JP2013083726A - Magnifying observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnifying observation device able to satisfactorily image an observation object from various directions.SOLUTION: A transmission illumination part 25 includes a transmission illumination light source 251, a shape adjusting optical system 252 and a diffuser 253. White light generated by the transmission illumination light source 251 is passed through the shape adjusting optical system 252 and shape-adjusted to light parallel to Z direction, then, passed through the diffuser 253 and a light transmission plate 26 and guided to an observation object as transmission light LB. Part of parallel light shape-adjusted by the shape-adjusting optical system 252 is diffused by the diffuser 253. Accordingly, the transmission light LB includes parallel light LB1, which has been transmitted through the diffuser 253 and rendered parallel to the Z direction, and diffused light LB2, parallel to an arbitrary direction other than the Z direction diffused by the diffuser 253.

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnification observation apparatus.

  Conventionally, a magnification observation apparatus including an imaging unit for imaging an observation object is used. For example, the microscope described in Patent Document 1 includes a camera as an imaging unit. In this microscope, first and second support bases are mounted on a base. A pivot post is provided to be pivotable with respect to the first support base. A camera is attached to the rotating support column via a slider and a connecting portion. A stage is provided on the second support base via a slider. An observation object is placed on the stage. In this case, the angle of the imaging unit with respect to the observation object changes by rotating the rotating support column. Thereby, the observation object can be imaged from various directions.

JP 2006-308808 A

  In the magnifying observation apparatus, light may be irradiated to the observation object through the stage from a position opposite to the imaging unit with respect to the observation object. When such light passes through the region where the observation object does not exist or passes through the observation object and enters the imaging unit, the observation object can be favorably imaged. However, when the imaging unit is moved as in the microscope of Patent Document 1, such light may not enter the imaging unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a magnifying observation apparatus that can favorably image an observation object from various directions.

  (1) A magnification observation apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that images an observation target, a stage having a light-transmitting light transmission unit on which the observation target is placed, an optical axis of the imaging unit, and a stage. The holding unit that holds the imaging unit so that the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the stage can be adjusted while maintaining the intersection position of the stage substantially constant, and the stage in a state where the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit is a predetermined angle A light generating unit that generates parallel light that is transmitted through the light transmitting unit and incident on the imaging unit, and that generates diffused light that is transmitted through the light transmitting unit of the stage and is incident on the imaging unit.

  In the magnification observation apparatus, an observation object is placed on a light transmission plate of a stage. In addition, the imaging unit is held by the holding unit so that the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the stage can be adjusted while maintaining a substantially constant intersection position between the stage and the optical axis of the imaging unit. By adjusting the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit, the imaging object can be imaged by the imaging unit from various directions.

  In a state where the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit is a predetermined angle, parallel light generated by the light generation unit passes through the light transmission plate of the stage and enters the imaging unit. On the other hand, when the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit is other than a predetermined angle, the diffused light generated by the light generation unit passes through the light transmission plate of the stage and enters the imaging unit. Thereby, the observation object can be favorably imaged by the imaging unit from various directions using the parallel light or the diffused light from the light generation unit.

  (2) The light generation unit may include a parallel light generation unit that generates parallel light and a diffusion member that generates diffused light by diffusing a part of the parallel light generated by the generated light generation unit. In this case, parallel light and diffused light can be generated with a simple configuration. Thereby, the observation object can be favorably imaged from various directions at low cost.

  (3) The light generation unit may include a parallel light generation unit that generates parallel light and a diffused light generation unit that generates diffused light. In this case, since the parallel light and the diffused light are generated and generated separately from each other, the intensity of the parallel light and the diffused light can be increased. Thereby, the observation object can be favorably imaged from various directions in various situations.

  (4) The parallel light generation unit may include a light source that generates light and a shaping unit that shapes the light generated by the light source into parallel light. In this case, parallel light can be generated with a simple configuration.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily image an observation object from various directions.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the magnification observation apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the microscope of the magnification observation apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a mimetic diagram showing the state where the imaging device of a microscope is being fixed in parallel with the Z direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state in which the imaging device of the microscope was tilted from the Z direction to a desired angle. It is a typical side view which shows the structure of a permeation | transmission illumination part. It is a figure which shows the 1st example in which the diffusing plate is not provided. It is a figure which shows the 1st example in which the diffusing plate is not provided. It is a figure which shows the 1st example provided with the diffusion plate. It is a figure which shows the 1st example provided with the diffusion plate. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example in which the diffusing plate is not provided. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example provided with the diffusion plate. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example in which the diffusing plate is not provided. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example in which the diffusing plate is not provided. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example provided with the diffusion plate. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example provided with the diffusion plate. It is a typical side view which shows the other example of a permeation | transmission illumination part.

  Hereinafter, a magnification observation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Magnification Observation Device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a magnification observation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, two directions orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane are defined as an X direction and a Y direction, and a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as a Z direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnification observation apparatus 300 includes a microscope 100 and an image processing apparatus 200.

  The microscope 100 includes an imaging device 10, a stage device 20, and a rotation angle sensor 30. The imaging device 10 includes a color CCD (charge coupled device) 11, a half mirror 12, an objective lens 13, an A / D converter (analog / digital converter) 15, an epi-illumination light source 16, a lens driving unit 17, and a transmission illumination unit. 25. The stage apparatus 20 includes a stage 21, a stage drive unit 22, and a stage support unit 23. An observation object S is placed on the stage 21.

  The epi-illumination light source 16 is, for example, a halogen lamp that generates white light or a white LED (light emitting diode). The white light generated by the epi-illumination light source 16 is reflected by the half mirror 12 and then focused on the observation object S on the stage 21 by the objective lens 13. Hereinafter, the light applied to the observation object S from the imaging device 10 is referred to as incident light LA. The epi-illumination light source 16 may be provided in the image processing apparatus 200, and the light generated by the epi-illumination light source 16 may be guided to the microscope 100 via an optical fiber.

  The incident light LA reflected by the observation object S passes through the objective lens 13 and the half mirror 12 and enters the color CCD 11. The color CCD 11 includes a plurality of red pixels that receive red wavelength light, a plurality of green pixels that receive green wavelength light, and a plurality of blue pixels that receive blue wavelength light. The plurality of red pixels, the plurality of green pixels, and the plurality of blue pixels are two-dimensionally arranged. From each pixel of the color CCD 11, an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output. The output signal of the color CCD 11 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 15. Digital signals output from the A / D converter 15 are sequentially supplied to the image processing apparatus 200 as image data. An imaging element such as a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor may be used instead of the color CCD 11.

  The objective lens 13 is provided so as to be movable in the Z direction. The lens driving unit 17 moves the objective lens 13 in the Z direction under the control of the image processing apparatus 200. Thereby, the position of the focus of the imaging device 10 moves in the Z direction.

  The stage 21 is provided on the stage support 23 so as to be rotatable around an axis in the Z direction. The stage drive unit 22 moves the stage 21 relative to the stage support unit 23 in the x direction and the y direction, which will be described later, based on a movement command signal (drive pulse) given from the image processing apparatus 200. A stepping motor is used for the stage drive unit 22. The rotation angle sensor 30 detects the rotation angle of the stage 21 and gives an angle detection signal indicating the detected angle to the image processing apparatus 200. A transmission illumination unit 25 is provided inside the stage support unit 23. Details of the transmitted illumination unit 25 will be described later.

  The image processing apparatus 200 includes an interface 210, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 220, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 230, a storage device 240, an input device 250, a display unit 260, and a work memory 270.

  The ROM 230 stores a system program. The storage device 240 is composed of a hard disk or the like. The storage device 240 stores an image processing program and various data such as image data given from the microscope 100 through the interface 210. The input device 250 includes a keyboard and a pointing device. A mouse or a joystick is used as the pointing device.

  The display unit 260 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel.

  The working memory 270 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used for processing various data.

  The CPU 220 executes an image processing program stored in the storage device 240 to perform image processing based on the image data using the work memory 270 and causes the display unit 260 to display an image based on the image data. Hereinafter, an image displayed on the display unit 260 is referred to as a display image. Further, the CPU 220 controls the color CCD 11 of the microscope 100, the epi-illumination light source 16, the lens driving unit 17, the stage driving unit 22, and a later-described transmission illumination light source 251 (FIG. 5) through the interface 210.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the microscope 100 of the magnification observation apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are indicated by arrows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope 100 has a base 1. On the base 1, a first support base 2 is attached, and a second support base 3 is attached so as to be fitted on the front surface of the first support base 2.

  A connecting portion 4 is attached to the upper end portion of the first support base 2 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis R1 extending in the Y direction. A rotating column 5 is attached to the connecting portion 4. Thereby, the rotation support column 5 can be tilted in a vertical plane parallel to the Z direction with the rotation axis R1 as a fulcrum as the connection portion 4 rotates. The user can fix the connecting portion 4 to the first support base 2 with the fixing knob 9.

  An annular support portion 7 is attached to the front surface of the connecting portion 6. A substantially cylindrical imaging device 10 is attached to the support portion 7. In the state of FIG. 2, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction. The support unit 7 includes a plurality of adjustment screws 41 for moving the imaging device 10 in a horizontal plane. The position of the imaging device 10 can be adjusted using the plurality of adjustment screws 41 so that the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly.

  A slider 8 is attached to the front surface of the second support 3 on the base 1 so as to be slidable in the Z direction. An adjustment knob 42 is provided on the side surface of the second support base 3. The position of the slider 8 in the Z direction (height direction) can be adjusted by the adjustment knob 42.

  The stage support 23 of the stage device 20 is attached on the slider 8. The stage 21 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis R3 in the Z direction with respect to the stage support portion 23. The stage 21 is set with an x direction and ay direction that are orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane. The stage 21 is provided to be movable in the x direction and the y direction by the stage driving unit 22 of FIG. When the stage 21 rotates around the rotation axis R3, the x direction and the y direction of the stage 21 also rotate. Thereby, the x direction and the y direction of the stage 21 are inclined in the horizontal plane with respect to the X direction and the Y direction.

  A circular opening 21 b is formed at the center of the stage 21. A circular light transmissive plate 26 having light transmittance is detachably attached to the stage 21 so as to close the opening 21b. An observation object S is placed on the light transmission plate 26.

  The imaging range (field-of-view range) of the imaging device 10 varies depending on the magnification of the imaging device 10. Hereinafter, the imaging range of the imaging device 10 is referred to as a unit region. Image data of a plurality of unit regions can be acquired by moving the stage 21 in the x direction and the y direction. By connecting the image data of a plurality of unit areas, the images of the plurality of unit areas can be displayed on the display unit 260 in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 10 of the microscope 100 is fixed in parallel with the Z direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 10 of the microscope 100 is tilted from the Z direction to a desired angle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 4 is fixed to the second support 3 by tightening the fixing knob 9 with the rotating support column 5 parallel to the Z direction. Thereby, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly in a state parallel to the Z direction. In this case, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is perpendicular to the surface of the stage 21.

  By loosening the fixing knob 9, the connecting portion 4 can be rotated around the rotation axis R1, and the rotation column 5 can be tilted about the rotation axis R1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 can be inclined at an arbitrary angle θ with respect to the Z direction. In this case, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly. Similarly, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle on the opposite side to FIG. 4 with respect to the Z direction.

  Therefore, by using the adjustment knob 42 (FIG. 2), the height of the surface of the observation object S on the stage 21 is made to coincide with the height of the rotation axis R1, so that the same portion of the observation object S is made vertical. It can be observed from the direction and oblique direction.

  In this example, the imaging device 10 is attached to the rotating column 5 so that the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is orthogonal to the rotation axis R1. Further, the position of the imaging device 10 and the position of the objective lens 13 (FIG. 1) of the imaging device 10 in the Z direction are adjusted so that the focal plane of the imaging device 10 coincides with the rotation axis R1. Further, by moving the stage 21 to a position lower than the rotation axis R1 (position farther from the imaging device 10 than the rotation axis R1 in the Z direction), a surface portion (hereinafter referred to as an observation surface) of the observation object S to be observed. Can be made to coincide with the focal plane of the imaging device 10. In this way, a so-called eucentric optical system is configured by making the focal plane of the imaging device 10 coincide with the rotation axis R1 and making the observation plane of the observation object S coincide with the focal plane coincident with the rotation axis R1. . Thereby, even if the inclination angle of the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 with respect to the Z direction is changed, the possibility that the observation surface of the observation target S is out of the imaging region of the imaging device 10 is reduced. Therefore, it is less necessary to readjust the focal plane of the imaging device 10.

(2) Transmission Illumination Unit FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the transmission illumination unit 25. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission illumination unit 25 includes a transmission illumination light source 251, a shaping optical system 252, and a diffusion plate 253. The transmitted illumination light source 251 is, for example, a halogen lamp or white LED that generates white light. The transmitted illumination light source 251 may be provided in the image processing apparatus 200, and the light generated by the transmitted illumination light source 251 may be guided to the microscope 100 via an optical fiber.

  A light transmission plate 26 is disposed in the opening 21 b of the stage 21. The observation object S is placed on the light transmission plate 26 (FIG. 2). The white light generated by the transmitted illumination light source 251 is shaped into parallel light parallel to the Z direction through the shaping optical system 252, and then transmitted to the observation object S as the transmitted light LB through the diffusion plate 253 and the light transmission plate 26. Led. Instead of the transmitted illumination light source 251 and the shaping optical system 252, a parallel light source that generates parallel light may be used.

  A part of the parallel light shaped by the shaping optical system 252 is diffused by the diffusion plate 253. Therefore, the transmitted light LB includes parallel light LB1 parallel to the Z direction transmitted through the diffusion plate 253 and diffused light LB2 parallel to any direction other than the Z direction diffused by the diffusion plate 253. By adjusting the transparency of the diffusion plate 253, the ratio of the intensity of the parallel light LB1 and the intensity of the diffused light LB2 can be adjusted.

(3) Effect by diffusion plate Hereinafter, the effect by providing the diffusion plate 253 will be described while comparing the case where the diffusion plate 253 is not provided and the case where the diffusion plate 253 is provided.

(3-1) First Example FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples in which the diffusion plate 253 is not provided, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples in which the diffusion plate 253 is provided. 6 and 8, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction. In the examples of FIGS. 7 and 9, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. ing. In this example, the observation object S is imaged using both the incident light LA and the transmitted light LB. In this example, the observation object S does not have light transmittance.

  First, a case where the diffusion plate 253 is not provided will be described. When the diffusing plate 253 is not provided, the transmitted light LB in FIG. 5 is configured only by the parallel light LB1. As shown in FIG. 6, the incident light LA reflected by the surface of the observation object S is incident on the imaging device 10 when the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction. Thereby, the surface of the observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Further, the parallel light LB1 enters the imaging device 10 through a region where the observation object S does not exist (hereinafter referred to as a background region). As a result, the background area can be imaged with sufficient brightness. By capturing the background area with sufficient brightness, the boundary between the observation object S and the background area becomes clear in the display image, and the shape of the edge of the observation object S is observed in detail. Is possible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, the incident light LA reflected by the surface of the observation object S is incident on the imaging device 10. Thus, the parallel light LB1 passing through the background region does not enter the imaging device 10. In this case, the background area cannot be imaged with sufficient brightness. Therefore, in the display image, the boundary between the observation object S and the background region becomes unclear.

  Next, the case where the diffusion plate 253 is provided will be described. As described above, when the diffusing plate 253 is provided, the transmitted light LB is composed of the parallel light LB1 and the diffused light LB2 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 8, when the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, the incident light LA reflected on the surface of the observation object S is incident on the imaging device 10 as in the example of FIG. At the same time, the parallel light LB1 passing through the background region is incident on the imaging device 10. Thereby, the surface and background area of the observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, the incident light LA reflected on the surface of the observation object S enters the imaging device 10. The diffused light LB2 passing through the background area is incident on the imaging device 10. Thereby, the surface and background area of the observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Thus, by providing the diffusing plate 253, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction and the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. The surface of the observation object S and the background area can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Further, the intensity of the parallel light LB1 incident on the imaging device 10 in a state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction is imaged in a state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. It is higher than the intensity of the diffused light LB2 incident on the device 10. Thereby, in a state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, the background region can be imaged with sufficient brightness. Therefore, in the display image, the boundary portion between the observation object S and the background region becomes clearer. Therefore, it is possible to observe the shape of the edge of the observation object S in detail with high magnification and high resolution.

  It is preferable that the diffused light LB2 has a component along the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 and is applied to the observation object S. Further, in order to observe the observation object S in a state where the inclination angle of the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 with respect to the Z direction is larger, the diffusion plate 253 is between the transmission illumination light source 251 and the observation object S. Therefore, it is desirable to be provided at a position closer to the observation object S. When the observation surface of the observation object S coincides with the rotation axis R1, that is, when a eucentric optical system is configured, the diffused light LB2 has a component along the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10. In addition, it is preferable that the diffused light LB2 is irradiated to the rotation axis R1 and a region in the vicinity thereof.

(3-2) Second Example FIG. 10 shows an example in which the diffusion plate 253 is not provided, and FIG. 11 shows an example in which the diffusion plate 253 is provided. 10 and 11, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction.

  The example of FIGS. 10 and 11 is the same as the example of FIGS. 6 to 9 except that a through hole H is formed in the observation object S along the Z direction. In the example of FIGS. 10 and 11, when the optical axis R <b> 2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, a part of the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole H is imaged by the imaging device 10.

  When the diffusion plate 253 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 10, when the optical axis R <b> 2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, a drop reflected by the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole H is not obtained. While the incident light LA is incident on the imaging device 10, the parallel light LB <b> 1 is not reflected by the inner peripheral surface Ha and is not incident on the imaging device 10. In addition, most of the reflected incident light LA is blocked in other regions of the inner peripheral surface Ha facing the region of the inner peripheral surface Ha irradiated with the incident light LA. Thereby, the intensity of the incident light LA incident on the imaging device 10 from the inner peripheral surface Ha is low. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole H cannot be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  On the other hand, when the diffusion plate 253 is provided, as shown in FIG. 11, when the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, it is reflected by the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole H. The incident light LA enters the imaging device 10, and the diffused light LB <b> 2 is reflected by the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole H and enters the imaging device 10. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface Ha of the through hole Ha can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Thus, by providing the diffusing plate 253, the diffused light LB2 is irradiated onto the observation object S from various directions, and the reflected light is incident on the imaging device 10. Thereby, various regions of the observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  The diffused light LB2 preferably has components at various angles toward the observation object S in addition to the components along the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10. Moreover, it is desirable that the diffusion plate 253 is provided between the transmitted illumination light source 251 and the observation object S and at a position closer to the observation object S.

(3-3) Third Example FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples in which the diffusion plate 253 is not provided, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show examples in which the diffusion plate 253 is provided. 12 and FIG. 14, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, and in the examples of FIGS. 13 and 15, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. ing.

  The examples of FIGS. 12 to 15 are the same as the examples of FIGS. 6 to 9 except that the observation object S having light transmittance is used and the incident light LA is not used.

  When the diffusing plate 253 is not provided, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the optical axis R <b> 2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, the parallel light LB <b> 1 transmitted through the observation target S enters the imaging device 10. . However, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in a state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is tilted with respect to the Z direction, the parallel light LB1 transmitted through the observation target S does not enter the imaging device 10. Thereby, in the state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, the observation object S cannot be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  On the other hand, when the diffusion plate 253 is provided, as shown in FIG. 14, in the state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, the observation object S is transmitted as in the example of FIG. The parallel light LB1 enters the imaging device 10. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15, in a state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, diffused light LB2 that has passed through the observation object S is incident on the imaging device 10. Thereby, even when the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction, the observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Thus, by providing the diffusing plate 253, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction and the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. The observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness.

  Further, as described above, the intensity of the parallel light LB1 incident on the imaging device 10 with the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 parallel to the Z direction is such that the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is inclined with respect to the Z direction. In this state, the intensity is higher than the intensity of the diffused light LB2 incident on the imaging device 10. Thereby, in the state where the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction, the light-transmitting observation object S can be imaged with sufficient brightness. Therefore, it becomes possible to observe in detail the observation object S having high magnification, high resolution, and light transmission.

(3-4)
In the magnifying observation apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the transmission light unit 25 generates the parallel light LB1 and the diffused light LB2 as the transmitted light LB, so that the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the stage 21. The parallel light LB1 or the diffused light LB is incident on the imaging device 10 both in the case of being inclined and in the case of being inclined. Therefore, the observation object S can be favorably imaged from various directions.

  In the present embodiment, the parallel light LB1 is generated by the transmitted illumination light source 251 and the shaping optical system 252, and a part of the generated parallel light LB1 is diffused by the diffusion plate 253, so that the diffused light LB2 is generated. Generated. Thereby, the parallel light LB1 and the diffused light LB2 can be generated with a simple configuration. Therefore, the observation object S can be favorably imaged from various directions at low cost.

(4) Another Example of Transmitted Illumination Unit FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing another example of the transmitted illumination unit 25. The transmission illumination unit 25 in FIG. 16 will be described with respect to differences from the transmission illumination unit 25 in FIG. The transmitted illumination unit 25 of FIG. 16 includes a plurality of diffused light sources 255 instead of the diffuser plate 253. Each diffused light source 255 is, for example, a halogen lamp or white LED that generates white light. The plurality of diffused light sources 255 are equiangular along a circle around the optical axis of the shaping optical system 252 around the shaping optical system 252 so as not to interfere with the parallel light LB1 by the shaping optical system 252. It is provided to line up at intervals. Instead of the plurality of diffused light sources 255, a diffused light source having an annular shape may be used.

  In this case, diffused light LB3 parallel to an arbitrary direction is generated by the diffused light source 255. Similar to the diffused light LB2 diffused by the diffuser plate 253, the diffused light LB3 enters the imaging device 10 at various positions and is irradiated on the observation object S from various directions. Thereby, also in this example, the same effect as the case where the diffusing plate 253 is provided is acquired. Therefore, the observation object S can be favorably imaged from various directions.

  In this example, since the parallel light LB1 and the diffused light LB3 are generated by different light sources, the parallel light LB1 and the diffused light are diffused compared to the case where the diffused light L2 is generated from the parallel light LB1 using the diffuser plate 253. The intensity of the light LB3 can be increased. Thereby, the observation object S can be favorably imaged from various directions in various situations such as when the ambient light is extremely small.

(5) Correspondence between each component of claim and each part of embodiment The following describes an example of the correspondence between each component of the claim and each part of the embodiment. It is not limited.

  In the above embodiment, the imaging device 10 is an example of an imaging unit, the stage 21 is an example of a stage, the light transmission plate 26 is an example of a light transmission unit, and the rotating column 5 is an example of a holding unit. The transmitted illumination unit 25 is an example of a light generation unit, the transmitted illumination light source 251 and the shaping optical system 252 are examples of a parallel light generation unit, the diffusion plate 253 is an example of a diffusion member, and the diffusion light source 255. Is an example of the diffused light generation unit, the transmitted illumination light source 251 is an example of a light source, and the shaping optical system 252 is an example of a shaping unit.

  As each constituent element in the claims, various other elements having configurations or functions described in the claims can be used.

  The present invention can be used for various magnification observation apparatuses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 1st support stand 3 2nd support stand 4 Connection part 5 Rotation support | pillar 6 Connection part 7 Support part 8 Slider 9 Fixed knob 10 Imaging device 20 Stage apparatus 21 Stage 21b Opening part 23 Stage support part 25 Transmitted illumination Unit 26 Light transmission plate 41 Adjustment screw 42 Adjustment knob 100 Microscope 200 Image processing device 251 Light source for transmission illumination 252 Shaping optical system 253 Diffuser plate 255 Diffusion light source 300 Magnifying observation device LA Epi-illumination LB Transmission light LB1 Parallel light LB2 Diffused light R1 Rotation axis R2 Optical axis S Object to be observed

Claims (4)

An imaging unit for imaging an observation object;
A stage having a light transmissive portion on which the observation object is placed;
A holding unit that holds the imaging unit so that the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit with respect to the stage can be adjusted while maintaining a substantially constant intersection position between the optical axis of the imaging unit and the stage;
In a state where the angle of the optical axis of the imaging unit is a predetermined angle, parallel light that passes through the light transmission unit of the stage and enters the imaging unit is generated, and the light transmission unit of the stage is A magnification observation apparatus comprising: a light generation unit that generates diffused light that is transmitted and incident on the imaging unit. The light generator is
A parallel light generator for generating parallel light;
The magnification observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a diffusing member that generates diffused light by diffusing a part of the parallel light generated by the generated light generation unit. The light generator is
A parallel light generator for generating parallel light;
The magnification observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a diffused light generating unit that generates diffused light. The parallel light generator is
A light source that generates light;
The magnification observation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a shaping unit that shapes light generated by the light source into parallel light.

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