JP2010156847A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope that prevents fluorescence from being generated by itself from a transmission illuminating optical component even if the transmission illuminating optical component is disposed immediately in front of a specimen as in a condenser lens when an objective lens with a high magnification is used. <P>SOLUTION: The microscope 1 includes an epifluorescent illuminating optical system 17 for epifluorescent observation and a transmission illuminating optical system 18 for transmission observation, so as to switch between them. This microscope further includes: a proximity optical component 42, which is disposed immediately in front of a specimen A in the optical path L1 of the transmission illuminating optical system so as to be inserted into an optical path and separated therefrom; and a light shielding member that shields the optical path L1 from fluorescence illumination immediately in front of the specimen A in the optical path L1 when the proximity optical component 42 is separated from the optical path L1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope that is switchable between an epifluorescence illumination optical system for fluorescence observation and a transmission illumination optical system for transmission observation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a microscope that includes an epifluorescence illumination optical system and a transmission illumination optical system, and can perform observation by switching optical systems used for observation. In the case of such a microscope, there is a problem that, during fluorescence observation, fluorescent illumination that has passed through the specimen is irradiated onto the optical component for transmission illumination, and autofluorescence is generated from the optical component for transmission illumination, resulting in noise. In order to eliminate the noise due to autofluorescence, there is a microscope in which a shutter is provided between a transmission illumination optical component and a specimen (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this microscope, a shutter is disposed so as to be detachable with respect to an optical path of transmitted illumination between a condenser lens, which is an optical component for transmitted illumination closest to the specimen, and a stage. The shutter prevents the fluorescent illumination light from being applied to the optical component for transmission illumination.

Japanese Utility Model Publication 2-140514

  However, when a condenser lens is disposed immediately in front of a specimen, such as when a high-magnification objective lens is used, it is difficult to insert a shutter between the condenser lens and the specimen.

  Therefore, in view of such a conventional problem, the present invention can transmit a transmission illumination optical component just before a specimen, such as a condenser lens when a high-magnification objective lens is used. The object of the present invention is to provide a microscope capable of preventing autofluorescence from being generated from an optical component for illumination.

  The microscope according to the present invention for solving the conventional problems as described above and achieving the intended purpose includes an epifluorescence illumination optical system for performing epifluorescence observation, and a transmission illumination optical system for performing transmission observation. When the proximity optical component is detachable from the optical path immediately before the sample in the optical path of the transmission illumination optical system, and the proximity optical component is detached from the optical path In addition, a light-shielding member that shields fluorescent illumination from the optical path is provided so as to be insertable / removable immediately before the specimen in the optical path.

  In the microscope according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the light shielding member is inserted into the optical path in conjunction with the detachment operation of the proximity optical component from the optical path.

  Further, in the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the transmission illumination optical system includes a condenser having a condenser lens, and the light shielding member is held in the condenser so as to be detachable from the optical path. It is characterized by.

  Further, the microscope according to the present invention is the microscope according to the above invention, wherein the condenser is provided with an optical element holding member that holds and moves a plurality of optical elements so that the optical elements are inserted into and removed from the optical path. The light shielding member is a part of the optical element holding member.

  The microscope according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the microscope has a stage on which the specimen is placed, and the light shielding member is installed on the stage.

  Further, the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the switching detection means for detecting switching between the epifluorescence illumination optical system and the transmission illumination optical system, and the proximity when the switch is made to the epifluorescence illumination optical system. And a control device for detaching the light shielding member from the optical path when the optical component is detached from the optical path and the light shielding member is inserted into the optical path and switched to the transmission illumination optical system. And

  The microscope according to the present invention is a microscope provided with an epifluorescence illumination optical system for performing epifluorescence observation and a transmission illumination optical system for performing transmission observation, which can be switched, and a sample in an optical path of the transmission illumination optical system. Immediately before the optical path, a proximity optical component is detachable from the optical path, and when the proximity optical component is detached from the optical path, the optical path is fluorescently illuminated immediately before the specimen in the optical path. Since the light-shielding member that shields light can be inserted and removed, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent illumination from being applied to the optical component of the transmission illumination optical system during fluorescence observation, and the auto-fluorescence is transmitted from the optical component of the transmission illumination optical system. Since it does not occur, fluorescence observation can be performed satisfactorily.

  Embodiments of a microscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction of the microscope, the Y-axis direction is the front-rear direction of the microscope, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction of the microscope. Further, the positive direction of the Y axis is the front side of the microscope.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a configuration of the microscope according to the first embodiment, partly cut away, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the capacitor portion, and FIG. 3 is a light shielding member in the capacitor. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the capacitor.

  The microscope 1 includes a base portion 2, a column portion 3, and an arm portion 4. The base unit 2 is a part that is directly placed on a place such as a desk where the microscope 1 is installed. The column portion 3 is erected on the back side of the base portion 2. The arm portion 4 is a portion that extends from the upper end of the column portion 3 toward the front side of the microscope 1.

  A movable guide 5 is installed on the front surface of the column part 3 so as to be movable up and down with respect to the column part 3. A stage holder 6 is detachably installed on the front surface of the movable guide 5, and a stage 7 is detachably installed on the stage holder 6. The stage 7 includes a specimen placement surface 7a on which the specimen A to be observed is placed, and can be moved in the front / rear and left / right directions with respect to the stage holder 6 by a stage handle (not shown).

  The movable guide 5 moves up and down by rotating the focus handle 8 installed on the base portion 2. The vertical movement is performed by a known means such as a gear or a rack and pinion (not shown).

  The arm unit 4 includes an observation unit 11 and a revolver 12. The observation unit 11 is installed at an upper portion on the distal end side in the extending direction of the arm unit 4, and includes an imaging lens 13, a prism 14, and an eyepiece lens 15. The revolver 12 is installed at a lower portion on the distal end side in the extending direction of the arm portion 4. The revolver 12 can be mounted with a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications. By rotating the revolver 12, the objective lens 16 having a desired magnification can be inserted into the optical path for observation.

  In addition, the microscope 1 includes an incident-light fluorescent illumination optical system 17 and a transmission illumination optical system 18, and can switch the illumination optical system used for observation. By switching the illumination optical system, the observation section 11 can perform transmission observation and epifluorescence observation with respect to the specimen A.

  The epifluorescence illumination optical system 17 is an illumination optical system for epifluorescence observation, and includes a fluorescent illumination light source 21, an illumination lens 22, an excitation filter 23, a dichroic mirror 24, and a barrier filter 25. . The optical path from the illumination light source 21 for fluorescent illumination to the specimen A through the optical components of the epifluorescence illumination optical system 17 is an epifluorescence illumination optical path L2. The fluorescent illumination light source 21, the illumination lens 22, the excitation filter 23, the dichroic mirror 24, and the barrier filter 25 are installed on the arm unit 4 of the microscope 1. In addition, the excitation filter 23, the dichroic mirror 24, and the barrier filter 25 are installed in the observation side turret 26 of the arm unit 4.

  The observation side turret 26 has a rotation shaft 27 and a plurality of optical units provided around the rotation shaft 27. The observation-side turret 26 can selectively insert the optical unit into the optical path by rotating around the rotation shaft 27. The observation side turret 26 includes, as an optical unit, a unit composed of the set of the excitation filter 23, the dichroic mirror 24, and the barrier filter 25 described above, a unit including an analyzer 28 for differential interference observation, and the like. The observation side turret 26 can switch between an optical unit used for transmission observation and an optical unit used for fluorescence observation.

  Furthermore, the observation side turret 26 has a plurality of optical units including a set of an excitation filter 23, a dichroic mirror 24, and a barrier filter 25 as an optical unit for fluorescence observation, and matches the fluorescent dye stained on the specimen A. These optical units can be switched.

  The illumination light emitted from the fluorescent illumination light source 21 passes through the illumination lens 22 and transmits only the excitation wavelength necessary for the fluorescent dye stained on the specimen A by the excitation filter 23. The transmitted illumination light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 24 toward the objective lens 16, passes through the objective lens 16, and is irradiated onto the specimen A. From the specimen A irradiated with the illumination light, the fluorescent dye stained in the specimen A is excited and emits fluorescence. This fluorescence is transmitted through the objective lens 16 and the dichroic mirror 24, and only the fluorescence wavelength necessary for observation is transmitted through the barrier filter 25, and is imaged through the imaging lens 13, the prism 14, and other prisms (not shown) to form an eyepiece. The lens 15 can be visually observed.

  On the other hand, the transmission illumination optical system 18 is an illumination optical system for transmission observation, and includes a transmission illumination light source 31, a collector lens 32, a field stop 33, a mirror 34, a window lens 35, and a condenser 36. Yes. The transmitted illumination light source 31, the collector lens 32, the field stop 33, the mirror 34, and the window lens 35 are installed in the base portion 2. The capacitor 36 is detachably held in a capacitor holder 37 by a known means such as a round ant. The capacitor holder 37 is installed on the stage holder 6 so as to be movable up and down with respect to the stage holder 6. The capacitor holder 37 is moved up and down by rotating a capacitor handle 38 provided in the stage holder 6.

  The condenser 36 includes a turret 41, a condenser lens front lens 42, a first group lens 43, a light shielding member 44, and a condenser frame 45 that supports them.

  The turret 41 is formed in a substantially disc shape and rotates around a rotation shaft 46 provided at the center thereof. The rotation shaft 46 is supported by a turret support portion 47 of a capacitor frame 45 described later, and the turret 41 rotates with respect to the capacitor frame 45. A plurality of optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d are provided on the same circumference around the rotation shaft 46 of the turret 41, and by rotating the turret 41, a desired optical element is selectively transmitted through the illumination light path. It can be inserted into L1. The transmitted illumination optical path L1 is an optical path of the transmitted illumination optical system, and the illumination light emitted from the light source passes through the optical components of the transmitted illumination optical system and reaches the sample.

  The optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d are DIC prisms (differential interference prisms), and differential interference observation can be performed by appropriately inserting DIC prisms in the optical path according to the magnification of the objective lens. Yes. An aperture stop 49 is provided above the turret optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d.

  The turret support 47 is formed in a substantially disc shape along the lower surface of the turret 41. A wall-like portion 47 a rises along the side surface of the turret 41 at the edge of the turret support portion 47 on the rear side of the microscope 1. On the lower side of the turret support portion 47, a front lens support portion 51 is provided integrally with the turret support portion 47. The front lens support portion 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the turret support portion 47. A first group lens holding portion 52 is formed integrally with the front lens support portion 51 below the front lens support portion 51, and the first lens group 43 is held. The capacitor 36 is attached to the capacitor holder 37 by holding the first group lens holding portion 52 on the capacitor holder 37.

  The condenser lens front lens 42 has a front lens holding arm 42a and a front lens 42b (proximity optical component). The front lens 42b and the first group lens 43 constitute a condenser lens. The front end holding arm 42 a is formed so that one end side thereof is rotatably supported on the back side of the front end support portion 51 and the other end side covers the upper side of the turret 41. A front lens 42b is installed on a portion covering the front lens holding arm 42a. A front-end rotating shaft 53 is fixed to one end side of the front-end holding arm 42a, and the front-end holding arm 42a rotates about the front end rotating shaft 53 as a rotation center. The front lens holding arm 42 a is supported by the front lens support portion 51 via the front lens rotation shaft 53.

  The front lens rotation shaft 53 is installed on the front lens support portion 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the microscope 1. One end portion of the tip rotating shaft 53 protrudes to the back side of the tip support portion 51, and a tip holding arm 42a is fixed to the protruding portion. The front-end rotating shaft 53 is rotatable with respect to the front-end supporting portion 51, and the front-end holding arm 42a is integrally rotated when the front-end rotating shaft 53 is rotated. Therefore, the front lens holding arm 42a rotates in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the front of the microscope 1. This rotation operation is performed via the operation rotating shaft 54.

  The operation rotating shaft 54 is installed on the front lens support portion 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the microscope 1. The operation rotating shaft 54 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the front lens support portion 51. One end portion of the operation rotating shaft 54 protrudes to the front side of the microscope 1 and serves as an operation portion. The other end portion of the operation rotating shaft 54 protrudes to the back side of the front lens support portion 51. An annular belt 55 is installed so as to span the other end portion of the operation rotating shaft 54 and the protruding end portion of the front lens rotating shaft 53. By this belt 55, the rotation of the operation rotating shaft 54 is transmitted to the leading lens rotating shaft 53, and the leading lens rotating shaft 53 rotates.

  The condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated with respect to the front lens support 51 with the front lens rotation shaft 53 as a rotation center, and is disposed at the insertion position, the retraction position, and the light shielding position. The insertion position is a position where the front lens 42b is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1. In the insertion position, the front lens 42 b is disposed in the 12 o'clock direction with the front lens rotation shaft 53 as the center when viewed from the back side of the microscope 1.

  The retracted position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated to one side from the insertion position, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light blocking position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated from the insertion position to the other side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light shielding member 44 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1 in a state where the condenser lens front lens 42 is disposed at the light shielding position.

  The light shielding member 44 includes an arm portion 44a formed in an elongated plate shape, and a disk-shaped light shielding portion 44b formed on one end side in the length direction of the arm portion 44a. On the other end side in the length direction of the arm portion 44a, a pin 44c is formed so as to protrude from the plate-like surface. A spherical head is formed at the tip of the pin 44c in the protruding direction. The light shielding portion 44b is formed to a size that covers the exposed portions of the optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d installed in the turret 41.

  The light shielding member 44 is disposed such that its arm portion 44 a is rotatably supported by the wall-like portion 47 a via the rotation shaft 56, and the disk-like surface of the light shielding portion 44 b faces the upper surface of the turret 41. The light shielding member 44 rotates with respect to the turret support portion 47 about the rotation shaft 56, and the light shielding portion 44 b moves along the upper surface of the turret 41. The rotating shaft 56 is installed on the wall-like portion 47a so as to extend in the vertical direction, and passes between the pin 44c and the light shielding portion 44b of the arm portion 44a of the light shielding member 44 and slightly passes through the portion from the pin 44c. ing. The end of the arm portion 44a on the side where the pin 44c is formed protrudes rearward from the wall-shaped portion 47a.

  The light shielding member 44 rotates between the insertion position and the retracted position with the rotation shaft 56 as the rotation center. The insertion position is a position where the light shielding portion 44b of the light shielding member 44 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1, and the fluorescent illumination is shielded by the disk-shaped surface of the light shielding portion 44b. The light shielding position is a position where the light shielding portion 44b is retracted from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light shielding member 44 is formed of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  A spring 57 is installed on the light shielding member 44. One end of the spring 57 is fixed to the light shielding member 44, and the other end is fixed to the wall-shaped portion 47a. The light shielding member 44 is biased toward the retracted position by a spring 57.

  The rotation operation of the light shielding member 44 is interlocked with the rotation operation of the condenser lens front lens 42b. When the condenser lens front lens 42 is in the insertion position, the light shielding member 44 is disposed in the retracted position. When the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated from the insertion position to the light shielding position, the side surface of the front lens holding arm 42 a comes into contact with the head of the pin 44 c of the light shielding member 44, and the tip of the arm portion 44 a of the light shielding member 44 is moved. Press right. Then, the light shielding member 44 rotates about the rotation shaft 56, and the light shielding portion 44b is inserted into the optical path. Thus, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is disposed at the light shielding position, the light shielding member 44 is disposed at the insertion position.

  When the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated from the light shielding position to the insertion position, the pressure on the head of the pin 44c of the front lens holding arm 42a is released, and the light shielding member 44 is retracted by the bias of the spring 57. Is rotated.

  Illumination light for transmission observation emitted from a halogen light source which is a light source for transmission illumination 31 passes through optical components such as a collector lens 32, a field stop 33, a mirror 34, a window lens 35, and a condenser 36 in order, and enters the specimen A. Irradiated. More specifically, the illumination light that has become substantially parallel light by the collector lens 32 is condensed to the aperture stop 49 by the window lens 35 and the first group lens 43, and an image of the transmission illumination light source 31 is projected. The entire specimen A is illuminated uniformly by the front lens 42b. The aperture stop 49 can change the contrast of the specimen A by changing its diameter. The field stop can change the illumination range on the specimen surface by changing its diameter.

  Although not shown, a polarizer can be inserted into the optical path closer to the light source than the DIC prism in the optical path. An observation system DIC prism is provided in the revolver 12 and can be inserted into the optical path.

  When performing fluorescence observation, the operation portion of the operation rotary shaft 54 is pinched and rotated, and the condenser lens front lens 42 is disposed at the light shielding position. At this time, since the light shielding member 44 is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1 and shielded from light, the fluorescent illumination is not irradiated to the optical component for transmitted illumination, noise generation due to autofluorescence is suppressed, and fluorescence observation is performed satisfactorily. Can do.

  Further, when performing transmission observation, the operation rotating shaft 54 is rotated, and the condenser lens front lens 42 is placed at the insertion position or the retraction position for observation. At this time, the light shielding member 44 is disposed at the retracted position, and transmission observation can be performed.

  For example, when the objective lens is 4 times or less, the condenser lens front lens 42 is retracted from the transmitted illumination light path L1 for observation. When the objective lens is 10 to 100 times, the condenser lens front lens 42 is used. 42 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1 for observation. Further, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is retracted from the transmitted illumination optical path L1 during transmission observation, it is retracted to the retracted position.

  Since the light blocking member 44 is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1 in conjunction with the retraction of the front lens 42b from the transmitted illumination optical path L1, the operability is good. Since the operation of the front lens 42b and the operation of the light shielding member 44 can be performed by the same operation unit (the operation unit of the operation rotating shaft 54), it is inexpensive and easy to operate.

  Note that the observation-side turret 26 may include an optical unit having only holes as an optical unit.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the main part of the microscope according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope according to the second embodiment is obtained by installing a capacitor 70 instead of the capacitor 36 in the microscope 1 of the first embodiment. The condenser 70 includes a turret 41, a condenser lens front lens 71, a first lens group 43, and a condenser frame that supports them. The capacitor frame has a turret support 47, a front lens support 51, and a first group lens holder 52.

  The condenser lens front lens 71 according to the second embodiment includes a front lens holding arm 42a, a front lens 42b, a light shielding member 72, a stopper 73, and a coil spring 74. The front end holding arm 42 a is formed so that one end side thereof is rotatably supported on the back side of the front end support portion 51 and the other end side covers the upper side of the turret 41. A front lens 42b is provided on a portion (hereinafter referred to as a head) that covers the front lens holding arm 42a. A front end rotating shaft 53 is fixed to one end side of the front end holding arm 42a. The condenser lens front lens 71 is supported by the front lens support portion 51 via the front lens rotation shaft 53. The condenser lens front lens 71 rotates with respect to the front lens support portion 51 about the front lens rotation shaft 53 as a rotation center.

  The condenser lens front lens 71 is disposed at the insertion position, the retracted position, and the light shielding position by rotating. The insertion position is a position where the front lens 42b is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1. In the insertion position, the front lens 42b is disposed in the 12 o'clock direction around the front lens rotation shaft 53 as viewed from the back side of the microscope.

  The retracted position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 71 is rotated from the insertion position to one side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light shielding position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 71 is rotated from the insertion position to the other side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. With the condenser lens front lens 71 arranged at the light shielding position, a light shielding member 72 described later is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1.

  The light blocking member 72 is formed in a flat plate shape, and protrudes from the head of the front lens holding arm 42a to one side (retreat position side) in the rotational direction of the condenser lens front lens 71. The light shielding member 72 is arranged so that its plate-like surface faces in the up-down direction. The light shielding member 72 is made of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  The light shielding member 72 has an end portion rotatably supported on the side surface of the head of the front lens holding arm 42a, and is configured to rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the front lens holding arm 42a. The light shielding member 72 is provided with a torsion coil spring 74. The torsion coil spring 74 is installed so that its central axis is coaxial with the rotation axis that is the rotation center of the light shielding member 72, and biases the light shielding member 72 toward the stopper 73 (lower side) described later.

  The stopper 73 is formed in a plate shape. The stopper 73 protrudes directly below the light shielding member 72 so that the plate-like surface of the stopper 73 faces the plate-like surface of the light shielding member 72 at the head of the tip holding arm 42a. The rotation in the direction is restricted.

  When the condenser lens front lens 71 is disposed at the light shielding position, the light shielding member 72 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path. When the condenser lens front lens 71 is rotated to the insertion position, the light blocking member 72 is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. When the condenser lens front lens 71 is rotated to the retracted position, the light shielding member 72 is brought into contact with the turret 41 or the turret support portion 47. However, since the light shielding member 72 is rotatably installed, the light shielding member 72 is provided. The front end side of the projecting direction of the shaft rotates in a direction to escape from the turret or the turret support portion, and does not interfere with the light shielding member 72 and the turret or the turret support portion. By configuring in this way, the microscope according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and can be configured in a space-saving and compact manner.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the main part of the microscope according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. The microscope according to the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the position where the light shielding member is installed, which is different from the first embodiment. That is, in the third embodiment, the light shielding member is installed on the stage, and the light shielding member 44, the spring 57, and the rotating shaft 56 are not installed on the turret support portion 47.

  The light shielding member 77 in the third embodiment is formed in a substantially disk shape and protrudes downward on the lower surface of the stage 7. One end of the light shielding member 77 is supported on the stage 7 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis on the retracted position side of the condenser lens front lens 42 across the transmitted illumination optical path L1. The direction of the rotation axis is parallel to the disk-shaped surface of the light shielding member 77 and is the front-rear direction of the microscope.

  The other end portion of the light shielding member 77 protrudes toward the light shielding position side of the condenser lens front lens 42. In this state, the light shielding member 77 is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1 and is in a light shielding state. The light shielding member 77 is made of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  The light shielding member 77 rotates between the insertion position and the retracted position around the rotation axis. The insertion position is a position where the above-described light shielding member 77 is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1 and is in a light shielding state. The retracted position is a position where the light shielding member 77 is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light shielding member 77 is urged by a torsion coil spring 78 in a direction in which the light shielding member 7 rotates toward the insertion position.

  When the condenser lens front lens 42 is disposed at the light shielding position, the light shielding member 77 is inserted in the transmitted illumination light path. Then, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated in the insertion position direction from this state, the head of the front lens holding arm 42a comes into contact with the light shielding member 44 so that the light shielding member 44 is pushed away. Is placed at the insertion position. At this time, the front lens holding arm 42a and the light shielding member 77 are in contact with each other. Further, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated in the retracted position direction, the light blocking member 77 is pushed and rotated by the front lens holding arm 42a, and the condenser lens front lens 42 is disposed at the retracted position.

  Further, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated from the insertion position or the retracted position to the light shielding position, the light shielding member 77 is urged toward the insertion position by the torsion coil spring 78, so that the light shielding member 77 is It is arranged at the insertion position.

  The microscope according to the third embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment when configured in this manner. Further, since the light shielding member 44 is inserted obliquely into the transmitted illumination light path L1 in the light shielding state, the ratio of the reflected light that is irradiated to the sample A when the light shielding member 77 is irradiated with fluorescent illumination. And the fluorescence observation can be performed well. Further, since the light shielding member 77 is installed on the stage 7, the light shielding member 77 can be installed in the immediate vicinity of the specimen A. In the immediate vicinity of the specimen A, the light beam of the excitation light by the fluorescent illumination is small, and the light shielding member 77 can be made small according to the size of the light beam, and can be configured compactly.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a capacitor as a main part of the microscope according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a rear view thereof. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope according to the fourth embodiment is obtained by installing a capacitor 80 in place of the capacitor 36 in the microscope 1 of the first embodiment. The condenser 80 includes a turret 41, a condenser lens front lens 81, a first lens group 43, and a condenser frame that supports them. The capacitor frame has a turret support 47, a front lens support 51, and a first group lens holder 52.

  The condenser lens front lens 81 includes a front lens holding arm 82, a front lens 42 b, a parallel link mechanism 83, and a light shielding member 84. The front end holding arm 82 is formed so that one end side thereof is supported on the back side of the front end support portion 51 via the parallel link mechanism 83 and the other end side covers the upper side of the turret 41. A front lens 42 b is installed on a portion (hereinafter referred to as a head) that covers the top of the front lens holding arm 82. The front lens holding arm 82 is movable with respect to the front lens support portion 51 by a parallel link mechanism 83.

  The parallel link mechanism 83 has rotating shafts 83a, 83b, 83c, 83d and link rods 83e, 83f. The rotary shafts 83a and 83b are installed on the front lens support portion 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the microscope. In addition, at least the rotation shaft 83 b is rotatable with respect to the front lens support portion 51. Ends of the rotating shafts 83a and 83b protrude to the back side of the front lens support 51, and link rods 83e and 83f are supported by the protruding portions, respectively.

  One end side of the link rods 83e and 83f is supported by the rotating shafts 83a and 83b, and the other end side thereof is rotatably supported by the front lens holding arm 82 via the rotating shafts 83c and 83d, respectively. The link bars 83e and 83f are installed so as to be parallel to each other.

  The rotary shafts 83c and 83d are installed on the front lens holding arm 82 in the front-rear direction. The rotary shafts 83a, 83b, 83c, and 83d are arranged in parallel to each other, and are rotatable with respect to the front lens support 51 while the link rods 83e and 83b are kept in parallel with each other. The parallel link mechanism 83 rotates by rotating an operation unit (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft 83b.

  The light shielding member 84 is formed in a flat plate shape, and protrudes from the head of the front lens holding arm 82 to one side (the retracted position side) in the moving direction of the condenser lens front lens 81. The light shielding member 72 is arranged so that its plate-like surface is parallel to the stage 7 or the turret 41. The light shielding member 84 is formed of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  The condenser lens front lens 81 is arranged at the insertion position, the retracted position, and the light shielding position by being translated by the parallel link mechanism 83. The insertion position is a position where the front lens 42b is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1. In the insertion position, the front lens 42b is disposed in the 12 o'clock direction around the front lens rotation shaft 53 as viewed from the back side of the microscope.

  The retracted position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 81 is moved to one side from the insertion position, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light shielding position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 81 is moved from the insertion position to the other side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. In a state where the condenser lens front lens 81 is disposed at the light shielding position, the light shielding member 84 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1 to shield the light.

  The microscope according to the fourth embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment when configured in this manner. In the fourth embodiment, since the light shielding member 84 is arranged in parallel with the stage 7 or the turret 41 and is translated by the parallel link mechanism 83, the light shielding member 84 interferes with the turret 41 or the stage 7. Can be prevented. In the fourth embodiment, the front lens holding arm 82 is moved by the parallel link mechanism 83. Similarly, a mechanism that can move while maintaining the posture with respect to the transmitted illumination light path L1, for example, an ant that slides in a mountain shape. The same effect can be obtained with a linear guide or the like.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 9 is a rear view showing a capacitor that is a main part of the microscope according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a modification of the condenser lens front lens in the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope according to the fifth embodiment is obtained by installing a capacitor 90 in place of the capacitor 36 in the microscope 1 of the first embodiment. The condenser 90 includes a condenser lens front lens 92, a first group lens 43, and a condenser frame that supports them. The capacitor frame includes a front lens support portion 51 and a first group lens holding portion 52.

  The condenser lens front lens 92 includes a front lens holding arm 42 a, a front lens 42 b, and a light shielding member 94. The front end holding arm 42 a is formed so that one end side thereof is rotatably supported on the back side of the front end support portion 51 and the other end side is covered on the upper side of the front end support portion 51. A front lens 42b is installed on a portion of the front lens holding arm 42a that covers the top of the front lens support 51 (hereinafter referred to as the head). A front end rotating shaft 53 is fixed to one end side of the front end holding arm 42a. The condenser lens front lens 92 is supported by the front lens support portion 51 via the front lens rotation shaft 53. The condenser lens front lens 92 rotates with respect to the front lens support portion 51 with the front lens rotation shaft 53 as a rotation center.

  The condenser lens front lens 92 is arranged at the insertion position, the retracted position, and the light shielding position by rotating. The insertion position is a position where the front lens 42b is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1. In the insertion position, the front lens 42b is disposed in the 12 o'clock direction around the front lens rotation shaft 53 as viewed from the back side of the microscope.

  The retracted position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 92 is rotated from the insertion position to one side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The light blocking position is a position where the condenser lens front lens 92 is rotated from the insertion position to the other side, and the front lens 42b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. With the condenser lens front lens 92 disposed at the light shielding position, a light shielding member 94 described later is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1.

  The light shielding member 94 is formed in a flat plate shape, and protrudes from the head of the front lens holding arm 42a to one side (the retracted position side) in the moving direction of the condenser lens front lens 81. The light shielding member 94 is installed on the front lens holding arm 42a so as to be substantially perpendicular to the transmitted illumination light path L1 when inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1. The retracting operation of the front lens 42b from the transmitted illumination optical path L1 and the insertion operation of the light blocking member 94 into the transmitted illumination optical path L1 are performed in conjunction with each other. The light shielding member 94 is made of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  By configuring the microscope in the fifth embodiment in this way, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, since it is a simple structure, it can be configured at low cost. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the light shielding member 94 may be arranged so as to be inserted obliquely with respect to the transmitted illumination light path L1. You may install a DIC prism in a front lens support part.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a microscope capacitor according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a rear view of the capacitor. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the light shielding member 101 and the condenser lens front lens 42. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope according to the sixth embodiment is obtained by installing a capacitor 100 in place of the capacitor 36 in the microscope 1 of the first embodiment. The capacitor 100 includes a turret 41, a condenser lens front lens 42, a first lens group 43, a light shielding member 101, and a capacitor frame that supports them. The capacitor frame has a turret support 47, a front lens support 51, and a first group lens holder 52.

  The light shielding member 101 has an arm portion 101a and a light shielding portion 101b. The arm portion 101 a is formed so that one end side thereof is rotatably supported on the back side of the front lens support portion 51, and the other end side covers the upper side of the turret 41. The tip end side of the portion formed so as to cover the upper side of the light shielding member 101 is formed in a substantially disk shape and serves as a light shielding portion 101b.

  A rotation shaft 53 is fixed to one end side of the arm portion 101a, and the light shielding member 101 rotates about the rotation shaft 103 as a rotation center. The light shielding member 101 is supported by the front lens support portion 51 via the rotating shaft 103.

  The rotating shaft 103 is installed on the front lens support 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the microscope. One end of the rotating shaft 103 protrudes to the back side of the front lens support 51, and the light shielding member 101 is fixed to this protruding portion. The rotation shaft 103 is rotatable with respect to the front lens support portion 51, and the light shielding member 101 is integrally rotated when the rotation shaft 103 is rotated. Accordingly, the light shielding member 101 rotates in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the front side of the microscope. This rotation operation is performed via the operation rotating shaft 102.

  The operation rotating shaft 102 is installed on the front lens support portion 51 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the microscope. One end portion of the operation rotating shaft 102 protrudes to the front side of the microscope and serves as an operation portion. The other end portion of the operation rotating shaft 102 protrudes to the back side of the front lens support portion 51. An annular belt 104 is installed so as to extend over the other end of the operation rotating shaft 102 and the protruding end of the rotating shaft 103. By the belt 104, the rotation of the operation rotating shaft 102 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 103, and the rotating shaft 103 rotates.

  The light shielding member 101 is rotated with respect to the front lens support 51 with the rotation shaft 103 as a rotation center, and is disposed at the insertion position and the retraction position. The insertion position is a position at which the light shielding portion 101b is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1. At least the light shielding portion 101b of the light shielding member 101 is formed of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination. At the insertion position, the light-shielding portion 101b is arranged in the 12 o'clock direction with the rotation shaft 103 as the center as viewed from the back side of the microscope.

The retracted position is a position where the light shielding member 101 is rotated from the insertion position to one side, and the light shielding portion 101b is completely detached from the transmitted illumination light path L1. The retracted position of the light shielding member 101 is the light shielding position of the condenser lens front lens 42 in the first embodiment. That is,
The condenser lens front lens 42 in the sixth embodiment is rotated to the insertion position and the retracted position (hereinafter referred to as the front lens retracting position) in the first embodiment, and is not rotated to the light shielding position. In the sixth embodiment, the light shielding member 101 is arranged at the light shielding position of the condenser lens front lens 42 in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the light-shielding portion 101b of the light-shielding member 101 is inserted into the transmitted illumination optical path L1, that is, at the insertion position, the condenser lens front lens 42b is retracted from the front lens. Placed in position. When the condenser lens front lens 42 is rotated to the insertion position from this state, the light shielding member 101 is pushed out to the retracted position by the condenser lens front lens 42, and the state shown in FIG.

  Further, since the condenser lens front lens 42 and the light shielding member 101 can be operated independently of each other, they can be arranged in the states shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 13F, when the condenser lens front lens 42 is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1, the light shielding member 101 is disposed at the retracted position. When the light shielding member 101 is rotated to the insertion position from this state, the light shielding member 101 pushes the condenser lens front lens 42 to the front lens retracting position.

  By configuring the microscope in the sixth embodiment in this way, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the operation portions of the light shielding member 101 and the condenser lens front lens 42 are independent, the intended operation can be performed reliably.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a microscope capacitor according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the capacitor. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope according to the seventh embodiment is obtained by installing a capacitor 110 in place of the capacitor 36 in the microscope 1 of the first embodiment.

  The condenser 110 includes a turret 114 (optical element holding member), a condenser lens front lens 42, a first lens group 43, and a condenser frame that supports them. The capacitor frame has a turret support 47, a front lens support 51, and a first group lens holder 52.

  The condenser lens front lens 42 is fixed to the front lens rotating shaft 53. The rotation of the operation rotating shaft 115 is transmitted to the front lens rotating shaft 53 via the belt 55. The operation rotating shaft 115 is rotated by a motor 111. The motor 111 is controlled by the controller 113. The turret 114 is also rotated by the motor 112.

  The turret 114 is formed in a substantially disc shape and rotates around the rotation shaft 46. Optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d are provided on the same circumference around the rotation shaft 46 of the turret 114. By rotating the turret 114, a desired optical element is selectively placed in the transmitted illumination light path L1. It can be inserted. In the seventh embodiment, a part of the turret 114 is a light shielding member. That is, on the circumference on which the optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d are provided, at least a distance between the pair of optical elements 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d is provided as a light-shielding portion. Then, by rotating the turret 114, the light shielding portion is inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1 to shield the light. The light shielding portion is formed of a material such as a metal that hardly generates excitation light by fluorescent illumination.

  By configuring the microscope according to the seventh embodiment in this way, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the seventh embodiment, a part of the turret 114 is used as a light shielding member. However, a slider is provided as an optical element holding member for inserting and removing the optical element into and from the transmitted illumination optical path L1, and a part of the slider is provided as a light shielding member. It is good.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 16 is a side view showing the microscope according to the eighth embodiment. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The microscope 121 according to the eighth embodiment has the same configuration as the microscope 1 according to the first embodiment, and further, the observation side turret 26 is switched by the motor 122 (switching detection means). Further, the motor 123 performs insertion / removal of the condenser lens front lens 42 and the light shielding member 44 with respect to the transmitted illumination optical path. The motor 122 and the motor 123 are controlled by a controller 124 (control device).

  When the optical unit of the observation side turret 26 is switched from the one for transmission observation to the one for fluorescence observation by the controller 124, the condenser lens front lens 42 is arranged at the light shielding position.

  By configuring the microscope according to the eighth embodiment in this way, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the light shielding member 44 is automatically inserted into the transmitted illumination light path L1 when switching to the fluorescence observation state, the operation of the microscope can be simplified. In the eighth embodiment, the motor 122, the motor 123, and the controller 124 are provided in the microscope of the first embodiment. However, the motor 122, the motor 123, and the controller 124 are the same as those in the second to sixth embodiments. Even if it is installed in this microscope, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

It is a side view which shows the structure of the microscope in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the capacitor | condenser of a microscope same as the above. It is a rear view same as the above. It is a top view which shows a motion of the light shielding member installed in the capacitor | condenser same as the above. It is a rear view which shows the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the principal part of the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a rear view which shows a capacitor | condenser same as the above. It is a rear view which shows the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the modification same as the above. It is a top view which shows the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a rear view which shows a capacitor | condenser same as the above. (A)-(g) It is explanatory drawing which shows a motion of the condenser lens front lens and the light-shielding member in a capacitor | condenser same as the above. It is a top view which shows the capacitor | condenser in Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is a rear view which shows a capacitor | condenser same as the above. It is a side view which shows the structure of the microscope in Embodiment 8 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

L1 Transmission illumination optical path A Sample 1 Microscope 17 Epifluorescence illumination optical system 18 Transmission illumination optical system 42b Tip lens (proximity optical component)
44 Shading member

Claims (6)

In a microscope equipped with an epifluorescence illumination optical system for performing epifluorescence observation and a transmission illumination optical system for performing transmission observation in a switchable manner,
Immediately before the specimen in the optical path of the transmission illumination optical system, a proximity optical component is detachable from the optical path,
A microscope comprising: a light-shielding member that shields fluorescent illumination from the optical path immediately before the sample in the optical path when the proximity optical component is detached from the optical path.   The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding member is inserted into the optical path in conjunction with a detaching operation of the proximity optical component from the optical path. The transmitted illumination optical system includes a condenser having a condenser lens,
The microscope according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the light shielding member is held by the capacitor so as to be inserted into and removed from the optical path.   The capacitor includes an optical element holding member that holds and moves a plurality of optical elements to move the optical element into and out of the optical path, and the light shielding member is a part of the optical element holding member. The microscope according to claim 3, wherein the microscope is provided.   The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a stage on which the specimen is placed, wherein the light shielding member is installed on the stage. Switching detection means for detecting switching between the epi-fluorescent illumination optical system and the transmission illumination optical system;
When switching to the epi-illumination fluorescent illumination optical system, the proximity optical component is detached from the optical path and the light shielding member is inserted into the optical path, and when switched to the transmission illumination optical system, the light shielding member is A control device for decoupling from the optical path;
The microscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

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