JPH04120913U - microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The object of this invention is to enable movement of prepared specimens by means of a drive means without sacrificing manual focusing function and without interfering with specimen observation. [Structure] This invention is a microscope in which light from a light source 16 is incident on the microscope body 11 via a preparation 15, and a support that is formed to pass the light from the light source 16 to the microscope body 11 and supports the preparation 15. a stand, an actuator 20 that moves the support stand in the optical axis direction, and a preparation 1 supported by the support stand.
5 through the microscope main body 11, and an automatic focusing device 22 that detects a focused position based on an image signal from the imaging device 19 and controls the actuator 20. It is something.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a microscope for observing a specimen on a slide.

[Conventional technology]

In a microscope that observes a specimen on a preparation, the sample is The prepared sample 2 is set on the sample stand 1, and the light source 4 passes through the hole 3 of the sample stand 1. The preparation 2 is illuminated, and the specimen on this preparation 2 is exposed to the objective lens 5. The image is observed through the microscope body 6. The microscope body 6 is movable up and down. The microscope book is attached to the microscope frame and the adjustment knob is manually rotated. Focusing is performed by moving the body 6 in the vertical direction. This focus is automatically If you wish to do so, connect the motor to the above adjustment knob and The specimen is imaged by an imaging device through the microscope main body 6, and the image from this imaging device is The autofocus device detects the focus position based on the signal and controls the motor. The microscope main body 6 is moved to the in-focus position. In addition, the specimen on Preparade 2 If it is necessary to move the sample in a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction, Place the XY axis moving table on the table 1, and place the slide 2 on this XY axis moving table. and move the XY-axis direction moving table within the above plane using the XY-axis direction drive device. By this, the specimen on Preparade 2 is moved. Furthermore, sample stand 1 and A Z-axis moving table is also placed between the XY-axis moving table and this Z-axis moving table is moved in the Z-axis direction. By moving the specimen in the direction of the optical axis using the direction drive device, the specimen on the preparation plate 2 is illuminated. Moved in the axial direction to move the specimen on Preparade 2 three-dimensionally. There are also examples.

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

In the above microscope, the preparation 2 is illuminated from the light source 4 through the hole 3 of the sample stage 1. The light that has passed through the prepared slide 2 then moves the specimen on the prepared slide 2 onto the objective lens. Since the observation is performed through the microscope body 6 which has lenses 5, there is no need to move the XY-axis moving table or the Z-axis When moving the specimen on the prepared slide 2 using a directional moving table, the sample is moved from the light source 4. The light illuminating the preparation 2 through the hole 3 of the pull table 1 is transmitted to the XY-axis moving table or the Z-axis. The XY direction is obstructed by the direction moving table, so when observing the specimen on prepared slide 2, The axial movement table and the Z-axis movement table become a hindrance. Also, the focus is automatically adjusted. If the adjustment knob is to be operated manually, the motor is connected to the adjustment knob. The drawback is that it gets in the way and makes manual operation difficult. Also, manual focusing have to sacrifice. The present invention improves the above drawbacks and allows specimen observation without sacrificing the manual focusing function. A microscope that allows the preparations to be moved using a drive means without disturbing them. The purpose is to provide

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention makes light from a light source visible through a slide. In a microscope where light is incident on a microscope body, light passes from the light source to the microscope body. A support base is formed to support the preparation, and the support base is an actuator to move the slider to the slider, and an actuator to move the an imaging device that images the specimen through the microscope body; and an image signal from the imaging device. and an automatic focusing device that detects a focusing position based on a signal and controls the actuator. It is characterized by the fact that

[Effect]

The slide is supported by a support stand, and the slide is illuminated by light from a light source. The transmitted light passes through the support stand and enters the microscope body. The support base is active A slide moved in the direction of the optical axis by a ducator and supported by a support stand. The upper specimen is imaged by an imaging device through the microscope body. And autofocus The focus position is detected by the image signal from the imaging device and the actuator is controlled. Focusing is achieved by adjusting the focus.

【Example】

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. The microscope body 11 has an objective lens 12 and a lens barrel 13, and has a microscope frame (not shown). It is supported by a frame so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). this microscope book A sample stand 14 is installed below the body 11, and a preparation 15 is placed on the sample stand 14. It is supported on the sample stage 14 by a support arm. The light from the light source 16 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 17 The light is reflected by the beam, passes through the hole 18 of the sample stage 14, and illuminates the slide 15. The light transmitted through the preparation 15 enters the objective lens 12, and the observer 11 allows the specimen on the preparation 15 to be observed from the eyepiece. An imaging device 19 consisting of a television camera is provided integrally with the microscope main body 11, The specimen on the preparation 15 is imaged through the microscope main body 11 and an image signal is output. Ru. Furthermore, the preparation support arm is three-dimensionally moved by the actuator 20. The actuator 20 is driven by the actuator drive unit 21. . The automatic focusing device 22 uses the image signal from the television camera 19 to The in-focus position of the microscope body 11 with respect to the specimen on the plate 15 is detected, and based on this detection result, The actuator drive unit 21 moves the specimen on the slide 15 in the Z-axis direction (optical axis direction). ) to the focusing position of the microscope body 11. . Further, the actuator drive section 21 operates the actuator according to instructions from an operation section (not shown). Drive the motor 20 to move the preparation support arm onto a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. By moving the prepared paper in the mutually orthogonal X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, The specimen on the tray 15 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. FIG. 2 shows a part of this embodiment on an enlarged scale. The actuator 20 includes an XY axis moving table 20a and a Z axis direction actuator 20. b, and since the stroke is large in the XY axis direction moving table 20a, , a normal stage, that is, a screw mechanism is constituted by a displacement magnifying mechanism, and a driving means and A motor is used. The Z-axis direction actuator 20b is activated by applying a signal voltage. The XY-axis direction movable table 20a is composed of an electrostrictive element that is displaced in the Z-axis direction. It is fixed to the sample stage 14 by the pump 23. There is a shaft on the XY-axis direction moving table 20a. 25 is fixed, and the preparation support arm 24 is swingably attached to this shaft 25. Can be attached. One end 24a of the preparation support arm 24 and the XY-axis direction moving table 2 A Z-axis direction actuator 20b is fixed between the The other end 24b of the arm 24 is further away from the one end 24a of the preparation support arm 24. It has been formed for a long time. The Z-axis direction actuator 20b is displaced in the Z-axis direction and the When the one end 24a of the reparate support arm 24 is driven in the Z-axis direction, the The preparation support arm 24 rotates about the shaft 25 and the preparation 15 is released. Move approximately in the Z-axis direction. The other end 24b of the preparation support arm 24 is shaped like a frame. supports the periphery of the slide 15, and connects the light source 16 to the reflector 17 to the sump. The light irradiated onto the slide 15 through the hole 18 of the slide table 14 is not blocked at all. P The tip of the other end 24b of the reparate support arm 24 is fixed on the sample stage 14. The support arm guide 26 is fitted into the groove of the support arm guide 26 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. The guide 26 prevents rolling. The actuator drive unit 21 moves in the XY axis directions according to instructions from an operation unit (not shown). A signal voltage is applied to the motors that drive the stand 20a so that the motors are orthogonal to each other on a two-dimensional plane. The shaft 25 and the preparation support arc are displaced in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The frame 24 and the preparation 15 move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to move the preparation The specimen on the table 15 moves in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Also, the actuator drive The moving part 21 has a signal voltage that adjusts the focus according to the output signal of the automatic focusing device 22. Pressure is applied to the Z-axis actuator 20b to move the Z-axis actuator 20b. The preparation support arm 24 rotates and the preparation is moved in the Z-axis direction. The rat 15 moves approximately in the Z-axis direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the adjustment knob of the microscope main body 11 is manually operated as in the conventional case. When rotated, it moves in the Z-axis direction and can be manually focused. Wear. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the automatic focusing device 22. As shown in FIG. The video signal from the television camera 19 is set in the detection area in the gate circuit 27. The signal from the section 28 selectively passes the signal within a specific detection area, and the high-pass filter Only high frequency components are extracted by a filter (HPF) 29. This HPF29 output The peak of the force signal is detected and held by the peak hold circuit 30. The amount of high frequency components is detected, and the output signal of this peak hold circuit 30 is used as a preparator. When the microscope main body 11 is focused on the specimen on the plate 15, it reaches its maximum value. It decreases as the focus shifts. According to this embodiment, the preparation 15 is supported by the preparation support arm 24. The preparation support arm 24 transmits light from the light source 16 to the microscope main body 11. The actuator 20, etc. can be driven without interfering with the observation of the specimen. The preparation can be moved by means. Moreover, preparation support The arm 24 is moved in the optical axis direction by the Z-axis direction actuator 20b. Then, the specimen on the slide 15 is passed through the microscope body 11 to the television camera 1. An image is taken by the television camera 19, and an automatic focusing device is activated by the image signal from the television camera 19. By detecting the focus position at the position 22 and controlling the Z-axis direction actuator 20b. The camera automatically focuses without operating the adjustment knob. without sacrificing the ability to manually focus using the adjustment knob. Automatic focusing is possible. In addition, it is possible to prepare preparatory parts for existing microscopes. Rat support arm 24, actuator 20, actuator drive section 21, tele Just add a vision camera 19 and an automatic focusing device 22, so you can use the existing microscope. It can be easily configured using a mirror and has all the functions of existing microscopes. You can make the most of it. In addition, the light preparation support arm 24 is moved. As a result, the preparation 15 is moved, making the structure simple and inexpensive. Sara In addition, since the Z-axis direction actuator 20b is composed of an electrostrictive element, the microscope main body 11 can be used satisfactorily even at high magnification. In addition, in order to eliminate horizontal shaking of the preparation support arm 24, the sample stage 14 The clamp 23 may be arranged so as to surround the. In addition, the preparation support arm 2 4 may be moved in parallel to the Z-axis direction by a link mechanism. moreover, The preparation support arm 24 may be manually moved in the Z-axis direction. 4 and 5 show a portion of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in place of the actuator 20 in the above embodiment, X, T, Z An axial movement table 31 and stepping motors 32 to 34 are used to move the sample table. 14 is omitted. The moving table 31 in the X, Y, and Z axis directions is moved by a stepping motor 34. is moved in the Z-axis direction, and also moved in the Y-axis direction by the stepping motor 33. and is moved in the X-axis direction by the stepping motor 32. This X, Y, Z axis A preparation support arm 35 is fixed to the direction moving table 31 and supports the preparation. The arm 35 supports the peripheral portion of the slide 15 with a frame-shaped portion 35a. Holding the light source 16, the preparation is passed through the reflecting mirror 17 and the hole 18 of the sample stage 14. Does not block any light irradiated to 15. The actuator drive section (not shown) is Almost the same as the actuator drive unit 21, step-pin operation is performed according to instructions from an operation unit (not shown). The moving table 31 in the X, Y, and Z axes is moved in the X and Y directions by driving the motors 32 and 33. By moving in the axial direction, the preparation support arm 35 and the preparation 15 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to move the specimen on the slide 15 in the X-axis direction. and the Y-axis direction, and step in accordance with the output signal of the automatic focusing device 22. The moving table 31 in the X, Y, and Z axes can be moved in the Z-axis direction by controlling the motor 34. Move the preparation support arm 35 and the preparation 15 in the Z-axis direction by to adjust the focus.

[Effect of the idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, the slide is supported by the support stand, and this support The stand allows light to pass from the light source to the microscope body, so it does not interfere with specimen observation. The preparations can be moved by a driving means. Moreover, the support base is The actuator moves the lens in the optical axis direction, and the plate is supported by a support stand. This imaging device captures an image of the specimen on the reparate through the microscope body. The automatic focus device detects the focus position using the image signal from the camera and controls the actuator. The camera automatically focuses without operating the adjustment knob. This allows you to focus manually without sacrificing the function of manual focusing using the adjustment knob. Automatic focusing can be performed without any sacrifice.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an automatic focusing device of the same embodiment.

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Microscope body 15 Preparation 16 Light source 19 Television camera 20 Actuator 21 Actuator drive section 22 Automatic focusing device 24,35 Preparation support arm 31 X, Y, Z axis direction moving table 32, 33, 34 stepping motor

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A microscope in which light from a light source is incident on a microscope body via a preparation, including a support base that supports the preparation and is formed to allow light to pass from the light source to the microscope body; an actuator that moves in the axial direction; an imaging device that images the specimen on the preparation supported by the support base through the microscope main body; and a focus position is detected by the image signal from the imaging device, and the actuator A microscope characterized in that it is equipped with an automatic focusing device that controls.