Imaging system and microscope with interchangeable parts

Abstract

To provide a microscope equipped with an exchange device that enables the number of calibration processes to be reduced. The imaging system (100) includes an exchange device (102) having an exchange holder (108) that houses an optical element (106) and thereby positions it in an optical beam path (104) of the imaging system, and an access element (112) that has an open state and a closed state and allows access to the optical element housed in the exchange holder in the open state. The exchange device includes a bistable element (114) that has a first stable state and a second stable state, transitioning from the first stable state to the second stable state when the access element is open and remaining in the second stable state when the access element is closed. A control unit determines whether the first stable state or the second stable state is in place, and, if the second stable state is in place, determines that the access element has been opened and that access to the optical element housed in the exchange holder is enabled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging system provided with an exchange device. The present invention further relates to a microscope.

Background Art

[0002] Many microscopes include interchangeable optical elements, such as objective lenses and eyepieces, although filters or beam splitters may also be interchangeable. After the exchange of an optical element, particularly when the interchangeable optical element is exactly part of the optical beam path of the microscope, calibration of the microscope is often required. However, calibrating a microscope can be an extremely time-consuming process, and this process significantly reduces the time during which the microscope can be used for experiments. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid unnecessary calibration processes as much as possible.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system provided with an exchange device and a microscope that enable reduction in the number of calibration processes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This problem is solved by an imaging system having the features of claim 1 and a microscope having the features of another independent claim. Advantageous developments are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0005] The proposed imaging system includes an exchange device. This exchange device includes an exchange holder configured to house at least one optical element and thereby position it in the optical beam path of the imaging system, and an access element having an open state and a closed state, and configured to allow access to the optical element housed in the exchange holder when the open state is reached. The exchange device further includes a bistable element having a first stable state and a second stable state, and configured to transition from the first stable state to the second stable state when the access element is opened, and to remain in the second stable state when the access element is closed. The imaging system further includes a control unit configured to determine whether the bistable element is in the first stable state or the second stable state, and to determine that when the bistable element is in the second stable state, the access element has been opened, and thus access to the optical element housed in the exchange holder has been made possible.

[0006] The interchangeable holder allows optical elements to be placed in the optical beam path of the imaging system. For example, to detect only a specific wavelength range with the detector, a filter or filter cube can be placed in the beam path before the detector of the imaging system.

[0007] The access element is, for example, part of the imaging system housing, including at least a replacement holder. In the closed state, the access element prevents access to the replacement holder and the optical elements placed therein, so that the optical elements cannot be removed from the replacement holder, for example, while the imaging system is operating. What this access element prevents, especially in the closed state, is that the position of the optical elements may be changed, which would necessitate calibration of the imaging system. In contrast, in the open state, the access element allows access to the optical elements, for example, that these optical elements can be replaced with other optical elements. If the access element is opened, that is, if it has been opened at least once, the optical elements may have been removed, replaced, or repositioned. However, if the access element is opened after calibration of the imaging system has been performed, this sometimes means that a new calibration is necessary.

[0008] When the imaging system is operating, it is possible to determine when an access element will be released by, for example, reading the sensor in the area of ​​the access element. However, this is often impossible when the imaging system is switched off.

[0009] Therefore, the proposed imaging system exchange device includes a bistable element. When the access element is released, the bistable element transitions from a first stable state to a second stable state and remains in the second stable state. This recognition that the access element has been released functions in the switched-off state of the imaging system and is therefore a power-free "state memory".

[0010] A bistable element that is in a second stable state after being released must then be returned to its original first stable state. This may be done manually, for example, by the user.

[0011] When the access element is released while the imaging system is switched off, the control unit can identify this based on the state of the bistable element. This ensures that the exchange device can reliably determine whether the access element was released and, consequently, whether access to the optical element placed in the exchange holder was possible. Therefore, new calibration is often only required when the optical element may have been removed, replaced, or repositioned, thus reducing the number of calibration processes and increasing the operating time of the imaging system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whether the bistable element is in a first stable state or a second stable state when the imaging system is switched on. The control unit is further configured to determine that, if the bistable element is in the second stable state, the access element was opened when the imaging system was switched off, thereby allowing access to the optical element housed in the exchange holder. If the access element was opened when the imaging system was switched off, the bistable element has transitioned from the first stable state to the second stable state. If the bistable element is in the second stable state when switched on, the access element was open when the imaging system was switched off, allowing access to the optical element. Based on this information, the control unit can, for example, initiate a new calibration or inform the user that a new calibration of the imaging system is required before starting an experiment. This ensures that the measurement results obtained in the experiment are accurate, by minimizing the risk of errors that may occur due to incorrect calibration.

[0013] In another embodiment, the exchange device includes a first sensor configured to determine whether the bistable element is in a first stable state or a second stable state. A control unit may be configured to use first sensor data supplied by the first sensor to determine whether the bistable element is in a first stable state or a second stable state. Thus, the control unit can use the first sensor to reliably determine whether the access element has been released.

[0014] In another embodiment, the exchange device includes a second sensor configured to determine whether an access element is open or closed. A control unit may be configured to use second sensor data supplied by the second sensor to determine whether the access element is open or closed. Thus, the control unit can reliably determine whether access to the optical element is currently possible using the second sensor. For example, if a user opens an access element while the imaging system is operating, i.e., when the imaging system is switched on, the control unit can use the second sensor to detect this and, for example, instruct the system to output a warning. This prevents, for example, a user from inadvertently changing the position of an optical element placed in the exchange holder, which could necessitate a new calibration.

[0015] The first sensor and / or the second sensor may be, for example, one of the following sensor types: sensing device, light barrier, Hall sensor, inductive proximity switch, and capacitive proximity switch.

[0016] In another embodiment, the imaging system includes an output unit. The control unit may be configured to drive the output unit to output a corresponding warning when the control unit determines that an access element has been opened. The output unit may include, for example, a display, a warning lamp, or other optical output element. However, the output unit may also include an acoustic output element, such as a speaker or buzzer. Through this output unit, the control unit can inform the user that an access element has been released and, consequently, that access to the optical element housed in the replacement holder is possible. The control unit may also inform the user that, for example, a new calibration is required, which can be initiated manually by the user. The control unit may further be configured to drive the output unit to output a corresponding warning when the control unit determines that an access element is currently in an open state.

[0017] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to initiate a calibration process for the imaging system when it determines that an access element has been released. When an access element is released, a new calibration is required. In this embodiment, the imaging system is actively activated to initiate the calibration process required for the new calibration. The calibration process can be automatically initiated by the control unit. The control unit may also be configured to initiate the calibration process for the imaging system only after confirmation by the user. User confirmation may be, for example, user input to the input unit of the imaging system. This informs the user that a new calibration is required, but allows the user to choose whether to perform the calibration process now or at a later time.

[0018] In another embodiment, the access element includes a drawer or a swivel drawer. The drawer or swivel drawer may, for example, be configured as part of the imaging system housing, enabling easy and quick access to the exchange device and the optical elements located in the exchange device.

[0019] In another embodiment, the drawer or swivel drawer includes an interchangeable holder. If the drawer or swivel drawer is configured, for example, as part of the housing of the imaging system, in this embodiment the interchangeable holder can be pulled out at least partially from the housing, thereby allowing easy and quick access to the optical elements located in the interchangeable holder.

[0020] In another embodiment, the access element includes a flap on the imaging system housing. In this embodiment, the replacement holder is fixedly positioned within the housing, for example. By opening the flap, the replacement holder does not move. This minimizes the risk that the position of the optical element placed in the replacement holder will be altered, requiring readjustment. The flap also allows the housing to be closed, preventing scattered light from reaching the optical beam path where the optical element is located.

[0021] In another embodiment, the bistable element includes a mechanical follower which, when the access element is opened, is moved from a first position to a second position by mechanical contact with the access element, and remains in the second position when the access element is closed, so that the first stable state corresponds to the first position of the follower and the second stable state corresponds to the second position of the follower. In such an embodiment, the access element includes or forms a follower so that when the access element moves, the follower of the bistable element moves. The position of the follower can be detected, for example, by a first sensor. The follower may include, for example, a linearly supported or a swivelable disk. After the control unit determines that the follower is in the second position, the follower can be brought back to the first position, for example, by motor drive or manually by the user. The follower is moved to the second position purely by mechanical contact with the access element. This eliminates the need to supply, for example, electrical energy to the bistable element to determine whether the access element has been released. Unlike, for example, sensing devices or other sensors, the bistable element can also be used to determine whether the access element has been released, particularly when the imaging system is switched off.

[0022] In another embodiment, the bistable element includes a bistable solenoid. A first stable state may correspond to a first position of the solenoid's armature. A second stable state may correspond to a second position of the solenoid's armature. In this embodiment, the solenoid's armature forms a mechanical follower. The position of the armature can also be detected, for example, by a first sensor. A control unit may be configured to drive and control the solenoid so that the armature is brought back to the first position. Alternatively, the armature can be brought back to the first position using a motor or manually by the user. In this embodiment as well, it is not necessary for the imaging system to be switched on in order to detect whether or not the access element has been opened.

[0023] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to drive and control the bistable element to return the bistable element to the first stable state.

[0024] For example, the control unit may be configured to drive and control the bistable element after the calibration process to return the bistable element to the first stable state. In order to return the bistable element to the first stable state, the control unit can control, for example, a motor that returns a mechanical follower of the bistable element to the first position. The control unit may also be configured to drive and control a solenoid so that the armature is pulled back to the first position. By automatically returning the bistable element to the first state, it is no longer necessary to manually reset the bistable element in order to detect a new opening of the access element. The imaging system is thereby extremely easy to handle.

[0025] In another embodiment, the exchange holder is configured to accommodate at least one of the following optical elements: a filter, a filter cube, a fluorescence filter, a beam splitter, a lens, a lens element, and an aperture stop. The above-mentioned optical elements are often used in various types of imaging systems. The imaging system is thereby usable in many aspects.

[0026] The present invention further relates to a microscope including the imaging system described above and provided with an exchange device. This microscope has the same advantages as the imaging system. In particular, the microscope can be developed by the features described in relation to the imaging system herein. Furthermore, the imaging system described above can be developed by the features described in relation to the microscope herein.

[0027] Brief Description of the Drawings Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. is a diagram showing an imaging system provided with an exchange device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2a] This diagram schematically shows an imaging system exchange device according to another embodiment. [Figure 2b] This is another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to another embodiment. [Figure 2c] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to another embodiment. [Figure 2d] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to another embodiment. [Figure 3a] This figure schematically shows an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 3b] This is another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 3c] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 3d] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 4a] This figure schematically shows an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 4b] This is another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 4c] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 4d] This is yet another diagram schematically showing an imaging system exchange device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing a microscope according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for operating the imaging system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an imaging system 100 equipped with a replacement device 102 according to one embodiment. The imaging system 100 is part of, for example, a microscope, a sample stage scanner (also called a slide scanner), a spectrometer or other optical device, and includes at least one optical beam path 104.

[0030] The imaging system 100 has an interchangeable device 102, which is configured to introduce at least one interchangeable optical element 106 into the optical beam path 104. The interchangeable optical element 106 may be, for example, a filter, a filter cube, a beam splitter, a lens, a lens element, an aperture diaphragm, or a similar optical element. In Figure 1, the optical element 106 is shown simply as a lens for illustrative purposes. The interchangeable device 102 includes an interchangeable holder 108 in which the optical element 106 can be placed. When the optical element 106 is housed in the interchangeable holder 108, the optical element 106 can be introduced into the optical beam path 104 of the imaging system 100, as shown in Figure 1.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the optical beam path 104 is located within the housing 110 of the imaging system 100. To enable access to the replacement holder 108 and, consequently, the optical element 106, the replacement device 102 includes an access element. The access element has an open state that allows access to the replacement holder 108 and the optical element 106 located in this replacement holder. When the access element is open, for example, the optical element 106 can be removed from the replacement holder 108 or replaced with another optical element 106. The access element 112 further has a closed state that prevents access to the replacement holder 108 and the optical element 106 located therein. For example, the access element 112 can be closed to ensure reliable operation of the imaging system 100.

[0032] The exchange device 102 further includes a bistable element 114 having a first stable state and a second stable state. When the bistable element 114 is in the first stable state, it can only transition to the second stable state by the act of an external force. Conversely, the bistable element 114 can only be returned to the first stable state by the act of an external force. In the exchange device 102, the bistable element 114 is arranged and configured to transition from the first stable state to the second stable state by the opening of the access element 112, for example, by mechanical contact with the access element 112. The bistable element 114 is further configured to remain in the second stable state when the access element 112 is closed.

[0033] The exchange device 102 further includes a first sensor 116 located on the bistable element in Figure 1, and a second sensor 118 located to the left of the access element 112 in Figure 1. The first sensor 116 is configured to determine the state of the bistable element 114, i.e., whether the bistable element 114 is in a first stable state or a second stable state. The result of this determination can be supplied by the first sensor 116, for example, in the form of first sensor data. The second sensor 118 is configured to determine the state of the access element 112, i.e., whether the access element 112 is currently open or closed. The result of this determination can be supplied by the second sensor 118, for example, in the form of second sensor data.

[0034] The control unit 120 of the imaging system 100 is configured to determine whether the access element 112 has been released, and consequently whether access to the optical element 106 located in the replacement holder 108 was possible. To this end, the control unit 120 first determines whether the bistable element 114 is in a first stable state or a second stable state. For this purpose, the control unit 120 processes, for example, first sensor data. If the control unit 120 determines that the bistable element 114 is in a second stable state, the control unit 120 determines that the access element 112 has been released. This determination may be made at various points in time during the operation of the imaging system 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 120 determines the state of the bistable element 114 when the imaging system 100 is switched on. When the control unit 120 determines that the bistable element 114 is in a second stable state when the switch is turned on, the control unit 120 determines that the access element 112 is open when the switch is off. This means that access to the optical element 106 was possible while the imaging system 100 was switched off.

[0035] If the control unit 120 determines that the access element 112 has been released, the control unit 120 can take a series of actions. In this case, since access to the optical element 106 located in the replacement holder 108 was possible, the position of the optical element 106 may be changed or the optical element 106 may be removed, and consequently, the previously performed calibration of the imaging system 100 may have to be redone. In one embodiment, if the control unit 120 determines that access to the optical element 106 located in the replacement holder 108 was possible, the control unit 120 automatically starts a new calibration. In another embodiment, the control unit 120 starts a new calibration only after confirmation by the user. After the calibration is performed, the control unit 120 can drive the bistable element 114, thereby returning the bistable element 114 to its original first state.

[0036] The embodiment of the imaging system 100 shown in Figure 1 further includes an output unit 122, such as a display. The output unit 122 is drive-controllable to output information or warnings to the user, for example. In one embodiment, a control unit 120 is configured to drive the output unit 122 to output a warning. The control unit 120 can, for example, warn the user that the access element 112 is open in the switch-off state, or that the access element 112 is currently open. The control unit 120 can further inform the user that the bistable element 114 must be returned to its original first state.

[0037] Figures 2a to 2d schematically show a replacement device 200 for the imaging system 100 according to another embodiment. In the embodiments shown in Figures 2a to 2d, the bistable element 202 includes a solenoid 204.

[0038] The solenoid 204 includes an armature 206 that is linearly supported and surrounded by two coils 208 and 210. By applying a voltage to the first coil 208, the armature 206 can be moved to a first position. When the voltage is no longer applied, the armature 206 remains in the first position. By applying a voltage to the second coil 210, the armature 206 can be moved to a second position. When the voltage is no longer applied to the second coil 210, the armature 206 remains in the second position. Thus, the first position of the armature 206 corresponds to a first stable state, and the second position of the armature 206 corresponds to a second stable state. The position of the armature 206 is detected by the first sensor 116. In Figure 2a, the armature 206 is in the first position, i.e., the bistable element 202 is in the first state. This represents the starting position.

[0039] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2a to 2d, the access element 212 includes a drawer 214 containing a replacement holder 108. The drawer 214 further has a tracking body 216 configured as an inclined surface. When the drawer 214 is opened, the tracking body 216 contacts the abutment 206, and mechanical contact moves the abutment 206 to a second position. Thus, the abutment 206 forms a mechanical tracking body. The state when the drawer 214 is open is shown in Figure 2b, where a first arrow P1 indicates the direction of movement of the drawer 214 when it is open. A second arrow P2 in Figure 2b indicates the direction of movement of the abutment 206 when the drawer 214 is open. The fact that the drawer 214 is open is recorded by a second sensor 118.

[0040] The trainer 216 of the drawer 214 is further configured such that the armature 206 remains in the second position when the drawer 214 is closed. The state when the drawer 214 is closed is shown in Figure 2c, where arrow P3 indicates the direction of movement of the drawer 214 when closed. Therefore, when the armature 206 is in the second position, it can be assumed that the drawer 214 is open and that access to the optical element 106 located in the exchange holder 108 is possible. To bring the armature 206 back to its original first position, the solenoid 204 can be driven and controlled to supply current to the first coil 208. The process of guiding the armature 206 back is shown in Figure 2d, where arrow P4 indicates the direction of movement of the armature 206 when guiding it back to the first position.

[0041] Figures 3a to 3d schematically show an exchange device 300 for the imaging system 100 according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3a to 3d, the bistable element 302 includes a linearly supported follower 304.

[0042] The linearly supported follower 304 corresponds in function to the axle 206 of the solenoid 204. In Figure 3a, the linearly supported follower 304 is in a first position corresponding to the first stable state of the bistable element 302. Therefore, Figure 3a shows the starting position. When the drawer 214 is opened, the trainer 216 of the drawer 214 comes into contact with the linearly supported follower 304, moving the trainer 216 to a second position. The situation when the drawer 214 is opened is shown in Figure 3b, where the first arrow P5 indicates the direction of movement of the drawer 214 when it is opened. The second arrow P6 in Figure 3b indicates the direction of movement of the linearly supported follower 304 when the drawer 214 is opened. When the drawer 214 is closed, the linearly supported follower 304 remains in a second position, and this second position corresponds to a second stable state. The situation when the drawer 214 is closed is shown in Figure 3c, in which arrow P7 indicates the direction of movement of the drawer 214 when it is closed.

[0043] The exchange device 300 further includes a linear motor 306, which is configured to return the linearly supported follower 304 back to its original first position. The process of returning the linearly supported follower 304 is shown in Figure 3d, where arrow P8 indicates the direction of movement of the linearly supported follower 304 as it is guided back to the first position.

[0044] Figures 4a to 4d schematically show an exchange device 400 for the imaging system 100 according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiments shown in Figures 4a to 4d, the access element 402 includes a swivel drawer 404 containing an exchange holder 108.

[0045] In the embodiments shown in Figures 4a to 4d, the bistable element 406 includes a disk 408 comprising two cams 410 and 412. The exchange device 400 further includes a rotary motor 414, which is connected to the shaft 418 of the disk 408 via a belt 416, merely illustratively. The first cam 410 of the disk 408 is in a first position corresponding to a first stable state in Figure 4a. The trainer 420 of the slewing drawer 404 contacts the first cam 410 of the disk 408 when the slewing drawer 404 is opened. Thus, the first cam 410, in its function, corresponds to the abutment 206 of the solenoid 204 and the linearly supported follower 304. Here, the force exerted on the disk 408 by the trainer 420 is greater than the friction between the belt 416 and the shaft 418 of the disk 408. Therefore, the first cam 410 is rotated away from the first position. The opening of the swivel drawer 404 is shown in Figure 2b, in which arrow P9 indicates the direction of rotation of the swivel drawer 404 and disk 408 when open. When the swivel drawer 404 is open, the first cam 410 is in the second position. When the first cam 410 is in the second position, the disk 408 is rotated so that the second cam 412 contacts the first sensor 116. As a result, the second sensor 118 detects that the first cam 410 is in the second position. When the swivel drawer 404 is closed, the disk 408 remains in that position, i.e., the first cam 410 remains in the second position, and therefore the second position corresponds to a second stable state. The state of the drawer 214 when closed is shown in Figure 4c, where arrow P10 indicates the direction of movement of the revolving drawer 404 when closed. Next, the disk 408 can be reversed using the rotary motor 414 to bring the first cam 410 back to the first position. The reverse rotation of the disk 408 is shown in Figure 4d, where arrow P11 indicates the direction of movement of the disk 408 when reversed.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a microscope 500 according to one embodiment. This microscope 500 includes an imaging system 100, which is simply shown schematicly as a box. The optical beam path 104 is the beam path of the microscope 500 in this case.

[0047] Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for operating the imaging system 100.

[0048] This method is initiated in step S6000. In step S602, the imaging system 100 is switched on, for example, by the user. In step S604, it is determined whether the access elements 112, 212, and 402 were released while the imaging system 100 was stopped. According to one embodiment, the control unit 120 determines the state of the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406 based on the first sensor data. If the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406 are in the second state, the control unit 120 determines that the access elements 112, 212, and 402 were released, and the method continues in step S606. If the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406 are in the first state, the control unit 120 determines that the access elements 112, 212, and 402 were not released, and the method ends in step S612. In step S606, it is determined whether the access elements 112,212,402 are currently open. In one embodiment, the control unit 120 determines, based on second sensor data, whether the access elements 112,212,402 are currently open. If the access elements 112,212,402 are currently open, a corresponding warning can be output to the user. In one embodiment, the control unit 120 controls the output unit 122 to output a warning. This warning may relate to a request to the user to close the access elements 112,212,402. If the access elements 112,212,402 are then closed, the method continues in step S608.

[0049] In step S608, the imaging system 100 is calibrated. This ensures that the imaging system 100 is correctly set up even if the optical elements 106 are moved, repositioned, or replaced since the last calibration. In one embodiment, the control unit 120 initiates the calibration process and starts the calibration of the imaging system 100. In step S610, after calibration, the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406 are guided back to their original first stable state. This can be done manually by the user as requested by the corresponding output. However, this can also be done automatically, for example by the control unit 120, by correspondingly driving and controlling the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406. The method then terminates in step S612 if the bistable elements 114, 202, 302, and 406 are back in their original first stable state.

[0050] The term "and / or" includes all possible combinations of one or more of the related entries and is sometimes abbreviated as " / ".

[0051] While several embodiments have been described in the context of the apparatus, it is clear that these embodiments also represent descriptions of the corresponding methods, where blocks or apparatus correspond to steps or features of steps. Similarly, embodiments described in the context of steps also represent descriptions of the corresponding blocks, items, or features of the corresponding apparatus. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 100 imaging systems 102 Exchange device 104 Beam path 106 Optical elements 108 Replacement Holder 110 Housing 112 Access Elements 114 Bistable elements 116,118 sensors 120 Control Unit 122 Output Unit 200 Exchange device 202 Bistable elements 204 Solenoid 206 Armature 208,210 coils 212 Access Elements 214 drawers 216 escort 300 exchange device 302 Bistable element 304 Follower 306 Linear Motor 400 Exchange device 402 Access Element 404 Swivel Drawer 406 Bistable elements 408 disks 410,412 Cam 414 Rotary motor 416 belt 418 axis 420 escorts P1~P11 Arrows

Claims

1. An imaging system (100) equipped with interchangeable devices (102, 200, 300, 400), wherein the interchangeable devices (102, 200, 300, 400) are A replacement holder (108) is configured to house at least one optical element (106) and thereby be positioned in the optical beam path (104) of the imaging system (100), Access elements (112, 212, 402) have an open state and a closed state, and are configured to allow access to the optical element (106) housed in the replacement holder (108) in the open state, A bistable element (114, 202, 302, 406) having a first stable state and a second stable state, and configured to transition from the first stable state at the time of opening to the second stable state when the access elements (112, 212, 402) are opened, and to remain in the second stable state when the access elements (112, 212, 402) are closed, Includes, The imaging system (100) includes a control unit (120) which is configured to determine whether the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) are in the first stable state or the second stable state, and to determine that when the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) are in the second stable state, the access elements (112, 212, 402) are opened, thereby enabling access to the optical element (106) housed in the exchange holder (108). Image formation system (100).

2. The control unit (120) is configured to determine, when the imaging system (100) is switched on, whether the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) are in the first stable state or the second stable state, and to determine, when the imaging system (100) is switched off, that if the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) are in the second stable state, the access elements (112, 212, 402) are opened, thereby enabling access to the optical element (106) housed in the replacement holder (108). The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

3. The exchange device (102, 200, 300, 400) includes a first sensor (116) configured to determine whether the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) are in the first stable state or the second stable state. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

4. The exchange device (102, 200, 300, 400) includes a second sensor (118) configured to determine whether the access element (112, 212, 402) is in the open state or the closed state. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

5. The imaging system (100) includes an output unit (122), and the control unit (120) is configured to drive and control the output unit (122) to output a corresponding warning when the control unit (120) determines that the access elements (112, 212, 402) have been opened. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

6. The control unit (120) is configured to initiate the calibration process of the imaging system (100) when it is determined by the control unit (120) that the access elements (112, 212, 402) have been opened. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

7. The access elements (212, 402) include a drawer (214) or a revolving drawer (404). The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

8. The drawer (214) or the swivel drawer (404) includes the replacement holder (108), The imaging system (100) according to claim 7.

9. The access elements (112, 212, 402) include the flap of the housing (110) of the imaging system (100). The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

10. The bistable elements (202, 302, 406) include mechanical followers (206, 304, 410), which are moved from a first position to a second position by mechanical contact with the access elements (212, 402) when the access elements (212, 402) are opened, and remain in the second position when the access elements (212, 402) are closed, thereby such that the first stable state corresponds to the first position of the mechanical followers (206, 304, 410), and the second stable state corresponds to the second position of the mechanical followers (206, 304, 410). The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

11. The bistable element (202) includes a solenoid (204), wherein the first stable state corresponds to a first position of the axle (206) of the solenoid (204), and the second stable state corresponds to a second position of the axle (206) of the solenoid (204). The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

12. The control unit (120) is configured to drive and control the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) to return the bistable elements (114, 202, 302, 406) to the first stable state. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

13. The aforementioned replacement holder (108) is configured to accommodate at least one of the following optical elements: a filter, a filter cube, a fluorescence filter, a beam splitter, a lens, a lens element, and an aperture diaphragm. The imaging system (100) according to claim 1.

14. A microscope (500) comprising an imaging system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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