Support and microscope
By designing a bracket for a microscope, the bracket is connected to the support module through a guide rail and a slider, so that it can move in a specific direction relative to the base, solving the problem of deformation and vibration of the stage during high-speed displacement and improving the image stitching accuracy.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311315822.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
AI Technical Summary
Due to single point support, the microscope stage is prone to deformation and vibration during high-speed displacement, resulting in a decrease in the microscope image stitching accuracy.
A bracket is designed to connect the support module through guide rails and sliders, so that it can move in a specific direction relative to the base, thereby moving with the stage, reducing the vertical plane movement of the stage and improving stability.
Through the design of the bracket, the stability of the microscope stage is improved and the image stitching accuracy is significantly improved, avoiding the problem of image instability caused by stage deformation and vibration.
Smart Images
Figure CN119805725A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to a bracket and a microscope using the bracket. Background Art
[0002] A microscope generally includes a lens, a stage, and a frame supporting the lens and the stage. When using a microscope to obtain large-scale sample data, it is usually necessary to build a motion module that can move at high speed on the stage of the microscope to move the sample, so that the lens of the microscope can be aligned with different positions of the sample, so as to take microscopic photos of different positions of the sample to obtain microscopic images of different positions, and to perform high-precision splicing of the microscopic images that need to be taken to obtain a complete sample microscopic image. However, the stage of the microscope is usually connected to the frame only through one support point, and the stage extends roughly perpendicular to the frame. The frame and the stage form a cantilever-like structure. After the motion module is built on the stage, the weight of the stage increases, which easily causes the stage to deform relative to the frame, making the relative position between the stage and the objective lens unstable. In addition, when the motion module moves, the stage will vibrate slightly under the action of inertia, resulting in the inability to splice the multiple microscopic images obtained, thereby reducing the splicing accuracy. Summary of the invention
[0003] On the one hand, the present application provides a bracket for supporting a microscope, comprising:
[0004] Base;
[0005] A guide rail, the guide rail is connected to the base and fixed relative to the base;
[0006] a slider, the slider being slidably disposed on the guide rail; and
[0007] A support module is fixedly connected to the slider and fixed relative to the slider, so that the support module can move relative to the base in a first direction in which the guide rail extends; the support module is used to support the loading platform.
[0008] The bracket provided in the present application can support the stage away from the frame by setting a support module, and can support the stage together with the frame of the microscope to prevent the acquired microscopic image from being unstable due to the bending of the frame. The support module is connected to the base through a slider and a guide rail, so that the support module can move in the first direction relative to the base, so that the support module can move in the first direction simultaneously with the stage, and because the guide rail limits the moving direction of the support module, the movement of the stage itself on the plane perpendicular to the first direction can be reduced when the motion module of the stage is working, thereby improving the stability of the stage, and then improving the accuracy of image stitching.
[0009] In one embodiment, the support module includes a connecting member and a support plate, the connecting member is connected to the slider, and the support plate is arranged on a side of the connecting member away from the base for connecting to the loading platform.
[0010] In one embodiment, the connecting member includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion extends from a side surface of the second connecting portion along the first direction, the first connecting portion includes a connecting wall parallel to the first direction, and the connecting wall is used to connect the slider; the second connecting portion is used to connect the support plate.
[0011] In one embodiment, the number of the first connection parts is two, and the two first connection parts are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the second connection part, and each of the first connection parts is connected to one of the bases through a set of the sliders and the guide rails.
[0012] In one embodiment, a plurality of balls are disposed between the slider and the guide rail, and a radial clearance of the balls is 0-15 μm.
[0013] In one embodiment, the base is provided with a limiting surface, and when the guide rail is connected to the base, the side wall of the guide rail abuts against the limiting surface.
[0014] In one embodiment, the bracket further comprises a bottom plate, the base is fixed on the bottom plate, and the frame of the microscope is fixed on the bottom plate.
[0015] In one embodiment, a mounting surface is provided on the bottom plate, and when the base is fixed on the bottom plate, the base abuts against the mounting surface.
[0016] Another aspect of the present application provides a microscope, comprising:
[0017] A stage for carrying samples;
[0018] a frame, used for supporting one end of the stage and for driving the stage to move in a first direction; and
[0019] The above-mentioned bracket is used to support the loading platform;
[0020] When the frame drives the stage to move in the first direction, the support module moves together with the stage.
[0021] In one embodiment, the stage comprises a motion module, and the motion module is used to drive the sample to move on a plane perpendicular to the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the structure of a bracket in one embodiment of the present application.
[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure.
[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a base in one embodiment of the present application.
[0025] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a slider and a guide rail in one embodiment of the present application.
[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a slider and a guide rail in one embodiment of the present application from another perspective.
[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 VI-VI section view of the middle slider.
[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of a connecting member in one embodiment of the present application.
[0029] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of a microscope in one embodiment of the present application.
[0030] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the bracket in one embodiment of the present application.
[0031] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of a microscopic image in the prior art.
[0032] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of a microscopic image in one embodiment of the present application.
[0033] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the accuracy of stitching images in the second direction in the prior art.
[0034] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the accuracy of stitching images in the third direction in the prior art.
[0035] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the accuracy of the stitched image in the second direction in this application.
[0036] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram of the accuracy of the stitched image in the third direction in this application.
[0037] Main component symbols
[0038] Bracket 100
[0039] Base 10
[0040] Bump 11
[0041] Limiting surface 12
[0042] Adjustment hole 14
[0043] Screw holes 16, 312, 332, 514
[0044] Guide Rail 31
[0045] Guide rail side wall 311
[0046] Chute 313
[0047] Slider 33
[0048] Ball 35
[0049] Gap 37
[0050] Support module 50
[0051] Connector 51
[0052] First connection portion 511
[0053] Connection surface 512
[0054] Second connection portion 513
[0055] Support surface 516
[0056] Connecting wall 518
[0057] Support plate 53
[0058] Bottom plate 70
[0059] Mounting surface 71
[0060] Microscope 200
[0061] Rack 210
[0062] Lifting unit 211
[0063] Stage 230
[0064] Sports Module 231
[0065] Lens module 250
[0066] First direction X
[0067] Second direction Y
[0068] The third direction Z
[0069] Gap
[0070] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0071] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.
[0072] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.
[0073] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present application to achieve the intended purpose, the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred implementation methods.
[0074] Please also read Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 The bracket 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to support the stage 230 of the microscope 200. The bracket 100 includes a base 10, a guide rail 31, a slider 33 and a support module 50. The guide rail 31 is connected to the base 10, the slider 33 is slidably arranged on the guide rail 31, and the support module 50 is connected to the slider 33, so that the support module 50 can move relative to the base 10 in the first direction X in which the guide rail 31 extends. The microscope 200 also includes a frame 210, and one end of the stage 230 is connected to the frame 210. The support module 50 is used to support one end of the stage 230 away from the frame 210, so that the stage 230 can be supported by the frame 210 and the bracket 100.
[0075] Please also read Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the base 10 is provided with a limiting surface 12, and when the guide rail 31 is connected to the base 10, the guide rail side wall 311 of the guide rail 31 abuts against the limiting surface 12. Specifically, a protrusion 11 is provided on the side where the base 10 is connected to the guide rail 31, and the protrusion 11 includes a limiting surface 12. The base 10 is also provided with a plurality of screw holes 16, and the guide rail 31 can be fixed to the base 10 by screws passing through the screw holes 16. When the guide rail 31 is fixed to the base 10, the guide rail side wall 311 abuts against the limiting surface 12, so that the position of the guide rail 31 is fixed, and then the extension direction of the guide rail 31 is determined, so as to ensure that the slider 33 and the support module 50 connected to the slider 33 move in the first direction X. In this embodiment, the protrusion 11 is a continuous convex strip extending along the installation direction of the guide rail 31. In other embodiments, the protrusion 11 can be a plurality of relatively short protrusions separated from each other but extending along the same straight line direction.
[0076] Please also read Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The guide rail 31 is a straight guide rail, including a straight-extending guide rail side wall 311 and a slide groove 313. The slider 33 is sleeved on the slide groove 313, so as to move along the first direction X extending along the slide groove 313. A plurality of screw holes 312 are provided on the guide rail 31, each screw hole 312 corresponds to a screw hole 16 on the base 10, and the guide rail 31 can be fixed to the base 10 by screws passing through the screw holes 312 and the screw holes 16 at the same time. In other embodiments, the guide rail 31 can also be fixed to the base 10 by other methods, which is not limited in the present application.
[0077] Please also read Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a plurality of balls 35 are also arranged between the slider 33 and the guide rail 31, and the radial clearance a of the balls 35 is 0-15μm. Specifically, the radial clearance a of the balls 35 refers to the clearance between the balls 35 and the guide rail 31 and the slider 33. In an ideal state where the guide rail 31 and the slider 33 are completely parallel, when the balls 35 abut against the guide rail 31, there is a clearance a between the balls 35 and the slider 33, and when the balls 35 abut against the slider 33, there is a clearance a between the balls 35 and the guide rail 31. In actual use, the guide rail 31 and the slider 33 are usually tilted at the micron level in a stationary state, and at this time, the clearance a of the balls 35 at the end is offset.
[0078] The present application sets a radial gap a for the ball 35, thereby preventing the position between the guide rail 31 and the slider 33 from getting stuck, and at the same time limiting the movement of the slider 33 on a plane perpendicular to the first direction X. Specifically, when the slider 33 moves, the slider 33 is approximately parallel to the guide rail 31, and the pre-set gap a can prevent the slider 33 from getting stuck on the guide rail 31. When the slider 33 is stationary relative to the guide rail 31, there is a micron-level inclination between the slider 33 and the guide rail 31, and the gap a of the ball 35 at the top is offset, that is, the positions of the guide rail 31, the slider 33 and the at least one ball 35 are relatively fixed. Without changing the position of the slider 33 in the first direction X, the movement of the slider 33 on a plane perpendicular to the first direction X is limited by the ball 35 and the guide rail 31.
[0079] The slider 33 is provided with a screw hole 332, so that the slider 33 can be fixed to the support module 50 by screws. In other embodiments, the slider 33 can also be connected to the support module 50 by other means, and the present application does not limit this.
[0080] Please also read Figure 2 and Figure 7The supporting module 50 includes a connecting member 51 and a supporting plate 53. The connecting member 51 is connected to the slider 33. The supporting plate 53 is disposed on a side of the connecting member 51 away from the base 10 and is used to connect to the stage 230. The connecting member 51 includes a first connecting portion 511 and a second connecting portion 513. The first connecting portion 511 extends from a side surface of the second connecting portion 513 along a first direction X. The first connecting portion 511 includes a connecting wall 518 parallel to the first direction X. The connecting wall 518 is used to connect to the slider 33. The second connecting portion 513 is used to connect to the supporting plate 53. Two opposite connecting surfaces 512 are disposed on the connecting wall 518. When the slider 33 is connected to the first connecting portion 511, one of the side surfaces of the slider 33 abuts against a corresponding connecting surface 512.
[0081] In this embodiment, the connecting wall 518 may include a groove structure, the two connecting surfaces 512 are two opposite side walls of the groove structure, the distance between the two connecting surfaces 512 is substantially the same as the width of the slider 33, and when the slider 33 is connected to the first connecting portion 511, the position of the slider 33 abutting against the connecting surface 512 on a plane perpendicular to the first direction X is fixed. In other embodiments, the connecting wall 518 may also include two protruding structures, the two connecting surfaces 512 are respectively a side surface on a protruding structure, and the connecting wall 518 limits the position of the slider 33 through the protruding structure. The present application does not limit the specific setting method of the connecting surface 512, as long as the installation accuracy of the slider 33 can be guaranteed by the plane tolerance, it is within the scope of the present application.
[0082] The first connection portion 511 is provided with a screw hole 514 , and a screw can pass through the screw hole 514 and the screw hole 332 on the slider 33 at the same time, so as to connect the first connection portion 511 with the slider 33 .
[0083] In this embodiment, the number of the first connecting parts 511 is two, which are respectively arranged at the two opposite ends of the second connecting part 513, and each first connecting part 511 is connected to a base 10 through a group of sliders 33 and guide rails 31. Specifically, in this embodiment, the number of bases 10 is two, the number of guide rails 31 is two, and the number of sliders 33 is four. Two sliders 33 are arranged on one guide rail 31, and the two sliders 33 on one guide rail 31 are fixed to one first connecting part 511 at the same time. The two first connecting parts 511 are connected to the second connecting part 513 at the same time, so that the connecting member 51 is movably connected to the two bases at the same time through the two guide rails. In other embodiments, the number of the first connecting parts 511 can also be set as needed, such as three, four, etc., and the present application does not limit this. By setting a plurality of first connecting parts 511, it is beneficial to further limit the movement of the connecting member 51 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X, thereby limiting the movement of the stage 230 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X.
[0084] In this embodiment, the base 10 is further provided with an adjustment hole 14 for adjusting the position of the slider 33. Specifically, during the installation of the bracket 100, the guide rail 31 with the slider 33 needs to be installed on the base 10 first, and then the slider 33 is connected to the connector 51. When the position of the slider 33 is not restricted, the slider 33 can slide freely on the guide rail 31. Therefore, by providing the adjustment hole 14, the position of the slider 33 can be adjusted during the process of connecting the slider 33 to the connector 51, so as to fix the slider 33 on the connector 51.
[0085] In this embodiment, the second connection portion 513 further includes a support surface 516, and the support surface 516 is used to abut against the support plate 53, so that when the second connection portion 513 is connected to the support plate 53, the relative position between the support plate 53 and the second connection portion 513 is fixed. The support surface 516 and the support plate 53 can be fixed by screws or connected in other ways, and this application does not limit this.
[0086] In this embodiment, the support plate 53 is used to support the stage 230, the frame 210 is arranged on a side of the support plate 53 away from the stage 230, and is used to support one end of the stage 230, and the connecting member 51 is used to support the end of the stage 230 away from the frame 210. In this embodiment of the application, by arranging the connecting member 51 in conjunction with the support plate 53 to support the stage 230, and arranging the frame 210 to also support the stage 230 through the support plate 53, the position between the frame 210 and the connecting member 51 can be relatively fixed, thereby eliminating the relative displacement between the frame 210 and the connecting member 51 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X, thereby reducing the relative displacement of the stage 230 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X.
[0087] Please continue reading Figure 2 In this embodiment, the bracket 100 further includes a bottom plate 70, the base 10 is fixed on the bottom plate 70, and the frame 210 of the microscope is fixed on the bottom plate 70. A mounting surface 71 is provided on the bottom plate 70, and when the base 10 is fixed on the bottom plate 70, the base 10 abuts against the mounting surface 71. Specifically, the bottom plate 70 is connected to the base 10 and the frame 210 at the same time, so that the relative position between the base 10 and the frame 210 is fixed. The mounting surface 71 is used to abut against the base 10, so that the relative position between the base 10 and the bottom plate 70 is fixed. By setting the base 10 and the frame 210 to be connected to the bottom plate 70 at the same time, it is beneficial to limit the displacement of the base 10 and the frame 210 in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, thereby reducing the vibration of the stage 230.
[0088] The bracket 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application can support the stage 230 away from the end of the frame 210 by setting the support module 50, and can support the stage 230 together with the frame 210, so as to prevent the acquired microscopic image from being unstable due to the bending of the frame 210 or the support plate 53. By setting the support module 50 and the base 10 to be connected through the slider 33 and the guide rail 31, the support module 50 can move in the first direction X relative to the base 10, so that the support module 50 can move in the first direction X simultaneously with the stage 230, and because the guide rail 31 limits the moving direction of the support module 50, the jitter of the stage 230 itself on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X can be reduced when the motion module 231 of the stage 230 is working, thereby improving the stability of the stage 230, and further improving the accuracy of image stitching.
[0089] Please continue reading Figure 8 The present application also provides a microscope 200, including the support 100, the frame 210, the stage 230 and the lens module 250 in the above embodiment. The stage 230 is used to carry the sample, the frame 210 is used to support one end of the stage 230 and drive the stage 230 to move in the first direction X, the support 100 is used to support one end of the stage 230 away from the frame 210, and when the frame 210 drives the stage 230 to move in the first direction X, the support module 50 of the support 100 moves together with the stage 230. The lens module 250 is arranged on the frame 210 to obtain an enlarged microscopic image.
[0090] Specifically, see Fig. 9 The frame 210 includes a lifting part 211, which is used to drive the stage 230 to move in the first direction X. When the lifting part 211 provides an upward force to the stage 230, the support plate 53 drives the connecting member 51 to move, so that the slider 33 moves relative to the guide rail 31. When the stage 230 reaches the specified position, due to the gravity of the stage 230 itself, the stage 230 applies a downward force to the connecting member 51, so that the connecting member 51 tilts at the micron level, driving the slider 33 to tilt at the micron level relative to the guide rail 31, thereby eliminating the radial gap a of the ball bearing 35 at the end, fixing the displacement of the slider 33 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X, and then limiting the displacement of the stage 230 on the plane perpendicular to the first direction X, thereby improving the stability and the accuracy of the microscopic image acquired by the lens module 250.
[0091] Please continue reading Figure 8The stage 230 further includes a motion module 231, which is used to drive the sample to move in a plane perpendicular to the first direction X. Specifically, the motion module 231 can control the movement of the sample in the second direction Y and the third direction Z respectively, and the lens module 250 can splice a larger-sized microscopic image by continuously acquiring microscopic images.
[0092] The microscope 200 provided in the embodiment of the present application can support the stage 230 together with the frame 210 by setting the bracket 100, and further limit the movement of the stage 230 in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, which is beneficial to reduce the jitter generated in the second direction Y and the third direction Z when the motion module 231 is running, and improve the accuracy of image stitching during the scanning imaging process.
[0093] The following is a specific example to illustrate the effect of the bracket 100 in the embodiment of the present application. The data in the following example is only for illustrative purposes and does not represent a limitation to the present application.
[0094] In this example, the mass of the mover of the motion module 231 in the second direction Y is about 6.4 Kg, and the mass of the mover in the third direction Z is about 5.5 Kg. When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the microscope, a 10X objective lens is used for camera imaging.
[0095] Please also read Fig.10 and Fig.11 When the bracket 100 is not provided, the acquired picture will have a large shake. Fig.10 (b) compared to Fig.10 The jitter between (a) is close to 3 pixel values (10.35μm). After the bracket 100 is set, Fig.11 (b) compared to Fig.11 The jitter amount between (a) does not exceed 1 pixel value (3.45μm), which shows that by setting the bracket 100, the stability of static imaging can be improved.
[0096] See also Fig.12 and Fig.13 When the bracket 100 is not set, when the motion module 231 moves in the second direction Y or the third direction Z, the distribution of the deviation value mark points is scattered and there are abnormal jump points, indicating that it is subjected to large vibration during the movement, resulting in large abnormalities in image stitching.
[0097] See also Fig.14 and Fig.15After the bracket 100 is set, when the motion module 231 moves in the second direction Y or the third direction Z, the overall value of the deviation value mark point is small and the distribution is relatively uniform, indicating that the bracket 100 effectively improves the stability of the microscope 200 and reduces the error in the image stitching process.
[0098] Table 1 Summary of image stitching accuracy test results for two working conditions
[0099]
[0100] As shown in Table 1, after the bracket 100 is installed, the error value of the overall stitching accuracy of the microscope is reduced by more than half compared to when the bracket 100 is not installed.
[0101] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As long as they are within the spirit and scope of the present application, appropriate changes and modifications to the above embodiments are within the scope of protection claimed in the present application.
Claims
1. A bracket for supporting a stage of a microscope, characterized in that: include: Base; A guide rail, the guide rail is connected to the base and fixed relative to the base; A slider, the slider being slidably disposed on the guide rail; as well as A support module is fixedly connected to the slider and fixed relative to the slider, so that the support module can move relative to the base in a first direction in which the guide rail extends; the support module is used to support the loading platform.
2. The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that The supporting module includes a connecting member and a supporting plate. The connecting member is connected to the sliding block. The supporting plate is arranged on a side of the connecting member away from the base and is used to be connected to the loading platform.
3. The bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that The connecting member includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion extends from a side surface of the second connecting portion along the first direction, the first connecting portion includes a connecting wall parallel to the first direction, the connecting wall is used to connect the slider; the second connecting portion is used to connect the support plate.
4. The bracket according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of the first connection parts is two, and the two first connection parts are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the second connection part, and each of the first connection parts is connected to one of the bases through a group of the sliding blocks and the guide rails.
5. The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of balls are arranged between the slider and the guide rail, and a radial clearance of the balls is 0-15 μm.
6. The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base is provided with a limiting surface, and when the guide rail is connected to the base, the side wall of the guide rail abuts against the limiting surface.
7. The bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a bottom plate, the base is fixed on the bottom plate, and the frame of the microscope is fixed on the bottom plate.
8. The bracket according to claim 7, characterized in that The bottom plate is provided with a mounting surface, and when the base is fixed on the bottom plate, the base abuts against the mounting surface.
9. A microscope, characterized in that: include: A stage for carrying samples; A frame, used for supporting one end of the stage and for driving the stage to move in a first direction; as well as The bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bracket is used to support the stage; When the frame drives the stage to move in the first direction, the support module moves together with the stage.
10. The microscope according to claim 9, characterized in that The stage comprises a motion module, and the motion module is used to drive the sample to move on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.