JPH11133311A - Microscope and microscope remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a microscope which can be suitably used as a transmission side device of a telepathology system. SOLUTION: The setting of an objective lens by a revolver 12 is detected by a Hall IC 37, and an encoder 38X, 3
The XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage 26 is detected by 8Y. Then, the conversion output device 18 converts the information of the detection results of both detection systems into a communicable signal format and outputs it via a communication line. Therefore, this microscope (16, 18)
By connecting to the receiving microscope as a transmitting device of the telepathology system via a communication line, the receiving microscope automatically adjusts various adjustment members to the optimal state according to the setting information of the objective lens and samples the sample. The position of the sample stage is controlled to that position according to the two-dimensional position information of the stage. Therefore, it can be used as a transmitting device of a telepathology system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope and a microscope remote control system, and more particularly, to a microscope capable of switching an objective lens and a microscope remote control for remotely controlling a microscope to change the observation magnification and position of a specimen. It relates to an operation system (telepathology system).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, adjustment of a condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of a sample stage, a filter, a dimming power source for a light source, and the like have been automatically performed according to switching of an objective lens. Motorized microscopes to be performed are known. This type of motorized microscope is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei.
No. 6,086,045.

Recently, a telepathology system that changes the observation magnification and position of a sample by remotely operating such a motorized microscope has been put to practical use. For example, when it is necessary to determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant for treatment of a tumor in a hospital, laparotomy may be performed, and some of the cells of the tumor may be removed and observed under a microscope. In some cases, it is difficult for a physician at the site to judge the situation. In such cases, other doctors (pathologists) who have more specialized knowledge
It is convenient to ask for diagnosis and instructions. In such a case, by using the telepathology system, even if the pathologist is not present, the microscope image of the sample sent from the site via the communication line can be remotely controlled while remotely operating the microscope. It is now possible to make that decision while looking at the location.

In a conventional telepathology system, a controller dedicated to remote control of a microscope is used on the side that remotely controls the microscope. As this controller, for example, there is a configuration in which necessary items are displayed on a computer screen and a predetermined key is pressed. In addition, there has been a controller dedicated to remote operation of a microscope, which is configured to operate a push button, a dial, and the like.

[0005]

Generally, in a telepathology system, a side on which a microscope is placed (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a "reception side") is in a position to ask for diagnosis. On the other hand, the side that remotely controls the microscope (hereinafter referred to as “transmission side” as appropriate)
Is a position to judge the sample and to guide the receiving side. Therefore, the operator on the transmitting side is a specialist pathologist who is familiar with the operation of the microscope.

However, in the conventional telepathology system, the transmitting side operates a dedicated controller,
The image sent from the receiving side is observed on the monitor. Therefore, in such a configuration, even if the operator on the transmitting side is accustomed to the operation of the microscope, it is necessary to learn the operation method of the dedicated controller of this system, which takes time and effort. There was an inconvenience.

[0007] The operation of the dedicated controller is quite different from the operation method of a microscope that is commonly used. Therefore, in order to observe the sample by remote control, there has been a disadvantage that a different operation is forced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a microscope which can be suitably used as a transmitting device of a telepathology system.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a microscope which can be used as any of a normal observation microscope and a transmitting side device and a receiving side device of a telepathology system.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a microscope remote operation system in which operability (usability) on the transmission side is good.

A fourth object of the present invention is that it is not necessary to arrange dedicated devices on both the transmitting side and the receiving side.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a microscope remote control system that enables remote control of a microscope between one or more hospitals.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microscope capable of switching a plurality of objective lenses (14), wherein a microscope (2) in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens of a sample stage (26) is provided. A position detection system (38X,
38Y); an objective lens detection system (37) for detecting the setting of the objective lens; and a conversion output device (2) for converting information of detection results of the two detection systems into a communicable signal format and outputting it via a communication line ( 18A, 18B, 18C).

According to this, the setting of the objective lens is detected by the objective lens detection system, and the two-dimensional position of the sample stage in the plane orthogonal to the objective lens optical axis is detected by the position detection system. Then, the conversion output device converts the information of the detection results of both detection systems into a communicable signal format and outputs it via a communication line. Therefore, by connecting the microscope according to the first aspect of the present invention to a receiving microscope via a communication line as a transmitting device of a telepathology system, the receiving microscope responds to setting information of an objective lens. In addition, the various adjustment members are automatically adjusted to an optimum state, and the position of the sample stage is controlled to the position according to the two-dimensional position information of the sample stage. Therefore, it can be used as a transmission-side device of a telepathology system, and an operation of a two-dimensional position (that is, a movement operation) of a sample stage can be performed using a sample feed handle as in a normal microscope operation. Of course, in such a case, the microscope image needs to be displayed on a dedicated display via a communication line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the first aspect, there is provided an image data converter (18D) for converting image data input via a communication line (40) into display image data. A display device (20) for displaying the converted image data on a display screen. According to this, the image data input by the image data converter via the communication line is converted into display image data, and the converted image data is displayed on the display screen of the display device. Therefore, there is no need to connect a dedicated display to the communication line, and the use as a transmission side device of the telepathology system becomes more preferable.

In this case, the display device may of course be arranged separately from the microscope, but the display device may be mounted on the sample stage as in the third aspect of the present invention. In such a case, it becomes possible to observe the microscope image displayed on the display screen of the display device by looking through the binocular portion of the microscope as in the case of ordinary microscope observation, which further facilitates use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the first aspect, a condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of a sample stage, a filter, and a dimming power supply for a light source are optional. Various adjustment members (22, 2, 2) comprising one or an arbitrary combination of two or more of
4, 28, 30, 32); operating members (22A, 24A, 28A, 30) for manually operating the various adjusting members
A, 32A); and an operation information detection system (36) for detecting operation information of the various adjustment members by the operation member, and the conversion output device (18A, 18B, 18C).
Is characterized in that information of a detection result of the operation information detection system is converted into a communicable signal format and output via a communication line.

According to this, the setting of the objective lens is detected by the objective lens detection system, the two-dimensional position of the sample stage in the plane orthogonal to the objective lens optical axis is detected by the position detection system, and the operation member is detected by the operation information detection system. The operation information of the various adjustment members is detected. And in the conversion output device,
The information of the detection results of these three detection systems is converted into a communicable signal format and output via a communication line. For this reason,
By connecting the microscope according to the fourth aspect of the present invention to the receiving microscope via a communication line as a transmitting device of the telepathology system, the receiving microscope can perform various adjustments according to the setting information of the objective lens. Automatically adjusts the members to the optimum state, controls the position of the sample stage at that position according to the two-dimensional position information of the sample stage, and further adjusts the corresponding adjustment member based on the operation information of various adjustment members by the operating member I do. Therefore, not only the two-dimensional position adjustment of the sample stage and the default automatic adjustment of various adjustment members according to the setting information of the objective lens but also fine adjustment of various adjustment members can be realized by remote control.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an objective lens (1
According to the switching of 4), any one or any two or more of a condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of the sample stage (26), a filter, and a power supply voltage regulator for the light source. A microscope for automatically adjusting various adjustment members (22, 24, 28, 30, 32) comprising a combination of: an objective lens detection system (37) for detecting the setting of the objective lens; and the objective lens Switching mechanism (13) for electrically switching the lens
An adjusting mechanism (76) for adjusting the various adjusting members according to the objective lens; and a drive system (78) for two-dimensionally driving the sample stage in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens.
X, 78Y); a position detection system (38X, 3Y) for detecting a two-dimensional position of the stage in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens.
8Y); an imaging device (44) for imaging the specimen on the specimen stage and outputting the imaging signal; and an image output device (46D) for converting the imaging signal into communicable image data and transmitting the data to a communication line. 46E); an image data converter (18D) for converting image data input via the communication line into display image data; and a display device for displaying an image based on the converted image data on a display screen (18D). 20)
When at least one of the setting information of the objective lens and the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage is input through the communication line, the information is input in the lens switching mechanism and the drive system accordingly. A control device (76) for controlling a device corresponding to the information; and a conversion output device (74A, 74B, 74C) for converting the information of the detection results of the two detection systems into a communicable signal format and outputting it via a communication line. And

According to this, for example, when the objective lens is switched manually or electrically by a lens switching mechanism, the setting of the objective lens is detected by the objective lens detection system, and the condenser lens, the field stop, and the aperture are detected by the adjustment mechanism. Various adjustment members including any one or a combination of two or more of dimming power supplies for the aperture, the objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of the sample stage, the filter, and the light source are adjusted. Therefore, when the microscope according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is used as a normal observation microscope, observation preparation work is automatically performed simply by switching the objective lens.

The setting of the objective lens is detected by the objective lens detection system, the two-dimensional position of the sample stage in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens is detected by the position detection system, and the conversion output device detects the detection results of both detection systems. Is converted into a communicable signal format and output via a communication line. On the other hand, the image data converter converts image data input via a communication line into display image data, and an image based on the converted image data is displayed on a display screen of a display device. Therefore, the microscope according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can realize an easy-to-use transmission-side device by connecting to the reception-side microscope via a communication line.

Further, when an image of the sample on the sample stage is picked up by the image pickup device and the image pickup signal is output, the image output device converts the image pickup signal into communicable image data and sends it out to the communication line. On the other hand, in the control device, when at least one of the setting information of the objective lens and the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage is input via the communication line, the input information in the lens switching mechanism and the drive system is correspondingly input. Control the corresponding ones. As a result, the objective lens is electrically switched by the lens switching mechanism, and the sample stage is two-dimensionally driven by the drive system in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens. In this case, the setting of the objective lens is detected by the objective lens detection system by switching the objective lens, and a condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of the sample stage,
Various adjustment members comprising any one or any combination of two or more of dimming power supplies for the filter and the light source are adjusted. Therefore, the microscope according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can be used as a receiving-side microscope by being connected to a transmitting-side device via a communication line.

As described above, the microscope according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can be suitably used for any purpose of a normal observation microscope, a transmitting device, and a receiving device.

[0023] A microscope remote control system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises a first microscope (10) comprising the microscope according to any one of the second to fourth aspects;
When at least one of the setting information of the objective lens, the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage, and the operation information of the various adjustment members is input, the objective is set accordingly. A second microscope (60) for controlling a lens switching mechanism, a drive system of the sample stage, and various adjustment members corresponding to the input information;
And

According to this, the setting information of the objective lens from the first microscope through the communication line, the information of the second stage of the sample stage,
When at least one of the information of the dimensional position and the operation information of the various adjustment members is input, the second microscope receives the input of the objective lens switching mechanism, the drive system of the sample stage, and the various adjustment members accordingly. Control what corresponds to the information. Therefore, a microscope remote operation system with good operability (usability) on the transmission side is realized.

A microscope remote control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the microscope (100) according to the fifth aspect.
Are interconnected via a communication line (40),
Each of the microscopes can transmit and receive the image data, the setting information of the objective lens, and the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage. According to this, any microscope can be suitably used for any purpose of a normal observation microscope, a transmitting device, and a receiving device, and furthermore, image data, setting information of an objective lens, and two-dimensional position of a sample stage. Since information can be transmitted and received, it is not necessary to arrange dedicated equipment on both the transmitting side and the receiving side, and furthermore, for example, remote control of the microscope among three or more hospitals becomes possible.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<< 1st Embodiment >> Hereinafter, 1st Embodiment of this invention is described based on FIG. 1, FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a microscope remote operation system (telepathology system) in which a microscope 10 according to the present invention is used as a device on the transmission side. This remote control system includes a microscope 10 as a first microscope.
And a communication cable 4 as a communication line to the microscope 10.
And a receiving microscope 60 as a second microscope connected via the first microscope 0.

The microscope 10 has a microscope main body 16 capable of switching a plurality of objective lenses 14 by a revolver 12.
And a transmitting / receiving device 18 connected to the microscope main body 16.
And an image monitor 20 connected to the transmitting / receiving device 18 as a display device such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope main body 16 includes a field stop 22, an aperture stop 24, a Z drive mechanism 28 as a drive mechanism for the objective lens optical axis direction of the sample stage 26, an ND filter 30 as a filter, and a light source. Various adjusting members including a lamp dimming power supply 32 as a dimming power supply for the (halogen lamp) are provided.

An adjustment system of the field stop 22 includes a field stop dial 22A as an operation member, a potentiometer 22B provided on a rotating shaft of the field stop dial 22A,
And a potentiometer 22B according to the amount of rotation of the field stop dial 22A detected by the potentiometer 22B.
Control circuit 3 for controlling motor 22C provided coaxially with
4. The position of the field stop 22 is adjusted by a motor 22C via a drive system (not shown).

The adjustment system of the aperture stop 24 includes an aperture stop dial 24A as an operation member, a potentiometer 24B provided on a rotating shaft of the aperture stop dial 24A,
And the potentiometer 24B according to the rotation amount of the aperture stop dial 24A detected by the potentiometer 24B.
Control circuit 3 for controlling motor 24C provided coaxially with
4. The aperture of the aperture stop is adjusted by a motor 24C via a drive system (not shown).

The adjustment system of the Z drive mechanism 28 includes a focusing handle 28A as an operating member (see FIG. 1), a rotary encoder 28B for detecting the rotation of the rotating shaft of the focusing handle 28A, and a rotary encoder 28B. In accordance with the detected rotation amount (operation amount) of the focusing handle 28A, Z
The driving mechanism 28 is configured by a control circuit 34 that performs feedback control. The Z drive mechanism 28 is provided with a motor (not shown) and a rotary encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the motor. The output of the rotary encoder is fed back to the control circuit 34.

The adjusting system of the ND filter 30 includes a light control dial 30A as an operation member, and a light control dial 30A.
A, and a potentiometer 30B provided on the rotation axis of A, and a dimming dial 3 detected by the potentiometer 30B.
The control circuit 34 controls a motor 30C provided coaxially with the potentiometer 30B according to the rotation amount of 0A. The position of the ND filter is adjusted by a motor 30C via a drive system (not shown).

An adjustment system of the lamp dimming power supply 32 includes a power supply voltage regulator 32A as an operating member, an A / D converter 32B for digitally converting an output voltage of the power supply voltage regulator 32A, and an A / D converter 32B. The lamp dimming power supply 32 via the D / A converter 34C according to the output value
Is configured by a control circuit 34 that adjusts.

In this embodiment, the potentiometer 22
B, 24B, 30B, rotary encoders 28B and A
Operating members (field stop dial 22A, aperture stop dial 24A, light control dial 30A, focusing handle 28A, power supply voltage regulator 32A) by the / D converter 32B
An operation information detection system 36 for detecting the operation information (position information of each operated part) is constituted by the operation information, and the detection data from the operation information detection system 36 is transmitted from the control circuit 34 to the transmission / reception device 18. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope main body 16 detects the rotational position (stop position) of the revolver 12, and uses the address of the revolver 12 to set the number of the objective lens 14 used (setting of the objective lens). Is provided with a Hall IC 37 as an objective lens detection system for detecting the. The information of the detection result of the Hall IC is transmitted to the transmission / reception device 18.

Further, the microscope main body 16 is provided with linear encoders 38X and 38Y for detecting the positions of the X stage and the Y stage constituting the sample stage 26, respectively. The linear encoders 38X and 38Y detect the positions. Information on the positions of the X stage and the Y stage, that is, information on the two-dimensional position of the sample stage 26 in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving device 18. In the present embodiment, the linear encoders 38X, 38Y
Constitutes a position detection system.

Returning to FIG. 1, the transmitting / receiving device 18 includes an interface circuit 18A, a microprocessor (CP)
U) 18B, a transmission circuit 18C, a reception circuit 18D, and the like. According to the transmission / reception device 18, various position information (operation information of the various adjustment members by the operation member) from the control circuit 34 of the microscope main body 16, the Hall IC
37, and the position information of the X stage and the Y stage detected by the linear encoders 38X and 38Y are transferred to the CP via the interface circuit 18A.
The signal is sent to the U18B and converted into a signal format that can be transmitted by the CPU 18B via the communication cable 40. The signal after the conversion is transmitted from the transmission circuit 18C to the communication cable 40C.
Is transmitted to a receiving circuit of the receiving microscope 60 described later. That is, in the first embodiment, the interface circuit 18A, the microprocessor (CPU) 18
B, a conversion circuit is constituted by the transmission circuit 18C.

On the other hand, when image data is sent from the receiving microscope 60 via the communication cable 40, the receiving circuit 18D receives the image data and converts it into display image data. An image based on (display image data) is displayed on the display screen of the image monitor 20. That is, the receiving circuit 18D includes a so-called video interface circuit, and in the present embodiment, an image data converter is configured by the receiving circuit 18D.

As the communication cable 40, for example, a telephone line such as ISDN, an optical fiber communication cable, a satellite communication, or the like, which can perform high-speed data communication, is used.

As the receiving microscope 60, an ordinary receiving microscope used in a telepathology system is used. Specifically, the receiving microscope 60 includes a motorized microscope main body 42, a television camera 44 attached to the motorized microscope main body 42, and a transmitting / receiving device 46 connected to the motorized microscope main body 42 and the television camera 44. ing.

As the motorized microscope main body 42, various types of condenser lens, field stop, aperture stop, objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of the sample stage 50, filters, dimming power supply for the light source, etc. are provided in accordance with the switching of the objective lens 52. A motorized microscope in which an adjustment member is automatically adjusted is used.

The overall structure of the motorized microscope main body 42 is the same as that of the microscope main body 16 described above, except that an electric revolver 48 as a lens switching mechanism is provided in place of the revolver 12 and its structure. Electric revolver 48
The rotational position (stop position) of the objective lens 52 is detected by a Hall IC as an objective lens detection system, and the number of the objective lens 52 used (setting of the objective lens) based on the address thereof.
Is detected, a control circuit similar to the control circuit described above drives a drive system (the motor 2 described above) for the various adjustment members.
2C, 24C, 30C, and Z drive mechanism 28). A motorized microscope similar to the motorized microscope main body 42 is disclosed in, for example,
This is disclosed in detail at 1701 and is well known, so that detailed description is omitted here.

The transmission / reception device 46 receives information on the position of each operated part (setting information on the objective lens, information on the XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage, and information on various adjustment members) sent from the microscope 10 via the communication line 40. At least one of the operation information) and transmits the signal to a control circuit (not shown) of the motor-driven microscope main body 42, and transmits the image signal of the sample on the sample stage 50 taken by the television camera 44 to the microscope via the communication line 40. It has the function of sending to the 10 side.

The transmitting / receiving device 46 includes a receiving circuit 46A,
Processor (CPU) 46B, interface circuit 4
6C, a CCU (camera control unit) 46D, a transmission circuit 46E, and the like. This transmitting / receiving device 46
According to the above, the signal of the operated position information of each part transmitted from the microscope 10 via the communication cable 40 is:
The signal is sent to the CPU 46B via the receiving circuit 46A, where the signal is converted, and sent to the control circuit of the motorized microscope main body 42 via the interface circuit 46C. The control circuit of the motorized microscope main body 42 controls the switching of the motorized revolver 48 such that the objective lens 52 corresponding to the transmitted setting information of the objective lens is set on the microscope optical path. The drive system of the various adjustment members is controlled accordingly, and adjustment of the adjustment members is performed so that the optimum conditions are set according to the objective lens used by default. In this case, when information on the XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage and operation information of various adjustment members are also sent from the microscope 10 side, the control circuit of the motorized microscope main body 42 controls the sample according to the information. By controlling the drive system of the stage 50 (the drive system of the X stage and the Y stage), the XY position of the sample stage 50 can be controlled by the microscope 1
Positioning is performed at the position indicated by the instruction on the zero side, and fine adjustment of the various adjusting members is performed by controlling the drive system of the various adjusting members according to the operation information of the various adjusting members.

On the other hand, an image signal from the television camera 44 is transmitted to a transmission circuit 46E via a CCU (camera control unit) 46D, and transmitted to a reception circuit 18D on the microscope 10 side via a communication cable 40 by the transmission circuit 46E. Sent.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the setting of the objective lens 14 is detected by the Hall IC 37 provided in the microscope main body 16, and the XY two-dimensional positions of the sample stage 26 are detected by the linear encoders 38X and 38Y. Is detected. The operation information detection system 36 controls the operation members (the field stop dial 22A, the aperture stop dial 2).
4A, the light control dial 30A, the focusing handle 28A, and the power supply voltage adjuster 32A) detect operation information (position information of each operated part) of various adjustment members. Then, the interface circuits 18A, 18C constituting the transmitting / receiving device 18
In the PU 18B and the transmission circuit 18C, the detected setting information of the objective lens, the information of the XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage 26, and the operation information of various adjustment members by the operation members are converted into a communicable signal format, and are converted via the communication line 40. Output. Thereby, in the receiving microscope 60 connected via the communication line 40, according to the setting information of the objective lens,
Switching of the objective lens, various adjustment members are automatically adjusted to an optimum state in accordance with the switching, and the position of the sample stage 50 is controlled at the position according to the two-dimensional position information of the sample stage. The corresponding adjustment member is adjusted based on the operation information of the adjustment member. On the other hand, the image data input via the communication cable 40 is converted into display image data by the interface circuit 18D, and an image based on the converted image data is displayed on the display screen of the image monitor 20.

Accordingly, the operator on the microscope 10 side can operate the two-dimensional position (that is, the moving operation) of the specimen stage 26 using the specimen feed handle in the same manner as during normal microscope observation. In addition to the two-dimensional position adjustment of the sample stage 26 and the default automatic adjustment of various adjustment members according to the setting information of the objective lens, fine adjustment of various adjustment members can be realized by remote control. Become.

In the first embodiment, the microscope 1
Although the case where 0 detects the objective lens setting and the XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage 26 as well as the operation information of various adjusting members by the operating member has been described, the setting of the objective lens,
Only the XY two-dimensional position of the sample stage 26 may be detected, and even in such a case, the microscope 10 can be used as a transmission-side device of the telepathology system.

Further, the operation information of various adjustment members by the operation members on the microscope 10 side is transmitted and received by the transmitting / receiving device 1 via the control circuit 34.
Although the case of sending to the transmission device 8 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation information detection system 36 may directly send the transmission to the transmission / reception device 18. The operation information is detected by the motors 22C,
4C, 30C, Z drive mechanism 28, D / A converter 34
The detection may be performed via C.

<< Second Embodiment >> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is characterized in that a small liquid crystal monitor that can be mounted (mounted) on a sample stage is provided as a display device instead of the image monitor 20 of the first embodiment described above. Have. Other configurations and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal monitor 21 is mounted on a sample stage 26 of the microscope main body 16. For observation of the liquid crystal monitor 21, the objective lens 14 having a low magnification may be used according to its size. For example, a diagonal of 50 mm (= about 2 inches)
In the case of the liquid crystal monitor, a 0.5 × objective lens is used. Since the observation range of the objective lens is φ50 mm, the entire image on the liquid crystal monitor having a diagonal distance of 50 mm can be observed at a time.

According to the microscope remote operation system of the second embodiment, the operator of the microscope 10 (transmitting side) operates the microscope main body 16 in exactly the same manner as a normal microscope observation operation, and operates the microscope The specimen can be observed. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the operability on the transmission side is further improved.

<< Third Embodiment >> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a microscope remote operation system (telepathology system) according to the third embodiment. The remote control system includes a plurality of microscopes 100 having exactly the same configuration and connected to each other via a communication cable 40 as a communication line. Of these, only two are shown in FIG.

The microscope 100 includes a microscope main body 72,
The television camera 44 attached to the microscope main body 72
And a transmission / reception device 74 with a switching function connected to the microscope main body 72 and the television camera 44.

The microscope main body 72 includes a field stop, an aperture stop, and a sample stage 2 in accordance with the switching of the objective lens.
A motorized microscope is used in which various adjustment members such as an objective lens optical axis direction drive mechanism, a filter, and a dimming power supply for a light source are automatically adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a main control system of the microscope main body 72. As shown in FIG. 5, this control system is basically similar to the configuration of the control system of the microscope main body 16 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but differs in the following points. I do.

That is, instead of the above-described revolver 12 of the microscope main body 16, an electric revolver 13 as a lens switching mechanism similar to the above-described electric revolver 48 is provided. In addition, the Hall IC 37, the linear encoder 3
The outputs of 8X and 38Y are input not only to the transmission / reception device 74 but also to the control circuit 76. The output stage of the control circuit 76 includes an X stage and a Y stage constituting the sample stage 26.
A stage X motor 78X for driving each stage,
A stage Y motor 78Y and a revolver motor 80 for rotatingly driving the revolver 13 are provided.

In this case, the control circuit 76 controls the first
Similarly to the control circuit of the electric microscope main body 42 in the embodiment, a function of controlling the drive system (motors 22C, 24C, 30C, the Z drive mechanism 28, etc.) of the various adjustment members according to the switching of the revolver 13 is provided. That is, the rotation position (stop position) of the revolver 13 is detected by the Hall IC 37 as an objective lens detection system, and when the number of the objective lens 14 used (setting of the objective lens) is detected by its address, the control circuit is activated. 76, drive systems (motors 22C, 24C, 30C, Z
The driving mechanism 28) is controlled, and the adjustment of the adjustment member is performed so that the optimal conditions are set according to the objective lens used by default. Automatic adjustment of such an adjusting member is
For example, it is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-201701 and is well-known, so that detailed description is omitted here.

In the control circuit 76, the stage X motor 78X and the stage Y motor 78X correspond to the XY two-dimensional position information of the sample stage inputted through the transmitting / receiving device 74.
Y is feedback-controlled while monitoring the outputs of the linear encoders 38X and 38Y, and the sample stage 26 is positioned at a position corresponding to the two-dimensional position information. further,
The control circuit 76 controls the revolver motor 80 in accordance with the objective lens setting information input via the transmission / reception device 74, and switches the objective lens via the revolver 13. As is apparent from the above description, in the third embodiment, the adjustment mechanism and the control device are configured by the control circuit 76.

Returning to FIG. 4, the transmission / reception device 74 with a switching function includes an interface circuit 74A, a processor (CPU) 74B, a transmission / reception circuit 74C, a video interface circuit 18D, a CCU (camera control unit) 46D, a transmission circuit 46E, and the like. It has. In this case, the CCU 46D and the transmission circuit 46E constitute an image output device. The interface circuit 74A, the processor (CPU) 74B, and the transmission / reception circuit 74C, which constitute the transmission / reception device 74 with a switching function, are characterized in that transmission and reception can be switched.

The communication cable 40 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 74C.
The transmission / reception device 74 with a switching function of the other microscopes 100 is connected via the. Therefore, the transmission / reception device with the switching function can perform communication by switching transmission / reception between a plurality of microscopes as well as switching transmission / reception to / from a specific microscope 100. It is possible to make settings for transmission and reception and execute operations.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, a plurality of microscopes 100 are connected to each other via the communication line 40, and each of the microscopes 100 has image data,
Since the setting information of the objective lens and the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage can be transmitted and received, any microscope 10
A value of 0 can be suitably used for any purpose of ordinary observation microscopes, transmission-side devices, and reception-side devices. Moreover, since image data, setting information of the objective lens, and information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage can be transmitted and received, it is not necessary to arrange dedicated equipment on both the transmission side and the reception side, and a combination according to the situation is possible. Become. That is, the similar microscope 10
As long as it has 0, it can be freely connected. For example, specialist pathologists in various fields can make a diagnosis between a plurality of hospitals. If it is known that the stomach specialist is at hospital A, the pulmonary specialist is at hospital B, and the large intestine is hospital C, it is possible to cooperate with each other.

In the first to third embodiments, it goes without saying that the transmitting and receiving device may be built in the microscope main body.

[0066]

As described above, the microscope according to each of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention has an unprecedented excellent effect that it can be suitably used as a transmitting device of a telepathology system.

Further, the microscope according to the fifth aspect of the present invention has an effect that it can be used as any of a normal observation microscope and a transmitting side device and a receiving side device of a telepathology system.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to provide a microscope remote operation system in which operability (usability) on the transmission side is excellent.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to arrange dedicated devices on both the transmitting side and the receiving side.
Moreover, for example, it is possible to provide a microscope remote control system which enables remote control of a microscope among three or more hospitals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a microscope remote operation system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the microscope main body 16 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transmission-side microscope main body according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a microscope remote operation system according to a third embodiment.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control system of the microscope main body 72 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 microscope (first microscope) 13 revolver (lens switching mechanism) 14 objective lens 18A interface circuit (part of conversion output device) 18B processor (part of conversion output device) 18C transmission circuit (part of conversion output device) 18D receiving circuit (image data converter) 20 image monitor (display device) 22 field stop (adjustment member) 22A field stop dial (operation member) 24 aperture stop (adjustment member) 24A aperture stop dial (operation member) 26 sample stage 28 Z drive mechanism (object axis optical axis direction drive mechanism of sample stage, adjustment member) 28A Focusing handle (operation member) 30 Filter (adjustment member) 30A Light adjustment dial (operation member) 32 Light adjustment power supply (adjustment member) for light source 32A Power supply voltage regulator (operation member) 36 Operation information detection system 37 Hall I (Objective lens detection system) 38X linear encoder (part of position detection system) 38Y linear encoder (part of position detection system) 40 communication line 44 TV camera (imaging device) 46D camera control unit (part of image output device) 46E Transmission circuit (part of image output device) 60 Receiving microscope (second microscope) 74A Interface circuit (part of conversion output device) 74B Processor (part of conversion output device) 74C Transmission circuit (part of conversion output device) 76) Control circuit (adjustment mechanism, control device) 78X Stage X motor (drive system) 78Y Stage Y motor (drive system) 100 Microscope

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A microscope capable of switching a plurality of objective lenses, comprising: a position detection system for detecting a two-dimensional position of a sample stage in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective lens; and an objective for detecting setting of the objective lens. A microscope comprising: a lens detection system; and a conversion output device that converts information of detection results of the two detection systems into a communicable signal format and outputs the signal via a communication line. 2. An image data converter for converting image data input via a communication line into image data for display; and a display device for displaying an image based on the converted image data on a display screen. Item 7. The microscope according to Item 1. 3. The microscope according to claim 2, wherein the display device is mounted on the specimen stage. 4. A condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of a sample stage, a filter, and any one or any two of dimming power supplies for a light source.
Further comprising: an adjusting member comprising at least one combination; an operating member for manually operating the adjusting member; and an operation information detecting system for detecting operation information of the adjusting member by the operating member. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the output device converts information of a detection result of the operation information detection system into a communicable signal format and outputs the signal via a communication line. 5. An arbitrary one or an arbitrary two of a condenser lens, a field stop, an aperture stop, an objective lens optical axis direction driving mechanism of a sample stage, a filter, and a dimming power source for a light source according to switching of the objective lens. A microscope in which various adjustment members composed of the above combinations are automatically adjusted, and an objective lens detection system that detects the setting of the objective lens;
A lens switching mechanism that electrically switches the objective lens; an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the various adjustment members according to the objective lens; and a drive that drives the sample stage two-dimensionally in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens. A position detection system for detecting a two-dimensional position of the stage in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens;
An imaging device that outputs the imaging signal; an image output device that converts the imaging signal into communicable image data and sends the image data to a communication line; and converts the image data input via the communication line into display image data. An image data converter for conversion;
A display device for displaying an image based on the converted image data on a display screen; and when at least one of the setting information of the objective lens and the information of the two-dimensional position of the sample stage is input via the communication line, A control device for controlling the lens switching mechanism and the drive system corresponding to the input information in accordance with the information; converting the information of the detection results of the two detection systems into a communicable signal format, and via a communication line And a conversion output device for outputting the output. 6. A first microscope comprising the microscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, connected to the first microscope via a communication line, and setting information of the objective lens, When at least one of the information on the two-dimensional position of the sample stage and the operation information on the various adjustment members is input, the objective lens switching mechanism, the drive system of the sample stage, and the various adjustment members are input accordingly. And a second microscope for controlling a device corresponding to the information. 7. A plurality of microscopes according to claim 5,
A microscope remote operation system which is connected to each other via a communication line and is capable of transmitting and receiving the image data, the setting information of the objective lens, and the information of the two-dimensional position of the specimen stage.