JP2008197580A - Objective lens warming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an objective lens warming device capable of securely preventing deprivation of heat of a specimen through the outer cylinder of an objective lens, and to provide the objective lens. <P>SOLUTION: The body section of the device 7 is warmed by heat generated from a heat-generating body 8. Since the body section 7 is fitted in close contact with the outer face of the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3, the heat from the heat generating body 8 is efficiently and surely transmitted to the entire outer cylinder 3a via the body section 7. This can surely uniformly warm the entire outer cylinder 3a, without causing a low temperature area in the outer cylinder 3a. In addition, since the body part 7 is fitted in close contact with the outer face of the outer cylinder 3a, gaps are not produced between the internal face of the body section 7 and the outer face of the outer cylinder 3a. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3a can maintain a predetermined temperature, without being affected by the surrounding temperature change. This prevents deprivation of heat from cells 23 in a culture media through the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating apparatus for an objective lens, and more particularly to an objective lens heating apparatus that is used by being mounted on a movable part of an objective lens.

Like artificial insemination of animals, it may be necessary to keep sperm or ovum (specimen) at a predetermined temperature and observe it with a microscope. As an apparatus for satisfying this requirement, there is a microscope observation heating apparatus shown in Patent Document 1. In this microscope observation heating apparatus, a transparent heating plate is mounted on a microscope stage, a sample placed on a slide glass or the like is placed thereon, and the sample is heated by heat generated from the transparent heating plate. Further, the temperature of the transparent warming plate is detected by the temperature sensor, and the temperature of the transparent warming plate is adjusted based on the detected information.

During the microscopic observation, heat for heating the transparent heating plate and the specimen is transmitted through the objective lens and escapes, and the specimen cannot be maintained at a desired temperature. In particular, when observing a specimen at a high magnification in an inverted microscope or using oil immersion or water immersion, the objective lens is extremely close to or in contact with the transparent heating plate. And the heat of the specimen is easily taken away by the objective lens. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately maintain the specimen at a desired temperature only by controlling the temperature of the transparent heating plate. Therefore, a flexible main body portion that can be wound around the objective lens barrel of the microscope of Patent Document 2, a fixing means for fixing the main body portion in a state of being wound around the objective lens, and the main body portion are provided. A lens heater having a heating element is used.

Japanese Patent Application No. 6-11540 (Japanese Patent No. 2835422) JP 2002-250869 A

However, since the conventional lens heater has a configuration in which the main body is wound around the outer cylinder (movable part) of the objective lens, a gap is inevitably formed between the main body and the objective lens, so that the heat of the heating element is removed. Insufficient to prevent the heat of the specimen from being taken away from the outer cylinder of the objective lens, because it is not transmitted to the entire cylinder and a low temperature part is created or it is easily affected by the surrounding temperature change. It was something.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and provides an objective lens heating apparatus and an objective lens that can reliably prevent the heat of the specimen from being taken away from the outer cylinder of the objective lens. And its purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an objective lens heating device for heating an objective lens of a microscope, and is operable in the optical axis direction of the tip lens with respect to a fixed portion of the objective lens. In an objective lens heating apparatus having a main body portion mounted on an outer surface of a supported movable portion and a heating element provided in the main body portion, the main body portion is formed in a shape that fits on an outer surface of the movable portion of the objective lens. The objective lens heating device is provided with an upper end opening for exposing the front lens.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the objective lens heating apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the heating element is embedded in the main body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens heating apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the heating element is provided to be joined to the lower surface of the main body.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens heating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the liquid holding recess that surrounds the front end lens by the inner peripheral surface of the front end side opening and the outer surface of the movable portion of the objective lens. A liquid reservoir recess that is provided in the main body and stores the liquid flowing out from the liquid holding recess; a liquid supply path that extends along the main body and opens to the liquid holding recess; and the liquid reservoir recess An objective lens heating device that includes a liquid discharge path communicating with the liquid supply path, and a liquid supply means connected to the liquid supply path, and enables the liquid holding recess to be supplied with the immersion liquid.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the objective lens heating apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the liquid supply path passes through the thickness of the main body.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the objective lens heating apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the main body is made of an elastically deformable material.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the objective lens heating apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the main body is made of a hard material having high thermal conductivity.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens heating device according to the sixth aspect, the annular convex portion that seals between the outer surface of the movable portion when the main body portion is attached to the movable portion of the objective lens, The objective lens heating device is formed in a main body.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the objective lens heating device according to the seventh aspect, the elastically deformable material that seals between the outer surface of the movable portion when the main body portion is mounted on the movable portion of the objective lens. An objective lens heating device comprising an annular sealing member configured.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an objective lens for a microscope having a fixed portion fixed to a microscope revolver and a movable portion movably attached to the fixed portion in the optical axis direction of a tip lens. An objective lens is characterized in that a heating element is provided in the part.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the objective lens according to the tenth aspect, wherein the heating element is embedded in the movable portion.

  According to the objective lens heating device and the objective lens of the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the heat of the specimen from being taken from the outer cylinder of the objective lens.

The objective lens heating apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an objective lens heating device (hereinafter simply referred to as “heating device”) 5 before being attached to an inverted objective lens 3 having a tip lens 1.
The objective lens 3 has a middle cylinder 3b as a movable part and an outer cylinder 3a as a fixed part attached to the middle cylinder 3b. A tip lens 1 is provided on the outer cylinder 3a. The middle cylinder 3b is fixed to a revolver of a microscope (not shown), and the outer cylinder 3a is supported so as to be movable in the optical axis direction of the tip lens 1 with respect to the middle cylinder 3b.

  The heating device 5 includes a main body portion 7 fitted and attached to the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3, that is, the outer surface of the distal lens 1, a heating element 8 (see FIG. 2), and a liquid supply path. The liquid supply tube 9, the liquid discharge tube 11 as the liquid discharge path, the liquid supply means 13 (see FIG. 4) connected to the liquid supply tube 9, and the liquid discharge means 15 ( Etc.).

The main body 7 is made of a rubber-based material (for example, silicone rubber) that can be elastically deformed.
Further, the main body portion 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape (cap shape) along the shape of the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a so as to be fitted in close contact with the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3, and the upper end portion 7a has an upper end portion 7a. An opening 7h is formed as a tip side opening. The opening 7 h has a shape in which the inner peripheral surface 7 c of the opening 7 h surrounds the periphery of the front lens 1 when the main body 7 is attached to the outer cylinder 3 a. An annular liquid reservoir recess 17 that projects outward is integrally formed at the lower end of the main body 7.
Further, a heating element 8 is embedded in the lower end portion of the main body 7, and the heating element 8 is formed in a ring shape so as to extend over the entire circumference of the main body 7 (see FIG. 2). The heating element 8 is formed by coating a nichrome wire with a synthetic resin having electrical insulation and heat resistance. An electric cord 10 is connected to the nichrome wire, and the electric cord 10 is connected to a controller 12 that controls a voltage value and a current value.

FIG. 4 shows a microscopic state using the objective lens 3. A transparent plastic culture vessel 21 is placed on a stage 19 that can move in a two-dimensional direction or a three-dimensional direction within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens 3 by a drive mechanism (not shown).
The culture vessel 21 has a plurality of accommodating portions 21a, 21b, 21c. . . Each storage unit stores a cell 23 as a specimen and a culture solution.

  The main body 7 is fitted in the outer cylinder 3 a of the objective lens 3. The main body portion 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape (cap shape) along the shape of the outer cylinder 3a and is made of an elastically deformable material, so that it is in close contact with the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a. And the liquid holding recessed part 25 surrounding the front-end lens 1 is formed of the inner peripheral surface 7c of the opening 7h and the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a. The water 27 as the immersion liquid replenished in the liquid holding recess 25 is held in a raised state as shown in the figure by the surface tension, and the upper surface thereof contacts the bottom surface of the culture vessel 21.

The liquid feeding tube 9 is a synthetic resin tube having flexibility, and is provided so as to pass through the thickness portion (inside the thickness) from the lower surface of the main body portion 7 and open to the liquid holding recess 25.
The liquid supply means 13 includes a supply tank 29 in which water 27 is accommodated, a micro metering pump 31 to which the liquid feeding tube 9 is connected, and a hand-held switch 33 that turns the micro metering pump 31 on and off. .
The liquid discharge means 15 includes a suction pump 35 to which a liquid discharge tube 11 which is a flexible synthetic resin tube is connected, and a recovery tank 37. The upper end of the drainage tube 11 communicates with the liquid reservoir recess 17 from the lower surface of the main body 7.
An annular convex portion 39 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 7, and when the convex portion 39 is attached to the annular groove 41 formed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a by being elastically deformed, The space between the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a and the inner surface of the main body 7 is sealed.

The operation of the heating device 5 will be described.
The controller 12 is operated to energize the heating element 8 to cause the heating element 8 to generate heat. When this energization is performed, the controller 12 controls the voltage value and the current value so that the heating temperature of the heating element 8 becomes a predetermined value. The main body 7 is heated by the heat generated from the heating element 8. Since the main body portion 7 is fitted in close contact with the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3 as described above, heat from the heating element 8 is efficiently and reliably supplied to the entire outer cylinder 3a via the main body portion 7. Communicated. The outer cylinder 3a can be surely heated without unevenness without forming a portion having a low temperature in the outer cylinder 3a. Moreover, since the main-body part 7 fits closely on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a, there is no gap between the inner surface of the main-body part 7 and the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a, and thus the main-body part of the outer cylinder 3a. The part covered with 7 is in a state of being completely cut off from the outside air, and can be maintained at a predetermined temperature without being affected by the surrounding temperature change.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat of the cells 23 in the culture solution from being deprived from the outer cylinder 3 a of the objective lens 3.

When the stage 19 is moved to the left by a predetermined distance together with the culture vessel 21 in order to change the observation target from the state shown in FIG. 4, that is, the state where the tip lens 1 faces the housing portion 21 b of the culture vessel 21, The accommodating part 21c of the culture container 21 opposes.
As the stage 19 moves, the water 27 in contact with the bottom surface of the culture vessel 21 is dragged, so the amount of the water 27 in the liquid holding recess 25 is reduced. However, the observer appropriately turns on the switch 33 to replenish the water. Thus, the amount of water (immersion amount) in the liquid holding recess 25 is properly maintained.
The amount of water replenished by turning on the switch 33 does not need to be uniform, and excess water exceeding an appropriate amount flows in the liquid holding recess 25 along the outer surface of the main body portion 7 and accumulates in the liquid reservoir recess 17.
The water stored in the liquid storage recess 17 is forcibly discharged by the suction pump 35 that is always driven and stored in the recovery tank 37.

  Since the main body 7 is heated by the heat generated from the heating element 8, the water accumulated in the liquid reservoir recess 17 is also heated. ) Is opened to the liquid holding recess 25, so that the water is also heated while passing through the liquid feeding tube 9. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent water from depriving the cells 23 of heat.

Based on FIG. 5, the objective lens heating apparatus 65 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. Note that in the second embodiment, members similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. This also applies to the third and fourth embodiments.
The main body 67 is made of a hard material (for example, aluminum alloy) having high thermal conductivity, and a heating element 68 is bonded and fixed to the lower surface of the main body 67. The heating element 68 is configured by coating a nichrome wire with a synthetic resin having electrical insulation and heat resistance, like the heating element 8 according to the first embodiment. The heating element 68 is formed in a wide ring shape and covers almost the entire lower surface of the main body 67.

  A groove 66 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 67, and an annular seal member 69 is fitted in the groove 66. The seal member 69 is formed of an elastically deformable rubber-based material (for example, silicone rubber). The space between the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a and the inner surface of the main body 7 is sealed by elastically deforming and entering an annular groove 41 formed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 3a.

In the objective lens heating device 65, since the main body portion 67 is made of a hard material, the main body portion 67 can obtain high durability. Further, the seal member 69 is a separate member from the main body 67, and when the seal member 69 deteriorates and its elasticity is lowered, it is economical because only the seal member 69 needs to be replaced.
In addition, since the heating element 68 is provided so as to be exposed on the lower surface of the main body 67, the heating element 68 can be easily replaced even if the heating element 68 breaks down.

The objective lens heating apparatus 2 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The main body 4 of the objective lens heating device 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape (cap shape) along the shape of the outer cylinder 3a of the objective lens 3 as in the objective lens heating device 1 according to the first embodiment. And is made of an elastically deformable material. However, unlike the heating device 1, the liquid feeding tube 9, the drainage tube 11, and the liquid reservoir recess 17 are not provided.

  Since the liquid supply tube 9 and the drainage tube 11 are not provided in the main body 4, a heating element 8 a having a size larger in the vertical direction than the heating device 1 is provided in an embedded state. As described above, since the objective lens heating device 2 includes the large heating element 8a, the larger area of the outer cylinder 3a can be directly heated, and the entire outer cylinder 3a can be more efficiently and more reliably obtained. It becomes possible to heat to.

Based on FIG. 8, an objective lens 47 according to a fourth embodiment will be described.
The objective lens 47 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it has the function of the heating device 5 described above. That is, the heating element 8 is embedded in the outer cylinder 49 a of the objective lens 47.
The objective lens 47 includes a tip lens 1, an outer tube 49a as a lens holding tube for holding the tip lens 1, an inner tube 49b in which the outer tube 49a is movably attached in the optical axis direction, and a liquid feeding tube 9. And a drainage tube 11 and the like.
An annular convex portion 51 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the objective lens 47 on the distal lens 1 side, that is, the outer surface of the outer tube 49a. The end surface 51a of the convex portion 51 and the outer surface of the outer tube 49a A liquid holding recess 53 surrounding the lens 1 is formed. A liquid reservoir recess 55 is integrally formed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 49a.

  In the objective lens 47, the outer cylinder 49 a is heated by heat generated from the heating element 8. Since the heating element 8 is embedded in the outer cylinder 49a, the outer cylinder 49a is directly heated by the heating element 8. Therefore, the entire outer cylinder 49a can be reliably heated without any unevenness, and the outer cylinder 49a can be kept at a predetermined temperature without being affected by the surrounding temperature change. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the heat of the cells 23 in the culture solution from being taken from the outer tube 49a of the objective lens 47.

  The liquid feeding tube 9 is provided by being embedded in a long and narrow groove formed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 49 a, and the upper end of the liquid feeding tube 9 enters the convex portion 51 and opens to the liquid holding concave portion 53. The lower end of the liquid feeding tube 9 passes through the liquid reservoir recess 55 and is connected to the micro metering pump 31. The liquid feeding tube 9 may be configured to pass through the thickness of the outer cylinder 49a.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the invention can be changed even if there is a design change without departing from the gist of the present invention. include.
For example, the objective lens 47 according to the fourth embodiment may be configured such that the liquid holding concave portion 53 is not formed without providing the convex portion 51.

It is a perspective view of the objective lens heating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of the state which attached the main-body part of the objective lens heating apparatus of FIG. 1 to the outer cylinder of the objective lens. It is sectional drawing of a microscopic state. It is sectional drawing of the microscopic state of the objective lens heating apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the state which attached the main-body part of the objective lens heating apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention to the outer cylinder of the objective lens. It is sectional drawing at the time of moving a stage and changing an observation object. It is sectional drawing of the microscopic state in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the microscopic state of an objective lens in 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tip lens 2, 5, 65 Objective lens heating apparatus 3, 47 Objective lens 7, 4, 67 Main body part 7h Opening 8, 8a, 68 Heating body 9 Liquid supply tube as liquid supply path 11 Drain as liquid discharge path Liquid tube 13 Liquid supply means 17, 55 Liquid reservoir recess 25, 53 Liquid holding recess 39 Projection 69 Seal member

Claims (11)

  An objective lens heating apparatus for heating an objective lens of a microscope, the main body unit mounted on the outer surface of a movable part supported movably in the optical axis direction of the tip lens with respect to the fixed part of the objective lens, In the objective lens heating apparatus having a heating element provided in the main body, the main body is formed in a shape that fits on the outer surface of the movable part of the objective lens, and is provided with an upper end opening that exposes the tip lens. An objective lens heating device.   2. The objective lens heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is embedded in the main body.   3. The objective lens heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is provided so as to be bonded to the lower surface of the main body.   4. The objective lens heating device according to claim 1, wherein a liquid holding recess that surrounds the tip lens is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the tip side opening and the outer surface of the movable portion of the objective lens, A liquid storage recess that is provided and stores the liquid flowing out from the liquid holding recess; a liquid supply path that extends along the main body and opens to the liquid holding recess; and a liquid discharge path that communicates with the liquid storage recess. And an objective lens heating device comprising: a liquid supply means connected to the liquid supply path, wherein the liquid holding recess can be supplied with a liquid for immersion.   The objective lens heating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply path passes through the thickness of the main body. 6. The objective lens heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of an elastically deformable material.
  2. The objective lens heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is made of a hard material having high thermal conductivity.   7. The objective lens heating device according to claim 6, wherein an annular convex portion that seals between the outer surface of the movable portion when the main body portion is mounted on the movable portion of the objective lens is formed on the main body portion. An objective lens heating device.   8. The objective lens heating device according to claim 7, wherein an annular seal member is made of an elastically deformable material that seals between the outer surface of the movable portion when the main body portion is attached to the movable portion of the objective lens. An objective lens heating apparatus comprising:   In an objective lens for a microscope having a fixed portion fixed to a revolver of a microscope and a movable portion movably attached to the fixed portion in an optical axis direction of a tip lens, the movable portion includes a heating element. An objective lens characterized by that. The objective lens according to claim 10, wherein the heating element is embedded in the movable portion.

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