JP2018028634A - microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope that can be prevented from increasing in size even if a plurality of zoom lenses are included.SOLUTION: The microscope according to the invention comprises: an objective lens support part detachably attaching an objective lens thereto; a zoom part including a plurality of zoom lens frames respectively holding one or a plurality of zoom lens, and a guide part extending along an observation optical axis and guiding the movement of the plurality of zoom lens frames, and capable of changing the focal distance of an observation image; an optical head supporting the objective lens support part, and holding the zoom part in the interior thereof; a control part limiting the movement of the zoom lens frame; and a storage part storing a positional relationship of the plurality of zoom lens frames corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis. Each of the plurality of zoom lens frames is provided with a driving source, and movable along the common guide part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope including a zoom unit that can change the observation magnification of a specimen.

  Conventionally, a microscope having a zoom mechanism capable of changing the magnification of an observation image is known. As a zoom mechanism, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical cam shaft having a cam groove formed on the surface and a zoom lens are held, and the lens holding is movable in the axial direction in conjunction with the rotation of the cam shaft. There is a known technique for changing the magnification by moving a zoom lens. As another zoom mechanism, a technique capable of moving the zoom lens by a feed mechanism such as a ball screw is also known. In general, a zoom mechanism is provided in an optical head of a microscope in order to secure a stroke of a zoom lens and increase a change range of an enlargement magnification.

JP 2004-219821 A

  However, in the conventional zoom mechanism, the number of cam shafts and feed mechanisms is increased by the number of zoom lenses that are independently moved. As a result, there is a problem that if the number of zoom lenses is increased, the optical head is also increased in size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope capable of suppressing an increase in size even when a plurality of zoom lenses are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a microscope according to the present invention includes an objective lens support portion to which an objective lens can be detachably attached, and a plurality of zooms each holding one or a plurality of zoom lenses. A lens frame and a zoom unit that extends along the observation optical axis and guides the movement of the plurality of zoom lens frames, and supports the objective lens support unit and the zoom unit that can change the focal length of the observation image. And an optical head that holds the zoom unit therein, a control unit that controls movement of the zoom lens frame, and the plurality of zoom lenses corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens disposed on the observation optical axis And a storage unit that stores the positional relationship of the frames, wherein each of the plurality of zoom lens frames is provided with a drive source and is movable along the common guide unit.

  In the above invention, the microscope according to the present invention further includes an imaging unit that captures the observation image formed by the zoom unit.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the zoom unit may further include an aperture stop capable of adjusting a numerical aperture of light incident on the zoom unit and movable along the guide unit. And the storage unit stores the position of the aperture stop according to the pupil conjugate position of the objective lens in association with the type of the objective lens, and the control unit is disposed on the observation optical axis. The aperture stop is disposed at a pupil conjugate position of the objective lens.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the guide portion is a plate-like surface extending along the observation optical axis and extending along the observation optical axis, and is paired with each other. A plurality of zoom lens frames each having a pinion portion engageable with either the first or the second rack portion. To do.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the plurality of zoom lens frames include a first zoom lens frame and a second zoom lens frame, and the pinion portion of the first zoom lens frame is the guide portion. And the pinion part of the second zoom lens frame meshes with the second rack part of the guide part.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that an increase in size can be suppressed even when a plurality of zoom lenses are provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. The drawings referred to in the following description only schematically show the shape, size, and positional relationship so that the contents of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in each drawing.

(Embodiment)
First, a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a plane on which the microscope 1 is placed is referred to as an XY plane, and a direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as a Z direction.

  A microscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 stores a microscope main body 10 for observing a sample S, a display unit 20 for displaying an image corresponding to image data obtained by imaging the sample S by the microscope main body 10, and various data of the microscope 1. And a controller 30 that controls driving of the microscope main body 10 and the display unit 20.

  The microscope main body 10 includes a stage 11, a revolver 12, an objective lens 13, a light source 14, a collimator lens 15, a half mirror 16, a folding mirror 17, a zoom unit 18, and an imaging unit 19. .

  On the stage 11, a sample S is placed. The stage 11 is configured to be movable in the XYZ directions. The stage 11 may be configured to be movable in the XY plane by a drive unit such as a motor under the control of the controller 30.

The revolver 12 is an objective lens holding unit capable of holding a plurality of objective lenses 13 having different magnifications (observation magnifications). Revolver 12 is rotatably provided with respect to the microscope main body 10, to place the objective lens 13 used in the observation of the sample S above the sample S, the first on the observation optical axis N ₁ in other words. The objective lens holding part is applicable as long as the objective lens 13 can be disposed on the first observation optical axis N ₁ , such as a revolver 12 or one to which one objective lens 13 can be attached.

  The objective lens 13 condenses the illumination light irradiated by the light source 14 on the sample S and takes in the observation light reflected from the sample S. The objective lens 13 has a high magnification relative to the magnification of an objective lens having a relatively low magnification such as 1 ×, 2 ×, or 4 × or a low magnification objective lens such as 10 ×, 20 ×, or 40 ×, for example. An objective lens is mentioned. At least one of the objective lenses 13 having the magnification described above is attached to the revolver 12. The magnification of the objective lens 13 described above is an example, and a magnification suitable for observing the sample S is selected.

  The light source 14 emits illumination light to the sample S under the control of the controller 30. The light source 14 includes a white light source such as a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  The collimator lens 15 condenses the illumination light emitted from the light source 14 (hereinafter referred to as “epi-illumination light”) and converts it into parallel light.

  The half mirror 16 reflects the illumination light to the objective lens 13 and transmits the observation light of the sample S incident through the objective lens 13.

  The folding mirror 17 folds the observation light transmitted through the half mirror 16 toward the zoom unit 18 side.

  The zoom unit 18 includes one or a plurality of zoom lenses and an aperture stop. Under the control of the controller 30, the zoom unit 18 is configured to adjust the zoom lens according to the magnification of the objective lens 13 and the set zoom magnification. An observation image is formed on the light receiving surface of the imaging unit by moving the image.

  The imaging unit 19 captures the observation image formed by the zoom unit 18, that is, receives the observation light and performs photoelectric conversion to generate image data of the sample S, and outputs the image data to the controller 30. . The imaging unit 19 is configured using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), or the like.

  The objective lens 13, the light source 14, the collimating lens 15, the half mirror 16, the folding mirror 17, the zoom unit 18, and the imaging unit 19 described above are provided inside the optical head 100. The optical head 100 holds the revolver 12 and forms the head portion of the microscope main body portion 10.

  The display unit 20 displays an image corresponding to image data input via the controller 30 described later and operation information of the microscope 1. The display unit 20 is configured using a display panel made of liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like. The display unit 20 includes an objective lens selection button 201 and a zoom magnification setting button 202. The user can perform selection input of the objective lens 13 and input of setting of the zoom magnification by pressing the objective lens selection button 201 and the zoom magnification setting button 202. Specifically, the user selects a magnification (for example, 1 to 50 times) or a zoom magnification (for example, 1 to 10 times) of the objective lens displayed on the display panel, and then performs setting input by pressing a button.

Of the objective lenses 13 mounted on the revolver 12, the type of the objective lens 13 disposed on the first observation optical axis N ₁ is identified by detecting the rotational position of the revolver 12. Alternatively, the objective lens 13 disposed on the first observation optical axis N ₁ may be directly detected.

  The storage unit 21 stores various programs for operating the microscope 1, various data used during execution of the programs, image data generated by the imaging unit 19, and the like. The storage unit 21 is configured using a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 21 stores the positions of the first zoom lens group and the second zoom lens group according to the type of the objective lens 13, for example, the magnification, and the position of the aperture stop according to the pupil conjugate position of the objective lens 13. And the diameter of the aperture are stored in association with the type of the objective lens.

  The controller 30 includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a dedicated processor such as various arithmetic circuits that execute specific functions such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a memory, and the like, and configures the microscope 1. The control signal and various data are transmitted to each unit to perform overall control of the operation of the microscope 1.

  Here, a detailed configuration of the controller 30 will be described. The controller 30 includes an image processing unit 301 and a control unit 302.

  The image processing unit 301 performs predetermined image processing on the image data sequentially input from the imaging unit 19 and sequentially outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to the display unit 20. Specifically, the image processing unit 301 performs image processing such as optical black reduction processing, white balance adjustment processing, color matrix calculation processing, gamma correction processing, color reproduction processing, and edge enhancement processing on the image data. Output to the display unit 20. Further, the image processing unit 301 calculates the luminance value of the image data.

  The control unit 302 controls the overall operation of the microscope 1 by reading various programs stored in the storage unit 21. The control unit 302 performs control to display the image data generated by the image processing unit 301 on the display unit 20. The control unit 302 includes a drive control unit 302a.

  The drive control unit 302 a controls the rotation of the revolver 12, the on / off operation of the light source 14, the driving of the zoom unit 18, and the imaging operation by the imaging unit 19. For example, the drive control unit 302a causes the imaging unit 19 to execute still image shooting when an instruction signal instructing the still image shooting of the imaging unit 19 is input from an operation input unit (not shown).

In the microscope main body 10 configured as described above, the illumination light emitted from the light source 14 is converted into parallel light by the collimator lens 15 and travels along the illumination optical axis N ₀ . The parallel light is reflected by the half mirror 16, travels along the first observation optical axis N ₁ , and is irradiated onto the sample S through the objective lens 13. The observation light reflected by the sample S passes through the half mirror 16, is folded back by the folding mirror 17, travels along the second observation optical axis N ₂ , is collected by the zoom unit 18, and is collected by the imaging unit 19. An image is formed on the light receiving surface.

  Next, the configuration of the zoom unit 18 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the microscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The zoom unit 18 includes a zoom base 181, a guide unit 182, a first zoom lens frame 183, an aperture stop 184, and a second zoom lens frame 185. In the zoom unit 18, to both ends of the second observation optical axis N ₂ direction, the fixed lens (not shown) forming part of the zoom optical system, respectively. The fixed lens described above may be provided outside the zoom unit 18.

  The zoom base 181 holds each component of the zoom unit 18. The zoom base 181 includes detection units (a first detection unit 181a, a second detection unit 181b, and a third detection unit) that can detect the positions of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185. 181c) is provided.

  The first detection unit 181a, the second detection unit 181b, and the third detection unit 181c are each configured using a photointerrupter, and the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the first are arranged between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. When the zoom lens frame 185 passes and the light is blocked, a detection signal is output.

  The first detection unit 181a is provided at a position for outputting a detection signal when the first zoom lens frame 183 is disposed at the reference position. The second detection unit 181b is provided at a position for outputting a detection signal when the aperture stop 184 is disposed at the reference position. The third detection unit 181c is provided at a position for outputting a detection signal when the second zoom lens frame 185 is disposed at the reference position.

The guide unit 182 has a plate shape extending along the second observation optical axis N ₂ and guides the movement of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185. The guide portion 182 can be engaged with the first zoom lens frame 183 and the second zoom lens frame 185 on a side surface extending along the second observation optical axis N ₂ and parallel to the first observation optical axis N _1. A first rack portion 182a is provided. In addition, a second rack portion 182b that can mesh with the aperture stop 184 is provided on the side surface of the guide portion 182 that faces the side surface on which the first rack portion 182a is provided. The movement direction of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 is guided by a common guide portion 182.

The first zoom lens frame 183 holds a zoom lens group 183a composed of two zoom lenses, a zoom lens group 183a, a movable member 183b movable along the guide portion 182 and a first rack portion 182a. A pinion portion 183c having a possible gear shape, a motor 183d that rotates the pinion portion 183c, and a support portion 183e that is attached to the moving member 183b and rotatably supports the pinion portion 183c and the motor 183d around an axis. And a position detecting member 183f that extends from the moving member 183b in a plate shape and can pass between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the first detecting portion 181a by the movement of the moving member 183b. The zoom lens included in the first zoom lens frame 183 functions as a variator lens, and moves along the second observation optical axis N ₂ to change the size of the observation image.

  The aperture stop 184 adjusts the numerical aperture of the light incident on the zoom unit 18. The aperture stop 184 is provided with an opening 184a capable of changing the size of the diameter of the opening, and has a moving member 184b movable along the guide portion 182 and a gear shape that can mesh with the second rack portion 182b. A pinion portion 184c, a motor 184d that rotates the pinion portion 184c, a support member 184e that is attached to the moving member 184b and rotatably supports the pinion portion 184c and the motor 184d around an axis, and a plate from the moving member 184b And a position detecting member 184f that extends between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the second detecting portion 181b by moving the moving member 184b.

  The opening 184a is constituted by, for example, a shutter, and the shutter is driven under the control of the drive control unit 302a, and the diameter of the opening formed by the shutter is controlled.

The second zoom lens frame 185 has the same configuration as the first zoom lens frame 183, holds a zoom lens group 185a composed of two zoom lenses, and a zoom lens group 185a, and is movable along the guide portion 182. A moving member 185b, a pinion portion having a gear shape that can mesh with the first rack portion 182a, a motor that rotates the pinion portion, and a moving member 185b are attached to the first pinion portion and the motor around the shaft. And a support portion that is rotatably supported by the movable member 185b and a plate that extends from the moving member 185b to detect a position that can pass between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the third detecting portion 181c by the movement of the moving member 185b. Member 185c. Zoom lens provided in the second zoom lens frame 185 functions as a compensator lens, by moving along the second observation optical axis N _2, to correct the deviation of the focal point.

  Each motor of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor, and the rotation amount and rotation timing are controlled based on a pulse from the drive control unit 302a. Further, in the microscope 1, at the time of initialization at the time of starting the apparatus, the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 are moved, and detection signals from the first detection unit 181a to the third detection unit 181c. And set each reference position.

For example, when the magnification of the objective lens 13 is set to 5 times and the zoom magnification is set to 1 by setting input from the objective lens selection button 201 and the zoom magnification setting button 202, the drive control unit 302a first stores the storage unit 21. The positions of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 corresponding to the combination of the magnification of the objective lens and the zoom magnification are acquired. Thereafter, the drive control unit 302a drives each motor so that the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 are arranged at the acquired positions. For example, the aperture stop 184 is disposed at a position corresponding to the pupil conjugate position of the 5 × objective lens 13. Thus, the magnification of the objective lens 13 which is disposed on the first observation optical axis N _1, in accordance with the set zoom magnification, the first zoom lens frame 183, aperture stop 184 and the second zoom lens frame 185 Can be arranged.

  In this way, the drive control unit 302a drives the motor so as to be arranged in accordance with the set magnification of the objective lens 13 and the zoom magnification, whereby the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second The zoom lens frame 185 can be disposed at an appropriate position. In the storage unit 21, the arrangement of the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184 and the second zoom lens frame 185 according to the combination of the magnification of the objective lens that can be set and the zoom magnification, and the aperture of the aperture stop 184 are set. Information on the diameter is stored.

  According to the present embodiment described above, in the zoom unit 18, the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 are arranged along one guide unit using a rack and pinion configuration. I moved it. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a moving axis for each moving object as in the prior art, and an increase in size can be suppressed even when a plurality of zoom lenses are provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment described above, the drive control unit 302a refers to the arrangement stored in the storage unit 21 according to the set magnification and zoom magnification of the objective lens 13, and the first The zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 are moved. Therefore, the user can place the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 at appropriate positions simply by pressing the objective lens selection button 201 and the zoom magnification setting button 202. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the first zoom lens frame 183 and the second zoom lens frame 185 mesh with the first rack portion 182a, and the aperture stop 184 meshes with the second rack portion 182b. However, the engagement object of the 1st rack part 182a and the 2nd rack part 182b is not restricted to this. For example, the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 may mesh with the first rack portion 182a.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 are moved according to the magnification of the objective lens 13 and the zoom magnification. The first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 may be moved according to any one of the magnification and zoom magnification. For example, in a configuration without the zoom magnification setting button 202, the first zoom lens frame 183, the aperture stop 184, and the second zoom lens frame 185 may be moved in accordance with the magnification setting of the objective lens 13.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first zoom lens frame 183 and the second zoom lens frame 185 have been described. However, the number of zoom lens frames is not limited to two and may be three or more. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the stepping motor is used in the zoom unit. However, a DC motor that includes a scale and a detection unit and can detect position information may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the zoom lens frame is moved by rack and pinion in the zoom unit. However, a linear guide in which a plurality of zoom lens frames move on a common linear rail is used. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an observation image is captured by the imaging unit 19 has been described. However, an eyepiece may be provided in place of the imaging unit 19 so that the user performs visual observation.

In the above-described embodiment, the light of the first observation optical axis N ₁ passing through the objective lens 13 is bent into the light of the second observation optical axis N ₂ by the folding mirror 17, and the second observation optical axis N _2. Although the zoom lens and the aperture stop are moved along the optical axis, the imaging unit 19 and the eyepiece lens guide light of the first observation optical axis N ₁ without providing the folding mirror 17. May be. In this case, the zoom lens and the aperture stop of the zoom unit 18 are also moved along the first observation optical axis N ₁ .

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these. Further, the present invention can form various inventions by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the respective embodiments. It is obvious from the above description that the present invention can be variously modified according to specifications and the like, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microscope 10 Microscope main-body part 11 Stage 12 Revolver 13 Objective lens 14 Light source 15 Collimating lens 16 Half mirror 17 Folding mirror 18 Zoom part 19 Imaging part 20 Display part 21 Memory | storage part 30 Controller 181 Zoom base 181a 1st detection part 181b 2nd detection Part 181c Third detection part 182 Guide part 183 First zoom lens frame 183a, 185a Zoom lens group 183b, 184b, 185b Moving member 183c, 184c Pinion part 183d, 184d Motor 183e, 184e Support part 183f, 184f, 185c Position detection Member 184 Aperture stop 184a Aperture 185 Second zoom lens frame 201 Objective lens selection button 202 Zoom magnification setting button

Claims (5)

An objective lens support part to which the objective lens can be detachably attached;
A plurality of zoom lens frames that respectively hold one or a plurality of zoom lenses, and a guide portion that extends along the observation optical axis and guides the movement of the plurality of zoom lens frames, and changes the focal length of the observation image Possible zoom part,
An optical head that supports the objective lens support unit and holds the zoom unit therein;
A control unit for controlling movement of the zoom lens frame;
A storage unit for storing a positional relationship of the plurality of zoom lens frames corresponding to a magnification of the objective lens disposed on the observation optical axis;
With
Each of the plurality of zoom lens frames is provided with a drive source, and is movable along the common guide portion. An imaging unit that captures the observation image formed by the zoom unit;
The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising: The zoom unit is
An aperture stop that can adjust the numerical aperture of light incident on the zoom unit and is movable along the guide unit,
Further comprising
The storage unit stores the position of the aperture stop according to the pupil conjugate position of the objective lens in association with the type of objective lens,
The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the control unit arranges the aperture stop at a pupil conjugate position of the objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis. The guide part is
Extending along the observation optical axis in the form of a plate,
First and second rack portions respectively provided on surfaces extending along the observation optical axis and forming a pair with each other;
Have
The microscope according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of zoom lens frames has a pinion portion that can mesh with either the first rack portion or the second rack portion. The plurality of zoom lens frames include a first zoom lens frame and a second zoom lens frame,
The pinion part of the first zoom lens frame meshes with the first rack part of the guide part,
The microscope according to claim 4, wherein the pinion portion of the second zoom lens frame meshes with the second rack portion of the guide portion.

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