JPS5971017A - Automatic microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve inspection efficiency by automating microscope operation by presetting, and also taking and storing a slide glass out of and in a storage cassette, and displaying a sample and a sample number on a color monitor. CONSTITUTION:When the slide glass storage cassette 2 is stored in an elevator 3, the slide glass 1 is fed out by a lever 5 and the sample number on the glass 1 is read by a camera 10 and displayed on the color monitor. Then, the slide glass is carried by an air chuck 11 to a slide glass passing point 17, where it is set on an XY stage 19 moved to this point 17 previously. Then, the stage 19 is moved until the center of the slide glass 1 is aligned to the center of the optical axis of a microscope 18 to display the sample on the slide glass 1 on the color monitor through the television camera 30. The microscope operation is performed automatically by presetting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic microscope device that automates the insertion of a microscope slide glass stage, microscope operation, specimen identification, etc.

In conventional microscope equipment, a sample made of a slide glass is manually set on the stage of a W4 microscope, which can be dangerous if touched by a toxic sample. In addition, sample identification, sample setting, microscope operation, and sample storage were performed manually, which was extremely time consuming and required skill. Furthermore, since the eyes were placed directly against the eyepiece of the microscope for observation, the degree of fatigue was extremely high and observation was limited to about 4 hours per day. Furthermore, since there is no means for automatically reading or displaying the identification number of the sample, the process of confirming the identification of the sample, obtaining information about the sample, recording the number, etc. is very difficult.

In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides a sample transport means for automatically taking out a microscope slide glass on which a sample number is displayed from its storage cassette, inserting it into the stage of the microscope, and storing it in a storage cellar I. By having a microscope operation means that automatically performs microscope operations according to presets, and a display means that displays the specimen and sample number on a slide glass on a color monitor, safe observation and improved inspection efficiency can be achieved.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic microscope device that can reduce the degree of fatigue.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the automatic microscope apparatus of the present invention, where 1 is a microscope slide glass (preparation), 2
3 is a slide glass storage cassette that stores a plurality of slide glasses, for example 50 slides, 3 is a cassette cassette in which the cassettes 2 are vertically arranged in an R formation, and 4 is a cassette cassette 3 driven by a transmission means such as a timing belt. This is a cassette elevator drive motor. 5 is Kase'7
+' 2 A slide glass feed lever that temporarily stops each slide glass l in the air chuck and feeds it horizontally to the position of the transfer point 6. 7 feeds the slide glass 1 that enters the transfer point 6 into the cassette 2 and stores it. The slide glass feed lever 8 is a slide glass feed drive motor that drives both the above-mentioned levers 5 and 7 via a continuous arm 9.

1O is a sample number reading television camera that reads the sample number of the slide glass 1, which will be described later, sent to the delivery point 6, and the sample number read by this camera 1o is displayed on a color monitor, which will be described later. Reference numeral 11 denotes an air chuck that attaches and detaches the slide glass l by vacuum suction; 12 an air chuck lifting motor that lifts and lowers the air chunk 11 in the vertical direction via a transmission means such as a timing held; 1;
3, attach the air chuck 11 and moving motor 12 to the guide rail 14? 1) is an air chuck carriage that moves horizontally; 15 is a slide glass transport motor; the transport motor 15 is connected to a timing held 16;
The slide glass 1 adsorbed by the air control valve 11 is conveyed via the carrier and the carriage 13 from the air chuck delivery point 6 to the slide glass delivery point 17 and vice versa. Attachment and detachment control using the air chuck 11 is performed using the air chuck 11 and a vacuum pump or vacuum tank (not shown).
The switching '11 interposed in the passage between the two is performed by a magnetic n' (air control valve, not shown).

181 Microscopes such as ultra-wide-field biological microscopes,
18 is the microscope 18 (7) XY stage, 20 o and 21
22 is an XY stage drive motor that horizontally moves the XY stage 19 in the arrow X and Y directions in the figure, and 22 is the XY stage 1.
9 is a stage chuck with a lever mechanism that fixes the slide glass 1 in a predetermined position on the stage chuck 22;
stage chuck drive motor).

Reference numeral 24 denotes a plurality of objective lenses of the microscope 18 with different magnifications. For example, each objective lens 24 of 4 times, 10 times, 20 times, 40 times, and 100 times is selected by the drive of the revolver rotation drive motor 25. Coincides with the optical axis of 18, XY
It faces the through hole (observation hole) 26 of the stage 18. 27
is a Z-axis drive motor, which changes the distance between the XY stage 19 and the objective lens 24 by vertically moving the arm 28 of the microscope 18 in the direction of the arrow Z in the figure via the transmission means 28, and adjusts the focus. I do.

30 is Ken W1. For example, a three-tube color television camera is attached to the image point side of one optical path 31'' of the mirror 18, and 32 is the same focal point as the television camera 30 attached to the image point side of the other optical path 33 of the microscope 18. 34 is an optical path switching drive motor that switches the above-mentioned optical paths 31 and 33 to either one via a mirror or prism (not shown); 35 is an eyepiece attached integrally with the photographing device 32; It is also possible to take a photograph while directly observing the image through the eyepiece lens 35. Further, an image of the specimen on the slide glass 1 is captured on a color monitor, which will be described later, via a color television camera 3o.

36 is a microscope light source, 37 is a reflection mirror that changes the direction of the light beam from the light source 36 toward the objective lens 24, and 3 is an ND (neutral density) filter 3 for limiting the amount of light used.
The ND filter metallet 40, which has a plurality of turrets 9 and 9, has an ND filter metalet drive motor that rotates this turret 38 at predetermined angles, and the amount of incident light reflected by the mirror 37 is determined by the selected NO filter by driving the motor 4o. 2711 is adjusted by 38. Reference numeral 41 denotes a condenser lens switching unit that switches on and off a condenser lens for condensing, which will be described later, via a rotating tip 42; 43 a condenser lens switching morph that drives the condenser lens switching unit 41 via a transmission means such as a belt; 44 is the main body mounting frame.

Next, the position sensor for control will be explained. First, A is a cassette lower limit sensor that is installed in the cassette elevator 3 and detects whether the slide glass storage cassette 2 is installed. cassette upper limit sensor, which detects
C is a cassette lower limit sensor that detects whether or not the cassette 2 has reached the lower limit movement position via the elevator 3; D is an air chuck delivery point 6 to which the slide glass l is supplied;
E is a slide glass presence sensor that is placed near the cassette upper limit sensor B to detect the presence or absence of slide class L supply. A glass number sensor, F is a slide glass feeding sensor, G is a slide glass feeding sensor, and the sensor F8 and G detect feeding or feeding of the slide glass l based on the rotation angle of the slide class feeding and feeding drive motor 8.

H is an air chuck receiving position sensor that detects whether the air chuck carriage 13 has reached the air chuck delivery point 6; The air chuck upper limit sensor J is an air chuck lower limit sensor that detects whether the air chuck 11 has reached the lowering limit position based on the rotation angle of the lifting motor 12.

K is a stage X-axis receiving sensor that detects whether the ×Y stage 18 has reached the slide glass delivery point 17;
x is a stage optical axis observation point sensor that detects whether the Y stage 19 has reached an observation point that is approximately in the middle of the optical axis; B is a stage optical axis observation point sensor that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the limit position on the positive side of the N is the stage Y-axis observation point sensor that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the observation point approximately in the middle of the Y axis. 0 is the stage Y axis observation point sensor that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the observation point approximately in the middle of the Y axis Stage Y-axis positive side mint sensor that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the limit position on the positive side in the axial direction; P is the stage YNI that detects whether the XY stage 18 has reached the limit position on the negative side in the Y-axis direction Minus side! It is a flea sensor. Q is a stage chuck opening/closing sensor that detects opening/closing of the stage chuck 22.

R is a revolver sensor for the objective lens that detects switching of the objective lens 24 by the rotation angle of the motor 25 or the rotation angle of a revolver (not shown), and S is the arm 28 of the microscope 18 when the Z! l
! II + Z-axis origin sensor that detects whether or not it is located at the origin based on the rotational position of the Z-axis drive motor 27; A sensor for confirming optical axis switching that detects the rotation angle, U is a turret for changing the NDD filter 8.
39 is the turret sensor for the ND filter that detects the rotation angle, and 2 is the condenser lens on/off sensor that detects the on/off switching of the condenser lens.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the slide glass l shown in FIG.
0 indicates sample number/Heko 1”50a and OCR
(Optical reading) A sample number area in which at least one of the characters 50b is written, 51 is a sample area where a sample to be observed is placed, and 52 and 53 are air chuck areas to which a pair of air chucks 11 are attached. Inspections using automatic transport are usually performed using a slide glass 1 of a predetermined standard size, but slides that are approximately twice the size of the standard can also be manually set on the XY station 18 and inspected. I can do it.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the main part configuration of the light amount conversion mechanism shown in FIG. 1,
Here, 60 is a condenser lens, which is rotated by a rotary rod 42 via an arm 61, and when at the position shown by the solid line, coincides with the optical axis and condenses the amount of light that has passed through the NO filter 38.
At the dashed line position w62, the optical axis is deviated from the optical axis and the lens is in an off state. For example, the condenser lens 60 has four objective lenses 24.
When the magnification is 10x, 10x and 20x, the dashed line is at the off position 62.
In addition, when the objective lens 24 is 40x and 100x, it moves to the on position shown by the solid line. 63 is condenser lens 6o
A condenser lens diaphragm that narrows down the amount of light to the lens, 64 is the gear 6
This is a condenser lens diaphragm morph that adjusts the aperture value by rotating a diaphragm 63 through the lens 5. Also,
W is a condenser lens aperture sensor that detects the aperture value based on the rotation angle of the gear 85.The aperture value is predetermined to be the best value according to the magnification of the objective lens 24.
The condenser lens 8o is switched and the aperture is set in conjunction with the selection of the objective lens 24 based on preset conditions to be described later.

9o is a second operation panel (operation panel B). First, to explain the first operation panel 70, 7I is an objective lens selection switch consisting of a plurality of keyboards, and each objective lens 2 having various magnifications is
By pressing the switch corresponding to 4, the objective lens 24 of an arbitrary magnification is selected. Reference numeral 72 denotes a stop switch used to temporarily stop the apparatus in case of an emergency, etc. When pressed once, all operations of the apparatus are stopped, and when pressed again, operation is resumed and the process proceeds to the next sequence. Reference numeral 73 is a reset switch, and when the apparatus is stopped automatically or by the stroke inch 72 due to some malfunction, after eliminating the cause of the stoppage and removing the slide glass 1, pressing this reset switch 73 restarts the control (software) and The operation returns to the initial starting point. 74 is a display switch, and when this switch 74 is pressed, the sample number of the slide glass 1 is mixed with the video signal of the specimen and displayed on a color monitor, which will be described later.

75 is a cassette 2 that stores the slide glass l after observation.
This is an inspection end switch used when storing the glass slides in the original storage cassette 2. When this switch 75 is pressed when specifying sequential transport as described later, the slide glass 1 on the XY stage 18 is stored in the original storage cassette 2, and then the next order slide glass l
is automatically carried out from the cassette 2 and transferred to the XY stage 1.
9 is inserted above. Reference numeral 76 is a start switch used when transporting the slide glass 1 from the storage cassette 2, and when the IIIQ next transport is specified, it is pressed when transporting the first slide class I. A vacuum indicator 77 lights up while the air chuck 11 is sucking the slide glass l. 7th and 79 are focus switches used to finely adjust the focus after the preset focus, which will be described later. When the switch 78 with an upward arrow is pressed, the Z-axis drive motor will move to a distance corresponding to the suppression time. 27 raises the objective lens 24,
Further, when the switch 78 with a downward arrow is pressed, the objective lens 24 is lowered by the Z-axis drive motor 27 to a distance corresponding to the suppression time.

80 is a numeric keypad consisting of 10 numeric input keys from "0"° to IF 9 I+, 81 to 84 are function keys consisting of an extraction key, a preset focus key, an initial double A/< setting key, and a clear key. . The extraction key 81 is an input key used to specify random conveyance, and after selecting random with the sequential/random switch 81 (described later) on the second operation panel 8o, use the numeric keypad 80 to select random.
For example, if you input any arbitrary number from n1 to "50'" and press the extraction key 81, the slide class 1 of the rank corresponding to the input number EM will be transported from the storage cassette 2. and set on the XY stage 18. The precent focus key 82 is an input key used to set a focus value in advance, and as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Set the memory/repeat switch 92 to the memory side (step Sl).
, the objective lens 2 is selected by the objective lens select switch 71.
Steps S2 and S3), manually fine-tune the focus with the focus switches 7 and 79.
After adjusting the focus (step S4), when the preset focus key 82 is pressed (step S5), the selected objective lens 2
The focus setting value of 4 is stored in memory (step 520). Normally, the focus setting values of all objective lenses 24 are stored in the same manner as described above (steps S6 to S52).
0). In addition, the setting value can be changed using the same method.

After setting the preset focus, switch the memory/repeat switch 92 to the repeat side (step 5).
21).

The initial magnification af setting key 3 is an input key used to select the objective lens 24 in advance when the slide glass 1 is set on the XY stage 18, and is stored in the memory as shown in the flowchart of FIG. / After setting the repeat switch 92 to the memory side (step 531) and pressing the objective lens select switch 71 to select one of the objective lenses 24 of °A'°~r (E++) (step 532)
, when the initial magnification setting key 83 is pressed (step 533),
The objective lens 24 selection is stored in memory (step 534). After completing the settings, switch the memo 1 repeat switch 92 to the repeat side (step 535).
. The clear key 84 is a function key used to clear input values on the numeric keypad 80.

Next, explaining the second operation panel 90 shown in FIG. This switch is used to switch between the random conveyance method and the random conveyance method in which the selected slide glasses are individually sent to the stage 18 and set. That is, when the sequential/random switch 91 is switched to the sequential side, the storage capacity center 2 is inserted into the cassette elevator 3, and the start elevator 6 is pressed, the first slide glass 1 in the storage cassette 2 is loaded. It is carried out and inserted into the stage chuck 22 of the stage 19, and a microscopic image taken by a color television camera 30 is displayed on a color monitor to be described later. Next, when the inspection end switch 75 is pressed, the slide glass 1 on the stage 18 is stored in the original storage cassette 2, and is moved to the next rank, that is, the second
The th glass slide l is conveyed onto the stage IS and set.

Thereafter, each time the inspection completion switch 5 is pressed up to the last slide glass 1, the next slide glass 1 is taken out from the cassette 2 and set on the stage 18.

On the other hand, in the case of random mode setting, flow 1 in Figure 8
2, switch the sequential/random switch 92 to the random side (step 541), select an arbitrary number using the numeric keypad 80 (step 542), and press the extraction key 81 (step 543). 8
Slide glass of the ranking corresponding to the number selected by 0]
The cassette 2 is also transported and placed on the stage 18 (step 544). Next, the inspection end switch 75
When you press , the slide glass l on the stage 19 is stored in the original storage cassette 2, and the numeric keypad 80 and extraction key 8 are pressed.
Wait for the next command by 1. Note that if the slide glass l with the specified number is not in the storage cassette 2, 1.For example, if 40 slide glasses 1 are not stored in the cassette 2, but the number "41" is specified. ,
The cassette elevator 3 reaches the designated number-bow position 1δ and stops, and at the same time displays READY on a liquid crystal panel (display) not shown and waits for the next command.

When the memory/repeat switch a2 is switched to the memory side, the values set or updated by the preset focus key 82 and initial magnification setting key 83 of the first operation panel 7o are stored in a memory (not shown). Normally, the switch 82 is set to the repeat side. 83 is a main power switch, and when this switch 93 is pressed, the power to the entire apparatus is turned on, and when it is pressed again, the power is turned off. 84 is an automatic/manual switch, and when switched to the automatic side, the slide glass l is automatically conveyed. When observing a slide glass l other than the standard one, the automatic/manual switch 84 is switched to the manual side, and the slide glass l is manually set on the stage 19.

85 is a camera/color switch for changing the color television camera 3o and the color par 91; after turning on the main power switch 93, it is switched to the color bar side for a predetermined period of time, for example, 3 minutes, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, it is switched to the camera side. When switched, an image will appear on the monitor described below. Note that it is preferable to switch the swifter 95 to the color bar side before turning off the main power after all observations are completed.

36 is a telephoto camera/still camera switch that switches the optical paths 31 and 33 of the microscope 18, and when using the TV camera 30, it is connected to the TV camera side;
When photographing using the still camera 32, switch to the still camera side. By switching this switch 96, the optical path switching drive motor 34 is driven and the optical paths 31 and 3 are switched.
3 will switch to one side. Reference numeral 87 is an automatic white balance switch that automatically adjusts the white balance of the color television camera 3o.If you press this automatic white balance switch 97 after photographing a portion of the slide glass 1 where there is no specimen (sample), the white balance switch 87 will automatically adjust the white balance of the color television camera 3o. The switch lamp lights up, then goes off,
White balance adjustment is complete. Note that this adjustment is normally performed before using the device, and other operations are suspended while the lamp of the switch 97 is lit.

Reference numeral 98 denotes a joystick that can move the XY stage 18 in any direction in the XY directions, and the moving speed of the XY stage 19 changes depending on the angle at which the joystick 98 is tilted.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the control section of the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG.
and a CPU circuit 11O that performs drive control of the control motor in response to button operations 90 and detection signals from sensors A to W;
A sample number reading circuit 120 that reads coded sample numbers 50a and 50b of slide class I-L and converts them into a display pattern, an interface circuit 130 that interfaces with an external information processing device to be described later, and a reading circuit 120. Sample number read with TV camera 30
a video mix circuit 140 that performs mixing with the video signal (image signal) from the video camera 30; a camera control circuit 150 that processes the video signal from the TV camera 30;
and a video switch circuit 160 that performs image signal switching control.

Reference numeral 170 denotes a slide class transport motor group drive circuit, which drives a slide glass transport motor group 180 in response to a drive signal supplied from the CPU circuit 110. .8, 12 and 15. Reference numeral 190 is a slide glass transport sensor group that detects the transport operation of the slide glass 1 and supplies the detection signal to the CPU circuit 110. The illustrated sensors A-j are included.

A microscope motor group drive circuit 200 drives a microscope motor group 210 that is involved in automatic operation of the microscope 18 in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the CPU circuit 110.

This motor group 210 includes motors 20, 21 shown in the first diagram,
23, 25, 27, 34, 40.43 i and 64 are included. 220 is a group of microscope sensors that detects the operation state of the microscope 18 and supplies the detection signal to the CPU circuit 110, and this sensor group 220 includes the sensor -W shown in the first diagram.

230 is an information processing device, and the interface circuit 13
Information processing such as information retrieval is performed based on the sample number of the slide glass 1 supplied from 0. 240 is information processing device 2
This keyboard printer has an input key for inputting various commands and data to the printer 30, and a printer for recording image data and search data supplied through the information processing device ζt 230 on recording paper. 250 is a digital or analog external storage device 6 such as a frame memory or a magnetic disk, which stores and reads various data including images through the information processing device 230.

260 is a color monitor such as a CRT display,
The camera control circuit 1508 receives the color image of the specimen supplied from the color television camera 30 through the video switch circuit IEiO, the sample number reading circuit 120, the video mix circuit 140, and the video switch circuit I.
The slide glass sample number supplied from the sample number reading camera IO through the BO is displayed.

Further, the color monitor 260 is connected to the information processing device 230, the interface circuit 130, and the video switch circuit]60
Through this, data such as image data and medical history examples supplied from the external storage device 250 can be displayed. For example, a reference pattern of normal or abnormal, which is a microscopic image of a normal specimen (specimen) or an abnormal specimen, which serves as a criterion for testing, is stored in the external storage device 250, and a key human power from the keyboard blink 240 is stored at the time of testing. The reference pattern is read out from the external storage device 250 at any time according to a command and is displayed on the monitor 2.
1 (0).In this case, a so-called two-split screen m display method is adopted, and the reference pattern is displayed on the left screen of the monitor 280, and the television camera 3 is displayed on the right screen.
Comparative observation is facilitated by displaying images of the specimen starting from zero. In addition, reference data such as medical history regarding each slide glass 1 is stored with a sample number in the external memory value: & 250, and can be stored at any time during the examination by manual key command from the keyboard printer 240 or according to the sample number. Read reference data from external storage device 250 and monitor 260
It can be displayed on

Further, the microscope image captured by the television camera 30 is transmitted to the camera control circuit 150 and the video switch circuit 16.
0, interface circuit 130, and information processing device 230
The data can then be stored in the external storage device 250. At this time, a code signal from the sample number reading circuit 120 may be used as the sample number serving as the search number. Note that as the keyboard printer 240 described above, in addition to a dot printer such as a color tint printer or a color thermal printer, an electrostatic color printer is also suitable.

It is also preferable to provide a third operation panel and an independent printer instead of the keyboard printer 240, and configure the third operation panel to issue instructions for data processing through the CPU circuit 110. In addition, the slide glass sample number read by the sample number reading circuit 120 is supplied to the CPU circuit +10 during the aforementioned random conveyance, and only when this number matches the sample number specified with the numeric keypad 80 of the first operation panel 70, the slide glass sample number is read by the sample number reading circuit 120. l to XY stage 19
It is also suitable to convey the material by

FIG. 10 shows an example of the transport-related drive command system shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 shows an example of the microscope-related drive command system shown in FIG. Note that some of the motors and sensors are shown overlappingly in order to clarify the correspondence with key human power. Here, the CPU circuit 110 includes a ROM (read only memory) 111 that stores control programs and preset data, and a CPU (central processing unit) that performs necessary arithmetic processing.
112 and motor group drive mJ paths 170 and 20
0 has a plurality of motor drive circuits 17+ or 201 individually corresponding to each motor. Furthermore, 202 and 203 are semi-fixed speed adjustment variable resistors that adjust the speed of the XY stage 18. Optical path switching motor 3
4 and sensor T and condenser lens aperture motor 64
The illustration of the sensor W (see FIG. 1) is omitted.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the monitor display means shown in FIG. 9,
Here, the sample number reading circuit 120 includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 121 that digitizes the read signal;
Video memory 122 with character patterning and storage functions
, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 123 that converts character pattern signals into analogs. The video mix circuit 140 includes video switches 141 and 142 that switch between the sample number signal and the video signal, amplifiers 143 and 144 that amplify the signal, and a mixing circuit (MIX) 145 that combines the sample number signal and the video signal. have

Therefore, the barcodes 50a and 0 (ER characters 50b (see Figure 2) indicating the sample number are
After being read by the A/D converter 121 and the video memory 122 and converted into numerical values, the D/A converter 123 generates a character pattern signal (sample number signal) for monitor display.
is converted to The sample number data supplied to the information processing device (external cpυ) 230 via the interface circuit 130 is supplied from the video memory 122. Next, the sample number signal sent from the D/A converter 123 passes through the video switch 141 and the amplifier 143 to the MIX1.
45, video switch 142 and amplifier 1
The video signal is combined with the video signal from the color television camera 30 supplied to the MIX 145 via the video switch circuit 160 and displayed on the color monitor 260. At this time, only the sample number or only the image of the specimen can be selectively displayed on the color monitor 280 by using the video switches 141 and 9J-M of i42.

On the other hand, the video switch circuit 180 includes amplifiers 161R, 1[ilG, 161B, 161N] that amplify the input signal.
, 185R, 1 [15B.

167G and 167N, a waiting time pattern generator 162 that generates a display pattern indicating that the user is on standby such as "Please wait for a while" during the waiting time, and a video signal that switches the output signal according to the control signal. switch 16
3, 1134, 1136G and 113BN. Here, R, G, B attached to the double instruction number
correspond to R, G, B (rend, green, blue) signals, respectively, and N corresponds to an NTSC signal.

The image sent from the color camera 30 (No. S is transmitted through the camera control circuit 150 to the amplifier 161R-181B)
The signal is amplified and supplied to the video switch 163, and selectively output together with the waiting time pattern signal sent from the waiting time pattern generator 162 by the video switch 163 which operates according to the operating state. The R and B signals sent out from the video switch 1133 are sent to the amplifier 165R or 165.
After being amplified by color monitor 260.
G signal and NTS
The C signal is supplied to the video switch 142 of the hyteomics circuit 140 via the video switch 164 in order to perform a composite display of the image and sample number. Next, the output No. 1 from the MIX 145 of the video minx circuit 140 described above is combined with the video switches 166G and 188N, and is selectively output as the G signal or the NTSC signal directly supplied from the video switch 163. . that time,
Video switch 184°142.188G and 166
N performs a switching operation in response to an RGB/NTSC switching signal shown by a broken line supplied from a color mode switch section (2800'). Video switch 166G or 1138N
The output signal is amplified by an amplifier 167G or 187N and then supplied to a color monitor 260 for image display.

Next, the timing of image display on the color monitor 280 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13H, which show an example of the operation in FIG. 12.

First, until the slide glass 1- is conveyed to the temporary stopping point 6, the color monitor 260 displays the above-mentioned waiting time pattern "Please wait" (No. 13).
(Diagonal diagram in figure (H)), (period Tl). Next, when the slide glass l is conveyed to the temporary stop point 6, in response to the generation of the temporary stop signal from the sensor F (1st alN (A)
), save the sample number taken by camera IO to video memory 1.
22 (see Fig. 13 (G)) and displayed on the mokoyu 280 (Fig. 13 (+() rectangular wave diagram).
(Period T2').

” The display of the double sample number is continued until the end of the preset focus processing, and in response to the generation of the preset focus end signal (see FIG. 13 (B)), the display of the double sample number on the XY stage 19 photographed by the color television camera 30 An enlarged image (microscope image) of the specimen on the slide glass L is displayed on the monitor 260 (vertical striped image in FIG. 13(H)) (period T3). When the objective lens exchange is instructed by the objective lens select switch 1, an objective lens exchange signal is generated (see FIG. Change to a time pattern. This waiting time pattern is displayed until the end of the preset focus (see FIG. 13(D)).
). After the preset focus is completed, the microscope image is displayed on the monitor 260 in the same manner as described above (period Ts).

In addition, if you instruct display of the sample number by pressing the display signal button 74, a display signal is generated (see Fig. 13 (E)), and accordingly the sample number is synthesized with the microscope image and displayed on the monitor 260. (Figure 13 () I
), (period T6). This display continues until the next display signal indicating the end of display γ occurs (see FIG. 13(E)). After the display ends, the microscope image is displayed on the monitor 260 again (period T7). When the sample inspection is completed and the inspection completion switch 5 is pressed, a termination signal is generated (see FIG. 13(F)), and in response, the screen of the monitor 260 is returned to the initial waiting time pattern (period T+).

Next, an example of the operation of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

First, turn on (close) the main power switch 93 of the second operation panel (operation panel B>SO) and turn on the power.
After warming up for ~30 minutes, when the slide glass storage capacity cent 2 is stored in the cassette elevator 3, the cassette preparation is completed by sensor A (step 5).
51). Next, initial settings are performed by operating a button in step S52. That is, the camera/color 7 switch 95 is switched to camera/color switch 95, and the automatic white balance switch 87 is turned on to confirm that the lamp is turned on and then turned off. Next, both operation panels 7o and 9o
Check the status of the other switches above, for example, set the memory/repeat switch 80 to the repeat side, the auto/manual switch 94 to the automatic side, the TV camera/still camera switch 96 to the TV camera side, and the sequential/random switch 81 are set sequentially or randomly according to the purpose of inspection. Furthermore, if necessary, the initial magnification and preset focus of the objective lens 24 are set according to the operating procedures shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above (step 553).

After confirming all the initial conditions, when the start switch 76 of the first operation panel (operation panel A) 70 is pressed (step 554), the cassette elevator 3 descends until the cassette lower limit sensor C operates, and once reaches the lowest position. After being lowered, it rises again until the slide glass number sensor E detects the first slide glass (preparation) 1 at the top and then stops. When the elevator 3 stops, the slide glass 1 is sent out by the drive motor 8 using the sending lever 5, and stops at the temporary stop point 6 (step S55).
~557). At this time, the feed lever 7 also moves in the same direction as the feed lever 5 via the connection arm 9, but this does not affect the slide class I.

When the feeding of the slide glass I is completed, the sample number reading camera 10 is activated by the detection signal of the sensor F, and the sample number 50a or 50b associated with the slide glass I is read and displayed on the screen of the color monitor 280. At the same time, the detection signal from the sensor F drives the motor 15 to move the carriage 13 of the air chuck 11. When the sensor H is activated, the arm of the air chuck 11 is lowered by the drive of the motor 12, and when the limit sensor J is activated, the air chuck 13 is moved. The chuck 11 attracts the slide glass l, and when the pressure reaches a certain level, a vacuum switch (vacuum solenoid valve) is operated to maintain the predetermined pressure, and then the air chuck 11 is raised until the sensor l is activated. When the sensor operates, it moves toward the stage on the right side of the figure and reaches the slide glass delivery point 17.
It stops at the position (step 558). In addition, at this time,
The XY stage 19 has been moved to the delivery point 17 in advance.

When the slide glass i reaches the position of the transfer point 17, the arm of the air chuck 11 is lowered, and when the lower limit sensor J is activated, the air chuck 11 operates to set the vacuum switch to atmospheric pressure, releases the slide glass 1, and removes the slide glass. When I is placed on the XY stage 19, the air chuck 11 rises until the two-limit sensor I operates and then stops. Next, the stage chuck 2 is driven by the motor 23.
The lever 2 is closed and the slide glass 1 is fixed at a predetermined position on the stage 18. When sensor Q operates, motor 2
0 and 21 are driven, the XY stage 19 is moved until the sensors L and N are activated, and the center of the slide glass 1 is aligned with the optical axis center of the microscope 1$j and the mirror I8 (step 559).

? According to the operation of the one-point sensors L8 and N, the Z-axis of the microscope 18, the objective lens 24, the condenser lens 60, and the aperture correspond to the motor 25, 27,
40. Automatic cents are linked by driving 43 and 64. That is, the light intensity of the w4 microscopic light source 36 is set in accordance with the preset magnification of the objective lens 24, the ND filter lens 38 is rotated to select the ND filter 38 (step 560), and the diaphragm 63 is rotated. rotates to set the aperture value (step 581), and the condenser lens 60 is driven to turn on (enter) or turn off (on) the optical axis.
(out) (step 562), and the 7'-mu 39 is switched to Z.
Focusing is performed by moving in the axial direction.

563).

The selection of the objective lens 24 is performed by pressing the objective lens select switch 71, and the Z-axis,
The condenser lens 60 and the aperture are automatically set in accordance with the magnification of the objective lens 24 (steps Se4 to
568). The detailed operation has been explained in FIG. 6 and will be omitted here. Furthermore, the movement of the XY stage 18 can be freely performed using a joystick (JOISTIC;) 98, and the XY stage drive motors 20 and 21 operate in conjunction with the operation of the joystick 88 to move the XY stage 19 to an arbitrary position. (Steps S70 and 5ol).

When the focus presetting is completed, an enlarged image of the specimen is displayed on the color monitor 280.

When the observation is completed and the end switch 75 of the first operation panel 7o is pressed, the XY stage 19 is moved by the air chuck +1
The stage chuck 22 is moved to the delivery point 17 and stopped in response to the detection signal from the sensor, and then the motor 23 is started to open the stage chuck 22. When the stage chuck 22 is opened, the air chuck 11 is moved to the delivery point 17 in response to the detection signal from the opening/closing sensor Q. arm lowers,
Slide class 1 is attracted to air chunk 1 in accordance with the detection signal of lower limit sensor J. When the vacuum pressure reaches a certain level, the vacuum switch operates to maintain the constant pressure, then the arm of the air chuck 11 is raised, and the motor 15 is activated in response to the detection signal from the upper limit sensor I to move the slide glass l to the temporary stopping point 6. When the carriage 13 is stopped in response to the detection signal from the sensor H, the arm of the air chuck II is lowered, and the air chuck 11 is set to atmospheric pressure in response to the detection signal from the sensor J, and the slide glass 1 is released and stopped temporarily. Place it at point 6. Next, the arm of the air chuck 11 is raised, and when the arm of the air chuck 11 is raised, the air chuck 11 moves to a predetermined atmospheric position in response to the detection signal from the sensor 1 and stands by (step 574).

When the movement of the air chuck 11 to the atmospheric position is completed,
The slide glass feeding lever 7 moves in the direction of the storage cassette 2 to feed and store the slide glass 1 above the temporary stop point 6 into the storage cassette 2 (step 575).

If the sequential/random switch 81 selects the sequential extraction and conveyance method, the process returns to step S55 and the sensor G
The cassette elm bake drive motor 4 is driven in response to the detection signal, and when the sensor E detects the next (for example, 2 slides 1) slide glass 1, the elm bake 3 is stopped, and the lever 5 is operated to move the next slide glass 1. (steps 57e and 577). Thereafter, the above-mentioned operation is repeated in sequence until the last number of slide glasses 1 has been observed, and when the entire school, for example, 50 slides have been observed and the 50th slide glass 1 is stored in storage cassette 1 or storage cassette 2, the cassette is automatically removed. 2 rises and stops at the initial position (step 878).
.

When the runtime extracting conveyance method is selected using the nth/runtime switch 91, the elevator 3 ascends or descends to the number specified by operating the numeric keypad on the operation panel 7o, as described above in FIG. It stops when sensor E detects it, and sends out the slide glass L (step 5).
73). If the slide glass 1 is not at the designated number, the elevator 3 reaches the designated position and stops, displays a ready display on the liquid crystal panel, and waits for the next designation. The operation during conveyance is the same as in the above-described sequential case, and the slide glass l is stored in the drawer 2 by pressing the button on the end switch 75, and waits for the next designation using the ten key 80.

- As explained above, the present invention has the following advantages over direct observation using a conventional microscope.

(b) Even toxic samples can be observed safely.

In the conventional case, the sample is held by hand and placed in the microscope, so there is a risk of touching the dilute sample with the human hand.
In the case of this device, it is safe because the part without a sample is sucked and transported using an air chuck.

(b) Inspection efficiency will be improved.

In the conventional case, it takes a lot of time to set the sample and operate the microscope manually, but with this device, all you have to do is load the cassette into the elevator, and everything is set automatically with the touch of a button, making the inspection easier. Efficiency is improved and individual differences due to microscope operation are eliminated.

(c) Reduced fatigue level.

In the conventional case, the human eye observes images directly through the eyepiece of the microscope, which is extremely tiring and can only be done for about 4 hours a day, but this device observes images on a color monitor, which reduces fatigue. It will also be possible to observe for 8 hours a day. In addition, since a large number of people can be observed at the same time, individual differences in judgment can be confirmed, and it can also be used for educational purposes.

(This) It is easy to store and re-observe.

This is because when storing a large number of slide glass cassettes, it is possible to store them as they are, and when re-observation, the cassettes can be placed in the elevator and the necessary samples can be extracted and observed.

(E) Since this device can be used by rotating a plurality of objective lenses electrically, operation becomes simple and inspection time is shortened.

(F) We have added a sample number to the sample (slide glass) and can display this on the monitor, making it easier to confirm the sample and also making it possible to perform various information processing using this sample number. Therefore, the inspection ability can be improved.

(g) Since the image of the specimen and sample number is captured by a television camera, this image can be easily stored in an external storage device, and since a color monitor is used, various information from outside can be easily displayed. can do. Furthermore, it is possible to use a printer to make hard copies of specimen images, etc., making it easy to use.

In addition, in the present invention, it is also preferable to provide an arrow pointer function that allows you to point out the necessary part using an arrow on the monitor screen, and a video microscaler that allows you to measure the lateral size of the sample using a scale. be. Further, in the present invention, the means for conveying the slide glass is not limited to the air chuck method, but it goes without saying that a mechanical manipulator or the like may be used. Furthermore, cameras and monitors are not limited to color. Furthermore, microscopes are not limited to biological microscopes;
Other microscopes such as a limit microscope may also be used.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of the slide glass shown in FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the aperture mechanism shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operating procedures of the operation panels in Figures 4 and 5, and Figure 9 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the control section of the device in Figure 1.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the device shown in the figure. l...Microscope slide glass (preparation), 2
... Slide glass storage cassette, 3... Cassette elevator, 4... Cassette elevator drive motor, 5... Slide glass delivery lever, 6... Temporary stop work 9-Chuck delivery point, 7... Slide glass feed lever. 8...Slide glass feeding drive motor 8
...Connection arm, 10... Sample number reading camera, 11... Air chuck, 12... Air chuck lifting motor, 13... Air chuck carriage, 14... Guide rail, 15...・Slide glass transport top, 16...Timing belt, 17...Slide glass delivery point, 18...Microscope, 19...XY stage, 20.21...XY stage drive motor. 22... Stage chuck, 23... Slide glass presser lever drive motor (stage chuck drive motor), 24... Objective lens, °25... Nosepiece rotation drive motor, 26...,
27... Z-axis drive motor, 28... Transmission means, 28... Arm, 30... Color TV camera, 31... Optical path, 32... Photography device (steel) camera), 33...
- Optical path, 34... Optical path switching drive motor, 35... Eyepiece, 36... Microscope light source, 37... Reflection mirror, 38... NDD filter 38... ND filter turret 40...・ND filter lid drive motor 41・
...Condenser lens switching unit, 42...Rotating rod, 43...Condenser lens switching motor, 44...Body mounting frame, 50...Sample number area, 50a...Barcode (sample number), 50b...O
CR character, 51... Sample area, 52, 53... Air chuck area, 60... Condenser lens, 61... Arm, 62... Off state position, 63... Condenser lens diaphragm, 64...Condenser lens aperture motor, 65...
Gear, 70... first operation panel (operation panel A), 71...
・Objective lens selection switch, 72 River stop switch ・73...Reset switch, 74...Display switch, 75...Inspection end switch, 7θ...Start switch, 77...Vacuum indicator, 78, 79 ...Focus switch, 80...Den key, 81...Removal key. 82...Preset focus key, 83...Initial magnification setting key, 84...Clear key, 90...Second operation panel (operation panel B), 8X...
・1 sequential/random switch, 92... memory/switch, 83... main source switch, 94... automatic/manual switch, 95... camera/color par switch, 98... television Camera/Still camera switch, 97...Auto white balance switch. 88... Joystick, 100... Control device, 110... CPU circuit, Ill... ROM, +12... CPU, 120... Sample number reading circuit, 121... Analog-digital conversion 122... Video memory, 123... Digital analog converter, 130... Interface circuit, 140... Video mix circuit, 141.142... Video switch, 143.144
...Amplifier, i45...Mixing circuit, +50...Camera control circuit, 160...Video switch circuit, 1131R, 161G, 161B, 1filN...Amplifier, 162...Latency time generator, 163 , 164... video switch, 165R, 1
65B...Amplifier, 186G, 16f3N...Video switch, 1f (7
G, 187N...Amplifier, 170...Motor IT drive circuit for slide glass transport, 171...Motor drive circuit, 180...Motor group for slide glass transport, 190.
...Sensor group for transporting a slide glass, 200...Microscope motor group drive circuit, 20]...Motor drive circuit. 202,203...Variable resistor, 210...Microscope motor 4 yen. 220... Microscope sensor group, 230... Information processing device, 240... Keychain link, 250... External storage device δ, 260... Color monitor (CRT display), A
...Cassette presence/absence sensor B...Cassette 2-limit sensor, C...Cassette/lower 1ffl sensor, D...Slide glass presence/absence sensor, E...Slide class number sensor, F... ...Slide class sending sensor, G...Slide class feeding sensor, H...Air chunk receiving position sensor. ■...Air chuck upper limit sensor, J...Air chunk lower limit sensor, K...Stage X-axis receiving sensor, Shi...Stage x-axis observation point sensor, 14...Stage X-axis positive side mit I/Sensor, N
...Stage Y-axis observation point Sumitomo sensor, P...
Stage Y-axis minus side mint sensor, Q... Stage chuck open/close sensor, R... Revolver sensor for objective lens, S... Z-axis origin sensor, T... Sensor for checking optical path switching, U...・Turret sensor for ND filter, ■...
Condenser lens on second sensor, W... Condenser lens aperture sensor. Patent applicant: Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 (C) Procedural amendment: 11411/1960 Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Kazuo Wakasugi Indication of Case 1 Patent Application No. 1986/FF0929 2. Name of the invention Automatic microscope device 3 Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment The description of "Arm 2 of the microscope/g via the transmission means I" on page 6, line 1r-9 of the patent applicant's specification Correct to "XY stage/9". e) Correct "in the solid line ON position" in the 1st line of the same page 1 to "in the solid line ON position." 3) Change “Objective lens 2” to “X” in the 73rd line of the same page.
Y stage 19 is corrected. lI) Correct the statement on page 11, lines 2 and 3 to "objective lens 2 - l' - XY stage/wa". 81 Correct "income cassette" in the 16th line of the same page to "income cassette". Correct "92 (YU)" in the first line of page 11 to "9.2". Correct "Camera/Color Switch" in the first line of Page 1? to "Camera/Color Bar Switch". O Correct the line ``Optical path 3/ and 33 to either one'' in the same page 19, line I4 to ``either one of the optical paths 3/ or 33.'' W) Same page 27, line 7 Color jet printer for eyes
should be corrected to "color inkjet printer". ``Park'' in lines 2 and 3 of page 29 of / is corrected to ``screen.'' //) Delete "aforesaid read from video memory/22" on lines 79-20 of the same tan page. /, 2) Change "7 degrees" in the first line of page 32 to "once"
Correct. 13) On page 32, line 17, "with slide glass l" is corrected to "with slide glass l." In the 7th line of page 33, "When sensor I operates" is corrected to "When sensor I operates." /3) "Fuki stage/dega" in the first line of page 31 of the same page
is corrected to "xy stage/9". /6) Correct "center ga" in lines 3 to d on page 3'1 to "center wo." /7) Same page 3, No. 1! ;Line ``63 rotates''
is corrected to "63 rotates." tr) Same page 31, line 1g (7) l'-7-muNka" f Corrected to "XY stage l?ga". / of page 35, line 76, ``sensor ni no'' is corrected to ``sensor ni and N no''. 27) Correct "atmospheric position" on page 36, line 73 to "standby position". 2/) Correct "atmospheric position" in line 1j of page 3 to "standby position". 22) "Not limited to biological microscopes, but limit microscopes, etc." in line 3 of λ to page 3 of the same section has been changed to "not limited to general biological microscopes, but also phase contrast microscopes, interference microscopes, polarizing microscopes, etc." Correct to ``no''. 23) "Example of placement machine" on the 9th to /θ lines of the same page [
Corrected to ``Example of layout configuration''. 20 Delete "29...Arm," on page 3, line S of the same page. 25) Correct "Memory/Switch" on page 413 to "Memory/Repeat Switch". b) Correct Figure 1 as shown in the attached sheet. 27) Correct Figure 2 as shown in the attached sheet. 1) Correct the 1st and 3rd figures (A) as shown on the attached sheet. 29) Correct the 1st diagram (A) as shown in the attached sheet. -82

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] ■) A cassette for storing a plurality of microscope slide glasses, and a case where the slide glasses are extracted from the cassette and w4
*An automatic transport means that automatically inserts the microscope into the mirror; a monitor means that displays the image of the microscope via a television camera; an automatic operation means that automatically operates the microscope according to initial setting conditions set in advance by button operation; An automatic microscope apparatus comprising reading and display means for reading a sample number attached to a slide glass during transportation to the microscope and displaying it on the monitor means. 2. In the apparatus according to claim 1, the automatic transport means has an air chuck for adsorbing the slide glass, and the automatic operation means has an air chuck for adsorbing the glass slide. An automatic wA microscopic device characterized by comprising automatic exchange means for a mirror objective lens and a condenser lens, and an aperture setting means interlocked with the objective lens. 3) In the apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the automatic conveying means can perform at least one of sequential sampling and conveyance and random sampling and conveyance, and also automatically stores the slide glass in the cassette. An automatic microscope device characterized by the ability to perform