Image acquisition device and image acquisition method

Abstract

This image acquisition device acquires an image of a sample held in a sample holding member. The image acquisition device comprises: a placement table having a plurality of placement spaces in which a storage member for storing a plurality of sample holding members can be placed; an adapter that can be attached to an upper portion or a lower portion of at least one placement space among the plurality of placement spaces; an adapter detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the adapter attached to the placement space; and a display unit that displays, on the basis of the detection result of the adapter detection unit, information about the placement space to which the adapter is attached among the plurality of placement spaces.

Description

Image acquisition device and image acquisition method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image acquisition device and an image acquisition method.

[0002] An image acquisition device that acquires an image of a sample held by a sample holding member such as a slide glass is known. As this type of technology, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a digital slide scanning device. The digital slide scanning device described in Patent Document 1 includes a carousel (placement table) on which a plurality of slide glass racks (accommodation members) for accommodating a plurality of slide glasses (sample holding members) can be arranged.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-502552

[0004] In the image acquisition device as described above, the placement table has a plurality of placement spaces, and a plurality of types of accommodation members having different heights can be arranged in each of the plurality of placement spaces. However, when a low-height accommodation member is arranged in the placement space, the accommodation member may not be stable. In addition, it is difficult for the user to grasp which type of accommodation member can be arranged in which placement space, and there is room for improvement in usability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image acquisition device and an image acquisition method capable of stably arranging an accommodation member on a placement table and improving usability.

[0006] The image acquisition device according to the present disclosure is [1] "an image acquisition device that acquires an image of a sample held by a sample holding member, the placement table having a plurality of placement spaces in which accommodation members for accommodating the plurality of sample holding members can be arranged, an adapter that can be attached above or below at least one of the plurality of placement spaces, an adapter detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the adapter attached to the placement space, and a display unit that displays information regarding the placement space to which the adapter is attached among the plurality of placement spaces based on the detection result of the adapter detection unit."

[0007] The image acquisition device according to this disclosure allows even low-height storage members to be stably placed in a placement space by attaching an adapter to the space. Furthermore, by detecting the presence or absence of an adapter attached to the placement space and displaying information about the placement space where the adapter is attached on the display unit, it is possible to easily determine, for example, which placement space can accommodate multiple types of storage members with different heights. Therefore, according to this disclosure, storage members can be stably placed on the placement stand, and usability can be improved.

[0008] The image acquisition device relating to this disclosure may also be [2] "the image acquisition device according to [1], wherein the adapter detection unit has a laser scanning mechanism including a laser sensor that emits laser light and detects reflected light of the laser light, and at least a part of the opposing surface of the adapter that faces the laser sensor is configured so that the laser light does not return to the laser sensor." In this case, it becomes possible to detect the presence or absence of the adapter using the laser scanning mechanism.

[0009] The image acquisition device relating to this disclosure may also be [3] "the image acquisition device according to [1] or [2], wherein the adapter detection unit has a first distance sensor capable of detecting the upper surface of the adapter mounted in the arrangement space." In this case, the presence or absence of the adapter can be detected using the first distance sensor.

[0010] The image acquisition device according to this disclosure may also be [4] "the image acquisition device according to [3], wherein the adapter detection unit is provided adjacent to the first distance sensor and further comprises a second distance sensor capable of detecting the upper surface of the storage member arranged in the arrangement space." In this case, the presence or absence of the adapter can be detected by using the second distance sensor together with the first distance sensor.

[0011] The image acquisition device relating to this disclosure may also be [5] "the image acquisition device according to [4], wherein the placement stand is movable so as to switch the positions of a plurality of placement spaces, and a determination unit determines whether the placement stand is movable based on the detection results of the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor." In this case, it becomes possible to determine whether the placement stand is movable using the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor.

[0012] The image acquisition device relating to this disclosure may also be [6] "the image acquisition device according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising: an input unit that moves the placement stand so that the positions of a plurality of placement spaces are switched, an input unit that receives instruction input from a user based on the display of the display unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of the placement stand based on the instruction input received by the input unit." In this case, the user can move the placement stand considering which placement space can accommodate multiple types of storage members of different heights.

[0013] The image acquisition device according to this disclosure may be [7] "the image acquisition device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the storage member includes a first storage member that is placed in the placement space when the adapter is not attached, and a second storage member that is placed in the placement space when the adapter is attached and is shorter in height than the first storage member, and the display unit displays a plurality of placement spaces so as to distinguish between a first placement space in which the first storage member can be placed and a second placement space in which the second storage member can be placed." In this case, it is easy to determine which placement space the first storage member and the second storage member, which are of different heights, can be placed in.

[0014] The image acquisition device relating to this disclosure may also be the image acquisition device according to [7], wherein the placement stand is movable so as to switch the positions of a plurality of placement spaces, and comprises an input unit that receives instruction input from a user based on the display of the display unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of the placement stand based on the instruction input received by the input unit, and when the input unit receives instruction input including an instruction to select the first placement space or the second placement space, the control unit moves the placement stand to position the first placement space or the second placement space in a position where the storage member can be moved in and out of the placement space. In this case, the first storage member or the second storage member can be easily moved in and out of the first placement space or the second placement space.

[0015] The image acquisition apparatus of the present disclosure may also be [9] "an image acquisition apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8], comprising an imaging unit for imaging the sample holding member and a transport unit for transporting the sample holding member between the storage member arranged on the placement stage and the imaging unit." In this case, it is possible to specifically acquire an image of the sample held by the sample holding member.

[0016] The image acquisition method relating to this disclosure is

[10] "an image acquisition method for acquiring an image of a sample held by a sample holding member, comprising: an attachment step of attaching an adapter to the upper or lower part of at least one of the arrangement spaces on an arrangement stand having a plurality of arrangement spaces on which a storage member for storing a plurality of sample holding members can be arranged; a detection step of detecting the presence or absence of the adapter attached to the arrangement space; and a display step of displaying information on the arrangement space on which the adapter is attached from among the plurality of arrangement spaces based on the detection result of the detection step."

[0017] The image acquisition method described herein allows for the stable placement of even low-height storage components in a designated space by attaching an adapter to the space. Furthermore, by detecting the presence or absence of an adapter attached to the space and displaying information about the space where the adapter is attached on the display unit, it becomes easy to determine, for example, which space is suitable for placing multiple types of storage components of different heights. Therefore, according to this disclosure, storage components can be stably placed on the placement stand, and usability can be improved.

[0018] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an image acquisition device and an image acquisition method that can stably arrange storage members on a placement stand and improve usability.

[0019] Figure 1 is a front view showing an image acquisition device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image acquisition device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the inside of the housing of the image acquisition device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the mounting stand of Figure 3. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the first slide rack. Figure 5(b) is a perspective view showing the second slide rack. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the upper part of the mounting stand of Figure 3. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the mounting stand of Figure 3. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the first biasing member of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the third biasing member of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the ceiling and adapter of Figure 3. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the adapter of Figure 10. Figure 12(a) is a perspective view showing the adapter of Figure 10. Figure 12(b) is a plan view showing the adapter of Figure 10. Figure 13(a) is a perspective view showing the case where the first slide rack is placed in the mounting space on the mounting stand of Figure 3. Figure 13(b) is a perspective view continuing from Figure 13(a). Figure 13(c) is a perspective view showing a continuation of Figure 13(b). Figure 14(a) is a perspective view showing the case where the second slide rack is placed in the placement space on the placement stand of Figure 3. Figure 14(b) is a perspective view showing a continuation of Figure 14(a). Figure 14(c) is a perspective view showing a continuation of Figure 14(b). Figure 15(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the adapter detection unit when the slide rack is viewed from the front. Figure 15(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the adapter detection unit when the slide rack is viewed from one side. Figure 15(c) is a schematic diagram illustrating the adapter detection unit when the slide rack is viewed from the other side. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the touch panel display. Figure 17(a) is a flowchart of the image acquisition method according to the embodiment. Figure 17(b) is another flowchart showing the image acquisition method according to the embodiment. Figure 18 is a schematic side view of the laser scanning mechanism.

[0020] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the image acquisition device 100 is a device for acquiring images of a sample held in a sample holding member. The sample holding member is a plate-shaped member, such as a microplate, slide, glass slide, or petri dish. Here, a long rectangular glass slide S is used as the sample holding member. Examples of samples to be observed include human or animal cells, tissues, organs, animals or plants themselves, plant cells, tissues, etc. The sample may be contained in a solution, gel, or a substance with a different refractive index from the sample.

[0022] The image acquisition device 100 comprises a placement table 1, an imaging unit 2, a transport unit 3, and a control unit 4. The placement table 1, imaging unit 2, transport unit 3, and control unit 4 are arranged inside a housing 10. The placement table 1 is a table on which multiple slide racks (storage members) 5 capable of storing multiple slide glasses S are arranged in the image acquisition device 100. The imaging unit 2 images the slide glasses S. Here, a slide scanner that acquires and displays an image of a sample held on a slide glass S is used as the imaging unit 2. For example, the imaging unit 2 irradiates the sample on the slide glass S with planar light and acquires image data of the inside of the sample by imaging the fluorescence or scattered light generated inside the sample. The imaging unit 2 is not particularly limited and may be various imaging devices.

[0023] The transport unit 3 transports the slide glass S between the slide rack 5, which is placed on the placement table 1, and the imaging unit 2. For example, a loader unit and an unloader unit can be used as the transport unit 3. The control unit 4 controls each part of the image acquisition device 100. The control unit 4 is a computer consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 4 can be configured as software, for example, where a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU. The control unit 4 may also be configured as hardware, such as electronic circuits.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the display stand 1 is arranged with multiple slide racks 5, consisting of multiple first slide racks (first storage members) 5A and multiple second slide racks (second storage members) 5B. As shown in Figures 4, 5(a), and 5(b), the slide rack 5 stores multiple microscope slides S so that they overlap with gaps in the height direction of the slide rack 5 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "height direction"). Multiple microscope slides S are arranged in the slide rack 5 with their thickness direction as the height direction. The illustrated slide rack 5 has an elongated outer shape in plan view. The slide rack 5 is also referred to as a slide basket or slide cassette, for example.

[0025] The slide rack 5 has a flat bottom plate 51 and a flat top plate 52 provided above the bottom plate 51. Between the bottom plate 51 and the top plate 52, there are multiple shelves 53 on which slide glass S can be placed, arranged along the height direction. On both sides of the slide rack 5, there are protruding ridges 56 that project outward in a mountain shape and extend along the height direction. As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the first slide rack 5A is taller than the second slide rack 5B. In other words, the second slide rack 5B is shorter than the first slide rack 5A. The first slide rack 5A can store more slide glass S than the second slide rack 5B.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the placement stand 1 comprises a rotating stage 11, a base 12, a positioning section 13, a partition section 14, and a ceiling section 15. The rotating stage 11 supports the base 12 from below and rotates the base 12 around a rotation axis G that runs in the vertical direction by a driving force such as a motor. The base 12 is an annular member with the rotation axis G as its central axis. In the illustrated example, the base 12 is a plate-like member that has an annular shape in plan view and whose thickness is in the vertical direction. The base 12 rotates on one side and the other side in the rotational direction around the rotation axis G by the rotating stage 11. In other words, the base 12 is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis G. As a result, the placement stand 1 rotates (moves) so as to switch the positions of the multiple placement spaces HS (see Figure 7), which will be described later.

[0027] The base 12 has multiple mounting areas 20 on its upper surface, on which each of the multiple slide racks 5 can be placed. The mounting areas 20 are arranged on the upper surface of the base 12 at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. The mounting areas 20 are elongated areas corresponding to the outer shape (footprint) of the slide rack 5 in a plan view. The mounting areas 20 are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is along the radial direction of the base 12. The slide racks 5 placed on the mounting areas 20 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane such that their radially outward side faces upward.

[0028] The positioning part 13 is provided on the base part 12. The positioning part 13 is an annular (in this case, circular) member coaxial with the base part 12. The positioning part 13 is provided so as to protrude above the mounting area 20. The positioning part 13 is positioned adjacent to the inside of the mounting area 20. The positioning part 13 positions the slide rack 5 by contacting the inside of the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting area 20, thereby restricting the inward movement of the slide rack 5.

[0029] The partition portion 14 is erected (set to stand upright) on the base portion 12. The partition portion 14 divides a plurality of mounting areas 20. The partition portion 14 is a wall portion that extends radially and is provided adjacent to one side and the other side in the circumferential direction of each mounting area 20. The ceiling portion 15 is provided so as to span the upper parts of the plurality of partition portions 14. The ceiling portion 15 is an annular (here, circular) plate-shaped member coaxial with the base portion 12. The distance between the ceiling portion 15 and the mounting area 20 corresponds to the height of the first slide rack 5A. The ceiling portion 15 has a first biasing member 17 that biases the first slide rack 5A placed on the mounting area 20 from above. The first biasing member 17 holds and secures the first slide rack 5A. The first biasing member 17 is, for example, a leaf spring, with a bent portion 17a formed on its tip side (see Figure 8). The bent portion 17a is a plate-like part that is bent to form an R shape. The bent portion 17a abuts against the upper surface of the top plate 52 of the first slide rack 5A. The base end of the first biasing member 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the ceiling portion 15 with screws or the like.

[0030] The partition 14 has a third biasing member 19 that biases the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting area 20 from the side. The third biasing member 19 is provided on the lower side of one of a pair of adjacent partition 14. The third biasing member 19 is, for example, a leaf spring. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the third biasing member 19 is divided into two at the tip end, with a first bent portion 19a and a second bent portion 19b formed at the tip end. The third biasing member 19 holds and secures the slide rack 5.

[0031] The first bent portion 19a and the second bent portion 19b are plate-shaped parts that are bent to form an R shape. The first bent portion 19a abuts against the protruding portion 56 of the first slide rack 5A placed on the mounting area 20 and catches on the protruding portion 56. When the first slide rack 5A is placed on the mounting area 20 (when the first slide rack 5A is inserted onto the mounting area 20), the first bent portion 19a creates a clicking sensation as it overcomes the protruding portion 56. The second bent portion 19b is located closer to the tip than the first bent portion 19a. The second bent portion 19b abuts against the protruding portion 56 of the second slide rack 5B placed on the mounting area 20 and catches on the protruding portion 56. The second bent portion 19b generates a clicking sensation when the second slide rack 5B is placed on the mounting area 20 (when the second slide rack 5B is inserted onto the mounting area 20), as it overcomes the protruding portion 56. The base end of the third biasing member 19 is fixed to the partition portion 14 with screws or the like.

[0032] In such a placement stand 1, the space on the placement area 20, which is partitioned by a pair of partitions 14 and a ceiling 15, constitutes a placement space HS on which the slide rack 5 can be placed. That is, the placement stand 1 has multiple placement spaces HS. The placement spaces HS are roughly rectangular parallelepiped spaces corresponding to the slide rack 5, and multiple spaces are formed on the base 12 so as to be arranged along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis G.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the transport unit 3 comprises a main unit 61, a gripper 62, and a rotating mechanism 63. The gripper 62 holds one end of the slide glass S. The gripper 62 is provided on the main unit 61. The gripper 62 is provided on the main unit 61 so as to be able to move back and forth along the horizontal direction. The configuration of the gripper 62 is not particularly limited, and various known configurations can be used.

[0034] The rotating mechanism 63 rotates the main unit 61 around a transport rotation axis that is aligned vertically, thereby moving the gripper 62 between a first position corresponding to the imaging unit 2 and a second position corresponding to the slide rack 5. The configuration that realizes this movement by the rotating mechanism 63 is not particularly limited, and various known configurations can be used.

[0035] The first position is, for example, a position in which the gripper 62 can approach the imaging unit 2. The first position is, for example, a position in which the gripper 62 can transfer the slide glass S to the imaging unit 2 when the gripper 62 is extended. The gripper 62 transfers the slide glass S to be held to the imaging unit 2 by moving the slide glass S forward and backward in the first position. The second position is, for example, a position in which the gripper 62 can approach the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting table 1. The second position is, for example, a position in which the gripper 62 can transfer the slide glass S to the slide rack 5 when the gripper 62 is extended. The gripper 62 transfers the slide glass S to be held to the slide rack 5 by moving the slide glass S forward and backward in the second position.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6, 10, 11, and 12(a), the image acquisition device 100 includes an adapter 16. The adapter 16 is a component that can be attached to the upper part (ceiling part 15 side) of a plurality of arrangement spaces HS. The adapter 16 has a width corresponding to the distance between a pair of adjacent partition parts 14. Mounting protrusions 16a are formed on both sides of the adapter 16. The protrusions 16a fit into mounting grooves 14z (see Figure 6) formed on the upper part of the partition part 14. In this way, the adapter 16 is detachably fixed to the partition part 14. The distance between the adapter 16 fixed to the partition part 14 and the base part 12 corresponds to the height of the second slide rack 5B.

[0037] The adapter 16 has front surfaces 16f1, 16f2, and 16f3 as radially outer surfaces 16f when mounted in the placement space HS. The front surfaces 16f1, 16f2, and 16f3 are continuous in this order. Front surface 16f1 extends inclined with respect to front surface 16f2. Front surface 16f3 extends inclined with respect to front surface 16f2.

[0038] The adapter 16 has a second biasing member 18 that biases the second slide rack 5B, which is placed on a mounting area 20 located in the arrangement space HS, from above. In other words, the second slide rack 5B is placed in the arrangement space HS with the adapter 16 attached. The second biasing member 18 is provided at the bottom of the adapter 16 and is configured similarly to the first biasing member 17. The second biasing member 18 holds the second slide rack 5B in place. The second biasing member 18 is, for example, a leaf spring, with a bent portion 18a formed at its tip. The bent portion 18a is a plate-shaped part bent to form an R shape. The bent portion 18a contacts the upper surface of the top plate 52 of the second slide rack 5B. The base end of the second biasing member 18 is fixed to the lower surface of the adapter 16 with a screw or the like.

[0039] In the image acquisition device 100 described above, when the first slide rack 5A is placed in the placement space HS, the adapter 16 is not attached to the placement space HS, as shown in Figure 13(a). Then, as shown in Figures 13(b) and 13(c), with the adapter 16 not attached to the placement space HS, the first slide rack 5A is inserted into the placement space HS from the rear and placed in the placement space HS. At this time, the first slide rack 5A is biased from the side by the third biasing member 19 and biased from above by the first biasing member 17 to hold the first slide rack 5A. As a result, the first slide rack 5A is placed in the placement space HS without the adapter 16 attached.

[0040] On the other hand, when the second slide rack 5B is placed in the placement space in the image acquisition device 100, the adapter 16 is attached to the upper part of the placement space HS, as shown in Figure 14(a). Then, as shown in Figures 14(b) and 14(c), with the adapter 16 attached to the placement space HS, the second slide rack 5B is inserted into the placement space HS from the rear and placed on the placement space HS. At this time, the second slide rack 5B is biased from the side by the third biasing member 19, and the second slide rack 5B is biased from above by the second biasing member 18 of the adapter 16 to hold the second slide rack 5B. As a result, the second slide rack 5B is placed in the placement space HS with the adapter 16 attached.

[0041] As shown in Figures 15(a), 15(b), and 15(c), the image acquisition device 100 of this embodiment includes an adapter detection unit 30 that detects the presence or absence of an adapter 16 attached to the placement space HS. The adapter detection unit 30 includes a first distance sensor 31 and a second distance sensor 32.

[0042] The first distance sensor 31 is provided on a member that does not rotate synchronously with the base 12 (for example, the housing 10 or its frame). The first distance sensor 31 does not rotate about the rotation axis G. The first distance sensor 31 is a sensor capable of detecting the upper surface 16u of the adapter 16 attached to the arrangement space HS located at the loading / unloading position. The first distance sensor 31 is, for example, a reflection type sensor and can irradiate the upper surface 16u of the adapter 16 with the first laser beam L1 (see Fig. 12(b)). The first distance sensor 31 emits the first laser beam L1 and detects the presence or absence of the reflected light of the first laser beam L1 on the upper surface 16u, thereby detecting the upper surface 16u of the adapter 16 attached to the arrangement space HS located at the loading / unloading position.

[0043] The loading / unloading position is a rotational position corresponding to the loading / unloading port 10A of the housing 10 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The loading / unloading port 10A is an opening through which the slide rack 5 can be inserted into and removed from the arrangement space HS. The loading / unloading port 10A is an opening that communicates between the inside and outside of the housing 10 and exposes a plurality (here, four) of arrangement spaces HS on the front side of the placement table 1 on the front surface of the housing 10. That is, four first distance sensors 31 are provided, and each of the four first distance sensors 31 detects the presence or absence of the adapter 16 in each of the four arrangement spaces HS corresponding to the loading / unloading port 10A. When the first distance sensor 31 detects the adapter 16 attached to the arrangement space HS, it transmits a control signal in the ON state to the control unit 4. A cover 11A that closes the loading / unloading port 10A may be detachably attached to the loading / unloading port 10A.

[0044] The second distance sensor 32 is provided adjacent to the first distance sensor 31 on a member that does not rotate synchronously with the base 12 (for example, the housing 10 or its frame). The second distance sensor 32 does not rotate about the rotation axis G. The second distance sensor 32 is a sensor capable of detecting the upper surface 52u of the second slide rack 5B arranged in the arrangement space HS located at a predetermined rotational position. Four second distance sensors 32 are provided, and each of the four second distance sensors 32 detects the presence or absence of the second slide rack 5B in each of the four arrangement spaces HS corresponding to the loading / unloading port 10A.

[0045] The second distance sensor 32 cannot detect the adapter 16. The second distance sensor 32 is, for example, a reflective sensor and is capable of irradiating the second laser beam L2 toward its upper surface 52u. The second distance sensor 32 is positioned such that the adapter 16 is not located in the optical path of the second laser beam L2 (so that the second laser beam L2 does not hit the adapter 16) (see Figure 12(b)). The second distance sensor 32 emits the second laser beam L2 and detects the presence or absence of reflected light on the upper surface 52u of the second laser beam L2, thereby detecting the upper surface 52u of the second slide rack 5B located in the placement space HS at the insertion / removal position. When the second distance sensor 32 detects the second slide rack 5B located in the placement space HS, it transmits a control signal to the control unit 4 as ON.

[0046] The image acquisition device 100 is equipped with a rack detection sensor 41. The rack detection sensor 41 is mounted on a member that does not rotate synchronously with the base (for example, the housing 10 or its frame). The rack detection sensor 41 does not rotate around the rotation axis G. The rack detection sensor 41 is a sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a slide rack 5 placed in the placement space HS located at the entrance / exit position. Four rack detection sensors 41 are provided, and each of the four rack detection sensors 41 detects the presence or absence of a slide rack 5 in each of the four placement spaces HS corresponding to the entrance / exit 10A. The rack detection sensor 41 is, for example, a photosensor, and when the slide rack 5 is correctly placed in the placement space HS, the dog 41d is pushed by the slide rack 5 and moves, and the dog 41d is detected. When the rack detection sensor 41 detects a slide rack 5 placed in the placement space HS, it transmits a control signal as ON to the control unit 4. The sensor used as the rack detection sensor 41 is not particularly limited, and various sensors such as proximity sensors may be used.

[0047] Based on the detection results of the first distance sensor 31, the second distance sensor 32, and the rack detection sensor 41, the control unit 4 determines whether the placement table 1 can be moved. Specifically, when the first distance sensor 31 is OFF, the second distance sensor 32 is OFF, and the rack detection sensor 41 is OFF, the control unit 4 determines that the base 12 of the placement table 1 can be rotated (rotation is permitted). When the first distance sensor 31 is ON, the second distance sensor 32 is ON, and the rack detection sensor 41 is ON, the control unit 4 determines that the base 12 of the placement table 1 can be rotated. When the first distance sensor 31 is ON, the second distance sensor 32 is OFF, and the rack detection sensor 41 is OFF, the control unit 4 determines that the base 12 of the placement table 1 can be rotated. When the detection results of the first distance sensor 31, the second distance sensor 32, and the rack detection sensor 41 are other than these cases, the control unit 4 determines that the base 12 of the placement table 1 cannot be rotated (rotation is prohibited). The control unit 4 constitutes a determination unit.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 1, the image acquisition device 100 of the present embodiment includes a touch panel display 70. The touch panel display 70 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the housing 10. Based on the detection result of the adapter detection unit 30, the touch panel display 70 displays information regarding the placement space HS in which the adapter 16 is attached among the plurality of placement spaces HS. The touch panel display 70 receives an instruction input (touch input) from the user. The touch panel display 70 is connected to the control unit 4 and the display is controlled by the control unit 4. The touch panel display 70 displays the plurality of placement spaces HS so as to be distinguished between a first placement space HS1 (see FIG. 13(a)) in which the first slide rack 5A can be placed and a second placement space HS2 (see FIG. 14(a)) in which the second slide rack 5B can be placed.

[0049] For example, the touch panel display 70 displays the following, as illustrated in Figure 16. That is, on the touch panel display 70, multiple numbers (1 to 18 in the illustrated example) are arranged along a circle, and each number corresponds to a rotational position around the rotation axis G of the placement stand 1. Each of the multiple placement spaces HS is located at the rotational position of each number. Each number can be selected by touch input. The first region SA1, which is an arc-shaped region, indicates that the placement space HS on the rotational position corresponding to the numbers arranged radially outside the first region SA1 is the first placement space HS1 where the first slide rack 5A can be placed. The second region SA2, which is an arc-shaped region, indicates that the placement space HS on the rotational position corresponding to the numbers arranged radially outside the second region SA2 is the second placement space HS2 where the adapter 16 is attached and the second slide rack 5B can be placed.

[0050] The third region SA3, which is an arc-shaped region, indicates that the slide rack 5 is already positioned in the arrangement space HS on the rotational position corresponding to the numbers arranged radially outward from the third region SA3. The first region SA1, the second region SA2, and the third region SA3 are displayed in different colors and / or patterns, for example. In the illustrated example, the arrangement space HS on the rotational position corresponding to numbers 1 to 4 on the touch panel display 70 is the arrangement space HS corresponding to the entrance / exit 10A. Such a touch panel display 70 constitutes a display unit and an input unit.

[0051] The control unit 4 controls the movement of the placement stand 1 based on the instruction input received on the touch panel display 70. When the control unit 4 receives an instruction input on the touch panel display 70 that includes an instruction to select either the first placement space HS1 or the second placement space HS2, it moves the placement stand 1 to position the first placement space HS1 or the second placement space HS2 at the entrance / exit position corresponding to the entrance / exit 10A.

[0052] For example, when the touch panel display 70 receives a touch input in which the eject button SE and any number relating to the first area SA1 are touched, the control unit 4 moves the placement stand 1 to position the first placement space HS1 on the rotational position corresponding to the number in the in / out position. Also, for example, when the touch panel display 70 receives a touch input in which the eject button SE and any number relating to the second area SA2 are touched, the control unit 4 moves the placement stand 1 to position the second placement space HS2 on the rotational position corresponding to the number in the in / out position.

[0053] Furthermore, the touch panel display 70 displays a start button SS and a priority button SP. Touching the start button SS on the touch panel display 70 starts transport by the transport unit 3 and starts imaging by the imaging unit 2. Touching the priority button SP on the touch panel display 70 with any number sets the transport by the transport unit 3 and imaging by the imaging unit 2 to be preferentially performed on the slide glass S of the slide rack 5 located in the arrangement space HS on the rotation position corresponding to that number.

[0054] Next, an example of an image acquisition method performed using the image acquisition device 100 will be described.

[0055] The image acquisition method of this embodiment is a method for acquiring an image of a sample held on a slide glass S. The image acquisition method of this embodiment includes the following steps. That is, as shown in Figure 17(a), first, an adapter 16 is attached to the top of some of the multiple placement spaces HS on the placement stand 1 (step S1: attachment step).

[0056] Next, the adapter detection unit 30 detects the presence or absence of the adapter 16 in the placement space HS at the insertion / removal position (step S2: detection step). In step S2, the rotation of the base 12 and detection by the adapter detection unit 30 are repeated in order to detect the presence or absence of the adapter 16 for all placement spaces HS.

[0057] Next, based on the detection result in step S2, information regarding the placement space HS to which the adapter 16 is attached is displayed on the touch panel display 70, for example, as shown in Figure 16 (step S3: display step). After that, the user appropriately places the slide rack 5 in each placement space HS based on this information and touches the start button SS. This starts the transport unit 3 transporting and the imaging unit 2 imaging, and the slide glass S from the slide rack 5 are taken out one by one by the transport unit 3, and the slide glass S are scanned by the imaging unit 2.

[0058] Furthermore, the image acquisition method of this embodiment includes the following steps as a method for, for example, when it is urgently necessary to place the first slide rack 5A (or the second slide rack 5B) in the placement space HS and image the slide glass S. That is, as shown in Figure 17(b), the user touches and selects, for example, a number relating to the first area SA1 (or the second area SA2) on the touch panel display 70 (step S21). The user also touches the eject button SE (step S22).

[0059] As a result, the control unit 4 moves the placement stand 1 so that the first placement space HS1 (or second placement space HS2) on the rotational position corresponding to the selected number is in the insertion / removal position (step S23). The user then places the first slide rack 5A (or second slide rack 5B) in the first placement space HS1 (or second placement space HS2). The user sets the priority by touching the number corresponding to the placement space HS and the priority button SP, and then touches the start button SS. This starts the transport unit 3 transporting and the imaging unit 2 imaging, and the slide glass S from the slide rack 5 of the placement space HS are preferentially taken out one by one by the transport unit 3, and the slide glass S are scanned by the imaging unit 2.

[0060] As described above, with the image acquisition device 100 and image acquisition method, by attaching the adapter 16 to the placement space HS, even a low-height slide rack 5 can be stably placed in the placement space HS using the adapter 16. Furthermore, since the presence or absence of the adapter 16 attached to the placement space HS is detected and information regarding the placement space HS to which the adapter 16 is attached is displayed on the touch panel display 70, it is possible to easily determine, for example, which placement space HS can accommodate multiple types of slide racks 5 with different heights. Therefore, with the image acquisition device 100, the slide racks 5 can be stably placed on the placement stand 1, and usability (e.g., ease of operation and operability) can be improved. The slide glass S of the desired slide rack 5 can be easily and preferentially imaged by the imaging unit 2.

[0061] In the image acquisition device 100, the adapter detection unit 30 has a first distance sensor 31 capable of detecting the upper surface 16u of the adapter 16 mounted in the placement space HS. In this case, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the adapter 16 using the first distance sensor 31.

[0062] In the image acquisition device 100, the adapter detection unit 30 is provided adjacent to the first distance sensor 31 and further includes a second distance sensor 32 capable of detecting the upper surface 52u of the second slide rack 5B, which is located in the arrangement space HS. In this case, the presence or absence of the adapter 16 can be detected by using the second distance sensor 32 together with the first distance sensor 31.

[0063] In the image acquisition device 100, the placement platform 1 is movable so that the positions of multiple placement spaces HS are switched. The control unit 4 determines whether the placement platform 1 is movable or not based on the detection results of the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the placement platform 1 is movable or not using the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32.

[0064] In the image acquisition device 100, the touch panel display 70 receives user instructions based on its display. The control unit 4 controls the movement of the placement stand 1 based on the instructions received by the touch panel display 70. In this case, the user can move the placement stand 1 considering which placement space HS can accommodate multiple types of slide racks 5 with different heights.

[0065] In the image acquisition device 100, the slide rack 5 includes a first slide rack 5A which is placed in the placement space HS when the adapter 16 is not attached, and a second slide rack 5B which is placed in the placement space HS when the adapter 16 is attached and is shorter in height than the first slide rack 5A. The touch panel display 70 displays the multiple placement spaces HS in a way that distinguishes them between a first placement space HS1 where the first slide rack 5A can be placed and a second placement space HS2 where the second slide rack 5B can be placed. In this case, it is easy to understand which placement space HS the first slide rack 5A and the second slide rack 5B, which have different heights, can be placed in.

[0066] In the image acquisition device 100, when the control unit 4 receives an instruction input via the touch panel display 70 that includes an instruction to select either the first placement space HS1 or the second placement space HS2, it moves the placement stand 1 to position the first placement space HS1 or the second placement space HS2 in the insertion / removal position. In this case, the first slide rack 5A or the second slide rack 5B can be easily inserted into or removed from the first placement space HS1 or the second placement space HS2.

[0067] The image acquisition device 100 includes an imaging unit 2 for imaging a slide glass S, and a transport unit 3 for transporting the slide glass S between the slide rack 5, which is placed on the display stand 1, and the imaging unit 2. In this case, it is possible to specifically acquire an image of the sample held on the slide glass S.

[0068] The mounting base 1 includes an adapter 16 attached to the ceiling portion 15 between the base portion 12 and the ceiling portion 15. The adapter 16 has a second biasing member 18 that biases the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting area 20 from above. As a result, when a second slide rack 5B with a lower height is placed on the mounting area 20, the adapter 16 can hold the second slide rack 5B.

[0069] In the placement stand 1, the positioning unit 13 is provided on the base 12 and restricts the radial inward movement of the slide rack 5, which is placed on the mounting area 20, by contacting the radially inward side of the slide rack 5. In this case, the radial inward movement of the slide rack 5 can be restricted.

[0070] The mounting base 1 comprises a plurality of partition sections 14 erected on a base 12, and a ceiling section 15 provided to span the plurality of partition sections 14. The ceiling section 15 has a first biasing member 17 that biases the first slide rack 5A placed on the mounting area 20 from above. In this case, the first biasing member 17 can hold the first slide rack 5A placed on the mounting area 20. The partition section 14 has a third biasing member 19 that biases the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting area 20 from the side. The third biasing member 19 can hold the slide rack 5 placed on the mounting area 20.

[0071] The embodiments described above are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0072] In the above embodiment, reflective sensors were used as the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32, but various other sensors may be used. In the above embodiment, the adapter 16 and the second slide rack 5B were detected based on the ON or OFF control signals output from the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32, but the adapter 16 and the second slide rack 5B may also be detected based on the waveform of the reflected light detected by the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32, respectively. In the above embodiment, the adapter detection unit 30 is provided with the first distance sensor 31 and the second distance sensor 32, but the adapter detection unit 30 is not particularly limited.

[0073] As shown in Figure 18, the adapter detection unit 30 may include a laser scanning mechanism 130. The laser scanning mechanism 130 includes a laser sensor 71, which is a photoelectric sensor that emits laser light L3 and detects the reflected light of the laser light L3, and a scanning unit 72 that moves the laser sensor 71 in the Z direction (up and down direction in the figure). The scanning unit 72 scans the laser light L3 in the Z direction in the arrangement space HS. The scanning unit 72 includes a motor 78, a drive shaft 79 of the motor 78, a driven shaft 80, and a circumferential belt 81 stretched between the drive shaft 79 and the driven shaft 80. The laser sensor 71 is fixed to the circumferential belt 81, and the laser light L3 is scanned linearly in the up and down direction at a constant speed by driving the circumferential belt 81. The light reflection unit 73 is composed of a retroreflector and is provided, for example, on a support column 65, which is a fixed shaft that does not rotate.

[0074] When the laser scanning mechanism 130 is included, the front surface 16f of the adapter 16 forms a facing surface that is opposite to the laser sensor 71. The normal directions of the front surfaces 16f1, 16f2, and 16f3 are inclined with respect to the irradiation direction (optical axis) of the laser beam L3. As a result, the front surface 16f is configured so that the laser beam L3 does not return to the laser sensor 71.

[0075] Furthermore, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the front surface 16f is configured to prevent the laser beam L3 from returning to the laser sensor 71. For example, at least a portion of the front surface 16f may be surface-treated to prevent the laser beam L3 from returning to the laser sensor 71. Alternatively, at least a portion of the front surface 16f may be provided with a mirror, sheet, tape, etc., to prevent the laser beam L3 from returning to the laser sensor 71.

[0076] In the laser scanning mechanism 130, for example, when the laser beam L3 is scanned in the Z direction with the adapter 16 mounted in the placement space HS, when the laser beam L3 is irradiated onto the front surface 16f of the adapter 16, the laser beam L3 is scattered by the front surface 16f, and a portion of the laser beam L3 is reflected. Therefore, in the detection result detected by the laser sensor 71 by scanning the laser beam L3 in the Z direction, if the adapter 16 is mounted, the intensity of the reflected light of the laser beam L3 at the height position corresponding to the adapter 16 will be weak (that is, a profile with weak or no intensity is obtained for a certain period of time corresponding to the height position corresponding to the adapter 16). Therefore, the presence or absence of the adapter 16 can be detected based on such detection results using the laser scanning mechanism 130.

[0077] The laser scanning mechanism 130 detects the presence or absence of the adapter 16 in the placement space HS on the rotational position corresponding to any of the numbers (for example, "12") displayed on the touch panel display 70. The laser scanning mechanism 130 may be attached to a member that does not rotate synchronously with the base 12 (for example, the housing 10 or its frame).

[0078] When using such a laser scanning mechanism 130 to detect the presence or absence of the adapter 16 in the placement space HS, first, the base 12 is rotated to position the placement space HS at the rotational position that the laser scanning mechanism 130 is to detect (for example, the position numbered "12"). The laser scanning mechanism 130 is then operated, and the laser beam L3 is scanned in the Z direction. Based on the detection result (profile) obtained by the laser scanning mechanism 130, the presence or absence of the adapter 16 in the placement space HS is detected. Furthermore, with the laser scanning mechanism 130, based on the obtained profile, it is possible to detect not only the presence or absence of the adapter 16, but also at least one of the following: the type of adapter 16, the presence or absence of the slide rack 5, the type of slide rack 5, and information about the slide glass S stored in the slide rack 5.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the adapter detection unit 30 may use a sensor that utilizes at least one of an IC tag, an RF tag, a one-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code. Specifically, at least one of an IC tag, an RF tag, a one-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code may be provided on the adapter 16, and the presence or absence of the adapter 16 may be detected by a sensor that detects these tags.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the adapter 16 can be attached to all of the multiple placement spaces HS, but it may be attached to at least one of the multiple placement spaces HS. In the above embodiment, the adapter 16 can be attached to the upper part (ceiling part 15 side) of the placement space HS, but it may also be attached to the lower part (base part 12 side) of the placement space HS. In the above embodiment, a touch panel display 70 is provided as the display unit and input unit, but various display units and input units may be provided.

[0081] The components in the above embodiments and modifications are not limited to the materials and shapes described above, and various materials and shapes can be applied. Furthermore, the components in the above embodiments and modifications can be arbitrarily applied to the components in other embodiments or modifications.

[0082] 1...Placement stage, 2...Imaging unit, 3...Transport unit, 4...Control unit (determination unit), 5...Slide rack (storage member), 5A...First slide rack (first storage member), 5B...Second slide rack (second storage member), 16...Adapter, 16f...Front (opposing surface), 16u...Top surface, 30...Adapter detection unit, 31...First distance sensor, 32...Second distance sensor, 52u...Top surface, 70...Touch panel display (display unit, input unit), 71...Laser sensor, 100...Image acquisition device, 130...Laser scanning mechanism, G...Rotation axis, HS...Placement space, L1...First laser beam, L2...Second laser beam, L3...Laser beam, S...Slide glass (sample holding member).

Claims

1. An image acquisition device for acquiring an image of a sample held by a sample holding member, comprising: a placement stand having a plurality of placement spaces on which a storage member for housing a plurality of sample holding members can be placed; an adapter that can be attached to the upper or lower part of at least one of the plurality of placement spaces; an adapter detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the adapter attached to the placement space; and a display unit that displays information regarding the placement space on which the adapter is attached based on the detection result of the adapter detection unit.

2. The image acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter detection unit has a laser scanning mechanism including a laser sensor that emits laser light and detects reflected light of the laser light, and at least a portion of the opposing surface of the adapter that faces the laser sensor is configured so as not to allow the laser light to be reflected back to the laser sensor.

3. The image acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adapter detection unit has a first distance sensor capable of detecting the upper surface of the adapter mounted in the arrangement space.

4. The image acquisition device according to claim 3, wherein the adapter detection unit is provided adjacent to the first distance sensor and further comprises a second distance sensor capable of detecting the upper surface of the storage member arranged in the arrangement space.

5. The image acquisition device according to claim 4, wherein the placement stand is movable so as to switch the positions of a plurality of placement spaces, and the device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the placement stand is movable based on the detection results of the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor.

6. The image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the placement stand is movable so as to switch the positions of a plurality of placement spaces, and comprises an input unit that receives instruction input from a user based on the display of the display unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of the placement stand based on the instruction input received by the input unit.

7. The image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage member includes a first storage member that is placed in the placement space when the adapter is not attached, and a second storage member that is placed in the placement space when the adapter is attached and is shorter in height than the first storage member, and the display unit displays the plurality of placement spaces so as to distinguish between a first placement space in which the first storage member can be placed and a second placement space in which the second storage member can be placed.

8. The image acquisition device according to claim 7, wherein the placement stand is movable so as to switch the positions of a plurality of placement spaces, and comprises an input unit that receives instruction input from a user based on the display unit, and a control unit that controls the movement of the placement stand based on the instruction input received by the input unit, and when the input unit receives instruction input including an instruction to select the first placement space or the second placement space, the control unit moves the placement stand to position the first placement space or the second placement space in an inlet / outlet position so that the storage member can be inserted into and removed from the placement space.

9. An image acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: an imaging unit for imaging the sample holding member; and a transport unit for transporting the sample holding member between the storage member arranged on the placement stage and the imaging unit.

10. An image acquisition method for acquiring an image of a sample held by a sample holding member, comprising: an attachment step of attaching an adapter to the upper or lower part of at least one of the multiple placement spaces on a placement stand having multiple placement spaces on which a storage member for storing multiple sample holding members can be placed; a detection step of detecting the presence or absence of the adapter attached to the placement space; and a display step of displaying information on the placement space on which the adapter is attached based on the detection result of the detection step on a display unit.

Images