JPH10221254A - Image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a background noise level and read an image with high accuracy by radiating electromagnetic waves to a filter, and suppressing the generation of fluorescence by excitation light in a fluorescence detecting system. SOLUTION: The image reading device of a fluorescence detecting system used for detecting the DNA marked with a fluorescent pigment is provided with the first through fifth xenon lamps 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, forexample, and these lamps are arranged to radiate the light containing ultraviolet rays to a mount base 13, a light guide 18, and a filter member 22. When the fluorescence discharge signal is inputted to an input means 32 before an image is read by the laser beam scanning to a sample, a control unit 31 lights the xenon lamps 17, 20, 21, 24, 25 for a prescribed time, and the mount base 13, light guide 18, and filter member 22 are radiated with light and emit fluorescence. Fluorescence is thus discharged, and the generation of fluorescence is suppressed when excitation light is radiated to these members at the time of image reading.

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 A fluorescence detection system is known in which a sample is labeled with a labeling substance made of a fluorescent substance, the sample is irradiated with excitation light, the fluorescent substance is excited, and the generated fluorescence is detected. . According to this fluorescence detection system, the gene sequence, gene expression level, metabolism, absorption, excretion pathway and state of the administered substance in laboratory animals, protein separation, identification, or evaluation of molecular weight and characteristics are performed. Can be. For example, after adding a fluorescent dye to a solution containing a plurality of DNA fragments to be electrophoresed, the plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support,
Alternatively, a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye,
After the fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye to label the electrophoresed DNA fragments, and the fluorescent dye is excited by excitation light Then, by detecting the generated fluorescence, an image is generated, and the distribution of DNA on the gel support is detected, or after a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on the gel support, The DNA is denaturated, and then at least a portion of the denatured DNA fragment is transcribed onto a transfer support such as nitrocellulose by Southern blotting, and DNA or RNA complementary to the target DNA is fluoresced. The probe prepared by labeling with a dye is hybridized with the denatured DNA fragment, and the probe DNA
Alternatively, only the DNA fragment complementary to the probe RNA is selectively labeled, and the excitation light excites the fluorescent dye,
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 converted to the complementary DN labeled with the labeling substance.
After binding with A, the fluorescent substrate is brought into contact with the fluorescent substrate to change the fluorescent substrate into a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, the generated fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and the generated fluorescent light is detected, whereby an image is obtained. And the desired D on the transfer support
The distribution of NA can also be detected. This fluorescence detection system has an advantage that a gene sequence or the like can be easily detected without using a radioactive substance.

[0003] In such a fluorescence detection system,
An image carrier such as a gel support or a transfer support containing a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance is irradiated with excitation light such as laser light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used for labeling the sample. A fluorescent image carried on an image carrier is read using an image reading device configured to photoelectrically detect fluorescence generated from a fluorescent substance by a photodetector. Such an image reading device has a filter for cutting the excitation light in front of the photodetector in order to prevent excitation light such as laser light from being incident on the photodetector due to scattering, irregular reflection, or the like. Is provided.

[0004]

However, even if such a filter is provided on the front surface of the photodetector to prevent the excitation light from being incident on the photodetector, the glass on which the image carrier is mounted is not required. Plates, light guides that guide fluorescence emitted from fluorescent substances to photodetectors, and even filters themselves,
Excited by excitation light such as laser light and emits fluorescence, only by providing a filter that cuts the excitation light, the members constituting such an image reading device are excited by excitation light such as laser light, The emitted fluorescence cannot be prevented from being photoelectrically detected by the photodetector, resulting in a high background noise level, a low S / N ratio, and labeling the sample. Read the weak signal from the fluorescent material
There is a problem that it is difficult to read a fluorescent image.

In particular, when a fluorescent image is read by using excitation light having a short wavelength of 473 nm, the members constituting the image reading apparatus are excited to easily emit fluorescent light, and further emit fluorescent light. Since the wavelength of the fluorescence to be detected and a part of the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted from these members overlap each other, there has been a problem that it is even more difficult to accurately read the fluorescence image.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device for a fluorescence detection system that can accurately read an image by suppressing the excitation of a filter by excitation light and the generation of fluorescence. It is.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventor has conducted intensive studies in order to achieve the above object of the present invention, and as a result, prior to reading a fluorescent image, the laser was excited when irradiated with laser light. By irradiating the member emitting fluorescence with electromagnetic waves and emitting fluorescence, even when these members are irradiated with laser light when reading a fluorescence image,
It has been found that the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from these members is reduced, and the object of the present invention is, according to the first invention, a laser excitation light source for emitting a laser beam,
Laser light scanning means for scanning an image carrier unit including an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance which emits fluorescence when excited by laser light, with the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means; Light detection means for photoelectrically detecting the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier, and when irradiated with the laser light, excited,
It has been found that this can be achieved by an image reading apparatus provided with an electromagnetic wave irradiating means for irradiating a member emitting fluorescence with an electromagnetic wave.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the intensity of the fluorescent light can be reduced even when the members constituting the image reading apparatus are excited by the laser light and emit fluorescence when reading the fluorescent image. By reducing the noise level, a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample can be read with high accuracy. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading device further includes an excitation light cut filter unit that cuts a laser beam, and the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit irradiates the excitation light cut filter unit with an electromagnetic wave. Of electromagnetic wave irradiation means. According to the preferred embodiment of the first invention, when the laser light is irradiated, the intensity of the fluorescence from the excitation light cut filter means which is excited and easily emits the fluorescence is reduced, and the background noise level is reduced. Thus, a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample can be read with high accuracy.

[0008] In a further preferred aspect of the first invention, the image carrier unit is formed of a transparent material, and comprises an image carrier mounting table on which the image carrier is mounted.
The laser light scanning means, the image carrier on the image carrier mounting table, from below the image carrier mounting table, via the image carrier mounting table, is configured to scan, the electromagnetic wave irradiation means, A second electromagnetic wave irradiating means for irradiating the image carrier mounting table with electromagnetic waves is included. According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, when a laser beam is irradiated, the intensity of the fluorescent light from the image carrier mounting table that is excited and easily emits fluorescent light is reduced, and the background noise level is reduced. Then, a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample can be accurately read.

[0009] In a further preferred aspect of the first invention, the image reading apparatus further comprises a light guide means for condensing the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier and guiding the fluorescence to the light detection means, The irradiating means includes third electromagnetic wave irradiating means for irradiating the light guide means with an electromagnetic wave. According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, when the laser light is irradiated, the intensity of the fluorescent light from the light guide means which is excited and easily emits the fluorescent light is reduced, and the background noise level is reduced. In addition, a weak signal from a fluorescent dye that has labeled a sample can be accurately read. In a further preferred aspect of the first invention, the electromagnetic wave irradiating means is constituted by an electromagnetic wave irradiating means for emitting an electromagnetic wave including ultraviolet rays.

In a further preferred aspect of the first invention, the electromagnetic wave irradiating means is constituted by an electromagnetic wave irradiating means for emitting an electromagnetic wave including a microwave. The present inventor has conducted intensive studies to achieve the above object of the present invention, and as a result, prior to reading a fluorescence image, heated a member that is excited and emits fluorescence when irradiated with a laser beam prior to reading. In doing so, it has been found that, when a fluorescent image is read, even if these members are irradiated with laser light, the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these members is reduced, and the object of the present invention is described. However, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the laser excitation light source means for emitting laser light and the image carrier unit including an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance excited by the laser light and emitting fluorescence are formed by the laser. Laser light scanning means for scanning with the laser light emitted from the excitation light source means, and light detection means for photoelectrically detecting the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier,
It has been found that this can be achieved by an image reading apparatus provided with a heating means for heating a member that emits fluorescence when excited by the laser light.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the intensity of the fluorescent light can be reduced even when the members constituting the image reading apparatus are excited by the laser beam and emit the fluorescent light at the time of reading the fluorescent image. By reducing the noise level, a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample can be read with high accuracy. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier comprising: a laser excitation light source for emitting a laser beam; and an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a substance which is excited by the laser beam and emits fluorescence. Laser light scanning means for scanning the unit by the laser light emitted from the laser excitation light source means, and light detection means for photoelectrically detecting the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier, when reading the fluorescence image, The image reading device in which the member easily irradiated with the laser light is formed of a material that is not easily excited by the laser light is achieved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the member which is easily irradiated with the laser beam when reading the fluorescent image is formed of a material which is hardly excited by the laser beam. , And emits fluorescence, its intensity is low, and therefore
By reducing the background noise level, a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample can be read with high accuracy. In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the image reading apparatus further includes an excitation light cut filter means for cutting laser light formed of a material which is hardly excited by the laser light. In a further preferred aspect of the third invention, the image carrier unit is formed of a transparent material, and includes an image carrier mounting table for mounting the image carrier, wherein the laser beam scanning means is provided on the image carrier mounting table. The image carrier is configured to scan from below the image carrier mounting table via the image carrier mounting table, and the image carrier mounting table is formed of a material that is not easily excited by the laser beam.

[0013] In a further preferred aspect of the third aspect of the present invention, the image reading device further comprises light guide means for condensing the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier and guiding the fluorescence to the light detecting means. The guide means is made of a material that is not excited by the laser light. In a further preferred embodiment of the first to third inventions, the laser excitation light source means is 470 to 480n.
a laser excitation light source that emits m laser light. In a further preferred embodiment of the first to third inventions, the laser excitation light source means is 633 or 6
A laser excitation light source that emits 35 nm laser light is further provided.

In a further preferred embodiment of the first to third inventions, the laser excitation light source means comprises:
A laser excitation light source that emits 530 or 540 nm laser light is further provided. 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. Further, in the present invention, the image carrier is, when containing a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance, such as a gel support, or in a plurality of wells, such as a microplate, labeled with a fluorescent substance. This also includes the case where a sample is accommodated.

In the present invention, the fluorescent dye which can carry an image of a labeled sample on an image carrier and can be used for reading an image by excitation with a laser beam having a wavelength of 470 nm to 480 nm is used. 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.

[0017]

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[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]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment not only reads a fluorescence image in a fluorescence detection system, but also
No. 12429, a radiation diagnostic system disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-60784, etc. A radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a stimulable phosphor sheet in a detection system or a radiation diffraction image detection system by a disclosed electron microscope disclosed in a gazette, etc. It is configured to be usable for reading.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to a preferred 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,
With the laser beam 4 having a wavelength of 633 nm, a portion of the wavelength range corresponding to the wavelength range of the fluorescence or stimulating light generated when the fluorescent dye or the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited is cut off. 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 containing a sample developed by electrophoresing a plurality of DNA fragments labeled with a fluorescent dye Fluorescein. FIG.
1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an image reading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device 15 includes 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 positioned at a predetermined position inside the image reading device 15, and is configured to be irradiated with the laser beam 4. I have.

In synchronization with scanning in the main scanning direction by the laser beam 4, 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. On the side of the position where the image carrier unit 12 is set in the image reading device 15, light including ultraviolet rays is directed toward the mounting table 13 of the image carrier unit 12,
A first xenon lamp 17 for irradiation is provided.
The first xenon lamp 17 is disposed so that the entire mounting table 13 can be irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays. A light guide 18 is arranged below the mounting table 13 of the image carrier unit 12. The light guide 18 is
The linear light-receiving end face 18a is close to the scanning line on the lower surface of the mounting table 13 by the laser beam 4 so as to face the same, and the emission end face 18b is close to the light-receiving surface of the photodetector 19. Are located. The light guide 18 is made by processing a transparent material such as glass.
The shape is determined such that the fluorescence incident from a is transmitted to the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19 via the emission end portion 18b while repeating total reflection on the inner surface thereof. Therefore, by the irradiation of the laser light 4, the fluorescent dye that labels the sample contained in the gel support 14 is excited, and the emitted fluorescent light enters the light guide 18 from the light receiving end face 18 a of the light guide 18. The light is received by the photodetector 19 via the emission end 18b while repeating total reflection inside.

In the vicinity of the light guide 18, a second xenon lamp 20 and a third xenon lamp 21 for irradiating light including ultraviolet rays toward the light guide 18 are provided. The image reading apparatus according to this embodiment is configured so that the entire light guide 18 can be irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays by the second xenon lamp 20 and the third xenon lamp 21. At the front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19, a filter member 22 is provided. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the filter member 22. The filter member 22 includes four filters 22a, 22b, 22c,
It is composed of a disk provided with 2d. Filter 22
a is a filter used when the first laser excitation light source 1 is used to excite a fluorescent dye that has labeled a sample contained in the gel support 14 as an image carrier and read out fluorescence, and has a wavelength of 633 nm. The filter 22b has a property of cutting off light having a wavelength longer than 633 nm, and the filter 22b uses the second laser excitation light source 2 to filter the sample contained in the gel support 14 as an image carrier. Is a filter used to excite a fluorescent dye labeled with, and to read the fluorescence.
It has the property of transmitting light with a longer wavelength than that. Further, the filter 22c is a filter that is used when the third laser excitation light source 3 is used to excite a fluorescent dye that has labeled a sample contained in the gel support 14 that is an image carrier and read fluorescence. It has a property of cutting light having a wavelength of 473 nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 473 nm. Further, the filter 22d 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. This filter is used when reading photostimulable light from a stimulable phosphor, and has the property of transmitting only light in the wavelength region of photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor and cutting light having a wavelength of 633 nm. ing. Therefore, depending on the laser excitation light source to be used, ie, the type of fluorescent dye and the type of image carrier, ie, whether or not the sheet is a stimulable phosphor sheet, these filters 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are used.
Is selectively used, the photodetector 19 can photoelectrically detect only the light to be detected. Here, the filter member 22 is configured to be rotatable by a motor 23, and a photomultiplier containing a bialkali substance based on K ₂ CsSb activated by oxygen and cesium is used as the photodetector 19. I have.

Further, the fourth xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 2 are located near the filter member 22.
5, each of the filters 22a, 22b,
It is arranged so that light including ultraviolet rays can be irradiated to 22c and 22d. The light photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 is converted into an electric signal, amplified by an amplifier 26 having a predetermined amplification factor into an electric signal of a predetermined level, and then input to an A / D converter 27. Is done. The electric signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 27 with a scale factor suitable for the signal fluctuation width, and is input to the line buffer 28. The line buffer 28
The image data for one scanning line is temporarily stored. When the image data for one scanning line is stored as described above, the data is stored in the line buffer 2.
The transmission buffer 29 is configured to output the image data to the image processing device 30 when the predetermined amount of image data is stored. . The image data input to the image processing device 30 is stored in an image data storage unit (not shown).
And read out from the image data storage means, subjected to image processing as necessary, and displayed on a display means such as a CRT (not shown) as a visible image, or It is analyzed by an analyzer (not shown).

Further, the image reading apparatus is provided with an input means 32 including a control unit 31 and a keyboard. When reading a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent dye for labeling a sample contained in the gel support 14, an operator is required. Input the type of fluorescent dye used to label the sample contained in the gel support 14 into the input means 32, 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 32 that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, and the control unit 31 automatically causes the first laser excitation light source 1 and the second While selecting either the laser excitation light source 2 or the third laser excitation light source 3, the filters 22a, 22b, 22
Image reading is started by selecting one of c and 22d. That is, the input means 32
When the type of the fluorescent dye is input to the control unit 31, the control unit 31 drives the motor 23 according to the type of the fluorescent dye that labels the sample contained in the gel support 14,
By rotating the filter means 22, the filters 22a, 22
b, 22c is located in front of the photodetector 19, and 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 32 inputs that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, the control unit 31 drives the motor 23 to Is rotated so that the filter 22d is positioned in front of the photodetector 19, and the first laser excitation light source 1 is driven to emit the laser light 4 to start reading the fluorescent image. I have.

Further, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, the fourth
Xenon lamp 24 and fifth xenon lamp 25
Is controlled by the control unit 31. When a fluorescent emission signal is input from the operator to the input unit 32 when image reading is stopped, the control unit 31
Is the first xenon lamp 17,
Second xenon lamp 20, third xenon lamp 2
First, the fourth xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are turned on, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filters 22a, 22b, 22 of the filter member 22 are turned on.
c, 22d is irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite,
It is configured to emit fluorescence. The image reading device according to the present embodiment configured as described above reads a fluorescent image recorded on the gel support 14 as an image carrier as follows.

When the operator inputs a fluorescence emission signal to the input means 32 prior to image reading, the control unit 31 causes the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, and the fourth xenon lamp 21, The xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are turned on, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time to excite them. As a result, fluorescence is emitted from these members. Thus, when the image reading device is configured and receives the excitation light, the member that emits fluorescence is excited by the excitation light prior to reading the image,
By emitting fluorescence, when reading an image,
Even if the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 are irradiated with the excitation light, generation of fluorescence from these members is suppressed.

FIG. 4 shows that the wavelength of 473 nm is cut,
Filter 22c that transmits light having a wavelength longer than 73 nm
HOYA glass Y52 filter (trade name) used for 2 hours is irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays for 2 hours, and then irradiated with light having a wavelength of 473 nm. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship, and FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength and the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the filter 22c when the filter 22c is irradiated with 473 nm light without previously irradiating the light containing ultraviolet rays. . As is clear from FIGS. 4 and 5, the light including ultraviolet light was irradiated for 2 hours in advance, and then, when the third laser excitation light source 3 was irradiated with excitation light having a wavelength of 473 nm, It was found that the amount of fluorescence generated from the filter 22c was significantly reduced. In particular, when excited by excitation light having a wavelength of 473 nm from the third laser excitation light source 3, Fluorescein in the gel support 14 is excited and emitted at a wavelength of 530 nm, which is the wavelength of the peak of fluorescence emitted. By previously irradiating the filter 22c with ultraviolet light for 2 hours, the 473 nm
It has been found that the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the filter 22c is reduced to about 2/3 when the excitation light having the wavelength of?

When reading a fluorescent image of Fluorescein that labels a sample contained in the gel support 14, first, the gel support 14 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting table 13 so that the surface irradiated with the laser beam 4 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting table 13. The image carrier unit 12 is mounted on the mounting table 13 so as to be in close contact with each other. Next, the image carrier unit 12 is set on the sample stage 16 of the image reading device 15, and the image carrier unit 12 is
The input means 3 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
In 2, input Fluorescein as the type of fluorescent dye. Fluorescein is most efficiently excited by light having a wavelength of 490 nm and emits fluorescence in proportion to the amount thereof. Therefore, when Fluorescein is input to the input means 32 as a fluorescent dye, the control unit 31
And the filter 22c outputs the driving signal to the photodetector 1.
9 so as to be located in front of the light receiving surface of the filter member 22.
, The third laser excitation light source 3 is operated. As a result, from the third laser excitation light source 3, 473n
A laser beam 4 having a wavelength of m is emitted. After the laser beam 4 is reflected by a dichroic mirror 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, enters the image carrier unit 12 on a scanning line, passes through the glass mounting table 13, The fluorescent dye which enters the gel support 14 and labels the sample contained in the gel support 14 is excited.

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 In FIG. 1, since the laser beam 4 is moved in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y, the entire surface of the surface of the gel support 14 that is in close contact with the mounting table 13 is scanned by the laser beam 4 having a wavelength of 473 nm. As a result, Fluorescein labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is excited,
Fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 530 nm is emitted, and the fluorescence enters the light guide 18. At this time, the mounting table 13,
The light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are also irradiated with the reflected or scattered laser light 4. The mounting table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are illuminated by the first xenon lamp 17 and the second xenon lamp Since the third xenon lamp 21, the fourth xenon lamp 24, and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays in advance, are excited, and emit fluorescent light, the laser light 4 is scanned. The intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these members is reduced, and therefore, the intensity of the fluorescent light which enters the light guide 18 and becomes noise is also reduced.

The light that has entered the light guide 18 via the light receiving end face 18a enters the filter 22c from the emission end 18b while repeating total reflection on the inner surface of the light guide 18. Here, the filter 22c has a property of cutting light having a wavelength of 473 nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 473 nm. Since the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye is longer than the wavelength of the excitation light. Only the fluorescence emitted from the Fluorescein is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 and amplified by the amplifier 26 to an electric signal of a predetermined level. The image data is converted into a digital signal with an appropriate scale factor, and one line of image data is stored in the line buffer 28. When the image data for one line is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 28 to the transmission buffer 29.

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 29 to the image processing device 23, 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 image reading apparatus according to this embodiment, prior to image reading, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, the fourth xenon lamp 24, and the fifth xenon lamp are used. 25
Is turned on for a predetermined time to irradiate the mounting table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 with light including ultraviolet rays to excite them to generate fluorescence. , Mounting table 13,
When the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with the excitation light having a wavelength of 473 nm emitted from the third laser excitation light source 3, the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these becomes weak. Then, it becomes possible to reduce noise in the image data generated by the photodetector 19 detecting the fluorescence.

In the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus further comprises a second light source for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm.
R is a fluorescent dye that can be efficiently excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm.
A fluorescent image of a sample labeled with hodamine B or the like can be read. When reading a fluorescent image of a sample labeled with Rhodamine B or the like, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, and the fourth xenon lamp are used. The lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are turned on, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 1
8 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite them, and these members emit fluorescence.

Next, when the fluorescent dye labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is Rhodamine B,
Depending on the operator, Rhodamine
B is input to the input means 32 and the control unit 3
1, the motor 23 is driven and the filter 22b
Is located in front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19,
The second laser excitation light source 2 is activated, and the laser light 4 from the second laser excitation light source 2 excites Rhodamine B, which labels the sample contained in the gel support 14, and
Fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 05 nm
b, photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19,
Image data is generated in the same manner as when Fluorescein is used as the fluorescent dye. Also in this case, prior to reading the fluorescence image, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time to excite these members to generate fluorescence. Therefore, when reading the fluorescence image, when the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 are irradiated with the excitation light having the wavelength of 532 nm emitted from the second laser excitation light source 2, the light is emitted from them. The intensity of the fluorescent light obtained is reduced, so that it is possible to reduce the noise in the image data generated by the light detector 18 detecting the fluorescent light via the light guide 18.

Further, in this embodiment, the image reading apparatus further includes a first laser excitation light source 1 for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm, and can be efficiently excited by a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm. The fluorescence image of a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye such as Cy-5 can be read. When reading a fluorescence image of a sample labeled with Cy-5 or the like, prior to reading the fluorescence image, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, and the fourth xenon lamp 21 are used. The xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are turned on, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time to excite them, and from these members, Fluorescence is emitted.

Next, when the fluorescent dye labeling the sample contained in the gel support 14 is Cy-5, the operator enters Cy-5 as the type of fluorescent dye by the input means 3.
2, the control unit 31 drives the motor 23, and the filter 22a
After being positioned in front of the light receiving surface of the first laser excitation light source 1, the first laser excitation light source 1 is activated, and the laser light 4 from the first laser excitation light source 1 labels the sample contained in the gel support 14. Cy-5 is excited and fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 667 nm is passed through the filter 22a to the photodetector 19.
Fluoresc as a fluorescent dye
Image data is generated in the same manner as when ein is used. Also in this case, prior to reading the fluorescence image, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 are read.
For a predetermined time, by irradiating light including ultraviolet rays,
Since these are excited to generate fluorescence, when reading the fluorescence image, the mounting table 1 is excited by excitation light having a wavelength of 633 nm emitted from the first laser excitation light source 1.
3. When the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are illuminated, the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these becomes weak,
Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce noise in the image data generated by the photodetector 19 detecting the fluorescence via the light guide 18.

The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises:
Not only the fluorescence image carried on the gel support 14 but also, for example, a fluorescence image carried on a microplate containing a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye in a well can be read. Also when reading the fluorescent image carried on the microplate, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20,
Third xenon lamp 21, fourth xenon lamp 24
Then, the fifth xenon lamp 25 is turned on, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time to excite them, and fluorescent light is emitted from these members. Let it. Then, instead of the gel support 14, a microplate containing a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye in a well is placed on the mounting table 13, and the fluorescence image carried on the gel support 14 is read out in exactly the same manner. And a first laser excitation light source 1, a second laser excitation light source 2, or a third laser excitation light source 3, a filter 22a, 22b or the filter 22c is selected, the fluorescent dye contained in the sample in the well of the microplate is excited by the laser beam 4, and the fluorescence is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19, so that the fluorescence is carried on the microplate. The obtained fluorescence image is read, and image data is generated.

Also in this case, prior to reading the fluorescence image, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 2 are read.
2 is irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time to excite them and generate fluorescence. Therefore, when reading the fluorescence image, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 When the excitation light having a wavelength of 633 nm emitted from the laser excitation light source 1 is irradiated, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the laser excitation light source 1 is weakened. Therefore, the light detector 19 detects the fluorescence via the light guide 18. This makes it possible to reduce noise in the generated image data. 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. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet unit which is an image carrier unit used when reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. As shown in FIG. 6, the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 33 has a stimulable phosphor layer 34 containing a stimulable phosphor formed on one surface and a magnetic layer (not shown) on the other surface. Z)
Is formed of a stimulable phosphor sheet 35 on which a rubber-like magnet sheet (not shown) is adhered on one side, and a support layer 36 made of aluminum or the like. And the magnet sheet of the support plate 36 are adhered and integrated. Stimulable phosphor sheet 35
When reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the sample stage 16, the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 33 is set on the sample stage 16 instead of the image carrier unit 12.

In this embodiment, in the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35, a radiographic image of a radiolabeled substance in a gene utilizing Southern blot hybridization is used. Is recorded.
A radiographic image of a radioactively labeled substance in a gene using the Southern blot hybridization method is accumulated and recorded in the stimulable phosphor layer 34 of the stimulable phosphor sheet 35 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, by a known Southern blotting method, the gel support medium and a transfer support such as a nitrocellulose film are overlapped, and at least a part of the denatured DNA fragment is transferred onto the transfer support, followed by heating and heating. 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 35 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 is The radiation image of the radioactively labeled substance in the sample, which is absorbed by the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35, is accumulated and recorded in the form of an image on the stimulable phosphor layer 34.

When reading a radiographic image of a radiolabeled substance in a gene using the southern blot hybridization method recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35, First, the operator sets the stimulable phosphor sheet unit 33 on the sample stage 16 of the image reading device 15 so that the stimulable phosphor layer 34 faces downward. The image carrier is moved to the position of the image carrier unit 12 in FIG. The control unit 31 outputs a drive signal to the motor 23 in accordance with the instruction signal input to the input means 32, rotates the filter member 22, and moves the filter 22d to a position in front of the light receiving surface of the photodetector 19. After that, the first laser excitation light source 1 is operated. As a result, a laser beam 4 having a wavelength of 633 nm is emitted from the first laser excitation light source 1, and the laser beam 4 passes through the dichroic mirrors 6 and 7, and the beam diameter thereof is accurately adjusted by a beam expander 8. And enters 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 enters the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35. The laser beam 4 scans the stimulable phosphor layer 33 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35 in the main scanning direction indicated by X in FIG. In FIG. 1, since the laser beam 4 is moved in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y, the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35 is scanned by the laser light 4.

Thus, the laser beam 4 having a wavelength of 633 nm
When scanning is performed, the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer 34 formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet 35 is excited to emit stimulable light. The stimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor enters the light guide 18. The stimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor enters the light guide 18 and repeats total internal reflection on the inner surface of the light guide 18 while repeating the emission end 1.
From 8b, the light enters the filter 22d. Here, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter member 22 are irradiated with the reflected or scattered laser light 4 to excite these members and emit fluorescent light. The wavelength of the fluorescent light is excitation light. Longer than 633 nm, while the photostimulable
Since the wavelength is shorter than that of the filter 22d, the filter 22d transmits only light in the wavelength region of stimulating light and cuts light having a wavelength of 633 nm.
, The fluorescence is cut off, and only the photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor layer 34 is photoelectrically detected by the photodetector 19 and amplified by the amplifier 26 to an electric signal of a predetermined level. , A / D converter 27 converts the digital signal into a digital signal with a scale factor suitable for the signal variation width, and sends the digital signal to image processing apparatus 30 via line buffer 28 and transmission buffer 29. Based on the image data input to the image processing device 30, it is displayed as a visible image on a display means such as a CRT. The image data thus generated is stored in an image data storage unit (not shown) as necessary, and analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown).

According to the present embodiment, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21, the fourth xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp are used. By lighting the lamp 25 for a predetermined time, the mounting table 13,
Since the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 are irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays to excite them and generate fluorescence, the reading table 13, the light guide 18 and the filter member 22 have When the excitation light emitted from the first laser excitation light source 1, the second laser excitation light source 2, or the third laser excitation light source 3 is irradiated, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted by excitation of these is reduced.
Therefore, the fluorescence emitted from the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, or the filter member 22 is detected by the photodetector 19, the background noise level is increased, and a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample is read. This makes it possible to read images with high accuracy without becoming difficult.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is also capable of not only reading a fluorescence image in a fluorescence detection system, but also a radiation diagnostic system, an autoradiography system, or a detection system using an electron microscope, a storage fluorescence in a radiation diffraction image detection system, or the like. It is also configured to be usable for reading a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a body sheet. In FIG. 7, the image reading apparatus includes a first laser excitation light source 41 that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm, a second laser excitation light source 42 that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 532 nm, and a second laser excitation light source that emits a laser beam having a wavelength of 473 nm. And three laser excitation light sources 43.
In the present embodiment, the first laser excitation light source 41
The second laser excitation light source 4 is formed by the He-Ne laser light source.
The second and third laser excitation light sources 43 are constituted by second harmonic generation (Second Harmonic Generation) elements.

The laser light 44 generated by the first laser excitation light source 41 passes through the filter 45 and is generated when the fluorescent dye or the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited by the laser light 44 having a wavelength of 633 nm. The portion of the wavelength range corresponding to the wavelength range of the fluorescent or stimulating light to be emitted is cut off. Further, in the optical path of the laser light 44 emitted from the first laser excitation light source 41, a first dichroic mirror 46 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 47 for transmitting light having a wavelength of 473 nm is provided. The laser light 44 generated by the first laser excitation light source 41 and passing through the filter 45 is converted to a first dichroic mirror. 46
Through the second dichroic mirror 47 and the second
The laser light 44 generated from the laser excitation light source 42 of
Reflected by the first dichroic mirror 46,
After the direction is changed by 90 degrees, the laser beam 44 transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 47 and emitted from the third laser excitation light source 43 is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 47, and the direction is 90 degrees. After being changed
Each of them enters the mirror 48.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image carrier unit 49 includes a glass plate 50 and a fluorescent dye placed thereon.
A gel support 51 on which an electrophoretic image of denatured DNA labeled with Fluorescein is recorded. In the image reading device according to the present embodiment,
The image carrier unit 49 is kept stationary, and a mirror 52 having a hole 52a formed in a substantially central part and an optical head 54 having a convex lens 53 for converging the laser beam 44 on the image carrier are moved to support the gel. The entire surface of the body 51 or the stimulable phosphor layer of the stimulable phosphor sheet is configured to be scanned by the laser light 44. Therefore, the mirror 48 is provided with the first laser excitation light source 41 and the second laser Excitation light source 42 or third laser excitation light source 4
The excitation light from No. 3 is guided to the optical head 54. The fluorescence from the gel support 51 or the stimulating light from the stimulable phosphor sheet is detected by two photomultipliers 55 and 56 having different sensitivity characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 7, the laser light 44 reflected by the mirror 48 enters the optical head 54,
After passing through the hole 52a of the mirror 52 having a hole 52a formed in the center, the light is converged by the convex lens 53 onto the surface of the gel support 51 or the stimulable phosphor sheet to excite the fluorescent dye or stimulable phosphor. Then, the fluorescent light emitted from the gel support 51 or the stimulating light from the stimulable phosphor sheet is converted into parallel light by the convex lens 53, and the mirror 5
2 and the gel support 51 from the laser excitation light source.
Alternatively, the light is branched from the optical path toward the stimulable phosphor sheet, guided to the triangular prism mirror 57, reflected in two directions by the triangular prism mirror 57, and guided to the first photomultiplier 55 and the second photomultiplier 56. . The first photomultiplier 55 contains a bi-alkali substance based on K ₂ CsSb activated by oxygen and cesium, and can detect light having a wavelength of 200 nm to 650 nm with high sensitivity. Photomultiplier 56 contains a multi-alkali substance based on Na ₂ KSb activated by a small amount of cesium, and can detect light having a wavelength of 200 nm to 850 nm with high sensitivity. Thus, by providing two photomultipliers 55 and 56 having different wavelengths of light that can be detected with high sensitivity, the first photomultiplier 55 or the second photomultiplier 55 can be selected according to the wavelength of light to be detected. The prior 56 can photoelectrically detect and selectively capture the generated electric signal as image data, thereby improving the sensitivity of the image reading apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 7, a first photomultiplier 55 and a second photomultiplier 56 are provided.
A first filter member 58 and a second filter member 59 are arranged on the front surface of the first filter member 58, respectively. The first filter member 58 includes three filters 58a, 58b, 58
It is constituted by a rotatable disk provided with c. The filter 58a uses the third laser excitation light source 43,
473 is a filter used to excite a fluorescent dye contained in the gel support 51 and read fluorescence.
It has the property of cutting light having a wavelength of nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 473 nm. The filter 58b is
When the fluorescent dye contained in the gel support 51 is excited by using the second laser excitation light source 42 and the fluorescent light is read, the filter is used according to the wavelength of the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent dye, It has the property of cutting light having a wavelength of 532 nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 532 nm. Furthermore, the filter 58c uses the first laser excitation light source 41 to excite the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and This filter is used when reading photostimulated light from a sheet, and has the property of transmitting only light in the wavelength region of photostimulated light emitted from the photostimulable phosphor and cutting light of a wavelength of 633 nm. doing. Second filter member 59
Is constituted by a rotatable disk provided with two filters 59a and 59b. The filter 59a is a filter used when the first laser excitation light source 41 is used to excite the fluorescent dye contained in the gel support 51 and read out the fluorescence, and cuts light having a wavelength of 633 nm. , 633 nm, and has the property of transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 633 nm.
2 is a filter that is used when exciting the fluorescent dye contained in the gel support 51 and reading the fluorescence, according to the wavelength of the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent dye.
It has the property of cutting light having a wavelength of 532 nm and transmitting light having a wavelength longer than 532 nm. Therefore,
The laser excitation light source to be used to excite the fluorescent dye or stimulable phosphor, ie, the type of fluorescent dye and the type of image carrier, ie, the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet or a gel support 51 Depending on the photomultipliers 55 and 56 and the filters 58a and 58
By selectively using b and 58c and the filters 59a and 59b, it becomes possible to detect only the light to be detected with high sensitivity. Here, the first filter member 58 and the second filter member 59 are configured to be rotatable by a first motor 60 and a second motor 61, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, light containing ultraviolet rays is irradiated to the glass plate 50 of the image carrier unit 49 on the side of the position where the image carrier unit 12 is set in the image reading apparatus. A first xenon lamp 62 is provided. The first xenon lamp 62 is arranged so that the entire glass plate 50 can be irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays. In the vicinity of the first filter member 58 and the second filter member 59, a second xenon lamp 85 is provided with a filter 58 of the first filter member 58.
The filters a, 58b, 58c and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59 can be irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays. In this embodiment, the light photoelectrically detected by the first photomultiplier 55 or the second photomultiplier 56 is converted into an electric signal, and is converted into an electric signal by an amplifier 73 having a predetermined amplification factor. After being amplified to an electric signal of the A / D converter 74. The electrical signal is A /
In the D converter 74, the signal is converted into a digital signal with a scale factor suitable for the signal fluctuation width, and is input to the line buffer 75. The line buffer 75 temporarily stores the image data for one scanning line. When the image data for one scanning line is stored as described above, the data is transferred to the line buffer 75. Is output to the transmission buffer 76 having a larger capacity than that of the transmission buffer 76. The transmission buffer 76 is configured to output the image data to the image processing device 77 when image data of a predetermined capacity is stored. . The image data input to the image processing device 77 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).

As shown in FIG. 7, the image reading apparatus is provided with an input means 79 including a control unit 78 and a keyboard, and when reading a fluorescent image recorded on the gel support 51, an operator needs to
When inputting the type of the fluorescent dye contained in the gel support 51 to the input means 79 and reading the radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, the operator By inputting to the input means 79 that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, the control unit 78 automatically causes the first laser excitation light source 1, the second laser excitation light source 2, Laser excitation light source 3
And filters 58a, 58
Image reading is started by selecting any one of b, 58c, 59a, and 59b.

The first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are also connected to the control unit 78.
When a fluorescent emission signal is input from the operator to the input unit 79 when the reading of the fluorescent image is stopped, the control unit 78
The first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on, and the glass plate 50 and the first filter member 5 are turned on.
The eight filters 58a, 58b, 58c and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59 are configured to be irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite and emit fluorescence. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an optical unit 80 including the optical head 54. As shown in FIG. 8, the optical unit 80 is driven by the sub-scanning motor 81 in FIG.
A substrate 82 movable in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y
A main scanning motor 83 fixed on the substrate 82, a driving rotating member 85 fixed to an output shaft 84 of the main scanning motor 83, a driven rotating member 86, a driving rotating member 85 and a driven rotating member 86. The wound wire 87, an optical head base 89 to which the end of the wire 87 is fixed and is movable in the main scanning direction indicated by X in FIG. 8 while being guided by the guide rail 88, And an optical head 54 fixed to the A threaded rod 90 is fixed to the output shaft (not shown) of the sub-scanning motor 81, and the substrate 82 is moved in the sub-scanning direction as the sub-scanning motor 81 rotates. Have been. On the substrate 75, a first photomultiplier 55, a second photomultiplier 56, a first filter member 58, a second filter member 59, a first motor 60, and a second motor 61 are respectively provided. , Has been fixed.

The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above reads an image recorded on the gel support 51 as an image carrier as follows. Prior to reading the fluorescence image, the operator operates the input means 32.
When a fluorescence emission signal is input to the control unit 3,
1 turns on the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 for a predetermined time, and causes the glass plate 50 and the filters 58a and 58 of the first filter member 58 to turn on.
b, 58c and the filter 5 of the second filter member 59
9a, 59b is irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays, and irradiated,
Excite these. As a result, fluorescence is emitted from these members. Thus, an image reading device is configured,
When irradiated with the excitation light, the member emitting the fluorescence is excited by the excitation light and emits the fluorescence before reading the image, so that when the image is read, the excitation light emits the glass plate 50, The first filter member 58 and the second
Even if the filter member 59 is irradiated, the generation of fluorescence from these members is suppressed.

When reading a fluorescent image carried by Fluorescein that labels a sample contained in the gel support 51, the gel support 51 is then moved to a position where the image is read on the upper side of the glass plate 50. So that it adheres to the surface,
Place on glass plate 50. Next, the image carrier unit 49
Is set at a predetermined position of the image reading apparatus, and a fluorescent dye
Enter ein. Fluorescein is most efficiently excited by light having a wavelength of 490 nm, and emits fluorescence in proportion to the amount thereof.
When scein is input, the control unit 78
According to the instruction signal input to the input means 79, the first
A drive signal is output to the motor 60 of the filter 58a.
However, after rotating the first filter member 58 so as to be located in front of the light receiving surface of the first photomultiplier 55, the third laser excitation light source 43 is operated. As a result, the laser light 44 having a wavelength of 473 nm is emitted from the third laser excitation light source 43, and the laser light 44 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 47, is reflected by the mirror 48, and enters the optical head 54. The laser beam 44 incident on the optical head 54 is
a, and is converged on the gel support 51 by the convex lens 53. The optical head 54 includes a main scanning motor 8.
7, the substrate 8 is moved in the main scanning direction indicated by X in FIG.
7 is moved by the sub-scanning motor 81 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by Y in FIG.
Is scanned over the entire surface by a laser beam 44 having a wavelength of 473 nm. As a result, Fluorescein contained in the gel support 51 is excited and emits fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 530 nm.

The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent dye Fluorescein contained in the gel support 51 is reflected by the mirror 52, reflected in two directions by the triangular prism mirror 57, and is reflected by the first photomultiplier 55 and the second photomultiplier 55. The two photomultipliers 56 photoelectrically detect. When an instruction signal for reading an image of a fluorescent dye, Fluorescein, is input to the input unit 44, the control unit 43 photoelectrically detects and generates an electric signal generated by the first photomultiplier 55. Is sent to the line buffer 75 via the amplifier 73 and the A / D converter 74, and the image data for one line is stored in the line buffer 75. When the image data for one line is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 75 to the transmission buffer 76.

The image data obtained by detecting the fluorescence emitted from Fluorescein is output from the transmission buffer 76 to the image processing device 77,
Is displayed as a visible image on a display means such as the like. The displayed image shows DNA labeled with Fluorescein
The image data generated as described above is stored in an image data storage means (not shown) or an image analysis device (not shown) as necessary.
Is parsed by In the present embodiment, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on for a predetermined time, and the glass plate 50, the filter 58a of the first filter member 58, 58b, 58c and second filter member 59
The filters 59a and 59b are previously irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite these members and generate fluorescent light.
0, the first filter member 58 and the second filter member 59 receive 473 emitted from the third laser excitation light source 3.
Even when irradiated with excitation light having a wavelength of nm, these members are excited, the intensity of the emitted fluorescence is reduced, and the fluorescence can be read photoelectrically to reduce noise in the generated image data. become.

The image reading device further comprises
And a second laser excitation light source 42 that emits laser light having a wavelength of 532 nm, and can read an image composed of Rhodamine B, which is a fluorescent dye that can be efficiently excited by the laser light having a wavelength of 532 nm. Prior to the reading of the fluorescent image, the control unit 31 turns on the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 for a predetermined period of time, so that the glass plate 50 and the filters 58a and 58b of the first filter member 58 are turned on. , 58c and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59
Then, light containing ultraviolet rays is irradiated in advance to excite these members to generate fluorescence. Then, the gel support 5
The fluorescent dye that labels the sample contained in No. 1 is Rhodamine
In the case of B, the operator inputs Rhodamine B as the type of fluorescent dye to the input means 79, and the control unit 78 drives the first motor 60 to filter the first photomultiplier 58b. After being located at the front of the light receiving surface of the second laser excitation light source 55, the second laser excitation light source 42 is activated.
Rhodamine B labeling the sample contained in the gel support 51 is excited by the laser light 44 from
Fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of m is emitted. Fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye Rhodamine B contained in the gel support 51 is reflected by the mirror 52, and is reflected in two directions by the triangular prism mirror 57, and the first photomultiplier 55 and the second Photoelectrically detected by the photomultiplier 56.

The control unit 43 includes the input means 4
4, when an instruction signal for reading an image of the fluorescent dye Rhodamine B is input, only the electric signal which is photoelectrically detected by the first photomultiplier 55 and generated is supplied to the amplifier 73 and The data is sent to the line buffer 75 via the A / D converter 74, and the image data for one line is stored in the line buffer 75. When one line of image data is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 75 to the transmission buffer 76. Thus, the image data obtained by detecting the fluorescence emitted from Rhodamine B is output from the transmission buffer 76 to the image processing device 77 and displayed as a visible image on a display means such as a CRT. The displayed image is R
It contains an image of DNA labeled with hodamine B, and the image data generated as described above is stored in image data storage means (not shown) as necessary.
Alternatively, it is analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown).

Also in this case, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on, and the glass plate 50 and the filters 58a and 58b of the first filter member 58 are turned on. The filter 58a and the filters 59a and 59b of the second filter member 59 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite them and generate fluorescence. Therefore, when reading a fluorescent image, the glass plate 50 and the first filter are used. The member 58 and the second filter member 59 are provided with 5 light emitted from the second laser excitation light source 42.
Even when excitation light having a wavelength of 32 nm is irradiated, these are excited and the intensity of the emitted fluorescence is reduced, so that the fluorescence can be read photoelectrically to reduce noise in the generated image data. . The image reading device further comprises:
It has a first laser excitation light source 41 that emits a laser beam with a wavelength of 633 nm, and reads an image of a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye such as Cy-5 that can be efficiently excited by a laser beam with a wavelength of 633 nm. Can be.

Prior to the reading of the fluorescent image, the control unit 31 turns on the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 for a predetermined time, thereby turning on the filter of the glass plate 50 and the first filter member 58. 58a, 58b, 58c and second filter member 59
The filters 59a and 59b are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays in advance to excite these members and generate fluorescence. Next, when the fluorescent dye labeling the sample contained in the gel support 51 is Cy-5, the operator inputs Cy-5 as the type of fluorescent dye to the input means 79, and the control unit 78 After the second motor 61 is driven and the filter 59a is positioned in front of the light receiving surface of the second photomultiplier 56,
The first laser excitation light source 41 is activated, and the laser light 44 from the first laser excitation light source 41 activates the gel support 51.
Cy-5 labeling the sample contained in is excited, and 66
Fluorescence having a peak at a wavelength of 7 nm is emitted.

The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent dye Cy-5 contained in the gel support 51 is reflected by the mirror 52 and is reflected in two directions by the triangular prism mirror 57 to form the first photomultiplier 55. And by the second photomultiplier 56. When the input signal 79 indicates that the instruction signal for reading the image of the fluorescent dye Cy-5 is input to the input unit 79, the control unit 78 is photoelectrically detected by the second photomultiplier 56 and generated. Only the electric signal is sent to the line buffer 75 via the amplifier 73 and the A / D converter 74, and the image data for one line is stored in the line buffer 75. When one line of image data is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 75 to the transmission buffer 76.

The image data obtained by detecting the fluorescence emitted from Cy-5 is output from the transmission buffer 76 to the image processing device 77 and displayed on a display means such as a CRT as a visible image. Is done. The displayed image includes an image of DNA labeled with Cy-5, and the image data generated as described above is stored in image data storage means (not shown) as necessary. Alternatively, the image is analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown). Also in this case, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on, and the filters 58a, 58b, 58c of the glass plate 50 and the first filter member 58 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on. 2
The filter 59a and the filter 59b of the filter member 59 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays to excite them and generate fluorescent light.
0, 53 emitted from the second laser excitation light source 42 is applied to the first filter member 58 and the second filter member 59.
Even when excitation light having a wavelength of 2 nm is irradiated, these are excited and the intensity of the emitted fluorescence is reduced, so that the fluorescence can be read photoelectrically to reduce noise in the generated image data. .

On the other hand, when reading a radiation image, an autoradiography image, a radiation diffraction image or an electron beam image of a subject recorded on the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet, the image carrier Instead of unit 49,
A stimulable phosphor sheet unit (not shown) is set in an image reading device, and for example, a stimulable fluorescent light in which positional information of a radioactive labeling substance in a gene is recorded using a Southern blot hybridization method. The stimulable phosphor sheet on which the body layer is formed is scanned by the laser light 44. As described above, when reading a radiographic image from the stimulable phosphor sheet on which the image of the positional information of the radioactive labeling substance in the sample is recorded, the operator inputs information indicating that the image carrier is the stimulable phosphor sheet. When input to 79, the control unit 78 outputs a drive signal to the first motor 60 so that the filter 58c is located in front of the light receiving surface of the first photomultiplier 55,
After rotating the first filter member 58, the first laser excitation light source 41 is operated. As a result, the surface of the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned by the laser beam 44 having a wavelength of 633 nm in exactly the same manner as the gel support body 51, and The contained stimulable phosphor is excited by the laser light 44, and stimulable light is emitted from the stimulable phosphor. The shining light is a convex lens 5
After being converted into parallel light by 3, the light is reflected by the mirror 52, branched off from the optical path from the laser excitation light source to the stimulable phosphor sheet, guided to the triangular prism mirror 57, and reflected in two directions by the triangular prism mirror 57. , Are photoelectrically detected by the first photomultiplier 55 and the second photomultiplier 56.

When the input means 79 has input that the image carrier is a stimulable phosphor sheet, the control unit 78 photoelectrically detects and generates the electric power generated by the first photomultiplier 55. Only the signal is sent to the line buffer 75 via the amplifier 73 and the A / D converter 74, and the image data for one line is stored in the line buffer 75. When one line of image data is stored, the image data is output from the line buffer 75 to the transmission buffer 76. Thus, the image data obtained by detecting the stimulable light emitted from the stimulable phosphor contained in the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the stimulable phosphor sheet is transmitted from the transmission buffer 76 to the image buffer. Processing unit 7
7 and displayed as a visible image on a display means such as a CRT. The displayed image includes an image of the position information of the radioactively labeled substance in the sample, and the image data generated as described above is stored in an image data storage unit (not shown) as necessary. Alternatively, the image is analyzed by an image analysis device (not shown).

According to the present embodiment, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the first xenon lamp 62 and the second xenon lamp 85 are turned on for a predetermined time so that the glass plate 50 and the first filter member 58 are turned on. The filter 58
a, 58b, 58c and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59 are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays,
Since these are excited to generate fluorescence, the first laser excitation light source 41 and the second
Laser excitation light source 42 or third laser excitation light source 4
Even if the laser excitation light from 3 is applied to the glass plate 50, the filters 58a, 58b, 58c of the first filter member 58 and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59, they are excited and emitted. The intensity of the fluorescence is reduced. Therefore, even if the first photomultiplier 55 or the second photomultiplier 56 detects the fluorescence emitted by the glass plate 50, the first filter member 58, and the second filter member 59, the level of the background noise is low. , So that a weak signal from the fluorescent dye that has labeled the sample is not difficult to read, and a highly accurate image can be read.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes 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 xenon lamp 17, the second xenon lamp 20, the third xenon lamp 21,
The fourth xenon lamp 24 and the fifth xenon lamp 25 are provided, and the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, and the filter members 22a, 22b, 22c of the filter member 22 are provided.
To irradiate 22d with light including ultraviolet light, or
A first xenon lamp 62 and a second xenon lamp 85 are provided, and the glass plate 50 and the filters 58a, 58b, 58c of the first filter member 58 and the filters 59a, 59b of the second filter member 59 contain ultraviolet rays. Although it is configured to irradiate light, it is not always necessary to irradiate all of these members with light including ultraviolet rays.
22b, 22c, 22d, or each filter 58 of the first filter member 58 and the second filter member 59
It may be configured to irradiate only a, 58b, 58c, 59a, 59b with light including ultraviolet rays. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a member including the image reading device irradiates only the filter 22c or the filter 58a, which is used when using 473 nm excitation light that easily generates fluorescence, with light including ultraviolet rays. Conversely, prior to reading the fluorescence image, other members constituting the image reading apparatus other than these members are irradiated with light including ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time to excite and generate fluorescence. You can also.

In the above-described embodiment, the first xenon lamp 17 and the second xenon lamp 17 are provided as means for suppressing the generation of fluorescence from members constituting an image reading device such as a filter member when reading a fluorescent image. A xenon lamp 20, a third xenon lamp 21, a fourth xenon lamp 24 and a fifth xenon lamp 25, or a first xenon lamp 62 and a second xenon lamp 85 are provided. The position and the number where are arranged can be changed as appropriate. Further, in the above embodiment, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the xenon lamp 17 or the like irradiates the member constituting the image reading apparatus such as the filter member 22 with light including ultraviolet rays to excite and excite fluorescence. Although the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these members is reduced at the time of reading the fluorescent image by emitting the fluorescent image, the means for emitting the fluorescent light from these members in advance is not limited to the xenon lamp 17 or the like. A member that emits an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength that is excited by a material that emits fluorescence when excited, such as a member, may be an electromagnetic wave source such as a blue light emitting diode that emits light including ultraviolet light or an electromagnetic wave source that generates a microwave. . Furthermore, if a member such as a filter member made of a material that emits fluorescence when excited by the laser light 4 is heated in advance, even if the laser light 4 is irradiated at the time of reading a fluorescent image, these members can be used. It has been recognized that the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from the laser light is reduced. Therefore, the laser light is not limited to a means that emits an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength that is excited by the laser light 4 and is absorbed by the material that emits the fluorescent light. In the vicinity of members made of a material that emits fluorescence when excited by 4, heaters for heating these members may be attached, and these members may be heated by the heaters before reading the fluorescent image. .

Further, in the above embodiment, prior to reading the fluorescent image, the xenon lamp 17 or the like irradiates the members constituting the image reading apparatus such as the filter member 22 with light including ultraviolet rays to excite the light. The fluorescent light is emitted to reduce the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from these members when reading the fluorescent image.
Instead of the means for emitting fluorescence from these members, the mounting table 13, the light guide 18, the filters 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d of the filter member 22 and the glass plate 5
0, filters 58a and 58 of the first filter member 58
b, 58c and the filter 5 of the second filter member 59
The members 9a and 59b are made of a material that does not easily generate fluorescence even when irradiated with excitation light, for example, a non-fluorescent glass, so that the members constituting the image reading device are excited by the laser light 4 when reading a fluorescent image. Then, emission of fluorescent light can be prevented, or the intensity of fluorescent light can be reduced.

[0072]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus for a fluorescence detection system capable of reading an image with high accuracy while suppressing the generation of unnecessary fluorescence from a filter.

[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 graph showing the relationship between the wavelength and the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a filter when light containing ultraviolet light is irradiated at a wavelength of 473 nm after previously irradiating light containing ultraviolet light for 2 hours.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case where a filter is irradiated with light of 473 nm without previously irradiating light including ultraviolet rays;
5 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength and the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a filter.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an image reading device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an optical unit including the optical head of the image reading device of FIG. 7;

[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 optical filter 6 first dichroic mirror 7 second dichroic mirror 8 beam expander 9 polygon mirror 10 fθ lens DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Reflecting mirror 12 Image carrier unit 13 Mounting table 14 Gel support 15 Image reading device 16 Sample stage 17 First xenon lamp 18 Light guide 18a Light receiving end face 18b Emission end face 19 Photodetector 20 Second xenon lamp 21 Third Xenon lamp 21 22 Filter member 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Filter 23 Motor "24 Fourth Xenon lamp 25 Fifth Xenon lamp 26 Amplifier 27 A / D converter 28 Line buffer 29 Transmission buffer 30 Image processing device 31 Control Unit 32 input means 33 stimulable phosphor sheet unit 34 stimulable phosphor layer 35 stimulable phosphor sheet 36 support plate 41 first laser excitation light source 42 second laser excitation light source 43 third laser excitation light source 44 laser Light 45 Filter 46 First dichroic mirror 47 Second dichroic mirror 48 Mirror 49 Image carrier unit 50 Glass plate 51 Gel support 52 Mirror 52a Hole 53 Convex lens 54 Optical head 55, 56 Photomultiplier 57 Triangular prism mirror 58 First Filter member 58a, 58b, 58c Filter 59 Second filter member 59a, 59b Filter 60 First motor 61 Second motor 62 First xenon lamp 73 Amplifier 74 A / D converter 75 Line buffer 76 Transmission buffer 77 Image processing device 78 Control unit 79 Input means 85 Second xenon lamp

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image carrier unit including a laser excitation light source for emitting a laser beam and an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance excited by the laser and emitting fluorescence. A laser beam scanning unit that scans with the laser beam, a photodetector that photoelectrically detects fluorescence emitted from the image carrier, and emits fluorescence when irradiated with the laser beam. An image reading apparatus comprising: an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates a member with electromagnetic waves. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an excitation light cut filter unit that cuts the laser light, wherein the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit includes:
A first method of irradiating the excitation light cut filter means with an electromagnetic wave;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit. 3. The image carrier unit is formed of a transparent material, further comprising an image carrier mounting table on which the image carrier is mounted, wherein the laser light scanning means is configured to move the image carrier on the image carrier mounting table to the image carrier. From below the image carrier mounting table, it is configured to scan through the image carrier mounting table, and the electromagnetic wave irradiation means includes a second electromagnetic wave irradiation means for irradiating the image carrier mounting table with electromagnetic waves. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A light guide means for condensing fluorescence emitted from the image carrier and guiding the light to the light detection means, wherein the electromagnetic wave irradiation means irradiates the light guide means with an electromagnetic wave. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave irradiating means is constituted by an electromagnetic wave irradiating means for emitting an electromagnetic wave including ultraviolet rays. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave irradiating means is constituted by an electromagnetic wave irradiating means for emitting electromagnetic waves including microwaves. 7. An image carrier unit including a laser excitation light source means for emitting laser light and an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a fluorescent substance excited by the laser light to emit fluorescence. Laser light scanning means for scanning with the laser light,
Light detecting means for photoelectrically detecting the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier, and heating means for heating a member that is excited when the laser light is irradiated and emits the fluorescence. Image reading device. 8. An image carrier unit including a laser excitation light source means for emitting laser light and an image carrier carrying a fluorescent image formed of a substance which is excited by the laser light and emits fluorescence, is emitted from the laser excitation light source means. Laser light scanning means for scanning with the laser light, and light detection means for photoelectrically detecting the fluorescence emitted from the image carrier, at the time of reading a fluorescent image, a member that is easily irradiated with the laser light, An image reading device formed of a material that is hardly excited by the laser light. 9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an excitation light cut filter unit that cuts a laser light formed of a material that is hardly excited by the laser light. 10. The image carrier unit is formed of a transparent material, further comprising an image carrier mounting table on which the image carrier is mounted, wherein the laser beam scanning means is configured to scan the image carrier on the image carrier mounting table with the image carrier. The image carrier mounting table is configured to scan from below the carrier mounting table via the image carrier mounting table, and the image carrier mounting table is formed of a material that is hardly excited by the laser beam. 10. The image reading device according to 9. 11. A light guide means for condensing fluorescence emitted from the image carrier and guiding the collected light to the light detection means, wherein the light guide means is formed of a material which is not excited by the laser light. The image reading device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: