JPS5825362Y2 - Microscope autofocus device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] The present invention relates to an automatic focusing device for a microscope.

Conventional automatic focusing devices for microscopes include a nozzle fixed to the microscope objective lens or a nozzle on the objective lens barrel itself, and these nozzles eject gas such as air onto the stage surface, etc., and respond to changes in the pressure of the gas. 2. Description of the Related Art Devices are known that perform focusing by moving an objective lens or a stage up and down.

To explain an example of this, as shown in FIG.
A gas is injected onto the cover glass 3 of the specimen from a nozzle 2 fixed to the holder, and the pressure of this gas is measured by the detector 4.
Objective lens 1 or stage 5 based on the difference from the set value
Focusing is performed by moving the lens up and down.

If the distance between the objective lens 1 and the cover glass 3 changes, the distance d from the tip of the nozzle 2 to the cover glass 31 changes, but this also changes the pressure of the gas ejected from the nozzle 2.

Therefore, if the gas pressure when the objective lens 1 is accurately focused is determined in advance, the distance between the objective lens and the cover glass can be determined based on the comparison with this pressure, and the distance d between the nozzle and the cover glass can be determined. It can be automatically adjusted to the value of .

Another known automatic focus adjustment device using this principle is shown in FIG.

A lens barrel 1' is further provided as a bud of the objective lens 1, and a tube 6 is connected to this lens barrel 1', through which gas is fed and passed between the objective lens 1 and the lens barrel 1'.
Gas is ejected from the tip toward the surface of the cover glass 3.

In the case of this conventional example as well, by detecting the gas pressure, focusing can be performed automatically in exactly the same way as in the case of the above-mentioned example.

In these conventional examples, the nozzle and lens barrel for ejecting gas are fixed to the objective lens, and a tube or other device for feeding the gas is connected to this.

Therefore, in the case of a microscope equipped with multiple objective lenses, it is necessary to connect a tube or the like to each objective lens, which not only complicates the apparatus, but also requires the use of tubes, etc. to convert each objective lens. When the revolver is rotated, the tubes connected to each objective lens obstruct the operation.

Furthermore, when gas is ejected from a nozzle for automatic focus adjustment, the gas may also eject from objective lenses other than the objective lens being used, causing problems.

In order to eliminate this, it is necessary to provide a valve to stop the air blowing in the air blowing tube or the like corresponding to each objective lens, which inevitably makes the system even more complicated.

The present invention was devised to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it involves blowing gas from the top of the objective lens and ejecting it from the tip of the objective lens, so that the tip of the objective lens and the specimen move in response to changes in the pressure of the gas. The present invention provides an automatic focusing device for a microscope that adjusts the focus by keeping the interval constant.

The specific contents of the present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated embodiments.

In FIG. 3, 11 is a lens frame holding an objective lens, 12 is a lens barrel that supports the lens frame 11 and surrounds its outer periphery, and is attached to a revolver 13, which will be described later, and its inner wall. A gas flow path is formed in the space 11a between the outer wall of the lens frame 11 and communicates with a through hole 14b forming an optical path within the arm, which will be described later. A ventilation opening is formed.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a revolver to which each objective lens 11 is attached together with the lens barrel 12. A ring-shaped concave groove 13a of an appropriate depth is formed in the upper part of the revolver, and a ring-shaped groove 13a of an appropriate depth is formed in the lower part. A mounting hole 13b is formed.

14 is an arm with a revolver in the part that becomes the optical path of the microscope.
It has a protrusion 14a that is inserted into thirteen ring-shaped grooves 13a.

The arm 14 is attached to the arm 14 so that the protrusion 14a thereof is inserted into the ring-shaped groove 13a of the revolver 13, and the revolver 13 is rotatable about the rotation axis.

Reference numeral 15 indicates a ventilation opening having one end communicating with a through hole 14b which becomes the optical path of the microscope in the arm 14, and a ventilation tube 16 connected to the other end, and reference numeral 17 a transparent glass for preventing gas from flowing out. A plate 18 is a specimen placed on a stage 19, and 20 is a microscope observation barrel.

The ventilation opening 15, the through hole 14b forming an optical path within the arm, and the space 11a within the barrel of the objective lens communicate with each other to form a gas flow path.

Note that one end of the ventilation tube 16 is connected to a ventilation pump, a pressure detection device, etc., as in the conventional example.

In the device having the structure as described above, the ventilation tube 16
．． If more gas is blown, the gas passes through the ventilation opening 15 and the through hole 14b in the arm, and enters the space between the lens frame 11 and the lens barrel 12 from the ventilation port formed above the lens frame 11 used for observation. The liquid is ejected from the spout at the tip.

By detecting the pressure of this injected gas, automatic focus adjustment of the microscope objective lens can be performed in the same manner as briefly explained in the conventional example.

When exchanging the objective lens used for observation, the other objective lens is positioned on the optical axis of the microscope by rotating the revolver 13, and the focus adjustment force is dynamically performed using exactly the same means as described above. .

In this case, since the air blowing tube 16 is connected to the air blowing opening 15 provided in the arm 14, rotation of the revolver is not hindered at all.

Furthermore, if the contact surfaces of the revolver 13 and the arm 14 are brought into close contact with each other and each objective lens is airtightly attached to the revolver, gas will not leak out together with the gas outflow prevention glass 17 out of the gas passage described above.

The one shown in FIG. 4 is another embodiment in which a ventilation opening 1 connects a through hole 14b in an arm 14 and a ventilation tube 16.
The only difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that 5' is formed at the rear of the arm, and the rest is completely the same.

According to this embodiment, since the air blowing tube 16 is not on the viewer's side, operability is further improved.

In the embodiment, the revolver 13 is provided with a ring-shaped groove 13a, and the arm 14 is provided with a protrusion 14a, but these portions may not have the structure shown in the drawings.

That is, the revolver 13 may be provided with only each objective lens mounting hole, and the arm 14 may simply be in contact with a plane.

In this case, if the contact surface between the revolver and the arm is made airtight, there is no risk of gas leaking out.

However, it cannot be said that the structure as shown in FIG. 3 provides better airtightness.

As explained above, according to the automatic focusing device of the microscope of the present invention, gas is introduced through the ventilation opening provided in the arm, which is a stationary member, and is ejected from the tip of the objective lens. Even for microscopes equipped with multiple objective lenses, only one air tube is required, which improves operability by preventing the tube from drying out when exchanging objective lenses. It becomes possible to focus on the specimen on the axis, improving the performance of the microscope itself.

Note that the distance from the tip of the objective lens to the specimen view when accurately focused differs depending on the objective lens.

Therefore, the pressure of the gas also changes. Therefore, it is necessary to change the reference pressure as the objective lens is replaced.

Also, if the structure of the objective lens is made different depending on each objective lens, such as by changing the size of the gas outlet at the tip of the lens barrel, it is possible to avoid changing the reference pressure at the same time as changing the objective lens. good.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional automatic focusing device for a microscope, respectively, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of each embodiment of the automatic focusing device for a microscope according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Lens frame, 12... Lens barrel, 13... Revolver-114... Arm, 15... Ventilation opening, 1
6...Blower tube, 17...Glass for preventing gas outflow, 18...Specimen.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In an automatic focusing device for a microscope, which maintains a constant distance between the objective lens and the specimen based on changes in the pressure of gas by ejecting gas from the tip of the objective lens, an optical path is set in the arm that pivots the revolver. A ventilation opening communicating with the through hole forming the objective lens is provided, and a space communicating with the through hole is provided between the lens frame of the objective lens and the lens barrel, and the air flow is communicated with the through hole through the through hole. An automatic focusing device for a microscope, characterized in that the gas sent into the air blowing opening is ejected from the tip of the objective lens.