JP2007328051A - Light source device and microscope device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device, enabling a user to visually confirm whether light source light is irradiated from a place distant from a microscope device, and to provide a microscope device that has the same. <P>SOLUTION: The light source device 1 has a plurality of light sources 2, 3 and 4; ON/OFF means 11, 12 and 13 for turning on/off the light emitted from the plurality of light sources; and lighting parts 41, 42 and 43 corresponding to the number of the plurality of light sources, and has a lighting control means 40 for making lighting the lighting part light, corresponding to the selected light source out of the plurality of light sources interlocked to ON-signal, when the ON/OFF means turns on the light of the selected light source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device having a plurality of light sources and a microscope apparatus having the same.

Conventionally, in a laser microscope apparatus, light from a plurality of laser light sources is combined into one optical path, and a part of the laser light is separated by a reference mirror disposed in the optical path to detect the light intensity of the laser light. A laser beam is detected, and the light intensity is displayed on an operation screen to confirm the laser light emission state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-174332

  However, in the conventional laser microscope observation, the observer performs the setting of conditions such as the initial laser light quantity and the image acquisition range while looking at the operation screen. However, when acquiring the image of cell morphological change, it takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. Since the laser microscope device automatically performs the above long-term observation, the observer often performs another work away from the laser microscope device, and rarely sees the operation screen during image acquisition. . For this reason, the observer needs to check whether the apparatus operates correctly during image acquisition and whether the predetermined laser beam is applied to the specimen, and performs another work away from the laser microscope apparatus. If it is, it is necessary to stop the operation, go to the front of the operation screen of the laser microscope device, and check the light intensity of the laser light irradiating the specimen, and confirm the laser light for the observer. There is a problem that it takes time and effort.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a light source device that can visually recognize whether or not the light source light is irradiated from a place away from the microscope device, and a microscope device having the light source device. And

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a plurality of light sources, ON / OFF means for turning on / off the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, and a lighting unit corresponding to the number of the plurality of light sources. And when the ON / OFF means turns on the light of the selected light source among the plurality of light sources, the lighting unit turns on the lighting unit corresponding to the selected light source in conjunction with the ON signal Provided is a light source device having a control means.

  The present invention also provides a microscope apparatus comprising the light source device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the light source device which can visually recognize whether the light source light is irradiated from the place away from the microscope apparatus, and a microscope apparatus which has this can be provided.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a microscope apparatus having the light source device.

  In FIG. 1, the laser unit 1 is provided with three laser light sources, an Ar laser 2, a G-HeNe laser 3, and an R-HeNe laser 4. Shutters 11, 12, 13 are arranged in the vicinity of the emission ends of the laser light sources 2, 3, 4. Light can be blocked or emitted. Light from each laser light source 2, 3, 4 is combined into the same optical path I via dichroic mirrors 15, 16, 17.

  An acoustooptic element 21 (hereinafter referred to as AOTF) is disposed in the combined optical path I, and an acoustooptic element driver 22 (hereinafter referred to as AOTF) corresponding to the wavelength of the laser light source opened among the shutters 11 to 13. The light intensity of the laser beam having the corresponding wavelength is adjusted.

  The first-order diffracted laser light that has passed through the AOTF 21 is split into a part of the laser light from the optical path I by the reference mirror 23 and enters the photodetector 24. The laser light that has passed through the reference mirror 23 enters the optical fiber 26 through the fiber coupling 25.

  The scan unit 30 is connected by an optical fiber 26 connected to the laser unit 1 via a fiber coupling 31, and the laser light that has passed through the optical fiber 26 passes through a collimator lens 32, a dichroic mirror 33, an XY scanner 34, and an objective lens 35. Then, the specimen 36 is irradiated. The light from the sample 36 passes through the objective lens 35, the XY scanner 34, and the dichroic mirror 33, is collected by the condenser lens 37, and is detected by the image sensor 39 through the pinhole 38.

  The AOTF 21 controls the frequency and voltage applied to the AOTF driver 22 to select laser light having a specific wavelength from a laser light source having a plurality of wavelengths, and can control the intensity of the laser light having the selected wavelength. The laser light incident on the AOTF 21 is divided into O-order light and primary light by the AOTF 21, the amount of the primary light is changed, and the light is incident on the optical fiber 26 via the fiber coupling 25 and is supplied to the scan unit 30. The sample 36 is introduced and illuminated. The O-order light is cut by a light shielding plate and is configured not to enter the scan unit 30 or the photodetector 24. Note that an ND filter or the like can be used instead of the AOTF 21 for light amount adjustment.

  In addition, the microscope control device 51 performs scan control of the XY scanner 34 of the scan unit 30 and voltage control of the image sensor 39, generates an image from a signal obtained from the image sensor 39 of the scan unit 30, and displays the image on the monitor 52. Further, the laser unit 1 has functions of ON / OFF control of the shutters 11, 12, and 13, control of the AOTF driver 22, and display of the intensity of the laser beam detected by the photodetector 24 on the monitor 52.

  The number of LEDs 41, 42, 43 corresponding to the number of light sources that can be mounted on the laser unit 1 is installed on the front surface of the laser unit 1, and lighting control is performed by the lighting control unit 40.

  The lighting control unit 40 is connected with control signals for the shutters 11, 12, and 13 from the microscope control device 51, and further connected with a control signal for opening or closing the shutters 11, 12, and 13. The lighting control unit 40 detects a signal for opening any one of the shutters 11, 12, and 13 from the microscope control device 51. The lighting control unit 40 opens the shutter that has received the signal to open, and lights the corresponding LED. . For example, when a command for opening the shutter 11 of the Ar laser 2 is issued from the microscope control device 51 to the shutter 11 via the lighting control unit 40, the shutter 11 is opened and the Ar laser 2 is emitted. The LED 41 indicating that it is on lights up. Similarly, in the case of the G-HeNe laser 3, the shutter 12 is opened and the LED 42 is opened. In the case of the R-HeNe laser 4, the shutter 13 is opened and the LED 43 is lit.

  As described above, in the laser unit 1 and the scanning unit 30 having the laser unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the observer determines whether the laser beam used during the specimen observation is correctly selected and applied to the specimen. This can be known from the lighting state of the LEDs 41, 42, 43 on the front surface of the unit 1. In particular, even during long time lapse observation, it is possible to save the trouble of confirming the light amount monitor value (by the light detector 24) on the operation screen (monitor 52), and it is possible to know whether the laser beam is irradiated from a remote place. . The LEDs 41, 42, and 43 can be installed in the scan unit 30 in addition to the front surface of the laser unit 1 to obtain an equivalent function.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device and a microscope apparatus having the same according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is characterized in that the confirmation of whether or not the laser beam is emitted is more reliable than the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the lighting control unit 140 is configured to control the lighting of the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 using both the control signals of the shutters 11, 12, and 13 and the detection signal from the photodetector 24. ing. For example, when a command for opening the shutter 11 of the Ar laser 2 is issued from the microscope control device 51 to the shutter 11 via the lighting control unit 140, the shutter 11 is opened and the photodetector 24 is set to a constant value. A signal indicating that the above light quantity has been detected is transmitted to the lighting control unit 140, and the lighting control unit 140 lights the LED 41 indicating that the Ar laser 2 is emitted when both signals are input. Similarly, in the case of the G-HeNe laser 3, the LED 42 is turned on by a signal from the shutter 12 and the light detector 24, and in the case of the R-HeNe laser 4, the LED 43 is turned on by a signal from the shutter 13 and the light detector 24.

  In addition, since the AOTF 21 is used to adjust the intensity of the laser beam, flare generated when the light passes through the AOTF 21 is incident on the photodetector 24, and the light intensity is slightly generated. In order to ensure the emission state of the laser light, a light intensity threshold is provided so that the laser light has a light intensity of a certain value or more. The lighting control unit 140 controls the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 to be lit when a light intensity exceeding the predetermined value is detected.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is confirmed that the opening / closing operation signals of the shutters 11, 12, 13 and the light detector 24 have detected a light amount of a certain value or more, and the LEDs 41, 42 of the corresponding laser light sources. , 43 controls the lighting of the LED so that the observer can more surely check the emission state of the laser light to the scan head 30. For example, when the laser light source 2 is out of order and does not emit light, the laser light is not emitted even when the shutter 11 is opened. Therefore, a light amount signal is not generated in the photodetector 24, and the lighting control unit 140 includes the LED 41. Will not light up. Therefore, the observer can confirm that the sample 36 is not irradiated with the laser beam. Further, it can be determined that the laser light source 2 is not turned on, and a failure can be detected. The same applies when other laser light sources are selected, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, the lighting control unit 140 can be configured to light the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 only with a signal from the photodetector 24. Thereby, the emission state of the laser beam can be confirmed more easily.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device and a microscope apparatus having the same according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The third embodiment is characterized in that the confirmation of whether or not laser light is emitted is more reliable than the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the lighting control unit 240 is configured to control lighting of the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 using both the detection signal from the photodetector 24 and the signal of the AOTF driver 22. For example, when a command for selecting light of the wavelength of Ar laser 2 is commanded from the microscope control device 51 to the AOTF driver 22 via the lighting control unit 240, the AOTF driver 22 extracts the Ar laser wavelength and sets it to a predetermined light intensity. The AOTF 21 is driven so that The light detector 24 transmits a signal indicating that a laser light amount of a certain value or more is detected to the lighting control unit 240. The lighting controller 240 lights the LED 41 indicating that the Ar laser 2 is emitted when both signals are input. Similarly, in the case of the G-HeNe laser 3, the LED 42 is the signal of the wavelength selection signal to the AOTF driver 22 and the signal of the photodetector 24, and in the case of the R-HeNe laser 4, the wavelength selection signal to the AOTF 21 and the signal of the photodetector 24. Each of the LEDs 43 is turned on by a signal.

  In addition, since the AOTF 21 is used to adjust the intensity of the laser beam, flare generated when the light passes through the AOTF 21 is incident on the photodetector 24, and the light intensity is slightly generated. In order to ensure the emission state of the laser light, a light intensity threshold is provided so that the laser light has a light intensity of a certain value or more. The lighting control unit 140 controls the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 to light up when a light intensity exceeding the certain value is detected.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, after confirming that the wavelength selection operation of the AOTF 21 and the light detector 24 detect a light amount of a certain value or more, the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 of the corresponding laser light sources are turned on. As described above, since the lighting control unit 240 controls the lighting of the LEDs 41, 42, and 43, the observer can confirm the emission state of the laser light more reliably. For example, when the laser light source 2 is out of order and does not emit light, even if the AOTF 21 selects a wavelength, no laser light is emitted. Therefore, no light amount signal is generated in the photodetector 24, and the lighting control unit 240 switches the LED 41. Does not light up. Therefore, the observer can confirm that the sample 36 is not irradiated with the laser beam. Further, it can be determined that the laser light source 2 is not turned on, and a failure can be detected. The same applies when other laser light sources are selected, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As a modification of the third embodiment, the lighting control unit 240 can be configured to light the LEDs 41, 42, and 43 of the laser beam selected only by the wavelength selection signal to the AOTF driver 22. is there. Thereby, the emission state of the laser beam can be confirmed more easily.

  As described above, in the light source device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily visually confirm from the remote that the laser beam used during observation with the microscope device is correctly selected and irradiated on the specimen. Can save the trouble of checking the monitor device.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the above-described configuration and shape, and can be appropriately modified and changed within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram of the light source device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention and a microscope apparatus which has this is shown. The schematic block diagram of the light source device concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention and a microscope apparatus which has this is shown. The schematic block diagram of the light source device concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention and a microscope apparatus which has this is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser unit 2 Ar laser 3 G-HeNe laser 4 R-HeNe laser 11, 12, 13 Shutter 15, 16, 17 Dichroic mirror 21 AOTF
22 AOTF driver 23 Reference mirror 24 Photo detector 25, 31 Fiber coupling 26 Optical fiber 30 Scan unit 40 Lighting control unit 41, 42, 43 LED
32 Collimator lens 33 Dichroic mirror 34 XY scanner 35 Objective lens 36 Sample 37 Condensing lens 38 Pinhole 39 Image sensor 51 Microscope control device 52 Monitor

Claims (7)

Multiple light sources;
ON / OFF means for turning ON / OFF the light emitted from the plurality of light sources;
A lighting unit corresponding to the number of the plurality of light sources,
A lighting control means for lighting the lighting section corresponding to the selected light source in conjunction with the ON signal when the ON / OFF means turns on the light of the selected light source among the plurality of light sources. A light source device comprising: A light detecting means for detecting the intensity of light branched from the light from the plurality of light sources;
2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit receives a signal that the photodetector has reached a predetermined light intensity instead of the ON signal, and lights the lighting unit. A light detecting means for detecting the intensity of light branched from the light from the plurality of light sources;
2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit receives the ON signal and a signal that the photodetector has reached a predetermined light intensity and lights the lighting unit.   4. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the ON / OFF means is a shutter disposed in the vicinity of a light emitting portion of each of the plurality of light sources. 5.   4. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the ON / OFF means is an acousto-optic element.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is visible from the outside.   A microscope apparatus comprising the light source device according to claim 1.

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