JP4474663B2 - Video microscope equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video microscope apparatus that obtains an enlarged image of a sample or the like with a microscope, shoots and records the image with a camera.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for researching and analyzing a fine portion of a sample to be inspected, a video microscope device that obtains an enlarged image of a sample with a microscope, shoots it with a camera, and records it is known. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3.)

These video microscope devices are composed of an examination table unit for placing a sample to be inspected such as a cell, tissue or yeast, an optical microscope unit including an objective lens for obtaining an enlarged image of the sample, and an enlarged image obtained by a microscope. A camera unit such as a CCD camera that captures images, a recording unit that records images captured by the camera, and a light source unit that illuminates the material. These devices are used for enlarging and recording fine parts of a sample to study and analyze changes over time, or to process and record camera image data, and to study and analyze the results. .

JP 09-65870 (page 4, FIG. 1) Publication 2001-521182 (page 19, Fig. 1A) Special Publication 2002-544560 (5th page, Fig. 1)

The conventional video microscope apparatus as described above is basically configured to enlarge and record one sample. Such a device is good for studying sample changes over a relatively short period of time, but may not be suitable for studying changes over time over long periods of time. That is, for example, when performing a treatment on a cell and observing its effect and influence in an enlarged manner, it is necessary to observe the change over about one day (24 hours), and as a comparison experiment object over the same time. Observation data of cells that have not been treated is also necessary.

In the case of performing such observation, in the conventional microscope apparatus, it is not possible to simultaneously collect the image data of the processed cells and the sample of the comparative experiment. It was necessary to observe other samples every day, and a long-term observation experiment was necessary.
Such a problem of prolonging the observation time becomes a further problem when trying to examine effects and influences of a plurality of different processes, but also raises a problem that not only the time but also the target environment may be different. That is, the cells used as a sample also divide and proliferate from time to time, and the cells lose their acquired properties or their density changes every time they divide and proliferate. In addition, when conducting research effects such as processing, it is preferable to maintain the same sample environment such as temperature and humidity. There was a problem that it was difficult to maintain the same.

Further, in the case of such observational research over a relatively long time, a problem of a light source for irradiating a sample necessary for sample observation also occurs. That is, it is necessary to irradiate the sample with a light source for observation, but the sample is affected by the irradiation for a long time, and it is impossible to collect data of appropriate effects and results.

The present invention is intended to solve the problem of such a conventional apparatus, and a video microscope capable of observing and recording a plurality of samples in substantially the same environment or in a setting environment that can be compared at the same time. The object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample support device having a support portion for arranging a sample, an irradiation device having a light source for irradiating the sample, and an enlarged image of the sample placed on the support portion. In a video microscope apparatus having an optical magnifying device provided with the objective lens, a camera device for photographing an enlarged image of a sample made by the optical magnifying device, and a recording device for recording the photographing data of the camera device as it is or after processing A plurality of samples having different support portions of the support device can be arranged, and the objective lens of the optical magnifying device can independently create enlarged images of the samples arranged on the support portions. It is possible to provide a plurality of samples corresponding to each support part so that a plurality of samples arranged in each support part can be in the same environment by surrounding the sample placement space of the plurality of support parts. A sample in which the camera device is configured to selectively capture each magnified image of the plurality of objective lenses, and the recording device includes imaging data from the camera device arranged on each support unit. The image data is associated with parameters that can be compared with each other and recorded in a recording apparatus.

As another solution, in the above-described video microscope apparatus, the irradiation device is configured to be capable of independently irradiating or non-irradiating light from the light source for each of the plurality of support portions, and for a specific support portion. Irradiation non-irradiation on the sample is controlled so that irradiation is performed when an enlarged image of the sample is captured by the camera device, and non-irradiation is performed when the image is not captured.

As another solution, in the video microscope apparatus described above, a position adjustment mechanism capable of independently adjusting the position of the sample disposed on each support portion of the support device, and a plurality of objective lenses of the optical magnification device Is provided with a focal length adjusting mechanism for independently adjusting the focal length.

By the first problem solving means, a plurality of samples, which could not be obtained by the conventional apparatus, can be enlarged and recorded in the same time zone under substantially the same environment, and appropriate comparison between them can be performed. A video microscope apparatus that enables research can be obtained.

In another solution, in addition to the above, the irradiation apparatus can irradiate or non-irradiate light from the light source independently for each of the plurality of support portions, and can perform irradiation non-irradiation on a sample of a specific support portion. In addition, when the enlarged image of the sample is taken with the camera device, it is irradiated and not irradiated when it is not taken. Data can be collected.

In addition, the position adjustment mechanism capable of independently adjusting the position of the sample respectively arranged on each support portion of the support device and the focal length of each of the plurality of objective lenses of the optical magnifying device are made independent by other solution means. By providing a focal length adjustment mechanism that adjusts the data, it is possible to collect data on appropriate parts for each sample.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. FIG.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of a video microscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is an external view of a microscope main body 1 which is a core element constituting the video microscope apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a sample support portion 6 in the microscope main body 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of the monitor 20 that displays the image data of the sample sent from the microscope main body 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the microscope main body 1 includes a sample support 6 on which a sample 8 placed in a petri dish is placed, and a sample 8 in the petri dish arranged on the sample support 6 with a side wall 5. An environment chamber 2 configured to surround the optical chamber, an optical magnifying unit 3 including an objective lens 15 for obtaining an enlarged image of the sample 8, and a camera 17 for converting the enlarged image obtained by the objective lens 15 into an electrical signal. And an image detection unit 4 provided.
On the sample support unit 6, four independent samples 8 are configured to be placed in different dishes and placed, and the entire surface of the four sample placement parts is the wall of the support unit 6. In addition, the side surface and the upper surface are surrounded by the side wall 5 and are disposed in the environment chamber 2 constituted by these walls. By the method described later, all the samples 8 can be given the same environment and conditions necessary for the culture, such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration.

There is a sample 8 in the petri dish, and in this case, this sample assumes a state in which cells adhere to the bottom of the petri dish filled with the culture solution. Each sample of cells obtained at almost the same time and grown under similar conditions is placed on a movable sample support 14 as a position adjusting mechanism on the support 6, and the sample 8 is limited. Within the range, the position can be moved two-dimensionally from the outside of the main body 1 by the experimenter's operation.
The details of the position adjusting mechanism are shown in FIG. The constituent wall of the sample support section 6 is partially recessed, and a plate and the sample movable support base 14 having a thickness slightly higher than the upper surface of the sample support section constituent wall are placed there. The sample movable support base 14 has a hole so that the sample 8 placed thereon can be directly observed through a hole formed in the support portion constituting wall from the objective lens 15 in the lower part. Further, the size of the sample movable support base 14 is configured to be smaller than the concave part of the constituent wall of the sample support part 6, and the position can be changed in the horizontal direction within the concave part, and the environment chamber of the microscope body 1. It has an ear that goes out of the wall 5. The ear portion can be moved from the outside of the microscope, and the position of the observation region can be moved within a limited range by changing the horizontal position of the sample 8 on the sample movable support base 14 with respect to the objective lens 15 inside.
Of course, this plate portion may be implemented as an automatic stage that can be electrically moved in the XY directions. If an automatic stage is used, a plurality of positions can be observed with the same sample. The approximate position of the sample can be determined when the sample is installed.

An optical magnifying unit 3 is provided below the environment chamber 2 and below the sample support unit 6. In this optical magnifying unit 3, four objective lenses 15 (in this case, phase difference observation objective lenses) are provided on the constituent wall of the support unit 6 with the sample 8 arranged on the four sample movable support bases 14. It is attached so that an enlarged image can be obtained by directly observing through the opened hole and the hole of the sample movable support base 14. Each objective lens 15 is installed in an inverted microscope observation arrangement. The periphery of the distal end of the objective lens 15 is sealed with an observation hole opened in the constituent wall of the support unit 6 by the objective lens seal 13, and heat in the environment chamber 2 is observed from the observation hole opened in the sample support unit 6. Consideration is made so that the conditions do not change for observation, for example, the gas is dissipated and only the sample portion is cooled to a low temperature. In order to adjust the focus of the specimen 8 on the observation portion, each objective lens 15 is held on the main body via the objective lens vertical movable holder 16. The objective lens up / down movable holder 16 has the objective lens 15 coupled and fixed to the upper part by screws, and is engaged with a screw member fixed to the microscope main body at a screw part formed on the outer periphery of the lower part. The objective lens 15 is configured to move up and down with respect to the microscope body.
As shown in FIG. 2, the optical enlargement unit 3 has only four corner pillars with side windows, and the objective lens vertical movable holder 16 can be turned from the outside by an experimenter. The part of the sample 8 to be focused can be set independently for each of a plurality of samples by the observer turning the objective lens vertical movable holder 16 to a predetermined focus position in advance. Yes.
Furthermore, a lens mount made of a piezo element or the like is incorporated into the objective lens vertical movable holder 16 as an objective lens mount unit that can be electrically driven up and down in the submicron order, or the objective lens vertical movable holder. It can be installed in place of 16 so that a plurality of images of various surfaces in the vertical direction of the sample can be taken electrically agilely. As a result, a conventional rack and pinion type complicated objective lens up-and-down driving device is not required, and the cost, number of parts, and space of the device can be reduced. Of course, a conventional vertical drive device may be employed for a wide range of driving and automatic focusing.

Below the optical enlargement unit 3 is a camera unit 4 coupled by an optical detection unit support base 7. The enlarged image formed by the objective lens 15 is imaged on the focal plane below the lens by the objective lens alone or an appropriate relay lens. If a camera 17 such as a video camera or a digital camera is installed at this point, and the image detection unit 18 such as a CCD is positioned at the image formation point of the image, an enlarged view of a sample such as a cell is electrically displayed. It can be understood as a signal.
Four cameras 17 are independently attached to the camera unit 4 below the four objective lenses 15 so that the image detection unit 18 comes to the imaging point. The four cameras 17 are connected to the control unit 19 via four image output / control terminals 30 provided for each camera on the lower side of the main body 1. Shooting is controlled by the control unit 19, and in long-time observation, shooting ON can be controlled in synchronization with the light source ON at regular time intervals. With regard to images, at present, the intensity of light at, for example, each pixel of the CCD of the image detection unit 18 is converted into a digital value by a high-speed A / D converter or the like. Can be recorded on the digital recording medium in the image recording device 22. Further, each piece of the image data becomes a calculation object, and various image processing such as a difference image between successive images can be performed, and the calculation result can also be recorded.

A carbon dioxide cylinder 23 is connected to the environment chamber 2 in which a plurality of samples 8 are disposed via a gas humidification / constant temperature device 24, and carbon dioxide gas having a constant temperature / humidity and a constant concentration is supplied from the gas inlet 25. It is supplied to the internal space of the environmental chamber 2. Gas leaks to the outside through a slight gap between the side wall 5 and the movable sample support 14 that can be adjusted in position, so that gas of a predetermined temperature and humidity is continuously injected, and the internal culture conditions are the same for a plurality of samples. Samples such as cells are stably cultured, and comparison between samples can be performed in real time. The environmental conditions inside the environmental chamber 2 are always measured periodically by the sensor 27. In this case, the temperature, humidity, gas concentration, etc. are recorded together with the image through the control unit 19.
Further, in order to make the temperature condition inside the environment chamber 2 constant, a flow path 26 for flowing a liquid is provided inside the support portion 6 and the side wall 5 constituting the environment chamber 2, and water or the like having a predetermined temperature is provided. The liquid is supplied from a liquid supply source (not shown) to the flow path 26 and flows around the environmental chamber 2 so that the temperature in the environmental chamber is maintained in an appropriate range.
In place of the environmental control of this embodiment, a mechanism for keeping the internal temperature constant by adding a Peltier element or a heater to the internal surface may be added. In addition, such conditions remain the same, and tertiary conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation can be changed for each sample. Further, if necessary, a partition plate can be placed inside, and certain conditions among the same conditions can be changed (for example, at the same temperature, different carbon dioxide concentrations and humidity).

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the environment chamber 2 is coupled with the hinge 28 in FIG. 1 so that the upper part is open, and the sample 8 is easily set. The sample is set as shown in FIG. After that, the fastener 29 or the like in FIG. 2 is not opened during observation.

Four irradiation devices 9 for observation that illuminate the sample 8 placed on the support portion are incorporated in the upper wall of the environment chamber 2 corresponding to each sample. When the environment chamber 2 is closed, Additional environmental chamber closing hinge 28 and tighten member 29 and, due to fitting of the collar of the environmental chamber walls, are automatically turned as the light irradiation device 9 is positioned with respect to the sample 8 in place. Each irradiation device 9 is connected to a control unit 19, and irradiation / non-irradiation of the light source 10 in the irradiation device 9 is controlled by the control unit 19. Various light sources 10 are conceivable. Here, ON / OFF can be controlled so that the light source can be irradiated only when an image is taken with a camera, and the rise of the light amount when ON is quickly and quickly constant. The control unit 19 controls irradiation / non-irradiation by supplying power to each irradiation device 9 and stopping it.
In the case of a light source that emits light continuously, irradiation / non-irradiation can be controlled with a chopper or the like. Alternatively, a mechanism may be adopted in which a single light source is provided outside and light can be introduced into the environment chamber and irradiated with light using a rotating mirror, chopper, optical fiber, or a combination thereof.
In the light irradiation device 9 of FIG. 1, in addition to the light source 10, a phase plate 11 necessary for phase difference observation often used for morphological observation of cells and the like is installed. A group of cells collected and present in the field of view of the microscope is configured to be irradiated with ideal illumination such as Koehler illumination. In addition, an optical system necessary for Nomarski differential interference observation, dark field observation, or the like may be incorporated so that cells can be observed without staining.

A monitor 20, an image processing unit 21, and an image recording device 22 are connected to the control unit 19. The monitor 20 has a function as a display device of the control unit 19 as a computer, and can directly display image data of each camera 17 and can display a recorded image directly or after processing. The monitor 20 can display environmental data in the environmental room.
At the start of the test, a signal is sent to the light source 10 so that each sample 8 is irradiated by the light irradiation device 9, and an enlarged image of the sample 8 by the camera 17 corresponding to each sample 8 is displayed on the monitor. The The tester operates the sample movable support table 14 while viewing the image displayed on the monitor, and sets the sample position at a position where the site to be observed is displayed. Further, the objective lens vertical movable holder 16 is rotated to set the focus. Next, the carbon dioxide concentration in the environmental chamber is set appropriately.
When the test is started, a control signal is sent from the control unit 19 which is a computer to the camera 17 and the light irradiation device 9 at an image acquisition timing freely set by the observer according to the test, and the light source 10 is turned on or irradiated. Thus, a microscopic image can be obtained for each sample and the data can be recorded in the image recording device 22 as it is or microscopic image data image-processed by the image processing unit 21. The recording of the image data is recorded in the image recording device 22 together with the time axis as the photographing time and the environment data at that time.

One of the features of this microscope is that when cells are to be observed, for example, in order to maintain a plurality of samples in a constant culture condition, the cells are conventionally cultured in a large cell incubator such as a CO ₂ incubator, In addition, a plurality of samples were taken out to the outside at room temperature and observed, but the environment chamber 2 corresponding to this incubator was held in the microscope body 1. This makes it possible to hold multiple samples to be compared in the required environment during the observation time, especially at specific locations even when it is difficult to find the same observation position in the micro range, such as microscopic observation. Can be continuously observed for multiple samples, and differences due to external factors (drug concentrations, differences in stimulation, presence / absence of acting molecules, etc.) that differ among multiple samples can be easily compared. I made it.

In the above embodiment, if the objective lens of this optical enlargement unit is expensive or special, it is installed on a rotation mount, and when the objective lens comes directly under each sample, You may stop and capture an image. In this case, since an object lens seal 13 at the bottom of the sample cannot be installed, it is necessary to consider that the temperature of the sample does not change by making the bottom of the sample like a thin double window. This microscope is an inverted microscope often used for cell observation. However, the light irradiation device 9 in FIG. 1 is placed on the objective lens side, and the objective lens and the camera are placed on the light irradiation unit side in FIG. The device may be designed for an upright microscope arrangement. Also in this case, the arrangement of the environmental chamber and the environmental setting method are almost the same as those in FIG.

In observation of cells and the like, fluorescent molecules are introduced into cells to track, for example, the inflow of Ca ions into cells, changes in pH or membrane potential, and the like. Fluorescence microscopic observation is also popular, such as tracking the movement of the protein. In such a case, since the fluorescence is weak, the camera must use a special camera such as a high-sensitivity video camera or high-sensitivity digital camera, and since it is generally an expensive camera, there is one camera for each sample. It is difficult to install them one by one. Even in the case of the first embodiment, there is a case where an expensive camera such as a high-definition video camera is used, or the observation as in the first embodiment is performed at a lower cost.

In this way, when it is desired to observe a plurality of samples with one camera, a mirror 32 is installed at 45 degrees on the center axis of the lens at the bottom of the support base of the objective lens 15 as shown in FIG. This central axis is set as the motor rotation axis so that the light from the mirror 32 is reflected to the camera 35 installed below the symmetry central axis at the position of the symmetry center, and another rotation mirror 34 is set to 45 degrees on this axis. Install so that they face each other. Thus, control is performed so that an image is acquired when a rotating mirror faces a mirror directly below each objective lens 15 in a camera that places a detection unit at an imaging point. Thereby, it is possible to observe a plurality of samples with one camera.

Further, in the case of fluorescence observation, an excitation light source 31 for fluorescence observation is installed on the central axis below the objective lens. Further, instead of the dichroic mirror 32 that allows the excitation light to pass through 32 but reflects only the fluorescent image having a long wavelength and sends it to the camera side (does not reflect the excitation light), if necessary, It is possible to cause one high-sensitivity camera to capture temporal changes in cell fluorescence images in a plurality of samples through a fluorescent filter that allows only the wavelength of the fluorescence to be observed to pass somewhere in the optical path thereafter.

In this case as well, the arrangement of the microscope is that of an inverted microscope. However, as described above, the arrangement of an upright microscope in which the light source, the objective lens, and the camera are reversed may be used. Further, as described above, the light source may be a continuous light source that is turned on / off by a chopper, or a light source that is turned on / off from one laser and introduced by a plurality of optical fibers.

In this way, multiple samples can be made at the same time with the same conditions, and the multiple samples are placed in a controlled and homogeneous environment, with the effects of different factors from sample to sample. The present invention makes it possible to provide a simple, compact, and low-cost apparatus that makes it possible to compare image data along the time axis while minimizing the effects of light irradiation for observation.

Examples of the results are shown below with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 5 shows that fibroblasts in the lower layer of the skin spread to one side by culture (referred to as becoming confluent). This is a model for observing the repair process of wounds. Then, although it is observation with one microscope, it can be understood that with time, cells move to the damaged zone and repair the damaged wound. Actually, there is also a discovery here, and when cells first move and fill the gap roughly, and fill even sparsely, the cell begins to divide for the first time (the number of cells that have divided is displayed in the lower right) This long time video observation shows that the wound zone is finally repaired densely. However, there were various problems during this observation. During this observation, the light source of the microscope continued to illuminate the cells, and it is not known what damage the cells were caused by this long exposure to light, and the effect is included in this result. Yes. It is better to take the cells out of the culture chamber and view them each time, but in that case it is almost impossible to look for the same observation point and take an image at the exact same position. In addition, in order to keep it all day long, the temperature of the room where the microscope is installed is set to 37 degrees as an environmental setting, and carbon dioxide cannot be injected for changes such as pH due to cell metabolism in the culture solution. For this reason, there were various problems such as having to cope with some increase in the culture solution. In addition, if different conditions are added to this, one microscope will be used for the next day's experiment, and at that time, the cells at the start will continue to grow and spread in the same way, but at the same cell density. We had to be prepared for the difference to exist once a day later.

FIG. 6 shows two types of samples (one for comparison and the right shows mast cells scattered at the site during wound repair dispersed on this cell layer). You can compare the movement of the cells at the same time in the image, and if the mast cell on the right side coexists, the movement of the cell to the place where there is no cell is faster for wound repair. This is the first time that the image (white circle) can be verified.
Therefore, such an observation device enables the discovery and functional analysis of a wide variety of factors for various changes in cells and living tissues, accelerates the elucidation of the mechanism of life phenomena, and results in new drugs and treatments. It can be expected to provide an important means of observation and research that will accelerate the development of law.

Overall view of a video microscope apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention 1 is an external view of a microscope main body of a video microscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of sample position adjustment mechanism of sample support Explanatory drawing showing the monitor screen Results of time-dependent observation of the repair process of a partially scraped cell layer (as a wound model) using a single video microscope Comparison of changes over time in the repair process of the partially scraped cell layer in the case of FIG. 5 using a comparative microscope when normal and mast cells coexist. Explanatory drawing showing the second embodiment

1 microscope body
2 environment room
3 optical magnification part
4 image detector
5 Environmental room side wall
6 Sample support
7 Optical detector support stand
8 samples (in petri dish)
9 light irradiation device
10 light sources (LED, etc.)
11 phase ring
12 condenser lens
13 objective lens seal
14 Sample movable support stand
15 objective lens
16 objective lens up and down movable holder
17 cameras
18 image detector
19 control units
20 monitors
21 image processing unit
22 image recording device
23 carbonic acid gas cylinder
24 Gas humidification and thermostat
25 Gas inlet
26 Channel
27 sensors
28 Environmental room hinge
29 fasteners
30 image output / control terminal
31 light sources (for fluorescence observation)
32 dichroic mirror
33 mirror rotation motor
34 rotation mirror
35 special cameras or high sensitivity cameras

Claims (6)

A support device including a support unit for arranging the sample, an irradiation device including a light source for irradiating the sample, and an optical magnifying device including an objective lens for creating a magnified image of the sample disposed on the support unit; In the video microscope apparatus having a camera apparatus that captures an enlarged image of a sample made by the optical magnifying apparatus and a recording apparatus that records the captured data of the camera apparatus as it is or after processing, the support portion of the support apparatus Are provided so that a plurality of different samples can be arranged, and the objective lens of the optical magnifying device can support each of the magnified images of the samples arranged on the plurality of supporting portions independently. A plurality of environmental chambers are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of units, surrounding the sample arrangement space of the plurality of support units, and allowing a plurality of samples arranged on each support unit to have the same environment. Device is selectively recordable configure each enlarged image of the plurality of objective lenses, above recording apparatus as an imaging data from the camera device, can be compared image data of the sample is mutually disposed in the support portion A video microscope apparatus characterized in that it is recorded in a recording apparatus in association with a parameter consisting of an identification symbol for identifying a supporting part on which a sample is placed and a photographing time . A support device including a support unit for arranging the sample, an irradiation device including a light source for irradiating the sample, and an optical magnifying device including an objective lens for creating a magnified image of the sample disposed on the support unit; In the video microscope apparatus having a camera apparatus that captures an enlarged image of a sample made by the optical magnifying apparatus and a recording apparatus that records the captured data of the camera apparatus as it is or after processing, the support portion of the support apparatus A plurality of samples are provided so that a plurality of different samples can be arranged, and an environment chamber is provided that surrounds the sample arrangement space of the plurality of support parts and allows the plurality of samples arranged in each support part to have the same environment. provided, the camera device is selectively recordable configure each enlarged image of the plurality of samples, as imaging data from the camera device to the recording apparatus, the sample to be placed on each of the supporting members Together with the image data is to be recorded in the recording device attached relationship with identification symbols and consisting of shooting time parameter identifies the supporting portion of sample was placed mutually comparable, the light from the above illumination device light source A video microscope apparatus that is configured to be capable of irradiating or not irradiating, and is controlled to irradiate light when an enlarged image of a sample of a specific support portion is photographed by the camera apparatus. . The irradiation device includes the same number of light sources as the number of support parts, and each light source is configured to irradiate a sample placed on the corresponding support part, and the irradiation of the specific support part by each light source is not irradiated. The video microscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the video microscope apparatus is configured to be controlled by turning on and off the light source. The plurality of support portions of the support device are provided with position adjustment mechanisms that can independently adjust the positions of the samples disposed on the support portions, and the plurality of objective lenses of the optical magnifying device have each objective. 2. The video microscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a focal length adjusting mechanism for independently adjusting a focal length of the lens. According to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in Rukoto contain environmental data when further taken sample parameter is associated with the image data of the sample to be recorded in the recording device Video microscope device. 2. An environment control device for controlling at least one of carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity in the environmental chamber in order to maintain the atmosphere in the environmental chamber in a desired experimental environment. 5. The video microscope apparatus according to any one of 5 above.