JP5577514B2 - Fluorescence cube, illumination switching device and fluorescence measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluorescent cube, an illumination switching device, and a fluorescence measuring device. For example, the present invention relates to a fluorescence measuring device such as a fluorescence microscope, a fluorescence imaging device, and a fluorescence photometric measuring device, and an illumination switching device and a fluorescence cube mounted thereon. is there.

  Fluorescence microscopes such as fluorescence microscopes that observe fluorescence emission from cells themselves and cells stained with fluorescent reagents, fluorescence imaging devices that image the entire culture vessel, and fluorescence photometers that measure fluorescence intensity, A fluorescent illumination device that illuminates the sample with excitation light is mounted. Among them, as an epi-illumination apparatus that irradiates excitation light with epi-illumination (coaxial illumination), an epi-illumination apparatus that includes a fluorescence cube in which an excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an absorption filter are unitized is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The fluorescent cube is also called a filter cassette, a fluorescent mirror unit or the like, and is an important component of the epi-illumination apparatus.

  An epi-illumination apparatus equipped with a plurality of fluorescent cubes has also been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). An exchange mechanism is used to select and place one of the plurality of fluorescent cubes at a predetermined position, and is configured to allow observation and measurement at different fluorescent wavelengths.

  Further, the fluorescence (observation light) emitted by the sample is much weaker (a few ten thousandths) than the excitation light (illumination light). Patent Document 3 proposes a method for removing disturbance light in order to improve the image quality of a fluorescent image.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-19605 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-94940 JP 2002-207177 A

  However, all of the conventional fluorescent lighting devices have a problem in light shielding in the fluorescent cube replacement mechanism. The fluorescent cube has a light source side (illumination side) opening, a sample side opening, and an observation side (imaging side) opening, but the light source (halogen lamp, mercury lamp, etc.) is not sufficiently shielded between the openings. When the white light from the light enters the fluorescent cube, it leaks from the gap between the devices without passing through the excitation filter, and becomes stray light. If the stray light enters the opening on the sample side or the opening on the observation side and enters the excitation light or fluorescence, the measurement result and the image quality of the fluorescent image are adversely affected.

  In particular, in the case of a weakly fluorescent sample (for example, when a fluorescent reagent that can obtain only weak fluorescence even after long exposure) is used, if the light shielding at the opening is not sufficient, the effect becomes significant. Monochromatic excitation and monochromatic imaging become difficult. For example, when the excitation light is blue light, if white light leaks into the sample-side opening, reagents and containers are illuminated with unnecessary wavelength components (red light, yellow light, etc.) other than blue light, and correct measurement results are obtained. It becomes impossible. Further, when white light leaks into the observation side opening, the white light overlaps the fluorescent image, and the image quality of the fluorescent image is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent cube and an illumination switching device that have high light shielding properties between openings, and a high-quality fluorescent image by including the illumination switching device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescence measuring apparatus that can obtain accurate measurement results.

In order to achieve the above object, the fluorescent cube of the present invention is a fluorescent cube that is exchanged and arranged at a predetermined position by an exchange mechanism in a fluorescent illumination device that generates fluorescence by illuminating a sample with excitation light. A housing that internally separates the optical path from the fluorescence; a plurality of openings that allow light to pass through; and a cut portion that is located across at least one of the openings and that is parallel to the moving direction of the replacement arrangement; The surface of the housing is provided with a surface on which the concave and convex portions are formed , and the unevenness of the shape of the cut portion is a shape that fits into the uneven portion of the light shielding block provided in the exchange mechanism .

  According to this configuration, even if light that has leaked out of the fluorescent cube without passing through the opening becomes stray light, the stray light is blocked by the cut portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stray light from being mixed into excitation light or fluorescence.

In the fluorescent cube of the present invention, a plurality of grooves are formed on the surface where the opening is formed, and the grooves are provided in the replacement mechanism in conjunction with the movement of the grooves in the movement direction of the replacement arrangement. The groove may be such that the formed gear meshes with the groove and rotates together.

  According to this configuration, even if light that has leaked out of the fluorescent cube without passing through the opening becomes stray light, the stray light is blocked by the plurality of grooves and the gears engaged therewith. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stray light from being mixed into excitation light or fluorescence.

  The fluorescent cube of the present invention includes, as the opening, a light source side opening for allowing light from a light source to enter, a sample side opening for emitting excitation light, and an observation side opening for emitting fluorescence, and the cut portion is It may be located across the light source side opening.

  Light that is much stronger than the sample-side opening and the observation-side opening is incident on the light source-side opening, so if light that leaks out of the fluorescent cube without passing through the light-source-side opening becomes stray light, this is the result of measurement, etc. The impact on is great. According to this configuration, since the stray light having a large influence is blocked by the cut portion located across the light source side opening, it is possible to effectively prevent the stray light from being mixed into the excitation light and the fluorescence.

  An illumination switching device according to the present invention includes a fluorescent cube according to the present invention, a light-blocking block having a concavo-convex portion corresponding to the concavo-convex portion of the cut portion, a gear meshing with the plurality of grooves, and one of the plurality of fluorescent cubes. And an exchanging mechanism for exchanging and arranging at predetermined positions.

  According to this configuration, even if light that has leaked out of the fluorescent cube without passing through the opening becomes stray light, the stray light is blocked by the cut portion and the concave-convex portion that fits the cut portion, and the plurality of grooves and the gear that meshes with the cut portion. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent stray light from being mixed into excitation light and fluorescence.

  The fluorescence measuring apparatus of the present invention is a fluorescence comprising the illumination switching apparatus according to the present invention, a light source that generates excitation light that is optically path-separated by the fluorescent cube, and fluorescence that is optically path-separated by the fluorescent cube. And an imaging device that captures an image.

  According to this configuration, the stray light cut in the illumination switching device can reduce the influence of stray light on the measurement result and the like. Examples of the fluorescence measuring device include optical devices such as a fluorescence microscope, a fluorescence imaging device, and a fluorescence photometry device.

  According to the present invention, since the stray light is blocked by the cut portion, the fluorescent cube and the illumination switching device having a high light shielding property among the openings provided on the light source side, the sample side, the observation side, etc. Can be realized. By providing the illumination switching device according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a fluorescence measurement device that can obtain a high-quality fluorescence image and an accurate measurement result.

The figure which shows the schematic structural example of the fluorescence measuring apparatus which concerns on this invention in a typical cross section. The figure which shows the fluorescence measuring device of FIG. 1 from the light source side opening side. The horizontal sectional view which shows typically the fluorescence measuring device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a fluorescence measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the fluorescence cube which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the illumination switching apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The horizontal sectional view which shows the illumination switching apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The horizontal sectional view which shows the principal part of FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an illumination switching device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the main part of FIG. 9. The perspective view which shows the fluorescent cube which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the illumination switching apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The horizontal sectional view which shows the illumination switching apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The vertical sectional view showing the lighting switching device concerning a 2nd embodiment. The top view which shows the other specific example of a turret mechanism.

  Embodiments of a fluorescent cube, an illumination switching device, and a fluorescence measuring device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is mutually attached | subjected to the part which is the same in each embodiment etc., and the corresponding part, and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

<< Example of schematic configuration of fluorescent cubes (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) >>
1 and 2 schematically show examples of schematic configurations of the fluorescent cube 10, the fluorescent lighting device 20, and the fluorescent measuring device 30 according to the present invention. The fluorescence measurement device 30 includes a fluorescence illumination device 20 for generating a fluorescence L3 (observation light) by epi-illuminating the sample S set on the microplate 8 with excitation light L2 (illumination light). The fluorescent lighting device 20 is equipped with a plurality of fluorescent cubes 10 for separating the optical paths of the fluorescence L3 emitted from the sample S from the excitation light L2, and the plurality of fluorescent cubes 10 are exchanged by an exchange mechanism including a drive gear 12 and the like. One of them can be selected and exchanged at a predetermined position.

  The fluorescent cube 10 has a housing 3 that internally performs optical path separation between the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3. Inside the housing 3, an excitation filter 4, a dichroic mirror 5, an absorption filter 6, and the like are provided. Is provided. The plurality of fluorescent cubes 10 provided in the fluorescent lighting device 20 have different built-in excitation filters 4 and the like so that the wavelengths of the emitted excitation light L2 are different from each other. Therefore, it is possible to switch the wavelengths of the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3 by exchanging the fluorescent cube 10 with the exchange mechanism.

  The housing 3 is provided with three openings A1 to A3 that allow light to pass through. The first opening is a light source side opening A1 for allowing white light L1 from the light source unit 1 (such as a halogen lamp or a mercury lamp) to enter, and the second opening is a sample side opening A2 for emitting excitation light L2. The aperture 3 is an observation-side aperture A3 that emits fluorescence L3. FIG. 2 shows the fluorescent cube 10 exchanged at a predetermined position by the movement indicated by the arrow M as viewed from the light source side opening A1.

  When the white light L1 from the light source unit 1 is irradiated to the excitation filter 4 from the light source side opening A1, excitation light L2 (for example, blue light) having a predetermined wavelength passes through the excitation filter 4. The excitation light L2 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 5 (bending angle of the optical axis AX: 90 °), then exits from the sample-side opening A2, and is irradiated onto the sample S by the objective optical system 7. For the sample S, for example, a fluorescent reagent that binds to calcium of osteoblasts cultured on an artificial bone so that green light fluorescence is generated when excited with blue illumination light (short wavelength excitation / long wavelength light emission). Is used. The fluorescence L3 (for example, green light) generated from the sample S passes through the objective optical system 7 again, then passes through the sample side opening A2, and passes through the dichroic mirror 5. And it permeate | transmits the absorption filter 6 for improving S / N ratio, and inject | emits from observation side opening A3. The fluorescence L3 emitted from the fluorescence cube 10 enters the camera unit 9 for fluorescence measurement and is used for photographing, measuring, observing, etc. a fluorescence image.

  On the light source side surface 3 a of the housing 3, a cut portion B <b> 1 positioned with the light source side opening A <b> 1 interposed therebetween is formed in parallel with the moving direction M of the replacement arrangement. The cut portion B1 has a stepped shape (one or more steps) such as a step shape, a comb shape, a claw shape, and a U-shape. In the fluorescent lighting device 20, the light blocking block 2 is located on the light source side opening A1 side of the fluorescent cube 10 selected by the replacement arrangement. The shading block 2 is formed with a concavo-convex portion B3 corresponding to the concavo-convex portion of the cut portion B1, so that the selected cut portion B1 of the fluorescent cube 10 and the concavo-convex portion B3 of the light shield block 2 are fitted at the predetermined position. It has become. According to this configuration, even if the light leaked outside the fluorescent cube 10 without passing through the light source side opening A1 becomes stray light, the stray light is blocked by the cut portion B1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stray light from being mixed into excitation light or fluorescence.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of light shielding grooves B2 are formed on the light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 in parallel to each other. The above-described notches B1 are located on both ends of the light shielding groove B2. Further, two light shielding gears B4 are provided in the light shielding block 2 so as to act on the light source side surface 3a at the predetermined position. The two light shielding gears B4 are positioned so as to face each other with the light source side opening A1 interposed therebetween, and are supported by the light shielding block 2 in which the uneven portion B3 is formed. That is, the light shielding groove B2 is formed in parallel to the direction (here, the orthogonal direction) intersecting the moving direction M of the fluorescent cube 10 in the replacement arrangement, and the light shielding groove B2 faces in the replacement arrangement. It is formed so as to mesh with the light shielding gear B4.

  In FIG. 2, the light-shielding gear B4 meshes with the drive gear 12, and the light-shielding groove B2, the light-shielding gear B4, and the drive gear 12 are configured at an equal pitch. If it respond | corresponds, it will not restrict to these. For example, the light-shielding gear B4 may be configured to mesh only with the light-shielding groove B2, and the tooth pitch and tooth shape are not all the same between the light-shielding groove B2 and the light-shielding gear B4 and the drive gear 12. Also good.

  In the epi-illumination fluorescent lighting device 20 provided with a replacement mechanism for the fluorescent cube 10, the following two light shielding structures are introduced in order to improve the light shielding properties among the openings on the light source side, the sample side, and the observation side. .

  A 1st light-shielding structure is a labyrinth structure comprised by cut | notch part B1 and uneven | corrugated | grooved part B3. With this labyrinth structure, stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1 can be shielded. For example, if a labyrinth structure extending in a direction orthogonal to the plane (the paper surface of FIG. 1) including the optical axis AX of the three openings A1 to A3 of the fluorescent cube 10 is used, the optical axes of the three openings A1 to A3 of the fluorescent cube 10 Stray light traveling in a direction parallel to the plane including AX can be shielded. That is, stray light that does not pass through the excitation filter 4 is repeatedly reflected inside the concavo-convex space and cannot reach the sample-side opening A2 or the observation-side opening A3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stray light from entering the housing 3 from the sample side opening A2 and the observation side opening A3 and mixing into the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3.

  The second light shielding structure is a coupling structure including the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4. With this coupling structure, stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1 can be shielded. For example, the light shielding groove B2 is formed so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction M at the time of replacement of the fluorescent cube 10, and rotates in synchronization with the movement of the replacement mechanism (turret mechanism, rotation mechanism, linear motion mechanism, etc.) of the fluorescent cube 10. If the light-shielding gear B4 engages with the entire width of the light-shielding groove B2, the direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the plane (the paper surface of FIG. 1) including the optical axis AX of the three openings A1 to A3 of the fluorescent cube 10 The stray light traveling to can be shielded. That is, stray light that does not pass through the excitation filter 4 is repeatedly reflected inside the apparatus and cannot reach the sample-side opening A2 or the observation-side opening A3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stray light from entering the housing 3 from the sample side opening A2 and the observation side opening A3 and mixing into the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3.

  As described above, since the periphery of the light source side opening A1 is shielded by the labyrinth structure composed of the cut portion B1 and the uneven portion B3 and the coupling structure composed of the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4, the light source side, the sample The light shielding property between the apertures on the side and the observation side is improved, and a high-quality (high contrast, etc.) fluorescent image and an accurate measurement result can be obtained. For example, in the measurement of fluorescence intensity, the S / N ratio is greatly improved, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. In addition, since it is possible to perform imaging for a long time of several tens of seconds or more, it is possible to image a sample that emits weak fluorescence and measure fluorescence intensity, which is impossible with an epi-illumination apparatus with a conventional structure.

  Even when each of the cut portion B1, the concavo-convex portion B3, the light shielding groove B2, and the light shielding gear B4 is used alone, it is possible to obtain the above-described light shielding effect, but it is obtained by taking the above-described light shielding structures. The light shielding effect increases dramatically. The amount of stray light generated in the fluorescent cube 10 is the largest in the vicinity of the light source side opening A1, but the openings through which other light passes through the light shielding structure described above (that is, the sample side opening A2 and the observation side opening A3) are also provided. For example, the light shielding property between the openings can be further improved.

<< First Embodiment (FIGS. 3 to 10) >>
3 to 10 show a first embodiment of the fluorescent cube 10A, the illumination switching device 18A, and the fluorescence measuring device 30A. FIG. 3 schematically shows a horizontal sectional structure of the fluorescence measuring apparatus 30A, and FIG. 4 schematically shows a vertical sectional structure of the fluorescence measuring apparatus 30A. 5A and 5B show the appearance of the fluorescent cube 10A from different directions, and FIGS. 6A and 6B show the appearance of the illumination switching device 18A as a light-blocking block. It is shown from different directions with 2 removed. FIG. 7 shows a horizontal sectional structure of the illumination switching device 18A, and FIG. 8 shows a main part P1 of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a vertical sectional structure of the illumination switching device 18A, and FIG. 10 shows a main part P2 of FIG.

  In the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 to 10), the configuration of the above-described schematic configuration example (FIGS. 1 and 2) is further embodied, and a fluorescence cube 10A, a fluorescence illumination device 20A, and a fluorescence measurement device are provided. 30A corresponds to the fluorescent cube 10, the fluorescent lighting device 20, and the fluorescent measuring device 30, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fluorescence measuring device 30A includes an objective optical system 7, a camera unit 9, a fluorescent illumination device 20A, and the like. The fluorescent illumination device 20A includes a light source unit 1, an illumination switching device 18A, and the like. The illumination switching device 18A includes a fluorescent cube 10A, a light shielding block 2, a light shielding gear B4, the exchange mechanism, and the like. The objective optical system 7 is composed of an objective lens 7a composed of two parts and a folding mirror 7b disposed between the objective lenses 7a.

  The fluorescent illumination device 20A is for illuminating the sample S set on the microplate 8 with the excitation light L2 (FIG. 1 etc.) to generate the fluorescence L3 (FIG. 1 etc.). And a turret drive motor 13, a drive gear 12, a turret mechanism 11 (FIG. 6, etc.) including a member that supports the housing 3. The housing 3 is not included. That is, a plurality of fluorescent cubes 10A are integrated by the mounting groove 14 (ant groove, FIG. 5 etc.), and one selected fluorescence is obtained by rotation in the direction of the arrow M (FIG. 6, FIG. 9 etc.) around the turret axis X. A turret type in which the cube 10A is exchanged and arranged at the position of the light shielding block 2 which is a predetermined position is adopted. Therefore, by exchanging the fluorescent cube 10A with the turret mechanism 11, the wavelengths of the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3 can be switched.

  The light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 has a cylindrical curved surface that is convex in one direction, and the opposing surface of the light shielding block 2 that faces in a predetermined position is also concave in one direction so as to correspond to the surface shape of the light source side surface 3a. It has a cylindrical curved surface. Thereby, since the space | interval of the housing | casing 3 and the light shielding block 2 becomes small, it becomes possible to light-shield the stray light which leaked from the clearance gap easily.

  The cut portion B1 formed in the light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 has a stepped shape having one step as shown in FIG. The cut portion B1 may have a comb shape, a claw shape, a U shape, or a stepped shape having two or more steps. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A and the like, the shading block 2 has a concavo-convex portion B3 corresponding to the concavo-convex portion of the cut portion B1. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the cut portion B1 of the selected fluorescent cube 10A and the uneven portion B3 of the light blocking block 2 are fitted. As described above, the labyrinth structure including the cut portion B1 and the uneven portion B3 can block stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1.

  A plurality of light shielding grooves B2 formed on the light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 are located between the two cut portions B1, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A and the like, two light shielding gears B4 are supported on the light shielding block 2 so as to face each other with the light source side opening A1 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 10, the light shielding groove B2 of the selected fluorescent cube 10A and the light shielding gear B4 on the light shielding block 2 side are engaged with each other. As described above, it is possible to shield the stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1 by the coupling structure constituted by the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4. Since the light-shielding gear B4 meshes with the light-shielding groove B2 and also meshes with the drive gear 12, the meshing with the fluorescent cube 10A next coming to a predetermined position can be performed correctly.

  As described above, since the periphery of the light source side opening A1 is shielded by the labyrinth structure composed of the cut portion B1 and the uneven portion B3 and the coupling structure composed of the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4, the light source side, the sample A high light-shielding property can be obtained between the openings on the side and the observation side. Further, it is possible to obtain a high light blocking property even for light that is about to enter the light source side opening A1 from the outside of the illumination switching device 18A.

<< 2nd Embodiment (FIGS. 11-14) >>
11 to 14 show a second embodiment of the fluorescent cube 10A and the illumination switching device 18B. 11A and 11B show the appearance of the fluorescent cube 10B from different directions, and FIG. 12 shows the internal structure of the illumination switching device 18B. 13 shows a horizontal sectional structure of the illumination switching device 18B, and FIG. 14 shows a vertical sectional structure of the illumination switching device 18B.

  In the second embodiment (FIGS. 11 to 14), as in the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 to 10), the configuration of the above-described schematic configuration example (FIGS. 1 and 2) is further embodied. Is. However, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment having the turret mechanism 11 in that the linear movement mechanism 15 is provided as an exchange mechanism for the fluorescent cube 10B. That is, as shown in FIG. 12 and the like, a plurality of fluorescent cubes 10B are integrated with the mounting groove 14 (ant groove), and one selected fluorescent cube 10B is slid in the direction of arrow M (FIG. 12) (linear movement). A direct-acting type in which the light-blocking block 2 is exchanged at a predetermined position is employed. Therefore, the wavelengths of the excitation light L2 and the fluorescence L3 can be switched by exchanging the fluorescent cube 10B with the linear motion mechanism 15. The first embodiment and the second embodiment have substantially the same configuration and function except for the portion related to the exchange mechanism and the portion related to the shape of the cut portion B1.

  The light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 is a flat surface, and the opposing surface of the light shielding block 2 facing at a predetermined position is also a flat surface corresponding to the surface shape of the light source side surface 3a. Thereby, since the space | interval of the housing | casing 3 and the light shielding block 2 becomes small, it becomes possible to light-shield the stray light which leaked from the clearance gap easily.

  The cut portion B1 formed on the light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 has a comb shape having uneven steps as shown in FIG. In addition, this cut | notch part B1 may be step shape, nail shape, or U-shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 14 and the like, the shading block 2 is provided with an uneven portion B3 corresponding to the unevenness of the cut portion B1. The cut portion B1 of the selected fluorescent cube 10A and the concavo-convex portion B3 of the light shielding block 2 are fitted together. As described above, the labyrinth structure including the cut portion B1 and the uneven portion B3 can block stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1.

  A plurality of light shielding grooves B2 formed on the light source side surface 3a of the housing 3 are located between the two cut portions B1, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 12 and the like, two light shielding gears B4 are supported on the light shielding block 2 so as to face each other with the light source side opening A1 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the light shielding groove B2 of the selected fluorescent cube 10A and the light shielding gear B4 on the light shielding block 2 side mesh with each other. As described above, it is possible to shield the stray light generated by leaking from the gap without passing through the excitation filter 4 in the white light L1 by the coupling structure constituted by the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4. Since the light-shielding gear B4 meshes with the light-shielding groove B2 and also meshes with the drive gear 12, the meshing with the fluorescent cube 10A next coming to a predetermined position can be performed correctly.

  As described above, since the periphery of the light source side opening A1 is shielded by the labyrinth structure composed of the cut portion B1 and the uneven portion B3 and the coupling structure composed of the light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4, the light source side, the sample A high light-shielding property can be obtained between the openings on the side and the observation side. Moreover, high light-shielding properties can be obtained even for light that enters the light source side opening A1 from the outside of the illumination switching device 18B.

  The light shielding groove B2 and the light shielding gear B4 (FIGS. 2, 12 and the like) described above are shaped so that the teeth in the gear are parallel to the rotation axis of the light shielding gear B4, but are not limited thereto. The teeth of the gear may be shaped so as to be inclined by an angle θ with respect to the rotation axis (0 <θ <90 °). For example, the shape of the gear may be a helical gear, a helical gear, a bevel gear, or the like. For example, the bevel gear can be used to shield the observation side opening A3 or the sample side opening A2 as shown in FIG. Further, the fluorescent cube 10 may have a shape as shown in the figure, or may take a shape such as a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped.

  The embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims. The above embodiment is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and the meaning of the term of the present invention or each constituent element is not limited to that described in the above embodiment.

1 Light source unit (light source)
2 Shading block 3 Housing 3a Light source side surface (surface on which opening is formed)
4 Excitation Filter 5 Dichroic Mirror 6 Absorption Filter 7 Objective Optical System 7a Objective Lens 7b Folding Mirror 8 Microplate 9 Camera Unit (Imaging Device)
10, 10A, 10B Fluorescent cube 11 Turret mechanism (exchange mechanism)
12 Drive gear (exchange mechanism)
13 Turret drive motor (exchange mechanism)
14 Mounting groove 15 Linear motion mechanism (exchange mechanism)
18A, 18B Illumination switching device 20, 20A Fluorescent illumination device 30, 30A Fluorescence measuring device S Sample (measurement object)
L1 White light L2 Excitation light L3 Fluorescence A1 Light source side opening A2 Sample side opening A3 Observation side opening B1 Notch B2 Light shielding groove (groove)
B3 Concavity and convexity B4 Shading gear (gear)
X Turret axis AX Optical axis

Claims (5)

A fluorescent cube that is exchanged and arranged at a predetermined position by an exchange mechanism in a fluorescent illumination device that illuminates a sample with excitation light to generate fluorescence, and has a casing that internally separates an optical path between excitation light and fluorescence, The housing has a surface formed with a plurality of openings through which light passes and at least one of the openings sandwiched in parallel with a moving direction of the replacement arrangement, The fluorescent cube, wherein the unevenness of the shape of the cut portion is a shape that fits into the unevenness portion of the light shielding block provided in the exchange mechanism .   A plurality of grooves are formed on the surface on which the opening is formed, and the groove is moved along the movement direction of the replacement arrangement, and a gear provided in the replacement mechanism is connected to the groove. The fluorescent cube according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent cube is a groove that engages and rotates together.   The opening includes a light source side opening for allowing light from a light source to enter, a sample side opening for emitting excitation light, and an observation side opening for emitting fluorescence, and the cut portion sandwiches the light source side opening. The fluorescent cube according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent cube is located.   The fluorescent cube according to claim 2, a light shielding block having a concavo-convex portion corresponding to the concavo-convex portion of the cut portion, a gear meshing with the plurality of grooves, and one of the plurality of fluorescent cubes are exchanged at predetermined positions. An illumination switching device comprising the exchange mechanism.   5. An illumination switching device according to claim 4, a light source that generates white light constituting excitation light that is optically separated by the fluorescent cube, and an imaging device that captures a fluorescent image composed of fluorescent light that is optically separated by the fluorescent cube. And a fluorescence measuring device.

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