JPS5971018A - Automatic microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve inspection efficiency by providing an information processing means which supplies relative data to a display and recording means according to a sample number read on the way of automated conveyance of a slide glass. CONSTITUTION:When a slide glass storage cassette 2 is stored in an elevator 3, the slide glass 1 is fed out by a lever 5 and the sample number on the slide glass 1 is read. Then, the slide glass 1 is conveyed by an air chuck 11 to a slide-glass passing part 17, where it is set on an XY stage 19 moved thereto in advance; the slide glass is carried by this stage 19 to the center of the optical axis of a microscope 18 and observed by a television camera 30. Information processing such as information retrieval is performed on the basis of the sample number and the obtained data is displayed on a color monitor as well as the sample and sample number and recorded when necessary.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic microscope device that automates the insertion of a microscope slide glass stage, microscope operation, specimen identification, etc.

In conventional microscope apparatuses, a sample made of a slide glass is generally manually set on the stage of a W4 copying mirror, which can be dangerous if the toxic sample comes into contact with the user's hands. In addition, since sample identification, sample setting, microscope operation, and sample storage were performed manually, it was very time consuming and required skill. Furthermore, since the eyes were placed directly into the eyepiece of the microscope for observation, it was extremely tiring and the observation time was limited to about 4 hours a day. Furthermore, since it does not have means for automatically reading or displaying the identification number of the sample, it is very inconvenient to confirm the identification of the sample and to obtain and record information regarding the sample.

In view of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic microscope apparatus that can improve inspection efficiency by providing a sample number reading means and an information processing means.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the automatic microscope apparatus of the present invention, where 1 is a microscope slide glass (Prepara-1-);
Reference numeral 2 denotes a slide glass storage cassette containing a plurality of slide glasses 1, for example, 50 slide glasses, 3 a cassette elevator that vertically raises and lowers the cassette 2, and 4 a drive for driving the cassette elevator 3 via a transmission means such as a timing belt. This is a cassette elevator drive motor. 5 is a slide glass feeder that temporarily stops the slide glasses 1 in the cassette 2 one by one and sends out the slides horizontally to the position of the air chunk delivery point 6. A slide glass feed lever 8 is a slide glass feed drive motor that drives both the above-mentioned levers 5 and 7 via a continuous arm 8.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a sample number reading television camera that reads the sample number of the slide glass 1, which will be described later, sent to the delivery point 6. The sample number read by this camera 10 is displayed on a color monitor, which will be described later. 11 is an air chuck that attaches and detaches the slide glass 1 by vacuum suction; 12 is an air chuck lifting motor that lowers the air chuck 11 in the vertical direction via a transmission means such as a timing belt; and 13
1 is an air chuck carriage to which an air chuck 11 and a moving motor 12 are attached and slides horizontally along a guide rail 14; 15 is a slide glass transport motor; The slide glass l attracted by the control valve 11 is conveyed from the air chuck delivery point 6 to the slide glass delivery point 17 and in the opposite direction. Pleasure control by the air chuck 11 is performed by a switching solenoid valve (air control valve, not shown) interposed in a passage between the air chuck 11 and a vacuum pump or vacuum tank (not shown).

18 is a microscope such as an ultra-wide-field biological microscope, 1
9 C Microscope t8 No
1LtXY stage drive motor that horizontally moves the XY stage 19 in the arrow X and Y directions in the figure; 22 is a stage chuck with a lever mechanism that fixes the slide glass 1 at a predetermined position on the XY stage 18; 23 is a stage chuck 2
This is a slide glass presser lever drive motor (stage chunk drive motor) that opens and closes the second lever.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a plurality of objective lenses of the microscope 18 with different magnifications. For example, each objective lens 24 of 4 times, 10 times, 20 times, 40 times, and 100 times is selected by the drive of the revolver rotation drive motor 25. Coincides with the optical axis of 18, ×Y
It faces the through hole (observation hole) 26 of the stage 18. 27
is a Z-axis drive motor, and by vertically moving the arm 29 of the microscope 18 in the Z direction of the figure through the transmission means, the distance between the ×Y stage 19 and the objective lens 24 is changed, and the focus is ).

30 is, for example, a three-tube color television camera attached to the image point side of one optical path 31 of the microscope 18; 32 is the same as the television camera 30 attached to the image point side of the other optical path 33 of the microscope 18; - A focal photography device M (still camera); 34 is an optical path switching drive motor that switches the above-mentioned optical paths 31 and 33 to either one via a mirror or prism (not shown); 35 is integrated with the photography device 32; This is an attached eyepiece lens, and it is also possible to take a photograph while observing the image directly through the eyepiece lens 35. In addition, the image of the specimen on the slide glass 1 is captured by a color television camera 3.
0 on a color monitor, which will be described later.

36 is a microscope light source, 37 is a reflection mirror that changes the direction of the light flux from the light source 36 toward the objective lens 24, and 38 is an ND (neutral density) filter 39 for limiting the amount of incident light.
There is a metalet drive motor for the NO filter that rotates the NOO filter turret, 40 is this sagging, )H at every predetermined angle, and the amount of incident light reflected by the mirror 37 is selected by driving the motor 40. It is adjusted by an ND filter 38. Reference numeral 41 denotes a condenser lens switching unit that turns on and off a condenser lens for condensing, which will be described later, via a rotary port 42, and 43 a condenser lens switching motor that drives the condenser lens switching unit 41 via a transmission means such as a belt. , 44 is a main body mounting frame.

Next, the position sensor for control will be explained. A is a cassette presence sensor installed in the cassette elevator 3 and detects whether the slide glass storage cassette 2 is attached, and B is a sensor that detects whether the cassette 2 has reached the upper limit movement position via the elevator 3. Cassette upper limit sensor, C
is a cassette lower limit sensor that detects whether or not the cassette 2 has reached the lower limit movement position via the elevator 3; Slide glass presence sensor detects the presence or absence of supply, E is cassette upper eye sensor B
A slide glass number sensor is disposed near the slide glass l to detect the number of slide glasses l one by one, F is a slide class feed sensor, G is a slide glass feed sensor, and sensors F and G are slide glass feed and feed drives. The feeding or feeding of the slide glass 1 is detected based on the rotation angle of the motor 8.

H is an air chuck receiving position sensor that detects whether the air chuck carriage 13 has reached the air chuck delivery point 6; ■ is a rotation angle of the lowering motor 12; J is an air chuck upper limit sensor that detects whether or not the air chuck 11 has reached the lowering limit position based on the rotation angle of the lifting motor 12.

K is a stage x bearing number sensor that detects whether the XY stage 19 has reached the slide glass delivery point 17;
is a stage X vehicle observation point sensor that detects whether or not the XY stage 19 has reached an observation point that is approximately in the middle of the x-axis, h is a stage X vehicle observation point sensor that detects whether or not the N is the stage Y-axis observation point sensor that detects whether the ×Y stage 19 has reached the observation point approximately in the middle of the Y-axis; 0 is the stage Y-axis observation point sensor that detects whether the A stage Y-axis positive limit sensor that detects whether the limit position on the positive side of the Y-axis direction has been reached; P is a stage Y that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the limit position on the negative side of the Y-axis direction. @Minus side limit sensor. Q is stage chuck 2
This is a stage chuck opening/closing sensor that detects opening/closing of stage chuck 2.

R is a revolver sensor for the objective lens that detects the switching of the objective lens 24 by the rotation angle of the motor 25 or the rotation angle of a revolver (not shown), and S is the Z sensor that detects whether the arm 28 of the microscope 18 is located at the Z-axis origin. Z-axis single-point sensor detects the rotational position of the axis-driven morph 2, T is the TV camera moonlight axis 31
and an optical axis switching confirmation sensor U that detects switching of the optical axis 33 for the still camera using the rotation angle of the optical axis switching drive motor 34.
3 is a turret sensor for NO filter which detects the 9J change of ND filter 3rd by the turret 390 rotation angle.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the slide glass 1 shown in FIG.
0 is a sample number area where at least one of a barcode 50a indicating a sample number and an OCR (optical read) character 50b is written; 51 is a sample area where a sample to be observed is placed; 52 and 53 are a pair of air channels 11. This is the area of the air chuck that attracts air. Inspection by automatic conveyance is usually performed using a slide glass 1 of a standard size prepared in advance, but it is also possible to manually set a slide glass 1 that is approximately twice the size of the standard on the XY stage 19 and inspect it. can.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the main part configuration of the light amount conversion mechanism shown in FIG. 1,
Here, 60 is a condenser lens, which is rotated by a rotary rod 42 via an arm 61, and when at the solid line position, coincides with the optical axis and condenses the amount of light that has passed through the ND filter.
At the broken line position 62, it is off the optical axis and is in the off state. For example, the condenser lens 60 has four objective lenses 24.
The objective lens 24 is moved to the off position 62 shown by the broken line when the magnification is 40x, 10x and 20x, and to the on position shown by the solid line when the magnification is 40x and 100x. 63 is a condenser lens diaphragm that narrows down the amount of light to the condenser lens 60, 64 is a gear 65
This is a condenser lens diaphragm motor that adjusts the aperture value by rotating the diaphragm 63 via the diaphragm 63. Also,
W is a condenser lens aperture sensor that detects the aperture value based on the rotation angle of the gear 65. The aperture value is predetermined to be the best value according to the magnification of the objective lens 24, and the condenser lens 60 is switched and the aperture is set in conjunction with the selection of the objective lens 24 according to preset conditions described later.

90 is a second operation panel (operation panel B). First, to explain the first m-th operation panel 70, 71 is an objective lens selection switch consisting of a plurality of keys, and each objective lens 2 having various magnifications is
By pressing the switch corresponding to 4, the objective lens 24 of an arbitrary magnification is selected. Reference numeral 72- is a stop switch used to temporarily stop the apparatus in case of an emergency, etc. When pressed once, all operations of the apparatus are stopped, and when pressed again, operation is resumed and the process proceeds to the next sequence. 73 is a reset switch, and when the apparatus is stopped automatically or by the stop switch 72 due to some malfunction, after eliminating the cause of the stop and removing the slide glass 1, pressing this reset switch 73 restarts the control (software) and operation. returns to the initial starting point. 74 is a display switch, and when this switch 74 is pressed, the sample number of the slide glass I is mixed with the video signal of the specimen and displayed on a color monitor to be described later.

75 is a cassette 2 that stores the slide glass 1 after observation.
This is an inspection end switch used when storing the glass slides in the original storage cassette 2. When this switch 75 is pressed when specifying sequential transport (described later), the slide glasses 1 on the XY stage 19 are stored in the original storage cassette 2, and then the first order slide glass l
is automatically carried out from the case lift 2 and transferred to the XY stage l.
9, inserted in h. Reference numeral 76 is a start switch used when transporting the glass slides 1 from the storage cassette 2, and is pressed when transporting the first glass slide 1 when sequential transport is specified. A vacuum indicator 77 lights up while the air chuck 11 is sucking the slide glass 1. Reference numerals 78 and 78 are focus switches used to finely adjust the focus after the preset focus, which will be described later. When the switch 78 with an upward arrow is pressed, the Z-axis drive motor 27 is moved to a distance corresponding to the suppression time. As a result, the objective lens 24 moves up A,
When the switch 78 with a downward arrow is pressed, the Z-axis drive motor 27 lowers the objective lens 24 to a distance corresponding to the suppression time.

80 is 10 numerical keys from °°0゛' to "9"
Numeric keys 81 to 84 are function keys consisting of a extraction key, a preset focus key, an initial magnification setting key, and a clear key. The extraction key 81 is an input key used to specify random conveyance, and is a sequential/random switch 91 (described later) on the second operation panel 90.
After selecting Random, use the numeric keypad 80 to input any numerical value, for example from 1 to 50, and press the extract key 81 to select the slide glass 1 of the rank corresponding to the input value. is transported from the storage cassette 2 and set on the XY stage 19. The preset focus key 82 is an input key used to set a focus value in advance, and after setting the slide glass l on the stage 18, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. Set the memory/repeat switch 82 to the memory side (step S1), select the objective lens 24 with the objective lens select switch 71 (steps S2 and S3), and focus switch 78.
After manually fine-tuning the focus using steps 78 and 78 (step S4), when the preset focus key 82 is pressed (step S5), the focus setting value of the selected objective lens 24 is stored in the memory (step 520).
. Normally, the focus setting values for all objective lenses 24 are stored in the same manner as described above (steps S6 to S520). You can also change the setting value using the same method. After completing the preset phonics settings, press the memory/repeat switch 8.
2 to the repeat side (step 521).b The initial magnification setting key 83 is an input key used to select the objective lens 24 in advance when it is set on the slide glass 1 or the XY stage 19. As shown in the flowchart in Fig. 7, set the memory/repeat switch 82 to the memory side (step 531), and press the objective lens select I switch 71 to select the objective lens 2 from A'° to II E 11.
After selecting one of the objective lenses 24 (step 532), when the initial magnification setting key 83 is pressed (step 533), the selection of the objective lens 24 is stored in the memory (step 534). After completing the settings, press the memory repeat switcher 82.
is switched to the repeat side (step 535). The clear key 84 is a function key used to clear the human power value of the numeric keypad 80.

Next, the second operation panel 80 shown in FIG. This switch is used to switch between the random conveyance method and the random conveyance method in which the selected slide glasses are individually sent to the stage 18 and set. That is, when the sequential/random switch 81 is switched to the sequential side, the storage cassette 2 is set in the cassette elevator 3, and the start switch 78 is pressed,
The first slide glass l in the storage cassette 2 is carried out and inserted into the stage chuck 22 of the stage 18, and a microscopic image taken by a color television camera 30 is displayed on a color monitor to be described later. Next, when the inspection end switch 75 is pressed, the slide glass 1 at stage 19'' is stored in the original storage cassette 2 and moved to the next rank, that is, the second
The first slide glass 1 is conveyed onto the stage 19 and set thereon.

After that, press the inspection end switch 7 until the last slide glass l.
Each time 5 is pressed, the next slide glass 1 is taken out from the cassette 2 and set on the stage 19.

On the other hand, in the case of random mode setting, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 81 (step 543), the numeric keypad 80
The slide glass l of the order corresponding to the number selected is conveyed from the cassette 2 and set on the stage 18 (step 544). Next, the inspection end switch 75
When you press , the slide glass l on the stage 18 is stored in the original storage cassette 2, and the numeric keypad 80 and extraction key 8 are pressed.
Wait for the next command by 1. Note that if slide glass 1 with the specified number is not in storage cassette 2, for example, if only 40 slide glasses l are stored in cassette 2 and the number '41°' is specified, , the cassette elevator 3 reaches the specified number position and stops, and at the same time displays READY on a liquid crystal panel (display) (not shown) and waits for the next command.

When the memory/repeat switch 92 is switched to the memory side, the preset focus key 82 on the first operation panel 70
The set value or updated value by the initial magnification setting key 83 is stored in a memory (not shown). Normally, the switch 92 is set to the repeat side. 83 is the main power switch;
Pressing this switch 93 turns on the power to the entire device, and pressing it again turns off the power. 34 is an automatic/manual switch, and when it is switched to the automatic side, the slide glass 1 is automatically transported. 6 When observing a slide glass 1 other than the standard, the automatic/manual switch 84 is switched to the manual side, and the slide glass 1 is transported automatically. 1 is manually set on stage 18. 95 is a camera/color switch that switches between the color TV camera 30 and the color bar; after turning on the main power switch 93, it is set to the color par side for a predetermined period of time, for example, 3 minutes, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the camera side is When you switch to , the image will appear on the monitor described below. Note that it is preferable to switch the switch 85 to the color par side before turning off the main power after all observations are completed.

Reference numeral 98 is a TV camera/still camera switch that switches the optical paths 31 and 33 of the W4 microscope 18. When using the TV camera 30, it is set on the TV camera side, and when using the still camera 32 to take pictures. Switch to the still camera side. By switching this switch 86, the optical path switching drive motor 34 is driven and the optical paths 31 and 33 are switched to either one. 87 is an automatic white balance switch that automatically adjusts the white balance of the color television camera 30;
When you take a picture of the area that is not covered and press this automatic mortar switch 87, the light on the millstone will turn on for 2 to 3 seconds, and then it will turn off.

White balance adjustment is complete. Note that this adjustment is normally performed before using the device, and other operations are suspended while the lamp of the switch 97 is lit.

A joystick 98 is capable of moving the X'Y stage 18 in any direction in the xY direction, and the moving speed of the XY stage 19 changes depending on the angle at which the joystick 98 is tilted.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the control section of the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG.
and a CPU circuit 110 that controls the drive of the control motor in response to the button operations of 90 and the detection signals of sensors A to W.
A sample number reading circuit 120 reads the coded sample numbers 50a and 50b on the slide glass 1 and converts them into a display pattern, an interface circuit 130 interfaces with an external information processing device to be described later, and the reading circuit 120 reads the coded sample numbers 50a and 50b on the slide glass 1 and converts them into a display pattern. A video mixer circuit 140 that mixes the sample number and a video signal (image signal) from the television camera 30, a camera control circuit 150 that processes the video signal from the television camera 30, and a video switch that controls image signal switching.・Sochi circuit 1
60.

Reference numeral 170 denotes a slide glass transport motor group drive circuit, which drives the slide glass transport motor group 180 in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the CPU circuit 110. This motor group 180 includes the first illustrated motors 4.8.12 and 15. Reference numeral 190 denotes a slide glass conveyance sensor group that detects the conveyance operation of the slide glass l and supplies the detection signal to the CPU circuit 110, and this sensor group 180 includes sensors A to J shown in the first diagram.

A microscope motor group drive circuit 200 drives a microscope motor group 210 that is involved in automatic operation of the microscope 18 in response to a drive signal supplied from the CPU circuit 110.

This motor group 210 includes motors 20, 21 shown in the first diagram,
23, 25, 27, 34, 40.43 and 84 are included. 220 is a group of microscope sensors that detects the operation state of the microscope 18 and supplies the detection signal to the CPU circuit 110, and this sensor group 220 includes the sensor -W shown in the first diagram.

230 is an information processing device, and the interface circuit 13
Information processing such as information retrieval is performed based on the sample number of the slide glass 1 supplied from 0. 240 is information processing device 2
This keyboard printer has an input key for inputting various commands and data to the information processing device 230, and a printer for recording image data and search data supplied through the information processing device 230 on recording paper. 250 is a digital or analog external storage device such as a frame memory or a magnetic disk, which stores and reads various data including video through the information processing device 230.

260 is a color monitor such as a CRT display,
A color image of the specimen supplied from the color television camera 30 through the camera control circuit 150 and the video switch circuit 160, the sample number reading circuit 120, the video mix circuit 140, and the video switch circuit 18.
0, the slide glass sample number supplied from the sample number reading camera 10 is displayed.

The color monitor 260 also includes the information processing device 230, the interface circuit 130, and the video switch circuit 180.
Through this, data such as image data and medical history examples supplied from the external storage device 250 can be displayed. For example, a reference pattern of normal or abnormal, which is a microscopic image of a normal specimen (specimen) or an abnormal specimen, which serves as a judgment criterion for testing, is stored in the external storage device 250, and a key manual command from the keyboard printer 240 is used during testing. The reference pattern is read out from the external storage device 250 and monitored at any time.
0 can be displayed. In this case, a so-called two-split screen display system is adopted, and the reference pattern is displayed on the left screen of the monitor 260, and the image of the specimen from the television camera 30 is displayed on the right screen, making comparative observation easier. In addition, reference data such as medical history regarding each slide glass 1 is stored in the external storage device 250 with a sample number attached, and the reference data is stored at any time during the examination by manual key command from the keyboard printer 240 or according to the sample number. It can be read from the external storage device 250 and displayed on the monitor 280.

Microscopic images captured by the television camera 3o are transmitted to the camera control circuit 150 and the video switch circuit 18.
Q, the ink face circuit 130, and the information processing device 230
The data can then be stored in the external g++ storage device 250. At this time, a code signal from the sample number reading circuit +20 may be used as the sample number serving as the search number.

Note that, in addition to dot printers such as color jet printers and color thermal printers, electrostatic color printers are also suitable as the keyboard printer 240 described above.

It is also preferable to provide a third operation panel and an independent printer in place of the keyboard printer 240, and configure the third operation panel to issue instructions for data processing through the CPU circuit 110. In addition, the slide glass sample number read by the sample number reading circuit +20 is supplied to the CPU circuit 110 during the aforementioned random transport, and only when this number matches the sample number specified by the numeric keypad 80 of the first operation panel 7o, the slide glass sample number is read by the sample number reading circuit +20. Glass 1 to XY stage 1
It is also preferable to transport the paper to the 9th stage.

FIG. 1θ shows an example of the transport-related drive command system shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 shows an example of the microscope-related drive command system shown in FIG. Note that some of the motors and sensors are shown overlappingly in order to clarify the correspondence with key human power. Here, the CPU circuit 110 includes a ROM (read only memory) 111 that stores control programs and preset data, and a CPU (central processing unit) that performs necessary arithmetic processing.
112, and motor group drive circuits 170 and 200.
has a plurality of motor drive circuits +71 or 201, each individually corresponding to each motor. Furthermore, 202 and 203 are semi-fixed speed adjustment variable resistors that adjust the speed of the XY stage 19. Optical path switching motor 34
, sensor T, condenser lens diaphragm motor 64, and sensor W (see FIG. 1) are omitted from illustration.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the monitor display means shown in FIG. 9,
Here, the sample number reading circuit 120 includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 121 that digitizes the read signal;
Video memory 122 with character patterning and storage functions
, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 123 that converts character pattern signals into analogs. The video mix circuit 140 includes video switches 141 and 142 that switch between the sample number signal and the video signal, amplifiers 143 and 144 that amplify the signal, and a mixing circuit (MIX) 145 that combines the sample number signal and the video signal. have

Therefore, the barcode 50a and OCR characters 50b (see Fig. 2) indicating the sample number are read by the sample number reading camera 10, digitized by the A/D converter 121 and video memory 122, and then D/A The converter 123 converts it into a character pattern signal (sample number signal) for monitor display. Note that sample number data supplied to the information processing device (external CPU) 230 via the interface circuit 130 is supplied from the video memory 122. Then,
The sample number signal sent from the D/A converter 123 is sent to the MIX 14 via the video switch 141 and the amplifier 143.
5, video switch 142 and amplifier 14
Color TV camera 3 supplied to the old x145 via 4
It is combined with the video signal from 0 and sent to the video switch circuit 18.
0 and then displayed on the color monitor 260. At this time, by switching the video switches 141 and 142, only the sample number or only the image of the specimen can be selectively displayed on the color monitor 260.

On the other hand, the video switch circuit 160 includes amplifiers 1f31R, 161G, 161B, 181N, which amplify the input signal.
165R, 185B.

167G and 167N, a waiting time pattern generator 162 that generates a display pattern indicating that the waiting time is on hold such as [Please wait for a while], and a video switch that switches output signals in accordance with a control signal. 18
3,184,166G and 166N. Here, the R, G, and B mentioned in the instruction numbers above are each R.
, G, B (red, clean, blue) signals,
N corresponds to an NTSC signal.

The video signal sent from the color camera 30 passes through the camera control circuit 150, is amplified by the amplifier 181RN1BlB, is supplied to the video switch 163, and is sent from the waiting time pattern generator 162 by the video switch 163, which operates according to the operating state. The waiting time pattern signal and the selected output are output. The R and B signals sent out from the video switch 163 are sent to the amplifier 165R or 165B.
After being amplified by the color monitor 260 and converted into an image, the G signal and the NTSC signal are sent to the video mix circuit 140 via the video switch 184 in order to display the image and sample number in a composite manner. The signal is supplied to switch 142. The output signal from the old X145 of the video mix circuit 140 described above is then supplied to video switches 166G and 166N to convert the G signal or NTS signal directly supplied from the video switch 163.
It is output selectively with the C signal. At that time, video switch 16
4゜142.166G and 166N are color monitor 2
60(7) RSB shown by the broken line supplied from the switch section
/Performs switching operation according to the NTSC switching signal. The output signal from video switch 166G or 166N is amplified by amplifier 187G or 167N, and then supplied to color monitor 280 for image display.

Next, the timing of displaying images on the color monitor 260 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 13(A) to 13(H) showing an example of the operation shown in FIG. 12.

First, until the slide glass 1 is transported to the temporary stop point 6, the color monitor 280 displays the above-mentioned waiting time pattern "
"Please wait for a while" (diagonal diagram in FIG. 13 (H)), (period TI). Next, when the slide crow 1 is transported to the temporary stop point 6, the sample number captured by the camera 10 is stored in the video memory 122 in response to the generation of a temporary stop signal from the sensor F (see FIG. 13(A)).
(See Figure 13 (G)).
60 (rectangular wave diagram in FIG. 13(H)), (period T2).

The above-mentioned sample number is displayed until the end of the preset focus processing, and when the preset focus end signal is generated (see FIG. 13(B)), the color television camera 30
An enlarged image (microscope image) of the specimen on the slide glass 1 on the ×Y stage 19 is displayed on the monitor 260 (
Vertical stripe diagram in FIG. 13()l), (period T3). When the objective lens exchange is instructed by the objective lens select switch 71, the objective lens exchange signal is generated and the objective lens exchange signal shown in FIG. 13 (
In response to this, the screen of the monitor 260 is changed to the waiting time pattern described in i (i) read from the video memory 122. This waiting time pattern is displayed until the end of the preset focus (see FIG. 13(D)). ), (period T4
). After the preset focus is completed, the microscope image is displayed on the monitor 260 in the same manner as described above (period T5).

Also, if you press the display switch 74 to instruct the display of the sample number, the display signal will not be generated and the first
3(E)), and the sample number is accordingly synthesized with the microscope image and displayed on the monitor 260 (composite diagram of the rectangular wave and diagonal lines in FIG. 13(H)) (period T6). This display continues until the next display signal indicating the end of display occurs (see FIG. 13(E)). After the display ends, the microscope image is displayed on the monitor 260 again (period T7). When the sample inspection is completed and the inspection end switch 75 is pressed, an end signal is generated (see FIG. 13(F)), and in response, the screen of the monitor 260 is returned to the initial waiting time pattern (period TI).

Next, an example of the operation of the device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14(A) to 14(C).

First, turn on (close) the main power switch 83 of the second operation panel (operation panel B) 90 to turn on the power, and
After warming up for 30 minutes, the slide glass storage cassette 2 is stored in the cassette elevator 3, and sensor A indicates that the cassette preparation is complete (step 55).
1). Next, initial settings are performed by operating the buttons of step S52. That is, switch the camera/color bar switch 85 to the camera side, turn on the automatic white balance switch 87, and confirm that the lamp is turned on and then turned off. Next, check the status of the other switches on both operation panels 70 and 90, for example, set the memory/repeat switch 80 to the repeat side and the automatic/manual switch 9.
4 to the automatic side, TV camera/still camera switch 96 to the TV camera side, sequential/random switch 81
are set sequentially or randomly according to the purpose of inspection. Further, if necessary, the initial magnification and preset focus of the objective lens 24 are set according to the operating procedures shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described in A'+7 (step 553).
.

After confirming all the initial conditions, when the start switch 76 of the first operation panel (operation panel A) 70 is pressed (step 554), the cassette elevator 3 descends until the cassette lower limit sensor C operates, and then After lowering to the lower level, it rises again until the slide glass number sensor E detects the first slide glass (preparation slide) 1 at the top, and then stops. When the elevator 3 stops, the slide glass l is sent out by the drive motor 8 and is sent out at step 8-5, and stops at the temporary stop point 6 (step 55).
5-557). At this time, the feed lever 7 also moves in the same direction as the feed lever 5 via the connecting arm 8, but does not affect the slide glass 1.

When the feeding of the slide glass 1 is completed, the sample number reading camera 10 is activated by the detection signal of the sensor F, and the sample number 50a or 50b associated with the slide glass 1 is read and displayed on the screen of the color monitor 260. At the same time, the motor 15 is driven by the detection signal of the sensor F to move the carriage 13 of the air chuck 11. When the sensor H is activated, the arm of the air chuck 11 is lowered by the drive of the motor I2, and when the lower limit sensor J is activated, the air chuck 13 is moved. The chuck 11 sucks the slide glass 1, and when the pressure reaches a certain level, a vacuum switch (vacuum solenoid valve) not shown operates to maintain the predetermined pressure.Then, the air chuck 11 is raised until the sensor I operates, and the sensor When operated, it moves toward the stage on the right side of the figure and stops at the slide glass delivery point 17 (step 558). In addition, at this time, XY
The stage 18 has been moved to the delivery point 17 in advance.

When the slide glass l reaches the position of the transfer point 17, the arm of the air chuck II lowers, and when the lower limit sensor j operates, the air chunk 11 operates to set the vacuum switch to atmospheric pressure, releases the slide glass 1, and removes the slide glass. When I is placed on the XY stage IS, the air chuck 11 rises until the upper limit sensor I operates and then stops.

Next, the lever of the stage chuck 22 is closed by driving the motor 23, and the slide glass 1 is fixed at a predetermined position on the stage 19. When the sensor Q operates, the motors 20 and 21 are driven and the XY stage 18 is moved until the sensors L and N are activated, and the XY stage 18 is aligned with the center of the slide glass 1 or the center of the optical axis of the microscope 18 (step 558).

According to the operation of point sensors L and N, the motors 25 and 27 corresponding to the Z axis of the microscope 18, objective lens 24, condenser lens 60, and aperture are set under the conditions (precent conditions) initially set by the operation panel 70. ，
40. Automatically set in conjunction with the drive of 43 and 64. That is, the light intensity of the microscope light source 36 is set in accordance with the preset magnification of the objective lens 24, the NO filter ketlet 39 is rotated to select the CND filter 38 (step 560), and the diaphragm 63 is rotated to select the CND filter 38. The aperture value is set (step 561), the condenser lens 60 is driven and switched to on (in) or off (out) to the optical axis (step 562), and the arm 39 moves in the Z-axis force direction to focus. A preset is performed (step 563).

To select the objective lens 24, use the objective lens select switch 7.
The Z-axis, condenser lens 60 and aperture are automatically set in accordance with the magnification of the objective lens 24 (steps S84 to S5).
69). The detailed operation has been explained in FIG. 6 and will be omitted here. Furthermore, the movement of the XY stage 19 can be freely performed using a joystick (JOISTIC) 88, and the XY stage drive motors 20 and 21 operate in conjunction with the operation of the joystick 88, allowing the XY stage 18 to be moved to any position. possible (steps S70 and 5)
71).

When the focus presetting is completed, an enlarged image of the specimen is displayed on the color monitor 260.

When the observation is completed and the end switch 75 of the Ml operation panel 70 is pressed, the XY stage 18 moves to the air chuck 11.
The motor 23 is started to open the stage chunk 22, and when the stage chunk 22 is opened, the air chuck is moved to the delivery point 17 according to the detection signal from the opening/closing sensor Q. 11 arm or lower,
A slide glass 1 is sucked into an air chuck 1 according to a detection signal from a lower limit sensor J. When the vacuum pressure reaches a certain level, the vacuum switch operates to maintain the constant pressure, and then the arm of the air chuck 11 is raised, and the motor 15 is activated in response to the detection signal from the upper limit sensor I to move the slide glass 1 to the temporary stopping point 6. When the carriage 13 is conveyed to the position and stopped according to the detection signal of the sensor H, the air chunk 11
The arm lowers, and the air chuck 11 is brought to atmospheric pressure in response to the detection signal from the sensor j, and the slide glass 1 is released and placed at the temporary stop point 6. Next, air chuck 11
When the arm is raised, the air chuck 11 moves to a predetermined atmospheric position in response to the detection signal from the sensor (2) and moves (step 574).

When the movement of the air chuck 11 to the atmospheric position is completed,
The slide glass feed lever 7 moves in the direction of storage force 2 to feed and store the slide glass l at the temporary stopping point 6-H into the storage cassette 2 (step 575).
.

If the sequential/random switch 91 selects the sequential extraction conveyance method, the process returns to step S55 and the sensor G
When the sensor E detects the next (for example, the second) slide glass 1, the elevator 3 is stopped, and the lever 5 is operated to move the slide glass 1. Send out l (step S
OB and 577). From then on, the above steps are repeated until the last number of slide glasses 1 have been observed, and the entire school
For example, when 50 slides have been observed and the 500th slide glass 1 has been stored in the storage cassette 2, the cassette 2 is automatically raised and stopped at the initial position (step 578).

When the random pick-up conveyance method is selected by the sequential/random switch 91, the elevator 3 ascends or descends to the number specified by operating the numeric keypad on the operation panel 70, and stops when detected by the sensor E, as described above in FIG. and sends out the slide glass 1 (step 579).
If the slide glass 1 is not at the designated number, the elevator 3 comes to the designated position and stops, displays a ready display on the liquid crystal panel, and waits for the next designation. Movement during transportation (21st work is the same as the above-mentioned sequential case, and the end switch 7
By operating the button 5, the slide glass 1 is stored in the case/slot 2, and waits for the next designation using the numeric keypad 80.

As explained below, the present invention has the following advantages over direct observation using a conventional microscope.

(b) Even toxic samples can be observed safely.

In the conventional case, a person holds the sample by hand and places it on the microscope.
Therefore, it may be dangerous if a toxic sample comes into contact with your hands (0:); however, in the case of this device, the part without the sample is sucked and transported using an air chuck, so it is safe.

(b) Inspection efficiency can be improved.

In the conventional case, it takes a lot of time to set the sample and operate the microscope manually (E:), but with this device, all you have to do is set the cassette in the elevator, and everything is set automatically with the touch of a button, making the inspection easier. Improved efficiency.

Furthermore, individual differences due to microscope operation are eliminated.

) Reduces fatigue level.

In the conventional case, observation is done directly with the human eye through the eyepiece of the microscope, which is extremely tiring and limited to about 4 hours a day, but this device observes images on a color monitor, which reduces fatigue. It will also be possible to observe for 8 hours a day. In addition, since a large number of people can be observed at the same time, individual differences in judgment can be confirmed, and it can also be used for educational purposes.

;Easy to store and re-view.

This is because when storing a large number of slide glass cassettes, it is possible to store them as they are, and when re-observation, the cassettes can be placed in the elevator and the necessary samples can be extracted and observed.

) This device can be used by electrically rotating multiple objective lenses, which simplifies operation and reduces inspection time.

(F) We have added a sample number to the sample (slide glass) and can display this on the monitor, making it easier to confirm the sample and also making it possible to perform various information processing using this sample number. Therefore, the inspection ability can be improved.

(1.) Since the image of the specimen and sample number is captured by a television camera, this image can be easily stored in an external storage device, and since a color monitor is used, various information from the outside can be easily obtained. Can be displayed. moreover,
It is also possible to make hard copies of images of specimens using a printer, making them easier to use.

In addition, the present invention is equipped with an arrow pointer function that allows you to point out the required part using an arrow on the monitor screen, and a video microscaler that allows you to determine the lateral size of the sample using a scale. is also suitable. Further, in the present invention, the conveyance means for the slide class is not limited to the air chunk method, but it goes without saying that a mechanical manipulator or the like may be used. Furthermore, cameras and monitors are not limited to color. Furthermore, the microscope is not limited to a biological microscope, and may be any other microscope such as a limit microscope.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the device of the present invention, FIG. 82 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of the Nuride glass shown in FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the aperture mechanism shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operating procedures of the operation panels in Figures 4 and 5, and Figure 9 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the control section of the device in Figure 1.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the device shown in the figure. 1...Microscope slide glass (preparation), 2
... Slide glass storage cassette, 3... Cassette elevator, 4... Cassette elevator drive motor. 5... Slide glass feed lever, 6... Temporary stop air chuck delivery point, 7... Slide glass feed lever, 8... Slide glass feed drive motor, 8... Connection arm, 10. ...Camera for reading sample number, Eye...Air chuck, 12...Air chuck lifting motor, 13...Air chunk carriage, 14...Chi1ζ rail, 15...Slide glass transport motor, 16 ...Timing belt, 17...Slide glass delivery point, J8...Microscope. 18...XY stage, 20; 21...×Y stage drive motor, 22...
Stage chuck, 23...Slide glass presser/finger drive motor (stage chuck drive motor), 24...Objective lens, 25...Revolver rotation drive motor, 26...Through hole, 27... - Z-axis drive motor, 28... Transmission means, 29... Arm, 30... Color TV camera, 31... Optical path, 32... Photography device (still camera), 33...
- Optical path, 34... Optical path switching drive motor, 35... Eyepiece, 3G... W4 microscopic light source, 37... Reflection mirror, 38... NDD filter 39... Tutulet for ND filter 40 ... ND filter turret drive motor 41.
...Condenser lens switching unit, 42...Rotating rond, 43...Condenser lens switching motor, 44...Main body pick-up stand, 50...Sample number area, 50a.../H code (sample number) , 50b...
OCR character, 51... Sample area, 52.53... Air chuck area, 60... Condenser lens, 61... Arm, 62... Off state position, 83... Condenser lens diaphragm, 64. ...Condenser lens aperture motor, 65...
Gear, 70... first operation panel (operation panel A), 71...
・Objective lens selection switch, 72... Stop switch, 73... Reset switch, 74... Display switch, 75... Inspection end switch, 76... Start switch, 77... Vacuum indicator, 78,? 8...Focus switch, 80...Numeric keypad, 81...Extraction key, 82...Preset focus key, 83...Initial magnification setting key, 84...Clear key, 90. ...Second operation panel (operation panel B). 81...Sequential/random switch, 32...Memory/switch, 93...Main power switch, 94...Auto/manual switch, 95...Camera/color par switch, 86... TV camera/still camera switch, 87... Automatic white balance switch, 9th... Joystick, 100... Control device, +10... CPU circuit, 111... ROM, 112... CPU, 120 ...Sample number reading circuit, 121...Analog-digital converter, 122...Video memory, 123...Digital-analog converter, 130...Interface circuit, 140...Video mix circuit, 141. 142...video switch, 143.14
4... Amplifier, 145... Mixing circuit, 150... Camera control circuit, 160... Video switch circuit, 161R, IEtlG, 161B, 161N... Amplifier, 162... Latency generator , 163.1134...video switch, 1135R,
1ft5B...Amplifier, 166G, 1813N...
Video switch, 167G, 187N...Amplifier, 170...Slide glass transport motor drive circuit, 1
71... Motor drive circuit, 180... Slide glass transport motor group, 190...
...Sensor group for transporting slide glass, 200...Microscope motor group drive circuit, 201...Motor drive circuit, 202.203...Variable resistor, 210...Microscope motor group, 220...・Microscope sensor group, 230... Information processing device, 240... Keyboard printer, 250... External storage device, 260... Color monitor (CRT display), A
... Cassette/ent presence sensor, B... Cassette upper limit sensor, C... Cassette lower limit sensor, D... Slide glass presence sensor, E... Slide glass number sensor, F... Slide glass feeding. Sensor, G...Slide glass feeding sensor, H...Air chuck receiving position sensor, ■...7 arch upper limit sensor, J...Air chunk lower limit sensor, K...Stage X axis receiving sensor, L ...Stage X-axis observation point sensor, H...Stage X vehicle plus side limit sensor, N...
・Stage Y-axis observation point mint sensor, P...Stage Y-axis minus side limit sensor, Q...Stage chuck opening/closing sensor, R...Sensor for objective lens, 'S...Z-axis Origin sensor. T: Optical path switching confirmation sensor, U: NO filter digitlet sensor ■: Condenser lens on/off sensor, W: Condenser lens aperture sensor. Patent applicant: Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 14 (A) Indication Patent Application No. 17-110930 2, Name of the invention Automatic microscope device 3 Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent Applicant l) Description tube!
In lines 12 to 73 of the page, "the arm I of the microscope via the transmission means I" is corrected to "l'-XY stage/wo". e) Correct "in the solid line ON position" in the 1S line of page 2θ to "in the solid line ON position." 3) Change “objective lens 2II” in the first line of page 13 to “
Corrected to "XY stage/9". "Objective lens 24I" on page 13, lines 6-7.
is corrected to "r'stage/9." g) Correct "income cassette" in line 12 of page 1j to "storage cassette". ) On page 17, line 12, ``Waichiwa'' is corrected to ``9kowo''. ) Correct "Camera/Color Switch" on the jth line of Page 1I to "Camera/Color Bar Switch". ] In the same page, page 1g, line
Correct to ``ni''. + Correct "color jet printer" in the first line of page 23 to "color ink jet printer". Correct "fraction" to "screen" in lines 6-7 of page 1. //) ZftlZzp page 3-G line "Delete the above-mentioned J read from video memory /22. /2) Correct "once" in the first line of page 3 to "once" do. /3) "With slide glass l" on page 32, line 1.
Correct it to ``On the slide glass.'' ``When sensor I operates'' on page 32, line 1
0is) Correct "xy stage/9 ga" in the 6th line of page 33 to "mushroom stage/wo wo". /4) On page 33, lines 7 to 1, ``center ga'' is corrected to ``center''. /7) "Otsu 3 rotates" on page 33, line 1 D.
is corrected to "≦3 rotates." tg) Change the “arm” in the λ line of the 3rd page of the same page to “X”.
Corrected to "Y stage lwoga". /wo) Correct "sensor ni no" in the third line of the same page to "sensor ni and N's." 〃) Correct "Atmospheric position" in the 17th line of page 3S to "Standby position". 2/) "Atmospheric position" in line 79 of page 3S is corrected to "standby position J." 22) "Not limited to biological microscopes, but limit microscopes etc. " should be corrected to "J" for "not limited to general biological microscopes, but also phase-contrast microscopes, interference microscopes, polarizing microscopes, etc."
Corrected to ``Example of layout configuration''. 1λli Delete "y...arm" in the 5th line of the same page. E) Correct "Memory/Switch" 2 [Memory/Repeat Switch] on page 1/row U of PI fa. B) Correct Figure 1 as shown in the attached sheet. 2q) Correct Figure 11■ as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A slide glass for an IJA microscope with a sample number,
a conveying means for extracting the slide glass from the cassette and conveying it to the microscope; a reading means for reading the sample number while the slide glass is conveyed; and a display means or means for displaying related data according to the sample number read by the reading means. An automatic microscope armor N characterized by comprising an information processing means for supplying information to a recording means. 2. The automatic microscope according to claim 1, wherein the information processing means has a storage means for storing and reproducing the microscope image, and displays the image on the display means. Device.