in this embodiment, the revolver is used as the objective lens holding unit. However, when a slider is used as the objective lens holding unit, the revolver rotation switch becomes a slider movement switch, and the revolver drive unit is used. Serves as a slider driving unit, and the rotational position sensor serves as a moving position sensor.

The revolver drive unit 68 is a control unit 67 which will be described later.
The revolver 40 is rotated by driving the motor 41 based on the forward / reverse control command information 67b from.

An encoder 42 is attached to the motor 41. The encoder 42 detects the rotational position of the motor 40 and detects the current rotational position of the revolver 40.

A potentiometer may be used instead of the encoder 42 as means for detecting the rotational position of the motor 41.

The revolver rotary switch 60 outputs the switching instruction information 60a for instructing the switching of the objective lens 50 when the button type switches 61 and 62 are pressed.

The rotational position sensor 69 detects the rotational position of the revolver 40 (the address of the revolver hole where the objective lens 50 arranged in the microscope optical path is attached), and outputs revolver address information 69a to the control section 67.

The objective lens data storage unit 66 stores objective lens information 66a such as the type of the objective lens 50 (whether it is an immersion system or a dry system), magnification, working distance, numerical aperture, etc. for each address of the revolver 40. Is stored in advance.

This data is input by the data input section 65. The data input by the data input unit 65 is performed by, for example, reading the data of the objective lens 50 represented by a bar code with a bar code reader or inputting with a ten-key pad.

When the switching instruction information 60a for instructing switching of the objective lens 50 is input to the control section 67, the control section 6
Reference numeral 7 denotes a rotational position sensor 69 and an objective lens data storage unit 6
Based on the revolver address information 69a and the objective lens information 66a from 6, it is determined whether the objective lens 50 arranged in the optical path is a liquid immersion system.

When it is determined that the revolver 40 is in the immersion system, the control unit 67 outputs revolver drive stop information 67a for stopping the rotation of the revolver 40 to the revolver drive unit 68 so that the objective lens 50 is not switched.

Further, when the control unit 67 determines that the objective lens at the observation position is not the immersion system at present or when the revolver rotation switch 60 is not pressed, the rotation direction of the revolver 40 is determined based on the revolver control information 60a. Is output to the revolver drive unit 68 to rotate the revolver 40 in the normal or reverse direction so that another objective lens 50 used for the next observation is placed on the optical path.

When the revolver rotation switch 60 is pressed again after the revolver 40 has stopped, the control section 67 outputs the forward / reverse control command information 67b to the revolver drive section 68 to rotate the revolver 40 in the normal or reverse direction. Then, another objective lens 50 is placed on the optical path.

As a result, the revolver 40 can be rotated by pressing the revolver rotation switch 60 again after wiping off the liquid at the tip of the immersion objective lens.

The buzzer 64 emits a sound when the objective lens 50 arranged in the optical path is a liquid immersion system. The warning means is not limited to the one that appeals to the hearing like the buzzer 64, but may be the one that appeals to the visual sense such as a lamp.

The display 63 shows that the revolver 40 is stopped because the objective lens 50 of the immersion system is present in the optical path.

Next, switching of the objective lens 50 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the control processing of the electric microscope, and S1 to S6 show each step.

When the power of the microscope is turned on, the processing of FIG. 4 starts. The control unit 67 is a revolver rotation switch 60.
Then, it is judged whether or not the switching of the objective lens 50 is instructed based on the presence or absence of the switching instruction information 60a (S1).
The presence or absence of this switching instruction information 60a is always detected.

When there is no instruction to switch the objective lens 50 from the revolver rotation switch 60, that is, when the determination result in S1 is No, the process waits until there is an instruction to switch the objective lens 50 (the processing of S1 is repeated).

When there is an instruction to switch the objective lens 50 from the revolver rotation switch 60, that is, when the result of the determination in S1 is Yes, whether or not the objective lens 50 currently arranged in the optical path is a liquid immersion system. (S
2).

When the objective lens 50 arranged in the optical path is not the liquid immersion system, that is, when the result of the determination in S2 is No, the revolver 40 is rotated and the other objective lens 50 is rotated.
Is placed on the optical path (S6).

When the objective lens 50 arranged in the optical path is a liquid immersion system, that is, when the determination result of S2 is Yes, the buzzer 64 is sounded (S3).

At the same time, the fact that the revolver 40 is stopped is displayed on the display section 63 (S4).

The operator once removes the sample from the stage 30 (see FIG. 1), wipes the tip of the objective lens 50 and the lower part of the sample, and returns the sample to the stage 30.

Whether or not there is an instruction to switch the objective lens 50 from the revolver rotation switch 60 is determined based on the presence or absence of the switching instruction information 60a (S5).

When there is no instruction to switch the objective lens 50 from the revolver rotation switch 35, that is, when the determination result in S5 is No, the process waits until there is an instruction to switch the objective lens 50 (the processing in S5 is repeated).

When there is an instruction to switch the objective lens 50 from the revolver rotation switch 60, that is, when the determination result in S5 is Yes, the revolver 40 is rotated and another objective lens 50 is placed on the optical path (S6).

In the present embodiment, the electric microscope in which the revolver is electrically rotated to switch the position of the objective lens has been exemplified, but a microscope in which the revolver is manually rotated to switch the position of the objective lens may be used. .

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

When the immersion objective lens 50 is disposed in the optical path, even if the revolver rotation switch 60 instructs the objective lens 50 to be switched, the revolver 40 maintains the stopped state, and the liquid is wiped off. Without doing so, it is possible to prevent the operation mistake of the switching of the objective lens 50 such that the liquid is adhered to the tip of the dry system objective lens by switching to the dry type objective lens, and good observation can be performed.

In the case of an inverted microscope, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing down from the tip of the immersion-type objective lens 50 facing upward due to the rotation of the revolver when switching the objective lens 50, and therefore the liquid is prevented from flowing into the inner cylinder. It is possible to prevent an accident from entering the inner cylinder 52, the revolver 40, and the microscope body 10 through the opening 57 formed between the 52 and the outer cylinder 53.

If the observer is aware that it is an immersion objective lens, the liquid at the tip of the immersion objective lens 50 may be wiped off before the revolver rotation switch 60 is pressed. Good. In this case, the revolver rotary switch 60 can be switched to another objective lens 50 by pressing the revolver rotary switch 60 twice in a row like a double click, so that the same operability as the conventional example can be ensured.

The revolver rotation can be performed by operating a switch (instruction means) not shown for re-driving or by operating the revolver rotation switch 60 and a function key (other input means) not shown in pairs without fail. A function equivalent to that when the switch 60 is continuously operated twice may be operated. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous operation of the revolver rotation switch 60.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the inverted type electric microscope has been described. However, the applicable range is not limited to the inverted type electric microscope, and is also applied to the upright type electric microscope. The effect of can be produced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the revolver is illustrated as the objective lens holding unit, but the objective lens holding unit may be one that switches the objective lens to the observation position by sliding.

[0073]

As described above, according to the microscope of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of switching the objective lens and perform good observation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a right side view of an electric microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between an objective lens and a sample.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a revolver control system of an electric microscope.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the electric microscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

40 Revolver 60 Revolver rotation switch (switching instruction means) 64 Buzzer (warning means) 66 Objective lens data storage section (objective lens data storage means) 67 Control section (control means) 68 Revolver drive section (revolver drive means) 69 Rotation position sensor (Revolver position detection means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An objective lens holding unit that holds an objective lens and switches the objective lens to an observation position, an objective lens holding unit driving unit that drives the objective lens holding unit, and an objective lens that detects the position of the revolver. Position detection means, objective lens data storage means for storing information as to whether or not the objective lens held by the objective lens holding part is an immersion system, the objective lens position detection means and the objective lens data storage means It is determined whether the objective lens arranged at the observation position is an immersion system based on the information from, and when it is determined that the objective lens is an immersion system, the objective lens holding unit is prevented from being driven. And a control unit for controlling the objective lens holding unit driving unit. 2. The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising switching instruction means for instructing switching of the objective lens. 3. The alarm means for notifying that the objective lens of the immersion system is present at the observation position when the objective lens holder is controlled not to be driven. The microscope described. 4. The control means, when the objective lens holding section is controlled so as not to be driven, and then the objective lens switching section is instructed again, another objective lens is driven by driving the objective lens holding section. The microscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the objective lens holding unit driving unit is controlled so as to be arranged at the observation position. 5. The re-instruction is performed by operating only an instruction means dedicated to re-driving or by operating both the switching instruction means and another input means. 4. The microscope according to 4.