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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) The present invention relates to a microscope, and more particularly
relates to a multiple-purpose microscope which enables its user to conduct
various types or modes of microscopic examinations by a simplified
examination mode changeover operation.
(b) Description of the Prior Art:
Recently, in such scientific technical fields as cell technology, there has
been an increase in the number of instances wherein the same specimen is
subjected to observations in various different types of microscopic
examinations. For example, in case of an experiment of cell fusion which
is conducted on two ova of a mouse, the nucleus of one of the ova is dyed
with FITC (Fluorescein Isotyiocyanate), and the nucleus of the other ovum
is dyed with TRITC (Tetramethl Rhodamine Isothiocynate), and thereafter
these two ova are fused, and a Blue excitation beam is irradiated onto the
resulting combined nucleic region. By observing the respective fluroscent
beams consisting of a yellowish green light caused by FITC and a yellow
light of TRITC reflected therefrom, the presence of cell fusion is
confirmed. However, in case it is intended to observe the configuration of
the nucleic region, it is not possible to attain the intended purpose by
merely relying on a reflecting fluorescence microscopy such as mentioned
above. Thus, one will have to rely on phase contrast microscopy or
differential interference microscopy to accomplish the intended purpose.
As discussed above, it should be noted that, in case many-phase
observations of a single specimen are to be conducted, various types of
microscopic examinations will have to be relied upon, such as phase
contrast microscopy, differential interference microscopy, reflecting
fluorescence microscopy and bright field microscopy. In such a case, it is
desired that the microscope per se be so constructed as will permit as
easy and simple changeover between various different modes of microscopic
examinations as possible.
As a conventional example of such a multiple-purpose microscope as outlined
above, there is the one which is of the arrangement that an insertion
region is formed at the revolver area and either a dichroic mirror unit
for reflecting fluorescence microscopy or a differential interference unit
is inserted into the insertion region to thereby perform a switching of
the mode of microscopic examination from one type to another. It should be
noted, however, that in case of this known changeover type microscope, the
point of intersection of the optical axis of the light-projecting tube
which is the source of the fluorescent light, with the optical axis of
observation will move as the revolver moves vertically for focusing,
making it impossible to hold an optimum condition of illumination. As a
result, there arise the inconvenience that uneven illumination is
developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, the main object of the present invention to provide a
multiple-purpose microscope which avoids a move of the point of
intersection of the optical axis of the fluorescent illuminating light
with the optical axis of observation when the revolver moves vertically
for focusing, thereby to develop even illumination in case a reflecting
fluorescene microscopy.
According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is attained
by mounting, at a position adjacent to the revolver in the focusing means,
a differential interference unit so as to be movable into and out of the
path of a light beam, and also mounting, within the body of this
microscope, a dichroic mirror unit for reflecting fluorescence microscopy
in such a way as to be movable into and out of the path of the light beam.
According to a preferred formation of the present invention, the dichroic
mirror unit for reflecting fluorescence contains a dichroic mirror, an
exciting filter and a barrier filter. Accordingly, the microscope of the
present invention can have a much more compact structure. In addition, at
the same time that said unit is inserted in the path of the light beam,
the exciting filter is inserted in the path of the light beam of the light
projection tube serving as the fluorescent light source, while the barrier
filter is inserted in the observation light path.
According to another preferred formation of the present invention, the
dichroic mirror unit for reflecting fluorescence is mounted in a plural
number. By selectively using them, it is possible to perform reflection
fluorescence observations using different types of excited lights.
According to still another preferred formation of the present invention,
the differential interference unit is constructed in the form of Nomarski
slider. Whereby, a wide range observation of a specimen taken from a
patient is feasible by a very simplified mode changeover operation.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent
during the course of the following detailed description and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an explanatory illustration showing an embodiment of the
multiple-purpose microscope according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of a part of FIG. 1, showing a structure
wherein a differential interference unit is attached.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory illustration to show how a dichroic mirror unit
for reflecting fluorescence is attached.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the detailed structure of a
condenser lens unit.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line V--V of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory illustration showing another embodiment of the
multiple-purpose microscope according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, reference numeral 1 represents a microscope
body, 2 an illuminating unit; 3 a condenser lens unit, 4 a stage fixedly
mounted on the microscope body 1; and 5 a focusing means mounted, for
vertical movement, within the microscope body 1. Reference numeral 6
represents a focusing handle rotatably supported on a side wall of the
microscope body 1 and capable of vertically moving the focusing means 5
through rack-pinion mechanism; 7 a revolver rotatably mounted on top of
the focusing means 5; and 8 an objective lens supported on the revolver.
Reference numeral 9 represents a Nomarski differential interference unit
mounted, for horizontal slidable movement, on top of the focusing means 5
as clearly shown in FIG. 2 and arranged so as to be held, by a pin 10
screwed into said top, at a position at which a Nomarski prism 9a and an
analyzer 9b both of the image side are inserted in a path of light beam,
and also at a position at which the two members 9a and 9b are pulled out
of the path of light beam. The Nomarski prism 9 a and the analyzer 9b
construct an analyzing-side unit. Reference numeral 11 represents a
dichroic mirror unit for reflecting fluorescence mounted, for horizontal
slidable movement, within the microscope body 1 by, for example, a
dovetail-dovetail groove mechanism so as to be able to assume a position
(indicated by dotted line in FIG. 3) at which it is inserted in the path
of light and also a position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3) at
which it is pulled out of the path of light, both by means of an
externally operable handle 11a and 11' which is also a dichroic mirror
unit for reflecting fluorescence, carrying therein an exciting unit,
capable of easily corresponding with an exciting wavelength in the same
operation as for the unit 11 and having an externally operable handle 11'a
as shown in FIG. 3. Reference numeral 12 represents a dichroic mirror for
reflecting fluorescence provided within the unit 11 and which is brought
to a position at which it is aligned with the optical axis 0 when this
unit 11 is inserted in the path of a light beam; 13 an exciting filter
provided within the unit 11; 14 a barrier filter provided within the unit
11; and 15 a fluorescent light source means attached to the microscope
body 1. Reference numeral 16 represents a light projecting tube provided
within the microscope body 1 so as to be able to direct the beam of light
coming from the fluorescent light source 15 to the dichroic mirror 12 via
the exciting filter 13; and 17 represents an objective lens cylinder.
The condenser lens unit 3 includes, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a turret 3a
rotatably mounted around an axis 3f and having therein a cavity hole 3b,
ring slits 3c and a polarizer 3d and illumination-side Nomarski prism 3e
overlapped with each other, which are arranged so as to be able to be
arbitrarily inserted into the path of the light beam. The polarizer 3d and
the Nomarski prism 3e construct a polarizing-side unit.
Next, description will be made of respective types of microscopic
examinations.
In case a differential interference microscopy is to be conducted, it is
necessary to do the following simple steps which include, first of all,
inserting, in the path of light beam of the condenser lens unit 3, the
polarizer 3d and the illumination-side Nomarski prism 3e selected to
correspond to the magnification power of the objective lens 8 which is to
be used. In this state, the illumination-side Nomarski prism 3e locates
before the front focus plane of the condenser lens. This is followed by
causing the differential interference unit 9 to slide toward the right
side to thereby insert both the image-side Nomarski prism 9a and the
analyzer 9b into the path of the light beam, and finally moving the
dichroic mirror unit 11 for reflecting fluorescence to the outside of the
path of light beam. In this state, the image-side Nomarski prism 9a is
attendant on the revolver 7 and locates behind the rear focus plane of the
objective lens 9. In this case, since the prism 9a has been designed, when
manufactured, so as to enter into a position having above relationship
with the focal position behind the objective lens 8, it is possible to
readily make the observation of a clear image even after the reflecting
fluorescence microscopy mode without requiring a readjustment of the
position of the objective lens 8.
In case phase contrast microscopy is to be performed, it is necessary to
insert, in the path of light beam of the condenser lens unit 3, a ring
slit 3c which has been selected to correspond to the magnification of the
objective lens which is to be used (along with a phase plate) instead of
the polarizer 3d, and to move both the differential interference unit 9
and the dichroic mirror unit 11 for reflecting fluorescence to the outside
of the path of light beam.
In case a reflecting fluorescence microscopy is to be performed, it is
necessary to insert the cavity hole 3b in the path of the light beam of
the condenser lens unit 3, to move the differential interference unit 9 to
the outside of the path of light beam and to insert the dichroic mirror
unit 11 for reflecting fluorescence into the path of light beam, and to
turn on the fluorescence light source means 15. In this case, the dichroic
mirror 14 and the optical axis of the projection tube 16 are accurately
brought into agreement relative to each other on the optical axis 0 when
the unit 11 is inserted in the path of light beam, and this relationship
is always held constant regardless of the vertical movement of the
revolver 7 caused by the focusing means 5. In such a case, it is possible
to provide, within the microscopy body in the same manner as for the unit
11, a dichroic mirror unit 11', for reflecting fluorescence carrying
therein an exciting unit of a type which is different from the unit 11, as
shown in FIG. 3. This arrangement makes it possible, by a simplified
changeover operation, to select any two of the exciting units U, V, B and
G and to perform a reflecting fluorescence observation using mutually
different excited light beams. Thus, it is possible to further enhance the
convenience of the multiple-purpose microscope of this kind.
In case of an ordinary bright field microscopy, it is necessary to insert
the cavity hole 3b in the path of the light beam of the condenser lens
unit 3, to bring both the differential interference unit 9 and the
dichroic mirror units 11 and 11' for reflecting fluorescence to the
outside of the path of light.
As will be apparent from the foregoing description, in the state of
arrangement that those units necessary for performing various kinds of
microscopic examination are incorporated within one microscope body, the
user is required only to selectively operate these units, whereby any
desired microscopy is realized. Thus, there will arise no fear that the
units inadvertently come off and be damaged. Moreover, it becomes possible
to display, to the maximum extent, the optical functions of the microscope
in such a manner as are suited for any one of these respective types of
microscopic examinations.
Description has been made above with respect to the embodiments in which
the present invention is applied to an upside-down type microscope.
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied, without
modification, directly to the normal type microscope.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the
normal type microscope. In this embodiment, like reference numerals are
assigned to those parts and members which are substantially the same as
those in FIG. 1, and their detailed description is omitted. It should be
noted here that, in these embodiments, the differential interference unit
is shown to be constructed in the form of a Normarski slider, but that any
other type of unit may be used.
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