JPH0659193A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To securely observe a specimen slide glass through the microscope without any omission. CONSTITUTION:An encoder 4 detects the position coordinates of a stage below the objective. Information output means 1 and 2 output information showing unit observation visual fields on a specimen which are determined by optical characteristics of the objective. A control part 3 calculates an observed area on the specimen from the stage position information from the encoder 4 and the unit observation visual fields from the information output means 1 and 2 and displays the observed area on the specimen at a display part 6 according to the output.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope, and more particularly to a microscope for preventing omission of observation of a slide specimen using a microscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in microscope observation, there is a case where a screening operation is performed by placing a sample on almost the entire surface of a slide glass in order to improve the efficiency of observation. In this screening operation, a large amount of specimen samples are skillfully inspected within a predetermined time by a trained inspector. At that time, as an actual work, an inspection sample such as sputum was applied to the entire surface of the slide glass, and the slide glass was microscopically examined over almost the entire surface with a microscope to find a site suspected to be abnormal. Checking with marking, etc., the necessary re-inspection is performed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a microscope observation procedure in a screening operation. In this observation method, a stage (not shown) on which the slide glass 11 is placed is moved in the X direction, the slide glass 11 is continuously observed from the corner, and the other end of the slide glass 11 is shifted in the Y direction by the field of view. The entire surface of the slide glass 11 is sequentially traced by an observation locus having a width equal to the diameter of the field of view of the microscope. At this time, the observations were made with a slight overlap so that no gap was formed between adjacent observation loci.

[0004]

However, in the screening work as described above, the inspection accuracy depends on the skill of the inspector, and there is a possibility that the sample may be overlooked due to a slight deviation of the stage. is there. Also,
Point 12 when moving the stage in the predetermined direction A
When the work is restarted, such as when the work is interrupted at a, the direction in which the stage is moved may be mistaken for the direction B,
In that case, an observation omission region C obviously occurs, and in such a case, the observation omission is often not noticed. For this reason, a diagnosis error or the like may occur due to an omission of the inspection, and a serious problem may occur depending on the content of the inspection. As described above, the inspection of the microscope observation accompanied by the screening work imposes a heavy work burden on the inspector, and there is a demand for improving work efficiency and reducing the work burden.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to monitor the slide glass observation situation in the slide glass screening operation,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a microscope in which an omission of observation is surely recognized and re-observation is promoted by a predetermined means so that an inspection can be surely performed.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a microscope for observing a sample placed on the stage by moving the stage with respect to the objective lens, wherein the stage with respect to the objective lens is used. Position detecting means for detecting the position coordinates of the object, information output means for outputting information representing a unit observation visual field on the sample determined by the optical characteristics of the objective lens, and stage position information from the stage position detecting means. And calculation means for calculating the observed area on the sample from the unit observation field of view from the information output means, and display means for displaying the observed area of the sample based on the output of the calculating means. It is characterized by.

In this case, the calculation means has an observed area storage means for temporarily storing the observed area, a detection means for detecting the end of the microscope observation, and a warning means for performing an alarm operation. When the detection means detects the end of the microscope observation by the detection means, the unobserved area is compared by comparing the area to be observed on the specimen with the observed area temporarily stored by the observed area storage means. It is preferable to activate the warning means in some cases.

The information output means includes an objective lens detection means for recognizing the objective lens installed on the observation optical path, and a unit observation field of view for storing information on a unit observation area by an observation optical system including the objective lens. It is preferable to have a storage means, and to output the information of the unit observation visual field of the observation optical system including the objective lens recognized by the objective lens detection means from the unit observation visual field storage means.

At the end of the observation, it is determined whether or not the flag information indicating the observed visual field region is missing from the flag information obtained when observing the entire region of the sample,
It is preferable to activate a predetermined warning means when there is a disconnection.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in a microscope for observing a sample placed on the stage by moving the stage with respect to the objective lens, the stage position detecting means detects the position coordinate of the stage with respect to the objective lens. Information output means outputs information representing a unit observation visual field on the sample determined by optical characteristics of the objective lens, and calculation means outputs stage position information from the stage position detection means and unit from the information output means. The observed area on the specimen is calculated from the observation field of view, and the observed area of the specimen is displayed on the display means based on the output thereof. Since the region can be sequentially confirmed visually, omission of observation of the sample can be prevented.

In this case, the calculating means is composed of an observed area storage means for temporarily storing the observed area, a detecting means for detecting the end of the microscope observation, and a warning means for performing a warning operation. When the end of the microscopic observation is detected by the means, the area to be observed on the specimen is compared with the observed area temporarily stored by the observed area storage means, and if there is an unobserved area, the warning means Since it is operated, it is possible to reliably prevent an unobserved region from occurring.

Further, the information output means is an objective lens detection means for recognizing the objective lens installed on the observation optical path, and a unit observation visual field memory for storing information of a unit observation area by an observation optical system including the objective lens. Since the unit observation visual field storage means outputs the information of the unit observation visual field of the observation optical system including the objective lens recognized by the objective lens detection means, the observed area can be efficiently generated. Can be recognized.

[0013]

An embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates a revolver address detection unit which constitutes a part of the information output means. The revolver address detection unit 1 recognizes the position of the revolver currently on the observation optical path and is attached to the revolver. The objective lens attached to the revolver hole at the stop position on the observation optical path can be recognized from among the plurality of types of objective lenses that are present.

The data memory 2 is a read-only R memory.
The OM is composed of an OM and stores the actual field size of the objective lens mounted on the revolver and information about each objective lens and eyepiece. With reference to these pieces of information, the actual visual field size of the objective lens on the optical path and the visual field division number (hereinafter referred to as the visual field number) divided into a predetermined grid shape according to the visual field size are determined by the control unit 3. It is designed to be read by. Further, an encoder 4 for detecting absolute position coordinates of the stage of the microscope is connected to the control unit 3. Based on the stage position information from the encoder 4, the control unit 3 can calculate the (x, y) coordinates of the center position of the currently observed visual field.

By the way, the diameter of the above-mentioned actual visual field varies depending on the magnification of the objective lens set on the observation optical path, the magnification of the eyepiece lens, and the like. Further, since the visual field range is usually defined in a circular shape by an optical means such as a field stop, a method of more easily recognizing the currently observed visual field range is adopted. That is, in this embodiment, a quadrangle field of view (hereinafter referred to as an effective field of view) indicated by a square inscribed in a circular real field of view is set, and the effective field of view is divided into a predetermined number of two-dimensional grids. Based on the visual field center coordinates (x, y), the range is recognized as an observed area based on the number of cells of the two-dimensional grid existing in the range within the effective visual field.

In order to specifically recognize the area within the effective visual field, the area of the inscribed quadrangle is calculated and the control unit 3
The coordinates of the center of the visual field and the flag for recognizing that the visual field is in the visual field can be sequentially written in the memory area in the writable / readable R / W memory 5 connected to (FIG. 1).
reference). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, R / corresponding to each cell of the two-dimensional grid in the effective visual field 13 of an inscribed quadrangle centered on the center coordinates (x, y) of the real visual field 12. A flag "1" is set in the memory area of the W memory 5. At this time, FIG. 2B shows the effective visual field 13 by the high-magnification objective lens, and the visual field area becomes 1/4 of the effective visual field 13 of FIG. The corresponding 1/4 range of the memory area is flagged. In this way, the observation field of view is divided into a predetermined two-dimensional grid according to the information of the revolver on the optical path, the trace of the observation is traced, and the memory area corresponding to the observed portion is flagged. It is possible to store information indicating that the processing has been completed in the R / W memory 5 one after another.

Further, the information of the observed area stored in the R / W memory 5 can be monitored by the LCD display section 6. Figure 3 shows R / W memory 5 and L
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship with the CD display unit 6.
In the figure, a horizontally long monitor area 6A having a shape similar to that of a slide glass 11 on a stage (not shown) is set in the LCD display section 6, and the light emission information sent to each display pixel and the R / W memory 5 are set. There is a mapping relationship with the information of the observed area stored in.

As a result, the locus when observing the slide glass 11 is output to the LCD display section 6 via the control section 3 as a display command from the R / W memory 5, and the screen of the monitor area 6A of the LCD display section 6 is displayed. A real-time image of the observation locus is displayed on. As a display method, the part currently in the field of view is displayed with a blinking cursor 6a,
The observed portion is illuminated and displayed 6b, and it can be expressed as if the display portion was painted in a band shape as if observed. Further, the control section 3 is provided with a work end detector 8 which judges the end of the observation work through the detection switch in the set state of the slide glass.

In FIG. 4, unlike the actual visual field 12, an accurate inscribed quadrangle effective visual field 13 is set and corresponding two-dimensional grid cells are set, so that the actual visual field 12 is completely included. 7 shows an effective visual field 14 of a modified example in which the flag "1" is set only in such a two-dimensional grid. According to this method, it is possible to roughly extract the two-dimensional grid existing in the visual field from the two-dimensional grid preset to a predetermined size and the diameter of the actual visual field, without accurately calculating the inscribed quadrangle, etc. The information of the effective visual field 14 can be easily written in the R / W memory 5.

The structure of the sample holder for fixing the slide glass 11 to the stage and the detection switch for recognizing that the slide glass 11 is set at a predetermined position will be described. Reference numeral 30 indicates a sample holder, and a sample pressing lever 31 is attached to the end surface of the sample holder 30 so as to press the slide glass 11. Further, a micro switch 32 is mounted in the sample holder 30, and the micro switch 32 is set so as to be in an ON state when the slide glass 11 is held at a fixed position.

Next, the operation of the apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. First, prior to the inspection, the R / W memory 5 and the screen of the monitor area 6A of the LCD display unit 6 are cleared (step 100). Next, the revolver information of the objective lens currently on the optical path is read from the revolver address detection unit 1 (step 110), and the corresponding field number information is read from the data memory 2 based on this revolver information (step 120).
Further, the range of the two-dimensional grid in the effective visual field 13 is calculated based on this visual field number information (step 130). At the same time, the coordinates of the stage are read by the encoder to calculate the center coordinates of the real visual field 12 (step 140), and the predetermined coordinates of the R / W memory 5 are calculated based on the center coordinates and the position of each cell of the above-mentioned two-dimensional grid. A flag "1" is set in the storage area (step 150), and the display unit 6 corresponding to the storage area is set.
The monitor area 6A is displayed and lit in real time (step 160).

In this way, when the entire surface of the slide glass 11 is observed and the inspection is completed, the slide glass 11 is removed from the sample holder 30. At this time, the control unit 3 confirms that the micro switch 32 is turned off (step 170), that is, recognizes that the inspection is completed, and the control unit 3 corresponds to the entire range of the inspection area of the slide glass 11. The storage area in the / W memory 5 is checked (steps 180, 190). At this time, if all flags in the storage area of the R / W memory 5 are set, it means that the inspection has been completed normally, and the inspection for the next sample may be continued. On the other hand, if there is a partial omission in the observation, the portion with the flag “0” remains and the display unit 6
The part of the screen does not illuminate and remains unpainted. The display screen is held as it is so that the inspector notices this state, and the warning buzzer 7 is sounded (step 210).

In this state, if the sample set state detection switch is ON, re-observation is performed, and if OFF, the warning buzzer 7 may be operated until it is turned ON (step 21).
0). At this time, since the cursor at the current position is controlled to blink on the display screen by the hardware circuit in the control unit 3, the stage can be easily moved to the unobserved portion using this blinking display as a guide. . By re-observing the area displayed as unobserved in this state, all the flags of the storage area of the R / W memory 5 are set to "1".
Should be set. As a result, if all the flags are set, it is determined that the process has ended normally, and the R / W memory 5 and the display screen are cleared to observe the next sample.

By the above procedure, the inspector can reliably perform the sample screening operation. It should be noted that FIG. 5 shows that the storage area of the R / W memory 5 is flagged by observation by a flag "1" for each cell of the two-dimensional grid.
It is displayed in a vertical fashion. Further, when it is made to correspond to the screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 3, it can be considered that the portion of the flag “1” corresponds to a region filled in successively.

The above operation will be described assuming an actual objective lens. In the case of a 10 × objective lens, one side of the inscribed square corresponding to the effective visual field is about 1.4 mm. Therefore, assuming that the two-dimensional grid is one inscribed square, the slide glass of the sample can be divided into cells of a two-dimensional grid of 1.4 mm square, and the number of cells in the observation field on the slide glass at this time is flagged. When converted into a number, the number of cells and the information amount of the flag become equal. That is, assuming that 1 byte is assigned to each R / W memory in correspondence with the actual stepped area in the sample, a memory area of about 970 bytes is required for one sample.

Actually, as shown in FIG.
Since the number of cells is set larger than in the area of 3,
The number of flags set in the memory area is considerably large. However, depending on the required observation accuracy, the entire effective field of view is regarded as one cell, and a storage method in which one flag is associated with this is also effective for compressing the number of data.

Further, as a method of displaying the observed area on the display unit 6, it can be said that the screen display by the LCD as described above is more appealing to the inspector, but the overlooked portion is recognized by the coordinate value. It is also possible to display character information by means of an LED or the like, or to output a list using a connected external printer or the like. Furthermore, it is possible to confirm whether the sample is set in the normal position of the sample holder by various other means such as a photoelectric switch attached to the sample holder described above.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent omission of observation when continuously observing the entire surface of the slide glass with a microscope.
Even if there is an omission in observation, the part is accurately indicated, so the time required for re-inspection can be minimized, and extremely efficient inspection can be performed in cytodiagnosis tests, etc., and the work burden on the inspector Also has the effect of being greatly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between an effective visual field and a two-dimensional grid.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an observed region on a slide glass and a display state on an LCD display unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between an effective visual field and a two-dimensional grid.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between cells of a two-dimensional grid and flags in a memory area.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing an observation situation of a slide glass.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a switch for detecting a sample set state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Revolver address detection unit 2 Data memory 3 Control unit 4 Microscope stage position detection unit 5 R / W memory 6 LCD display unit 7 Warning buzzer 8 Work completion detector 11 Slide glass 12 Microscope actual field of view 13, 14 Microscope effective field of view 30 Specimen holder 31 Micro switch 32 Sample holder

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A microscope for observing a sample placed on the stage by moving the stage with respect to the objective lens, the stage position detecting means for detecting position coordinates of the stage with respect to the objective lens, and the objective lens. On the sample from the information output means for outputting information representing the unit observation visual field on the sample determined by the optical characteristics of the sample, the stage position information from the stage position detection means and the unit observation visual field from the information output means. And a display unit for displaying the observed region of the sample based on the output of the calculating unit. 2. The calculation means includes an observation area storage means for temporarily storing the observation area, a detection means for detecting the end of the microscope observation, and a warning means for performing a warning operation. The means compares the area to be observed on the specimen with the observed area temporarily stored by the observed area storage means when the end of the microscope observation is detected by the detecting means, and there is an unobserved area. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the warning means is operated in some cases. 3. The information output means includes an objective lens detection means for recognizing the objective lens installed on an observation optical path,
An observation optical system including an objective lens recognized by the objective lens detection means from the unit observation visual field storage means, and unit observation visual field storage means for storing information on a unit observation area by an observation optical system including the objective lens. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the information of the unit observation visual field of the system is output.