JP2594498Y2 - microscope - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope for observing a specimen on a slide.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION microscope for observing the specimen on the slide, preparation on the sample table 1 as shown in FIG. 6
The lamp 2 is set and the hole 3 of the sample table 1 is
Preparation 2 is illuminated through the specimen on the slide 2 is observed through the microscope main body 6 having an objective lens 5. The microscope main body 6 is attached to the microscope frame movably in the vertical direction, and the microscope main body 6 is moved in the vertical direction by manually turning the adjustment knob, thereby performing focusing. To automatically perform this focusing, connect a motor to the adjustment knob,
The specimen on the slide 2 is imaged by the imaging device via the microscope main body 6, and the focus position is detected by the automatic focusing device based on the image signal from the imaging device, and the motor is controlled to control the motor. Moved to focus position. When it is necessary to move the specimen on the slide 2 in a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the XY-axis-direction moving table is placed on the sample table 1 and to place the slide 2, moves the specimen on the slide 2 by moving in the plane by the XY axis moving table XY-axis direction drive device. Further, a Z-axis direction moving table is also placed between the sample table 1 and the XY-axis direction moving table, and the Z-axis direction moving table is moved in the optical axis direction by the Z-axis direction driving device, so that the specimen on the slide 2 can be sampled. There is also an example in which the specimen is moved in the optical axis direction and the specimen on the slide 2 is moved three-dimensionally.

[0003]

In [devised to be solved INVENTION The above microscope, illuminating the slide 2 through the sample table 1 of the hole 3 from the light source 4 Purepara by light transmitted through the slide 2
Since the specimen on the plate 2 is observed through the microscope main body 6 having the objective lens 5, when the specimen on the slide 2 is moved by using the XY-axis-direction moving table or the Z-axis-direction moving table, the light source 4 shifts the sample table to the sample table. The light for illuminating the slide 2 through the hole 3 is blocked by the XY-axis slide or the Z-axis slide, and when observing the specimen on the slide 2, the XY-axis slide or the Z-axis slide. Gets in the way. In addition, when focusing is performed automatically, a motor is connected to the adjustment knob, which hinders manual operation of the adjustment knob, and has a disadvantage that manual operation is difficult. Also, manual focusing must be sacrificed.

[0004] The present invention improves the above drawbacks, and an object thereof is to provide a microscope that can perform the movement of the slide by the drive means without disturbing without specimen observation sacrificing manual focusing function.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a microscope in which light from a light source is incident on a microscope main body via a slide, and is movable in the optical axis direction and the optical axis direction. and a movable in the X-axis direction and Y-axis directions perpendicular to each other on the perpendicular second plane X
A light source that allows the light to pass from the light source to the microscope body even when moved in the axial direction and the Y-axis direction. A support having an opening large enough for the amount of movement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to support the slide. And a support provided on a side of the support.
Of the optical axis direction, X-axis direction
Actuator for moving in the direction and the Y-axis direction , an imaging device for imaging the specimen on the slide supported by the support via the microscope main body, and detecting a focus position by an image signal from the imaging device. and an automatic focusing device for said analyte said support base of the actuator is moved in the optical axis direction is controlled to move the focus position, adjustment
The microscope body is manually rotated by the adjusting knob.
A manual focusing function of moving the lens in the optical axis direction .

[0006]

The preparation is supported by the support, the light from the light source illuminates the preparation through the opening of the support, and the transmitted light is incident on the microscope body. The actuator moves only the support base in the optical axis direction, the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction , and the sample on the slide supported by the support base is imaged by the imaging device via the microscope body. Then, the automatic focusing device detects the focusing position based on the image signal from the imaging device, and controls the actuator so that the support base moves in the optical axis direction and the sample moves to the focusing position, thereby achieving focusing. Done. In addition, the manual focusing function is activated by turning the adjustment knob manually.
The microscope body is moved in the optical axis direction .

[0007]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

The microscope main body 11 has an objective lens 12 and a lens barrel 13, and is supported by a microscope frame (not shown) so as to be movable in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction). A sample table 14 is provided below the microscope main body 11, and a slide 15 is supported on the sample table 14 by a slide support arm. Light from the light source 16 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 17 and passes through the hole 18 of the sample table 14 to illuminate the preparation 15. The light transmitted through the preparation 15 is incident on the objective lens 12, and the observer can observe the specimen on the preparation 15 from the eyepiece of the microscope main body 11. Imaging device 1 including a television camera
9 is provided integrally with the microscope main body 11,
The sample on the slide 15 is imaged through the device and an image signal is output. Further, the preparation support arm is moved three-dimensionally by the actuator 20, and the actuator 20 is driven by the actuator driving unit 21. The automatic focusing device 22 detects a focus position of the microscope main body 11 with respect to the sample on the preparation 15 based on an image signal from the television camera 19, and based on the detection result, the actuator driving unit 21 moves the sample on the preparation 15 to the Z-axis direction. The actuator 20 is controlled so as to move to the focus position of the microscope main body 11 (in the optical axis direction). The actuator drive unit 21 drives the actuator 20 according to an instruction from an operation unit (not shown) to move the slide support arm in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction orthogonal to each other on a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The specimen on the slide 15 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged part of this embodiment.

The actuator 20 is an XY-axis moving table 2
0a and a Z-axis direction actuator 20b.
In the Y-axis direction moving base 20a, since the stroke is large, a normal stage, that is, a screw mechanism is configured by a displacement enlarging mechanism, and a motor is used as a driving unit.
The Z-axis direction actuator 20b is configured by an electrostrictive element that is displaced in the Z-axis direction by application of a signal voltage, and the XY-axis direction moving table 20a is fixed to the sample table 14 by a clamp 23. A shaft 25 is fixed on the XY axis direction moving base 20a, and the slide support arm 24 is attached to the shaft 25.
Are swingably mounted. Preparation arm 2
4, a Z-axis direction actuator 20b is fixed between the one end 24a and the XY-axis moving table 20a, and the other end 24b of the preparation support arm 24 is formed sufficiently longer than the one end 24a of the preparation support arm 24. ing. When the Z-axis direction actuator 20b is displaced in the Z-axis direction and one end 24a of the preparation support arm 24 is driven in the Z-axis direction, the preparation support arm 24
Rotates about the shaft 25, and the slide 15 moves substantially in the Z-axis direction. The other end 24 b of the preparation support arm 24 is formed in a frame shape to support the periphery of the preparation 15, and from the light source 16 to the reflecting mirror 17 and the sample table 14.
The light emitted to the slide 15 through the hole 18 is not blocked at all. The other end 24 of the preparation support arm 24
The tip of b is fitted in the groove of the support arm guide 26 fixed on the sample table 14 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and the support arm guide 26 prevents the lateral swing.

An actuator driving unit 21 drives the XY-axis direction moving table 20a in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit (not shown).
XY-axis moving table 2 by applying a signal voltage to a motor for
0a to the X-axis direction and Y orthogonal to each other on a two-dimensional plane.
The specimen is displaced in the axial direction, whereby the shaft 25, the preparation support arm 24, and the preparation 15 move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the specimen on the preparation 15 moves in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Further, the actuator driving unit 21 outputs a signal voltage for focusing according to the output signal of the automatic focusing device 22 to the Z-axis direction actuator 2.
0b to displace the Z-axis actuator 20b in the Z-axis direction.
Rotates, and the slide 15 moves substantially in the Z-axis direction.

In this embodiment, the microscope body 1
1 can be moved in the Z-axis direction by manually rotating the adjustment knob as in the conventional case, and the focus can be adjusted manually.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the automatic focusing device 22. In a video signal from the television camera 19, a signal in a specific detection area is selectively passed by a signal from a detection area setting unit 28 in a gate circuit 27, and only a high-frequency component is extracted by a high-pass filter (HPF) 29. .
The peak of the output signal of the HPF 29 is detected and held by the peak hold circuit 30 to detect the amount of the high-frequency component.
1 is maximized when the subject is in focus, and decreases as the subject is out of focus.

According to this embodiment, the preparation 15 is supported by the support comprising the preparation support arm 24, and the preparation support arm 24 allows light from the light source 16 to the microscope body 11 to pass therethrough.
Has an opening 18 large enough for the amount of movement in the X-axis direction-Y-axis direction , so that the preparation can be moved by the driving means such as the actuator 20 without disturbing the observation of the sample. . In addition, the specimen support arm 24 is moved in the optical axis direction by the Z-axis direction actuator 20b, and the specimen on the preparation 15 is moved to the television camera 1 via the microscope main body 11.
9, an automatic focusing device 22 detects an in-focus position based on an image signal from the television camera 19, and
Since the focusing is performed by controlling the axial actuator 20b, the focusing can be automatically performed without operating the adjustment knob, without sacrificing the function of manual focusing by the adjustment knob, that is, Aku
The tutor 20 interferes with the manual operation of the adjustment knob
Automatic focusing can be performed without causing a problem that manual operation is difficult . In addition, since the preparation support arm 24, the actuator 20, the actuator driving unit 21, the television camera 19, and the automatic focusing device 22 may be added to the existing microscope, the configuration can be easily made using the existing microscope. Can,
In addition, all the functions of the existing microscope can be utilized. Further, since the preparation 15 is moved by moving the light preparation support arm 24, the structure can be simplified and inexpensive. Furthermore, since the Z-axis direction actuator 20b is configured by an electrostrictive element, the microscope main body 11 can be sufficiently used even at a high magnification.

The clamp 23 may be arranged so as to surround the sample table 14 in order to eliminate the horizontal swing of the preparation support arm 24. Further, the slide support arm 24 may be moved in parallel in the Z-axis direction by a link mechanism. Furthermore, a preparation support arm 2
4 may be manually moved in the Z-axis direction. 4 and 5 show a part of another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, in the above embodiment, the X, T, and Z-axis moving tables 31 and the stepping motors 32 to 34 are used instead of the actuator 20, and the sample table 14 is omitted. The X, Y, and Z axis direction movable tables 31 are moved in the Z axis direction by a stepping motor 34, moved in the Y axis direction by a stepping motor 33, and moved in the X axis direction by the stepping motor 32. This X, Y, Z axis direction movable base 31 is prepared
Support arm 35 as a support base for supporting
Is fixed, and the preparation support arm 35 supports the periphery of the preparation 15 by a frame-shaped portion 35a, and the preparation 1
5 does not block any light applied to it. The actuator driving unit (not shown) drives the stepping motors 32 and 33 in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit (not shown) in substantially the same manner as the actuator driving unit 21 to move the X, Y, and Z axis direction moving tables 31
By moving the preparation support arm 35 and the preparation 15 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by moving in the axial direction and the Y-axis direction, the specimen on the preparation 15 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, thereby automatically focusing. Device 2
By controlling the stepping motor 34 in accordance with the output signal of step 2 to move the X, Y, and Z-axis movable tables 31 in the Z-axis direction, the slide support arm 35 and the slide 15 are moved in the Z-axis direction for focusing. I do.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, the slide is supported by the support, and the support transmits light from the light source to the microscope body even when the support moves in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Since the sample is passed, the preparation can be moved by the actuator without disturbing the observation of the sample. In addition, the support table is moved in the optical axis direction by the actuator, the specimen on the slide supported by the support table is imaged by the imaging device via the microscope main body, and the automatic focusing device is performed based on the image signal from the imaging device. Focusing is performed by detecting the in-focus position and controlling the actuator so that the support base moves in the optical axis direction and the sample moves to the in-focus position, so the adjustment is automatically performed without operating the adjustment knob. Ru can be focused. Furthermore, paying attention to the fact that the preparation supported by the support is light and small, it is attached to the side of the support on the side of the support.
Attached only the support base in the optical axis direction, X axis direction and Y axis
With the simple structure of providing an actuator for moving the support in the X direction and moving the support table, the specimen on the slide can be moved in the X and Y directions and automatically focused, and the adjustment knob can be used for manual focusing. Without sacrificing function, that is, when the actuator is
Bug that manual operation is difficult because it interferes with dynamic operation
Move the slide and support without causing
Automatic focusing can be performed autofocus if Te
To achieve a very compact actuator
Rukoto is Ru can. In addition, a support base that supports the slide
Is the distance from the light source with respect to the amount of movement in the X-axis direction-Y-axis direction.
It has enough openings to allow light to pass through, and
Acts to move the holder in the optical axis direction, X-axis direction, and Y-axis direction
The tutor is located on the side of the support that supports the slide.
May interfere with the observation of the specimen.
Move the slide by actuator
be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the automatic focusing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a part of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part of a conventional microscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Microscope main body 15 Preparation 16 Light source 19 Television camera 20 Actuator 21 Actuator drive part 22 Autofocusing device 24, 35 Preparation support arm 31 X, Y, Z-axis direction movable base 32, 33, 34 Stepping motor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02B 21/00-21/36 G02B 7/28

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A microscope in which light from a light source is incident on a microscope main body via a slide. The microscope is movable in an optical axis direction and is orthogonal to an X-axis direction on a secondary plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Moveable in Y axis direction and X axis
Also move in the direction and the Y-axis direction passing light into the microscope main body from the light source, a support base for supporting the slide has an opening large enough for the amount of movement of the X-axis direction -Y axis direction And, provided on the side of this support base,
Attached to the side and only the support stand in the optical axis direction, X axis direction
An actuator that moves in the Y-axis direction , an imaging device that captures an image of a sample on a slide supported by the support via the microscope main body, and an in-focus position detected by an image signal from the imaging device. an actuator wherein the support table is moved in the optical axis direction and an automatic focusing device for the analyte is controlled to move the focus position adjustment
When the knob is manually rotated, the microscope main body is moved.
A microscope having a manual focusing function of moving in a direction of an optical axis .