JP2008102535A - Stereo microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereo microscope that can make observation of feeble fluorescence having proper contrast. <P>SOLUTION: An illuminating optical path 12, having an illuminating optical system 32 formed by splitting an optical path by a dichroic mirror 11, is provided in either observation optical path 1 out of two observation optical paths 1 and 2 having zoom lens groups 5 and 6. A sample 4 is stimulated by exciting light from the light source 14 of the illuminating optical path 12, and a fluorescent image in a predetermined wavelength region, passing through an absorption filter 16 among the fluorescent images of the simulated sample 4, is observed. The power changing operation of the zoom lens group 5 and the focal distance varying operation of the illuminating optical system 32 are performed, to be interlocked with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope used for observation of a fluorescent specimen.

  Conventionally, in fluorescence observation of a specimen, a specific site in a cell or tissue is stained with a fluorescent material, and a site that emits fluorescence by staining this fluorescent material is observed using a microscope. In this case, since the fluorescence emitted from the specimen is very weak and is observed at the cell level, observation with a stereomicroscope is impossible due to the brightness of the observation target.

  Slightly, as an example of performing fluorescence observation using such a stereomicroscope, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, autofluorescence emitted from tumor cells or the like is emitted by irradiating a laser to identify an affected area during surgery. There is something to observe.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, such a stereomicroscope has two aperture stops on the two observation optical axes, and these brightness stops are arranged at the pupil positions of the observation optical system. In addition, some are opened and closed in conjunction with each other, allowing adjustment of the depth of focus and brightness of the observed image. In such a stereoscopic microscope observation having two observation optical axes and performing fluorescence observation, a specimen having a thickness such as Drosophila may be used as it is, and a specimen having such a thickness may be used as it is. In some cases, an image with a deep depth of focus may be required.
JP-A-6-63164 Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-3294

  However, what is disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for irradiating a diseased site with a powerful laser beam with a dichroic mirror to identify a relatively rough position of the tumor. Therefore, it is impossible to observe minute and weak fluorescence with high contrast. In addition, the illumination optical system uses a high output laser to ensure the brightness of the observation site without considering the utilization efficiency and the like, and therefore becomes expensive in price.

  By the way, GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), which is a shining protein recently discovered from the Aequorea jellyfish, has attracted attention. Such GFP emits green fluorescence when irradiated with excitation light in the same manner as a normal fluorescent substance, and this fluorescence is very bright and does not have a fading characteristic of fluorescence, and expresses GFP in a living organism. The possibility of observation is being studied.

  On the other hand, what is disclosed in Patent Document 2 can obtain an image with a deep focal depth by narrowing the brightness of the optical path, but if the brightness diaphragm is narrowed, the brightness of the image also decreases at the same time. Resulting in. For this reason, if you try to take a photo with deep focal depth by coaxial epifluorescence observation, if you stop the aperture stop, the illumination light will also be reduced at the same time, so the fluorescent image becomes very dark and the exposure time becomes longer. The film is susceptible to the effects of film reciprocity failure and background noise, so that a good picture cannot be taken.

  Therefore, a stereomicroscope has been considered in which a diaphragm is arranged in a lens barrel to avoid narrowing the illumination light. However, the pupil position of the observation optical path having a zoom lens is in the zoom lens group. If the aperture is placed at another position, it is not placed near the original pupil position, and if it is narrowed more than a certain amount, vignetting will occur, the field of view will become darker, and recording such as observation and photography Inconvenience occurs. It is also possible to relay the image with a lens in the shooting optical path, create a pupil position, and place an aperture, but even if a relay is not necessary, a relay lens is always required, and a new aperture is also required. Since it becomes necessary, the number of parts increases, the configuration becomes complicated, and it becomes expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a stereomicroscope capable of observing weak fluorescence with high contrast.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a stereomicroscope capable of observing and recording an observation image having a deep focal depth while ensuring the brightness of the observation optical path.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided first and second observation optical paths through which a fluorescence observation image of a specimen is guided, a zoom lens group provided in the first and second observation optical paths, and the first observation optical path. An optical path splitting means, an illumination optical path formed by optical path splitting by the optical path splitting means and having a light source that excites the sample through the optical path splitting means, an illumination optical system provided in the illumination optical path, First and second filter means disposed in the first and second observation optical paths and transmitting a fluorescence observation image in a predetermined wavelength range of the sample excited by the light source, and a change in magnification of the zoom lens group The operation and the variable operation of the focal length of the illumination optical system are performed in conjunction with each other.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the zoom lens group includes a shaft portion that is held in a microscope main body and connected to a moving mechanism of the zoom lens group, and a first portion that is fixed to the shaft portion. And a knob fixed to the first gear, and the illumination optical system includes a lens movably provided in an optical axis direction of the illumination optical system and a first lens frame thereof. A guide pin provided in the first lens frame; a second lens frame provided so that the first lens frame can be moved to the internal fitting portion; and a long groove guide hole provided in the second lens frame; The cam further includes a cam that is rotatable by being fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the second lens frame, and a second gear fixed to the cam, and the first gear and the second gear are coupled to each other. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a third gear is further provided between the first gear and the second gear.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the illumination optical system further includes the lens fixed to the microscope body and a second lens frame thereof.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to remove autofluorescence such as an optical member by illumination light that excites fluorescence other than a predetermined wavelength range of fluorescence of a sample excited by a light source, and observe minute and weak fluorescence with good contrast. be able to.

  In addition, since a photographic optical path is provided in another observation optical path that is not affected by autofluorescence such as an optical member due to illumination light that excites fluorescence, a good quality photo can be obtained by taking a picture using this photographic optical path. Recording can be realized.

  Furthermore, the aperture means of the observation optical path having the illumination optical path can be kept open, and the aperture means of the other observation optical path can be reduced as much as necessary, so that the focus can be adjusted without affecting the brightness of the illumination on the specimen. A high-quality observation image with a deep depth can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a stereomicroscope to which the present invention is applied. Here, only an optical system arranged in two observation optical paths 1 and 2 of the stereomicroscope is shown.

  In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes an objective lens common to the observation optical paths 1 and 2, and the observation image of the specimen 4 taken from the objective lens 3 is guided to the observation optical paths 1 and 2, respectively. These two observation optical paths 1 and 2 have zoom lens groups 5 and 6, image forming lenses 7 and 8, and eyepieces 9 and 10 that perform zooming using a knob (not shown), respectively. The four sides are made observable. In this case, the aperture stops 51 and 61 are arranged at or near the observation optical path pupil position in the zoom lens groups 5 and 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the brightness stops 51 and 61 have a brightness stop body 513 (613) on a stop ring 512 (612) provided at the tip of the operation handle 511 (611). By rotating the diaphragm ring 512 (612) by a predetermined angle by an operation in the direction of the arrow shown in (611), a predetermined opening state can be obtained in the brightness diaphragm main body 513 (613).

  A dichroic mirror 11 is disposed between the zoom lens group 5 and the imaging lens 7 in the observation optical path 1. The dichroic mirror 11 reflects light having a certain wavelength or less and transmits light having a wavelength longer than the dichroic mirror 11. An optical path divided from the observation optical path 1 by the dichroic mirror 11 is formed in the illumination optical path 12. .

  The illumination optical path 12 is an excitation filter 13 composed of a bandpass filter capable of selecting only a specific wavelength, for example, a light source 14 composed of a mercury lamp, and illumination for guiding light emitted from the light source 14 to the excitation filter 13. An optical system 15 is provided.

  A long-pass filter that transmits only light having a predetermined wavelength or more is formed between the dichroic mirror 11 and the imaging lens 7 in the observation optical path 1 and between the zoom lens 6 and the imaging lens 8 in the observation optical path 2. Absorbing filters 16 and 17 are arranged.

  In this case, the sample 4 expresses GFP, and is excited by illumination light in a wavelength region near 490 nm and emits fluorescence having an intensity peak near 510 nm. As a result, the excitation filter 13 in the illumination optical path 12 selectively transmits only the wavelength region near 490 nm necessary for exciting the specimen 4 expressing GFP as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, the absorption filters 16 and 17 transmit light having a wavelength of 505 nm or more that transmits fluorescence having an intensity peak near 510 nm emitted from the GFP of the sample 4 as shown in FIG. The dichroic mirror 11 is constituted by a characteristic long pass filter, and the dichroic mirror 11 reflects the illumination light in the wavelength region near 490 nm necessary for the excitation of the specimen 4 and the GFP of the specimen 4 emits as shown in FIG. It has the characteristic of transmitting fluorescence near 510 nm, which has a wavelength longer than that of light.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  Now, when illumination light is emitted from the light source 14, it is guided to the excitation filter 13 via the illumination optical system 15. Then, the illumination light only in the wavelength region near 490 nm necessary for exciting the sample 4 by the excitation filter 13 is transmitted and guided to the dichroic mirror 11. In the dichroic mirror 11, the illumination light in the wavelength region near 490 nm is reflected and irradiated onto the surface of the specimen 4 through the zoom lens group 5 (brightness stop 51) and the objective lens 3. As a result, the GFP of the sample 4 is excited by illumination light in the wavelength region near 490 nm, and fluorescence having an intensity peak near 510 nm, which is longer in wavelength than the excitation light, is emitted.

  Then, the fluorescence emitted from the specimen 4 is condensed by the objective lens 3 and guided to the observation optical paths 1 and 2 as an observation image of the specimen 4, respectively. Thereby, the fluorescence guided to the observation optical path 1 is guided to the dichroic mirror 11 through the zoom lens group 5 (brightness stop 51), is transmitted therethrough, and further has an intensity peak near 510 nm by the absorption filter 16. Is transmitted through the image forming lens 7 and observed by the eyepiece 9. On the other hand, the fluorescence guided to the observation optical path 2 is also guided to the absorption filter 17 through the zoom lens group 6 (brightness stop 61). Here, the fluorescence having an intensity peak near 510 nm is transmitted and connected. An image is formed by the image lens 8 and observed by the eyepiece 10.

  Here, the aperture stops 51 and 61 are normally used in an open state. However, when an image with a deep depth of focus is to be observed, the aperture stop 61 on the observation optical path 2 is narrowed down by a necessary amount to thereby adjust the eyepiece. An image obtained through the lens 10 is observed as an observation image having a deep focal depth. In this case, the brightness stop 51 of the observation optical path 1 is left open, so that the brightness of the illumination light from the light source 12 to the sample 4 is not affected at all.

  Accordingly, in this way, the illumination light path 12 formed by the optical path division by the dichroic mirror 11 is provided in one observation light path 1 of the two observation light paths 1 and 2 that is a feature of the stereomicroscope. Since the sample 4 is excited by the excitation light from the light source 14, and the fluorescence image of the excited sample 4 is observed in a predetermined wavelength region passing through the absorption filter 16, scattering of the excitation light and optical members It is possible to eliminate the influence of autofluorescence generated from the above, and it is possible to observe minute and weak fluorescence with good contrast.

  In the first embodiment described above, a long-pass filter that transmits light of 505 nm or more is used for the absorption filters 16 and 17, but if a band-pass filter that transmits only near 505 nm is used, GFP is emitted. Since most of the light other than fluorescence can be removed, the fluorescence can be further emphasized. In the above description, the wavelength range of the filter is limited to GFP. However, even if the sample is stained with another fluorescent reagent or the like and the sample emits autofluorescence, the appropriate filter can be selected. A similar effect can be expected. Furthermore, the aperture stops 51 and 61 provided together with the zoom lenses 5 and 6 can be omitted.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  In this case, a beam splitter 18 is inserted between the absorption filter 17 and the imaging lens 8 in the observation optical path 2 so as to be detachable from the observation optical path 2, and the optical path divided by the beam splitter 18 is taken as the imaging optical path. 19 is formed. In the photographing optical path 19, a relay lens 20, a total reflection mirror 21 for deflecting the photographing optical path 19, and an imaging lens 23 for forming an image on the imaging surface 22 are disposed.

  Even in this case, the fluorescence emitted from the specimen 4 is collected by the objective lens 3 and guided to the observation optical paths 1 and 2 as observation images of the specimen 4, respectively. The fluorescent light passes through the zoom lens group 6 (brightness stop 61) and is guided to the absorption filter 17, where the fluorescent light having an intensity peak near 510 nm is transmitted and guided to the beam splitter 18. Then, the beam splitter 18 divides the observation optical path 2 and the imaging optical path 19 at a fixed ratio, and the light guided to the imaging optical path 19 among them is an imaging lens via a relay lens 20 and a total reflection mirror 21. 23 forms an image on the imaging surface 22.

  Thereby, if an imaging device such as a film or a CCD is arranged on the imaging surface 22, a fluorescent image of the specimen 4 is captured and recorded. In this case, the aperture stops 51 and 61 are normally used in an open state. However, when an image with a deep focal depth is required at the time of recording such as photography, the aperture stop 61 on the observation optical path 2 is used. By narrowing down by a necessary amount, a photographed image on the photographing optical path 19 divided from the observation optical path 2 by the beam splitter 18 is recorded as an image having a deep focal depth. In this case, since the brightness stop 51 of the observation optical path 1 is left open, the brightness of the illumination light from the light source 12 to the sample 4 is not affected at all.

  That is, in order to obtain an image with a deep depth of focus at the time of recording such as photography, only the aperture stop 61 on the observation optical path 2 is opened and closed, and the aperture stop 51 used in the illumination optical path is left open. Therefore, the illumination light guided to the specimen 4 is not lost, so that sufficient illumination light is irradiated to the specimen 4 to ensure brightness. The focus is maintained while maintaining the fluorescence intensity of the observation image. The depth can be increased, the extension of the exposure time can be minimized, and good photography can be performed without being affected by the characteristics of the film and the background.

  On the other hand, if it is not necessary to record and record a fluorescent image, if the beam splitter 18 is removed from the observation optical path 2, observation with the eyepiece 10 can be performed with 100% light quantity in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. .

  Further, in the observation optical path 1, weak autofluorescence is emitted on the optical paths of the zoom lens 5 and the objective lens 3 due to the illumination light reflected by the dichroic mirror 11 through the excitation filter 13. When such autofluorescence is emitted, light having a wavelength that passes through the absorption filter 16 is guided to the eyepiece lens 9 and the contrast of the fluorescent image of the specimen 4 may be lowered. Although the degree of the decrease in contrast is not uniform, it may be fatal for recording such as photographs. However, the observation optical path 2 having the photographing optical path 19 is not affected at all by the above-described autofluorescence, and therefore does not cause a decrease in contrast. In other words, of the two observation light paths 1 and 2 that are characteristic of the stereomicroscope, by avoiding the optical path 1 used for excitation illumination and providing the imaging optical path 19 in the other observation light path 2, the influence of autofluorescence is completely received. As a result, a fluorescent image with high contrast can be recorded.

  In the second embodiment described above, the beam splitter 18 is divided at a fixed ratio with respect to the photographing optical path 19, but this ratio can be arbitrarily set. It is also possible to use a total reflection prism that reflects 100% on the photographing optical path 19 side.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG.

  In this case, the dichroic mirror 11 and the absorption filter 16 in the observation optical path 1, the excitation filter 13 in the illumination optical path 12, and the absorption filter 17 in the observation optical path 2 are integrally provided on the slide member 31. The slide member 31 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical axes of the observation optical paths 1 and 2, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (front-rear direction), and moves the dichroic mirror 11 and the absorption filter 16 through the observation optical path 1. The excitation filter 13 can be inserted into and removed from the illumination optical path 12 and the absorption filter 17 can be inserted into and removed from the observation optical path 2 at the same time.

  In this way, when an observation method other than fluorescence, for example, when it is desired to see the whole image, the specimen 4 is illuminated by external illumination such as fiber illumination or fluorescent lamp (not shown) and the slide member 31 is removed from the optical path. Thus, the dichroic mirror 11 and the absorption filter 16, the excitation filter 13 in the illumination optical path 12, and the absorption filter 17 in the observation optical path 2 can be removed, and a whole image observation without a filter can be performed.

  As a result, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, if the absorption filters 16 and 17 and the dichroic mirror 11 are arranged in the respective observation light paths 1 and 2, only colored observation is obtained. Alternatively, the transmittance may decrease and the observation image may become dark. However, it is possible to easily switch to bright field observation by only one operation of removing the slide member 31 from the optical path.

  In addition, since the switching direction of the slide member 31 is set in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (front-rear direction), the movement amount must be increased in order to avoid the optical axis by moving laterally with respect to the optical axis. Compared to the above, the amount of movement of the slide member 31 can be minimized, and space constraints can be eliminated. Thereby, it is easy to change the slide member 31 to not only two stages of insertion / removal but also three stages or more.

  Further, when the specimen 4 is stained with a fluorescent dye other than GFP or with two types of fluorescent dyes, each of the plurality of switching positions of the slide member 31 is adapted to each fluorescent dye. By arranging dichroic mirrors, excitation filters, and absorption filters having different characteristics, it is possible to observe each fluorescent dye with good contrast only by switching the slide member 31. In this case, since the dichroic mirror, the excitation filter, and the absorption filter are simultaneously switched, quick and easy switching is possible.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  In this case, in place of the illumination optical system 15 disposed between the light source 14 and the excitation filter 13 in the illumination optical path 12, the magnification of the light source 14 can be varied at the pupil position of the optical system including the objective lens 3 and the zoom lens group 5. An illumination optical system 32 capable of projecting is arranged.

  By the way, in recent microscopes, a Koehler illumination optical system is employed in order to uniformly illuminate the specimen surface of the observation field. When observing the specimen 4, the zoom lens groups 5 and 6 are moved to change the magnification. At this time, the pupils of the zoom lens groups 5 and 6 are positioned in the optical axis direction. The size changes, for example, it becomes smaller as the magnification becomes larger and higher. On the other hand, the brightness of the illumination light applied to the specimen 4 from the objective lens 3 is determined by how large the light source image is projected onto the pupil of the objective lens 3. Therefore, in order to illuminate the specimen 4 with bright brightness, it is necessary to fill the pupils of the zoom lens group 5 and the objective lens 3 without waste. If it is projected larger than the size and protrudes, the amount of light is only wasted. For this reason, when the lens system of the illumination optical path 12 is fixed, the position and size of the projection image of the light source 14 is set to any one of the position of the pupil in the optical axis direction and the size change due to the zoom magnification change. Because of this relationship, it is impossible to achieve optimal satisfaction at all zoom magnifications.

  Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the illumination optical system 32 is arranged in the illumination optical path 12, and the lens in the illumination optical system 32 is matched to the pupil position and the size change accompanying the magnification change of the zoom lens group 5. The position and size of the projection image of the light source 14 in the direction of the optical axis can be changed to project the same size as the pupil. At this time, the NA of the light beam incident on the pupils of the zoom lens group 5 and the objective lens 3 is set to a value that can illuminate the entire observation field at each magnification.

  Thereby, in general, the NA of the objective lens is smaller and darker in the stereomicroscope than in the optical microscope, and therefore, particularly in the case of fluorescence observation, bright illumination is required. Even in such a case, the zoom lens group 5 In accordance with the zoom magnification, it is possible to achieve optimal illumination that is bright and uniform with the pupil always satisfied at any magnification.

(Fifth embodiment)
7A and 7B show a specific configuration of the illumination optical system 32 described in the fourth embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in FIG.

  In this case, the illumination optical system 32 includes constituent lenses 32a, 32b, and 32c, and these lenses 32a, 32b, and 32c are fixed to the lens frames 33a, 33b, and 34, respectively. Among these, the lens frame 34 is fixed to the microscope main body 30, and the lens frames 33 a and 33 b allow the internal fitting portion of the frame 35 fixed to the lens frame 34 to move in the direction of the optical axis 36. The lens frames 33a and 33b are respectively provided with guide pins 37a and 37b. The guide pins 37a and 37b are guided along a long groove guide hole 38 formed in the frame 35, and the outer peripheral portion of the frame 35 is provided. It is also guided to a cam 39 that can be fitted and rotated. Two cam grooves (not shown) are formed in the cam 39 and guide the guide pins 37a and 37b, respectively.

  A gear 40 is fixed to the cam 39 by a screw 41 so as to rotate integrally. Another gear 42 meshes with the gear 40, and the other gear 42 rotates around a shaft 43 fixed to the microscope main body 30 by a fixing method (not shown). The other gear 42 meshes with a gear 44 that is rotatably held by the microscope body 30. A knob 45 is fixed to the tip of the gear 44, and the knob 45 can be rotated. Further, a moving mechanism (not shown) of the zoom lens groups 5 and 6 described above is connected to the shaft portion 46 of the gear 44, and the shaft portion 46 is rotated via the gear 44 by the knob 45, thereby interlocking with this. Thus, the zoom lens groups 5 and 6 perform zoom magnification.

  In such a configuration, when the knob 45 is rotated, the gear 44 is rotated, and this rotation is transmitted to a moving mechanism (not shown) of the zoom lens groups 5 and 6 via the shaft portion 46, and zoom magnification is performed. At the same time, the rotation of the gear 44 is transmitted to the gear 40 through the rotation of the gear 42. When the gear 40 is rotated, the cam 39 is rotated, and the guide pins 37a and 37b are guided by the two cam grooves of the cam 39 and the long groove guide hole 38 of the frame 35, and the lens frames 33a and 33b are moved. It is moved in the direction of the optical axis 36. In this case, the two cam grooves of the cam 39 are optimized in the projection magnification and position of the light source 14 in accordance with the change in the position and size of the pupil due to the change in the zoom magnification described in the fourth embodiment. Thus, the lenses 32a and 32b are moved from the zoom low magnification state shown in FIG. 7A to the zoom high magnification state shown in FIG.

  In this way, the effect described in the fourth embodiment can be obtained in conjunction with zoom zooming, and the observer can zoom without worrying about illumination. However, it is possible to always perform optimum fluorescent illumination.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG.

In this case, the light source 14 is separated, the light source 14 is constituted by the light source main holiday 141 and the collector lens 142, and the light source 14 is connected to the microscope via the optical fiber 71.
In this way, the light from the light source main body 141 is collected by the collector lens 142 and enters the illumination optical system 15 of the illumination optical path 12 via the optical fiber 71. Since heat generated from 141 can be prevented from being transmitted to the microscope body side, thermal deformation on the microscope body side and thermal influence on the examiner can be eliminated, and by using the optical fiber 71, the specimen 4 can be removed. The thermal effect on can be eliminated.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  In this case, the dichroic mirrors 11 and 11 ′ are disposed in the observation optical paths 1 and 2, respectively, and the illumination optical paths 12 and 12 ′ including the light sources 14 and 14 ′, the excitation filters 13 and 13 ′, and the illumination optical systems 15 and 15 ′. Is provided.

  In this way, since the brightness is doubled by the light sources 14 and 14 ', an observation image of the specimen 4 illuminated more brightly can be obtained.

(Eighth embodiment)
10 (a) and 10 (b) show a schematic configuration of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. That is, the eighth embodiment shows a different example of the brightness stops 51 and 61 described in the first embodiment.

  In this case, the brightness diaphragms 51 and 61 have a brightness diaphragm body 513 (613) on a diaphragm ring 512 (612) provided at the tip of the operation rod 511 (611). The operation rods 511 (611) each have an interlocking pin 514 (614), and the interlocking pin 514 (614) is formed in a common interlocking operation plate 500 with a predetermined interval through a straight groove 500a, 500b is movably mounted, and from this state, the interlocking operation plate 500 is slid in the direction of arrangement of the brightness diaphragms 51 and 61, thereby interlocking the operation rod 511 (611) and the diaphragm ring 512. By rotating (612) by a predetermined angle, the same aperture state can be obtained in the aperture stop main body 513 (613).

  In the aperture stops 51 and 61 configured as described above, the interlocking operation plate 500 is attached when the beam splitter 18 is removed from the optical path and observation with both eyes is performed in FIG. 4 described in the second embodiment. . Then, by sliding the interlocking operation plate 500 and operating the operating rod 511 (611) by the same amount in the same direction via the interlocking pin 514 (614), the diaphragm ring 512 (612) is rotated by a predetermined angle. Thus, the same aperture state is set in the aperture stop main body 513 (613), and the same depth of focus and brightness can be obtained in the observation optical paths 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, when taking a picture, the beam splitter 18 is returned to the optical path as shown in FIG. 4 described in the second embodiment, and the interlock operation plate 500 of the aperture stops 51 and 61 is removed. The same operation as described in the second embodiment can be achieved.

  In this way, at the time of observation with both eyes, the left and right brightness diaphragms 51 and 61 are interlocked to open and close to obtain the diaphragm effect at the same time, so that highly accurate observation can be easily obtained and operability is improved. In addition, at the time of recording such as taking a picture, the same effect as described in the second embodiment can be expected.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the aperture stop used for 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the characteristic of the filter and dichroic mirror which are used for 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the specific structure of the illumination optical system used for the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 7th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the aperture stop used for the 8th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 ... Observation optical path, 3 ... Objective lens, 4 ... Sample,
5, 6 ... zoom lens group, 51, 61 ... brightness stop,
500 ... Interlocking operation panel, 511, 611 ... Operation rod,
512, 612 ... Aperture ring, 513, 613 ... Brightness aperture body,
514, 614 ... interlocking pins, 7, 8 ... imaging lens,
9, 10 ... eyepiece, 11 ... dichroic mirror,
12 ... Illumination light path, 13 ... Excitation filter, 14 ... Light source,
15 ... illumination optical system, 16, 17 ... absorption filter,
18 ... Beam splitter, 19 ... Shooting optical path,
20 ... Relay lens, 21 ... Total reflection mirror,
22 ... Imaging surface, 23 ... Imaging lens, 31 ... Slide member,
32 ... Illumination optical system, 32a, 32b, 32c ... Lens,
33a, 33b, 34 ... lens frame, 35 ... frame, 36 ... optical axis,
37a, 37b ... guide pins, 38 ... long groove guide holes,
39 ... Cam, 40 ... Gear, 41 ... Screw, 42 ... Gear, 43 ... Shaft,
44 ... gear, 45 ... knob, 46 ... shaft, 71 ... optical fiber.

Claims (4)

First and second observation optical paths from which a fluorescence observation image of the specimen is guided;
A zoom lens group provided in the first and second observation optical paths;
Optical path splitting means for splitting the first observation optical path;
An illumination optical path having a light source formed by optical path splitting by the optical path splitting means and exciting the specimen through the optical path splitting means;
An illumination optical system provided in the illumination optical path;
First and second filter means disposed in the first and second observation optical paths and transmitting a fluorescence observation image in a predetermined wavelength range of a sample excited by the light source;
A stereomicroscope characterized by performing an operation of changing a magnification of the zoom lens group and a variable operation of a focal length of the illumination optical system in conjunction with each other. The zoom lens group includes a shaft portion held in the microscope body and coupled to a moving mechanism of the zoom lens group, a first gear fixed to the shaft portion, and a knob fixed to the first gear. And
The illumination optical system includes a lens movably provided in the optical axis direction of the illumination optical system, a first lens frame thereof, a guide pin provided in the first lens frame, and a first lens frame. A second lens frame that is movably provided in the fitting portion, a long groove guide hole provided in the second lens frame, a cam that is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the second lens frame and is rotatable. A second gear fixed to the cam;
The stereomicroscope according to claim 1, wherein the first gear and the second gear are connected. The stereomicroscope according to claim 2, further comprising a third gear between the first gear and the second gear. 3. The stereomicroscope according to claim 2, wherein the illumination optical system further includes the lens fixed to the microscope main body and a second lens frame thereof.

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