JP3325210B2 - Sample temperature controller for 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 specimen temperature controller for a microscope, that is, a temperature controller for heating or cooling a specimen to a desired temperature, or for selectively heating / cooling the specimen. Pertains to vessels. In particular, the present invention relates to a sample temperature controller for a microscope using a heating film and / or a Peltier element as a means for heating or cooling a sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When observing a specimen with a microscope, it is often necessary to control the temperature of the specimen. For example,
In sperm vitality evaluation and blood type determination in the medical field and livestock field, or in material quality inspection and characteristic tests, it is important to observe a specimen by warming or cooling it to an optimum temperature. As a device for performing such temperature management in microscope observation, there is a sample temperature management device. There are various types of sample temperature management devices of this type from the past, but generally, a sample temperature management device for heating or cooling a sample,
The controller comprises a controller for controlling the state of heating and cooling by the sample temperature controller, a cable for connecting the controller to the controller, and the like.

[0003] The specimen temperature controller usually comprises a top plate on which a slide glass or a petri dish is placed, a heating / cooling means for heating or cooling the top plate, and a temperature for detecting the temperature of the top plate. A top plate is made of transparent glass or a metal plate having a light transmitting hole formed in the center, and a heating means is often made of a transparent coating film. The controller includes a temperature setting unit configured to set a target temperature, and a temperature control unit that compares the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection unit of the sample temperature controller with the target temperature to control energization to the heating / cooling unit. A circuit or the like is provided so that the temperature of the top plate is maintained at the target temperature.

[0004] Some sample temperature controllers are capable of performing both heating and cooling with a single device. In this type of specimen temperature controller, a Peltier element is often used as a heating / cooling means. This Peltier element is an element having a property that one side of the element generates heat when energized and the other side is cooled, and this heat generation and cooling are reversed by applying a reverse current. The top plate is heated or cooled at any time by utilizing.

However, this Peltier element has a disadvantage that the life is extremely shortened if the polarity of the current is frequently changed. Therefore, the present inventor has developed a sample temperature controller using the Peltier element only for cooling purposes and using a heating film exclusively for heating (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-122507). In this case, if the heat from the heat generating surface when the Peltier element is driven is taken away, the cooling efficiency is greatly increased. Therefore, a water passage for cooling the heat generating surface of the Peltier element is provided.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a sample temperature controller described in the above publication. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a sample temperature controller. Reference numeral 3 denotes a frame. The frame 3 has a circular dish shape. A relatively thick bottom wall 5 has a circular light transmitting hole 7 formed at the center thereof, and a shallow upper surface of the bottom wall 5. An annular concave portion 9 is formed, and an upper surface of the annular concave portion 9 is closed by an aluminum cover plate 11 to form an annular cooling water passage 13. A water supply hose and a drain hose (not shown) are connected to the cooling water passage 13 so that water flows. A plurality of Peltier elements 15 are mounted on the upper surface of the cover plate 11 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a heat dissipating plate 17 in the form of a circular band is adhered on the Peltier elements 15. A heating plate 19 is stacked on the heat distribution plate 17,
A top plate 21 is overlaid on the heating plate 19, and the heating plate 19 and the top plate 21 are formed of transparent glass, and an upper surface of the heating plate 19 is coated with a heating film (not shown). I have. The heating film, the Peltier element 15, and the like are connected to a controller (not shown) via a connection cable.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a stage of the microscope, and reference numeral 25 denotes a light passage hole of the stage 23. The sample temperature controller 1 is set on the microscope by placing the flange 27 of the frame 3 on the shoulder of the inner peripheral surface of the light hole 25. The slide glass or the like on which the sample is placed is placed on the top plate 21. When the specimen is heated, only the heating film is energized, and the top plate 21 is heated by the heat from the heating film. When the specimen is cooled, only the Peltier element 15 is energized with a predetermined polarity to cool the upper surface thereof, thereby cooling the top plate 21. During this cooling,
Although the lower surface of the Peltier element 15 generates heat, the heat is taken by the water flowing through the cooling water passage 13 so as not to disturb the cooling.

[0008]

This sample temperature controller 1
In this case, since the light passage 7 is very deep due to the provision of the cooling water channel 13, when the specimen temperature controller 1 is used for an inverted microscope, the objective lens 29 is not allowed to pass through as shown in FIG. It is inserted deeply into the light hole 7. Therefore, the objective lens 2
There is a problem that the switching use of No. 9 becomes extremely troublesome. That is, switching of the objective lens 29 in the microscope is performed by rotating the revolver. When the revolver is rotated, the objective lens 29 moves on an arc-shaped locus, so that the objective lens 29 hits the inner peripheral surface of the light transmitting hole 7. Will be lost. For this reason, when switching to another objective lens, it is necessary to move the stage 23 upward and take out the objective lens 29 currently used once out of the light transmitting hole 7 before performing the procedure. It is. Moreover,
The in-focus state of the objective lens, which has been adjusted with great effort, is destroyed by moving the stage 23. Therefore, there is a problem that the focus must be re-started every time the objective lens is switched.

[0009] In order to measure the potential of a specimen, strict conditions are required for noise prevention. For example, in order to accurately measure the potential and the like of cells, it is generally said that there should be no noise exceeding 1 picoampere around the specimen and its surroundings. In this regard, the inventor of the present invention supplies DC current to the heating film by interposing an AC / DC converter in a circuit for supplying current to the heating film of the specimen temperature controller, Improvements have been made such as forming the frame from a conductive material such as aluminum and grounding the frame, but the effect of noise removal has never been sufficient. Moreover, in the sample temperature controller 1 described above, there is a problem that an AC component from the water supply pump is transmitted through a water supply / drain hose connected to the cooling water passage 13, and this vibration also causes noise.

Further, if the frame is made of metal in order to obtain ground from the frame, there is a problem that the weight increases and the handling becomes difficult. In order to increase the thermal conductivity of the top plate, it is conceivable to use a metal plate. However, this causes a problem that the weight of the sample temperature controller is further increased.

In the field of research such as genetic engineering, microscopic operations for processing a specimen while looking at a microscope are frequently performed. However, since this microscopic operation is an extremely delicate operation, even a slight vibration of the specimen is required. Unacceptable. At this point, the sample temperature controller of the type that is used by fitting it into the light-passing hole 25 of the microscope stage 23 does not seem to shake at first glance, but can be smoothly attached to and detached from the light-passing hole 25. In order to do so, the size of the frame 3 is inevitably made slightly smaller than the size of the light-passing hole 25, so that the shake never becomes zero.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and by devising the structure of a cooling water passage for a Peltier element, the cooling water passage can be switched to an objective lens even when used in an inverted microscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample temperature controller that does not interfere with the specimen. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sample temperature controller that can prevent generation of noise due to an AC component from a pump for supplying water to the cooling water channel. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sample temperature controller which can be made lightweight and can effectively prevent the generation of noise. Then, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample temperature controller that can effectively prevent shake.

[0013]

In order to achieve this object, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a top plate on which a slide glass or the like is mounted, and a heat generating film which generates heat when energized is provided. Hot and cold glass stacked on top of each other, a cooling water passage arranged below the outer periphery of the hot and cold glass, and a plurality of cooling water passages arranged such that both front and back surfaces are respectively in contact with the upper surface of the cooling water passage and the lower surface of the warm and cold glass A Peltier element, a frame integrally holding the top plate, the hot / cold glass, the cooling water channel, and the like, a connection cable having a lead wire connected to the Peltier element and a lead wire connected to the heating film, A water supply / drainage hose connected to the cooling water passage, wherein the cooling water passage has two wide portions located on opposite sides of the center of the frame and two narrow widths connecting the two wide portions; Consists of a, the lowermost surface of the narrow section
A Peltier element is mounted at a position higher than the lowermost surface of the wide portion and the Peltier element is mounted on the upper surface of the wide portion .
Sample temperature controller .

Therefore, at least when the objective lens is used for an inverted microscope, the cooling water channel does not hinder the movement of the objective lens if the stage is set between the two wide portions of the cooling water channel so that the movement trajectory of the objective lens passes. Therefore, the objective lens can be switched arbitrarily without moving the stage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a slide glass or the like is mounted.
The top plate to be heated and the heat generated when electricity is supplied
Hot and cold with a membrane and superimposed on the lower surface of the top plate
Glass and placed below the outer periphery of this hot and cold glass
The cooling water channel, the top and bottom surfaces of the cooling water channel
Multiple Peltiers placed separately in contact with the bottom
Elements, these top plates, hot and cold glass and cooling channels
And a frame that integrally holds the above, and the Peltier element
Lead wire connected and lead connected to the heat generating film
Connection cable with wires and supply and drain connected to the cooling water channel
With a water hose, and the cooling water channel sandwiches the center of the frame.
The two wide portions and the two wide portions
Extend to the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the frame peripheral wall so that the width
And two narrow portions, and the lowermost surface of the narrow portion is wide.
Is located higher than the lowermost surface of the
Sample temperature controller for microscope with Che element mounted
The lower part of the wide part is lower than the peripheral wall of the frame.
A sample temperature controller for a microscope, characterized in that
You. The invention of claim 3 is described in claim 1 or 2
In the specimen temperature controller for the microscope, the
Insert a pipe made of conductive material near the cooling water channel
And the ground lead is connected to this pipe.
This is a sample temperature controller for a microscope to be used. by this,
Generation of noise due to an AC component from a pump for supplying water to the cooling water passage can be considerably prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a slide glass or the like is used.
The top plate to be placed and the source that generates heat when energized
A heat film is provided and the heat
Warm glass, these top plates and heated glass
The frame that is held integrally and the state of energization to the heating film
To connect the temperature controller that controls the
Temperature controller equipped with a connection cable through which a lead wire is passed
The frame is made of synthetic resin and
The top plate is made of metal and connected to this top plate.
It is noted that the earth lead independent of the cable is connected.
This is a specimen temperature controller for microscopes. Therefore, the weight can be reduced as compared with the conventional frame formed of metal, and noise falling through the ground lead connected to the top plate can be reliably prevented from jumping into the heat generating film or the Peltier element.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising:
In any of the sample temperature controllers for microscopes on
If the top plate is made of hardened aluminum
Characterized in that the thickness is less than 1 mm
Sample temperature controller for microscope. Thereby, the top plate can be made thinner without impairing bending resistance and the like, which contributes to weight reduction.

[0018] The invention of claim 6 is described in claims 1 to 5.
In any of the sample temperature controllers for microscopes on
Made of a material with a high coefficient of friction on the outer peripheral surface of the top plate
A specimen for a microscope, provided with a non-slip member.
It is a temperature controller. As a result, shake can be effectively prevented.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a sample temperature controller for a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The sample temperature controller shown in this embodiment is of a type having both functions of heating and cooling. Reference numeral 31 denotes a sample temperature management device. The sample temperature management device 31 includes a sample temperature cooler 33 as a sample temperature controller, a controller 35, and a connection cable 37 connecting the sample temperature cooler 33 and the controller 35. , Water supply pump 3
9 (see FIG. 8).

First, the sample heater / cooler 33 will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 7). Reference numeral 41 denotes a frame as a base of the sample heater / cooler 33. The frame 41 has an annular peripheral wall 43, a flange 45 projecting outward from the entire periphery of the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 43, and a front and rear portion continuous with the lower end of the peripheral wall 43 (in the direction toward the lower left in FIG. The left side is the direction toward the lower right in the figure, and the direction is referred to as the direction in the following description.) The two wide water channel bottom walls 47 are integrally formed of synthetic resin. Become.

The wide water channel bottom wall 47 is slightly lower than the peripheral wall 43 and has a horizontal flat plate shape. When viewed from above, the wide water channel bottom wall 47 is inward from the opposite position with respect to the center of the frame 41 in the peripheral wall 43. And has a substantially equilateral trapezoidal shape in which the left-right width decreases as approaching the center of the frame 41. The distance between these two wide channel bottom walls 47 is determined by the objective lens 49 of the inverted microscope (see FIG. 5).
Is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the lens barrel 49a. A shallow recess 51 is formed in the upper surface of the front wide channel bottom wall 47 except for the outer peripheral portion thereof, and two left and right shallow recesses 53 are formed in the upper surface of the rear wide channel bottom wall 47. A cable passage hole 55 is provided in the wide channel bottom wall 47 on the rear side.
, Two hose mounting holes 57 and a small screw hole 59 are formed, the cable through hole 55 is provided between the left and right concave portions 53, and the hose mounting holes 57 are provided on the bottom walls of the left and right concave portions 53, respectively. The screw hole 59 is provided at a position near the peripheral wall 43.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a wide channel lid. The wide channel lid 61 is formed of a thin aluminum plate and has the same size as the upper surface of the wide channel bottom wall 47.
(See FIG. 3). As a result, the concave portions 51 and 53 are closed to form three thin spaces, and these three spaces become wide water channels 63. The left and right ends of the wide channel lid 61 are formed with communication holes 61a. In addition, a communication hole 61 is provided in the wide waterway lid 61 on the rear side.
In addition to a, a cable through hole 55 ′ and a screw through hole 59 ′ are formed at positions respectively corresponding to the cable through hole 55 and the screw hole 59.

Reference numeral 65 denotes a narrow channel bottom wall. The narrow water channel bottom wall 65 has two right and left sides, has an arc shape bent at a curvature exactly along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 43 of the frame 41, is formed of aluminum, and has a wide channel bottom wall. 47 is approximately one-third of the maximum front-rear width, and the thickness is about one-fourth of the height of the peripheral wall 43 of the frame 41. On the upper surface of the narrow channel bottom wall 65, a shallow recess 67 extending over the entire length thereof is formed, and communication holes 69 are formed at both ends of the bottom wall of the recess 67. As shown in FIG. 3, such a narrow channel bottom wall 65 is provided so as to hang on the front and rear wide channel lids 61 in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 43. That is, one of the narrow channel bottom walls 65 has both ends bonded to the upper surface of the left end of each of the front and rear wide channel lids 61, and the other narrow channel bottom wall 65 has both ends at the front and rear wide channels. The cover 61 is bonded to the upper surface of each right end. During this bonding,
The communication hole 69 of the narrow channel bottom wall 65 and the communication hole 61a of the wide channel lid 61 are aligned.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a narrow channel lid. The narrow channel lid 71 is formed of a thin plate made of synthetic resin, and is adhered to the upper surface of the narrow channel bottom wall 65. As a result, the concave portion 67 of the narrow channel bottom wall 65 is closed to form a narrow narrow space, and this space becomes the narrow channel 73. Thus, the front and rear two wide water passages 63 and the two left and right narrow water passages 73 are continuous with each other through the communication holes 61a and 69.
Cooling water channel 75 extending substantially annularly along the inner peripheral surface of peripheral wall 43
Is formed. That is, one end of the cooling water channel 75 starts with the wide water channel 63 on the rear left side, reaches the wide water channel 63 on the front side via the narrow water channel 73 on the left side, and from there, passes through the narrow water channel 73 on the right side. Ends in a wide channel 63.

In the cooling water channel 75, only the wide water channel 63 is located at a position lower than the peripheral wall 43 of the frame 41, and the narrow water channel 73 is located so as to extend along the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 43. .

A hose socket 77 is formed in the two hose mounting holes 57 formed in the wide channel bottom wall 47 from below.
(See FIG. 6). A water supply hose 79 extending from the water supply pump 39 is provided in the hose socket 77 on the left side.
The drain hose 81 is connected to the hose socket 77 on the right side. Accordingly, the water supplied through the water supply hose 79 enters the wide water channel 63 on the rear left side, flows through the cooling water channel 75, and reaches the wide water channel 63 on the rear right side.
From here, it is collected via a drain hose 81. An aluminum pipe 83 (see FIG. 1) is interposed between the water supply hose 79 and the drain hose 81 near the hose socket 77.

Reference numeral 85 denotes a Peltier element (only the outer shape is shown in the drawing). There are four Peltier elements 85,
As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the two are arranged side by side, they are bonded to the upper surface of the wide channel lid 61. For this bonding, an adhesive having a high thermal conductivity such as a silicon adhesive is used. 87 indicates a cooling plate. The cooling plate 87 is formed in a disk shape by a thin plate material made of aluminum, has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the peripheral wall 43 of the frame 41, and has a relatively large rectangular hole 87a formed in the center. ing. Such a cooling plate 87 is adhered to the upper surface of the Peltier element 85 with the longitudinal direction of the hole 87 a facing in the left-right direction. For this bonding, a silicon adhesive or the like is used. Incidentally, as the cooling plate 87, copper or the like may be used in addition to aluminum.

Reference numeral 89 denotes a hot / cold glass. The hot / cold glass 89 has a disk shape, a square hole 89a is formed in the center thereof, and a heating film 91 (shown in a satin pattern in FIG. 4) is provided on the entire upper surface thereof. Have been. This heating film 91 has a so-called IT of about 300 to 800 ohms.
Although an O film is used, the invention is not limited to this, and any type of conductive film may be used as long as it is a conductive film formed by a known evaporation method. Such a hot / cold glass 89 is bonded onto the cooling plate 87. For this bonding, a material having high thermal conductivity such as a silicon adhesive is used.

On the heating film 91, a pair of electrodes 93a, 9
3b is provided. The electrodes 93a and 93b are made of a copper foil having a thickness of about 20 to 30 microns, and are arranged at positions near the outer periphery on opposite sides of the center of the hot / cold glass 89. The electrodes 93a and 93b are
Instead of the copper foil, it may be provided by applying a conductive adhesive or paint. Further, a temperature sensor 95 is bonded to a position on the upper surface of the heat generating film 91 which is separated from the electrodes 93a and 93b. This temperature sensor 95
Uses a thermocouple whose surface is insulated, but this may be replaced with a thermistor, a temperature measuring element, or the like.

Reference numeral 97 denotes a top plate. The top plate 97 has a disc shape slightly smaller than the peripheral wall 43 of the frame 41, and a rectangular region 97a at the center is thinned by cutting the lower surface thereof. A circular light transmitting hole 99 is formed at the center. The top plate 97 is processed to have a high hardness by hardening a thin aluminum plate material by an oxidation method or the like. Such a top plate 97 is bonded to the upper surface of the hot / cold glass 89 with the silicon grease 101 (see FIG. 7) interposed therebetween. The silicon grease 101 allows the top plate 97 and the heating to be heated
7 and the heat generating film 91 and the electrode 93
The oxidation of a and 93b is prevented.

The connection cable 37 has a multi-core structure in which the inside is covered with a shield net, and has a ground terminal 110 connected to the shield net. As shown in FIG. Lead wires 103 and 103 ', lead wires 105 and 105' for a Peltier element, and lead wires 107 and 107 'for a temperature sensor 95 are passed through. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the connection cable 37 passes through the cable through holes 55 and 55 ′ from below and protrudes inside the frame 41, and the outer skin is bonded and fixed to the frame 41. A connector 108 for connecting to the controller 35 is connected to the other end of the connection cable 37.

Then, the lead wires 103, 10
One end of 3 'is connected to one end of each of electrodes 93a and 93b, and one end of lead wires 107 and 107' for temperature sensor is connected to temperature sensor 95, and lead wires 105 and 105 'for Peltier element. Are connected to the rear two Peltier elements 85, respectively. The four Peltier elements 85 are connected in series to each other by the lead wire 112 (see FIG. 3).

Reference numeral 109 denotes a ground screw. The ground screw 109 is screwed into the screw hole 59 from below, and its upper end protrudes upward through a screw through hole 59 '. Then, the tip of the ground screw 109 and the top plate 97
Is connected to the outer peripheral portion on the lower surface of the device by a lead wire 111.

After the assembly of the members and the necessary wiring in the frame 41 are completed as described above, the peripheral wall 43
Of the top plate 97, the hot / cold glass 89, the gap between the cooling plate 87 and the peripheral wall 43, and the gap between the cooling plate 87 and the wide channel lid 61 are made of synthetic resin. (Illustration is omitted in FIG. 6). The filler 113 is not particularly limited as long as it is a reaction-curable gel having insulating properties.

On the outer peripheral surface of the flange 45 of the frame 41, a groove 45a extending endlessly in the circumferential direction is formed. Reference numeral 115 denotes a detent member. This detent member 1
Reference numeral 15 is formed in a ring shape from a material having a high coefficient of friction, and is mounted by engaging a ridge formed on an inner peripheral surface of the groove with the groove 45a.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a ground lead (see FIG. 1). One end of the ground lead 117 is connected to the ground screw 109, and the other end is grounded. Reference numeral 119 denotes another ground lead (see FIG. 1). There are two ground leads 119, one end of which is connected to the pipe 83 inserted between the water supply hose 79 and the drain hose 81,
The other end is grounded.

Next, the controller 35 will be described (FIG. 8).
reference). Reference numeral 121 denotes a series regulator type power supply circuit. The power supply circuit 121 is connected to an AC power supply 125 via a transformer 123, and is connected to the lead wires 103 and 103 'for the heating film and the lead wire 10 for the Peltier element.
5, 105 'are connected to this power supply circuit 121,
A direct current is supplied to the heating film 91 and the Peltier element 85. The power supply circuit 121 may be of a switching regulator type. The power supply to the Peltier element 85 is performed with a polarity that cools the upper surface, that is, the surface in contact with the cooling plate 87.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a temperature control circuit. An AC power supply 125 and a power supply circuit 121 are connected to the temperature control circuit 127, and the temperature sensor leads 107, 1
07 ′ is connected, and the temperature signal of the top plate 97 detected by the temperature sensor 95 is
7 is input.

Reference numeral 129 denotes a plate temperature display panel connected to the temperature control circuit 127. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 95 is displayed on the plate temperature display panel 129. Reference numeral 131 denotes a target temperature setting switch connected to the temperature control circuit 127.
The target temperature set by 31 is the target temperature display panel 1
33 is displayed. The other ends of the ground terminal 110 and the ground leads 117 and 119 are connected to a ground terminal (not shown) of the controller 35, and the ground terminal is arbitrarily grounded. The sample temperature management device 31 is configured as described above.

Next, a method of using the sample temperature management device 31 and a temperature control operation will be described. Reference numeral 137 denotes a microscope (inverted microscope) stage (see FIG. 5), and reference numeral 139 denotes a light transmitting hole formed in the stage 137. The inner peripheral surface of the light transmitting hole 139 is provided with an annular shoulder 139a that is directed upward by making the diameter of the upper half slightly larger than the diameter of the lower half. The sample cooler 33 is set on the microscope by fitting it into the light transmitting hole 139 with the top surface of the top plate 97 facing up. At this time, the flange 45 of the frame 41 rests on the shoulder 139a, whereby the upper surface of the top plate 97 is located slightly higher than the upper surface of the stage 137. When the sample heater / cooler 33 is set on the stage 137, the detent member 1 provided on the frame 41 is
15 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the light transmitting hole, whereby the sample heater / cooler 33 is stabilized.

When the sample heater / cooler 33 is set on the stage 137, the orientation in the horizontal plane is such that the upper end of the movement locus L (see FIG. 5) of the distal end of the objective lens 49 is located in front and rear when viewed from above and below. The direction passes between the wide water channels 63. When the sample heater / cooler 33 is set in such an orientation, as can be seen from the figure, even when the tip of the objective lens 49 is close to the light transmitting hole 99 of the top plate 97, the objective lens 49 Does not come into contact with the sample heater / cooler 33. Therefore, the objective lens can be switched at any time without moving the stage 137 up and down.

Before setting the sample heater / cooler 33 on the stage 137, the water supply hose 79, the drain hose 81, the connection cable 37 and the like are passed through the light hole 139, and the connector 108 of the connection cable 37 is connected to the controller 35. Then, the water supply hose 79 and the drainage hose 81 are connected to the water supply pump 39.

When observing a specimen, a slide glass 141 (see FIG. 5) on which a target specimen is placed or a desired petri dish is placed on the top plate 97. Then, the target temperature setting switch 131 is operated to set a target temperature required for the sample. Then, the temperature control circuit 127 compares the set target temperature with the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor 95, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the comparison result to the power supply circuit 121. That is, when the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, a control signal for energizing the heating film 91 is output. Conversely, when the detected temperature is higher than the target temperature, a control signal for energizing the Peltier element 85 is output. In this way, the target temperature is reached and maintained.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and there is a change in design without departing from the gist of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention. In particular, in the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a round type having a light transmitting hole in a top plate and a circular outer shape, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. It can be widely applied as a specimen temperature controller for various microscopes, such as a specimen having no light-transmitting hole and a rectangle having an outer shape. Also,
In the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a type in which heating and cooling are selectively performed.However, materials and treatment of a top plate and a frame, a method of taking an earth lead, a detent means, and the like, are a heating-only type or It can also be applied to cooling-only types.

[0045]

As described above, in the specimen temperature controller for a microscope according to the present invention, at least when used in an inverted microscope, the movement locus of the objective lens passes between the two wide portions of the cooling water channel. If the stage is set in the orientation, the cooling water path does not hinder the movement of the objective lens, and therefore the objective lens can be switched arbitrarily without moving the stage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pipe made of a conductive material is inserted at a position close to a cooling water passage in a water supply hose,
Because the ground lead is connected to this pipe,
Generation of noise due to an AC component from a pump for supplying water to the cooling water passage can be considerably prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the weight can be reduced as compared with the conventional one in which the frame is formed of metal, and noise falling through the ground lead connected to the top plate jumps into the heat generating film or the Peltier element. Can be reliably prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the top plate is formed of hardened aluminum having a thickness of 1 mm or less, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the top plate without deteriorating bending strength or the like. And contributes to weight reduction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a non-slip member made of a material having a high coefficient of friction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the top plate, whereby the run-out can be effectively prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a sample temperature controller according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from below.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sample temperature controller shown in FIG. 1 partially omitted and viewed from an upper oblique direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sample temperature controller shown in FIG. 1 in a semi-assembled state.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the sample temperature controller shown in FIG. 1;

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sample temperature controller shown in FIG. 1 set along a line AA in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part taken along line BB of FIG. 1;

7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a bonded portion between the top plate and the hot / cold glass of the sample temperature controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block circuit diagram of a sample temperature management device including the sample temperature management device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing an example of a conventional sample temperature controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 33 Sample temperature controller 35 Controller 37 Connection cable 41 Frame 63 Wide section 73 Narrow section 75 Cooling channel 79, 81 Supply / drain hose 83 Pipe 85 Peltier element 89 Hot / cold glass (heated glass) 91 Heat generation film 97 Top plate 103, 103 'Lead wire 105, 105' Lead wire 115 Detent member 117 Earth lead 119 Earth lead 141 Slide glass

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A top plate on which a slide glass or the like is placed, a hot / cold glass provided with a heat generating film which generates heat when energized, and superimposed on a lower surface of the top plate; The arranged cooling water channel, a plurality of Peltier elements arranged in such a way that the front and back surfaces are respectively in contact with the upper surface of the cooling water channel and the lower surface of the hot / cold glass, and these top plate, hot / cold glass, cooling water channel, etc. are integrated. And a connection cable having a lead wire connected to the Peltier element and a lead wire connected to the heat generating film, and a water supply / drain hose connected to a cooling water passage,
The cooling water channel is composed of two wide portions located on opposite sides of the center of the frame and two narrow portions connecting the two wide portions, and the lowermost surface of the narrow portion is the lowermost surface of the wide portion.
A sample temperature controller for a microscope, wherein the Peltier element is mounted on the upper surface of the wide portion at a higher position than the upper portion. 2. A top plate on which a slide glass or the like is placed.
And a heating film that generates heat when energized
Hot and cold glass stacked on the bottom of the plate
The cooling water channel located below the outer periphery of the glass,
Surfaces contact the upper surface of the cooling water channel and the lower surface of the hot and cold glass separately.
Peltier elements arranged in a
Holding plate, hot / cold glass, cooling water channel, etc.
Frame and lead wires connected to the Peltier element
And a connection cable having a lead wire connected to the heating film.
And a water supply and drainage hose connected to the cooling water channel,
Cooling channels are located on opposite sides of the center of the frame.
So as to connect the two wide parts and the two wide parts
Two narrow portions extending to the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the frame
And the lowermost surface of the narrow portion is higher than the lowermost surface of the wide portion.
Peltier device is placed on the top of the wide part.
Bottom of the wide part in the sample temperature controller for microscope
Is located lower than the surrounding wall of the frame
Sample temperature controller for microscopes. 3. A microscope inspection system according to claim 1, wherein
In the body temperature controller , close the cooling water passage in the water supply hose.
Place a pipe made of conductive material
For microscopes with ground leads connected to
Sample temperature controller. 4. A top plate on which a slide glass or the like is placed.
And a heating film that generates heat when energized
Heated glass stacked on the lower surface of the
Frame holding a glass plate and heated glass
And a temperature controller for controlling an energized state to the heat generating film.
Connection cable through which the lead wire connecting the roller and
Temperature controller equipped with a cable and a frame.
Formed of synthetic resin and top plate made of metal
And this top plate, independent of the connection cable
Microscope inspection with ground lead connected
Body temperature controller. 5. In any of the specimen temperature control device for microscope according to claims 1 to 4, top plate, a thickness of which is made of aluminum and curing treatment, characterized in that at 1 millimeter Sample temperature controller for microscope. 6. A sample for a microscope according to claim 1.
Perimeter of top plate in any of the temperature controllers
Anti-slip member made of material with high coefficient of friction provided on the surface
A specimen temperature controller for a microscope, characterized in that: