Telescope tube device

Abstract

To maintain high ergonomics and furthermore to provide an AR display function.SOLUTION: A lens barrel device comprises: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece can be mounted; an image formation lens; a relay optical system which relays a primary image formed by the image formation lens to an object plane of the eyepiece to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system M1 which reflects a light beam from the image formation lens and returns the reflected light beam in the horizontal direction; a second reflective optical system M2 which is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system M1 is arranged, reflects the light beam having passed through the first reflective optical system M1, and returns the reflected light beam in a vertically upward direction; a third reflective optical system M3 which is arranged on a second horizontal plane, reflects the light beam which has passed through the second reflective optical system M2, and returns the reflected light beam in the horizontal direction; an additional optical system through which a light beam for forming an image other than the secondary image on the object plane of the eyepiece passes; and a synthetic optical element M4 which is arranged on the second horizontal plane and guides the light beam from the additional optical system to an optical path leading to the object plane of the eyepiece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The disclosure of this specification relates to a lens barrel device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has been expected to support operations performed under a microscope with AI (Artificial Intelligence). As a microscope capable of providing such AI support, an AR (Augmented Reality) microscope is known.

[0003] An AR microscope is a microscope that superimposes and displays auxiliary information on the optical image of a specimen observed through an eyepiece, and is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The auxiliary information displayed by the AR microscope is typically generated by analyzing an image obtained by photographing the specimen. In particular, by using AI technologies such as deep learning for image analysis, it is possible to provide advanced support by AI to microscope users. [[ID=1十七]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, both of the microscope systems described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 adopt a configuration in which an intermediate lens barrel incorporating a projector is attached between the lens barrel and the microscope main body portion.

[0006] However, when an intermediate microscope tube is attached to a microscope, the height of the eye point increases by the height of the tube. This may degrade the ergonomics of the system. In addition, the distance between the imaging lens and the objective lens within the tube is also extended. Therefore, there are concerns that this may negatively affect the optical performance of the system, such as imaging performance and peripheral illumination.

[0007] Based on the circumstances described above, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an AR display function that overlays auxiliary information onto an optical image while maintaining high ergonomics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A microscope tube device according to one aspect of the present invention is a microscope tube device that can be attached to a microscope body, comprising: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached; an imaging lens to which a light beam from the microscope body to which the microscope tube device is attached is incident; a relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens attached to the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction; and arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is arranged. A second reflective optical system that reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back vertically upward; a third reflective optical system arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in a second horizontal direction; an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image different from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens; and an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens. A pair of reflective surfaces arranged on the first horizontal plane or the second horizontal plane, which reflect a light beam traveling in the horizontal direction, wherein the pair of reflective surfaces cause the direction of the emitted light beam to be 90 degrees different in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam, Equipped with One of the pair of reflective surfaces is located in one of two regions separated by a plane containing the optical axis of the imaging lens and the center line of the eyepiece, and at least one of the second or third reflective optical system is located in the other of the two regions separated by the plane containing the optical axis of the imaging lens and the center line of the eyepiece. ru. Another aspect of the present invention is a microscope tube device that can be attached to a microscope body, comprising: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached; an imaging lens to which a light beam from the microscope body to which the microscope tube device is attached is incident; a relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens attached to the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction; a second reflective optical system arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is located, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction; and a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane. The optical system comprises a third reflective optical system arranged on a flat plane that reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in a second horizontal direction, an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image other than the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens, and an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane that guides the light beam from the additional optical system to an optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens, wherein the optical system is a three-lens optical system to which an imaging device is mounted, and furthermore, the first reflective optical system is a beam splitter that reflects a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction, and transmits a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens to guide it to the imaging device. A further embodiment of the present invention is a microscope tube device that can be attached to a microscope body, comprising: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached; an imaging lens to which a light beam from the microscope body to which the microscope tube device is attached is incident; a relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens attached to the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction; a second reflective optical system arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is located, and that reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction; and The device comprises: a third reflective optical system arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction; an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image different from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens; an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to an optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens; a rotating part on which the eyepiece sleeve is provided and which rotates in the tilt direction about a horizontal axis; and a reflective member attached to the axis of the rotating part, which rotates about the axis by half the amount of rotation of the rotating part. A further embodiment of the present invention is a microscope tube device that can be attached to a microscope body, comprising: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached; an imaging lens to which a light beam from the microscope body to which the microscope tube device is attached is incident; a relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens attached to the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction; a second reflective optical system arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is arranged, and that reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction; and a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane. The relay optical system comprises: a third reflective optical system arranged on a horizontal plane and reflecting a light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folding it back in a second horizontal direction; an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image other than the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens; and an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane and guiding a light beam from the additional optical system to an optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens. The relay optical system includes a first relay lens that converts a light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system into a parallel light beam, and a second relay lens into which the parallel light beam is incident. The optical element is arranged in the optical path between the first relay lens and the second relay lens. A microscope tube device according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a microscope tube device that can be attached to a microscope body, comprising: an eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached; an imaging lens to which a light beam from the microscope body to which the microscope tube device is attached is incident; a relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens attached to the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image; a first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in a first horizontal direction; a second reflective optical system arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is located, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction; and a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane. The device comprises: a third reflective optical system arranged on a flat plane that reflects a light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in a second horizontal direction; an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image other than the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens; an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane that guides a light beam from the additional optical system to an optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens; a first field diaphragm positioned on the primary image plane where the imaging lens forms the primary image; and a second field diaphragm positioned on the secondary image plane where the relay optical system forms the secondary image, wherein the image of the opening of the first field diaphragm formed on the secondary image plane is smaller than the opening of the second field diaphragm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above aspect, an AR display function can be provided while maintaining high ergonomics.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a microscope system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the optical system in the lens barrel device. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the two-layer structure in the lens barrel device. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the rotation of an image. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of a lens barrel device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a top view showing the configuration of the first floor portion of the lens barrel device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a top view showing the configuration of the second floor portion of the lens barrel device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a side view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for obtaining an optical path length in the lens barrel device. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the horizontal optical path adopted by the lens barrel device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] It is an example of an image observed via an eyepiece lens in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is another example of an image observed via an eyepiece lens in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] It is yet another example of an image observed via an eyepiece lens in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] It is an example of an image observed via an eyepiece lens in a modified example. [Figure 15] It is a diagram exemplifying the configuration of a slider in which the first reflection optical system is fixed. [Figure 16]It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a top view showing the configuration of the first - floor portion of the lens barrel device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a top view showing the configuration of the second - floor portion of the lens barrel device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a side view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing the horizontal optical path adopted by the lens barrel device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a side view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a microscope system according to another embodiment. [Figure 24] It is an example of an image observed via an eyepiece lens in the microscope system shown in FIG. 23.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a microscope system 1 according to an embodiment. The microscope system 1 is a microscope system including a lens barrel device 20 having an AR display function. The microscope system 1 may be, for example, a biological microscope system or an industrial microscope system.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the microscope system 1 includes a microscope and a control device 50 for controlling the microscope. The microscope is provided with a microscope main body 10, a lens barrel device 20 that can be attached to the microscope main body 10, an eyepiece lens 30, and an imaging device 40. In FIG. 1, a upright microscope is illustrated, but the microscope included in the microscope system 1 may be an inverted microscope.

[0013] The microscope body 10 includes a stage 11 on which the specimen S is placed, a lamp house 12 housing a light source 13, and a revolving nose 14 to which the objective lens 15 is attached. The microscope tube assembly 20 is attached to the microscope body 10. The eyepiece 30 and imaging device 40 are attached to the microscope tube assembly 20.

[0014] Stage 11 is connected to the focusing handle by a rack and pinion mechanism. The rotational motion of the focusing handle is converted into linear motion of Stage 11 by the rack and pinion mechanism. As a result, Stage 11 moves up and down by rotating the focusing handle. Stage 11 is an example of a focusing mechanism that adjusts the position of the focal plane of the objective lens 15 relative to the specimen S in the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens 15.

[0015] Furthermore, stage 11 includes an XY stage that moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the objective lens 15. By operating a handle (not shown), stage 11 moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the objective lens 15. Stage 11 has an aperture formed therein that is large enough to allow illumination light from the condenser to pass through without the specimen S falling.

[0016] The lamp house 12 includes a light source 13 that emits illumination light to irradiate the specimen S. The light source 13 turns on when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, and turns off when the power switch is turned off.

[0017] The light source 13 is, for example, a halogen lamp. The illumination light emitted from the light source 13 is irradiated onto the specimen S placed on the stage 11 via a capacitor provided in the microscope body 10. The amount of illumination light emitted from the stage 11 can be adjusted using a dial provided in the microscope body 10. The amount of illumination light emitted from the light source 13 is controlled according to the rotation of the dial, which functions as a dimming input.

[0018] The Revolving Nozzle 14 can accommodate multiple objective lenses, preferably multiple objective lenses with different magnifications. Rotating the Revolving Nozzle 14 switches the objective lenses positioned in the microscope's optical path. The Revolving Nozzle 14 is an example of a switching mechanism for switching objective lenses.

[0019] The microscope tube 20 is a three-lens microscope tube to which an eyepiece 30 and an imaging device 40 can be attached. Light from the specimen S, which is illuminated by illumination light, enters the microscope tube 20 via the objective lens 15. The light that enters the microscope tube 20 is split within the microscope tube 20 into light that goes to the eyepiece 30 and light that goes to the imaging device 40.

[0020] The microscope tube assembly 20 comprises an eyepiece sleeve 21, a rotating part 22, a projector 23, and an imaging lens 24. An eyepiece lens 30 can be attached to the eyepiece sleeve 21. The eyepiece sleeve 21 is located on the rotating part 22. The rotating part 22 rotates in a tilt direction around a horizontal axis. The height of the eye point is adjusted as the eyepiece lens 30, which is attached to the eyepiece sleeve 21 together with the rotating part 22, rotates.

[0021] Projector 23 is an example of a superposition device that superimposes auxiliary information (hereinafter simply referred to as auxiliary information) onto the image plane (secondary image plane P2) where the optical image of the specimen S is formed. Projector 23 may be a liquid crystal projector using a liquid crystal device, an organic EL projector using an organic EL device, or a DMD® projector.

[0022] Light from the microscope body 10 enters the imaging lens 24. The imaging lens 24 converges the parallel light beam that enters via the objective lens 15. The converged light beam is then split by a splitter into light that goes to the eyepiece 30 and light that goes to the imaging device 40. The light that goes to the imaging device 40 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 41. On the other hand, the light that goes to the eyepiece 30 is imaged twice within the microscope tube 20 and then enters the eyepiece 30 in order to provide the microscope user with an augmented reality (AR) display function. This point will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 2.

[0023] The eyepiece 30 is attached to an eyepiece sleeve 21 provided on the microscope tube 20. The imaging device 40 is, for example, a digital camera equipped with an image sensor 41. The imaging device 40 images the specimen S and acquires an image of the specimen S. The image sensor 41 is a CCD or CMOS, etc. By being mounted on the microscope tube 20, the imaging device 40 is positioned on the imaging optical path that branches off from the visual observation optical path from the objective lens 15 through the imaging lens 24 to the eyepiece 30.

[0024] The control device 50 is a device that controls the microscope. For example, the control device 50 controls the projector 23 included in the microscope. In Figure 1, the control device 50 is shown as a single device, but the control device 50 may be a collection of two or more devices. The control device 50 may consist of, for example, a control box dedicated to microscope control and a general-purpose computer.

[0025] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the optical system within the lens barrel device 20. The following description will refer to Figure 2 to explain an optical system configuration suitable for providing AR display functionality. As shown in Figure 2, the lens barrel device 20 further includes a splitter 25, a relay optical system 26, a projection lens 27, and a half-mirror 28.

[0026] Of the light beams that are converged by the imaging lens 24 and separated by the splitter 25, the light beam that reaches the imaging device 40 is directly imaged on the imaging plane of the imaging device 40. On the other hand, of the converged light beams separated by the splitter 25, the light beam that reaches the eyepiece lens 30 is imaged in front of the relay optical system 26 located after the splitter 25, and a primary image is formed on the primary image plane P1.

[0027] Furthermore, the relay optical system 26 relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens 24 to the object plane of the eyepiece lens 30 mounted on the eyepiece sleeve 21 to form a secondary image. More specifically, the relay lens 26a first converts the light from the primary image plane P1 into a parallel beam, and then the relay lens 26b converts the parallel beam into a convergent beam to form a secondary image. That is, the object plane of the eyepiece lens 30 is the secondary image plane P2 of the specimen S, and the microscope user observes the secondary image formed on the secondary image plane P2 via the eyepiece lens 30.

[0028] Light from projector 23 is combined with a parallel light beam by a half mirror 28 positioned in the optical path between relay lenses 26a and 26b, through which the parallel light beam passes. More specifically, the light from projector 23 is converted into a parallel light beam by projection lens 27, and then combined with the parallel light beam incident via imaging lens 24 by half mirror 28. As a result, the light from projector 23 is imaged onto the secondary image plane P2 where the secondary image of specimen S is formed, and auxiliary information is superimposed. Therefore, the microscope user observes the auxiliary information along with the secondary image of specimen S formed on the secondary image plane P2 via the eyepiece 30.

[0029] The projection lens 27 is an example of an additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image (auxiliary information) separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece lens 30. The half mirror 28 is an example of an optical element (hereinafter referred to as a composite optical element) that guides the light beam from the additional optical system (projection lens 27) to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece lens 30. Instead of the half mirror 28, any beam splitter with a different ratio of reflected light to transmitted light than that of the half mirror 28 may be used as the composite optical element.

[0030] In the telescope tube device 20, it is necessary to combine the light from the projector 23 with the light from the imaging lens 24, and space is required for this. By providing a relay optical system 26 in the telescope tube device 20, space can be secured for combining the light, and the half mirror 28 can be placed there.

[0031] Furthermore, the presence of the relay optical system 26 allows the light from the projector 23 to be imaged on the secondary image plane P2 rather than the primary image plane P1. In this configuration, the half-mirror 28, which combines the light from the projector 23 with the light from the specimen S, can be placed on the optical path through which the light from the specimen S travels as a parallel beam. As a result, the microscope tube device 20 can provide an AR display function while avoiding the generation of ghosting by the half-mirror 28.

[0032] Furthermore, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, even when a projector providing AR display functionality is installed inside the intermediate lens barrel, it is possible to combine the light from the projector in the parallel light beam between the objective lens and the imaging lens. However, in this case, compared to the case where the projector 23 is installed inside the lens barrel device 20, the optical performance may deteriorate due to the extension of the distance between the objective lens and the imaging lens. Specifically, the edges of the image may become darker, or the imaging performance may deteriorate as the light passes through the edges of the lens. With the lens barrel device 20, the distance between the objective lens and the imaging lens is not extended, thus avoiding deterioration of optical performance.

[0033] Furthermore, the configuration described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, which involves installing a projector in an intermediate lens barrel, is not suitable for combination with a configuration that involves attaching an imaging device to a three-lens microscope. Since the images acquired by the imaging device are used for image analysis and the like, it is desirable that no auxiliary information is superimposed on them. However, if a projector is installed in an intermediate lens barrel, the light from the projector is combined and then separated by a splitter in the three-lens microscope. As a result, auxiliary information is superimposed on the images acquired by the imaging device attached to the three-lens microscope. In contrast, the configuration in which a relay optical system 26 is installed inside the lens barrel device 20 allows the light from the projector 23 to be combined after the splitter 25. As a result, it is possible to avoid light from the projector 23 entering the imaging device 40. Therefore, the configuration in which a relay optical system 26 is installed inside the lens barrel device 20 is also suitable when the lens barrel device 20 is configured as a three-lens microscope and existing imaging devices are utilized.

[0034] As described above, the microscope tube device 20 with AR display functionality has advantages over an intermediate microscope tube with AR display functionality, both in terms of optical performance and in terms of effectively utilizing existing equipment owned by microscope users. Furthermore, when an intermediate microscope tube is attached, the height of the eye point increases by the height of the intermediate microscope tube, sacrificing the ergonomics of the microscope system 1. However, by installing a projector 23 inside the microscope tube device 20, the intermediate microscope tube can be omitted. Therefore, the microscope tube device 20 makes it possible to suppress the increase in eye point height that would occur if an intermediate microscope tube were inserted between the microscope body 10 and the microscope tube device 20.

[0035] On the other hand, the telescope tube device 20 requires a relay optical system 26 to form an image twice within the device 20. Therefore, the optical path length from the imaging lens 24 to the eyepiece 30 is inevitably longer compared to when an intermediate telescope tube is used. If this extension of the optical path length compared to the case of an intermediate telescope tube extends vertically, the advantage in terms of eye point height compared to an intermediate telescope tube will be reduced or lost.

[0036] Therefore, the telescope tube device 20 employs a two-tiered structure to reduce the height of the eye point. The two-tiered structure for reducing the height of the eye point will be explained below with reference to Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the two-tiered configuration within the telescope tube assembly. To minimize the eye point height, it is desirable to extend the optical path horizontally as much as possible to consume the optical path length. However, extending the optical path horizontally too much increases the horizontal size of the telescope tube assembly 20, i.e., its footprint. Therefore, the telescope tube assembly 20 employs a two-tiered configuration to minimize the eye point height while fitting the telescope tube assembly 20 into a limited space. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the telescope tube assembly 20 is equipped with a first reflective optical system M1, a second reflective optical system M2, and a third reflective optical system M3, and these reflective optical systems realize the two-tiered configuration.

[0038] The first reflective optical system M1 reflects the light beam from the imaging lens 24 and folds it back in the first horizontal direction. By reflecting the light beam in the first horizontal direction by the first reflective optical system M1, the optical path extends horizontally, and the optical path length is consumed without increasing the height of the eye point. The first reflective optical system M1 is, for example, a splitter 25. The first reflective optical system M1 may reflect a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens 24 and fold it back in the first horizontal direction, and also transmit a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens 24 to guide it to the imaging device 40.

[0039] The second reflective optical system M2 is positioned on the first horizontal plane where the first reflective optical system M1 is located, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system M1, folding it back vertically upward. In other words, the optical path from the first reflective optical system M1 to the second reflective optical system M2 constitutes the first layer. By reflecting the light beam vertically upward in the second reflective optical system M2, it is possible to prevent the lens barrel device 20 from spreading out too much horizontally.

[0040] The third reflective optical system M3 is positioned on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system M2 back into the second horizontal direction. The optical path from the third reflective optical system M3 onward constitutes the second layer. As the light beam is reflected in the second horizontal direction by the third reflective optical system M3, the optical path extends horizontally, and the optical path length is consumed again without increasing the height of the eye point.

[0041] Thus, the lens barrel device 20, by incorporating a first reflective optical system M1, a second reflective optical system M2, and a third reflective optical system M3, achieves a two-tiered configuration, which can address the extension of the optical path length associated with the introduction of a relay optical system while suppressing an excessive increase in the height of the eye point. Therefore, the lens barrel device 20 can maintain an advantage in terms of eye point height compared to an intermediate lens barrel, and can provide AR display functionality while maintaining high ergonomics.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the microscope tube device 20 includes a composite optical element M4 arranged on a second horizontal plane. The composite optical element M4 guides the light beam from the projection lens 27 emitted from the projector 23 to the optical path leading to the object plane of the eyepiece lens 30. The composite optical element M4 is, for example, a half mirror 28.

[0043] By positioning the composite optical element M4 on a second horizontal plane that is above the first horizontal plane, the projector 23 is also positioned relatively high within the lens barrel device 20. Any type of projector can be used as the projector 23, but all types of projectors generate heat. Therefore, in order to prevent the lenses and mirrors inside the lens barrel device 20 from deforming and degrading the optical performance due to the heat from the projector 23, it is desirable to position the projector 23 in a location where heat can be efficiently dissipated. Specifically, it is desirable to position the projector 23 near the exterior of the lens barrel device 20, and in a position where there is space above to allow heat to escape. In the lens barrel device 20, by positioning the projector 23 on the second horizontal plane, heat can be dissipated upward from the top surface of the lens barrel device 20, thus enabling efficient heat dissipation from the projector 23. Consequently, the lens barrel device 20 can also prevent degradation of optical performance caused by heat generated by the projector 23.

[0044] As described above, the microscope tube device 20, which includes a projector 23 and a composite optical element M4 that guides the light beam from the projector 23 to the object surface of the eyepiece 30, can suppress the rise in eye point by realizing a two-layer configuration with a first reflective optical system M1, a second reflective optical system M2, and a third reflective optical system M3. Furthermore, by placing the composite optical element M4 in the second layer of the two-layer configuration, the heat generated by the projector 23 can be efficiently dissipated. Therefore, the microscope tube device 20 makes it possible to provide AR display functionality while maintaining high ergonomics. In addition, it is possible to provide AR display functionality with high reliability by avoiding various problems caused by heat.

[0045] The following describes specific examples of the microscope tube device 20 having the two-tiered configuration described above in each embodiment. The microscope tube devices exemplified as the first to third embodiments are microscope tube devices that are attached to a biological microscope system used for pathological diagnosis, etc. The microscope tube device exemplified as the fourth embodiment is a microscope tube device that is attached to an industrial microscope system. The microscope tube devices according to the first to fourth embodiments are similar in that they form an image twice within each microscope tube device.

[0046] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating image rotation. Microscope tubes are broadly classified into two types: an erect image tube that observes an erect image S1 oriented in the same direction as the original image S0 (e.g., specimen S), and an inverted image tube that observes an inverted image S2 that is upside down and reversed left and right compared to the original image S0. Ignoring plane reflections that form mirror images, a microscope tube will form an erect image S1 if the number of image formations is even, and an inverted image S2 if the number of image formations is odd.

[0047] Furthermore, each time a plane reflection occurs in the horizontal plane, the image is inverted horizontally. Therefore, if an odd number of plane reflections occur in the horizontal plane, the erect image S1 is converted into a mirrored image S3. Also, each time a plane reflection occurs in the vertical plane, the image is inverted vertically. Therefore, if an odd number of plane reflections occur in the vertical plane, the erect image S1 is converted into a mirrored image S4. Thus, the orientation of the image formed by the telescope is determined by the number of image formations and the number of plane reflections in the horizontal and vertical planes, respectively.

[0048] In the pathology market, inverted microscope tubes are widely used, and pathologists are accustomed to observing inverted images. Therefore, inverted images are overwhelmingly preferred by microscope users over upright images, and the microscope tube devices exemplified in the first to third embodiments are configured as inverted image microscope tubes. In these microscope tube devices, images are formed twice within the device, so if plane reflection is not considered, an upright image S1 is formed. Therefore, in order to consume the extended optical path length due to the introduction of the relay optical system, plane reflections that bend the optical path are generated an odd number of times in both the horizontal and vertical directions within the microscope tube device. As a result, the upright image S1 is inverted in both the left-right and up-down directions within the microscope tube device, and an inverted image S2 is formed.

[0049] On the other hand, in industrial applications, erect images are preferred by microscope users, so the microscope tube device exemplified as the fourth embodiment is configured as an erect-image microscope tube. In the microscope tube device according to the fourth embodiment, an erect image S1 is formed because the image is formed twice within the microscope tube device, and if plane reflection is not considered, an erect image S1 is formed. Therefore, in order to consume the extended optical path length due to the introduction of the relay optical system, plane reflections that bend the optical path are generated an even number of times in both the horizontal and vertical directions within the microscope tube device. Since the effect of plane reflection is eliminated, an erect image S1 is formed.

[0050] (First Embodiment) Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the microscope barrel device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is a top view showing the configuration of the first floor portion of the microscope barrel device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a top view showing the configuration of the second floor portion of the microscope barrel device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the microscope barrel device 100 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the microscope barrel device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[0051] In the Cartesian coordinate system shown in Figures 5 to 8, the Z direction is the vertical direction, and the XY direction is the horizontal direction. The X direction is the left-right direction of the microscope system equipped with the microscope tube 100, and the Y direction is the front-back direction of the microscope system equipped with the microscope tube 100.

[0052] The microscope tube device 100 is, for example, a microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, and is an inverted image microscope tube device that forms an inverted image used in pathological diagnosis, etc. The microscope tube device 100 is a three-lens microscope tube to which the eyepiece 30 and the imaging device 40 are attached.

[0053] The microscope tube assembly 100 is equipped with a relay optical system (relay lens 106 and relay lens 113) to secure space for arranging the composite optical element 111. The composite optical element 111 is an optical element that guides the light beam from the projector 109, which has been converted into a parallel light beam by the projection lens 110, to the eyepiece lens 30. The composite optical element 111 is positioned in the optical path between the relay lens 106 and the relay lens 113 through which the parallel light beam passes. By having a relay optical system, the microscope tube assembly 100 can provide AR functionality to the microscope user.

[0054] The focal length of the relay lens 106 constituting the relay optical system may be the same as or different from the focal length of the imaging lens 101. However, it is desirable that the magnification of the relay optical system consisting of the relay lens 106 and the relay lens 113 be 1x, and therefore, it is desirable that the relay optical system forms a secondary image of the same size as the primary image.

[0055] Furthermore, in Figure 5, to simplify the drawing, only one optical path for visual observation leading to the eyepiece 30 is shown. However, as mentioned above, the microscope tube device 100 is a three-tube microscope and has two eyepieces 30, one for the left eye and one for the right eye. Although not shown in Figure 5, a light ray splitter (composed of a beam splitter using a prism, etc.) is provided between the mirror 115 and the eyepiece 30, which will be described later. This light ray splitter directs light to the left eye and the right eyepiece 30, respectively.

[0056] Furthermore, the lens barrel device 100 has a two-tiered configuration in order to efficiently utilize the extended optical path length, which is achieved by the relay optical system compared to conventional systems, within a limited space while suppressing an increase in the eye point. Specifically, the two-tiered configuration of the lens barrel device 100 is realized by comprising a first reflective optical system 102, a second reflective optical system 107, and a third reflective optical system 108. As a result, the lens barrel device 100 can keep the eye point height down without making the footpoint too large.

[0057] Furthermore, the lens barrel device 100 is equipped with the composite optical element 111 in the second layer, which is the upper layer of the two-layer structure. This allows the lens barrel device 100 to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by the projector 109, which is located near the composite optical element 111.

[0058] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the microscope tube device 100 includes an imaging lens 101 with its optical axis oriented vertically, an optical system arranged in a first layer including a first reflective optical system 102 and a second reflective optical system 107, an optical system arranged in a second layer including a third reflective optical system 108, and a mirror 115 attached to the axis of a rotating part (not shown) that rotates the eyepiece lens 30 in the tilt direction.

[0059] In the microscope tube assembly 100, the imaging lens 101 is positioned closest to the microscope body (objective lens) within the microscope tube assembly 100. This allows the microscope tube assembly 100 to efficiently capture light from the microscope body.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lens barrel device 100 includes, as an optical system arranged in the first layer, a first reflective optical system 102, a mirror 103, a field diaphragm 104, a mirror 105, a relay lens 106, and a second reflective optical system 107. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the lens barrel device 100 includes, as an optical system arranged in the second layer, a third reflective optical system 108, a projection lens 110, a composite optical element 111, a mirror 112, a relay lens 113, and a mirror 114. The projector 109 is also located in the second layer.

[0061] The first reflective optical system 102 is a beam splitter that separates the light from the imaging lens 101 into light that goes to the imaging device 40 and light that goes to the eyepiece lens 30. Planar reflection occurs in the first reflective optical system 102 in the vertical plane. Specifically, the first reflective optical system 102 reflects a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens 101 and folds it back in the first horizontal direction (Y+ direction), and also transmits a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens 101 to guide it to the imaging device 40.

[0062] The first horizontal direction is the direction from the front to the back of the microscope tube 100, where the eyepiece sleeve is located, within the front-to-back direction of the microscope system. By deflecting the light beam from the imaging lens 101 in the first horizontal direction using the first reflective optical system 102, it is possible to avoid the microscope tube 100 occupying the space on the front side where the microscope user is located.

[0063] The convergent beam, reflected by the first reflective optical system 102 and propagating through the first layer, is imaged between mirrors 103 and 105, which each produce plane reflections in the horizontal plane, and enters the relay lens 106 as a divergent beam. A field diaphragm 104, which is the first field diaphragm of the microscope barrel device 100, is provided in the primary image plane between mirrors 103 and 105, where the imaging lens 101 forms the primary image. The diameter of the field diaphragm 104 is, for example, φ22, which is standard for the field of view of a microscope.

[0064] Furthermore, mirrors 103 and 105 have a pair of reflective surfaces that cause the direction of the emitted light beam to differ by 90 degrees in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam. The pair of reflective surfaces of mirrors 103 and 105 bend the light beam traveling in the Y+ direction by 90 degrees in the horizontal plane and cause it to travel in the X+ direction.

[0065] The relay lens 106 is the first relay lens that constitutes the relay optical system provided in the lens barrel device 100, and converts the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system 102 into a parallel light beam. The parallel light beam then enters the second reflective optical system 107. Planar reflection occurs in the second reflective optical system 107 in the vertical plane. As a result, the parallel light beam is reflected in the vertically upward direction (Z+ direction) by the second reflective optical system 107 and enters the third reflective optical system 108.

[0066] In the third reflective optical system 108, plane reflection occurs in the vertical plane. As a result, the parallel light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system 107 is reflected in the third reflective optical system 108 toward the second horizontal direction (X-direction). The parallel light beam reflected in the third reflective optical system 108 is combined with the parallel light beam emitted from the projector 109 and collimated by the projection lens 110 by the composite optical element 111, and then incident on the mirror 112.

[0067] At mirror 112, plane reflection occurs within the horizontal plane. As a result, the combined parallel light beam is reflected in the Y-direction and incident on relay lens 113. Relay lens 113 is a second relay lens that constitutes the relay optical system provided in the lens barrel device 100. The parallel light beam incident on relay lens 113 is converted into a convergent light beam by relay lens 113 and then incident on mirror 114.

[0068] Mirror 114 has a reflective surface that reflects the light beam that has passed through the third reflective optical system 108 downward toward mirror 115, which is attached to the axis of the rotating part. Planar reflection occurs in the vertical plane at mirror 114 (or its reflective surface). As a result, the converged light beam is reflected toward the Z-direction and incident on mirror 115. Planar reflection also occurs in the vertical plane at mirror 115. As a result, the converged light beam is reflected toward the eyepiece lens 30.

[0069] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, within the microscope tube device 100, the light beam is first lowered by a mirror 114 located in the second layer, and then the light beam is deflected upward towards the eyepiece lens 30 by a mirror 115. This configuration allows the microscope tube device 100 to accommodate various eye points according to the microscope user by rotating the pivoting part in the tilt direction. Furthermore, the configuration in which the light beam is first lowered by the mirror 114 is also suitable for offsetting the increase in eye point caused by the two-layer configuration adopted to consume the optical path length.

[0070] The mirror 115 is a reflective member that rotates around its axis by half the amount of rotation of the rotating part. As the mirror 115 rotates by half the amount of rotation of the rotating part, the angle of incidence of light incident from mirror 114 to mirror 115 and the angle of emission of light reflected by mirror 115 each increase (or decrease) by half the amount of rotation. As a result, the light incident from mirror 114 to mirror 115 is deflected by mirror 115 by the same angle as the amount of rotation of the rotating part, so that the light beam can be guided to the eyepiece 30 regardless of the amount of rotation.

[0071] The converged light beam reflected by the mirror 115 forms an image on the object plane (secondary image plane) of the eyepiece 30 and enters the eyepiece 30 as a diverging light beam. The secondary image plane (object plane of the eyepiece 30) where the relay optical system forms the secondary image is provided with a field diaphragm 31, which is the second field diaphragm of the lens barrel device 100. The diameter of the field diaphragm 31 is, for example, φ26.5.

[0072] Furthermore, it is desirable that the image formed at the aperture of the field diaphragm 104 on the secondary image plane be smaller than the aperture of the field diaphragm 31. That is, if the magnification of the relay optical system is 1x, it is desirable that the diameter of the field diaphragm 104 be smaller than the diameter of the field diaphragm 31. By making the diameter of the field diaphragm 104 smaller than the diameter of the field diaphragm 31, a region can be created within the aperture of the field diaphragm 31 where the optical image (secondary image) is not projected. By projecting auxiliary information from the projector 109 into the region where the optical image is not projected, the auxiliary information can be displayed with high contrast without being affected by the optical image.

[0073] In the telescope tube device 100 configured as described above, as shown in Figure 8, plane reflection in the vertical plane occurs not only in the first reflective optical system 102, the second reflective optical system 107, and the third reflective optical system 108 that realize a two-layer configuration, but also in the mirrors 114 and 115 used to adjust the height of the eye point. In other words, a total of five odd-numbered plane reflections occur. This makes it possible to invert the vertical orientation of the erect image formed by the two image formations.

[0074] Furthermore, in the telescope tube device 100, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, plane reflection in the horizontal plane occurs not only at the mirrors 103 and 105 provided in the first layer, but also at the mirror 112 provided in the second layer. That is, a total of three odd-numbered plane reflections occur. This allows the left-right inversion of the erect image formed by the two image formations to be achieved.

[0075] Therefore, the microscope tube device 100 can invert the erect image formed by two imaging cycles vertically and horizontally, ultimately outputting an inverted image. Note that the number of reflections in the left and right eye optical paths (hereinafter referred to as the binocular optical path), which are not shown, is even in the horizontal direction, so reflections in the binocular optical path do not affect the orientation of the image.

[0076] Figure 9 shows an example of a configuration for consuming the optical path length within the telescope tube device. Figure 10 shows the horizontal optical path adopted by the telescope tube device 100 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the planar reflection in the horizontal plane of the telescope tube device 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0077] As described above, in the telescope tube device 100, it is desirable to efficiently consume the extended optical path length due to the introduction of the relay optical system by extending the optical path horizontally. It is also desirable to avoid an excessive increase in the footprint of the telescope tube device 100 and to avoid the telescope tube device 100 having an extremely long shape in one direction. Furthermore, the light beam reflected horizontally by the first reflective optical system 102 located above the imaging lens 101 ultimately needs to be guided to the eyepiece lens 30, which is located in front of the imaging lens 101 (Y-direction) when viewed from above.

[0078] When considering optical paths in the horizontal direction that satisfy these requirements, it is conceivable to design an optical path that combines a total of four optical paths within the horizontal plane (XY plane): a round-trip optical path in the Y direction (an optical path in the Y+ direction and an optical path in the Y- direction) and a round-trip optical path in the X direction (an optical path in the X+ direction and an optical path in the X- direction).

[0079] However, in such an optical path design, only two plane reflections occur in the horizontal plane. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, a combination of the second reflective optical system 107 and the third reflective optical system 108 is placed at one of the three connection points connecting the four optical paths. Therefore, plane reflections in the horizontal plane occur only at the mirrors 121 and 122 located at the remaining two connection points. Consequently, with a combination of four optical paths consisting of a round-trip optical path in the Y direction and a round-trip optical path in the X direction, an odd number of plane reflections do not occur, and the erect image formed by two imaging events cannot be inverted horizontally.

[0080] Therefore, the telescope tube device 100 uses a pair of reflective surfaces that cause the direction of the emitted light beam to differ by 90 degrees in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam in order to generate an odd number of plane reflections. Specifically, one of the two mirrors (mirror 121, mirror 122) shown in Figure 9, each of which causes the direction of the emitted light beam to differ by 90 degrees in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam, is replaced with the aforementioned pair of mirrors (mirror 103, mirror 105) as shown in Figure 10 to form a figure-four optical path. In other words, instead of deflecting the light beam in directions that differ by 90 degrees with one mirror, the light beam is deflected in directions that differ by 90 degrees with a pair of mirrors (a pair of reflective surfaces).

[0081] As a result, a total of five optical paths are formed: a round-trip optical path in the Y direction, a round-trip optical path in the X direction, and an oblique optical path formed between a pair of mirrors. Planar reflection can be generated at three of the four points connecting these five optical paths, excluding the one point where the second reflective optical system 107 and the third reflective optical system 108 are located.

[0082] In this way, by forming a figure-four optical path in the microscope tube device 100 using a set of reflective surfaces that cause the direction of the emitted light beam to differ by 90 degrees in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam, an odd number of planar reflections in the horizontal plane can be generated. Therefore, it is possible to invert the erect image formed by two imaging processes. Furthermore, in combination with the odd number of planar reflections in the vertical plane described above, the erect image can be converted into an inverted image and output. Thus, the microscope tube device 100 makes it possible to realize a microscope tube device with an AR display function that outputs an inverted image suitable for a biological microscope system.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, in the microscope tube device 100, it is desirable that one of the pair of reflective surfaces (mirror 103, mirror 105) is positioned in one of two regions divided by a plane containing the optical axis of the imaging lens 101 and the center line of the eyepiece lens 30 (hereinafter referred to as the central vertical plane), and at least one of the second reflective optical system 107 or the third reflective optical system 108 is positioned in the other of the two regions divided by the central vertical plane. By positioning the mirror 105 and the second reflective optical system 107 (third reflective optical system 108) in opposite regions across the central vertical plane, it becomes possible to position the eyepiece sleeve near the center of the microscope tube device 100 compared to the case shown in Figure 9. Note that the center line of the eyepiece lens 30 is the optical axis of the eyepiece lens 30 if the eyepiece lens 30 is monocular, and the midpoint line drawn between the optical axes of the left and right eyepiece lenses 30 if the eyepiece lens 30 is binocular.

[0084] Furthermore, while Porro prisms are well-known as optical systems for inverting images, the optical system included in the telescope tube device 100 can be configured more compactly than an optical system using Porro prisms. This is because, in a Porro prism, the direction of the incident and outgoing light beams is the same. Therefore, for example, if a Porro prism is positioned so that the directions of the incident and outgoing light beams are vertical, it becomes difficult to control the eye point.

[0085] Figures 11 to 13 show examples of images observed through the eyepiece 30 in this embodiment. The field of view FS1 shown in Figures 11 to 13 is the image of the aperture of the field diaphragm 104 formed on the secondary image plane, and represents the field of view limited by the field diaphragm 104 located on the primary image plane. The field of view FS2 is the aperture of the field diaphragm 31 formed on the secondary image plane, and represents the field of view limited by the field diaphragm 31 located on the secondary image plane.

[0086] Figure 11 shows an example of an image observed via the eyepiece 30 when the projector 109 is powered off. When the projector 109 is powered off, only the optical image S10 of the specimen S is projected into the field of view FS1 of the secondary image plane.

[0087] Figure 12 shows an example of an image observed via the eyepiece 30 when the projector 109 is powered on. When the projector 109 is powered on, in addition to the optical image S10, analysis information S11 generated by analyzing the image acquired by the imaging device 40 is projected onto the secondary image plane as auxiliary information. In this example, the analysis information S11 is information for marking cell nuclei. The analysis information S11 is generated, for example, by the control device 50 analyzing the image acquired by the imaging device 40 using a trained model that has been previously trained by machine learning to detect cell nuclei in the image.

[0088] Figure 13 shows another example of an image observed via the eyepiece 30 when the power of the projector 109 is ON. Figure 12 shows that the auxiliary information is information obtained by analyzing an image acquired by the imaging device 40, but the auxiliary information is not limited to information obtained by analyzing an image acquired by the imaging device 40. For example, it may include setting information of the microscope system. Figure 13 shows how the setting information S12 is projected onto the secondary image plane in addition to the analysis information S11. It is desirable that the setting information S12 be projected outside the field of view FS1 and inside the field of view FS2. Since no optical image is projected in this area, the background is black, and the setting information S12 can be displayed with good contrast.

[0089] In this embodiment, the case where the aperture shape of the field diaphragm 104 is circular was described as an example, but the aperture shape is not limited to a circle. Field diaphragms with different aperture shapes may be used depending on the application. For example, a microscope user may select any field diaphragm from a plurality of field diaphragms with different aperture shapes or sizes fixed to a slider and place it on the optical path.

[0090] Figure 14 shows an example of an image observed through the eyepiece 30 in a modified example. Figure 14 shows an example in which a rectangular field diaphragm is placed in the optical path instead of the field diaphragm 104. Note that the field of view FS1a shown in Figure 14 is the image of the opening of the rectangular field diaphragm formed on the secondary image plane, and shows the field of view limited by the field diaphragm placed on the primary image plane.

[0091] Figure 14 shows how a relatively wide area is secured outside the field of view FS1a and inside the field of view FS2, and how the setting information S12 and GUI information S13 are projected onto this area. In this way, by changing the field aperture according to the auxiliary information projected onto the secondary image plane, it may be easier for the microscope user to grasp the auxiliary information.

[0092] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the optical path switching mechanism 130. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first reflective optical system 102 is fixed on the optical path, but the first reflective optical system 102 may be housed in the optical path switching mechanism 130 as shown in Figure 15. The optical path switching mechanism 130 houses a plurality of optical elements (optical elements 132, 133, and 134) fixed on a slider 131, and selectively places one of these optical elements at the position where the optical path to the eyepiece 30 and the optical path to the imaging device 40 intersect. One of these optical elements may be the first reflective optical system 102. Specific examples of optical elements 132, 133, and 134 will now be described. Optical element 134 is a half-prism that allows simultaneous observation with the eyepiece 30 and imaging with the imaging device 40. Optical element 133 is a prism through which light rays are transmitted only to the imaging device 40. The optical element 132 is a prism that directs light rays only towards the eyepiece 30.

[0093] (Second embodiment) Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the telescope tube device 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 17 is a top view showing the configuration of the first floor portion of the telescope tube device 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 18 is a top view showing the configuration of the second floor portion of the telescope tube device 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 19 is a side view showing the configuration of the telescope tube device 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 20 is a diagram showing the horizontal optical path adopted by the telescope tube device according to this embodiment. The configuration of the telescope tube device 200 will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 20.

[0094] The microscope tube assembly 200 is a microscope tube assembly that can be attached to the microscope body and is an inverted image microscope tube assembly that forms an inverted image used in pathological diagnosis and other applications. Furthermore, the microscope tube assembly 200 is a three-lens microscope tube to which the eyepiece 30 and imaging device 40 are mounted. In this respect, it is the same as the microscope tube assembly 100.

[0095] The lens barrel device 200 is similar to the lens barrel device 100 in that it is equipped with a relay optical system (relay lens 207, relay lens 213), achieves a two-layer configuration using a first reflective optical system 202, a second reflective optical system 208, and a third reflective optical system 209, and has a composite optical element 212 placed in the second layer.

[0096] As shown in Figure 16, the microscope tube device 200 includes an imaging lens 201 with its optical axis oriented vertically, an optical system arranged in a first layer including a first reflective optical system 202 and a second reflective optical system 208, an optical system arranged in a second layer including a third reflective optical system 209, and a mirror 215 attached to the axis of a rotating part (not shown) that rotates the eyepiece lens 30 in the tilt direction.

[0097] In the microscope tube assembly 200, the imaging lens 201 is positioned closest to the microscope body within the microscope tube assembly 200. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the microscope tube assembly 200 includes, as an optical system arranged in the first layer, a first reflective optical system 202, a mirror 203, a mirror 204, a field diaphragm 205, a mirror 206, a relay lens 207, and a second reflective optical system 208. Also, as shown in Figures 16 and 18, the microscope tube assembly 200 includes, as an optical system arranged in the second layer, a third reflective optical system 209, a projection lens 211, a composite optical element 212, a relay lens 213, and a mirror 214. The projector 210 is also located in the second layer.

[0098] In the telescope tube device 200, as shown in Figures 16 and 19, plane reflection in the vertical plane occurs not only in the first reflective optical system 202, the second reflective optical system 208, and the third reflective optical system 209 that realize a two-layer configuration, but also in mirrors 214 and 215 for adjusting the height of the eye point. In other words, a total of five odd-numbered plane reflections occur. This makes it possible to invert the vertical orientation of the erect image formed by two imaging events. This point is the same as in the telescope tube device 100.

[0099] Furthermore, in the telescope tube device 200, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, plane reflection in the horizontal plane occurs at mirrors 203, 204, and 206, which are located in the first layer. That is, a total of three odd-numbered plane reflections occur. This allows the left and right of the erect image formed by the two imaging events to be inverted. Therefore, the telescope tube device 200 can invert the erect image formed by the two imaging events both vertically and horizontally, ultimately outputting an inverted image. This is the same as the telescope tube device 100.

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, the telescope tube device 200 uses a pair of reflective surfaces of mirrors 203 and 204 to form a figure-four optical path (in Figure 20, an optical path with the left and right sides of the figure-four reversed), thereby generating an odd number of planar reflections in the horizontal plane, similar to the telescope tube device 100. However, the telescope tube device 200 differs from the telescope tube device 100 in that planar reflections in the horizontal plane occur only in the first layer and not in the second layer.

[0101] The same effects as those of the telescope tube device 100 can be obtained with the telescope tube device 200 configured as described above.

[0102] (Third embodiment) Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device 300 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the lens barrel device 300 will be described with reference to Figure 21.

[0103] The microscope tube assembly 300 is a microscope tube assembly that can be attached to the microscope body and is an inverted image microscope tube assembly that forms an inverted image used in pathological diagnosis and other applications. Furthermore, the microscope tube assembly 300 is a three-lens microscope tube to which the eyepiece 30 and imaging device 40 are mounted. In this respect, it is the same as the microscope tube assembly 100 and the microscope tube assembly 200.

[0104] The lens barrel device 300 is similar to the lens barrel device 100 and the lens barrel device 200 in that it is equipped with a relay optical system (relay lens 307, relay lens 312), achieves a two-layer configuration using a first reflective optical system 302, a second reflective optical system 304, and a third reflective optical system 306, and has a composite optical element 311 placed in the second layer.

[0105] As shown in Figure 21, the microscope tube device 300 includes an imaging lens 301 with its optical axis oriented vertically, an optical system arranged in a first layer including a first reflective optical system 302 and a second reflective optical system 304, an optical system arranged in a second layer including a third reflective optical system 306, and a mirror 314 attached to the axis of a rotating part (not shown) that rotates the eyepiece lens 30 in the tilt direction.

[0106] In the microscope tube assembly 300, the imaging lens 301 is positioned closest to the microscope body within the microscope tube assembly 300. The microscope tube assembly 300 also includes, as an optical system arranged in the first layer, a first reflective optical system 302, a mirror 303, and a second reflective optical system 304. The microscope tube assembly 300 also includes, as an optical system arranged in the second layer, a third reflective optical system 306, a relay lens 307, a mirror 308, a projection lens 310, a composite optical element 311, a relay lens 312, and a mirror 313. The projector 309 is also located in the second layer. The field diaphragm 305 is located between the first and second layers.

[0107] In the telescope tube assembly 300, plane reflection in the vertical plane occurs not only in the first reflective optical system 302, the second reflective optical system 304, and the third reflective optical system 306, which realize a two-layer configuration, but also in mirrors 313 and 314, which are used to adjust the height of the eye point. In other words, a total of five odd-numbered plane reflections occur. This allows the upright image formed by the two image formations to be inverted vertically. This is the same as in the telescope tube assembly 100 and the telescope tube assembly 200.

[0108] Furthermore, in the telescope tube device 300, planar reflection within the horizontal plane occurs with the mirror 303 provided in the first layer, and with the mirror 308 and composite optical element 311 provided in the second layer. In other words, a total of three odd-numbered planar reflections occur. This allows the left and right of the erect image formed by the two imaging events to be inverted. Therefore, the telescope tube device 300 can invert the erect image formed by the two imaging events both vertically and horizontally, ultimately outputting an inverted image. This is the same as in the telescope tube devices 100 and 200.

[0109] Furthermore, the lens barrel device 300 is similar to the lens barrel devices 100 and 200 in that it uses a pair of reflective surfaces to form a figure-four optical path, thereby generating an odd number of plane reflections in the horizontal plane. However, the lens barrel device 300 differs from the lens barrel devices 100 and 200 in that the pair of reflective surfaces consists of a mirror 308 located in the second layer and a reflective surface of the composite optical element 311. In other words, the lens barrel device 300 differs from the lens barrel devices 100 and 200 in that the pair of reflective surfaces is located in the second layer, and one of the reflective surfaces is provided on the composite optical element 311.

[0110] The same effects as those of the lens barrel device 100 and lens barrel device 200 can be obtained with the lens barrel device 300 configured as described above. Furthermore, with the lens barrel device 300, by providing one of the pair of reflective surfaces on the composite optical element 311, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the lens barrel device 100 and lens barrel device 200.

[0111] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 22 is a side view showing the configuration of the lens barrel device 400 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the lens barrel device 400 will be described with reference to Figure 22.

[0112] The microscope tube assembly 400 is a microscope tube assembly that can be attached to the microscope body and is an erect-image microscope tube assembly that forms an erect image for industrial use. In this respect, it differs from microscope tube assembly 100 to 300. Also, the microscope tube assembly 400 is a three-lens microscope tube to which the eyepiece 30 and imaging device 40 are attached. In this respect, it is the same as microscope tube assembly 100 to 300.

[0113] The lens barrel device 400 is similar to the lens barrel devices 100 to 300 in that it is equipped with a relay optical system (relay lens 407, relay lens 411), achieves a two-layer configuration using a first reflective optical system 402, a second reflective optical system 403, and a third reflective optical system 406, and has a composite optical element 410 placed in the second layer.

[0114] As shown in Figure 22, the microscope tube device 400 includes an imaging lens 401 with its optical axis oriented vertically, an optical system arranged in a first layer including a first reflective optical system 402 and a second reflective optical system 403, an optical system arranged in a second layer including a third reflective optical system 406, and a mirror 412 attached to the axis of a rotating part (not shown) that rotates the eyepiece lens 30 in the tilt direction.

[0115] In the microscope tube assembly 400, the imaging lens 401 is positioned closest to the microscope body within the microscope tube assembly 400. The microscope tube assembly 400 also includes a first reflective optical system 402 and a second reflective optical system 403 as optical systems arranged in the first layer. The microscope tube assembly 400 also includes a third reflective optical system 406, a relay lens 407, and a composite optical element 410 as optical systems arranged in the second layer. The relay lens 411 is located between the composite optical element 410 and the mirror 412. The field diaphragm 404 is located between the first and second layers.

[0116] The projector 408 and projection lens 409 are positioned above the composite optical element 410, which is located in the second layer. In this respect, the lens barrel 400 differs from the lens barrels 100 through 300. However, the configuration in which the projector 408 is positioned above the second layer allows for efficient heat dissipation from the projector 408, similar to the configuration in which it is positioned in the second layer.

[0117] In the telescope tube device 400, no planar reflection occurs in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the telescope tube device 400 does not invert the left and right orientation of the erect image formed by the two imaging processes. Furthermore, in the telescope tube device 400, planar reflection occurs in the vertical plane not only in the first reflective optical system 402, the second reflective optical system 403, and the third reflective optical system 406 that realize a two-layer configuration, but also in the mirror 405 which has a pair of reflective surfaces together with the third reflective optical system 406, and in the composite optical element 410 and mirror 412 for adjusting the height of the eye point. In other words, a total of six even-numbered planar reflections occur. Therefore, the telescope tube device 400 does not invert the up and down orientation of the erect image formed by the two imaging processes. Consequently, the telescope tube device 400 does not invert the up and down or left and right orientation of the erect image formed by the two imaging processes, and can ultimately output an erect image.

[0118] With the lens barrel device 400 configured as described above, it is possible to provide an AR display function while maintaining high ergonomics, similar to lens barrel devices 100 to 300, even though it is configured as an erect image lens barrel. Furthermore, with lens barrel device 400, by utilizing the composite optical element 311 for planar reflection in the horizontal plane and providing one of the pair of reflective surfaces in the third reflective optical system 406, the number of parts can be reduced compared to lens barrel devices 100 to 300.

[0119] The embodiments described above are specific examples provided to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modified forms of the embodiments described above and alternative forms that replace the embodiments described above may be included. In other words, the components of the embodiments can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, new embodiments can be implemented by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in one or more embodiments. In addition, some components may be deleted from the components shown in each embodiment, or some components may be added to the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, the processing procedures shown in each embodiment may be performed in a different order as long as they do not contradict each other. That is to say, the lens barrel device of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0120] For example, the microscope tube device according to the above embodiment may be attached to the microscope system 2 shown in Figure 23 instead of the microscope system 1. Figure 23 is a diagram showing the configuration of a microscope system according to another embodiment.

[0121] The microscope system 2 shown in Figure 23 differs from the microscope system 1 in that it is equipped with a barcode reader 60. Other aspects are the same as the microscope system 1. Pathological specimens often have barcodes attached to identify the specimen's information (e.g., the site from which the specimen was collected, the patient's age, staining conditions). Using the microscope system 2, the barcode reader 60 can be used to read the barcode attached to the specimen S, and information about the specimen S can be obtained from an external system connected to the microscope system 2. Furthermore, the obtained information can be projected onto the image plane as auxiliary information, as shown in Figure 24.

[0122] Figure 24 shows an example of an image observed through the eyepiece in the microscope system shown in Figure 23. In Figure 24, in addition to the analysis information S11 obtained by analyzing the image acquired by the imaging device 40 and the setting information S12 of the microscope system 2, information about the specimen S (specimen information S14, specimen information S15, specimen information S16) is shown projected onto the secondary image plane. Specimen information S14 is the ID of the patient from whom specimen S was taken and the information of the site from which it was taken. Specimen information S15 and specimen information S16 are the age and sex of the patient from whom specimen S was taken. It is desirable that this specimen information be projected outside the field of view FS1 and inside the field of view FS2, similar to the setting information S12. Since no optical image is projected in this area, the background is black, and the setting information S12 can be displayed with good contrast.

[0123] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment of the microscope tube device was explained as having a binocular eyepiece, that is, an eyepiece lens for the right eye and an eyepiece lens for the left eye, the eyepiece of the microscope tube device may also be monocular. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1, 2: Microscope system, 10: Microscope body, 11: Stage, 12: Lamp housing, 13: Light source, 14: Revolving nosepiece, 15: Objective lens, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400: Microscope tube assembly, 21: Eyepiece sleeve, 22: Rotating part, 23, 109, 210, 309, 408: Projector, 24, 101, 201, 301, 401: Imaging lens, 25: Splitter, 26: Relay optical system, 26a, 26b, 106, 113, 207, 213, 307, 312, 407, 41 1: Relay lens, 27, 110, 211, 310, 409: Projection lens, 28: Half mirror, 30: Eyepiece, 31, 104, 205, 305, 404: Field diaphragm, 40: Imaging device, 41: Image sensor, 50: Control device, 60: Barcode reader, 102, 202, 302, 402, M1: First reflective optical system, 103, 105, 112, 114, 115, 121, 122, 203, 204, 206, 214, 215, 303, 308, 313, 314, 412 :Mirror, 107, 208, 304, 403, M2:Second reflective optical system, 108, 209, 306, 406, M3:Third reflective optical system, 111, 212, 311, 410, M4:Composite optical element, 130:Optical path switching mechanism, 131:Slider, 132, 133, 134:Optical element, FS1, FS1a, FS2:Field of view, P1:Primary image plane, P2:Secondary image plane, S:Sample, S0:Image, S1:Erected image, S10:Optical image, S11:Analysis information, S12:Setting information, S13:GUI information, S14, S15, S16:Sample information, S2:Inverted image, S3, S4:Mirror image

Claims

1. A microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, An eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached, An imaging lens into which the light beam from the microscope body to which the aforementioned lens barrel device is attached is incident, A relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens mounted in the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image, A first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, A second reflective optical system is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is positioned, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction. A third reflective optical system is arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction, An additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece, An optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece, A pair of reflective surfaces arranged on the first horizontal plane or the second horizontal plane, which reflect a light beam traveling in the horizontal direction, wherein the pair of reflective surfaces cause the direction of the emitted light beam to be 90 degrees different in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam, One of the pair of reflective surfaces is positioned in one of two regions separated by a plane containing the optical axis of the imaging lens and the center line of the eyepiece lens. At least one of the second or third reflective optical system is positioned in the other of the two regions separated by the plane containing the optical axis of the imaging lens and the center line of the eyepiece lens. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

2. In the lens barrel device according to claim 1, The aforementioned pair of reflective surfaces are arranged on the second horizontal plane, One of the pair of reflective surfaces is provided on the optical element. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

3. A microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, An eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached, An imaging lens into which the light beam from the microscope body to which the aforementioned lens barrel device is attached is incident, A relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens mounted in the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image, A first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, A second reflective optical system is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is positioned, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction. A third reflective optical system is arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction, An additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece, The system comprises an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece, The aforementioned microscope tube device is a three-tube microscope unit to which an imaging device is mounted, and further, The first reflective optical system is a beam splitter that reflects a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, and transmits a portion of the light beam from the imaging lens to guide it to the imaging device. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

4. In the lens barrel device according to claim 3, The first horizontal direction is the direction from the front of the telescope tube device, where the eyepiece sleeve is provided, to the back of the telescope tube device. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

5. In the lens barrel device according to claim 3 or claim 4, further, The device includes an optical path switching mechanism that accommodates multiple optical elements and selectively positions one of the multiple optical elements at the point where the optical path leading to the eyepiece and the optical path leading to the imaging device intersect. The plurality of optical elements include the first reflective optical system. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

6. A microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, An eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached, An imaging lens into which the light beam from the microscope body to which the aforementioned lens barrel device is attached is incident, A relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens mounted in the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image, A first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, A second reflective optical system is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is positioned, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction. A third reflective optical system is arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction, An additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece, An optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece, The eyepiece sleeve is provided on a rotating part that rotates in the tilting direction around a horizontal axis, The rotating part comprises a reflective member attached to the shaft of the rotating part, which rotates around the shaft by half the amount of rotation of the rotating part. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

7. In the lens barrel device according to claim 6, further, It comprises a reflective surface positioned on the second horizontal plane, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the third reflective optical system downward toward the reflective member. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

8. In the lens barrel device according to claim 7, The reflective surface is provided on the optical element. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

9. A microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, An eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached, An imaging lens into which the light beam from the microscope body to which the aforementioned lens barrel device is attached is incident, A relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens mounted in the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image, A first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, A second reflective optical system is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is positioned, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction. A third reflective optical system is arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction, An additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece, The system comprises an optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece, The relay optical system is A first relay lens that converts the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system into a parallel light beam, The system includes a second relay lens into which the parallel light beam is incident, The optical element is arranged on the optical path between the first relay lens and the second relay lens. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

10. A microscope tube device that can be attached to the main body of a microscope, An eyepiece sleeve to which an eyepiece lens can be attached, An imaging lens into which the light beam from the microscope body to which the aforementioned lens barrel device is attached is incident, A relay optical system that relays the primary image formed by the imaging lens to the object surface of the eyepiece lens mounted in the eyepiece sleeve to form a secondary image, A first reflective optical system that reflects the light beam from the imaging lens and folds it back in the first horizontal direction, A second reflective optical system is arranged on a first horizontal plane on which the first reflective optical system is positioned, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the first reflective optical system and folds it back in a vertically upward direction. A third reflective optical system is arranged on a second horizontal plane different from the first horizontal plane, and reflects the light beam that has passed through the second reflective optical system and folds it back in the second horizontal direction, An additional optical system through which a light beam passes to form an image separate from the secondary image on the object surface of the eyepiece, An optical element arranged on the second horizontal plane, which guides the light beam from the additional optical system to the optical path leading to the object surface of the eyepiece, The imaging lens is positioned on the primary image plane that forms the primary image, and the first field aperture is located there. The relay optical system comprises a second field aperture positioned on the secondary image plane that forms the secondary image, The image of the aperture of the first field diaphragm formed on the secondary image plane is smaller than the image of the aperture of the second field diaphragm. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

11. In the lens barrel device according to claim 3, claim 6, claim 9, or claim 10, further, A pair of reflective surfaces arranged on a vertical plane perpendicular to the first horizontal plane, which reflects a light beam traveling in the vertical direction, wherein the pair of reflective surfaces causes the direction of the emitted light beam to be 90 degrees different in the vertical plane from the direction of the incident light beam. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

12. In the lens barrel device according to claim 11, One of the pair of reflective surfaces is provided in the first reflective optical system, the second reflective optical system, or the third reflective optical system. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

13. In the lens barrel device according to claim 3, claim 6, claim 9, or claim 10, further, A pair of reflective surfaces arranged on the first or second horizontal plane, which reflect a light beam traveling in the horizontal direction, wherein the pair of reflective surfaces causes the direction of the emitted light beam to be 90 degrees different in the horizontal plane from the direction of the incident light beam. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

14. In the lens barrel device according to claim 13, further, The aforementioned pair of reflective surfaces cause the direction of the emitted light beam to be 90 degrees different from the direction of the incident light beam, in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane within the horizontal plane. A microscope tube device characterized by the following features.

Images