JP2005300655A - Laser-scanning observation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase workability by miniaturizing a head part and securing a large space around the head part. <P>SOLUTION: The laser-scanning observation apparatus 1 is provided with a laser light source 7, an optical fiber 8 for transmitting laser light generated by the laser light source 7, a scanning head 6 including a housing 15 for storing a laser scanning part 12 for scanning a sample with the laser light transmitted through the optical fiber 8, and also, constituted by fixing an objective unit for imaging the laser light scanned by the laser scanning part 12 on the sample, an optical detector 9 for detecting the returning light that returns from the sample to the housing 15 via the objective unit, a stage 10 for placing the sample, and an arm 5 for supporting the scanning head 6 so that the position and attitude of the objective unit with reference to the stage 10 can be adjusted, and the optical detector 9 is arranged on the outer surface of the housing 15 other than the surface located in a direction opposite to a direction in which the arm 5 extends from the housing 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser scanning observation apparatus.

Conventionally, as this type of laser scanning observation apparatus, for example, a laser microscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
This laser microscope has a structure in which light from a sample by coherent light is detected by a detector via an optical path dividing member interposed between a scanning optical system and an objective lens. Thus, there is an advantage that the number of reflections and transmissions when the light from the specimen is guided to the detector can be minimized, and the light loss can be minimized.
JP 2000-330029 A ([0016] etc.)

Since the laser microscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a relatively large microscope, there is no problem with the size of the photodetector. That is, since the microscope is larger than the photodetector, the photodetector can be built in the microscope.
In general, a laser microscope is often equipped with a scan head containing a scanning optical system, an objective lens, and a detector. However, since the microscope is large, it is attached to the microscope. Even if the size of the device is reduced, the entire device has become larger.

  However, in order to observe a sample such as an experimental small animal alive, it is necessary to observe the objective lens of the observation apparatus placed in various postures or positions with respect to the sample, and in that case, it is brought close to the sample. It is necessary to reduce the size of the head portion. And if the head part is miniaturized, the proportion of the photodetector in the head part becomes large, so that handling becomes a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a laser scanning observation apparatus capable of improving workability by ensuring a large space around the head portion while reducing the size of the head portion. It is aimed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The present invention accommodates a laser light source, an irradiation optical fiber that propagates laser light generated in the laser light source, and a laser scanning unit that scans a sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber. A scan head comprising a housing and an objective unit that forms an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample; and a return light that returns from the sample to the sample through the objective unit. A photodetector for detecting, a stage for placing a sample, and an arm for supporting the scan head so that a position and a posture of the objective unit with respect to the stage can be changed. Provided is a laser scanning observation apparatus provided on an outer surface of a casing other than a surface arranged in a direction opposite to a direction in which the arm extends.

  According to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the laser light source is guided into the housing by being guided into the various directions by being guided into the housing, and is imaged on the sample by the objective lens. The sample is scanned at the site to be observed. When returning to the inside of the housing through the objective lens, fluorescence and other return light generated in the sample by being irradiated with the laser light is detected by a photodetector provided on the outer surface of the housing. Thereby, the image over the predetermined area | region in the observation object site | part of a sample can be obtained.

  The scan head is separated from the laser light source and connected by an optical fiber, and has the minimum necessary configuration in which the objective unit is fixed to the housing that houses the laser scanning unit, so the housing itself is configured to be small. be able to. Further, by bending the optical fiber, handling is easy. The scan head is supported by the arm so that the position and orientation relative to the stage on which the sample is placed can be arbitrarily changed. By displacing the arm, the objective unit can be freely positioned with respect to the sample and the sample can be observed. The target site can be observed from a desired direction.

  In this case, the photodetector for detecting the return light from the sample is a relatively large device. However, according to the present invention, the photodetector is arranged in a direction opposite to the direction in which the arm extends from the housing. Since it is provided on the outer surface of the housing other than the surface, even if the photodetector is arranged so as to protrude from the housing, it does not jump out into the working space of the operator who operates the sample at a position close to the scan head. . That is, an operator does not enter in the direction in which the arm extends from the housing, and it is normal to work in the opposite direction. Therefore, by arranging the photodetector in the other direction, the work space is reduced. It is possible to prevent the restriction.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is preferable that the said photodetector is being fixed to the said housing | casing in the direction extended along the said arm.
As described above, since the worker cannot enter the direction in which the arm extends from the housing, it is possible to more reliably prevent the working space of the worker from being restricted by projecting the photodetector along that direction. It becomes possible to do.

In the above-mentioned invention, the apparatus includes a base that is horizontally disposed and includes the stage, a column that extends vertically from the base, and a slider that can move in the vertical direction along the column, and the arm is attached to the slider. It is good also as being attached to the said housing | casing outer surface so that it may be attached and the said photodetector may extend toward a support | pillar direction.
According to the present invention, the operator can easily move the objective unit of the scan head in the direction of approaching or separating from the sample by moving the slider up and down along the support column extending in the vertical direction from the base. In this case, since the worker cannot enter the side where the column is arranged, it is possible to avoid limiting the work space by arranging the photodetector so as to extend in the direction. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, in the said invention, it is preferable that the said housing | casing is provided with the inclined surface which forms this housing | casing toward an objective unit.
By forming the housing to be tapered toward the objective unit by the inclined surface, it is possible to secure a wide working space for sample operation formed around the objective unit, and observation is facilitated. be able to.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is preferable that the said photodetector is arrange | positioned on the opposite side to a stage on both sides of an objective unit.
It is possible to avoid a narrow working space for sample operation formed around the objective unit by the photodetector and to ensure a wide space.

The present invention also includes a laser light source, an irradiation optical fiber that propagates laser light generated by the laser light source, and a laser scanning unit that scans a sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber. A scan head comprising a housing for housing, and an objective unit for forming an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample; and a return from the sample to the housing through the objective unit A photodetector for detecting light; a stage for placing a sample; and an arm for supporting the scan head so that a position and an attitude of the objective unit relative to the stage can be changed. Provided is a laser scanning observation apparatus provided above a body upper surface.
According to the present invention, since the work space below the housing is not blocked by the photodetector, observation can be performed easily.

  The present invention also includes a laser light source, an irradiation optical fiber that propagates laser light generated by the laser light source, and a laser scanning unit that scans a sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber. A scan head comprising a housing for housing, and an objective unit for forming an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample; and a return from the sample to the housing through the objective unit A detector for detecting light; a stage on which a sample is placed; and an arm for supporting the scan head so that a position and an attitude of the objective unit relative to the stage can be changed, and a connection portion to the photodetector However, the present invention provides a laser scanning observation apparatus provided on the outer surface of the housing other than the surface arranged in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arm extends from the housing.

  According to the present invention, an operator does not enter in the direction in which the arm extends from the housing, and it is normal to work in the opposite direction, so the connection portion of the photodetector is arranged in the other direction. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the work space from being limited.

  In the above invention, the connection portion may be provided with an optical path branching portion that branches an optical path, and a plurality of the photodetectors may be provided so as to detect light in the branched optical path. Since return light emitted from the same sample is detected by a plurality of photodetectors, for example, light having different wavelengths can be detected separately. Even in this case, the working space can be prevented from being narrowed by the photodetector.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is good also as the said connection part being arrange | positioned rather than the optical axis of the said objective unit at the support | pillar side.
By doing in this way, it can avoid that a photodetector jumps out to an operator side, and can expand work space.

Furthermore, in the said invention, it is good also as the said connection part and the said photodetector being connected by the optical fiber for detection.
According to the optical fiber, since the projecting dimension can be reduced, the working space can be further widened.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is preferable to provide the branch means which branches a return light from the optical path between the said objective unit and a laser scanning part, and directs it to a photodetector.
It is possible to reduce the optical elements that allow the return light that has returned to the inside of the housing through the objective unit to pass therethrough, so that the return light can be detected by the photodetector without waste.

  Further, in the above-mentioned invention, there is provided branching means for branching the return light from the optical path between the objective unit and the laser scanning section and directing it to the photodetector, and the connection section includes the housing of the irradiation optical fiber. It is arranged near the connection position to the body, the connection portion and the photodetector are connected by a light detection optical fiber, and a part of the detection optical fiber is opposed to the branching means at one end surface. It is good also as arrange | positioning inside a housing | casing.

  By arranging the connection portion of the detection optical fiber in the vicinity of the connection position of the irradiation optical fiber to the housing, it is possible to easily handle each optical fiber when moving the scan head.

  According to the present invention, the scan head is reduced in size, the operability thereof and the handling of a sample such as a relatively small experimental animal are facilitated, and a relatively large photodetector is prevented from narrowing the operator's work space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser-operated observation apparatus that facilitates observation by being disposed in a space.

A laser beam scanning observation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a base 2 arranged horizontally, a support 3 extending vertically upward from the upper surface of the base 2, and the support 3. The slider 4 is provided so as to be movable up and down, the arm 5 extends horizontally from the slider 4, the scan head 6 fixed to the tip of the arm 5, the laser light source 7 disposed outside, and the laser light source 7 And an optical fiber 8 connecting the scan head 6 and a photodetector 9 fixed to the scan head 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 2 is provided with a stage 10 on which a sample A such as an experimental small animal such as a rat or a mouse is placed. The stage 10 can move the sample A in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and is configured to be rotatable around the vertical axis.

The scan head 6 is arranged in two horizontal directions by a collimating lens 11 that changes the laser light propagated through the optical fiber 8 into parallel light and two galvanometer mirrors 12a and 12b that are rotated around two orthogonal axes. A laser scanning unit 12 that deflects the laser light, a pupil projection lens 13 that collects the laser light emitted from the laser scanning unit 12 to form an intermediate image, and a laser that forms an intermediate image by the pupil projection lens 13 An imaging lens 14 that converts the light into parallel light again is provided in the housing 15.
An objective unit 17 having an objective lens 16 for re-imaging the laser light emitted from the imaging lens 14 on the sample A is detachably attached to the lower end surface of the housing 15 of the scan head 6.

  Further, the photodetector 9 is fixed to the side surface of the scan head 6 on the column side of the housing 15. The photodetector 9 is, for example, a photomultiplier tube and has a relatively large size as compared with the scan head 6. In the housing 15, a dichroic mirror 18 is provided for branching the fluorescence returning from the sample A from the optical path through the objective lens 16, the imaging lens 14, the pupil projection lens 13, and the laser scanning unit 12. The photodetector 9 detects fluorescence branched from the optical path by the dichroic mirror 18. Reference numeral 28 in the drawing is a monitor that displays an image picked up by the photodetector 9.

  In addition, the housing 15 of the scan head 6 is provided with an inclined surface 19 at the lower portion thereof. The inclined surface 19 tapers the housing 15 toward the lower end surface on which the objective unit 17 is provided. Thereby, the work space X in the vicinity of the stage 10 can be widened, and operations such as operation of the sample A can be made easier.

The slider 4 is provided with a focus handle 20, and an operator operates the slider 4 to move the arm 5 and the scan head 6 fixed to the tip of the arm 5 in the vertical direction with respect to the base 2, thereby moving the stage. The objective unit 17 can be brought close to or away from the observation target portion of the sample A placed on the specimen 10.
The arm 5 is configured such that the slider 4, the arm 5, and the scan head 6 rotate about the axis of the column 3.
In addition, the worker usually works on the side opposite to the column 3 (hereinafter referred to as the front side) across the scan head 6. FIG. 2 is a view of the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3 is a view as viewed from the right side.

The operation of the thus configured laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.
According to the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the laser light emitted from the laser light source 7 is propagated by the optical fiber 8 and enters the housing 15 of the scan head 6, and the collimating lens 11, the laser scanning unit. 12, the sample A is irradiated through the pupil projection lens 13, the imaging lens 14, and the objective lens 16. Since the laser beam irradiation position on the sample A is scanned by the operation of the laser scanning unit 12, the laser beam can be irradiated over a predetermined region of the observation target portion of the sample A. Fluorescence is emitted from the sample A irradiated with the laser light, and the emitted fluorescence returns through the objective lens 16, the imaging lens 14, the pupil projection lens 13, and the laser scanning unit 12, and is separated from the optical path by the dichroic mirror 18. As a result, the light detector 9 detects the light.

The laser scanning unit 12 irradiates various positions of the sample A with laser light and detects the fluorescence that returns each time, thereby obtaining a fluorescence image over a predetermined range of the observation target portion of the sample A and observing it with the monitor 28. be able to.
In this observation work, the operator sets the sample A on the stage 10, operates a rotating mechanism (not shown) provided between the column 3 and the slider 4, and arranges the scan head 6 at the approximate position of the sample A. To do. Further, the focus handle 20 is operated to move the slider 4 along the column 3 to focus on the observation target part. These operations are generally performed in a work space X on the opposite side of the column 3 with respect to the scan head 6.

  In the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the photodetector 9 having a relatively large size is fixed to the side surface (that is, the back surface) of the housing 15 of the scan head 6 on the column 3 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work space X from being restricted by the light detector 9 when the worker performs the observation work without jumping out into the work space X. As a result, a relatively wide working space X is secured around the scan head 6 and the stage 10, and the workability of the observation work by the worker can be improved. The same applies not only when the worker works on the front side but also when working on the left and right sides.

  In addition, according to the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical fiber 8 that connects the laser light source 7 and the housing 15 of the scan head 6 is provided from the front side of the scan head 6. Although it is connected on the left side as seen, the optical fiber 8 can be changed in its form relatively freely, so that it can be arranged in a form that does not interfere with the work. Further, the connection position of the optical fiber 8 from the laser light source 7 to the housing 15 of the scan head 6 may also be arranged on the side surface on the column 3 side.

  In the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the case where the single photodetector 9 is fixed to the side surface (rear surface) of the scan head 6 on the column 3 side of the casing 15 has been described. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, two or more photodetectors 9a and 9b for detecting fluorescence of different wavelengths are arranged by arranging a light branching means such as a dichroic mirror 21 as shown in FIG. You may decide to do it. Also in this case, the work space X on the back side is only restricted by the photodetectors 9a and 9b, and the work work X on the front side is not restricted, and the observation work can be easily performed.

  Further, in the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the photodetector 9 is directly fixed to the side surface (back surface) of the casing 15 of the scan head 6 on the support column 3 side. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a coupling lens 22 and an optical fiber 23 may be connected to a separately installed photodetector 9. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained by providing the connector 24 which is a connection portion to the photodetector 9 on the back side.

  In the above embodiment, the housing 15 of the scan head 6 is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side. Instead, as shown in FIGS. When the body 15 is arranged along the arm 5, the width dimension of the scan head 6 viewed from the front side can be reduced. In this case, a connection member 25 that guides the fluorescence branched by the dichroic mirror 18 to the outside of the housing 15 is provided in a protruding state on one side surface of the housing 15 in the left-right direction, and the mirror 26 in the connection member 25 It may be deflected in the direction along the arm 5 again, and the photodetector 9 may be installed on the end face on the column 3 side so as to extend in the column 3 direction.

  Since the connecting member 25 that merely disposes the mirror 26 in the interior can have a protrusion amount sufficiently smaller than that of the photodetector 9, the left and right sides of the connecting member 25 can be more right and left than the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The working range X of the direction is not limited. Further, in this case, since the optical fiber 8 connected to the laser light source 7 can be connected to the back side of the housing 15, the working range X can be further secured.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the photodetector 9 was provided in the side surface of the housing | casing 15 of the scan head 6 was demonstrated, instead of this, as FIG. The photodetector 9 may be fixed on the upper surface.
FIG. 9 is a view of the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment as seen from the front side, as in FIG. 2, and a photodetector is provided on the upper surface of the casing 15 of the scan head 6 protruding leftward from the arm 5. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view in which a through hole 27 is provided in the arm 5, and the photodetector 9 is attached to the upper surface of the casing 15 of the scan head 6 through the through hole 27. Further, FIG. 11 is a side view similar to FIG. 8, and is an example in which the casing 15 of the scan head 6 is attached along the arm 5 so as to reduce the width dimension when viewed from the front side. The attachment range between the arm 5 and the housing 15 is shortened so that the upper surface of the housing 15 is exposed to the distal end side of the arm 5, and the photodetector 9 is fixed to the exposed upper surface of the housing 15. Furthermore, FIG. 12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11 showing a form in which the attachment portion between the arm 5 and the housing 15 is set on the back side of the housing 15. In this way, the entire upper surface of the housing 15 is exposed, and the photodetector 9 is fixed to the upper surface, thereby facilitating the observation work without limiting the work range X as described above. .
In addition to the case where the photodetector 9 is directly attached to the upper surface of the housing 15, the photodetectors 9a and 9b are connected via the optical branching portion 21 and the optical fiber 23 as shown in FIG. Also good.

  Furthermore, in the laser scanning observation apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, the dichroic mirror 18 is disposed in the optical path between the laser scanning unit 12 and the collimating lens 11 to branch the fluorescence returning from the sample A side. Instead, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a dichroic mirror 18 is provided in the optical path between the objective unit 17 and the imaging lens 14, or between the pupil projection lens 13 and the laser scanning unit 12, as shown in FIGS. It may be arranged to branch the fluorescence.

  By doing in this way, the optical element through which fluorescence passes can be reduced. Therefore, loss of fluorescence returning from the sample A can be reduced and detected without waste, and deterioration of the image quality of the fluorescence image can be suppressed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, when the fluorescence is branched between the objective unit 17 and the imaging lens 14, a connector 24 that is a connecting portion between the photodetector 9 and the housing 15 is connected from the laser light source 7. You may decide to provide in the vicinity of the connection position to the housing | casing 15 of the optical fiber 8 which propagates light. In this case, a part of the optical fiber 8 may be placed in the housing 15 from the connector 24 to the dichroic mirror 18 so that the tip surface of the optical fiber 8 faces the dichroic mirror 18.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the connecting member 25 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 15 that is disposed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arm 5 extends from the housing 15, that is, the surface that is disposed on the opposite side to the column 3. And the photodetector 9 may be arranged above the upper surface of the housing 15. By doing so, the photodetector 9 can be arranged at a position away from the objective unit 17, and the working range X formed around the objective unit 17 can be prevented from being narrowed by the photodetector 9.

  When trying to obtain a confocal effect with the laser-operated observation apparatus according to the present embodiment, a pinhole for cutting a defocused image is substituted by the core diameter of the optical fiber 8, and fluorescence is propagated through the optical fiber 8. Thus, a method of leading to the photodetector 9 is also conceivable. This is mainly useful for single-photon (single-photon) excitation-type observation equipment, and multi-photon (multi-photon) excitation-type observation that provides a confocal effect without using a pinhole that cuts a defocused image. The invention is particularly effective in the case of an apparatus.

1 is a plan view showing a laser scanning observation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of the laser scanning observation apparatus of FIG. 1, and is provided with two photodetectors. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a modification similar to FIG. 4, in which a scan head and a photodetector are connected by an optical fiber. It is a top view which shows the other modification of the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a front view which shows the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a front view which shows the other modification of the laser scanning type observation apparatus of FIG. It is a front view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of the attachment position of a photodetector. It is a side view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the other modification similar to FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification in the case of arrange | positioning a photodetector above a housing | casing.

Explanation of symbols

A Sample 1 Laser scanning observation device 2 Base 3 Support column 4 Slider 5 Arm 6 Scan head 7 Laser light source 8 Optical fiber 9, 9a, 9b Photodetector 10 Stage 12 Laser scanning unit 15 Housing 17 Objective unit 18 Dichroic mirror (branch) means)
19 Inclined surface 24 Connector (connection part)
25 Connection member (connection part)

Claims (12)

A laser light source;
An irradiating optical fiber for propagating laser light generated in the laser light source;
A housing that houses a laser scanning unit that scans the sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber; and an objective unit that forms an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample. A scan head fixed to the body,
A photodetector for detecting the return light returning from the sample into the housing through the objective unit;
A stage on which a sample is placed;
An arm that supports the scan head so that the position and posture of the objective unit with respect to the stage can be changed,
A laser scanning observation apparatus in which the photodetector is provided on an outer surface of the housing other than a surface disposed in a direction opposite to a direction in which the arm extends from the housing.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is fixed to the housing in a direction extending along the arm. A base horizontally disposed with the stage;
A column that extends vertically from the base, and a slider that is movable in the vertical direction along the column,
The arm is attached to the slider;
The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is attached to the outer surface of the housing so as to extend in a column direction.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the casing is provided with an inclined surface that tapers the casing toward the objective unit.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is disposed on the opposite side of the stage with the objective unit interposed therebetween. A laser light source;
An irradiation optical fiber for propagating a laser beam generated in the laser light source;
A housing that houses a laser scanning unit that scans the sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber; and an objective unit that forms an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample. A scan head fixed to the body,
A photodetector for detecting the return light returning from the sample into the housing through the objective unit;
A stage on which a sample is placed;
An arm that supports the scan head so that the position and posture of the objective unit with respect to the stage can be changed,
A laser scanning observation apparatus in which the photodetector is provided above the upper surface of the housing. A laser light source;
An irradiation optical fiber for propagating a laser beam generated in the laser light source;
A housing that houses a laser scanning unit that scans the sample with the laser light propagated by the irradiation optical fiber; and an objective unit that forms an image of the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning unit on the sample. A scan head fixed to the body,
A photodetector for detecting the return light returning from the sample into the housing through the objective unit;
A stage on which a sample is placed;
An arm that supports the scan head so that the position and posture of the objective unit with respect to the stage can be changed,
A laser scanning observation apparatus in which a connection portion to the photodetector is provided on an outer surface of the housing other than a surface arranged in a direction opposite to a direction in which the arm extends from the housing. An optical path branching section for branching the optical path at the connection section;
The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the photodetectors are provided so as to respectively detect light in the branched optical path.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the connection portion is disposed closer to the support column than the optical axis of the objective unit.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the connection portion and the photodetector are connected by a detection optical fiber.   The laser scanning observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising branching means for branching return light from an optical path between the objective unit and the laser scanning unit and directing the return light to a photodetector. Branching means for branching the return light from the optical path between the objective unit and the laser scanning unit and directing it to the photodetector;
The connection portion is disposed in the vicinity of a connection position of the irradiation optical fiber to the housing,
The connection portion and the photodetector are connected by an optical fiber for light detection,
The laser scanning observation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a part of the detection optical fiber is disposed inside the housing so that one end surface thereof faces the branching unit.

Images