JPH10333052A - Portable microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable microscope device which is compact and easily handled. SOLUTION: A microscope main body 101 installing a CCD unit and a display 21 consisting of a liquid crystal television monitor for receiving a video signal generated by the CCD unit and reproducing the enlarged video of an inspection sample are respectively housed in a portable case 11. The microscope main body 101 installing the CCD unit is arranged at a case main body part 11a of the portable case 11 and the display 21 is arranged at a case cover body part 11b. Then, the display 21 is positioned in the optimum state so as to be easily viewed in the state that the cover body part 11b is opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable microscope device that receives light by a CD image pickup device and can reproduce an enlarged image of a sample on a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as is well known in an optical microscope, an objective lens for enlarging an image of a specimen is disposed above a stage on which the specimen is mounted, and the specimen is irradiated by light introduced from below the specimen. It is configured to be. Then, the image enlarged through the objective lens is directly viewed from above. In such an optical microscope, the specimen must be observed solely by a single user, and when a large number of persons wish to observe the specimen, they are used alternately.

Therefore, in order to allow a large number of people to observe the state of the sample at the same time or to record the sample electrically, the objective lens of the optical microscope described above is used. There is provided a product in which an adapter is attached to an upper portion and the adapter is used to connect an image pickup tube or an image pickup device. By receiving the electric signal from the image pickup tube or the image pickup device attached by the adapter and displaying the electric signal on, for example, a television monitor, the above-mentioned problem can be solved.

[0004]

However, even with the above-described optical microscope, or with a microscope in which an image pickup tube or an image pickup device is attached by the above-mentioned adapter, the idea is, for example, on an indoor desk. It is fixed and used. In particular, in a configuration in which the imaging tube or the imaging device is attached to the upper part of the objective lens of the optical microscope by the adapter, in order to store an optical system for projecting an enlarged image on the imaging tube or the imaging device in the adapter, A considerable dimension is required in the longitudinal direction of the adapter. Moreover, since the configuration is adopted in which the adapter and the imaging tube or the imaging device are arranged vertically in order with respect to the optical microscope, the overall height including the optical microscope and the adapter and the imaging tube or the imaging device is reduced. It is about 40 to 50 cm, which is not easy to handle.
Therefore, it is difficult to transport such a set, and even when setting and storing the set, handling thereof is not easy.

Further, in the conventional microscope, the stage on which the sample is placed is located directly below the objective lens. When the sample is to be replaced, the stage is placed in the gap between the approached objective lens and the stage for placing the sample. The need to insert a Pareto, and the fact that this stage is located below makes the handling even more troublesome. In recent years, this kind of microscope is not only used for educational sites, inspections, surveys, academic research, etc., but also demonstrates the effects of certain kinds of drugs or sterilizers to general consumers, for example, at stores. It has also been used for sales promotion purposes. If it is intended to be used for such a purpose, it is easy to convey it and good operability is required even when setting it on site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be reduced in size to improve its handling and transportability, and has good workability in setting. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable microscope apparatus which is excellent in operability and can easily handle samples and the like.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable microscope apparatus comprising: a light source unit having an irradiation light source; a sample mounting unit on which a sample is mounted; A lens unit for enlarging an image of a specimen, and a CC for receiving the image of the specimen enlarged by the lens unit
A microscope body provided with a D unit, a display for receiving an image signal generated by a CCD unit in the microscope body, and reproducing an enlarged image of the sample, a case body and a case lid, the microscope body and In the state in which the lid of the portable case is opened, the display and the portable case configured to store and install the display case,
The image signal provided from the microscope main body is configured to be reproduced by the display.

In this case, preferably, the microscope body is installed on the case body side of the portable case, and a display is installed on the case lid side. Preferably, a liquid crystal television monitor is used as the display. Further, in a preferred embodiment,
As the power supply for driving the CCD unit, the light source for irradiation, and the display, either a commercial power supply or a battery can be selected.

[0009] In addition, in a further preferred embodiment, an external output terminal capable of supplying a video signal generated by the CCD unit to the outside from the portable case is provided. An external input terminal for supplying a video signal from outside is provided. Preferably, the case body is provided with a handle for carrying the case. In addition, the microscope main body housed in the portable case preferably has an optical path that brings a magnified specimen image downward through the lens unit by disposing a lens unit below the specimen mounting unit. Is formed, the enlarged sample image brought downward by the reflector is bent in the horizontal direction, and the enlarged sample image via the horizontal path is projected onto the CCD unit.

According to the portable microscope apparatus configured as described above, the microscope body having the CCD unit,
A display for reproducing the video signal generated by the CD unit is stored and installed in a portable case. Therefore, the portability can be remarkably improved. In addition, by disposing the display on the case cover side of the portable case, an optimal positional relationship is formed in which the display is easily visible when the case cover is opened. Then, by using a liquid crystal television monitor as a display, the liquid crystal television monitor can be installed in a good manner on the case lid side.

On the other hand, by configuring such that either a commercial power supply or a battery can be selected as a drive power supply,
It can be used anywhere. The provision of the input / output terminal makes it possible to supply the output of the CCD unit of the microscope body to a large external monitor. Further, it becomes possible to monitor a video signal supplied from the outside by a liquid crystal television monitor.

Further, by providing the case body with a handle for carrying the case, the portability of the apparatus can be further improved. Then, the microscope main body accommodated in the case main body is arranged with a lens unit on the lower side of the sample mounting unit, and a sample mounting image is projected on the CCD unit. Since it is located relatively above the entire configuration, handling of the specimen can be facilitated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a portable microscope device according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a portable microscope apparatus in a state where a microscope main body, a display, and the like are stored and installed in a portable case. The transportable case 11 is in the form of a so-called trunk type or attache case whose surface is formed of, for example, an aluminum material. The transportable case 11 includes a case main body 11a and a case lid 11b, and both are connected to each other by a hinge (not shown) at a lower portion thereof. And the case body 11
A handle 12 for transporting the case is attached to the upper part of “a”.

A stay 13 is mounted between the inner surfaces of the case body 11a and the case lid 11b.
1a is the maximum opening angle of the case lid 11b with respect to FIG.
Is adjusted so that it slightly exceeds 90 degrees as shown in FIG. Further, a sponge as a cushion material 14 is embedded in both the case body 11a and the case lid 11b, and a hollow 14a is formed as necessary. And the case body 1
The microscope main body 101 is accommodated in the hollow 14a arranged on one side of 1a. Further, the liquid crystal television monitor 2 as a display is embedded in the case lid 11b so as to be embedded in the hollow 14a.
1 is arranged. A remote control commander 22 is similarly housed on the right side of the liquid crystal television monitor 21.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show the structure of the microscope main body 101 disposed on one side of the case main body 11a. The microscope main body 101 includes a light source unit A disposed thereon, a specimen mounting unit B disposed below the light source unit A, and an illumination by the light source unit A mounted on the specimen mounting unit B. A lens unit C for enlarging the image of the sample, and a CCD unit D disposed on an optical path of an enlarged sample image brought down by the lens unit C.

First, the light source unit A is composed of a column-shaped portion which expands and contracts in the up-and-down (vertical) direction, and a turning portion which is attached to the upper end of this column-shaped portion and whose free end is formed so as to turn horizontally. Have been. That is, the first tubular body 91a whose base end is attached to the pedestal 81 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in a vertical state,
A second member that can slide in the tubular body 91a and move in the vertical direction;
It is constituted by a tubular body 91b. A lamp storage case a12 is attached to the upper end of the second tubular body 91b. The first tubular body 91a is provided with an L-shaped guide groove 91c, and a projection 91d screwed into a peripheral side surface near the lower end of the second tubular body 91b fits into the guide groove 91c. It is crowded.

Therefore, by rotating the second tubular body 91b clockwise, the protrusion 91d can be moved along the horizontal portion 91e of the L-shaped guide groove 91c. The protrusion 91d can move along the vertical portion 91f of the guide groove. At the upper end of the second tubular body 91b, a lamp storage case a12 constituting a revolving portion is attached. Therefore, the lamp storage case a12 has a free end side having a horizontal portion 91e of the L-shaped guide groove 91c. (A range of approximately 45 degrees in the illustrated example) so as to be able to turn in the horizontal direction and to be able to move in the vertical direction.

A halogen lamp a15 as a light source for irradiation is housed near the joint with the second tubular body 91b in the lamp housing case a12 constituting the revolving portion. Reflecting mirror a16 as a light projection unit for projecting light from lamp a15 downward
Is arranged. With this configuration, the lamp storage case a12 can be gripped and rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 2 within a range of 45 degrees. The storage case a12 can be lowered to the pedestal 81 side.

A sample mounting unit B is arranged below the light source unit A. This sample mounting unit B
Is provided with a stage member b12 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the upper surface of the stage member b12 serves as a sample mounting surface b13. An annular flange b16 is formed on the outer periphery of the stage member b12, and a thread is cut on the inner surface of the flange b16. On the other hand, a screw that is screwed into the screw provided on the flange b16 is also cut on the holder b17 holding the stage member b12. Therefore, by rotating the stage member b12, the stage member b12 is moved up and down according to the pitch of the two screws, so that the specimen can be focused on the lens unit C described later.

A pair of rotatable knobs b15 are attached to the holding member b17 for holding the stage member b12 in a 90-degree relationship.
Are rotated to form a so-called XY table in which the stage member b12 can move in the horizontal direction. Therefore, by rotating the pair of knobs b15, the position of the sample mounted on the mounting surface b13 can be changed.
It can be aligned with the optical axis of a lens unit C described later.

A lens unit C for enlarging the image of the sample illuminated by the light source unit A is provided below the sample mounting unit B, that is, inside the holder b17 constituting the sample mounting unit B. Are located. In this lens unit C, a predetermined number of objective lenses (not shown) are stored in a cylindrical lens barrel c11 so as to obtain a predetermined magnification.
The lens unit C is attached to the rectangular parallelepiped pedestal 81 so that its optical axis is in a vertical state. With such a configuration, the image of the sample enlarged through the lens unit C is vertically moved downward. Optical path c12 that leads to
Is formed.

On the other hand, immediately below the lens unit C in the pedestal 81, there is disposed a reflecting mirror 83 for bending the optical path of the sample enlarged image brought vertically downward by the lens unit C in the horizontal direction. . The optical path 8 bent in the horizontal direction by the reflecting mirror 83
4, a CCD unit D is arranged. This C
The CD unit D is provided with a CCD image sensor d12 for receiving an enlarged image of the sample.
2 is configured to be generated as a video signal by a processing circuit (not shown).

With the above configuration, the sample on the stage member b12 irradiated by the lamp unit A is enlarged by the lens unit C, and the enlarged image is brought vertically downward. Then, the reflecting mirror 83 in the pedestal 81
Thus, the image signal can be obtained by the CCD unit D which is bent in the horizontal direction and is located on the horizontal direction.
Then, the lamp unit A can be rotated in the horizontal direction and lowered to the pedestal side, so that the lamp unit A can be reduced in size during transportation or the like.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing an electrical connection state provided in the portable case 11. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 41 denotes an AC outlet.
The commercial power from the outlet 41 is supplied to a power pack 42, and a predetermined DC power is supplied to the power pack 42.
It is configured so that a voltage can be obtained. On the other hand, a battery 43 is mounted in the case 11, and the DC of the power pack 42 or the output of the battery 43 can be selectively selected by a power selection switch 44.

A power switch 45 is connected in series with the selection switch 44. When the power switch 45 is turned on, the CCD unit D, the irradiation light source a15 and the liquid crystal television monitor 21 are driven. The power supply is configured to be supplied. Therefore, a video signal is provided from the CCD unit D of the microscope main body 101, and the video signal is supplied to the interlocking source switch 46. In the state shown in FIG. 5, a state is selected in which a video signal from the CCD unit D is selected, and the video signal is supplied to the liquid crystal television monitor 21.

The source changeover switch 46
Are designed so that signals supplied to external input terminals 47 and 48 for video and audio can be selected. When a VTR 61 is connected to the external input terminals 47 and 48, for example, and the source changeover switch 46 is switched in the opposite direction from the illustration, the video and audio from the VTR 61 are supplied to the liquid crystal television monitor 21 to monitor the external input video signal. And the external input audio signal can be reproduced by the speaker 21a of the television monitor 21.

Further, there are also provided external output terminals 49 and 50 for video and audio. These external output terminals 49 and 50 output the same signals as those supplied to the liquid crystal television monitor 21. It is configured.
Therefore, when the large screen monitor 62 is connected to the external output terminals 49 and 50, the video signal from the CCD unit D of the microscope main body 101 can be reproduced by the large screen monitor 62. The selection switch 4
4. The power switch 45 and the source changeover switch 46 are configured to be operated by the remote control commander 22.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second configuration of the microscope main body which can be employed in the portable microscope apparatus of the present invention. In the second configuration, parts having the same functions as those of the first configuration shown in FIGS.
The same reference numerals are given to them, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In the following, differences and features from the first configuration will be mainly described. A feature of the microscope main body 102 in the second configuration is that a light source unit A for emitting irradiation light in the direction of the lens unit C is disposed in an optical path between the lens unit C and the CCD unit D. It is in.

That is, the light source unit A is disposed in the middle of the optical path 84 bent in the horizontal direction by the reflecting mirror 83 disposed immediately below the lens unit C. And an illuminating light source a15 for projecting light to the half mirror 95 with an optical axis at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the optical path 84. Therefore, the light from the irradiation light source a15 is
The light 5 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 83 toward the reflecting mirror 83, is bent vertically by the reflecting mirror 83, and passes through the optical axis of the lens unit C. After passing through the lens unit C to reach the sample mounting unit B, the sample mounted on the stage member b12 constituting the sample mounting unit B is irradiated with irradiation light from below.

With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the light source unit projecting upward as in the first example, and as a result, the stage member b12 on which the sample is placed is located at the uppermost position. As a result, the handling of the sample can be made easier. Further, in the second example, an LED is used as the irradiation light source a15,
It is possible to enjoy the low power characteristics and the long life as the characteristics of the LED. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for a portable type using a battery, and the reliability can be improved.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a third example of a microscope main body that can be employed in the portable microscope apparatus of the present invention.
In this third example, the first example shown in FIGS.
And the portions having the same functions as those of the second example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively.
Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be appropriately omitted. Although the microscope main body 103 shown in FIG. 8 is shown without the light source unit A, the light source unit A used in the first or second example is appropriately used. You. The sample mounting unit B of the microscope main body 103 in the third example is provided with a disk-shaped stage member b12 attached so as to be horizontal with respect to the movable member b11 that moves vertically. ing.

The upper surface of the stage member b12 is used as a sample mounting surface b13, and a pair of holding fittings b14 for holding a slide (not shown) are attached to the mounting surface b13. Although not shown in FIG. 8,
A pair of rotatable knobs are attached to the side surface of the stage member b12 with a 90-degree relationship in the same manner as in the microscope body shown as the first or second example. , Stage member b12
Constitute a so-called XY table that can move in the horizontal direction. A through hole (not shown) is provided in the center of the disc-shaped stage member b12, and the specimen on the preparation is passed through the through hole to the lens unit C.
And an enlarged image can be obtained.

The lens unit C is attached to the rectangular parallelepiped pedestal 81 by, for example, screwing so that its optical axis is in a vertical state. With such a configuration, the lens unit C is enlarged through the lens unit C. An optical path c12 for causing the image of the sample to be obtained vertically downward is formed. A vernier case 82 is disposed substantially at the upper center of the pedestal 81. By rotating a vernier knob 82a protruding from both sides of the pedestal 81, a movable member b11 holding the stage member b12 moves up and down. It is made to be. Thereby, the lens unit C
In contrast, focusing of the sample placed on the stage member b12 can be achieved.

On the other hand, a space 81a is formed in the pedestal 81, and an optical path of an enlarged sample image brought downward by the lens unit C is provided immediately below the lens unit C in the space 81a. A first reflecting mirror 83 for bending the mirror in the horizontal direction is arranged. An optical path 84 bent in the horizontal direction by the reflecting mirror 83
The second reflecting mirror 85 that bends further upward is attached to the base 8.
1, the second reflecting mirror 8
Immediately above 5, a CCD unit D is arranged.

The CCD unit D can be attached to and detached from the cylindrical body 86 attached to the pedestal 81. The CCD unit D is attached to the CCD unit D by screws d11 attached to the CCD unit D. D
Are fixed to the cylindrical body 86.
The CCD unit D houses a CCD imaging device d12 that receives an enlarged image of the specimen bent upward by the second reflecting mirror 85, and an electric signal obtained by the CCD imaging device d12 is also the same. The image signal is generated as a video signal by a processing circuit (not shown) housed in the CCD unit D, and is output from a jack d13 arranged above the CCD unit D.

With the above configuration, the sample on the stage member b12 is enlarged by the lens unit C, and the enlarged image is brought vertically downward. Then, it is bent in the horizontal direction by the first reflecting mirror 83 in the pedestal 81,
Further, the image is bent in the vertical direction again by the second reflecting mirror 85 so that the CCD unit D disposed immediately above the second reflecting mirror 85 obtains a video signal. By forming the folded optical path twice in this manner, the vertical dimension of the microscope is reduced, and the horizontal dimension is also reduced.

Since the CCD unit D has the function of being exchangeable as described above, the user can select characteristics such as the resolution of the CCD according to the properties of the sample or the form of use of the microscope. The lens unit C
Is mounted vertically to the rectangular parallelepiped pedestal 81, for example, by screwing it in, so that the lens unit C of another magnification can be appropriately replaced.

In the portable microscope apparatus according to the present invention, the microscope main body housed in the portable microscope apparatus may be selected from the characteristic points employed in the three types of microscope main bodies described above. it can. For example, a light source unit using a half mirror as shown in the second example can be adopted for the first and third examples.
Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the optical path is bent twice as in the third example with respect to the first and second examples. Further, it is also possible to provide a function capable of replacing the CCD unit and a function capable of replacing the lens unit as in the third example with respect to the first and second examples.

[0039]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the portable microscope device of the present invention, the portable unit including the case body and the case lid is provided with the CCD unit. Since the microscope body and the display are housed and installed, their portability can be significantly improved. Then, by arranging the microscope main body on the case main body side and storing and installing the display on the case lid body side as in the embodiment, the case main body side is placed on a desk, for example, and the case lid body is placed. When opened, the microscope main body can be positioned in a horizontal state, and the display can be positioned in an optimal state in which the display is easily visible. Therefore, it is possible to obtain unique effects such that the setting at the time of use can be made very easily, and the storing operation at the time of non-use can be made very easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a portable microscope device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of a microscope main body employed in the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a central cross-sectional view showing an example.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the microscope main body shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a mechanism constituting the microscope main body shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing an electrical connection state provided in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a second example of the microscope main body employed in the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a central cross-sectional view showing an example.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the microscope main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a third example of the microscope main body employed in the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the example of FIG. 1 with some mechanisms omitted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 to 103 Microscope main body A Light source unit a15 Irradiation light source (halogen lamp, LED) a16 Reflector mirror B Sample mounting unit b12 Stage member C Lens unit D CCD unit d12 CCD image sensor 11 Portable case 11a Case body 11b Case lid Body 12 Transport handle 14 Cushion material 21 Display (LCD TV monitor) 22 Remote control commander 42 Power pack 43 Battery 44 Power selection switch 45 Power switch 46 Source selection switch 47 External input terminal (video) 48 External input terminal (audio) 49 External output terminal (video) 50 External output terminal (audio) 61 VTR 62 Large screen monitor 81 Pedestal 83 First reflecting mirror 85 Second reflecting mirror 91 Columnar portion 91a First tubular body 91 b Second tubular body 91c Guide groove 91d Projecting body 95 Half mirror

Claims (7)

[Claims] A light source unit having a light source for irradiation, a sample mounting unit on which a sample is mounted, a lens unit for enlarging an image of the sample, and a CCD unit for receiving an image of the sample enlarged by the lens unit. A microscope body provided, a display for receiving an image signal generated by a CCD unit in the microscope body, and reproducing an enlarged image of the sample; and a case body and a case lid, and the microscope body and the display. A portable microscope device comprising a portable case stored and installed, wherein a video signal provided from a microscope main body is reproduced by the display in a state where a lid of the portable case is opened. . 2. The portable microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a microscope body is installed on the case body side of the portable case, and a display is installed on the case lid side. 3. The portable microscope device according to claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal television monitor. 4. A power supply for driving the CCD unit, the light source for irradiation, and the display, wherein one of a commercial power supply and a battery can be selected. A portable microscope device according to any one of the above. 5. An external input terminal for supplying an image signal generated by the CCD unit to the outside from the portable case, and for supplying an image signal from the outside to the display. The portable microscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: 6. The portable microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a handle for carrying the case is provided in the case body. 7. The microscope main body, wherein a lens unit is arranged below the sample mounting unit to form an optical path for bringing a sample image enlarged through the lens unit in a downward direction. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sample enlarged image brought downward is bent in a horizontal direction, and the sample enlarged image via a horizontal path is projected onto a CCD unit. A portable microscope device according to claim 6.