JP4493355B2 - Electric stage for microscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric stage for a biological microscope used in an optical microscope.

  In the biological research and inspection fields, microscope automation is required to improve throughput through automation. As a matter of course, this requirement includes an electric stage that moves the specimen in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical axis. Furthermore, recently, in order to repeatedly observe a plurality of positions scattered in one specimen, a high position reproducibility is required for the electric stage.

For this reason, various electric stages such as a stage feed mechanism and a linear scale are used for various electric stages. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-40228 discloses a technique that employs a linear motor and a linear encoder to enable highly accurate positioning. In addition to the driving system, there is also a description about a specimen holder (clenmel) that holds a specimen using an elastic force such as a spring. According to this description, when water or oil enters between the sample and the stage, the frictional resistance between the upper surface of the stage and the sample increases, and the elastic force such as the spring of the sample holder cannot fix the sample. The problem is that the relative position of the specimen holder and specimen shifts when the stage is moved. As a solution to this problem, it has been proposed that the specimen holder is provided with a fixing function in addition to an elastic force such as a spring.
JP 5-40228

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-40228, the problem is an increase in frictional resistance between the upper surface of the stage and the specimen. However, if the upper surface of the stage is kept clean, the possibility of such a problem occurring is extremely low. In actual situations, the specimen position with respect to the specimen holder is slightly shifted due to the adsorption between the objective lens and the specimen that occurs when observing with a high-magnification high NA objective lens that fills the gap between the objective lens and the specimen with immersion oil. It becomes a problem. In addition to the type of stage configuration described in JP-A-5-40228 (the specimen slides on the upper surface of the stage), this case also occurs in a stage where the specimen is held on the stage. .

  Although the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-40228 is effective for such a problem, the stopper must be applied at the time of specimen setting regardless of whether an oil immersion objective lens is used, Depending on the method of application, there are gaps between the specimen and the specimen holder, resulting in deterioration in the position reproducibility of the specimen, and the need for a special specimen holder.

  This name was made in view of the above problems, and even when observing with an oil immersion objective lens, the specimen is reliably brought into contact with the two contact portions of the specimen holder. There is no relative displacement between the specimen and the specimen holder when the specimen is attached to the objective lens.

  In the invention of claim 1, a microscope that can be mounted and switched with a plurality of objective lenses, a detection means that detects an objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis, an input device that inputs objective lens information, and an objective lens Integrated with an objective stage information storage unit that stores information and position information, an electric stage that is installed in a microscope and can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical axis by means of a movable member that can move in two orthogonal directions, and an electric stage In an electric microscope having a specimen holder for holding a specimen fixedly or detachably fixed, a control device for controlling driving of the electric stage, and an operation unit for inputting an electric stage moving amount and direction, the specimen The holding portion is composed of two abutting portions each perpendicular to the moving member, and an arm that abuts the sample against the two abutting portions using an elastic force such as a spring, and the control device includes: When the objective lens information is read from the objective lens information storage unit, and the oil immersion objective lens is arranged on the observation optical axis, the specimen comes into contact with any movement direction input to the operation unit. It is characterized by stopping after moving a predetermined amount in the direction pushed by the part.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the predetermined amount is determined by objective lens information.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the predetermined amount can be arbitrarily set.

In the invention of claim 4 , a microscope that can be mounted and switched with a plurality of objective lenses, a detection means that detects an objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis, an input device that inputs objective lens information, and an objective lens An objective lens information storage unit that stores information and position information; and an electric stage that is installed in the microscope and that is capable of moving in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical axis for a specimen to be observed by a movable member that is movable in two orthogonal directions A specimen holder that holds the specimen integrally or detachably fixed to the electric stage, a control device that controls the driving of the electric stage, and a movement amount and a movement direction of the electric stage. In the electric microscope having the operation part, the specimen holding part includes two contact parts perpendicular to the two directions in which the moving member moves, and the specimen using the elastic force. The control device reads out the objective lens information from the objective lens information storage unit, and when the oil immersion objective lens is arranged on the observation optical axis, When the moving direction of the moving member is a direction in which the specimen is pressed against the contact portion, the moving member is moved to the final target position and then stopped. If the direction is opposite to the direction of pressing against the contact part, the moving member is further moved from the final target position in the same direction by a predetermined amount and then stopped, and then moved in the reverse direction by the same amount as the predetermined amount. It is characterized by being stopped after .

  [Effect of Claim 1] Even when observing with an oil immersion objective lens, the specimen is firmly attached to the two abutting portions of the specimen holder so that the specimen adheres to the objective lens. There is no relative displacement between the two.

  [Effect of Claim 2] Since the predetermined movement amount can be optimized by the tip shape (area) of the objective lens and the WD amount, it is possible to minimize the time loss during the stage movement. .

  [Effect of Claim 3] In the case of usage that does not require the accuracy of the position of the sample, the predetermined movement amount can be reduced to 0 at the minimum, and the throughput can be increased.

  [Effect of Claim 4] In addition to being able to divert the objective lens information already possessed by a microscope or external device controlled on a computer, it is possible to relatively easily synchronize with other electric parts. It becomes.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a typical microscope to which the electric stage is applied, FIG. 2 is a top view of the electric stage, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of electric stage control.

First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described. The microscope body 1, the lamp 2 as a lighting source is internal or attached, move through the stage Hol da, motorized stage 3 provided with a sample holder 4 for holding the sample 5 is the observation optical axis direction in FIG. It is provided as possible.

An objective lens switching device 7 capable of arranging a plurality of objective lenses 6 on the observation optical axis is provided at the upper part of the specimen 5, and a lens barrel 8 for switching the observation optical path is provided on the upper part through the microscope body 1. An eyepiece 10 for visual observation and an imaging device 9 such as a TV camera are installed.

  The objective lens switching device 7 is provided with detection means 701 including a Hall element that detects which objective lens 6 is arranged on the observation optical axis, and information input by the objective lens information input means 12 is also provided. Including the objective lens information storage unit 11.

The electric stage 3 has a lower stage 301 fixed to the microscope main body 1, a linear guide (not shown), a drive motor, and an upper stage 302 and an upper stage 302 that are held so as to be movable in the Y direction in the figure by a power transmission mechanism. The linear motion guide (not shown), the driving motor , and the X moving member 303 held by the power transmission mechanism so as to be movable in the X direction in the figure are connected to the control device 13 for controlling the motor (not shown). ing. In addition, an operation unit 14 for inputting the movement amount / direction of the electric stage 3 is connected to the control device 13.

  The specimen holder 4 fixed to the X moving member 303 by means such as a screw (not shown) includes a Y abutting portion 401 that regulates the Y + direction of the specimen 5 in the figure, and an X abutment that regulates the X− direction in the figure. A portion 402 is provided, and a force acts in the A direction in the figure by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) so that the force acts in a direction in which the specimen 5 is applied to the Y contact portion 401 and the X contact portion 402. An arm 403 is held so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 404. Further, a knob 405 is integrally formed on the arm 403 so as to easily rotate against the elastic force when the specimen 5 is attached and detached.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. First, as an initial setting before using the microscope, the objective lens information input unit 12 causes the objective lens information storage unit 11 to store information such as the magnification of the objective lens, NA, and whether or not it is an oil immersion objective lens.

  Next, a microscope will be used, but the operation for microscopic observation will be omitted, and the movement of the specimen 5 which is the point of the present invention will be described.

  When driving the electric stage 3, the operation unit 14 inputs information on the movement amount / direction and coordinate position. In this case, the control device does not immediately start moving the stage, but first reads information about the objective lens 6 that is currently placed on the observation optical axis and can be observed from the objective lens information storage unit 11. At this time, information on whether the objective lens 6 is an oil immersion objective lens is also read out.

  When the objective lens is not oil-immersed, the control device 13 adopts the driving pattern A that moves the electric stage 3 at the shortest distance to the final target position based on the information input from the operation unit 14 as it is.

  When the objective lens 6 is oil-immersed, next, + − in the moving direction X is confirmed. In the case of +, the drive pattern A is adopted, and in the case of-, after the movement of the final target position calculated based on the information input by the operation unit 14 + the predetermined movement amount α, α in the reverse direction is performed. A driving pattern B that moves only to the final target position is employed. The predetermined movement amount α is normally set to several mm or less. Similarly, +-in the moving direction Y is confirmed, and a driving pattern B is adopted in the case of +, and a driving pattern A is adopted in the case of-.

After the X and Y drive patterns are determined, the control unit 13 drives the two drive motors of the electric stage 3 along the respective drive patterns, and the electric stage 3 and the sample 5 are input by the operation unit 14. It moves to the final target position calculated based on the information. That is, when the objective lens 6 is oil-immersed, the electric stage 3 moves in the positive direction of X in FIG. 2 and the negative direction of Y in FIG. 2 regardless of the moving direction from the current position to the final target position input by the operation unit 14. Control to stop at the final target position moved in the direction is performed.

As a result, when observing with the oil immersion objective lens, the specimen 5 is always in contact with the Y contact portion 401 and the X contact portion 402 of the specimen holder 4, and the specimen holder generated at the time of the oil immersion objective objective lens. displacement of the relative positions of the 4 and the specimen 5 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been made based on an upright microscope as a typical microscope, but the same effect can be obtained when combined with an inverted microscope.

  It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when any one of the objective lens information storage unit 11, the input device 12, the control device 13, and the operation unit 14 is configured integrally or inside the microscope 1. The same effect can be obtained when the predetermined movement amount α is set for each objective lens according to the tip shape (area) of the objective lens, the WD amount, and the like.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the configuration and operation of the electric stage 3 different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The electric stage 3 has a lower stage 311 fixed to the microscope main body 1, a linear motion guide (not shown), and a middle stage 312 and a middle stage 312 that are held so as to be movable in the Y direction in the figure. The upper stage 313 is movably held in the X direction in the figure by a moving guide and a driving motor.

  The specimen holder 4 fixed to the upper stage 313 by means such as a screw (not shown) includes a Y abutting portion 411 that regulates the Y direction of the specimen 5 in the drawing and an X abutting portion 412 that regulates the X direction in the drawing. And an arm 413 that acts in the direction A in the figure with an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) so that the force acts in the direction in which the specimen 5 is applied to the Y contact part 411 and the X contact part 412. Is held so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 414. Further, a knob 415 is integrally formed on the arm 413 so that when the sample 5 is attached or detached, the arm 413 is easily rotated against the elastic force.

  Since the operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. In such a stage configuration, since the specimen 5 does not slide on the upper stage 313, the weight limit of the specimen 5 placed on the stage 3 is reduced. For example, when a petri dish or a well container is used for the specimen 5, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first embodiment, and the range of specimens that can be used is expanded.

It is a conceptual diagram of the typical microscope which applies this electric stage of this invention. It is a top view of the electric stage of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart of electric stage control. It is a top view of the electric stage of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

1: Microscope body 2: Lamp 3: Electric stage 4: Specimen holder 5: Specimen 6: Objective lens 7: Objective lens switching device 8: Lens barrel 9: Imaging device 10: Eyepiece lens 11: Objective lens information storage unit 12: Objective lens information input means 13: control device 14: operation unit 101: stage holder 301: lower stage 302: upper stage 303: X moving member 311: lower stage 312: middle stage 313: upper stage 401: Y contact portion 402: X contact portion 403: arm 404: rotation center 405: knob 411: Y contact portion 412: X contact portion 413: arm 414: rotation center 415: knob 701: detection means

Claims (4)

A microscope equipped with a plurality of objective lenses, which can be switched, a detection means for detecting an objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis, an input device for inputting objective lens information, and an objective for storing objective lens information and position information A lens information storage unit, an electric stage that is installed in the microscope and can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical axis by a movable member that can move in two orthogonal directions, and is fixed to the electric stage in an integrated or detachable manner. In an electric microscope having a specimen holder for holding a specimen, a control device for controlling the driving of the electric stage , and an operation unit for inputting the moving amount and moving direction of the electric stage,
The specimen holding part is composed of two abutting parts each perpendicular to the moving member, and an arm that abuts the specimen against the two abutting parts using an elastic force such as a spring. Reads out the objective lens information from the objective lens information storage unit, and when the oil immersion objective lens is disposed on the observation optical axis, the specimen is not affected by any movement direction input to the operation unit. An electric stage for a microscope characterized by stopping after moving a predetermined amount in a direction pushed by the contact portion. 2. The microscope electric stage according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is determined by objective lens information. 3. The electric stage for a microscope according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount can be arbitrarily set. A microscope equipped with a plurality of objective lenses, a switchable microscope, a detection means for detecting an objective lens arranged on the observation optical axis, an input device for inputting objective lens information, and an objective for storing objective lens information and position information A lens information storage unit; an electric stage that is installed in the microscope and is movable in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical axis; An electric microscope having a sample holder for holding the sample, detachably fixed, a control device for controlling the driving of the electric stage, and an operation unit for instructing a moving amount and a moving direction of the electric stage. In
The specimen holding part is composed of two abutting parts each perpendicular to the two directions in which the moving member moves, and an arm that abuts the specimen against the two abutting parts using elastic force,
The control device reads objective lens information from the objective lens information storage unit, and when the oil immersion objective lens is disposed on the observation optical axis, the moving direction of the moving member contacts the specimen. The moving member is moved to the final target position and then stopped, and the moving member moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the specimen is pressed against the contact portion. The electric stage for a microscope is characterized in that the moving member is further moved from the final target position in the same direction by a predetermined amount and then stopped, and then moved in the opposite direction by the same amount as the predetermined amount and then stopped. .