JP2005121947A - Object lens insertion fixture, microscope and microscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with the positioning of object lens performed at every time of observation. <P>SOLUTION: An object lens insertion fixture 51 is positioned and fixed on the skin W2 of an observation object W together with a base part 54 and a fixation ring 62. The object lens insertion fixture 51 is further provided with an insertion hole 52 for inserting an object lens unit 23. The object lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 until the surface 45 of a frame part 41 is abutted on the flat plane 56 of the insertion hole 52 and is fixed by a screw 60 screwed into the base part 54. Therefore, the object lens unit 23 is positioned and fixed on the observation object W via the object lens insertion fixture 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an objective lens insertion tool for inserting an objective lens unit in an optical apparatus, a microscope including such an objective lens insertion tool, and a microscope system including the microscope.

A confocal laser scanning microscope is known as a means for observing the surface of a sample such as a living cell or tissue or a tomographic image. In the confocal laser scanning microscope, the laser light source and the photodetector are arranged so as to have an optically beneficial positional relationship with respect to the objective lens. Further, a scanning optical system is provided between the laser light source and the objective lens, and an image of the sample is acquired while the laser beam is scanned two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally with respect to the sample. Here, in the conventional confocal laser scanning microscope, there is an optical lens in which an objective lens brought close to a site to be observed and a scanning optical system are optically coupled with a bundle of optical fibers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-133306 (paragraphs 0012 to 0015, FIG. 1)

However, when the same sample is observed a plurality of times with this type of confocal laser scanning microscope, the sample and the objective lens must be aligned for each observation. Such alignment is particularly difficult when the sample is a small animal internal tissue or the like. In addition, alignment has to be performed when the magnification of the objective lens is changed.
Furthermore, when observing cells or the like multiple times, it is necessary to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the observation target.
This invention is made in view of such a subject, and it aims at making the position alignment of the objective lens performed every time of observation unnecessary. It is another object of the present invention to prevent foreign matter from entering the observation target. And it aims at providing the microscope in which such an objective lens unit was attached, and the microscope system containing such a microscope.

In order to observe the inside of the observation object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention that solves the above problem extends an insertion part that is inserted into the observation object from a base that contacts the epidermis of the observation object. A body provided with an insertion hole into which the objective lens used for positioning can be inserted, and a fixing member that can be fitted into the insertion portion and sandwich the epidermis with the base portion. An objective lens insertion tool was obtained.
This objective lens insertion tool can be positioned and fixed to the observation object by sandwiching the epidermis between the base and the fixing member. When the objective lens unit is inserted into the insertion hole in this state, the objective lens is positioned and fixed to the observation target via the objective lens insertion tool.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens insertion tool according to the first aspect, a plurality of the insertion holes are provided.
According to this objective lens insertion tool, when there are a plurality of parts to be observed close to each other, the objective lens unit can be inserted into each of the parts to be observed.

The invention according to claim 3 is the objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, further comprising a lid capable of sealing the insertion hole.
According to this objective lens insertion tool, it is possible to seal the insertion hole with the lid after removing the objective lens unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens insertion tool according to the third aspect, the lid is provided at the tip of an elastic member extending from the base.
In this objective lens insertion tool, since the lid is provided integrally with the base, it is easy to remove the lid.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens insertion tool according to the third aspect, the lid is formed by providing at least one cut in an elastic member that closes the insertion hole.
In this objective lens insertion tool, a lid is composed of a plurality of elastic pieces formed by cutting. The elastic piece is deformed so as to seal the through hole when the objective lens unit is removed and to form an opening when the objective lens unit is inserted into the insertion hole.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens insertion tool according to the first aspect, the main body has a fine movement portion movable with respect to the base portion, and the insertion hole is provided in the fine movement portion. It is characterized by being.
According to this objective lens insertion tool, the position of the objective lens can be moved by moving the fine movement portion into which the objective lens unit is inserted with respect to the base portion.

The invention according to claim 7 is the objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with a through-hole penetrating from the base portion to a distal end of the insertion portion.
The objective lens insertion tool has a hole different from the hole for inserting the objective lens, and a treatment tool or a light guide can be inserted into the hole. Moreover, air and a chemical | medical agent can be supplied in an observation object using this hole.

The invention according to claim 8 is the objective lens insertion tool according to claim 7, wherein an elastic member extending from the base portion is provided, and a lid capable of sealing the through hole is provided at a tip of the elastic member. And
This objective lens insertion tool can be sealed with a lid when the through hole is not used.

The invention according to a ninth aspect is the objective lens insertion tool according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the objective lens unit inserted into the objective lens insertion tool, and the observation of light from a light source. The microscope includes a photodetector that detects light obtained by irradiating the object through the objective lens.
When observing with this microscope, the objective lens insertion tool is fixed to the site to be observed, and then the objective lens unit is inserted into the insertion hole of the objective lens insertion tool. The position of the objective lens is fixed to the observation target by the objective lens insertion tool.

The invention according to claim 10 is the microscope according to claim 8, wherein the frame portion of the objective lens unit has a substantially L-shape.
In this microscope, since the frame portion of the objective lens unit has a substantially L shape, the optical system on the detector side of the microscope can be disposed away from the tip of the objective lens and directly above the objective lens insertion tool. it can.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the microscope according to the ninth aspect, a light guide hole through which light from the light source passes is provided in the frame portion of the objective lens unit.
This microscope can illuminate a portion to be observed from the vicinity of the tip of the objective lens unit.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the microscope according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects is attached to a multi-axis moving mechanism, and is configured to be movable forward and backward with respect to a stage on which the observation target is placed. A microscope system characterized in that a stereomicroscope is disposed above the stage.
This microscope system includes at least two microscopes, and can position, insert, and fix an objective lens insertion tool and an objective lens while confirming an observation target with a stereomicroscope.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the objective lens can be positioned and fixed to the observation object via the objective lens insertion tool. Therefore, if the objective lens insertion tool is fixed to the observation target, it is not necessary to align the observation target and the objective lens each time observation is performed. Further, when it is desired to observe the same place with objective lenses having different magnifications, it is not necessary to align the objective lens.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the objective lens can be positioned and fixed to the observation target even when there are a plurality of parts to be observed close to each other.
According to the third aspect of the invention, since the insertion hole can be sealed with the lid when the objective lens unit is removed, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the observation target.
According to the invention described in claim 4, since the lid is provided integrally with the main body, it is easy to remove. Furthermore, the loss of the lid can be prevented, and the entry of foreign matter into the observation target can be reliably prevented.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the lid is formed so that an opening into which the objective lens unit can be inserted is provided when the objective lens unit is inserted into the insertion hole, Can be prevented from entering.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to finely adjust the position of the objective lens by moving the fine movement portion in which the objective lens is inserted.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, illumination and necessary medicine can be input, and observation becomes easy.
According to the invention described in claim 8, since the through-hole can be sealed with the lid, it is possible to further reliably prevent the foreign matter from entering the observation target.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, if the objective lens insertion tool is fixed to the observation target, the observation can be performed without aligning the observation target and the objective lens each time observation is performed. Further, when it is desired to observe the same place with objective lenses having different magnifications, it is not necessary to align the objective lens.
According to the invention described in claim 10, since the frame portion of the objective lens unit has a substantially L shape, the position can be easily confirmed when the objective lens unit is inserted into the objective lens insertion tool.
According to the invention described in claim 11, it is possible to reliably illuminate a site to be observed.
According to the invention described in claim 12, since the objective lens insertion tool can be fixed to the observation target while checking with a stereomicroscope, the positioning accuracy is improved.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the microscope system according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the microscope system 1 has a stage 3 on a gantry 2, and a binocular stereomicroscope 4 for observing an erect image of the observation object W with a relatively wide field of view is disposed above the stage 3. Between the stage 3 and the binocular stereomicroscope 4, a microscope (hereinafter referred to as a micro microscope) 5 for observing the observation object W at a relatively high magnification is provided so as to freely advance and retract.

The binocular stereomicroscope 4 has an objective lens 11 and an eyepiece 12 attached thereto, and an afocal lens and an imaging lens (not shown) are disposed therein. Two eyepieces 12 are provided corresponding to the left and right eyes, and are adjusted so that the optical axes of the eyepieces 12 coincide on the surface of the observation target W. Furthermore, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera 13 connected to the monitor 6 is attached to the binocular stereomicroscope 4. The CCD camera 13 and the monitor 6 are not essential components for the binocular stereomicroscope 4.
Such a binocular stereomicroscope 4 is supported by a multi-axis arm 8. The multi-axis arm 8 translates the binocular stereomicroscope 4 with respect to the observation target W (stage 2), and moves close to or away from the observation target W (stage 2). A space for inserting the head portion 21 of the micro microscope 5 is formed between the objective lens 11 and the observation target W.

  In the micro microscope 5, a head portion 21 that houses an optical system is supported by a multi-axis stage 22 that is a multi-axis moving mechanism. An objective lens unit 23 is attached to the lower surface of the head portion 21. Further, a light source 26 and a photodetector 27 are connected to the head unit 21 via optical fibers 24 and 25. Each part is controlled by the controller 28, and the observation image is displayed on the monitor 7. Furthermore, an objective lens insertion tool 51 for inserting and fixing the tip of the objective lens unit 23 is attached to the observation target W.

  As the light source 26, for example, a laser oscillator 29a such as an argon ion laser or a helium neon laser is used. As shown in FIG. 2, on the optical path of the laser beam oscillated from the light source 26, one end of a condensing lens 29b and an optical fiber 24 is arranged in order, and the laser beam condensed by the condensing lens 29b is emitted as light. Introduced into the fiber 24.

One end of the optical fiber 24 is connected to the light source 26, and the other end is connected to the head unit 21. The optical fiber 24 is connected from one end to the other end by an optical fiber 25 connected to a photodetector 27 and an optical fiber coupler 30, and light passing through the optical fiber 24 is transmitted through the optical fiber. It is designed to demultiplex to 25. One end of the optical fiber 25 is connected to the photodetector 27.
For the photodetector 27, for example, a photomultiplier tube, a PD (photodiode), a CCD, or the like is used. The light input to the light detector 27 is reflected light or fluorescent light emitted from the light source 26 onto the observation object W, and is light that has been demultiplexed from the optical fiber coupler 30.

  The case 31 of the head portion 21 is provided with a fixing portion 33 for fixing the connector 32 attached to the other end of the optical fiber 24. Further, a collimator lens 34 and an optical scanner 35 are sequentially arranged on the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber 24. The optical scanner 35 scans the laser beam two-dimensionally. For example, the optical scanner 35 scans the laser beam in the X direction (lateral direction of the observation target W) and the Y direction (longitudinal direction of the observation target W). It is configured in combination with a galvanometer mirror. A window 36 through which the laser beam passes is provided on the lower surface of the case 31 at a position corresponding to the lower side of the optical scanner 35. An edge portion of the window 36 extends downward and forms a mounting portion 37 for fixing the objective lens unit 23. The mounting portion 37 is formed with a fitting groove, a screw groove, and the like, and can be attached and detached while the objective lens unit 23 is fixed to the observation target.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the objective lens unit 23 has a configuration in which a plurality of objective lenses 42 are held in a frame portion 41. The frame portion 41 has a step that reduces its diameter, and is smaller in diameter than the frame base portion 43 at the tip of the large-diameter frame base portion 43 attached to the mounting portion 37 of the head portion 21, and is mainly an observation target. A frame front end portion 44 to be inserted into W is provided. This step is composed of the respective outer walls of the frame base 43 and the frame front end 44 and a plane 45 substantially orthogonal to the axis C1 (see FIG. 3) of the objective lens unit 23. The objective lens unit 23 is attached to the head portion 21 at a mounted portion 46 at the tip of the frame portion 41 and is used in a state of being inserted into an objective lens insertion tool 51 fixed to the observation target W.

  The objective lens insertion tool 51 has an insertion tool body 53 that positions and fixes the objective lens unit 23 in the insertion hole 52. The insertion tool body 53 has a configuration in which an insertion portion 55 to be inserted into the observation object W is extended from a circular base portion 54, and the insertion hole 52 is to be observed from the upper surface 54a on the head portion 21 side. It penetrates to a desired end surface 55a at a site (observation site W1 shown in FIG. 3). The insertion hole 52 has a step for reducing the opening diameter, and is formed with a large diameter portion 57 on the upper surface 54a side and a small diameter portion 58 on the distal end surface 55a side. The step is constituted by inner walls of the large diameter portion 57 and the small diameter portion 58 and a plane 56 connecting the inner walls, and the plane 56 and the axis of the insertion hole 52 (axis C1 in FIG. 3). It is provided so as to be substantially orthogonal.

As shown in FIG. 2, a screw hole 59 communicating with the insertion hole 52 is provided on the side surface 54 b of the base portion 54, and a screw 60 is screwed into the screw hole 59.
The insertion portion 55 has a smaller diameter than the base portion 54, and an engagement portion 61 is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 55. The engaging portion 61 protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis C1 (see FIG. 3) of the insertion hole 52. The outer surface of the engaging portion 61 is provided with a taper that increases in diameter from the distal end surface 55 a toward the base portion 54. Then, the fixing ring 62 is pushed into the insertion portion 55 from the distal end surface 55a side.
As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing ring 62 is a fixing member for fixing the insertion tool main body 53 to the skin W <b> 2, that is, the observation target W, and has an annular shape. The fixing ring 62 may have a shape in which a part of the ring shape is cut out, or may be U-shaped.

Here, when the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 of the insertion tool body 53, the frame base portion 43 of the objective lens unit 23 is accommodated in the large diameter portion 57 in a state where the flat surface 45 is in contact with the flat surface 56. The frame front end portion 44 is accommodated in the small diameter portion 58. Then, the flat surface 56 of the insertion hole 52 and the flat surface 45 of the frame portion 41 come into contact with each other, and the height direction of the objective lens unit 23 is positioned. The lengths of the frame base portion 43 and the frame distal end portion 44 are longer than the large diameter portion 57 and the small diameter portion 58, respectively. Therefore, the frame base portion 43 protrudes upward from the large diameter portion 58, and the frame distal end portion 44 protrudes to the observation site W 1 side from the small diameter portion 58.
Further, a plurality of objective lens units 23 are prepared by combining different objective lenses 42 in accordance with the magnification for enlarging the image of the observation target W.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 28 of the micro microscope 5 is connected to the head unit 21 (including the multi-axis stage 22), the light source 26, the photodetector 27, and the monitor 7 for the micro microscope 5 with cables. It is connected. For example, for the light source 26, laser beam ON / OFF and output control are performed. For the head unit 21, the optical scanner 35 (see FIG. 2) is feedback-controlled. Further, a detection signal is acquired from the photodetector 27, data processing is performed, and the data is displayed on the monitor 7. Further, when the micro microscope 5 performs three-dimensional observation, the collimator lens 34 is moved closer to or away from the optical scanner 35.
The multi-axis stage 22 is configured by combining an electric stage that translates the head portion 21 in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction.

Next, an example of a procedure for observing the observation object W using the microscope system 1 will be described below.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the observation object W is placed on the stage 3 under the visual field of the binocular stereomicroscope 4. At this time, the multi-axis stage 22 is operated by the controller 28 so that the head portion 21 of the micro microscope 5 is retracted to a position where the observation with the binocular stereomicroscope 4 is not disturbed. When the head unit 21 is not attached to the multi-axis stage 22, the head unit 21 is attached to the multi-axis stage 22 at this stage.
Then, the binocular stereomicroscope 4 cuts the skin W2 of the observation target W while confirming the position of the observation site W1 shown in FIG. At this time, the observation site W1 is dyed with a fluorescent dye as necessary.

  When the skin W2 of the observation target W is cut open, the fixing ring 62 is inserted into the observation target W, and then the insertion portion 55 of the insertion tool main body 53 is inserted into the skin W2. Then, after confirming that the insertion hole 52 is present above the observation site W1, the fixing ring 62 is pushed into the insertion portion 55 from the distal end surface 55a side. When the fixing ring 62 exceeds the engaging portion 61, the epidermis W2 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the fixing ring 62 and the lower surface of the base portion 54 of the insertion main body 53, and the objective lens insertion tool 51 is fixed to the epidermis W2.

When the preparation so far is completed, the multi-axis stage 22 is operated again by the controller 28 to move the head portion 21 of the micro microscope 5 above the observation site. The head portion 21, that is, the tip of the objective lens unit 23 is positioned while being confirmed with the binocular stereomicroscope 4 or the monitor 6. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the observation object W with the skin W2 cut open on the monitor 6 and images of the head unit 21 and the objective lens unit 23 are displayed.
Then, the head portion 21 is lowered until the flat surface 45 of the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23 fixed to the head portion 21 comes into contact with the flat surface 56 of the insertion hole 52 of the objective lens insertion tool 51.

  When the plane 45 and the plane 56 come into contact with each other, the screw 60 of the objective lens insertion tool 51 is tightened, the tip of the screw 60 is pressed against the frame base 43 of the objective lens unit 23, and the objective lens unit 23 is brought into contact with the objective lens insertion tool 51. Fix it. Accordingly, the objective lens unit 23 (and the objective lens 42, the same applies hereinafter) is fixed to the skin W2, that is, the observation target W via the objective lens insertion tool 51.

  After the objective lens unit 23 is positioned and fixed to the observation target W, the controller 28 is operated to emit a laser beam. As shown in FIG. 2, the laser beam is introduced into the optical fiber 24 through the condenser lens 29 b and guided into the head portion 21. In the head unit 21, the light is scanned by the optical scanner 35, condensed by the collimator lens 34 and the objective lens 42, and irradiated to a predetermined position of the observation target W. Then, the light reflected by the observation object W and the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye are returned to the optical fiber 24 through the same optical system. Here, as described above, since the optical fiber 24 has the optical fiber coupler 30 in the middle thereof, reflected light and fluorescence are demultiplexed into the optical fiber 25 and detected by the photodetector 27. The photodetector 27 outputs an electrical signal to the controller 28 according to the light intensity.

Here, the signal output from the photodetector 27 includes only information on the region irradiated with the laser beam. Therefore, the controller 28 captures information of a predetermined area obtained as a result of scanning with the laser beam, performs image processing, and outputs it to the monitor 7. The image displayed on the monitor 7 is output to a paper medium or recorded on a magnetic recording medium as necessary.
Since the laser beam easily penetrates into the observation target W and has a shallow depth of focus, if the focal position of the laser beam is shifted in the vertical direction using a collimator lens 34 (see FIG. 2) or the like, An image is obtained, and the observation site can be observed three-dimensionally.

  When observing a change with time of the observation target W, the objective lens unit 23 is removed from the observation target W by loosening the screw 60 and then pulling up the head unit 21. On the other hand, the objective lens insertion tool 51 remains fixed to the observation target W. And when observing the same observation site | part W1 again, the objective lens unit 23 is inserted and fixed to the objective lens insertion tool 51 with being fixed, and observation is performed.

  In this embodiment, the objective lens unit 23 can be fixed to the observation target W by using the objective lens insertion tool 51 fixed to the observation target W in advance. In addition, according to the objective lens insertion tool 51, the depth direction and the left-right direction of the objective lens unit 23 are positioned by the stepped portion (plane 56) and the screw 60, so that the objective lens unit 23 is also positioned with respect to the observation target W. It becomes possible. Furthermore, when the screw 60 is loosened, the objective lens unit 23 can be easily detached from the objective lens insertion tool 51, so that the objective lens unit 23 can be detached from the observation target W except when observing.

Moreover, since the micro microscope 5 to which such an objective lens unit 23 is attached can fix the objective lens 42 at a predetermined position, two-dimensional observation and three-dimensional observation of the observation target can be performed with high accuracy. Long-term observation is also possible.
The microscope system 1 including such a micro microscope 5 can fix the objective lens unit 23 to the observation target W while confirming the observation position with the binocular stereomicroscope 4. Three-dimensional observation can be performed with high accuracy, and observation over a long period of time is also possible.

  In this embodiment, the base portion 54 and the insertion portion 55 of the objective lens insertion tool 51 have a circular shape arranged concentrically with the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23, but these may be rectangular. Other shapes may be used. Further, two or more sets of screw holes 59 and screws 60 may be provided.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
The microscope system according to this embodiment is characterized in that the frame portion of the objective lens has an L shape.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the objective lens unit 73 has a frame portion 74 that holds the plurality of objective lenses 42. The frame portion 74 includes an L-shaped frame base portion 75 and a frame front end portion 44 extending from the frame base portion 75. The frame base portion 75 includes a vertical portion 76 that extends to the frame front end portion 44 and extends upward, and a horizontal portion 77 that extends in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the upper end of the vertical portion 76. In addition, a mounted portion 46 used when attaching to the head portion 21 is provided at the tip of the horizontal portion 77. In such an objective lens unit 73, the objective lens 42 is distributed and held by the frame front end portion 44, the vertical portion 76, and the horizontal portion 77. Further, the axis line of the vertical portion 76 and the horizontal portion 77 are held. A bending mirror 78 for bending the optical axis by 90 ° is held at a position where the axis intersects.

  The head portion 21 to which the objective lens unit 73 is attached is provided with a window 36 and a mounting portion 37 on the side surface of the case 31, a condenser lens 34 for condensing a laser beam introduced through the optical fiber 24, and 2 Two galvanometer mirrors 35a and 35b. The two galvanometer mirrors 35 a and 35 b constitute the optical scanner 35 and are arranged so that a laser beam scanned two-dimensionally is emitted from the window 36 toward the objective lens unit 73.

When observing using the objective lens unit 73, the objective lens insertion tool 51 is fixed to the epidermis W2 of the observation target W, and then the objective lens unit 73 is inserted into the objective lens insertion tool 51 while checking with the binocular stereomicroscope 4. Insert and fix.
During observation, the laser beam that has passed through the objective lens 42 of the horizontal portion 77 is bent downward by the bending mirror 78, passes through the objective lens 42 of the vertical portion 76 and the frame tip portion 44, and reaches a predetermined position of the observation target W. It is condensed.

  According to this embodiment, since the frame portion 74 of the objective lens unit 73 is bent at a substantially right angle from the mounted portion 46 attached to the head portion 21 to the tip, the head portion 21 is It can arrange | position to the observation object W side. Therefore, since the head unit 21 does not block the visual field of the binocular stereomicroscope 4, it is easy to confirm the insertion position of the objective lens unit 73. Further, as described above, the objective lens unit 73 and the objective lens 42 can be positioned and fixed to the observation object W by using the objective lens insertion tool 51.

As another form of the objective lens unit in which the frame portion 74 has an L shape, an objective lens unit 83 as shown in FIG.
The frame portion 74 of the objective lens unit 83 includes the frame base portion 75 and the frame tip portion 84. The frame front end portion 84 is a portion that is mainly inserted into the observation target W. A bending mirror 85 is provided at the tip of the objective lens 42 closest to the observation target W side (lower side) of the frame front end portion 84 so as to bend the laser beam by 90 °. Further, a window 86 for allowing the laser beam bent by the bending mirror 85 to pass through is provided on the side surface of the frame front end portion 84.

  In the objective lens unit 83, since light can be condensed on a portion in a direction intersecting with the direction of the axis C1 of the frame front end portion 84 and the vertical portion 76, such a portion can be observed. When the bending mirror 85 is held at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the axis C1, a portion in the horizontal direction can be observed. In addition, when the angle formed by the bending mirror 85 and the axis C1 is set to be more than 0 ° and less than 45 °, a portion at a position lower than the horizontal direction can be observed. When the angle formed by the bending mirror 85 and the axis C1 is set to be more than 45 ° and less than 90 °, a portion above the horizontal direction can be observed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
The microscope system of this embodiment is characterized in that a lid for closing the through hole is provided on the objective lens insertion tool.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the objective lens insertion tool 91 is fixed to the skin W2 by the base 54 and the fixing ring 62 of the insertion tool main body 53, and the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 to form a step portion (plane 56). ) And the screw 60, the objective lens unit 23 is positioned and fixed.

  Further, an elongated and deformable plate-like member (elastic member) 92 extends on the side surface 54b near the upper surface 54a of the base 54. A lid 93 that closes the opening of the insertion hole 52 is attached to the tip of the plate-like member 92. The lid 93 has a taper that reduces the cross-sectional area from the proximal end to which the plate-like member 92 is attached toward the distal end. Further, at the base end of the lid 93, a collar portion 94 is extended on the opposite side of the plate-like member 92, so that the lid 93 can be easily grasped with fingers or tweezers.

  The microscope unit 1 attaches the objective lens insertion tool 91 to the epidermis W2 while observing with the binocular microscope 4 as described above. When performing observation, the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 of the objective lens insertion tool 91, and two-dimensional observation or three-dimensional observation is performed with the micro microscope 5. When observation is not performed, the objective lens unit 23 is pulled out from the insertion hole 52, and the insertion hole 52 is sealed by pushing the lid 93 into the insertion hole 52 from the upper surface 54a side as shown in FIG. Further, when observation is performed again, the lid 94 is pulled out from the insertion hole 52 by grasping the collar portion 94 and the like, and the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52.

  According to such an objective lens insertion tool 91, the objective lens unit 23 can be positioned and fixed with respect to the observation object W by sandwiching the skin W2 between the insertion tool main body 53 and the fixing ring 62. . Furthermore, when the objective lens unit 23 is not inserted, the insertion hole 52 is closed by the lid 93, so that foreign matter can be prevented from entering the observation target W. In addition, the micro microscope 5 and the microscope system 1 having such an objective lens insertion tool 91 can be observed with high accuracy and for a long period of time, as in the first embodiment.

As another form of the lid for preventing foreign matter from entering, there is an objective lens insertion tool 96 as shown in FIGS.
The objective lens insertion tool 96 is provided with a lid 97 in the insertion hole 52 of the insertion tool main body 53. The lid 97 is composed of a plurality of elastic pieces 98 provided in the insertion hole 52. The elastic piece 98 is formed by inserting a cross-shaped cut 99 in an elastic member that closes the opening of the large-diameter portion 57 of the insertion hole 52, and the base on the inner wall side of the insertion hole 52 is provided integrally with the inner wall. Yes. Note that the cuts 99 may be one letter or radial.

In a state where the objective lens unit 23 is not inserted, the peripheral portions of the elastic piece 98 on the side of the notch 99 are in contact with each other and the insertion hole 52 is blocked, so that foreign matter can be prevented from entering the observation target W through the insertion hole 52. .
As shown in FIG. 10, when the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52, the elastic piece 98 is pushed downward by the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23, and is bent downward. The space is opened, and an opening into which the objective lens unit 23 can be inserted is formed. When the objective lens unit 23 is inserted, the deformed elastic piece 98 comes into contact with the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23, so that the objective lens unit 23 can be positioned and fixed more reliably. Become.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, the microscope system according to this embodiment includes a mechanism for finely moving the objective lens unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 11, the objective lens insertion tool 101 sandwiches the skin W2 of the observation target W between the fixing ring 62 and the fixing portion 102, and places the objective lens unit 23 in the fine movement portion 103 that can be finely moved with respect to the fixing portion 102. Configured to insert.
The fixing portion 102 includes a base portion 104 and an insertion portion 105 having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment, and a through hole 106 into which the fine movement portion 103 is inserted is formed at the center. The through-hole 106 has openings on the upper surface 104a and the tip surface 105a, and a large diameter portion 107 on the upper surface 104a side and a small diameter portion 108 on the tip surface 105a side are formed by steps. The step is formed by the inner wall of the large-diameter portion 107 and the inner wall of the small-diameter portion 108 and a plane 109 that is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the through hole 106. The bottom surface 103 a of the fine movement portion 103 is in contact with the flat surface 109.
Further, the tip of fine movement knob 110 screwed from side surface 104 b of base portion 104 is in contact with the side wall of fine movement portion 103. Furthermore, one end of a pressing member (coil spring) 111 is fixed to the inner wall of the through hole 106 at a position facing the tip of the fine movement knob 110, and the other end of the pressing member 111 is on the side wall of the fine movement portion 103. It is fixed.

The fine movement portion 103 has an insertion hole 52 into which the objective lens unit 23 is inserted, and the flat surface 45 of the objective lens unit 23 abuts on the flat surface 56 of the insertion hole 52. Further, the insertion hole 52 is provided with a plurality of recesses 112, each of which accommodates a ball 114 urged toward the axis of the insertion hole 52 by an elastic member 113 such as a coil spring.
A concave engagement groove 115 is formed in the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23 in accordance with the position of the ball 114.

When the objective lens insertion tool 101 is used, first, the epidermis 2 is sandwiched between the fixing ring 62 and the base 104 and fixed to the observation object W. When the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 of the fine movement portion 103 in this state, the ball 114 is engaged with the engagement groove 115 of the frame portion 41 of the objective lens unit 23, and the objective lens unit 23 becomes the predetermined portion of the fine movement portion 103. Fixed in position.
When finely adjusting the position of the objective lens unit 23 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, the fine movement knob 110 is rotated. When the fine movement knob 110 is pushed in, the fine movement portion 103 moves in a direction in which the pressing member 111 is crushed, and the objective lens unit 23 fixed to the fine movement portion 103 also moves in the same direction. On the other hand, when the fine movement knob 110 is returned, the pressing member 111 is restored, the fine movement portion 103 is moved in the direction in which the pressing member 111 extends, and the objective lens unit 23 fixed to the fine movement portion 103 is also moved in the same direction.
After finely adjusting the position of the objective lens unit 23 in this manner, two-dimensional or three-dimensional observation is performed with the micro microscope 5 as described above.

According to the objective lens insertion tool 101, the objective lens unit 23 can be fixed to the observation object W via the fine movement unit 103 and the fixing unit 102. Furthermore, the position of the objective lens unit 23 can be finely adjusted by translating the fine movement portion 103 with respect to the fixed portion 102 by a fine movement mechanism including the fine movement knob 110 and the pressing member 111. FIG. 11 shows only one set of the fine movement knob 110 and the pressing member 111. However, if two sets of the fine movement knob 110 and the pressing member 111 are provided at orthogonal positions, the objective is vertically and horizontally (XY direction). Fine adjustment of the lens unit 23 becomes possible.
In addition, the micro microscope 5 and the microscope system 1 including such an objective lens insertion tool 101 can be observed with high accuracy and for a long period of time as in the first embodiment.

Further, as in the objective lens insertion tool 121 shown in FIG. 12, the objective lens unit 23 can be finely moved in the vertical direction.
The objective lens insertion tool 121 has a configuration in which the fine movement portion 103 is inserted into the through hole 106 of the fixing portion 102. One end of the pressing member 111 is fixed to the flat surface 109 of the through hole 106, and the other end of the pressing member 111 is fixed to the bottom surface 103 a of the fine movement portion 103. Further, a part of the base portion 104 of the fixing portion 102 extends toward the axis of the through hole 106, and a support portion 122 that rotatably supports the fine movement knob 110 is formed. The fine movement knob 110 presses the fine movement portion 103 vertically downward, and the tip thereof is in contact with the upper surface of the fine movement portion 103.

  In this objective lens insertion tool 121, when the fine movement knob 110 is pushed in while being rotated, the pressing member 111 is crushed and the fine movement portion 103 is lowered. On the other hand, when the fine movement knob 110 is rotated and returned, the pressing member 111 pushes up the fine movement portion 103 and the fine movement portion 103 rises. Then, after finely adjusting the position of the objective lens unit 23, two-dimensional or three-dimensional observation is performed with the micro microscope 5 as described above.

When such an objective lens insertion tool 121 is used, it is possible to finely adjust the objective lens unit 23 in the vertical direction. For example, when condensing a laser beam on the surface of an observation site or performing three-dimensional observation The work becomes easier. Here, only the fine movement mechanism including the fine movement knob 110 and the pressing member 111 may be used to focus the objective lens unit 23, or the head unit 21 may be used together with the optical system. When only the fine movement mechanism of the objective lens insertion tool 121 is used, the configuration of the head unit 21 can be simplified.
When the fine movement mechanism in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 11 and the fine movement mechanism in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 12 are combined, the objective lens unit 23 can be finely adjusted vertically and horizontally and vertically.

Note that liquid focus adjustment may be performed by injecting a liquid such as water between the objective lens unit 23 and the observation target W and increasing or decreasing the amount of the liquid. For example, in the case of the objective lens insertion tool 51 as shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 54 has a length that protrudes from the distal end of the objective lens unit 23 toward the observation site W1. Further, a gap through which liquid can flow is formed between the insertion hole 52 and the objective lens unit 23. A tube connected to a pump (which may be a syringe) for supplying and discharging liquid is inserted into the gap.
At the time of observation, the insertion portion 54 is brought into close contact with the periphery of the observation site W1, and then the objective lens insertion tool is fixed to the epidermis W2. Since the observation site W1 is sealed by a space formed by the insertion hole 52 and the objective lens unit 23, when a liquid is injected into this space, the focal position moves toward the objective lens unit 23 due to the difference in density between air and liquid. Change. Therefore, while confirming the image displayed on the monitor 7, the focal position is changed by increasing or decreasing the amount of liquid.
According to such an objective lens insertion tool, the objective lens can be positioned and fixed at the observation site, and the focal position can be adjusted. In addition, in order to suppress the leakage of the liquid from the tip of the insertion portion, it is preferable to attach a liquid-tight packing or the like to the tip of the insertion portion.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
The microscope system of this embodiment has two or more holes into which an objective lens or the like can be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the objective lens insertion tool 131 includes a fixing ring 62 and an insertion tool main body 53, and a first insertion hole 132 and a second insertion hole 133 are provided in parallel in the insertion tool main body 53. Yes.
The first insertion hole 132 and the second insertion hole 133 are provided at positions deviating from the central axis C2 along the height direction of the insertion tool body 53, and penetrate the base 54 and the insertion part 55 of the insertion tool body 53, They have axes parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first insertion hole 132 and the second insertion hole 133 have a large diameter portion 57 and a small diameter portion 58, respectively.
A screw hole 59 that penetrates from the side surface to the first insertion hole 132 is formed in the base 54, and a screw 60 for fixing the objective lens unit 23 in the first insertion hole 132 is screwed into the screw hole 59. . Similarly, a screw hole 59 penetrating from the side surface of the base 54 to the second insertion hole 133 is formed, and a screw 60 for fixing the objective lens unit 23 in the second insertion hole 133 is formed in the screw hole 59. Is screwed.
The number of insertion holes is not limited to two and may be three or more. In this case, screw holes 59 and screws 60 are provided according to the number of insertion holes. A plurality of screw holes 59 and screws 60 may be provided for one insertion hole 132, 133.

  When observing the observation target W, first, the objective lens insertion tool 131 is positioned and fixed to the observation target W. At this time, the binocular stereomicroscope 4 is used to confirm that the two insertion holes 132 and 133 are positioned above the site to be observed. Further, the objective lens unit 23 is inserted into each of the insertion holes 132 and 133, and each is fixed with a screw 60. When the observation is completed or the objective lens unit 23 is replaced, the screw 60 is loosened and the objective lens unit 23 inserted in the insertion holes 132 and 133 is removed from the objective lens insertion tool 131. The objective lens units 23 inserted into the respective insertion holes 132 and 133 may have different magnifications or the same magnification.

  According to the objective lens insertion tool 131, the objective lens unit 23 can be positioned and fixed with one objective lens insertion tool 131 when the part to be observed is close. Even when the observation object W is difficult to attach a plurality of objective lens insertion tools such as a small animal, it is possible to perform observation with high accuracy.

  In addition, if a lid 93 as shown in FIG. 6 is provided in each of the insertion holes 132 and 133, even if the objective lens unit 23 is removed from the insertion holes 132 and 133, foreign matter is introduced into the observation object W from the insertion holes 132 and 133. Intrusion can be prevented. Here, the lid 93 may be provided only in one of the insertion holes 132 and 133.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
The microscope system according to this embodiment is characterized in that, in addition to an insertion hole for inserting an objective lens or the like, a hole used other than the insertion of the objective lens is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the insertion hole 52 of the objective lens insertion tool 141 has a large diameter portion 57 and a small diameter portion 58, and is configured to fix the objective lens unit 23 by a flat surface 56 and a screw 60. The treatment hole 142 passes through the base portion 54 and the distal end portion 55 along an axis parallel to the central axis C2, and the inner diameter thereof is substantially uniform. At the periphery of the opening 143 on the upper side of the treatment hole 142, the base portion 54 protrudes upward along the central axis C <b> 2 to form an annular convex portion 144. The annular convex portion 144 is used for fixing the treatment instrument and guiding. A bendable plate-like member 92 is integrally provided on the side surface near the upper surface 54 a of the base portion 54, and the tip of the plate-like member 92 is fitted with an annular convex portion 144 to seal the opening 143. A lid 93 is integrally attached. In addition, you may make it easy to fix a treatment tool by providing a concave groove or a convex groove along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the annular convex portion 144.

In this microscope system 1, the objective lens insertion tool 141 is positioned and then fixed to the observation object W. Further, the objective lens unit 23 is inserted and fixed in the insertion hole 52, and the lid 93 fitted to the annular convex portion 144 is removed. When the observation site W1 is hidden by another organ or the like, a basket is inserted from the treatment hole 142, the basket is opened inside the observation target W, and the inside of the observation target W is pushed open to open the observation site W1 as an objective lens. The unit 23 is exposed so as to be observable.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the sheath 145 is attached to the annular convex portion 144 and air is supplied into the observation target W, the periphery of the observation site W1 can be expanded by the air. Further, when the medicine is sent from the sheath 145, the observation site W1 and the surrounding inflammation can be prevented.
Thus, by using the treatment hole 142, the observation site W1 can be reliably observed. In addition, it is possible to perform necessary treatment on the observation site W1 and its surroundings. Note that the treatment tool to be mounted or inserted into the treatment hole 142 is not limited to the above-described one, and may be a catheter, forceps, or the like.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as each said embodiment. Further, the description overlapping with each of the embodiments is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 16, the micro microscope 5 of the microscope system 1 includes a light source 26 that illuminates the observation site W <b> 1, and a head unit 21 to which the objective lens unit 23 is attached includes a bending mirror 151 and an imaging optical system 152. And a CCD 153 are arranged. The CCD 153 is connected to the controller 28, and an image of the observation site W1 captured by the CCD 153 is output to the monitor 7 (see FIG. 1). Here, a light guide 150 made of an optical fiber bundle is connected to the light source 26.

  The objective lens insertion tool 154 includes an insertion tool main body 53 and a fixing ring 62. An insertion hole 52 is formed in the center of the insertion tool body 53 along the vertical axis, and the objective lens unit 23 is inserted therein. Further, the distal end of the light guide 150 with respect to the central axis of the insertion tool main body 53 (that is, the optical axis of the objective lens unit 23) is provided at a position opposite to the portion where the screw hole 59 is formed in the insertion tool main body 53. Is provided with a light guide hole 155. The opening of the light guide hole 155 is provided on the upper surface 54 a of the base portion 54, the distal end surface 55 a of the insertion portion 55, and a position near the opening of the insertion hole 52. The light guide hole 155 may be inclined such that the observation site W1 side (lower side) is directed toward the central axis of the insertion tool main body 53.

When such an objective lens insertion tool 154 is used, the objective lens unit 23 can be positioned and fixed to the observation object W. Furthermore, since the tip of the light guide 150 can be disposed in the vicinity of the observation site W1, the observation site W1 can be illuminated brightly and a clear observation image can be obtained.
Instead of providing the opening of the light guide hole 155 on the upper surface 54 a of the base 54, the opening of the light guide hole 155 may be provided on the side surface of the base 54. Furthermore, the light guide hole 155 may have a gentle curve or a linear shape.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a light guide hole 155 may be provided in the frame portion 162 of the objective lens unit 161. The frame portion 162 has a hole 163 that holds the plurality of objective lenses 42 and a light guide hole 155a through which the light guide 167 is inserted. Both of these holes 155a and 163 are on the longitudinal axis of the frame portion 162. It is provided in parallel.
On the other hand, a hole 165 equal to the outer diameter of the light guide 150 is provided on the side surface of the head portion 21 of the micro microscope 5. Further, a hole 166 equal to the outer diameter of the light guide 150 is provided at a position close to the window 36 inside the mounting portion 37 of the head portion 21. The light guide 150 connected to the light source 26 of the micro microscope 5 is drawn into the head portion 21 from the hole 165 and inserted into the hole 166. The holes 166 fix the light guide 150 so that light from the light guide 150 does not leak into the head portion 21.

When attaching the objective lens unit 161 to the head unit 21, the microscope system 1 is fixed so that the hole 166 and the light guide hole 155a communicate with each other. Then, the objective lens unit 161 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 of the objective lens insertion tool 51 that is positioned and fixed to the observation object W, and is fixed by the plane 56 and the screw 60. At the time of observation, light from the light source 26 is guided through the light guide 150 to the light guide hole 155a from the hole 166. And it irradiates toward the observation object W1 from opening of the front-end | tip of the light guide 167 in the light guide hole 155a.
The light guide 150 may be drawn into the light guide hole 155a so that the observation site W1 is directly illuminated by the light guide 150. In this case, the light guide 150 is pulled out from the hole 166 in advance, and is inserted into the light guide hole 155a, and then the objective lens unit 161 is fixed to the head unit 21.
According to this embodiment, since light can be irradiated from the vicinity of the objective lens 42 of the objective lens unit 161, it is difficult to make a shadow or the like, and the observation site W1 can be reliably illuminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely applied.
For example, although the micro microscope 5 of the embodiment has been described as a confocal laser scanning microscope, it may be a type of microscope that illuminates an observation site with a light guide and takes an image of an observation target W with a CCD. Similar actions and effects can be obtained.
Moreover, you may combine each embodiment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the objective lens insertion tools 101 and 121 having the fine movement portion 103 and the objective lens insertion tool 154 having the light guide hole 155 as shown in FIG. 6) or a cover 97 (FIG. 8) may be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the microscope system in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the microscope containing an objective lens unit and an objective lens insertion tool. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is a schematic block diagram of the microscope containing an objective lens unit and an objective lens insertion tool. It is sectional drawing of an objective lens unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing of an objective lens insertion tool. It is a top view of an objective lens insertion tool. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which fixed the objective lens unit to the observation object. It is a figure which shows the usage example of an objective-lens insertion tool. It is a schematic block diagram of the microscope containing an objective lens unit and an objective lens insertion tool. It is a schematic block diagram of the microscope containing an objective lens unit and an objective lens insertion tool.

Explanation of symbols

1 Microscope system 2 Stage 4 Binocular stereomicroscope
5 Microscope (microscope)
23, 73, 83, 161 Objective lens unit 26 Light source 27 Photo detector 42 Objective lens 51, 91, 96, 101, 121, 131, 141, 154 Objective lens insertion tool 52, 132, 133, 163 Insertion hole 53 Insertion tool Body (body)
54 Insertion part 62 Fixing ring (fixing member)
92 Plate member (elastic member)
93,97 Lid 99 Notch 103 Fine movement part 142 Insertion hole 155, 155a Light guide hole W Observation object W2 Skin

Claims (12)

An insertion portion that is inserted into the observation target is extended from a base that abuts the epidermis of the observation target, and an insertion hole that can be inserted by positioning an objective lens used for observing the inside of the observation target is provided. The body,
A fixing member that can be fitted to the insertion portion and sandwiches the skin between the base portion,
An objective lens insertion tool characterized by comprising:   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the insertion holes are provided.   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, further comprising a lid capable of sealing the insertion hole.   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 3, wherein the lid is provided at a distal end of an elastic member extending from the base portion.   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 3, wherein the lid is formed by providing at least one cut in an elastic member that closes the insertion hole.   2. The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a fine movement portion movable with respect to the base portion, and the insertion hole is provided in the fine movement portion.   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 1, wherein a through-hole penetrating from the base portion to a distal end of the insertion portion is provided in the main body.   The objective lens insertion tool according to claim 7, wherein an elastic member extending from the base is provided, and a lid capable of sealing the through hole is provided at a tip of the elastic member.   The objective lens insertion tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an objective lens unit to be inserted into the objective lens insertion tool, and light obtained from a light source. A microscope comprising: a light detector for detecting light through the objective lens.   The microscope according to claim 8, wherein the frame portion of the objective lens unit has a substantially L shape.   The microscope according to claim 9, wherein a light guide hole through which light from the light source passes is provided in the frame portion of the objective lens unit. The microscope according to any one of claims 9 to 11 is attached to a multi-axis moving mechanism, and configured to be movable forward and backward with respect to a stage on which the observation target is placed, and an entity above the stage. A microscope system characterized by arranging a microscope.

Images