JPH10142398A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of accurately reading image by preventing incidence of undesired fluorescent light into a light guide means. SOLUTION: The device is arranged so that an image carrier unit 12 is provided with an image carrier mount stage 13 formed with a transparent material and an image carrier 14 put on the image carrier mount stage 13 and excited by laser light 4 to emit fluorescence, the fluorescence generated from a specific position P in the image carrier 14 by the excitation of fluorescent material by laser light 4 and reflected by a cylindrical mirror 17 focuses on the light reception end surface 18a of a light guide means 18 and fluorescence generated from the image carrier mount stage 13 excited by the laser light 4 and reflected by a cylindrical mirror 17 does not go in the light reception end surface 18a of the light guide 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus which can be used in a fluorescence detection system and can read a fluorescent image with high accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When irradiated with radiation, the energy of the radiation is absorbed, accumulated, recorded, and then excited using electromagnetic waves in a specific wavelength range. A stimulable phosphor layer formed on a stimulable phosphor sheet by using a stimulable phosphor having a characteristic of emitting a stimulable amount of radiated light as a radiation detection material, and storing energy of the radiation transmitted through a subject. In the stimulable phosphor contained in, accumulated, recorded, afterwards, by electromagnetic waves, the stimulable phosphor layer was scanned to excite the stimulable phosphor, emitted from the stimulable phosphor Radiation configured to photoelectrically detect the photostimulated emission, generate a digital image signal, perform image processing, and generate a radiation image on a display unit such as a CRT or a recording material such as a photographic film. Known diagnostic system That (for example, JP-A-55-12
Nos. 429, 55-116340 and 55-
163472, 56-11395, 5
No. 6-104645. ).

[0003] Further, a similar stimulable phosphor is used as a radiation detecting material, and a radiolabeled substance is administered to an organism, and then the organism or a part of the tissue of the organism is sampled. By overlapping the sample with the stimulable phosphor sheet on which the stimulable phosphor layer is formed for a certain period of time, radiation energy is accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer. Thereafter, the stimulable phosphor layer is scanned by electromagnetic waves to excite the stimulable phosphor, and the stimulable phosphor emitted from the stimulable phosphor is photoelectrically detected, thereby obtaining a digital image. Autoradiography systems configured to generate signals and perform image processing to generate images on display means such as a CRT or on recording material such as photographic film are known (eg,
Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-60784, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-60782, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-3952, etc.).

Further, when irradiated with an electron beam or radiation, the energy of the electron beam or radiation is absorbed,
After accumulating, recording, and then exciting with electromagnetic waves in a specific wavelength range, a stimulable phosphor having the property of emitting a quantity of stimulating light in accordance with the amount of irradiated electron beam or radiation energy is generated. Used as an electron beam or radiation detection material, irradiates a metal or non-metallic sample with an electron beam, detects the diffraction image or transmission image of the sample, etc., analyzes the element, analyzes the composition of the sample, analyzes the structure of the sample, etc. Or by irradiating a biological tissue with an electron beam to detect an image of the biological tissue by an electron microscope, irradiating the sample with radiation, detecting the obtained radiation diffraction image, A radiation diffraction image detection system for performing structural analysis and the like is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-517).
No. 38, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-93538, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 9-15843).

A system using these stimulable phosphor sheets as a material for detecting an image, unlike the case of using a photographic film, not only does not require a chemical process of development but also obtains image data. By performing image processing on the image, the image is reproduced as desired, or
It has the advantage that quantitative analysis by computer becomes possible. On the other hand, a fluorescence detection (fluorescence) system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance instead of a radioactive labeling substance in an autoradiography system is known. According to this fluorescence detection system, a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance is irradiated with excitation light to excite the fluorescent substance contained in the sample, and the resulting fluorescence is read, whereby the gene sequence, the expression level of the gene, The metabolism, absorption and excretion pathways and conditions of the administered substance in animals, protein separation and identification, or evaluation of molecular weight and properties can be performed. For example, multiple DNAs to be electrophoresed
After adding a fluorescent dye to the solution containing the fragments, a plurality of D
The NA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, or a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye, or a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support. After electrophoresis, the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye or the like, so that the electrophoresed DN
A fragment is labeled, and a fluorescent dye is excited by excitation light;
An image is generated by detecting the generated fluorescence, and the distribution of DNA on the gel support is detected, or the DNA is denatured after electrophoresis of a plurality of DNA fragments on the gel support. (Denaturation), and then transcribe at least a portion of the denatured DNA fragment onto a transfer support such as nitrocellulose by Southern blotting to obtain DNA or RNA complementary to the target DNA.
The probe prepared by labeling with a fluorescent dye is hybridized with a denatured DNA fragment, only the DNA fragment complementary to the probe DNA or probe RNA is selectively labeled, and the fluorescent dye is excited by excitation light, It is often practiced to generate an image by detecting the generated fluorescence and to detect the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer support. Further, a DNA probe complementary to the DNA containing the target gene labeled with the labeling substance is prepared, hybridized with the DNA on the transcription support, and the enzyme is reacted with the complementary DNA labeled with the labeling substance. After binding, the fluorescent substance is brought into contact with a fluorescent substrate, the fluorescent substrate is changed into a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, and the generated fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and the generated fluorescence is detected.
An image can be generated to detect the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer support. This fluorescence detection system has an advantage that a gene sequence or the like can be easily detected without using a radioactive substance.

[0006] The gel support, which is an image alone for carrying an image, often used in such a fluorescence detection system, contains a large amount of moisture and is very soft, so that the surface thereof is not flat. In addition, the amount of water adhering to the surface is often uneven. For this reason, when the gel support is irradiated with excitation light from above to detect the fluorescence generated from the fluorescent substance, the surface is not flat and the influence of moisture adhering unevenly to the surface results in high accuracy. There is a problem that a fluorescent image cannot be read. Therefore, an image reading apparatus for a fluorescence detection system mounts an image carrier such as a gel support on a mounting table formed of a transparent material such as glass, forms an image carrier unit, and has a side in contact with the mounting table. The surface of the gel support is flattened, and the mounting surface made of glass or the like is contacted with the mounting table from below the mounting table, and the surface of the flattened image carrier is scanned with excitation light such as laser light. Then, the fluorescent substance contained in the image carrier such as the gel support is excited, and the generated fluorescence is emitted by the light guide means arranged below the image carrier unit such that the light receiving end face faces the scanning position. It is configured to guide to the photoelectric detecting means, photoelectrically detect by the photoelectric detecting means, and generate image data.

A fluorescent substance contained in an image carrier such as a gel support emits omnidirectional fluorescence when excited by excitation light. Therefore, in the image reading device used in the fluorescence detection system, in order to increase the amount of fluorescence incident on the light guide means and improve the accuracy of image reading, the light is directly incident from the image carrier to the light receiving end face of the light guide means. In addition to the fluorescent light, the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance in a direction other than the light-receiving end face of the light guide means is also incident on the light guide means, so that the excitation light to be scanned is sandwiched so that it can be detected. A cylindrical mirror is arranged on the side opposite to the light guide means, and the fluorescent light incident on the cylindrical mirror is reflected toward the light receiving end face of the light guide means to increase the amount of fluorescent light incident on the light guide means. Have been.

[0008]

However, as described above, the image carrier is mounted on the mounting table formed of a transparent material such as glass, and an image carrier unit is formed. Excitation light is irradiated through the mounting table, and the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance is made incident on the light guide means arranged below the image carrier unit so that the light receiving end face faces the scanning position. In the image reading device configured to guide to the photoelectric detection means, and to photoelectrically detect by the photoelectric detection means, the excitation light irradiated to the image carrier is a transparent material such as glass constituting the mounting table. As a result of transmission, fluorescence is emitted from the transparent material, and the fluorescence emitted from the transparent material is incident on the light guide means directly or through a cylindrical mirror, and is photoelectrically detected by the light guide means. Guided in stages, detected by a photoelectric detection means, it becomes noise of image data, and inhibits reading of the weak signal, the accuracy of image reading there is a problem that reduces. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device that can be used in a fluorescence detection system that can accurately read an image by preventing unwanted fluorescence from entering the light guide means. is there.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is as follows.
A laser excitation light source means for emitting laser light, and an image carrier unit including an image carrier carrying an image formed of a substance excited by the laser light and emitting light, wherein the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means A laser light scanning unit that scans from below the image carrier unit, and has a light receiving end surface arranged below the image carrier unit so as to face a scanning line of the laser light, and emits light emitted from the image carrier. A light guide means for condensing and guiding the light, a cylindrical mirror disposed below the image carrier unit, for reflecting light emitted from the image carrier toward the light guide means, and guided by the light guide means. An image reading device, comprising: a light detecting unit that photoelectrically detects light that has been emitted, wherein the image carrier unit is formed of a transparent material. An image carrier mounted on the image carrier mounting table and an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance which emits fluorescence when excited by the laser light, the light guide means and the light guide means, A cylindrical mirror is generated from a predetermined position in the image carrier by the excitation of the fluorescent substance by the laser light, and the fluorescent light reflected by the cylindrical mirror focuses on a light receiving end face of the light guide means. This is achieved by an image reading device arranged so that fluorescence excited by the laser beam and emitted from the image carrier mounting table and reflected by the cylindrical mirror does not enter the light receiving end face of the light guide.

According to the present invention, the fluorescence excited by the laser beam and emitted from a predetermined position in the image carrier and reflected by the cylindrical mirror focuses on the light receiving end face of the light guide means and is excited by the laser beam. The light guide means and the cylindrical mirror are arranged so that the fluorescent light emitted from the image carrier mounting table and reflected by the cylindrical mirror is not incident on the light receiving end face of the light guide. The fluorescent light emitted from the cylindrical mirror and reflected by the cylindrical mirror is reliably photoelectrically detected by the light detecting means to improve the image reading sensitivity, and is excited by the laser light and emitted from the image carrier mounting table, and is emitted from the cylindrical carrier. Undesired fluorescence reflected by the mirror may be photoelectrically detected by the light detecting means. Since locked is, it is possible to lower the noise level in the image data.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image reading apparatus further comprises a first light-shielding device which is excited by the laser beam and emitted to block the fluorescent light directly directed to the light-receiving end face of the light guide means. Means. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image carrier mounting table is excited and emitted by the laser light, and the fluorescence directed directly to the light receiving end face of the light guide means is blocked by the first light blocking means, Since it is prevented from being incident on the light receiving end face of the light guide means, the image carrier mounting table is excited and emitted by the laser light, and on the light receiving end face of the light guide means,
Undesired fluorescent light going directly is not photoelectrically detected by the light detecting means, and it is possible to reduce the noise level of image data. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image reading device further includes a light-receiving end surface of the light guide unit, the laser light being emitted from a position other than the predetermined position in the image carrier by the laser beam, and reflected by the cylindrical mirror. And a second light blocking means for blocking the fluorescent light incident on the light receiving end face of the light guide means.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Of the fluorescent light excited and emitted by the laser light and reflected by the cylindrical mirror, the fluorescent light emitted from a position other than a predetermined position in the image carrier is blocked by the second light shielding means and enters the light receiving end face of the light guide means. Therefore, the fluorescence emitted from a position other than the predetermined position in the image carrier is not photoelectrically detected by the light detecting means, so that the noise level of the image data can be reduced. In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical mirror is configured to be rotatable along a longitudinal axis thereof. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position in the image carrier at which the generated fluorescence can be guided to the light receiving end face of the light guide means by rotating the cylindrical mirror along its longitudinal axis. Since the image reading is performed by appropriately rotating the cylindrical mirror, the distribution of the sample at an arbitrary depth in the image carrier can be read. Furthermore, after reading the image at a certain depth, the operation of rotating the cylindrical mirror and reading the image at the adjacent depth is repeated, so that the sample labeled with the fluorescent substance is placed in the image carrier. It is also possible to read the distribution three-dimensionally.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser beam scanning means is composed of an autoradiography image, a radiation diffraction image and an electron microscope image by the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means. A storage phosphor sheet on which a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor on which an image selected from a group is recorded can be scanned from below; Thereby, the photostimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet can be transmitted. According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the fluorescent image, reading an autoradiographic image, a radiation diffraction image and an electron microscopic image recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Further, the photostimulable light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor layer passes through the first light blocking means and enters the light receiving end face of the light guide means, thereby lowering the image detection sensitivity. Thus, the usefulness of the image reading apparatus can be improved.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser beam scanning means comprises an autoradiographic image, a radiation diffraction image, and an electron microscope image by the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means. A stimulable phosphor sheet on which a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor on which an image selected from a group is recorded can be scanned from below. Thus, the photostimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet can be transmitted. According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the fluorescent image, reading an autoradiographic image, a radiation diffraction image and an electron microscopic image recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer of the stimulable phosphor sheet. Further, the photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor layer passes through the second light shielding means and enters the light receiving end face of the light guide means, thereby lowering the image detection sensitivity. Thus, the usefulness of the image reading apparatus can be improved.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser excitation light source means is 470 to 48.
A laser excitation light source that emits 0 nm laser light is provided. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The laser excitation light source means includes a second laser excitation light source that emits 633 or 635 nm laser light.
In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser excitation light source means includes a third laser excitation light source that emits 530 or 540 nm laser light. In the present invention, the term "carrying an image of a fluorescent substance" refers to the case where the image of a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye is carried, and the method in which the enzyme is bound to a fluorescent substrate after binding the enzyme to the labeled sample. Contacting to change the fluorescent substrate to a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, and carrying an image of the obtained fluorescent substance. In the present invention, the image carrier is not only a case containing a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance, such as a gel support, but also is labeled with a fluorescent substance in a plurality of wells, such as a microplate. In addition, when the sample is accommodated, it further includes a stimulable phosphor sheet containing a stimulable phosphor on which an image such as a radiation image, an autoradiography image, a radiation diffraction image, and an electron microscope image of a subject is recorded. doing.

In the present invention, the fluorescent dye which can carry an image of a labeled sample on an image carrier and which can be excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 470 nm to 480 nm and used for reading an image is 470 to 470 nm. 48
There is no particular limitation as long as it is a fluorescent dye that can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 0 nm. Examples of fluorescent dyes that can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 470 to 480 nm include, for example, Fluorescein (CI No. 45350)
, Fluorescein-X represented by the structural formula (1), structural formula (2)
, YOYO-1 represented by, TOTO-1 represented by structural formula (3),
YO-PRO-1 represented by the structural formula (4), Cy-3 (registered trademark) represented by the structural formula (5), Nile Red represented by the structural formula (6),
BCECF represented by the structural formula (7), Rhodamine 6G (CI No.
45160), Acridine Orange (CI No. 46005), SYBR
Green (C ₂ H ₆ OS), Quantum Red, R-Phycoerythrin,
Red 613, Red 670, Fluor X, Fluorescein labeled amidite, FAM, AttoPhos, Bodipy phosphatidylcholin
e, SNAFL, Calcium Green, Fura Red, Fluo 3, AllPr
o, NBD phosphoethanolamine and the like can be preferably used.

Further, in the present invention, an image of a labeled sample is carried on an image carrier,
A fluorescent dye that can be excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of nm and used to read an image is 633 nm.
Alternatively, the fluorescent dye is not particularly limited as long as it can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 635 nm. 63
Examples of the fluorescent dye that can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 3 nm or 635 nm include, for example, Cy- represented by the formula (8).
5 (registered trademark), Allphycocyanin and the like can be preferably used. Further, in the present invention, a fluorescent dye which can carry an image of a labeled sample on an image carrier, is excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 530 nm to 540 nm, and can be used for reading an image includes 5
There is no particular limitation as long as it is a fluorescent dye that can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 30 to 540 nm.
Examples of fluorescent dyes that can be excited by a laser having a wavelength of 530 to 540 nm include Cy-3 (registered trademark) represented by the structural formula (5) and Rhodamine 6G (CI No. 4516).
0), Rhodamine B (CI No. 45170), Ethidium Bromide represented by the structural formula (9), Te represented by the structural formula (10)
xas Red, Propidium Iodide represented by the structural formula (11),
POPO-3 represented by the structural formula (12), Red 613, Red 670,
Carboxyrhodamine (R6G), R-Phycoerythrin, Quantum R
ed, JOE, HEX, Ethidium homodimer, Lissamine rho
Damine B peptide and the like can be preferably used.

[0018]

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[0019]

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[0020]

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[0021]

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[0022]

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[0023]

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In the present invention, a radiation image of a subject,
Radiography image, radiation diffraction image or electron microscope
Stimulability that can be used to carry microscopic images
Phosphor stores energy of radiation or electron beam.
Radiation that is stackable, excited and stored by electromagnetic waves
Capable of emitting the energy of a beam or electron beam in the form of light
Is not limited, but visible
Those that can be excited by light in the optical wavelength range are preferred.
Specifically, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-12145
Alkaline earth metal fluoride halide based fluorescence disclosed in
Body (Ba_1-x,M ²⁺ _x) FX: yA (where M²⁺Is M
g, selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Zn and Cd
At least one alkaline earth metal element, X is Cl,
At least one member selected from the group consisting of Br and I
Halogen, A is Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr,
A small number selected from the group consisting of Ho, Nd, Yb and Er
At least one kind of trivalent metal element, x is 0 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, y
Is 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.2. ), JP-A-2-276997
Earth metal fluoride halide disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication
Based phosphor SrFX: Z (where X is Cl, Br and
At least one halogen selected from the group consisting of I,
Z is Eu or Ce. ), JP-A-59-5647.
Europium-activated complex halide disclosed in JP-A-9
-Based phosphor BaFX.xNaX ': aEu²⁺(Where X
And X ′ are each a group consisting of Cl, Br and I
At least one halogen selected from the group consisting of
<X ≦ 2, a is 0 <a ≦ 0.2. ), JP-A-58
-Activated trivalent metal disclosed in JP-69281-A
MOX: xCe which is an oxyhalide-based phosphor (here
Where M is Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy,
Selected from the group consisting of Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Bi
At least one trivalent metal element, X is Br and I
X is 0 <x <0.1.
You. ), JP-A-60-101179 and JP-A-60-101179.
-90288 disclosed cerium-activated rare earth
LnOX: xCe which is a xyhalogen-based phosphor (here
Ln is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Gd and Lu.
At least one rare earth element, X is Cl, Br or
At least one halogen selected from the group consisting of
X is 0 <x ≦ 0.1. ) And JP-A-59
-Activated composite disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 75200
Halogen-based phosphor M^IIFX ・ aM^IX'bM^'IIX
^'' _Two・ CM^IIIX^''' _ThreeXA: yEu²⁺(Where M
^IIIs a small number selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca
At least a kind of alkaline earth metal element, M^IIs Li, N
a selected from the group consisting of a, K, Rb and Cs
And a kind of alkali metal element, M '^IIIs Be and Mg
At least one divalent metal element selected from the group consisting of
Elementary, M^IIIIs a group consisting of Al, Ga, In and Tl
At least one trivalent metal element selected, A is small
And X is Cl, Br and I.
At least one halogen selected from the group consisting of
^''And X^'''Is a group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I
At least one halogen selected from the group consisting of
≦ a ≦ 2, b is 0 ≦ b ≦ 10^-2, C is 0 ≦ c ≦ 10
^-2And a + b + c ≧ 10^-2Where x is 0 <x
With ≦ 0.5, y is 0 <y ≦ 0.2. ) But preferred
It can be used properly.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment can read not only a fluorescent image in a fluorescence detection system but also a stimulable phosphor sheet formed in a stimulable phosphor sheet in a radiation diagnostic system, an autoradiography system or a radiation diffraction image detection system. It is configured to be usable also for reading a radiation image recorded on the phosphor layer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus includes a first laser excitation light source 1 that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm, and a second laser excitation light source 2 and 473 that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm.
Third laser excitation light source 3 that emits laser light having a wavelength of nm
It has. In the present embodiment, the first laser excitation light source 1 is a He-Ne laser light source, and the second laser excitation light source 2 and the third laser excitation light source 3 are second harmonic generation (Second Harmonic Generation) elements. It is constituted by. The laser light 4 generated by the first laser excitation light source 1 passes through the filter 5,
The laser light 4 having a wavelength of 633 nm cuts a portion of a wavelength range corresponding to a wavelength range of fluorescence or stimulating light generated when the fluorescent substance or the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited. Further, in the optical path of the laser light 4 emitted from the first laser excitation light source 1, a first dichroic mirror 6 that transmits light having a wavelength of 633 nm and reflects light having a wavelength of 532 nm, and a light having a wavelength of 532 nm or more. And a second dichroic mirror 7 for transmitting light having a wavelength of 473 nm is provided. The laser light 4 generated by the first laser excitation light source 1 and passing through the filter 5 is provided.
Is transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 6 and the second dichroic mirror 7, and the laser light 4 generated from the second laser excitation light source 2 is reflected by the first dichroic mirror 6, and its direction is 90 °. After being changed, the laser light 4 transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 7 and emitted from the third laser excitation light source 3 is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 7 and its direction is 9
After being changed 0 degree, beam expander 8
Incident on. The beam diameter of the laser beam 4 is accurately adjusted by the beam expander 8 and is incident on the polygon mirror 9. The laser light 4 deflected by the polygon mirror 9 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 11 via the fθ lens 10 and one-dimensionally enters the image carrier unit 12 from below. The fθ lens 10 always scans the image carrier unit 12 with the laser light 4 in the direction indicated by X in FIG. 1, that is, when scanning in the main scanning direction, always at a uniform linear velocity. It is guaranteed that

In FIG. 1, the image carrier unit 12
Is composed of a mounting table 13 made of transparent glass and an image carrier 14 mounted thereon. In the present embodiment, the image carrier 14 is constituted by a gel support 14 in which a plurality of DNA fragments labeled with a fluorescent dye Fluorescein are developed by electrophoresis. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
Has a sample stage 16 on which the image carrier unit 12 is set, and the image carrier unit 12 set on the sample stage 16 is sent in a direction indicated by Z in FIG. 2 by a transfer mechanism (not shown). , Is located at a predetermined position inside the image reading device 15 and is configured to receive the irradiation of the laser beam 4.

In synchronization with the scanning by the laser beam 4 in the main scanning direction, the image carrier unit 12 is driven by a motor (not shown).
Accordingly, in FIG. 1, the direction indicated by Y, that is,
It is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the entire surface of the surface of the gel support 14 facing the mounting table 13 is scanned by the laser light 4. A cylindrical mirror 17 and a light guide 18 are arranged below the mounting table 13 at a position where the laser light 4 is irradiated, with a scanning line S on the surface of the image carrier unit 12 by the laser light 4 interposed therebetween. .
The light guide 18 is arranged such that its linear light receiving end face 18a faces the scanning line S, and its emission end face 18b is arranged close to the light receiving face of the photoelectric conversion type photodetector 19. . The cylindrical mirror 17 is arranged so that its concave surface reflects fluorescence from a predetermined position in the gel support 14, which will be described later, toward the light receiving end surface 18 a of the light guide 18. The light guide 18 is made by processing non-fluorescent glass or the like.
While repeating the total reflection on the inner surface, the emission end face 18b
, The shape is determined so that the light is transmitted to the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19. Therefore, in response to the irradiation of the laser beam 4, the fluorescent substance labeling the DNA fragment, which is the sample contained in the gel support 14, is excited, and the emitted fluorescence is directly or cylindrically emitted. The light is reflected by the mirror 17 and enters the light guide 18,
Inside, the emission end face 18b is repeated while repeating total reflection.
, And is received by the photodetector 19.

At the front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, a filter member 20 is provided. FIG. 3 shows the filter member 2
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the filter member 0, and the filter member 20 is configured by a disk provided with four filters 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. The filter 20a is a filter used when the first laser excitation light source 1 is used to excite a fluorescent substance labeled on a sample contained in the gel support 14 as an image carrier and read fluorescence. The filter 20b has a property of cutting light having a wavelength and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 633 nm.
This filter is used to excite a fluorescent substance labeled with a sample contained in the sample and read the fluorescence. It has a property of cutting light having a wavelength of 532 nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 532 nm. . Further, the filter 20c
Is a filter used when the third laser excitation light source 3 is used to excite a fluorescent substance labeled on a sample contained in the gel support 14 as an image carrier and read out fluorescence, and has a wavelength of 473 nm. It has the property of cutting light and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 473 nm. In addition, the filter 20d uses the first laser excitation light source 1 to excite the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited. It is a filter used when reading photostimulated light from the surface, and transmits only light in the wavelength region of photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor, and has a property of cutting light having a wavelength of 633 nm. ing. Thus, the laser excitation light source to be used, i.e. the type of phosphor and the type of image carrier, i.e.
By selectively using these filters 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d depending on whether or not the sheet is a stimulable phosphor sheet, the photodetector 19 can photoelectrically detect only light to be detected. it can. Here, the filter member 20
Is configured to be rotatable by a motor 21 and the photodetector 1
9 includes K activated by oxygen and cesium.
Photomultipliers containing bi-alkali materials based on ₂ CsSb have been used.

The light photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 is converted into an electric signal, and is amplified to an electric signal of a predetermined level by an amplifier 22 having a predetermined amplification factor. 23. The electrical signal is A /
In the D converter 23, the digital signal is converted into a digital signal with a scale factor suitable for the signal fluctuation width, and is input to the line buffer 24. The line buffer 24 temporarily stores image data for one scanning line. When image data for one scanning line is stored as described above, the data is transferred to the line buffer 24. The transmission buffer 25 is configured to output the image data to the image processing device 26 when the predetermined amount of image data is stored. . The image data input to the image processing device 26 is stored in an image data storage unit (not shown), read out from the image data storage unit, subjected to image processing as necessary, and processed by a CRT (not shown). ) Is displayed as a visible image on display means such as
Further, the image is analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown).

Further, the image reading apparatus is provided with an input means 28 such as a control unit 27 and a keyboard. When reading a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14, the image reading apparatus requires an operator. Input the type of the fluorescent substance used to label the sample contained in the gel support 14 into the input means 28, and the radiation recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet. When reading an image, an operator inputs to the input means 28 that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, and the control unit 27 automatically causes the first laser excitation light source 1 and the second While selecting any one of the laser excitation light source 2 and the third laser excitation light source 3, the filters 20a, 20b, 20
Image reading is started by selecting either c or 20d. That is, the input means 28
When the type of the fluorescent substance is input to the control unit 27, the control unit 27 drives the motor 21 according to the type of the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14,
By rotating the filter means 20, the filters 20a, 20a
b, 20c is positioned on the front surface of the photodetector 19, and any one of the first laser excitation light source 1, the second laser excitation light source 2, and the third laser excitation light source 3 is selectively operated. Then, when the laser beam 4 is emitted and the input means 28 inputs that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, the control unit 27 drives the motor 21 to Is rotated, the filter 20d is positioned in front of the photodetector 19, and the first laser excitation light source 1 is operated to emit the laser light 4 to start reading an image, respectively. ing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the relative positional relationship between the image carrier unit, the cylindrical mirror, and the light guide. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 are arranged such that a fluorescent substance at a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is excited by the laser light 4 and emitted fluorescent light is indicated by a dotted line, as shown in FIG. The laser beam 4 excites a transparent material such as glass that forms the mounting table 13 so that the light is reflected by the mirror 17 and focused on the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18, and the lower surface of the mounting table 13 is scanned. Even if the fluorescence emitted from the line S and the vicinity thereof is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, it is arranged in a positional relationship such that it does not enter the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 as shown by the solid line. As the predetermined position P, a position where the sample labeled with the fluorescent substance is distributed most is selected. In the present embodiment, the predetermined position P is set to a position at a distance L from the lower surface of the gel support 14.

The cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 are such that a fluorescent substance at a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is excited by the laser light 4 and emitted fluorescent light is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 as shown by a dotted line. The light guide 18 is positioned so as to focus on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, so that the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 where the DNA fragment labeled with Fluorescein is most present Of the omnidirectional fluorescent light emitted from the light guide, the component traveling toward the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 is transmitted through the mounting table 13 and
The component incident on the light receiving end face 18a and traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is transmitted through the mounting table 13 and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The light is focused on the end face 18 a and enters the light guide 18.

Further, the fluorescent substance located near the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is also excited by the laser beam 4 and emits fluorescence, but the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance at the predetermined position P is applied to the light receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18.
Since it is arranged in a positional relationship that focuses on a
Of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance near the predetermined position P, most of the components that have entered the cylindrical mirror 17 are also reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 and enter the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the maximum fluorescence emitted from the DNA fragment labeled with Fluorescein can be guided to the light guide 18 and photoelectrically detected, thereby improving the image reading sensitivity. Can be.

On the other hand, the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 are provided with a transparent material, such as glass, which constitutes the mounting table 13 and dirt and dust adhering to the mounting table 13.
Even if the fluorescence emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and its vicinity and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, as shown by the solid line in FIG. Is arranged so as not to be incident on the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 by the laser beam 4, the component of the fluorescence emitted from the vicinity thereof toward the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18 is: A component that is incident on the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18 but travels toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is:
As shown by a solid line in FIG. Therefore, undesired fluorescence, which is not the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample, is guided to the light receiver 19 by the light guide 18 and photoelectrically detected, so that noise generated in image data can be suppressed. .

The image reading apparatus configured as described above is included in the gel support 14 as follows.
Read the fluorescence image of Fluorescein. When reading a fluorescent image carried by Fluorescein that labels a sample contained in the gel support 14, first, the gel support 14 is read.
Is mounted on the mounting table 13 such that the surface scanned by the laser light 4 is in close contact with the upper surface of the mounting table 13 to form the image carrier unit 12. Next, the image carrier unit 12 is set on the sample stage 16 of the image reading device 15, the image carrier unit 12 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 1, and Fluorescein is input to the input means 28 as a type of fluorescent substance. input. Fluoresc
Since ein is most efficiently excited by light having a wavelength of 490 nm and emits fluorescence in an amount of light proportional to the amount thereof, when reading the fluorescence image carried by Fluorescein by the image reading device of this embodiment, The third laser excitation light source 3 is operated to set the gel support 14 to 473 nm.
By scanning with the laser beam 4 having a wavelength of, it is preferable to read a fluorescent image carried by Fluorescein, which labels the sample contained in the gel support 14. Therefore, in the image reading apparatus of this embodiment, when Fluorescein is input as a fluorescent substance, the control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the motor 22 and
After rotating the filter member 20 so that 0c is located in front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, the third laser excitation light source 3 is operated. As a result, the laser light 4 having a wavelength of 473 nm is emitted from the third laser excitation light source 3,
After being reflected by the dichroic mirror 7, the beam diameter of the laser beam 4 is accurately adjusted by the beam expander 8, and the laser beam 4 enters the polygon mirror 9. The laser beam 4 deflected by the polygon mirror 9 has fθ
The light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 11 via the lens 10, enters the image carrier unit 12 at the scanning position S, passes through the glass mounting table 13, enters the gel support 14, and enters the gel support 14. Reach the sample contained in.

As the polygon mirror 9 rotates, the laser beam 4 scans the lower surface of the gel support 14 in the main scanning direction indicated by X in FIG. 1, while the image carrier unit 12 Is moved in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y, the entire surface of the lower surface of the gel support 14 that is in close contact with the mounting table 13 is scanned by the laser light 4 having a wavelength of 473 nm. As a result, Fluorescein labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is excited and emits fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 530 nm. Fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance Fluorescein, which labels the sample contained in the gel support 14, proceeds omnidirectionally from the sample. Of the fluorescence emitted from a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 where the DNA fragment, which is the sample labeled with Fluorescein, is most present, the light guide 18
The component traveling toward the light receiving end surface 18a of the optical guide 18 is transmitted through the mounting table 13 and is incident on the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18, and the component traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is:
As shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, the light is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 and
The light is focused at 8a and enters the light guide 18. further,
Of the fluorescence from the vicinity of the predetermined position P in the gel support 14, most of the components traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 are also reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 and enter the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18.

On the other hand, the glass constituting the mounting table 13 is excited by the laser light 4, and of the fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S and its vicinity, the light receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18 is used.
The component traveling toward a is the light receiving end surface 18 of the light guide 18.
The component incident on the light guide a, but traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 in a direction not incident on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 as shown by a solid line in FIG. in this way,
The cylindrical mirror 17 transfers a large part of the fluorescence emitted from the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 where the DNA fragment, which is the sample labeled with Fluorescein, is most present and the vicinity thereof to the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18. And the glass constituting the mounting table 13 is excited, so that much of the generated undesired fluorescence acts so as not to be guided to the light-receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, so that it is labeled with Fluorescein. Fluorescence emitted from the DNA fragment can be guided to the light guide 18 to the maximum, and photoelectric detection can be performed. As a result, image reading sensitivity can be improved. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of noise in image data due to incident light and photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19.

Thus, the fluorescent light that has entered the light guide 18 through the light receiving end face 18a enters the filter 20c from the emission end face 18b while repeating total reflection on the inner surface of the light guide 18. Here, the filter 20c is 473
Fluorescein has the property of cutting light with a wavelength of nm and transmitting light with a wavelength longer than 473 nm. Only after being photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 and amplified by the amplifier 22 to an electric signal of a predetermined level, the A / D
The converter 23 converts the digital signal into a digital signal with a scale factor suitable for the signal fluctuation width, and stores one line of image data in the line buffer 24. When one line of image data is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 24 to the transmission buffer 25.

Thus, the image data obtained by detecting the fluorescence emitted from the Fluorescein labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is output from the transmission buffer 25 to the image processing device 26, and is output to the CRT. On a display means such as the above, a fluorescent image composed of a pattern having a concentration corresponding to the amount of Fluorescein labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is displayed as a visible image. The image data generated as described above is stored in image data storage means (not shown) as necessary, or
The image is analyzed by an image analyzer (not shown). In the present embodiment, the image reading device further includes 53
Since the second laser excitation light source 2 that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 2 nm is provided, it is possible to read a fluorescence image formed by Rhodamine B, which is a fluorescent dye that can be efficiently excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm. it can.

When the fluorescent dye that labels the sample contained in the gel support 14 is Rhodamine B, Rhodamine B is input to the input means 28 as a type of fluorescent substance, and the control unit 27 controls the motor 21. Is driven and the filter 20b is positioned in front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, and then the second laser excitation light source 2 is operated, and the laser light 4 from the second laser excitation light source 2 Rho labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14
Fluorescence having damine B excited and having a peak at a wavelength of 605 nm is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 through the filter 20b, and image data is obtained in the same manner as in the case where Fluorescein is used as a fluorescent substance. Is generated. Further, in the present embodiment, the image reading device further includes a first light emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm.
, It is possible to read a fluorescent image formed by a fluorescent dye such as Cy-5 which can be efficiently excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm.

That is, when the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is Cy-5, Cy-5 is input to the input means 28 as the type of the fluorescent substance.
After the control unit 27 drives the motor 22 to position the filter 20a at the front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, the first laser excitation light source 1 is operated, and the first laser excitation light source is activated. The laser light 4 from 1 excites Cy-5 labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 and emits fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 667 nm.
Image data is generated in the same manner as in the case where Fluorescein is used as a fluorescent substance, which is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 via the filter 20a. In these cases as well, the cylindrical mirror 17 uses the light receiving end face of the light guide 18 to transfer most of the fluorescence emitted from the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 where the sample labeled with the fluorescent substance is most present and the vicinity thereof. 18a, the glass constituting the mounting table 13 is excited, and much of the generated undesired fluorescence is transmitted to the light receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18.
a, so that the fluorescence emitted from the DNA fragment labeled with the fluorescent substance is maximized.
The light can be guided to the light guide 18 for photoelectric detection, and the sensitivity of reading an image can be improved.
, And the occurrence of noise in image data due to photoelectric detection by the photodetector 19 can be suppressed. Further, the image reading device according to the present embodiment is configured to be usable not only for reading a fluorescent image but also for reading a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet unit which is an image carrier unit used for reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30 has a stimulable phosphor layer 31 containing a stimulable phosphor formed on one surface, and a magnetic layer (not shown) on the other surface. Z)
And a support plate 33 made of aluminum or the like, on one side of which a rubber-like magnet sheet (not shown) is adhered, and a magnetic layer of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32. And the magnet sheet of the support plate 33 are adhered and integrated to form the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30. When reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32, the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30 is replaced with the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30 instead of the image carrier unit 12 having the gel support 14.
Is set on the sample stage 18 of the image reading device.

In the present embodiment, the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 contains a radiographic image of a radiolabeled substance in a gene using Southern blot hybridization. Is recorded.
The radiographic image of the radiolabeled substance in the gene using the Southern blot hybridization method is accumulated and recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 as follows, for example. First, a plurality of DNA fragments including a DNA fragment comprising a target gene are separated and developed by electrophoresis on a gel supporting medium, and denatured by alkali treatment.
Single-stranded DNA. Next, the gel support medium and a transfer support such as a nitrocellulose filter are superimposed by a known Southern blotting method, and at least a part of the denatured DNA fragment is transferred onto the transfer support, followed by heating treatment and Fix by UV irradiation. Next, the probe prepared by a method such as radiolabeling DNA or RNA complementary to the DNA of the gene of interest and the denatured DNA fragment on the transcription support are hybridized by heating treatment to obtain a double-stranded DNA. DNA formation (re-naturation) or DNA / RNA conjugate. At this time, since the denatured DNA fragment on the transcription support is fixed, only the DNA fragment complementary to the probe DNA or the probe RNA hybridizes and captures the radiolabeled probe. Thereafter, the probe that did not form a hybrid was washed away with an appropriate solution, so that only the DNA fragment having the target gene was transferred to the transfer support on the DNA fragment to which the radiolabel was added.
Alternatively, it forms a hybrid with RNA and is provided with a radioactive label. Thereafter, the dried transfer support and the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 are overlapped for a certain period of time, and by performing an exposure operation, at least a part of the radiation emitted from the radiolabeled substance on the transfer support, The radiation image of the radioactively labeled substance in the sample which is absorbed by the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 is stored in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 in the form of an image.

When reading the radiographic image of the radioactive labeling substance in the gene recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32, the operator first needs to read the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30. The sample stage 16 of the image reading device 17 is moved so that the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 faces downward.
And the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30 is set in FIG.
Is moved to the position of the image carrier unit 12, and the fact that the image carrier is the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 is input to the input means 28. The control unit 27
According to the instruction signal input to the input means 28, a drive signal is output to the motor 21 to rotate the filter member 20, and the filter 20d is positioned at the front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, The first laser excitation light source 1 is operated. As a result, 633n
A laser beam 4 having a wavelength of m is emitted. After the laser beam 4 passes through dichroic mirrors 6 and 7, its beam diameter is accurately adjusted by a beam expander 8 and enters a polygon mirror 9. The laser beam 4 deflected by the polygon mirror 9 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 11 via the fθ lens 10 and enters the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32. The laser beam 4 scans the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 in the main scanning direction indicated by X in FIG.
The laser light 4 scans the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 because it is moved in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y in FIG.

Thus, the laser beam 4 having a wavelength of 633 nm
, The stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 is excited to emit stimulable light. The photostimulable light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor is directly or cylindrically mirrored.
7 is incident on the light guide 18 and repeats total internal reflection on the inner surface of the light guide 18 so that the emission end face 18
From b, the light enters the filter 20d. Here, the filter 20d has a property of transmitting only light in the wavelength region of stimulating light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 and cutting light having a wavelength of 633 nm. Only the photostimulated light emitted from the body is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 and amplified to an electric signal of a predetermined level by the amplifier 22, and then the signal fluctuation width is detected by the A / D converter 23. Is converted into a digital signal with a scale factor suitable for the image data, and is sent to an image processing device 26 via a line buffer 24 and a transmission buffer 25. Image processing device 26
Is displayed as a visible image on a display means such as a CRT based on the image data input to. The image data thus generated is stored in an image data storage unit (not shown) as needed, and is analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown).

According to this embodiment, the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 carry the fluorescent image when reading the fluorescent image from the image carrier unit 12 constituted by the mounting table 13 and the gel support 14. The fluorescent light emitted from the predetermined position P where the DNA fragment labeled with the fluorescent dye in the gel support 14 is most present and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is focused on the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18. As described above, undesired fluorescence emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18.
The gel support 1
A component of the fluorescence emitted from a predetermined position P in the light guide 4 toward the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 is
3, the light-receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18
The component incident on the light guide a and traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, is focused on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and is incident on the light guide 18 from the light receiving end face 18a. Further, of the fluorescence from the vicinity of the predetermined position P in the gel support 14,
Many of the components traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 are also reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 and enter the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18. Therefore,
The fluorescence emitted from the DNA fragment labeled with Fluorescein is guided to the light guide 18 to the maximum extent, and photoelectric detection can be performed, so that the image reading sensitivity can be greatly improved.

Further, of the undesired fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof by the laser beam 4, the component that travels toward the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18 is directly transmitted to the light guide. 18 light-receiving end face 18a
However, the component traveling toward the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 in a direction that does not enter the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, so that the fluorescence emitted from the Fluorescein that labels the sample is Instead, undesired fluorescent light that generates noise in the image data is incident on the light guide 18 and the
, And photoelectrically detected, thereby suppressing generation of noise in image data. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view near a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment, the mounting table 13, the cylindrical mirror 17, and the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18 are provided.
During this time, undesired fluorescent light is
A light-shielding means 35 for suppressing the light from entering the light-receiving portion 8a is arranged, and the other configuration is exactly the same as that of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the light shielding means 35 is provided on the first light shielding member 36 disposed between the mounting table 13 and the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18. Pair of second
And a third light shielding member 39 disposed between the mounting table 13 and the cylindrical mirror 17. The first light-blocking member 36 is excited by the laser beam 4 and emitted from the fluorescent substance in the gel support 14 and the mounting table 13, and directly enters the light-receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18.
A light-shielding plate member extending between the mounting table 13 and the light-receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 so as to block fluorescence toward a, and having a property of blocking light of any wavelength.

The second light-blocking members 37 and 38 are excited by the laser beam 4 and emitted from the fluorescent substance in the gel support 14, and of the fluorescent light incident on the cylindrical mirror 17, The slit 40 that allows only light emitted from the predetermined position P and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 to pass through and enters the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 is formed by the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18.
The light guide 18 is formed near the center in the width direction of the light guide 18.
The light-receiving end face 18a is formed of a light-shielding plate member which is attached along both side edges of the light-receiving end face 18a and has a property of blocking light of all wavelengths. In the present embodiment, one of the pair of second light-blocking members 36, 37 is formed integrally with the first light-blocking member 36. The second light shielding members 37 and 38 emit light from a portion other than the predetermined position P in the gel support 14, are reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, and block fluorescence toward the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18.

Further, the third light-blocking member 39 emits the fluorescent light generated from the fluorescent substance in the gel support 14 located immediately above the cylindrical mirror 17 due to the scattering of the laser beam 4 in the gel support 14. The light-shielding plate member is disposed between the mounting table 13 and the cylindrical mirror 17 so as to prevent the light from being incident on the light-shielding plate 40 and has a property of blocking light of any wavelength. Also, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, similarly to the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 are made of a fluorescent substance at a predetermined position P in the gel support 14. The fluorescent material excited and emitted by the light 4 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 so as to be focused on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and a transparent material such as glass constituting the mounting table 13 is made of a laser. Undesired fluorescence emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof excited by the light 4 is transmitted to the cylindrical mirror 1.
7, the light receiving end surface 18 of the light guide 18
They are arranged in a positional relationship such that they do not enter a.

Therefore, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the fluorescent light emitted at a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and the fluorescent light emitted near the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 are reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17. Most of the emitted fluorescence proceeds toward the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18. However, in this embodiment, the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity or the mounting table 13
Since the fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the light guide and the vicinity thereof and directly directed to the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18 is blocked by the first light shielding member 36, the gel support 14 The light is emitted from a predetermined position P and the vicinity thereof and is directly transmitted to the light receiving end face 18 of the light guide 18.
The fluorescence toward a is prevented from entering the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18. This is because the fluorescent light emitted from the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity and directly toward the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 is
8 can be made incident on the light receiving end surface 18a of the mounting table 13 by being excited by the laser light 4
And undesired fluorescent light emitted from the vicinity thereof and directed directly to the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18,
8 cannot be prevented from being incident on the light receiving end face 18a, and noise occurs in the image data.

In the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, of the fluorescent light emitted from the vicinity of the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, the predetermined position in the gel support 14 is used. Fluorescence emitted from sources other than P is configured to be blocked by the second light shielding portions 37 and 38. As a result, only the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance existing at the specific position P in the gel support 14 is detected by the photodetector 19,
Image data can be generated. In the image reading device according to the present embodiment, further, the third light-shielding member 39 emits light from the fluorescent substance in the gel support 14 located immediately above the cylindrical mirror 17,
It is configured so that the fluorescent light traveling toward the slit 40 is blocked, so that the fluorescent light emitted from a position other than the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is prevented from entering the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18. , Noise is reduced.

Further, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, even if the fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and its vicinity is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, Since the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 are arranged in a positional relationship such that they do not enter the end face 18a, noise is generated in image data due to undesired fluorescence emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and its vicinity. Is prevented from occurring. According to this embodiment, the gel support 14
Most of the fluorescence other than the fluorescence emitted from the predetermined position P and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is prevented from being incident on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and therefore, the predetermined position in the gel support 14 is prevented. Only the image of the fluorescent substance existing in P can be read with low noise.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the light receiving end face 18′a of the light guide 18 ′ is provided.
However, the first surface 18 ′ b facing the mounting table 13 and the second surface 18 ′ c facing the cylindrical mirror 17 are alternately arranged in a saw-tooth shape, and face the mounting table 13. The first surface 18'b of the light receiving end surface 18 'of the light guide 18'
It is covered by the fourth light blocking member 41. Also in this embodiment, similarly to the above embodiment, the cylindrical mirror 17 and the light guide 18 cause the fluorescent substance at the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 to be excited by the laser light 4,
The emitted fluorescence is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, focuses on the second surface 18 ′ c facing the cylindrical mirror 17, and the transparent material such as glass constituting the mounting table 13 is excited by the laser beam 4. Being
Even if the fluorescence emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, it is arranged in a positional relationship such that it does not enter the light receiving end face 18'a of the light guide 18 '. .

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the fluorescent light emitted from the gel support 14 and the mounting table 13 and directly toward the light receiving end face 18 ′ a of the light guide 18 ′ is
The light receiving end face 18 'of the light guide 18' is blocked by a fourth light blocking member 41 covering the first face 18'b facing the light guide 18 '.
a is prevented. This is the gel support 1
4 directly from the light receiving end surface 18 of the light guide 18
If the fluorescence toward a can be made incident on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, it is excited by the laser light 4,
Undesired fluorescent light emitted from a position other than the predetermined position P and its vicinity in the gel support 14 and directly toward the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 and emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and its vicinity, This is because it becomes impossible to prevent undesired fluorescent light traveling toward the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 from being incident on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and noise is generated in image data.

The cylindrical mirror 17 emits undesired fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof to the light receiving end surface 18'a of the light guide 18 '.
Only the fluorescence emitted from or near the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and incident on the cylindrical mirror 17 is guided to the cylindrical mirror on the light-receiving end face 18 'of the light guide 18' without being guided to the cylindrical mirror 17 as shown by the dotted line. 17 is configured to reflect toward the second surface 18 ′ c facing the mirror 17, and therefore, undesired fluorescence and light emitted from the gel support 14 at a position other than the predetermined position P and in the vicinity of the predetermined position P and directed to the cylindrical mirror 17. Undesired fluorescent light emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and the vicinity thereof and directed to the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 and is prevented from entering the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, thereby preventing image data. Can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the fourth light shielding member 41
This blocks the fluorescence from the gel support 14 and the mounting table 13 directly toward the end face 18'a of the light guide 18 ', and the cylindrical mirror 17 allows the mounting table 1
Undesired fluorescence from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the light guide 3 and its vicinity is prevented from being guided to the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and is emitted from the fluorescent material at a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity. , Cylindrical mirror 1
Only the fluorescent light going to 7 is the light receiving end face 1 of the light guide 18 '.
Second surface 1 facing 8′a cylindrical mirror 17
8′a, the predetermined position P in the gel support 14
And only the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance existing in the vicinity thereof and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is guided to the photodetector 19 by the light guide 18 'and photoelectrically detected, so that noise generated in the image data is suppressed. In addition, the reading sensitivity of the fluorescent image can be improved.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the laser beam 4 is excited by the laser beam 4 and emitted from the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity and from the mounting table 13, Light receiving end face 1 of guide 18
A filter 42 is provided to cover a portion of the light receiving end face 18a where the fluorescence toward 8a enters. This filter 42
Cuts the light in the wavelength region of the fluorescent substance labeling the sample and the fluorescent light emitted by the mounting table 13, but emits the light in the wavelength region of the stimulable phosphor emitted by the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor sheet. Has the property of transmitting light. Further, the light guide 18
At the side edge of the light receiving end surface 18a on the mounting table 13 side, a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is excited by the laser light 4.
And its vicinity, the cylindrical mirror 1
There is provided a mirror 43 that reflects only the fluorescence reflected by 7 and makes the reflected light incident on a portion of the light receiving end face 18a that is not covered by the filter 42.

In the thus configured image reading apparatus according to this embodiment, when reading the fluorescent image recorded on the gel support 14, the fluorescent substance is excited by the laser light 4, From the predetermined position P and its vicinity and from the mounting table 13,
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, the fluorescence directly traveling to the light receiving end face 18a is blocked by the filter 42, and is prevented from entering the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18. This is emitted from a predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity, and is directly transmitted to the light receiving end surface 18 of the light guide 18.
When the fluorescent light traveling toward the light guide 18a is made incident on the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, the fluorescent light is excited by the laser beam 4 and emitted from the scanning line S on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and its vicinity, and directly emitted from the light guide 18 This is because it is impossible to prevent undesired fluorescent light traveling toward the light receiving end face 18a from entering the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18, and noise is generated in image data.

On the other hand, the fluorescent light emitted from the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the mirror 43 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The light enters the portion of the light receiving end face 18a of the guide 18 which is not covered by the filter 42. Therefore, the predetermined position P in the gel support 14
And only the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance existing in the vicinity thereof and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is guided to the photodetector 19 by the light guide 18 'and photoelectrically detected, so that noise generated in the image data is suppressed. In addition, the reading sensitivity of the fluorescent image can be improved. In contrast, the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32
When reading a radiation image recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer 32 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32,
Since the light in the wavelength region of the stimulating light emitted from the light source is transmitted, the stimulable phosphor is excited by the laser light 4, and of the stimulating light generated, the light guide is directly transmitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet 32. The component toward the light receiving end surface 18a of the
2, the component emitted from the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is reflected by the mirror 43 and is received by the light receiving end face 18a of the guide means 18. Incident on. Therefore, when reading the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 31, more stimulable
8, and the photoelectric detection can be performed, and the image reading sensitivity can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing. For example, in the above embodiment, the first laser excitation light source 1 that emits 633 nm laser light, the second laser excitation light source 2 that emits 532 nm laser light, and the third laser excitation light source that emits 473 nm laser light Although three laser excitation light sources are provided, it is not always necessary to provide three laser excitation light sources, and at least one laser excitation light source is provided according to a fluorescent substance forming a fluorescent image to be read. Just do it. Further, in the above embodiment, the image reading device is configured to be able to read a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 in addition to the fluorescent image. However, it may be configured such that only the fluorescent image can be read.

Further, in the above embodiment, 633
a first laser excitation light source 1 which is a He—Ne laser light source that emits a laser beam 4 having a wavelength of nm.
Instead of the He-Ne laser light source, a semiconductor laser light source that emits the laser light 4 of 635 nm may be used. In the above embodiment, a laser light source that emits 633 nm laser light is used as the first laser excitation light source 1.
A laser light source that emits 532 nm laser light as the laser excitation light source 2
A laser light source that emits a laser light of 73 nm,
Although the first laser excitation light source 1 is used depending on the type of the fluorescent substance or the stimulable phosphor to be excited,
Instead of a laser light source that emits 33 nm laser light, 63
A laser light source that emits a laser beam of 5 nm can be used. As the second laser excitation light source 2, 530 to 5
A laser light source that emits a laser beam of 40 nm can be used, and a laser light source that emits a laser beam of 470 to 480 nm can be used as the third laser excitation light source 3, respectively.

Further, in the above embodiment, the light guide 18 is formed by processing non-fluorescent glass or the like, but the light guide 18 is not limited to the one made of non-fluorescent glass, A material formed by processing a transparent thermoplastic resin sheet such as quartz or an acrylic synthetic resin can also be used. In the above embodiment,
When reading the fluorescent image recorded on the gel support 14, the type of the fluorescent substance is set, and when reading the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 32, the image carrier is read. Is a stimulable phosphor sheet,
In the above embodiment, the laser excitation light sources 1, 2, 3, and the filters 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are automatically selected by the control unit 27 by inputting them to the input means 28, respectively. However, it is possible to arbitrarily determine what kind of instruction signal is to be input, and to cause the control unit 27 to execute such automatic selection, by inputting the type of the fluorescent substance, The invention is not limited to the one that inputs that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first light-blocking member 36 and the second light-blocking members 37 and 38 are formed by a light-blocking member having a property of blocking light of all wavelengths. However, the first light-shielding member 36 and the second light-shielding members 37 and 38 are coupled with the light in the wavelength range emitted from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample and the light in the wavelength range of the fluorescence emitted from the mounting table 13. It may be formed of a material having a selective light-shielding property, which blocks the stimulable phosphor emitted from the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32. By forming the first light-shielding member 36 and the second light-shielding members 37 and 38 from a material having a light-shielding property as described above, the first image is read when the fluorescent image recorded on the gel support 14 is read. The light blocking member 36 and the second light blocking members 37 and 38
Since the light in the wavelength range emitted from the fluorescent material and the light in the wavelength range of the fluorescence emitted from the mounting table 13 are blocked, the scanning line S on the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 and its vicinity and the lower surface of the mounting table 13 and Emitted from the vicinity,
The fluorescent light directly going to the light receiving end face 18a of the light guide 18 is transmitted by the first light shielding member 36 to the gel support 14.
Among the fluorescence emitted from the predetermined position P and its vicinity and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17, the fluorescence emitted from other than the predetermined position P in the gel support 14 is blocked by the second light shielding members 37 and 38. , Gel support 1
4, only the fluorescent light emitted from a predetermined position P in the area 4 and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 is photoelectrically detected.
Image data can be generated. On the other hand, when reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32, the first light-blocking member 36 and the second light-blocking members 37 and 38 are connected to the stimulable phosphor sheet 32.
Of the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 corresponding to the predetermined position P because the stimulable phosphor emitted from the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 is transmitted. Not only the photostimulated light emitted from the position and reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 but also excited by the laser beam,
It is emitted directly from the portion other than the position in the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 corresponding to the predetermined position P and the photostimulable light toward the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18,
The stimulated emission reflected by the cylindrical mirror 17 also enters the light receiving end surface 18a of the light guide 18 and is photoelectrically detected. Therefore, since the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 30 does not use the glass mounting table 13 that is excited by the laser beam and emits undesired fluorescence, there is no room for emitting undesired fluorescence from the mounting table 13. It is desirable that the stimulable phosphor layer 31 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 32 emit as much stimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor layer 31 as possible to the light guide 18.
In reading the radiation image recorded in the image, the sensitivity of the image reading can be improved.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the light shielding means 35 is constituted by the first light shielding member 36, the second light shielding members 37 and 38, and the third light shielding member 39. One or both of the first light-blocking member 35 and the second light-blocking member 39 may be used as the light-blocking member 35.
May be configured. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical mirror 17 is fixed, but the cylindrical mirror 17 is configured to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis so that the predetermined position P and the gel support 14 The distance L between the carrier and the lower surface can be arbitrarily changed. In an image carrier such as a gel support containing a sample developed by electrophoresis, the position where the developed sample is most present often differs depending on the image carrier. Depending on the image carrier, a fluorescent image can be read with high sensitivity. Further, by rotating the cylindrical mirror 17, it is possible to three-dimensionally read the image of the fluorescent dye distributed at positions in the image carrier at different distances L from the lower surface of the image carrier.

[0067]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus which can be used in a fluorescence detecting system capable of preventing an undesired fluorescence from entering the light guide means and reading an image with high accuracy. Will be possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an image reading apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a filter member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a relative positional relationship between an image carrier unit, a cylindrical mirror, and a light guide.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view near a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view near a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the vicinity of a scanning line of an image reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first laser excitation light source 2 second laser excitation light source 3 third laser excitation light source 4 laser light 5 filter 6 first dichroic mirror 7 second dichroic mirror 8 beam expander 9 polygon mirror 10 fθ lens 11 Reflecting mirror 12 Image carrier unit 13 Mounting table 14 Gel support 15 Image reading device 16 Sample stage 17 Cylindrical mirror 18 Light guide 18a Light receiving end face 18b Exit end face 19 Photodetector 20 Filter member 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Filter 21 Motor 22 Amplifier 23 A / D converter 24 line buffer 25 transmission buffer 26 image processing device 27 control unit 28 input means 30 stimulable phosphor sheet unit 31 stimulable phosphor layer 32 stimulable phosphor sheet 33 support plate 3 Shielding means 36 first shielding member 37, 38 second light-blocking member 39 third light blocking member 40 slit 41 fourth light blocking member 42 filter 43 mirror

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image carrier unit including an image carrier formed of a substance excited by the laser beam and emitting light, and including an image carrier, is emitted from the laser excitation light source unit. A laser light scanning unit that scans from below the image carrier unit with the laser light, and a light receiving end face disposed below the image carrier unit so as to face a scanning line of the laser light; Light guide means for condensing and guiding the emitted light; a cylindrical mirror disposed below the image carrier unit, for reflecting light emitted from the image carrier toward the light guide means; and An image reading apparatus comprising: a light detecting unit that photoelectrically detects light guided by the guiding unit; An image carrier mounting table formed of a bright material, and an image carrier mounted on the image carrier mounting table and carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance excited by the laser light and emitting fluorescence, and The guide means and the cylindrical mirror are generated from a predetermined position in the image carrier by excitation of the fluorescent substance by the laser light, and the fluorescence reflected by the cylindrical mirror is applied to a light receiving end face of the light guide means. It is arranged such that the light is focused, excited by the laser light, emitted from the image carrier mounting table, and reflected by the cylindrical mirror, so that the fluorescent light does not enter the light receiving end face of the light guide. Image reading device. Further, the laser light is excited and emitted by the laser light, and is directly applied to the light receiving end face of the light guide means.
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first light blocking unit that blocks incoming fluorescent light. 3. The light-receiving end face of the light guide means, wherein the laser light is emitted from the position other than the predetermined position in the image carrier by the laser light, reflected by the cylindrical mirror, and is reflected by the laser light. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second light blocking unit configured to block fluorescent light incident on the image reading device. 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical mirror is rotatable along a longitudinal axis thereof. 5. A stimulus in which the laser beam scanning means records an image selected from the group consisting of an autoradiography image, a radiation diffraction image and an electron microscope image by the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means. The stimulable phosphor sheet on which the stimulable phosphor layer containing the stimulable phosphor is formed can be scanned from below, and the first light shielding means is emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet by the laser light. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the image reading device is configured to transmit the stimulated light. 6. A stimulus in which said laser beam scanning means records an image selected from the group consisting of an autoradiography image, a radiation diffraction image, and an electron microscope image by said laser light emitted from said laser excitation light source means. A stimulable phosphor layer including a stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor, the stimulable phosphor sheet is configured to be scannable from below, and the second light blocking means is emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet by the laser light. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image reading apparatus is configured to transmit the stimulated light. 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said laser excitation light source means includes a laser excitation light source for emitting laser light of 470 to 480 nm. 8. The laser excitation light source unit further comprises:
The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second laser excitation light source that emits 33 or 635 nm laser light. 9. The laser excitation light source means further comprises:
The image reading device according to claim 7, further comprising a third laser excitation light source that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 30 or 540 nm.