JPH0650976B2 - Live cell laser perforator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a live cell laser perforation apparatus.

(Prior Art) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-83583 discloses a live cell laser perforation apparatus. In this device, it is possible to control the laser projection position two-dimensionally by instructing with a light pen on the CRT screen on which the sample image is displayed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In such a live cell laser perforation apparatus, if the user can freely control the "depth of laser focus" corresponding to the depth of the scalpel, the processing accuracy procedure will be improved. It can be dramatically improved.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A live cell laser perforation apparatus of the present invention is a CRT screen for displaying an image of a live cell sample, a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam for making a hole in the live cell sample, and the CRT screen. The light pen having a first signal generating means for generating a detection signal at the upper pointing position and a second signal generating means for generating a signal according to a user's operation separately from the signal, the first pen. A laser projection position control device for directing the laser light to the indicated position on the CRT screen according to the signal from the signal generation means, and a lens for converging the laser light according to the signal from the second signal generation means. It is composed of a focus depth adjusting means that moves up and down to change the depth of the laser light focus.

As the second signal generating means in the light pen, specifically, a pressure sensor that detects the pressing force of the user on the CRT screen, a variable resistor that slides by the user's finger operation, or the like can be used. The signal form may be either analog or digital.

(Operation) In the live cell laser perforation apparatus of the present invention, the user can freely control the depth of the laser light focus by operating the light pen.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of a light pen used in the present invention. Light from the CRT display is detected by the light detector 3 in the cavity 2 provided at the tip of the light pen body 1.
A light guide portion 4 that leads to is provided. A pressure detection element 5 is provided behind the light guide section 4. The pressure detecting element 5 is sandwiched between the light guide portion 4 and the spring 6, and generates a voltage value between the facing surfaces according to the pressure applied between the light pen body 1 and the light guide portion 4. That is, the detection of the pressing force on the display when the light pen is instructed to the CRT display is performed together with the detection of the fluorescence emission during the electron beam scanning.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the light pen used in the present invention. In this embodiment, a sliding resistance 7 is provided on the side of the light pen body 1. The position of the sliding resistance 7 is changed by the finger operation of the operator, and the resistance value of the sliding resistance 7 is changed. To be done. At the same time as the pointing position detection signal by the optical condenser 8 and the photodetector 3, a signal corresponding to the set resistance value of the sliding resistor 7 is generated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The laser perforation apparatus main body 11 serves as a microscope for enlarging the image of the sample 12 and guiding it to the TV camera 13, and the laser light oscillator 14
It fulfills two functions of a light condensing device which condenses the laser light 15 emitted from the sample and projects it onto the sample 12. Laser light 15
The focus and the focus position of the imaging surface change depending on the vertical movement of the objective lens 11a.
This is performed by strain deformation of the electrostrictive element 16 provided between the lens barrel 11b of the apparatus body 11 and the lens barrel 11b. The sample image taken by the TV camera 13 is displayed on the monitor 17. When the sample image on the monitor 17 is pointed by the light pen 15 of the present invention, the light pen 15 moves to the monitor 1.
A pulse signal is generated by capturing the fluorescent light emission of No. 7. With this pulse signal, the position control signal generator 18 calculates the pointing position of the light pen, and a control signal is generated based on the calculated value. The beam deflecting device 19 composed of a galvanometer mirror or the like is driven by the deflecting device driving means 20 which receives this control so that the laser light 5 is projected to the designated position of the light pen 15. The pulse signal from the light pen 15 is simultaneously input to the time control generator 21. The time control signal generator 21 converts a pulse signal generated in each operation cycle of the TV camera 13 into a time control signal at a desired interval. This time control signal controls ON / OFF of the driving device 22 of the electrostrictive element 16. This time control signal also controls the opening / closing of the laser optical path shutter 23 provided between the microscope body 11 and the laser oscillator 14. The laser optical path shutter 23 is opened during the voltage application period of the electrostrictive element 16 excluding the transition period,
During that period (pulsed), the laser light 15 is continuously projected onto the sample. A voltage signal generated from the light pen 15 having a value corresponding to the pressing force on the monitor TV when the light pen 15 instructs the monitor TV 17 is sent to the focal depth position control signal generator 24. The signal from the focal depth position control signal generator 24 controls the electrostrictive element driving voltage generated from the voltage element driving device 22. Therefore, a laser light waist is formed at the focal depth position with respect to the sample 2 according to the pressing force of the light pen 15 on the monitor TV 17.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, in addition to the control of the "depth of the laser focus" corresponding to the "depth of the scalpel", three-dimensional control becomes possible, and the processing accuracy can be dramatically improved. it can. It is possible to perform highly accurate cell surgery such as laser irradiation aimed at a specific depth inside a cell, for example, a cell nucleus at a specific depth, or perforation aimed at the inner surface of a biological membrane.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a light pen used in the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a light pen used in the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. , 1 ... Light pen body, 2 ... Cavity, 3 ... Photodetector, 4 ... Light guide part, 5 ... Pressure detection element, 6 ... Spring, 7 ... Sliding resistance, 8 …… Optical condenser.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A CRT screen for displaying an image of a living cell sample, a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam for making a hole in the living cell sample, and a first signal for generating a detection signal at a designated position on the CRT screen. A light pen including a generating means and a second signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a user's operation, separately from the signal; and the CR according to the signal from the first signal generating means.
A laser projection position control device for directing the laser light to the designated position on the T screen, and a lens for converging the laser light is moved up and down in accordance with a signal from the second signal generating means, and the depth of the laser light focus is increased. A live cell laser perforation apparatus comprising a focal depth adjusting means for changing