JP6851074B2 - Objective optical system for microscopes and microscopes using them - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a microscope that captures an image of a sample to be observed by a camera function provided in the portable information terminal and displays the captured image on the display of the portable information terminal, and an objective optical system for a microscope used therefor.

The Applicant uses the camera function of a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet to capture an image of the sample to be observed and displays the captured image on the display of the mobile information terminal. It is proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-163997).

Further, as an optical system that can be used in Patent Document 1, a system in which a sample to be observed is placed directly on the surface of the optical system on the most object side is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,272

However, in the optical system described in Patent Document 1, when a sample having high hardness or the like is placed, or when the tip of tweezers for gripping the sample touches the optical system, which is the surface on which the sample is placed. There was a risk that the surface on the most object side of the tweezers would be damaged. Therefore, when the optical system described in Patent Document 1 is adopted for the above-mentioned microscope proposed by the applicant, there is a possibility that a clear observation image cannot be obtained due to the influence of the scratches thus formed. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when the sample is arranged so as to be in contact with or adjacent to the surface of the optical system on the most object side, the type of sample or the placement of the sample is placed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an objective optical system for a microscope capable of obtaining a clear observation image regardless of a method or the like, and a microscope using the objective optical system.

In order to achieve the above object, the objective optical system for a microscope of the present invention is used.
An objective optical system for a microscope composed of a plurality of lens groups , which is used for a microscope in which an image of a sample to be observed is captured by a camera function provided in a personal digital assistant and the captured image is displayed on the display of the personal digital assistant.
In order from the object side, a fixed focus type objective lens group and an imaging lens group are included.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The sample is placed in contact with or adjacent to the object-side surface of the first lens component.
The first lens component is a flat lens formed of an optical material having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more.
The second lens component is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the image side .

Here, the "lens component" refers to a single lens or a bonded lens.

For example, when plaque and tartar are collected for observing oral bacteria and the like, and the plaque and tartar are placed directly on the surface of the objective lens group on the most object side, the plaque and tartar are collected. The dental scaler (made of stainless steel) used for this purpose may cause scratches on the surface of the objective lens group on the most object side when the collected plaque and tartar are placed.

In addition, when an aqueous solution containing a soil component is placed directly on the surface of the objective lens group on the most object side in order to observe soil microorganisms outdoors, the soil component wipes off the aqueous solution. , There is a risk that the surface of the objective lens group on the most object side will be scratched.

Therefore, in the optical system of the present invention, the lens component that constitutes the surface closest to the object is formed of an optical material having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more. As a result, the surface on the most object side has sufficient hardness, so even if the sample is placed directly on the surface itself or the sample is wiped off from that surface, the surface will be scratched. Hateful.

Here, when the Knoop hardness is a value less than 1500, it is caused by minerals mixed in the sample, fine stone fragments, scratches generated by vitreous crystals, etc., cloth for wiping the mounting surface, glass fibers adhering to paper, etc. It is not possible to sufficiently prevent the scratches that occur.

Therefore, according to the objective optical system for a microscope of the present invention, the surface on the most object side of the optical system, which is the surface on which the sample is placed, is not easily scratched and is not affected by the scratches. A clear observation image can be obtained regardless of the method of placing the sample.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the objective optical system for a microscope of the present invention is used.
An objective optical system for a microscope composed of a plurality of lens groups , which is used for a microscope in which an image of a sample to be observed is captured by a camera function provided in a personal digital assistant and the photographed image is displayed on the display of the personal digital assistant.
In order from the object side, a fixed focus type objective lens group and an imaging lens group are included.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The sample is placed in contact with or adjacent to the object-side surface of the first lens component.
It said first lens component is a flat lens that is formed of sapphire,
The second lens component is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the image side .

Of the optical materials having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more, sapphire has relatively high workability. Therefore, for example, when forming a very small mounting surface of about φ5 mm, sapphire is used for easy production. Further, since sapphire has a relatively high refractive index of about 1.75, when sapphire is used, the lens component constituting the most object-side surface of the objective lens group can be thinned, and the entire optical system can be miniaturized. It will be easier.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the microscope of the present invention
An image of the observation specimen captured by the portable information terminal is being camera function comprising, a microscope that displays the captured image on the display of the portable information terminal,
A microscope main body, a mounting table connected to the microscope main body and on which the portable information terminal is mounted, and a fixed focus type objective lens group arranged inside the microscope main body and in which light transmitted through the sample is incident. , A group of imaging lenses arranged inside the main body of the microscope and incident with light emitted from the group of objective lenses .
The microscope body has a sample mounting portion for mounting the sample.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The first lens component is a flat lens formed of an optical material or sapphire having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more.
The second lens component is a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the image side.
Surface on the object side of the first lens component of the first lens group is characterized that you have exposed at the sample placing portion.

It is a perspective view which shows the microscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment, FIG. 1A shows the state which the mobile information terminal is mounted, and FIG. 1B shows the state which the mobile information terminal is not mounted. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II showing the internal structure of the microscope of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of the objective optical system for a microscope of the microscope of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of an objective lens group of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of the first imaging lens group of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of the second imaging lens group of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. It is an aberration curve diagram of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. 3, FIG. 3A shows spherical aberration, FIG. 3B shows astigmatism, and FIG. 3C shows distortion. The cross-sectional view along the optical axis which shows the structure of the objective optical system for a microscope of the microscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of an objective lens group of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along an optical axis showing the configuration of the first imaging lens group of the objective optical system for a microscope of FIG. 8 is an aberration curve diagram of the objective optical system for a microscope, FIG. 11 shows spherical aberration, FIG. 11 shows astigmatism, and FIG. 11 shows distortion. A photograph showing an observation image of Escherichia coli with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of Salmonella by a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of Staphylococcus aureus by a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of black mold spores with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of yeast (Candida) with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of wine yeast with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG. A photograph showing an observation image of oral bacteria with a microscope of FIG. 1 or FIG.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the microscope M according to the first embodiment and the optical system used therein will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The microscope M captures an image of a sample to be observed by a camera function provided in the portable information terminal P and displays it on a display.

First, the configuration of the microscope M will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the microscope M is composed of a microscope main body 1, a mounting table 2 that can be detachably connected to the microscope main body 1, and a portable information terminal P mounted on the mounting table 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the microscope main body 1 includes a housing 1a having a recessed portion formed in the horizontal direction, a sample mounting portion 1b provided below the recessed portion of the housing 1a, and a housing. It has a light source 1c arranged on the upper side of the recess of the body 1a and irradiating the sample mounting portion 1b with light, and an optical system 1d (objective optical system for a microscope) arranged inside the housing 1a. ..

The mounting table 2 is configured as an inverted L-shaped member by a plate-shaped mounting plate 2a on which the portable information terminal P is mounted and a plate-shaped support leg 2b that supports the mounting plate 2a. A circular see-through window 2c is formed on the mounting plate 2a so as to penetrate from the surface on which the portable information terminal P is placed to the surface on the microscope main body 1 side. The perspective window 2c is formed at a position corresponding to the camera lens P1 (second imaging lens group) of the portable information terminal mounted on the mounting table 2.

Among the lens groups constituting the optical system 1d, the objective lens group 1d1 and the first imaging lens group 1d2 are arranged inside the housing 1a. Further, a mirror m is arranged between the objective lens group 1d1 and the first imaging lens group 1d2.

The objective lens group 1d1 is arranged so that the surface on the object side is most exposed on the sample mounting portion 1b, and the sample to be observed is adjacent to the surface directly or via a cover glass or the like. Will be placed.

The light emitted from the light source 1c and transmitted through the sample is reflected by the mirror m after passing through the objective lens group 1d1 and is reflected by the mirror m, and is transmitted through the first imaging lens group 1d2 to the housing 1a (that is, the microscope body 1). It is emitted to the outside (specifically, a position corresponding to the perspective window 2c of the mounting table 2).

The light emitted to the outside of the housing 1a is imaged by the camera lens P1 (that is, the second imaging optical system that moves during focusing) of the portable information terminal P mounted on the mounting table 2. The image (that is, the observation image of the sample) is photographed by the image sensor built in the mobile information terminal P, and is displayed as a photographed image on the display of the mobile information terminal P.

Next, the configuration of the optical system 1d will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. In the cross-sectional views along the optical axis of each lens group shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the numbers r1, r2, ..., D1, d2, ... Are the surface numbers 1, 2, and in the numerical data. ... corresponds to. Further, in the numerical data described later, s is the surface number, r is the radius of curvature of each surface, d is the surface spacing, nd is the refractive index on the d line, and νd is the Abbe number on the d line.

As shown in FIG. 3, the optical system 1d includes an objective lens group G11 (that is, an objective lens group 1d1) and a first imaging lens group G12 (that is, a first imaging lens group G12) arranged in order from the object side on the optical axis Lc. It is composed of a 1 imaging lens group 1d2) and a second imaging lens group G13 (that is, a camera lens P1).

The image of the sample to be observed (the image located on the object surface O) is once imaged on the first image plane IM1 by the objective lens group G11. The image formed on the first image plane IM1 is re-imaged on the second image plane IM2 by the first imaging lens group G12 and the second imaging lens group G13. The second image plane IM2 coincides with the image pickup surface of the image pickup device of the mobile information terminal P, and the image formed on that plane is displayed on the display of the mobile information terminal P.

As shown in FIG. 4, the objective lens group G11 includes a lens L11 which is a flat lens, a lens L12 which has a positive refractive force and has a convex surface facing the image side, and a negative lens L12 in order from the object side. A meniscus lens L13 that has a refractive power and has a concave surface facing the image side, a lens L14 that is a biconvex lens that has a positive refractive power, and a meniscus lens that has a negative refractive power and has a concave surface facing the image side. It is composed of a lens L15 and the like.

Further, in the objective lens group G11, the lens L13 and the lens L14 are joined.

Here, the lens component (lens L11) constituting the most object-side surface of the objective lens group G11 is formed of an optical material (specifically, sapphire) having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more. As a result, the surface on the most object side has sufficient hardness, so that even if the sample is placed directly on the surface itself, the surface is not easily scratched. Since the optical system 1d is not affected by the scratches formed in this way, a clear observation image can be obtained regardless of the type of sample, the method of placing the sample, or the like.

The surface data related to the objective lens group G11 is shown below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first imaging lens group G12 includes a lens L21 which is a biconvex lens having a positive refractive power and a lens L22 which is a meniscus lens having a negative refractive power and having a convex surface facing the image side. It is composed of a lens L23 which is a plano-convex lens having a positive refractive power and a plane facing the image side, and a lens L24 which is a flat lens.

Further, in the first imaging lens group G12, the lens L21 and the lens L22 are joined.

The surface data related to the first imaging lens group G12 are shown below.

As shown in the numerical data 2 above, on the most image side of the first imaging lens group G12 (that is, between the first imaging lens group G12 and the second imaging lens group G13), with a flat lens. A lens L24 is arranged. The lens L24 is fixed at the time of focusing. As a result, in the optical system 1d, the first imaging lens group G12 and the second imaging lens group G13 are configured to be separable as independent optical systems.

However, the lens L24 is not limited to a flat lens, and is a spherical or aspherical lens based on the shape of the housing 1a (arrangement space of the first imaging lens group G12), the required optical performance, and the like. May be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second imaging lens group G13 has a lens L31 which is a biconvex lens having a positive refractive power, a lens L32 which is a biconcave lens having a negative refractive power, and a positive refractive power. It is composed of a lens L33, which is a meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the image side.

In the optical system 1d, focusing is performed by moving the entire second imaging lens group G13 along the optical axis Lc. Specifically, focusing is performed by changing the surface spacing (6.60 mm) related to the surface number 6 in the numerical data 3 described later. The focusing method is not limited to such a configuration, and may be performed by moving a part of the second imaging lens group along the optical axis.

The surface data related to the second imaging lens group G13 are shown below.

FIG. 7 shows an aberration diagram of the entire optical system 1d. In FIG. 7, FIG. 7A shows spherical aberration (SA (mm)), FIG. 7B shows astigmatism (AST (mm)), and FIG. 7C shows distortion (DIS (%)). In FIG. 7A (spherical aberration), the solid line shows the aberration of the F line, the broken line shows the aberration of the d line, and the alternate long and short dash line shows the aberration of the C line. In FIG. 7B (astigmatism), the solid line shows the tangential plane and the broken line shows the sagittal plane.

As is clear from the aberration diagram of FIG. 7 and the observation images of FIGS. 12 to 19 described later, the lens component constituting the most object-side surface of the objective lens group G11 is an optical material having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more (specifically). Even when the optical system 1d formed of sapphire) is used, the image of the sample to be observed can be imaged while ensuring sufficient image quality.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the optical system used in the microscope according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. However, the microscope of the present embodiment is different from the microscope M of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the objective lens group and the first imaging lens group. Only the configuration and numerical data of the objective lens group and the first imaging lens group, and the numerical data relating to the entire optical system will be described.

The configuration of the optical system (objective optical system for a microscope) of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. In the cross-sectional views taken along the optical axis of each lens group shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the numbers r1, r2, ... And d1, d2, ... Are the surface numbers 1, 2, and in the numerical data. ... corresponds to. Further, in the numerical data described later, s is the surface number, r is the radius of curvature of each surface, d is the surface spacing, nd is the refractive index on the d line, and νd is the Abbe number on the d line.

As shown in FIG. 8, the optical system of the second embodiment includes an objective lens group G21, a first imaging lens group G22, and a second imaging lens group arranged in order from the object side on the optical axis Lc. It is composed of G13.

The image of the sample to be observed (the image located on the object surface O) is once imaged on the first image plane IM1 by the objective lens group G21. The image formed on the first image plane IM1 is re-imaged on the second image plane IM2 by the first imaging lens group G22 and the second imaging lens group G13. The second image plane IM2 coincides with the image pickup surface of the image pickup device of the mobile information terminal P, and the image formed on that plane is displayed on the display of the mobile information terminal P.

As shown in FIG. 9, the objective lens group G21 includes a lens L41 which is a flat lens and a lens L42 which is a plano-convex lens having a positive refractive force and having a convex surface facing the image side in order from the object side. Lens L43, which is a meniscus lens that has a refractive power and has a convex surface facing the image side, lens L44, which is a meniscus lens that has a negative refractive power and has a concave surface facing the image side, and a biconvex lens that has a positive refractive power. It is composed of a lens L45 which is a lens L45, a lens L46 which is a meniscus lens having a negative refractive power and a concave surface facing the image side, and a lens L47 which is a biconvex lens having a positive refractive power.

Further, in the objective lens group G21, the lens L41 and the lens L42 are joined, the lens L44 and the lens L45 are joined, and the lens L46 and the lens L47 are joined. Further, in the objective lens group G21, water is configured to be present between the sample and the most object side of the objective lens group G21 at the time of observation.

Here, the lens component (lens L41) constituting the most object-side surface of the objective lens group G21 is formed of an optical material (specifically, sapphire) having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more. As a result, the surface on the most object side has sufficient hardness, so that even if the sample is placed directly on the surface itself, the surface is not easily scratched. Since the optical system of the second embodiment is not affected by the scratches formed in this way, a clear observation image can be obtained regardless of the type of sample, the method of placing the sample, or the like. ..

The surface data related to the objective lens group G21 is shown below.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first imaging lens group G22 has a lens L51 which is a meniscus lens having a positive refractive power and a concave surface facing the image side, and a lens L52 which is a biconvex lens having a positive refractive power. It is composed of a lens L53 which is a plano-convex lens having a positive refractive power and a plane facing the image side, and a lens L54 which is a flat lens.

Further, in the first imaging lens group G22, the lens L51 and the lens L52 are joined.

The surface data related to the first imaging lens group G12 are shown below.

FIG. 11 shows an aberration diagram relating to the entire optical system of the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, FIG. 11A shows spherical aberration (SA (mm)), FIG. 11B shows astigmatism (AST (mm)), and FIG. 11C shows distortion (DIS (%)). In FIG. 11A (spherical aberration), the solid line shows the aberration of the F line, the broken line shows the aberration of the d line, and the alternate long and short dash line shows the aberration of the C line. In FIG. 11B (astigmatism), the solid line shows the tangential plane and the broken line shows the sagittal plane.

As is clear from the aberration diagram of FIG. 11 and the observation images of FIGS. 12 to 19 described later, the lens component constituting the most object-side surface of the objective lens group G21 is an optical material having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more (specifically). Even when the optical system of the second embodiment formed by the sapphire) is used, the image of the sample to be observed can be imaged while ensuring sufficient image quality.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the illustrated embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, sapphire is used as an optical material for a lens component that constitutes the most object-side surface of the optical system, which is the surface on which the sample is placed. However, even if it is not sapphire, the same effect can be obtained if the Knoop hardness is 1500 or more.

[Experimental data]
12 to 19 show images observed by a microscope equipped with any of the above optical systems. FIG. 12 is Escherichia coli (about 3 μm), FIG. 13 is Salmonella (about 2 μm), FIG. 14 is Staphylococcus aureus (about 1 μm), FIG. 15 is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (about 3 μm), and FIG. , FIG. 17 is an observation image of yeast (Candida) (about 5 μm), FIG. 18 is an observation image of wine yeast (about 5 μm), and FIG. 19 is an observation image of oral bacteria (about 0.5 to 10 μm).

1 ... Microscope body, 1a ... Housing, 1b ... Sample mounting part, 1c ... Light source, 1d ... Optical system (objective optical system for microscope), 1d1, G11 ... Objective lens group, 1d2, G12 ... First imaging lens Group, 2 ... mounting table, 2a ... mounting plate, 2b ... support leg, 2c ... see-through window, IM1 ... first image plane, IM2 ... second image plane, Lc ... optical axis, M ... microscope, m ... mirror, O ... object surface, P ... mobile information terminal, P1, G13 ... camera lens (second imaging lens group).

Claims (3)

An objective optical system for a microscope composed of a plurality of lens groups , which is used for a microscope in which an image of a sample to be observed is captured by a camera function provided in a personal digital assistant and the captured image is displayed on the display of the personal digital assistant.
In order from the object side, a fixed focus type objective lens group and an imaging lens group are included.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The sample is placed in contact with or adjacent to the object-side surface of the first lens component.
The first lens component is a flat lens formed of an optical material having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more.
The second lens component is an objective optical system for a microscope, which is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the image side. An objective optical system for a microscope composed of a plurality of lens groups , which is used for a microscope in which an image of a sample to be observed is captured by a camera function provided in a personal digital assistant and the photographed image is displayed on the display of the personal digital assistant.
In order from the object side, a fixed focus type objective lens group and an imaging lens group are included.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The sample is placed in contact with or adjacent to the object-side surface of the first lens component.
It said first lens component is a flat lens that is formed of sapphire,
The second lens component is an objective optical system for a microscope, which is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the image side. An image of the observation specimen captured by the portable information terminal is being camera function comprising, a microscope that displays the captured image on the display of the portable information terminal,
A microscope main body, a mounting table connected to the microscope main body and on which the portable information terminal is mounted, and a fixed focus type objective lens group arranged inside the microscope main body and in which light transmitted through the sample is incident. , A group of imaging lenses arranged inside the main body of the microscope and incident with light emitted from the group of objective lenses .
The microscope body has a sample mounting portion for mounting the sample.
The objective lens group includes a first lens component arranged on the most object side and a second lens component arranged on the image side of the first lens component.
The image-side surface of the first lens component and the object-side surface of the second lens component are joined to each other.
The first lens component is a flat lens formed of an optical material or sapphire having a Knoop hardness of 1500 or more.
The second lens component is a plano-convex lens with a convex surface facing the image side.
The surface on the object side of the first lens component in the first lens group, a microscope characterized that you have exposed at the sample placing portion.

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