Slide holder and support structure for a slide holder

Abstract

Provided are a stackable slide rack and a stage on which the slide rack can be placed. A slide rack (1) capable of holding a plurality of slides includes a first long side portion (10) having an elastic portion (18) that holds a slide (2) and a tapered surface (22) on a bottom surface (20) of an inner periphery, a second long side portion (12) opposite the first long side portion (10), and a first short side portion (14) and a second short side portion (16) opposite each other and connected to end portions of the first long side portion (10) and the second long side portion (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a slide holder for photographing slides coated with cells or other objects using a microscope, and a support structure for the slide holder. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there was a known metal slide holder for holding a glass slide coated with an object (e.g., Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-504328). Summary of the Invention

[0003] Traditional metal slide holders were not designed for stacking. Therefore, the number of slide holders that could be housed within the microscope during slide imaging was limited. Furthermore, slide holders themselves were expensive, and it was impractical to store slides in a holder for extended periods; slides needed to be mounted for each measurement.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a stackable slide holder and a support structure for the slide holder capable of holding the slide holder.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a slide holder capable of holding a plurality of slides, wherein the slide holder has: a first long side portion having an elastic portion for fixing the slides and a tapered surface on the bottom surface of its inner periphery; a second long side portion opposite to the first long side portion; and a first short side portion and a second short side portion, the first short side portion and the second short side portion being connected to the ends of the first long side portion and the second long side portion and opposite to each other.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a support structure for a slide holder, wherein the support structure for the slide holder is capable of placing the slide holder on a frame-shaped platform, the platform having a support portion in the notch on its inner periphery for supporting the slide holder, and the bottom surface of the slide holder being aligned with the bottom surface of the platform when the slide holder is placed thereon.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to the present invention, a stackable slide holder and a support structure for the slide holder capable of holding the slide holder can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the slide holder according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view of the AA line.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the slide holder in the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the bottom surface of the slide holder in the modified example.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the slide holder that holds the slide during the photograph.

[0014] Figure 6 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a slide holder in an embodiment of holding a slide during photography, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a slide holder in a comparative example of holding a slide during photography.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a modified example with multiple glass slide holders stacked together. Figure 1 BB line section view.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a modified example with multiple glass slide holders stacked together. Figure 1 CC-line sectional view.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the stage on which the slide holder is placed.

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A sectional view along the AA line.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a simplified structural diagram of a microscope system. Detailed Implementation

[0020] <Implementation Method>

[0021] The slide holder 1 of the embodiment will be described below. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the slide holder 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view of the AA line. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the slide holder 1 according to the embodiment. The slide holder 1 according to the embodiment is capable of holding multiple (e.g., four) slides 2.

[0022] like Figures 1-3As shown, the slide holder 1 has a first long side portion 10, a second long side portion 12, a first short side portion 14, and a second short side portion 16. The first long side portion 10 has an elastic portion 18 for fixing the slide 2. In this embodiment, the first long side portion 10 has a plurality of (e.g., four) elastic portions 18. The elastic portions 18 are, for example, structures in which the fixing portion of the slide 2 is elastically deformed and movable under the action of an external force using a spring, and apply force to the slide 2 from the first long side portion 10 toward the second long side portion 12.

[0023] The second long side portion 12 is opposite to the first long side portion 10. The first short side portion 14 connects the ends of the first long side portion 10 and the second long side portion. The second short side portion 16 connects the other ends of the first long side portion 10 and the second long side portion. The first short side portion 14 and the second short side portion 16 are opposite to each other.

[0024] The first long side 10, the second long side 12, the first short side 14, and the second short side 16 are integrally formed, thus forming a frame-shaped slide holder 1. The first long side 10, the second long side 12, the first short side 14, and the second short side 16 are made of resin (ABS resin, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyphthalamide, polyoxymethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.). The first long side 10, the second long side 12, the first short side 14, and the second short side 16 are injection molded. In this case, it is preferable that the resin thickness of the frame-shaped slide holder 1 is uniform throughout.

[0025] The second long side portion 12 has claw portions 28 for receiving a glass slide 2. In this embodiment, the second long side portion 12 has a plurality of (e.g., eight) claw portions 28. The claw portions 28 receive the glass slide 2 which is subjected to force by the elastic portion 18. The glass slide 2 is pushed under the claw portions 28, and the elastic portion 18 presses down on the claw portions 28 to hold the glass slide 2 in the glass slide holder 1. In this embodiment, two (a pair) claw portions 28 correspond to one elastic portion 18.

[0026] The first long side portion 10 has a tapered surface 22 on its inner periphery's bottom surface 20. Preferably, the first long side portion 10, the second long side portion 12, the first short side portion 14, and the second short side portion 16 each have a tapered surface 22 on their inner periphery's bottom surface 20. Preferably, in the first long side portion 10, the second long side portion 12, the first short side portion 14, and the second short side portion 16, the angles formed by each bottom surface 20 and each tapered surface 22 are the same. Preferably, the angles formed by each bottom surface 20 and each tapered surface 22 are less than or equal to 60 degrees.

[0027] The first long side portion 10 uses the elastic force of the elastic portion 18 to push the glass slide 2 towards the second long side portion 12, thereby holding the glass slide 2. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first long side portion 10 has a glass slide mounting surface 21 on its upper surface. The glass slide mounting surface 21 holds the glass slide 2 in place, preventing it from falling downwards. Additionally, to prevent the held glass slide 2 from shifting upwards, it is preferable to form a protrusion 19 on the upper part of the elastic portion 18.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferable that the size of the slide 2 varies, and that the elastic part 18 can appropriately hold slides 2 of various sizes. Therefore, it is preferable that the range of displacement of the elastic part 18 is greater than the length deviation of the slide 2 in the long axis direction. For example, when the size deviation of the slide 2 is ±0.5 mm, it is preferable that the stroke of the elastic part 18 is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0029] To achieve sufficient travel, the elastic part 18 can be made into a spring structure protruding from the glass slide mounting surface 21. Since the spring structure can have sufficient length, displacement caused by bending and torsion of the material can be obtained, thus increasing the travel of the elastic part 18.

[0030] In addition, when the spring structure of the elastic part 18 is made to protrude from the slide mounting surface 21, it is preferable that the slide mounting surface 21 or the spring structure of the elastic part 18 overlaps with the conical surface 22 when viewed from above.

[0031] Furthermore, the spring structure twists and deforms when the slide 2 is held. Therefore, it is preferable that the connection between the first long side 10 and the spring structure is lower than the slide mounting surface 21. Thus, even if the connection deforms upwards along with the twisting of the spring structure, causing the slide 2 to move upwards, interference between the spring structure and the slide 2 can be suppressed.

[0032] The first long side 10, the second long side 12, the first short side 14, and the second short side 16 each have a base portion 24 and a protrusion 26. The base portion 24 forms the outer frame of the slide holder 1. Each base portion 24 has a wall portion 23 on its bottom surface 20. The protrusion 26 protrudes upward from the first long side 10, the second long side 12, the first short side 14, and the second short side 16. In the frame-shaped slide holder 1, each protrusion 26 has a smaller external profile than each wall portion 23.

[0033] At least one of the first long side portion 10, the second long side portion 12, the first short side portion 14, and the second short side portion 16 has a notch 30 in the wall portion 23. In this embodiment, the wall portion 23 of the first short side portion 14 and the second short side portion 16 each has two notches 30. Figure 3 As shown, preferably, each wall portion 23 has the same height as the bottom surface 20 in the notch portion 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the number of notches 30 is not particularly limited. Additionally, the wall portions 23 of the first long side portion 10 and the second long side portion 12 may also have notches 30, and all wall portions 23 of the first long side portion 10, the second long side portion 12, the first short side portion 14, and the second short side portion 16 may have notches 30.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the slide holder 1 in the modified example. Figure 4 The slide holder 1 shown in the modified example is... Figure 3 The slide holder 1 in the illustrated embodiments has the same basic outline, but the detailed structures of the bottom surface 20 and the conical surface 22 are different. In the modified example, the slide holder 1 has multiple ribs 32 on the bottom surface 20. This reduces the thickness of the slide holder 1 and increases its strength. Furthermore, by making the resin thickness of the slide holder 1 uniform, the resin flowability during injection molding is also uniform.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a slide holder 1 in an embodiment where the slide 2 is held during imaging. Illumination light is focused onto the slide 2 held by the slide holder 1 using a transmitted illumination system 42, and observation is performed using a dry objective lens 40. The transmitted illumination system 42 includes, for example, a condenser lens. Here, when the refractive index of the medium between the objective lens 40 and the sample is set to n, the maximum incident angle θ of light towards the objective lens 40 and the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens 40 satisfy the relationship NA = n × sinθ. When the wavelength of light is set to λ, the optical resolution σ satisfies the relationship σ = 0.61λ / sinθ. The smaller the value of the optical resolution σ, the more finer objects can be observed. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the maximum incident angle θ of light towards the objective lens 40.

[0037] Figure 6 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the slide holder 1 in an embodiment where the slide 2 is held during photography. Figure 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example slide holder 1 holding slide 2 during photography. Figure 6 As shown in (a), the slide holder 1 of the embodiment has a tapered surface 22 on the bottom surface 20 of at least the inner periphery of the first long side 10. Therefore, interference between the illumination light illuminating the slide 2 and the bottom surface 20 of the inner periphery of the slide holder 1 can be suppressed. Figure 6 The effective shooting range of (a) is set to L1.

[0038] In contrast, Figure 6The slide holder 1 in the comparative example shown in (b) does not have a tapered surface 22 on its inner circumference bottom surface 20, which differs from the embodiment. Therefore, in the comparative example slide holder 1, the illumination light directed onto the slide 2 is more likely to interfere with the inner circumference bottom surface 20 of the slide holder 1. Therefore, Figure 6 The effective shooting range L2 of the comparative example shown in (b) becomes narrower than the effective shooting range L1 of the implementation.

[0039] With a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.5, the maximum incident angle θ is 30 degrees. With a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.6, the maximum incident angle θ is 36.9 degrees. With a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.7, the maximum incident angle θ is 44.4 degrees. With a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.8, the maximum incident angle θ is 53.1 degrees.

[0040] The angle α between the bottom surface 20 and the conical surface 22 is (90-θ) degrees. Therefore, it is preferable to set the tilt angle of the conical surface 22 such that the angle α between the bottom surface 20 and the conical surface 22 is less than or equal to (90-θ) degrees, taking into account the maximum incident angle θ determined by the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens 40. For example, the angle α between the bottom surface 20 and the conical surface 22 is less than or equal to 60 degrees.

[0041] Next, refer to Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The state of the stacked glass slide holder 1 in the embodiment will be described. Figure 7 This is a modified example where multiple glass slide holders 1 are stacked. Figure 1 BB line section view. Figure 8 This is a modified example where multiple glass slide holders 1 are stacked. Figure 1 CC-line sectional view.

[0042] As described above, in the frame-shaped slide holder 1, each protrusion 26 has a smaller external profile than each wall portion 23. Therefore, as Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 26 protruding upwards from the slide holder 1 is located on the inner periphery of the wall portion 23 extending downwards from the top of the stacked slide holder 1. The height of the protrusion 26 is greater than the thickness of the slide 2. Thus, the slide holder 1 holding the slide 2 can be stacked.

[0043] The slide 2 has, for example, a length of 76 mm, a width of 26 mm, and a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. The slide holder 1, capable of holding four of these slides 2, has, for example, a length of 127.76 mm, a width of 85.48 mm, and a height of 7.5 mm. The slide holder 1 may also have a shape conforming to the common ANSI / SBS standard, for example, in a 96-well plate or the like.

[0044] Furthermore, the dimensions of the slide holder 1 can be appropriately adjusted according to the slide 2 being held. In particular, the height of the slide holder 1 can be appropriately adjusted within a range that prevents the slide 2 from protruding above the slide holder 1 when it is holding the slide 2. In addition, when using large slides 2 used in pathological slide specimens, the slide holder 1 can also hold two large slides 2 in an arrangement.

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 The mounting stage 50 for holding the glass slide holder 1 in the embodiment will be described. Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the stage 50 on which the slide holder 1 is placed. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A sectional view along the AA line.

[0046] The stage 50 is frame-shaped and has a larger overall shape than the slide holder 1. The frame-shaped stage 50 has a support portion 52 on its inner periphery. The support portion 52 is provided at a position corresponding to the notch portion 30 of the slide holder 1. Thus, the support portion 52 supports the slide holder 1 in the notch portion 30.

[0047] like Figure 10 As shown, preferably, with the slide holder 1 in place, the bottom surface 20 of the slide holder 1 is aligned with the bottom surface 54 of the stage 50. This can suppress optical interference between the objective lens 40, the transmitted illumination system 42, the slide holder 1, and the stage 50 during imaging.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 11 The microscope system is described. Figure 11 This is a simplified structural diagram of a microscope system. The microscope system includes a stage 50, an objective lens 40, an imaging optical system 43, an imaging unit 44, an image recording unit 46, a transmitted illumination system 42, a control unit 60, and a microscope stage 62.

[0049] The image observed by the objective lens 40 is captured by the imaging unit 44. The imaging unit 44 is, for example, a camera. The image data captured by the imaging unit 44 is recorded in the image recording unit 46.

[0050] The image recording unit 46 and the control unit 60 may be respectively composed of a computer or microcontroller having a CPU, memory, non-volatile storage device (SSD, etc.), logic circuit based on FPGA, etc., or they may be configured to enable a computer or microcontroller to have the functions of both the image recording unit 46 and the control unit 60.

[0051] The control unit 60 controls the timing of image capture by the imaging unit 44. Furthermore, the control unit 60 can control the movement of the stage 50 and the microscope stage 62. Here, the slide holder 1 placed on the stage 50 can be moved to the imaging position, or the microscope stage 62 can be moved while the stage 50 is fixed, thereby moving the imaging position. In this way, images can be continuously captured at multiple imaging positions on the slide 2.

[0052] In addition, in order to simultaneously photograph multiple slides 2, two or more objective lenses 40, imaging optical systems 43, and imaging units 44 can be arranged and connected to one or more image recording units 46.

[0053] With multiple slides 2 in place, multiple stacked slide holders 1 are housed in a plate stacker (not shown). The plate stacker can automatically remove slide holders 1 one by one from the stacked slide holders 1.

[0054] The slide holder 1, taken from the slide stacker, is placed on the stage 50.

[0055] Alternatively, instead of using a slide stacker, the slide holder 1 can be placed one slide at a time on the stage 50.

[0056] The slide holder and stage of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0057] Symbol Explanation

[0058] 1. Slide Holder

[0059] 2. Glass slides

[0060] 10 First long side

[0061] 12 Second Long Side

[0062] 14 First short side

[0063] 16 Second short side

[0064] 18. Elastic part

[0065] 19. Protrusions

[0066] 20 Bottom

[0067] 21. Slide mounting surface

[0068] 22 Conical surface

[0069] 23. Wall section

[0070] 24. Base section

[0071] 26 convex part

[0072] 28 Claws

[0073] 30. Notch

[0074] 32 ribs

[0075] 40 Objective Lens

[0076] 42 Transmitted Lighting System

[0077] 43 Imaging Optical System

[0078] 44 Filming Department

[0079] 46 Image Recording Section

[0080] 50 mounting platforms

[0081] 52 Support section

[0082] 54 Bottom

[0083] 60 Control Department

[0084] 62 Microscope Stage

[0085] L1 Effective Shooting Range

[0086] L2 Effective Shooting Range

Claims

1. A slide holder capable of holding a plurality of slides, characterized by the slide holder having: a first long side portion having an elastic portion that holds the slide, and having a tapered surface on the bottom surface of the inner periphery; a second long side portion opposite to the first long side portion; and a first short side portion and a second short side portion connecting the end portions of the first long side portion and the second long side portion and opposite to each other, the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion each having: a base portion having a wall portion extending downward on the bottom surface; and a protrusion portion protruding upward from the base portion and positioned on the inner periphery side of the wall portion.

2. The slide holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic portion exerts a force on the slide in a direction from the first long side portion toward the second long side portion.

3. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first long side portion has a slide placement surface on the upper surface, the elastic portion is a spring structure that protrudes from the slide placement surface.

4. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion each have a tapered surface on the bottom surface of the inner periphery.

5. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle formed by the bottom surface of each of the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion and the tapered surface is less than or equal to 60 degrees.

6. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion including the elastic portion are integrally formed.

7. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion including the elastic portion are made of resin.

8. The slide holder according to claim 6, characterized in that the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion including the elastic portion are injection molded.

9. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the height of the protrusion portion is greater than the thickness of the slide.

10. The slide holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least any one of the first long side portion, the second long side portion, the first short side portion, and the second short side portion has a notch portion in the wall portion.

11. A support structure for a slide holder, characterized by the support structure for a slide holder capable of placing the slide holder according to claim 10 on a frame-shaped placement table, the placement table having a support portion in the inner periphery that supports the slide holder in the notch portion, ​ In a state where the slide holder is placed, the bottom surface of the slide holder is aligned with the bottom surface of the placement table.

Images