JP2002182118A - microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a microscope which can obtain the best optical performance by maximizing the effect of a field stop under various photographing conditions and has good operability. SOLUTION: The present invention is applied to a microscope in which an observation is performed while illuminating a specimen with an illuminating device, and an eyepiece tube for observing with the naked eye, and a microscope having an imaging optical column which can be observed by an imaging device such as a camera. You. In this microscope, the microcomputer 70 calculates the opening size of the rectangular aperture 40A based on the size of the image pickup device installed in the image pickup apparatus and / or the magnifications m1 and m2 of the variable power optical systems 5 and 6. The aperture size setting of the field stop is manually performed based on the calculated aperture size, or automatically performed by the driving units 77, 79, and 83.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope having a field stop whose aperture size can be adjusted to an arbitrary size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some optical microscopes used in medicine, biology, and the like include a lens barrel for mounting a camera in addition to an eyepiece tube. Various cameras (CC
D camera, silver halide film camera, etc.), the shape of the imaging element, that is, the shape of the CCD sensor and the field stop on the front surface of the film is generally rectangular. When using such a camera, in order to reduce flare or narrow the range of fading, for example, when observing fluorescent specimens,
A field stop having a rectangular shape in accordance with the shape of the image sensor is used.

When a rectangular aperture is used for imaging observation, there is an advantage that flare light can be effectively reduced as compared with a generally used field aperture having a circular aperture. In particular, a rectangular aperture is effective in epi-illumination fluorescence observation for detecting weak light.

A conventional microscope is known in which a field stop unit having a rectangular opening and a field stop unit having a circular opening can be detached and replaced so that visual observation and imaging observation can be performed. ing. Further, each unit has, for example, a movable blade-like member, which can be manually moved to adjust the aperture size of the diaphragm. In such a microscope, it is necessary to set the aperture size of the field stop according to the type of camera used and the observation magnification.

[0005]

However, in order to accurately adjust the size of the stop, it is complicated for the observer to calculate the aperture size each time the adjustment is performed. Each time the magnification was changed, the size of the aperture had to be changed, which was very time-consuming.

An object of the present invention is to provide a microscope with good operability, which can easily adjust the aperture size of a field stop under various photographing conditions.

[0007]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. FIG. (1) The invention of claim 1 illuminates the specimen 7 and has an illumination device 22 having an illumination optical system provided with a field stop, and an imaging device 8
Is applied to a microscope that includes an imaging optical system 12 that can be observed by a microscope and magnification conversion optical systems 3, 5, and 6.
A rectangular aperture field stop having a rectangular aperture field stop 40A having a variable aperture size is used. The dimensions of the image sensor 9 installed in the image pickup device 8 and / or the magnifications m1, m2 of the magnification conversion optical systems 3, 5, 6 are determined. The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing an opening size calculation means 70 for calculating the opening size based on the above. (2) The invention according to claim 2 is the microscope according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means 74, which detects the dimensions of the imaging element 9 and / or the magnifications m1 and m2 of the magnification conversion optical systems 3, 5, and 6,
75, and the opening size calculation means 70 includes detection means 74,
The aperture size of the rectangular aperture field stop 40A is calculated based on the 75 detection information. (3) The invention according to claim 3 is the microscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information input means 71 for inputting control information relating to the opening size, the calculation result of the opening size calculating means 70, and the input result. Control means 70, 7 for controlling the aperture size of the field stop 40A having a rectangular aperture based on the control information.
6 to 79 are provided. (4) The illumination device 2 for illuminating the specimen 7
2, an observation optical system 13 for observation with the naked eye, an imaging optical system 12 capable of observation by the imaging device 8, and an optical path of a light beam from the sample 7 to one of the observation optical system 13 and the imaging optical system 12. The present invention is applied to a microscope having the optical path switching means 11 for switching and the magnification conversion optical systems 3, 5, and 6, and has a field aperture 40A having a rectangular aperture and a field aperture 40B having a circular aperture.
And the dimensions of the image sensor 9 installed in the image pickup device 8 and / or
Or, aperture size calculating means 70 for calculating the aperture size of the field aperture 40A having a rectangular aperture based on the magnification of the magnification conversion optical systems 3, 5, and 6, and a field aperture having a circular aperture on the illumination optical axis 31 of the illumination device 22. The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing an arrangement means 80 for selectively disposing one of the field stop 40A and the field stop 40A having a rectangular aperture. (5) The invention according to claim 5 relates to the microscope according to claim 4, which relates to the optical path setting detecting means 73 for detecting the optical path setting of the optical path switching means 11, and the control of the aperture size and / or the optical path switching means 11. Based on the information input means 71 to which the control information is input and the calculation result of the aperture size calculation means 70, the detected optical path setting and the input control information,
Control means 70, 73, 76 to 83 for controlling at least one of the field apertures 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B having a rectangular aperture and a circular aperture and the optical path switching means 11 are provided.

In the meantime, in the section of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems which explains the constitution of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention are used to make the present invention easy to understand, but the present invention However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In correspondence between the embodiment and the elements of the claims, the fluorescent illumination device 22 is an illumination device, the camera 8 is an imaging device, the imaging optical barrel 12 is an imaging optical system, and the eyepiece tube 13 is an observation optical system. The information input device 71 uses the objective lens 3, the first variable power optical system 5
The second variable magnification optical system 6 is a magnification conversion optical system, the optical path setting detection unit 73 is an optical path setting detection unit, the rectangular / circular diaphragm switching drive unit 80 is an arrangement unit, and the microcomputer 7
0 is an opening size calculating means, a magnet 57, a Hall IC
58, magnification detecting sections 74 and 75 constitute detecting means, respectively, and the controlling means is a microcomputer 70, an optical path setting detecting section 73, an X direction opening dimension detecting section 76, an X direction opening / closing drive section 77, a Y direction opening dimension detecting section. 76, a Y-direction opening / closing drive section 77, a rectangular / circular aperture switching drive section 80, a rectangular / circular aperture setting detection section 81, an aperture size detection section 82, and an aperture opening / closing drive section 83.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a view showing a microscope according to the present invention, and is a view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of an epi-fluorescence microscope. Microscope body 2
An eyepiece tube 1 having an eyepiece lens 15
3 and an imaging optical barrel 12 to which the photographing camera 8 can be attached.
Are provided. In the present embodiment, the camera 8 is C
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image by the CD image pickup element 9.
Attached to. The observation optical system of the microscope shown in FIG. 1 is an infinity optical system.
To form a parallel light beam, and the second objective lens 4 forms a microscope image.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an epi-illumination fluorescent illumination device, and a light source 24 such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp is provided in a lamp house 23 of the epi-illumination fluorescent illumination device 22. Light emitted from the light source 24 is collected by the collector lens 25 and reaches the field pattern unit 1 having the field stop 40. The field stop 40 is arranged at a position optically conjugate with the sample surface of the sample 7 placed on the stage 26. Therefore, the illumination system relay lens 2 and the objective lens 3 form an outline of the aperture of the field stop 40, that is, a field stop image on the sample surface. The light beam that has passed through the field stop 40 is converted into a parallel light beam by the illumination system relay lens 2 and is incident on the excitation filter 16. In the excitation filter 16, the fluorescent specimen 7
Only the light component having the wavelength most suitable for causing the fluorescent dye contained in the light to emit light is selected as the excitation light.

The excitation light from the excitation filter 16 enters the dichroic mirror 17, and most of the light is reflected and enters the objective lens 3 as a parallel light beam. The excitation light is condensed by the objective lens 3 and irradiates the specimen 7 to form a field stop image on the specimen surface. As described above, by using the field stop 40, it is possible to illuminate only a necessary range of the sample 7 set on the stage 26. The stage 26 is configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the objective optical axis 32, that is, in a horizontal direction.

Fluorescence is emitted from the specimen 7 by the irradiation of the excitation light, and the fluorescence is converted into a parallel light beam by the objective lens 3 and enters the dichroic mirror 17. Most of the fluorescence incident on the dichroic mirror 17 is transmitted, and the absorption filter 18 cuts the noise component of the excitation light. The fluorescent light that has passed through the absorption filter 18 passes through a variable power lens 60 provided in the second variable power optical system 6, and then is converted from a parallel light beam into a convergent light beam by the second objective lens 4, and is focused on the second objective lens 4. An image is formed at a distance. The second variable power optical system 6 is provided with a plurality of variable power lenses 60, and the magnification is changed by switching the variable power lenses 60.

The optical path of the fluorescence that has passed through the second objective lens 4 is changed by the optical path switching unit 11 of the lens barrel 10.
The mode is switched to either the 2 side or the eyepiece tube 13 side. Then, both the field stop image and the fluorescent image are formed on the imaging surface of the CCD imaging device 9 in the camera 8 or on the imaging surface 14 of the eye observation system in the eyepiece tube 13. Note that a first optical unit similar to the second variable power optical system 6 described above is provided in the photographing optical barrel 12.
A variable power optical system 5 is provided, and a plurality of variable power lenses 50 are provided.
It has.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, a bird's-eye view prism is used as the optical path switching unit 11. In the case of the manual switching type, the light amount switching between the imaging observation system and the naked eye observation system is set by inserting and removing the optical path switching unit 11 with respect to the optical axis 32 of the objective lens by a switching lever (not shown) or the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the light amount ratio between the imaging observation system and the naked eye observation system can be switched between two stages of “0: 100” and “100: 0” according to the insertion / removal of the optical path switching unit 11. it can.

In the case of the automatic switching type, the optical path switching unit 11 is electrically switched by a motor (not shown). The light amount ratio of the imaging system / observation system is not limited to two-stage switching, and may be, for example, “100: 0”, “80:20”,
Switching to three stages, such as “0: 100”, is also possible. Further, in the case of two-stage switching, the light amount ratio is “80:20”,
You may make it switch like "0: 100".

<< Detailed Structure of Field Stop Unit 1 >>
The detailed structure of the field stop unit 1 in the present embodiment will be described. The field stop 40 is located at a position optically conjugate with the sample surface, and limits the illumination range of the sample surface to a necessary range. Thereby, flare due to harmful reflected light is reduced, and an image with a high S / N ratio can be obtained.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are views showing a specific structure of the field stop unit 1 shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the field stop unit 1 of the fluorescent lighting device 22 shown in FIG. 1. 3A is a plan view showing the appearance of the field stop unit 1, and FIG. 3B is a front view. In FIG. 3A, the upper side in the figure is the light source 24 side, and the longitudinal direction of the field stop unit 1 is orthogonal to the illumination system optical axis 31. That is, the left-right direction in FIG. 3 corresponds to the front-back direction in FIG. The field stop unit 1 has a rectangular stop 40A and a circular stop 40 so as to be arranged along the longitudinal direction.
B is provided. As described later, each aperture 40
A and 40B can change the opening area. In FIG. 1, the field stop 40 represents the rectangular stop 40A and the circular stop 40B.

At the bottom of the field stop unit 1, FIG.
A guide mechanism 41 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the field stop unit 1 as shown in FIG.
1, the field stop unit 1 can be slid in its longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in the drawing orthogonal to the optical axis of the illumination system (hereinafter referred to as the illumination optical axis) 31). The slide drive of the field stop unit 1 is performed by a motor 42. Reference numeral 43 denotes a spur gear fixed to the motor shaft. Reference numeral 44 denotes a rack fixed to the field stop unit 1 and meshing with the spur gear 43. When the motor 42 rotates, the field stop unit 1 is slid.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the rectangular aperture 40A and the circular aperture 40B are formed side by side in the sliding direction, so that the field stop unit 1 is perpendicular to the illumination optical axis 31 by the motor 42 shown in FIG. The rectangular aperture 40A and the circular aperture 40B
Can be selectively disposed on the illumination optical axis 31. Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the field stop unit 1 is provided with a click mechanism, and the click mechanism provides a rectangular stop 40A and a circular stop 40B.
Are positioned so that the center of the light beam coincides with the illumination optical axis 31.

Which of the rectangular stop 40A and the circular stop 40B is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31 depends on the magnet 45 provided on the field stop unit 1 and the Hall IC 46 provided on the case side of the epi-illumination fluorescent lighting device 22.
a, 46b. FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a code table for detecting which of a and 40b is arranged on the illumination optical axis 31. FIG. FIG.
When the rectangular aperture 40A is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31 as in (b), the magnet 45 corresponding to the rectangular aperture 40A is detected by the Hall IC 46b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the detection code at this time is (4
6a, 46b) = (0, 1).

On the other hand, when the field stop unit 1 is slid to the left side in FIG. 3 and the circular stop 40B is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31, the magnet 45 corresponding to the circular stop 40B becomes a broken line in FIG. As shown by the hall IC 46a
Is detected by Therefore, the detection code is (46a,
46b) = (1, 0). As described above, in the microscope according to the present embodiment, the field stop unit 1 is slid with respect to the illumination optical axis 31 so that the rectangular stop 40A
And the circular stop 40B can be used properly.

Next, the opening / closing mechanism of the rectangular aperture 40A will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an opening / closing mechanism of the rectangular aperture 40A in the x direction. FIG.
It is the front view seen from one direction, (b) is the A arrow view of (a), (c) is BB sectional drawing of (a). two aperture blades 400, which are aperture dimension adjustment units disposed in the x direction,
401 is a guide 402, 403a extending in the x direction,
Guided in the x direction by 403b. Guide 4
A groove 404 is formed in each of the aperture blades 40.
The lower ends of 0 and 401 are inserted into the grooves 404. On the other hand, the upper part of each of the aperture blades 400 and 401 is
a and the guide 403b.

A rack 405a is provided at the upper end of the aperture blade 400.
Is fixed, and the member 405 is fixed.
Rack 405a meshes with the gear 406. on the other hand,
A member 407 on which a rack 407 a is formed is also fixed to the upper end of the aperture blade 401, and the rack 40 of the member 407 is fixed.
7a is in mesh with the gear 408. The gear 406 meshes with a gear 409 provided on the output shaft of the motor 411, and as shown in FIG.
When 09 is rotated in the R1 direction, the diaphragm blade 400 moves in the positive x direction and the diaphragm blade 401 moves in the negative x direction, so that the dimension X of the rectangular opening in the x direction decreases. Conversely, when the motor 411 is rotated in the direction opposite to R1, the aperture blades 400 and 401 move in the x negative direction and the x positive direction, respectively, so as to open the aperture.

The combination of the above-mentioned gears
The movement distances of 00 and 401 are set to be equal. A not-shown potentiometer is attached to the gear 410.
The opening dimensions X of the 00 and 401 are detected.
Note that the opening and closing mechanism in the y direction is the same as the case in the x direction except that the direction of the opening and closing mechanism is different by 90 degrees, and thus the description is omitted.

A mechanism similar to a diaphragm mechanism used for a camera or the like is used for the opening / closing mechanism of the circular diaphragm 40B. Since this structure is a well-known technique, description thereof will be omitted.
Although not shown, a centering mechanism for aligning the center of the field stop with the illumination optical axis 31 is provided as needed. The opening / closing mechanism of the rectangular aperture shown here is an example, and various other structures can be applied.

<< Method of Setting the Aperture Size of the Field Stop >> Next, the method of setting the aperture size of the field stop will be described. The field stop 40 shown in FIG. 1 limits the illumination range of the specimen surface. A field stop image is formed together with a fluorescent image on the imaging surface 9 of the camera 8 and the image forming surface 14 in the eyepiece tube 13. You. The largest effect can be obtained when the size of the aperture of the field stop 40 is set so as to match the size of the image sensor in the case of a camera and the number of fields of view of the eyepiece lens 15 when observing with the naked eye.

Here, the size of the image pickup device is the size of the light receiving surface, and corresponds to the range in which light can be received. For example, if the image pickup device is a camera using a CCD image pickup device, it is the size of the light receiving surface of the CCD image pickup device. Further, when a silver halide camera or an APS camera is used as an imaging device, a silver halide film corresponds to the imaging device, and the size of the imaging device is defined as a field arranged on the front surface of the film and defining an imaging range. The dimensions of the stop. In the following, an example will be described in which imaging observation is performed with a camera using a CCD imaging device as an imaging device.

The field stop image is finally formed on the image pickup surface 9 via the illumination system and the optical system of the image forming system. The size of the image can be obtained by the following calculation. [In case of rectangular aperture 40A] Assuming that the aperture size is (X, Y), X and Y are calculated by the following equations (1) and (2).

(Equation 1) The parameters of equations (1) and (2) are as follows. x: (corresponding to the x-direction dimension X of the rectangular aperture 40A) lateral dimension of the imaging element y: (corresponding to the y-direction dimension Y of the rectangular aperture 40A) vertical dimension of the image pickup element f _1: incident-light fluorescent illumination device 22 F ₂ : focal length of the second objective lens 4 m ₁ : magnification of the first variable power optical system 5 m ₂ : magnification of the second variable power optical system 6 α: margin of image pickup device dimensions Here, the margin α is a parameter provided so that the edge of the stop image is slightly outside the edge of the image sensor.

As an example, f ₁ = 180 (mm), f ₂ =
60 (mm), m ₂ = 1, and α = 1.1. Assuming that a 2/3 inch size CCD image sensor is used as the image sensor, the dimensions are x = 8.8 (mm) and y = 6.6.
(Mm).

X = 8.8 × (60/180) × (1 / m ₁ ) × 1.1 = 3.2 / m ₁ (3) Y = 6.6 × (60/180) × ( 1 / m ₁ ) × 1.1 = 2.4 / m ₁ (4) Here, if the value of the magnification m ₁ is 1-2, the value of X is 3.
2 to 1.6 (mm), and the value of Y is 2.4 to 1.2.
(Mm).

[Circular stop 40B] Circular stop 40B
Is calculated by the following equation (5).

(Equation 3) In Expression (5), φ is the number of visual fields at the time of visual observation, α is a margin ratio with respect to the visual field size of the eyepiece lens 15, and other parameters are the same as those of the rectangular aperture 40A.

As an example, calculation is made for the case where φ = 25 (mm). The values of f ₁ , f ₂ and α are the same as those of the rectangular aperture 40A described above.

Φ = 25 × (60/180) × 1.1 = 9.2
(Mm)… (6)

<< Explanation of Specific Structure of Variable Magnification Optical System >>
The detailed structure of the variable power optical systems 5 and 6 will be described. As described above, each of the variable power optical systems 5 and 6 includes a plurality of variable power lenses, and one of the variable power lenses is selectively disposed on the objective optical axis 32 as shown in FIG. Can be.
The first variable power optical system 5 is a variable power optical system effective only for the camera 8 attached to the imaging optical lens barrel 12. The first variable power optical system 5 may be configured as an accessory that can be retrofitted to the imaging optical barrel 12, or may be built in the imaging optical barrel 12 in advance. As will be described later, there are a turret provided with a plurality of variable power lenses and the magnification can be changed by switching between them, and a zoom system capable of continuously changing the magnification.

The second variable power optical system 6 is a variable power optical system capable of performing variable power for both imaging observation and visual observation, and is disposed between the objective lens 3 and the second objective lens 4. Is established. As the second variable power optical system 6, a turret type is mainly used. Note that only one of the variable power optical systems 5 and 6 in FIG. 1 may be provided.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the details of the first variable power optical system 5, which is of the turret type. FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the first variable power optical system 5, and a plurality of variable power lenses 50 a to 50 d (FIG.
The turret 52 (see (b)) is rotatably accommodated. Reference numeral 53 denotes a rotation shaft, to which the turret 52 is fixed by a set screw 54. The rotating shaft 53 is driven to rotate by a driving source (not shown), for example, a motor. FIG. 6B is a diagram of the turret 52 viewed from the direction D in FIG. 6A, and the variable power lenses 50a to 50d
2 are arranged on a circumference centered on the rotation center.

On the wall surface of the casing 51 facing the turret 52, circular holes 55a around the objective optical axis 32 are provided.
55b are formed. 56 is a variable magnification lens 50a-
A click mechanism for positioning the reference numeral 50 d on the objective optical axis 32, for example, a concave portion formed on a side surface of the turret 52 and a turret 52 fixed to the casing 51 side.
And a convex portion engaging with the concave portion. When the turret 52 is positioned by engaging the concave and convex portions, one of the variable power lenses 50a to 50d is disposed on the objective optical axis 32. When positioned as shown in FIG. 6A, the light beam incident on the lower circular hole 55a from the second objective lens 4 of FIG. 1 is emitted upward from the circular hole 55b after passing through the variable power lens 5a. You.

The turret 52 is provided with a magnet 57 as shown in FIG.
Are positioned on the objective optical axis 32, the magnet 57 is mounted on the Hall IC 5 provided on the casing 51 side.
8 to be detected. Three Hall ICs 58 are provided like reference numerals 58a, 58b, and 58c in FIG. 6B. When the variable power lens 50a is positioned on the objective optical axis 32, the Hall IC 58 is shifted by 180 degrees from the variable power lens 5a. The magnet 57 provided at the position is detected by the Hall IC 58a.

FIG. 7 shows each Hall IC 58a when the variable power lenses 50a to 50d are positioned on the objective optical axis 32.
15 is a code table showing the presence / absence of outputs of No. to 58c, that is, the detection / non-detection state of the magnet 57. In FIG. 7, code 0 represents no output (non-detection) and code 1
Represents output (detection). In the state of FIG. 6B, only the Hall IC 58a is in the magnet detection state, and the detection codes of the Hall ICs 58a to 58c are (58a, 58b, 58c) = (1, 0, 0) as shown in FIG.
Becomes When the zoom lens 50b is positioned, only the Hall IC 58b is in the magnet detection state, and the detection code is (58a, 58b, 58c) =
(0, 1, 0). The same applies to the case where the variable power lenses 50c and 50d are positioned. Note that the position detection of each variable power lens of the second variable power optical system 6 has the same configuration as that of the first variable power optical system 5 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<< Explanation Regarding Aperture Control >> FIG. 8 is a block diagram relating to the aperture control. Reference numeral 70 denotes a microcomputer which performs aperture control based on data previously stored in the memory 72, data input from the information input device 71, and information from each sensor. In the memory 72,
At the factory shipment stage of the microscope, the focal lengths f ₁ and f ₂ and the margin α are stored in advance. The microscope observer uses the information input device 71 to input the dimensional information (x, y) of the imaging device of the camera 8 and the visual field number information φ of the eyepiece 15 to be used.

Each of the variable magnification optical systems 5 and 6 has a magnification detector 7.
4 and 75 are provided, and the set magnifications m ₁ and m _{2 of the} variable magnification optical systems 5 and 6 are detected by these. In the case of the variable power optical system 5, the Hall IC 58 and the magnet 57 shown in FIG. The magnifications m ₁ and m ₂ detected by the magnification detection units 74 and 75 are stored in the memory 7.
2 is stored. The optical path setting detection unit 13 detects whether the optical path is set by the optical path switching unit 11 on the imaging optical barrel 12 side or on the eyepiece barrel 13 side. The detected optical path setting information is stored in the memory 72. Hereinafter, the case where the light amount ratio between the above-described imaging observation system and the naked eye observation system is “0: 100” is the A optical path, and the light amount ratio is “100:
The case of "0" will be referred to as the B optical path.

As described above, the field stop unit 1 is provided with the rectangular stop 40A and the circular stop 40B. The opening and closing drive of the rectangular aperture 40A in the x and y directions is performed by an x-direction opening and closing drive unit 77 and a y-direction opening and closing drive unit 79, respectively. The x-direction opening / closing drive section 77 includes the motor 411 in FIG. 4C and its driver (not shown), and the y-direction opening / closing drive section 79 also includes a motor and driver (not shown). The opening size is detected by the X-direction opening size detecting unit 7.
This is performed by the 6 and y direction opening dimension detecting unit 78. As described above, potentiometers and the like are used for the detection units 76 and 78.

Similarly, the circular aperture 40B is provided with an aperture size detecting section 82 and an aperture opening / closing driving section 83. The switching operation between the rectangular aperture 40A and the circular aperture 40B is performed by the rectangular / circular aperture switching drive unit 80, and the switching setting state at that time is detected by the rectangular / circular aperture setting detection unit 81. The rectangular / circular aperture switching drive unit 80 includes the motor 42 and its driver shown in FIG. 2, and the rectangular / circular aperture setting detection unit 81 uses the Hall ICs 46 (46a, 46) shown in FIG.
b) corresponds.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of control processing relating to the field stop executed by the microcomputer 70. When the power switch of the microscope is turned on, the control program by the microcomputer 70 is executed, and the flowchart of FIG. 9 starts. Step S
In step 1, the magnification settings m ₁ and m ₂ of the variable magnification optical systems 5 and 6 are detected by the magnification detection units 74 and 75, and the optical path switching unit 11 is set to the optical path A or the optical path B. The setting is detected by the setting detection unit 73, and the detection result is stored in the memory 72. In step S2, the memory 72
From the optical path setting information, and determines whether the optical path switching unit 11 is set to the optical path A (eyepiece side) or the optical path B (camera side).

If it is determined in step S2 that the path is the optical path A, the process proceeds to step S3, in which the field stop unit 1 is slid to position the circular stop 40B on the illumination optical axis 31. In step S5, parameters stored in the memory _{72 φ, f 1, f 2} , m 2, based on alpha, aperture size Φ is calculated by the equation (5). On the other hand, if the optical path setting information is set to the B optical path and it is determined in step S2 that the optical path is the B optical path, the process advances to step S4 to move the rectangular aperture 40A to the illumination optical axis 3A.
Position on top. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6, in which the parameters x, y, f1, and f stored in the memory 72 are set.
Based on 2, m1, m2, and α, aperture aperture dimensions X and Y are calculated by equations (1) and (2).

In step S7, the aperture opening / closing drive unit of the field stop positioned on the illumination optical axis 31 is driven to adjust the aperture size to the aperture size calculated in step S5 or S6. When the field stop positioned on the illumination optical axis 31 is the rectangular stop 40A, the adjustment is performed by the XY-direction opening / closing drive units 77 and 79, and when the field stop is the circular stop 40B, the adjustment is performed by the stop opening / closing drive unit 83. Step S
At 8, it is determined whether or not the switching operation of the optical path switching unit 11 has been performed by the microscope observer. If the determination is YES, the process returns to step S1, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, magnification detecting sections 74 and 75
, It is determined whether or not the magnification of the variable power optical systems 5 and 6 has been changed. If the determination is YES, the process returns to step S1, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the number of fields of the eyepiece 15 has been changed by the information input device 71.
If determined to be S, the process returns to step S1, and if determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S 11, the horizontal dimension x and the vertical dimension y of the image sensor of the camera 8 are entered into the information input device 71.
It is determined whether or not the input has been made. If the determination is YES, the process returns to step S1, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S1.
Proceed to 12. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the power switch has been turned off. If the determination is NO, the process returns to step S8, and if the determination is YES, a series of processing ends.

For example, after first performing a visual observation,
The procedure for performing the imaging observation by the camera 8 will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, when the optical path switching unit 11 is switched to the A optical path (eyepiece side) by the microscope observer for performing the naked eye observation, it is determined in step S8 that the optical path switching operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to step S1.
In step S1, the optical path setting information in the memory 72 is set to the A optical path. In the subsequent step S2, it is determined that the optical path is the A optical path, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the circular aperture 40B
Are positioned on the illumination optical axis 31. Thereafter, in step S5, the aperture size Φ is calculated by equation (5), and in step S7, the aperture size of the circular stop 40B is determined in step S5.
Is adjusted to the dimension Φ calculated by.

After the predetermined visual observation is performed, the optical path switching unit 11 is switched to the B optical path for camera observation. When the light path switching unit 11 switches from the A light path to the B light path, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S1, and the light path setting information in the memory 72 is set to the B light path.
Therefore, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S4, and the rectangular aperture 40A is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31. In step S6, the dimensions in the X and Y directions are calculated by equations (1) and (2). In step S7, the opening size of the rectangular aperture 40A is adjusted to the dimensions in the X and Y directions calculated in step S6. . The calculation of the opening size is performed by an opening size calculating means (not shown) in the microcomputer 70.
Is calculated by This may be provided in the microscope main body or in an external device connected to the microscope main body by a cable.

If at least one of the magnifications of the variable power optical system 5.6 is changed during observation, steps S9 to S9 are performed.
The process proceeds to step 1, and the magnification information m1 and m2 in the memory 72 is rewritten to the changed magnification. Through the processing in steps S2 to S7, the aperture size of the field stop is automatically adjusted to match the image sensor or the number of eyepiece visual fields.

As described above, in both the imaging observation system and the visual observation system, the rectangular diaphragm 40A and the circular diaphragm 40A are set in accordance with the observation conditions set by the observer.
One of B is automatically positioned on the illumination optical axis 31, and is further automatically adjusted to an optimal aperture size. For this reason, a favorable microscope image with extremely good operability and little flare can be reliably obtained. When the aperture size is manually changed, for example, a screw (not shown) for fixing the position is provided on the aperture blades 400 and 401 so that the aperture size can be manually adjusted.

In the embodiment described above, the circular stop 40B
Is also configured so that the aperture size can be controlled in accordance with the magnification information. However, if it is desired to reduce the cost of the apparatus while maintaining the optical performance of the imaging optical system, the circular aperture 4 shown in FIG.
The opening / closing of the circular aperture may be manually performed by omitting the aperture size detection unit 82 and the aperture opening / closing drive unit 83 relating to 0B. In this case, the interlocking function accompanying the magnification change of the variable power optical system 6 is lost, but the structure of the field stop unit 1 is simplified. The selection of the optical paths A and B may be performed manually.

Second Embodiment In this embodiment, a field stop shown in FIG. 10 is provided at the position of the field stop of the epi-illumination fluorescent illumination device 22 instead of the above-described field stop unit 1. FIGS. 10A and 10B show a stop portion of the field stop. FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views, and FIG. 10C is a sectional view taken along the line CC. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 90a to 90d denote diaphragm blades constituting the rectangular diaphragm 90;
b is an aperture blade that defines the dimension of the rectangular opening 92 in the x direction, 9
Reference numerals 0c and 90d are aperture blades for defining the dimension in the y direction.
On the other hand, reference numeral 91 denotes a circular stop having a circular hole 91a. The rectangular stop 90 and the circular stop 91 are provided adjacent to each other on the illumination optical axis 31 as shown in FIG.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aperture blade 9
0a to 90d are provided with a drive mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 4, and the aperture blades 90a and 90b move in the x direction.
The aperture blades 90c and 90d are respectively driven in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 10A, each of the aperture blades 90a to 90d
Is driven toward the illumination optical axis 31 to make the rectangular opening 92 into the circular hole 91.
By setting it smaller than a, it functions as a field stop having a rectangular aperture. Conversely, when the aperture blades 90a to 90d are opened to make the rectangular opening 92 larger than the circular hole 91a, the aperture stop 92 functions as a field stop having a circular opening. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the circular stop 91 is a fixed stop.

As in the present embodiment, a system capable of setting the aperture size optimal for the imaging optical system is provided, and in the case of so-called epi-illumination observation using an epi-illumination fluorescent illumination device, the aperture size of the circular field stop is determined. There is a case where it is determined that omitting the change does not cause a practical problem. The reason is that in the case of epi-illumination, it is not necessary to change the aperture size of the aperture for the magnification conversion of the objective lens, the necessity of removing flare is higher in the imaging optical system, and the rectangular aperture is properly This is because there is a case where the operator wants to change, but does not need to change the circular aperture. Therefore, it is conceivable for the naked eye observation to take the form of a fixed aperture as in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram in the case of the second embodiment. A field stop unit 93 is provided with a rectangular stop 90 and a fixed circular stop 91. For the rectangular stop 90, an x-direction aperture detector 76 similar to the block diagram in FIG.
An x-direction opening / closing drive unit 77, a y-direction opening detection unit 78, and a y-direction opening / closing drive unit 79 are provided. The configuration other than the field stop 93 is the same as that of FIG. As described above, in this embodiment, since the circular aperture 91 is a fixed aperture, the rectangular / circular aperture switching unit 80, the rectangular / circular aperture setting detection unit 81, the aperture size detection unit 82, and the aperture opening / closing drive unit shown in FIG. The configuration of the field stop unit 93 is remarkably simplified, since the configuration of the field stop 83 is unnecessary.

Third Embodiment FIGS. 12A and 12B are views for explaining a field stop according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12A is a front view of the field stop, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of a throttle part. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 100 denotes a turret fixed to a rotating shaft 101, and a plurality of rectangular openings 102 to 1 having different opening dimensions.
12 and a circular opening 113 are formed. A spur gear 100a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the turret 100,
It meshes with a spur gear 115 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 114. By rotating the turret 100 with the motor 114, the rectangular openings 102 to 112 and the circular openings 1 are formed.
13 can be arranged on the illumination optical axis 31. When performing imaging observation with the camera 8 in FIG. 1, a rectangular opening having an optimal opening size is changed according to the size of the imaging element input by the information input device 71 shown in FIG. 112 and is arranged on the illumination optical axis 31.

The turret 100 has openings 102 to 1
13 are provided with magnets 116. On the other hand, on the case side of the
As shown by the dashed line in (a), four Hall ICs 117a to 117d are arranged at positions facing the magnet 116. There are four positions where the magnets 116 are disposed for each opening, and one to three magnets 116 are disposed at these four positions. P is magnet 1
The arrangement positions where 16 is not provided are shown. For example, in the case of the rectangular opening 102, one magnet 116 is provided for four arrangement positions.

The combination of detection and non-detection of the Hall ICs 117a to 117d detects which of the openings 102 to 113 is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31. Although not shown, positioning means such as a click mechanism is provided for positioning the turret 100. FIG. 13 shows detection and detection of Hall ICs 117a to 117d.
It is a figure which shows the combination of non-detection, ie, a field stop detection code. For example, in FIG. 12A, the rectangular opening 102 is positioned on the illumination optical axis 31 and the Hall IC 11
Since 7a and 117d detect the magnet 116, the detection code is (1, 0, 0, 1) as shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the present embodiment. The field stop unit 94 is provided with a turret 100, a rotation drive unit 95 for driving the turret 100 to rotate, and an aperture setting detection unit 96. Other configurations are the same as those in the block diagram of FIG. The rotation drive unit 95 includes the motor 114 shown in FIG. 13 and a driver (not shown), and the aperture setting detection unit 96 includes the magnet 16 and the Hall IC 117 shown in FIG.
a to 117d. In the present embodiment, the field stop unit 94 is different from the first and second embodiments described above.
Is significantly simplified. Also in the case of the present embodiment, the turret 100 may be manually rotated.

As described above, in the microscope according to the present invention, if the setting of the optical path switching unit 11 is set to either the A optical path for the naked eye observation or the B optical path for the imaging observation, the automatic operation is performed according to the set optical path. A circular or rectangular stop is disposed on the illumination optical axis 31. Further, since the opening size of the rectangular aperture is adjusted according to the set size of the imaging element, the operation at the time of switching the observation method is greatly simplified,
Even an observer who is not used to the operation can easily perform the observation switching operation. Further, only the switching between the circular opening and the rectangular opening may be automatically performed. In this case, the circular opening and the rectangular opening may be fixed or variable.

In the above-described embodiment, the field stop is automatically switched when the imaging observation is switched to the naked eye observation. It may be observed as it is. In this case, the observation range is equivalent to the range of the imaging device of the camera, so that the visual field range of the imaging observation can be easily confirmed with the naked eye. In this case, there are two advantages that the fluorescent fading other than the photographing range can be prevented. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the optical path is switched to one of the imaging optical system and the observation optical system has been described, but the light amount ratio of the imaging system / observation system is set to, for example, “80:20”. In some cases, light is guided to both optical systems for observation. In such a case, whether to switch to the circular aperture or to keep the rectangular aperture at the time of visual observation may be set by, for example, the information input device 71. That is, by inputting “control information”, which is information as to whether to arrange a rectangular field stop or a circular field stop, with the information input device 71, the observer can change the setting as necessary. it can.

Further, it may be possible to manually change the aperture switched to the circular aperture to the rectangular aperture.
What has been switched to the rectangular aperture may be manually changed to the circular aperture. In this case, for example, a switching lever that can be operated from outside the microscope may be provided in the field stop unit, so that a function of manual switching can be added while electric switching is maintained.

Further, if the above two methods are used in combination, in a normal setting, the rectangular aperture is kept at the time of the naked eye observation, and only when the wide visual field is to be observed, the circular aperture is temporarily switched using the manual lever. Usage is also possible.
This kind of usage is to prevent fluorescence fading as much as possible,
Sometimes it is effective when it is desired to switch to a wider field of view.

In the above description, an epi-fluorescence microscope was used as an example.
The present invention can be applied to ordinary epi-illumination microscopes (that is, reflection microscopes) and transmission illumination microscopes. In the case of a transmission illumination microscope, the focal length information of the relay lens of the epi-illumination device is not required, but the magnification information of the objective lens and the focal length information of the condenser lens of the illumination system are input from the information input device 71. The aperture size of the stop may be controlled with reference to the information of (1).

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the dimensions of the imaging device 9 are input from the information input device 71 has been described. However, the dimensional information of the imaging device 9 stored in the camera 8 is stored in the camera. The information may be read from the storage unit and detected. Reading from the storage unit is performed by a conventional general method.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The optimal aperture size according to the magnification of the imaging element and / or the magnification conversion optical system is calculated by the aperture size calculation means. Therefore, by simply setting the aperture size of the field stop having a rectangular aperture to the calculated aperture size, it is possible to reliably obtain a good microscope observation image with less flare, and to facilitate setting of the aperture size. Can be. In particular, claim 3
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the aperture size of the field stop is controlled by the control unit based on the calculation result of the aperture size calculation unit, a good microscope observation image with less flare can be reliably obtained. At the same time, since it is not necessary to manually set the aperture size of the field stop, the microscope observation can be performed more quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a microscope according to the present invention, showing a configuration of an optical system of an epi-illumination fluorescence microscope.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the field stop unit 1 of the fluorescent lighting device 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a field stop unit 1.
(A) is a plan view showing the appearance of the field stop unit 1,
(B) is a front view.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing an opening and closing mechanism of a rectangular aperture 40A in the x direction, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG.
(C) is BB sectional drawing of (a).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a field stop type detection code.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of a first variable power optical system 5;
(A) is a sectional view, and (b) is a plan view of the turret 51.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a variable power optical system detection code indicating a detection state of the Hall ICs 58a to 58c.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram related to aperture control.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining aperture control.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a field stop according to the second embodiment, wherein FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment.

12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a field stop according to the third embodiment, wherein FIG. 12A is a front view of the field stop, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the field stop of the fluorescent lighting device 22.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a field stop detection code by the Hall ICs 117a to 117d.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Field stop unit 3 Objective lens 4 2nd objective lens 5 1st variable power optical system 6 2nd variable power optical system 8 Camera 9 CCD image sensor 11 Optical path switching part 12 Imaging optical lens barrel 13 Eyepiece tube 15 Eyepiece lens 24 Light source 31 Illumination optical axis 40 Field stop 40A, 90 Rectangular stop 40B, 91 Circular stop 70 Microcomputer 71 Information input device 73 Optical path setting detector 74, 75 Magnification detector

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A microscope comprising: an illumination device that illuminates a sample and has an illumination optical system provided with a field stop; an imaging optical system that can be observed by an imaging device; and a magnification conversion optical system. A rectangular aperture field stop having a rectangular aperture field stop having a variable aperture dimension, and calculating the aperture dimension based on the dimensions of an image sensor installed in the imaging device and / or the magnification of the magnification conversion optical system. A microscope comprising an aperture size calculation unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detecting means for detecting a size of the image pickup element and / or a magnification of the magnification conversion optical system, wherein the aperture dimension calculating means determines a field stop of the rectangular aperture based on detection information of the detecting means. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein an opening dimension of the microscope is calculated. 3. An information input means for inputting control information relating to the aperture dimension, and an aperture dimension of a field stop of the rectangular aperture is controlled based on a calculation result of the aperture dimension calculation means and the input control information. The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. 4. An illumination device for illuminating a sample, an observation optical system for observing with the naked eye, an imaging optical system for observing with an imaging device, and an optical path of a light beam from the sample, the observation optical system and the imaging optical system. A microscope provided with an optical path switching means for switching to any one of the systems and a magnification conversion optical system, a field stop having a rectangular aperture, a field stop having a circular aperture, and dimensions and / or dimensions of an image pickup device installed in the image pickup apparatus. Aperture size calculation means for calculating the aperture size of a field stop having a rectangular aperture based on the magnification of the magnification conversion optical system; and a field stop having the circular aperture and a field stop having the rectangular aperture on an illumination optical axis of the illumination device. And a disposing means for selectively disposing any one of the microscopes. 5. An optical path setting detecting means for detecting an optical path setting of the optical path switching means; an information inputting means for inputting control information relating to control of the aperture size and / or the optical path switching means; Control means for controlling at least one aperture size of the rectangular aperture and the circular aperture field stop and the optical path switching means based on a calculation result of the calculation means, the detected optical path setting and the input control information; The microscope according to claim 4, further comprising: