Bright field and fluorescence integrated scanning equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to bright field and fluorescent light integrated scanning equipment, which comprises an equipment rack, a bright field light path assembly used for forming a bright field light path and a fluorescent light path assembly used for forming a fluorescent light path, the bright field light path assembly comprises a bright field camera, a light path pipe diameter, objective lens equipment, a slide holder for bearing a sample and a bright field light source module; the fluorescent light path assembly comprises a fluorescent camera, a light path pipe diameter shared by the fluorescent camera and the bright field light path, a fluorescent turntable, objective lens equipment, a slide holder and a fluorescent light source module; the bright field and fluorescence integrated scanning equipment is provided with a camera switching device; the objective lens equipment comprises a plurality of objective lenses with different multiplying powers, and the bright field light source module is provided with a diaphragm switching device for switching diaphragms based on the multiplying powers of the objective lenses; the slide holder is provided with a scanning motion module for moving the slide holder. According to the utility model, integration of bright field fluorescence is realized, the cost is reduced, and the system has the characteristics of better imaging effect and higher efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microscopic imaging, in particular to a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device. Background Art

[0002] Brightfield imaging (transmitted light path): Brightfield imaging refers to the illumination of the sample by transmitted light in a microscope, that is, the light passes through the sample and is directly received by the objective lens and focused to form an image. In this imaging mode, the sample is placed against a bright background, and the sample itself appears dark due to absorption or scattering of light. Brightfield microscope is a commonly used observation tool in the biological and medical fields. It has a simple structure, is easy to operate, and can generate high-resolution images. Brightfield imaging is widely used in biology, medicine, materials science and other fields. It is particularly suitable for observing transparent or translucent biological samples, such as cells, tissue sections, etc. However, the limitation of brightfield microscope is that it is only suitable for samples with large contrast with the background. For transparent samples or samples with the same color as the background, the observation effect may not be good.

[0003] Fluorescence imaging (reflected light path): Fluorescence imaging relies on the phenomenon of fluorescence, that is, certain molecules (fluorophores) can emit light of a longer wavelength after absorbing light of a specific wavelength. In fluorescence microscopy, fluorescent dyes or transfection technology are usually used to bind fluorophores to structures such as target tissues or organelles, and then these fluorophores are excited by a fluorescent light source to emit fluorescent signals. The fluorescent signal forms an image after passing through a fluorescent filter and an objective lens, showing a dark background and a fluorescent target signal. Fluorescence occupies an important position in biological research due to its high specificity and high sensitivity. It can realize multi-channel detection and label multiple dyes to indicate different parts, thereby studying the interaction of complex biological systems. In addition, fluorescence microscopes are also widely used in medical diagnosis, industrial applications and other fields, such as in situ fluorescence hybridization technology for cancer detection, respiratory virus detection, fungal microscopy, and material composition detection.

[0004] Prior art integrates brightfield and fluorescence equipment, such as Chinese invention patent publication number CN117147457A, which discloses a pathology slide scanning imaging system that switches between fluorescence and brightfield imaging. However, this approach utilizes a single objective lens and shares a common drive mechanism for both the brightfield aperture and the bottom condenser light-shielding diaphragm, resulting in certain limitations. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device, which realizes the integration of bright field fluorescence, reduces costs, and has the characteristics of good versatility, better imaging effect and higher efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the utility model, the utility model provides a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device, comprising a device frame, a bright field optical path component for forming a bright field optical path, and a fluorescent optical path component for forming a fluorescent optical path;

[0007] The bright field optical path assembly includes: a bright field camera, an optical path tube, an objective lens device, a slide stage for carrying samples, and a bright field light source module;

[0008] The fluorescence optical path assembly includes: a fluorescence camera, the optical path tube diameter shared with the bright field optical path, a fluorescence turntable, the objective lens device, the slide stage and a fluorescence light source module;

[0009] The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device is further configured with a camera switching device for switching between the bright field camera and the fluorescence camera;

[0010] The objective lens device includes a plurality of objective lenses with different magnifications, and the bright field light source module is equipped with an aperture switching device for switching the aperture based on the magnification of the objective lens;

[0011] The carrier stage is equipped with a scanning motion module for moving the carrier stage.

[0012] According to a technical solution of the present utility model, the fluorescent turntable is rotatably arranged between the optical path diameter and the objective lens device through a first switching motor;

[0013] Any of the fluorescent rotating disks is equipped with a plurality of fluorescent filter assemblies and a bright field through-hole.

[0014] According to a technical solution of the present utility model, any fluorescent filter assembly includes a first filter close to the objective lens, a second filter close to the fluorescent light source module, and a dichroic mirror arranged obliquely;

[0015] The dichroic mirror divides the fluorescence filter assembly into two chambers including only the first filter and only the second filter.

[0016] According to a technical solution of the present utility model, the fluorescent light source module includes a fluorescent tube diameter and a fluorescent light source;

[0017] One end of the fluorescent tube diameter is arranged opposite to the second filter, and a refractive lens for rotating the light path by 90 degrees is arranged between the other end of the fluorescent tube diameter and the fluorescent light source.

[0018] According to a technical solution of the present invention, the bright field light source module includes a bright field light source and a bright field condenser fixed on the equipment rack, and the bright field condenser is arranged above the bright field light source.

[0019] According to a technical solution of the present utility model, the aperture switching device includes an aperture disk and a second switching motor for driving the aperture disk to rotate, and the aperture disk is arranged between the bright field light source and the bright field condenser;

[0020] The aperture disc is provided with a plurality of aperture holes and light-shielding parts corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens.

[0021] According to a technical solution of the present invention, the bright field light source module further includes a heat dissipation device fixed on the equipment rack, the heat dissipation device is a heat dissipation fan, and the heat dissipation fan is in close contact with the bright field light source.

[0022] According to a technical solution of the present invention, the second switching motor is a stepping motor.

[0023] According to a technical solution of the present invention, the scanning motion module includes a short-axis scanning device for driving the slide stage to move horizontally and a long-axis scanning device for driving the slide stage to move longitudinally;

[0024] The short-axis scanning device, the long-axis scanning device and the camera switching device are screw rod structures.

[0025] According to a technical solution of the present utility model, the objective lens device further includes a Z-axis focusing module for moving the objective lens device, an objective lens converter for switching between multiple objective lenses, and a magnetic grating sensor;

[0026] The Z-axis focusing module and the magnetic grating sensor are fixed on the equipment frame, and the objective lens converter is fixed to the movable end of the Z-axis focusing module.

[0027] According to a technical solution of the present invention, the slide stage is further configured with a loading and unloading module for loading and unloading samples.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] According to one solution of the present invention, a bright field light path is formed by a bright field camera, an optical path tube diameter, an objective lens device, a slide stage and a bright field light source module, and a fluorescent light path is formed by a fluorescent camera, an optical path tube diameter, a fluorescent turntable, an objective lens device, a slide stage and a fluorescent light source module, thereby realizing bright field and fluorescence integration.

[0030] Furthermore, the objective lens device of the present invention includes a plurality of objective lenses with different magnifications, and is provided with an aperture switching device for switching the aperture based on the magnification of the objective lens, making the bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device of the present invention more versatile.

[0031] According to one solution of the present invention, the bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device of the present invention has the characteristics of low cost, better imaging effect and higher efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 Schematically showing a side view of the main body of a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 Schematically shows a front view of a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 A perspective view schematically showing a bright field light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 The figure schematically shows a side view of an eyepiece device and a film stage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Reference numerals:

[0037] 1. Equipment rack; 2. Brightfield camera; 3. Optical path diameter; 4. Slide stage; 5. Fluorescence camera; 6. Fluorescence turntable; 7. Camera switching device; 8. Loading and unloading module; 9. Fluorescence tube diameter; 10. Fluorescence light source; 11. Refractive lens; 12. Brightfield light source; 13. Brightfield condenser; 14. Aperture disk; 15. Second switching motor; 16. Heat dissipation device; 17. Short-axis scanning device; 18. Long-axis scanning device; 19. Z-axis focusing module; 20. Objective lens converter; 21. Magnetic grating sensor

[0038] 601. Fluorescence filter assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be derived from these drawings without inventive effort.

[0040] When describing the embodiments of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship expressed by the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the relevant drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments cannot be described one by one here, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device of the present invention includes an equipment frame 1, a bright field optical path component for forming a bright field optical path, and a fluorescent optical path component for forming a fluorescent optical path; the bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device is arranged as a whole on the equipment frame 1, and the equipment frame 1 includes multiple frame mechanisms for supporting and fixing various components, such as a supporting table, a supporting column, etc.

[0043] For the bright field optical path components, the bright field camera 2, the optical path diameter 3, the objective lens device, the slide stage 4 for carrying the sample and the bright field light source module are arranged on the equipment rack 1 from top to bottom;

[0044] As for the fluorescence optical path components, they include: a fluorescence camera 5, an optical path tube diameter 3 shared with the bright field optical path, a fluorescence turntable 6, an objective lens device, a slide stage 4 and a fluorescence light source module. In order to avoid interference with the bright field tube, structures such as a dichroic mirror and a refractive lens 11 are usually used to change the propagation direction of the fluorescence light path.

[0045] It is understandable that multiple bright field cameras 2 and fluorescent cameras 5 can be provided in the present invention, and selection is made according to specific usage conditions.

[0046] In the present invention, the bright field light path and the fluorescent light path share a light path diameter 3, which can reduce the size of the device in the horizontal direction. In addition, the camera field of view is larger than the imaging field of view during design, which can fully ensure the consistency of the optical axis, thereby improving the imaging effect and scanning efficiency.

[0047] The bright field camera 2 and the fluorescence camera 5 are both located above the optical path diameter 3. The switching process between the bright field camera 2 and the fluorescence camera 5 is achieved by configuring a camera switching device 7. Preferably, the camera switching device 7 uses a screw rod for switching, which has the characteristics of low cost and high precision.

[0048] The objective lens device includes multiple objective lenses with different magnifications. The bright field light source module is equipped with an aperture switching device for switching the aperture based on the magnification of the objective lens, thereby achieving compatibility with different magnifications. It is compatible with up to 4 objective lenses and is configured with different apertures to avoid uneven brightness and improve imaging effects and scanning efficiency.

[0049] The slide stage 4 is equipped with a scanning motion module for moving the slide stage 4 and a loading and unloading module 8 for loading and unloading samples, which is conducive to achieving efficient scanning of multiple slice samples of the same target object and improving the level of product automation. Among them, the loading and unloading module 8 includes a material box hanging plate, a lifting drive device connected to the material box hanging plate for driving the material box hanging plate to move in the vertical direction, a loading push rod, a unloading push rod and a slice detection component; the unloading push rod is also provided with a flipping device connected to the unloading push rod.

[0050] The magazine hanger is equipped with stopper posts. The magazine, loaded with biological sections, is equipped with positioning holes. The positioning holes and stopper posts engage to secure the magazine to the hanger. A loading push rod pushes the biological section from the magazine to the detection platform module. During unloading, the unloading push rod pushes the biological section from the detection platform module back into the magazine. The section detection assembly detects whether a section is present at the front end of the magazine, specifically whether the biological section has fully entered the magazine. This prevents damage to the section during movement due to incomplete entry.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the fluorescent turntable 6 is rotatably disposed between the optical path diameter 3 and the objective lens device via a first switching motor;

[0052] Each fluorescence rotating disk 6 is equipped with a plurality of fluorescence filter assemblies 601 and a bright field through-hole.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, any fluorescent filter assembly 601 includes a first filter close to the objective lens, a second filter close to the fluorescent light source module, and a dichroic mirror arranged obliquely;

[0054] The dichroic mirror divides the fluorescence filter assembly 601 into two chambers including only the first filter and only the second filter.

[0055] To meet the wavelength requirements of different fluorescent light sources 10, first filters, dichroic mirrors, and second filters with different bandpasses need to be matched, and the corresponding first filters, dichroic mirrors, and second filters need to be used in conjunction with each other. For a fluorescence turntable 6, multiple fluorescence filter assemblies 601 and a brightfield through-hole can be evenly spaced.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, the fluorescent light source module includes a fluorescent tube diameter 9 and a fluorescent light source 10;

[0057] One end of the fluorescent tube diameter 9 is arranged opposite to the second filter, and a refractive lens 11 for rotating the light path by 90 degrees is arranged between the other end of the fluorescent tube diameter 9 and the fluorescent light source 10.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, the bright field light source module includes a bright field light source 12 fixed on the equipment rack 1 and a bright field condenser 13 , and the bright field condenser 13 is arranged above the bright field light source 12 .

[0059] In the present application, the bright field light source 12 and the fluorescent light source 10 are compatible with the scanning of LED lamp beads and optical fibers or other external light sources, have strong adaptability, and at the same time, have the advantage of low cost.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, the aperture switching device includes an aperture disk 14 and a second switching motor 15 for driving the aperture disk 14 to rotate, and the aperture disk 14 is arranged between the bright field light source 12 and the bright field condenser 13;

[0061] The aperture disc 14 is provided with a plurality of aperture holes and light shielding portions corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, the bright field light source module further includes a heat dissipation device 16 fixed to the equipment rack 1 . The heat dissipation device 16 is a heat dissipation fan, and the heat dissipation fan is in close contact with the bright field light source 12 .

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second switching motor 15 is a stepping motor.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, the scanning motion module includes a short-axis scanning device 17 for driving the slide stage 4 to move horizontally and a long-axis scanning device 18 for driving the slide stage 4 to move longitudinally;

[0065] The short-axis scanning device 17, the long-axis scanning device 18 and the camera switching device 7 are screw rod structures, which makes the switching process of the carrier stage 4 and the camera more stable and has a high consistency.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present invention, the objective lens device further includes a Z-axis focusing module 19 for moving the objective lens device, an objective lens converter 20 for switching between multiple objective lenses, and a magnetic grating sensor 21;

[0067] The Z-axis focusing module 19 and the magnetic grating sensor 21 are fixed on the equipment frame 1 , and the objective lens converter 20 is fixed to the movable end of the Z-axis focusing module 19 .

[0068] After the slide is loaded onto the film stage 4, the long-axis scanning module and the short-axis scanning module move the stage 4 to the designated focus position. The objective lens converter 20 is rotated to the objective lens with the required magnification. The Z-axis focusing module 19 then moves the objective lens converter 20 to the focal plane position. If there is an accuracy deviation, the magnetic grating sensor 21 verifies the accuracy difference with the pulse number. If it does not meet the accuracy, the Z axis is adjusted according to the difference until it is in place. After focusing is completed, the long-axis scanning module performs the scan, and the short-axis scanning module assists in the line feed until the entire scanning area is scanned. At this time, if the magnification needs to be changed or the fluorescence scanning is switched to, the above steps are repeated after the camera, fluorescence turntable 6, and aperture turntable are switched.

[0069] By using the magnetic grating sensor 21 to calibrate the accuracy difference with the pulse number, the accuracy of the position can be continuously checked, thereby improving the final imaging quality. The short-axis scanning device 17 and the long-axis scanning device 18 can also be equipped with a magnetic grating sensor 21.

[0070] The utility model is a bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device, and its bright field light path and fluorescence light path are composed as follows:

[0071] (1) In bright field: the first switching motor drives the fluorescent turntable 6 to rotate to the bright field passage, that is, the bright field through hole on the fluorescent turntable 6 is opposite to the optical path diameter 3, the condenser light source is turned on, and the second switching motor 15 rotates to the specified aperture according to the objective lens magnification. The camera switching module drives the bright field camera 2 to move to the top of the optical path diameter 3, and then the slide is scanned according to the scanning platform process;

[0072] (2) During fluorescence: the first switching motor drives the fluorescence turntable 6 to rotate to the position of the required fluorescence filter assembly 601, the condenser light source is turned off, and the second switching motor 15 drives the aperture to rotate to the completely black position, that is, the light-shielding part of the aperture turntable. The camera switching module drives the fluorescence camera 5 to move to the top of the optical path diameter 3, and then scans the glass slide according to the scanning platform process. After focusing and color filter scanning are completed, the fluorescence turntable 6 continues to rotate to the next channel for the next scan, and so on, until all fluorescence channels are scanned. Each time the fluorescence turntable 6 corresponds to a different fluorescence light source 10. If multiple colors are scanned, the light source type needs to be switched synchronously.

[0073] The above content is only an example of a specific solution of the present invention. For the equipment and structures not described in detail, it should be understood that they can be implemented by adopting the general equipment and general methods available in the field.

[0074] The above description is only one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device, characterized in that: It comprises an equipment frame (1), a bright field light path component for forming a bright field light path, and a fluorescent light path component for forming a fluorescent light path; The bright field optical path component comprises: a bright field camera (2), an optical path tube (3), an objective lens device, a slide stage (4) for carrying a sample, and a bright field light source module; The fluorescence optical path assembly comprises: a fluorescence camera (5), the optical path tube (3) shared with the bright field optical path, a fluorescence turntable (6), the objective lens device, the slide stage (4) and a fluorescence light source module; The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device is further provided with a camera switching device (7) for switching between the bright field camera (2) and the fluorescence camera (5); The objective lens device includes a plurality of objective lenses with different magnifications, and the bright field light source module is equipped with an aperture switching device for switching the aperture based on the magnification of the objective lens; The carrier stage (4) is provided with a scanning motion module for moving the carrier stage (4).

2. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluorescent rotating disk (6) is rotatably arranged between the optical path diameter (3) and the objective lens device via a first switching motor; Any of the fluorescent rotating disks (6) is equipped with a plurality of fluorescent filter assemblies (601) and a bright field through-hole.

3. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Any of the fluorescent filter assemblies (601) comprises a first filter close to one side of the objective lens, a second filter close to the fluorescent light source module, and a dichroic mirror arranged obliquely; The dichroic mirror divides the fluorescence filter assembly (601) into two chambers including only the first filter and only the second filter.

4. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fluorescent light source module comprises a fluorescent tube (9) and a fluorescent light source (10); One end of the fluorescent tube diameter (9) is arranged opposite to the second filter, and a refractive lens (11) for rotating the light path by 90 degrees is arranged between the other end of the fluorescent tube diameter (9) and the fluorescent light source (10).

5. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bright field light source module comprises a bright field light source (12) and a bright field condenser (13) fixed on the equipment frame (1); the bright field condenser (13) is arranged above the bright field light source (12).

6. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The aperture switching device comprises an aperture disc (14) and a second switching motor (15) for driving the aperture disc (14) to rotate, wherein the aperture disc (14) is arranged between the bright field light source (12) and the bright field condenser (13); The aperture disc (14) is provided with a plurality of aperture holes and light shielding parts corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens.

7. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bright field light source module further comprises a heat dissipation device (16) fixed on the equipment frame (1); the heat dissipation device (16) is a heat dissipation fan, and the heat dissipation fan is in close contact with the bright field light source (12).

8. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second switching motor (15) is a stepping motor.

9. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scanning motion module comprises a short-axis scanning device (17) for driving the slide stage (4) to move horizontally and a long-axis scanning device (18) for driving the slide stage (4) to move longitudinally; The short-axis scanning device (17), the long-axis scanning device (18) and the camera switching device (7) are screw rod structures.

10. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The objective lens device further comprises a Z-axis focusing module (19) for moving the objective lens device, an objective lens converter (20) for switching between a plurality of objective lenses, and a magnetic grating sensor (21); The Z-axis focusing module (19) and the magnetic grating sensor (21) are fixed on the equipment frame (1), and the objective lens converter (20) is fixed to the movable end of the Z-axis focusing module (19).

11. The bright field fluorescence integrated scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slide stage (4) is also equipped with a loading and unloading module (8) for loading and unloading samples.

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