Abstract: Visual observation of morphological features of a cell group or individual cells acquired in 3D image data is facilitated, thus improving observation accuracy. Provided is an image processing device that generates, on the basis of a plurality of 2D images acquired by a microscope at different focus positions on a cell clump, 3D images of respective cells constituting the cell clump, that processes the generated 3D images and analyzes feature amounts on the basis of at least one measurement parameter, that displays analysis results in a graph, that allows a user to select a region of interest on the displayed graph, and that generates, from the 3D images that correspond to the plurality of cells that are included in the selected region of interest, 2D display images each in a plane with reference to an axis that is determined on the basis of a shape feature of the corresponding cell and displays the 2D display images in a list.

Abstract: A superior superresolution image can be generated. Provided is a specimen observation apparatus including an objective lens that radiates excitation laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen; and a main controller that obtains a plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen by repeatedly detecting fluorescence from the same region on the specimen irradiated with the excitation laser light by the objective lens, and that emphasizes high-frequency components in an addition image data obtained by adding the obtained plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen.

Abstract: A sample observation apparatus includes a memory and a main controller. The main controller stores a first number of photoelectrons required in a raw image for generating a super-resolution image. The main controller calculates the number of image data sets to be added together for generating the raw image based on the first number of photoelectrons stored in the memory and a predetermined image acquisition condition, acquires multiple sets of image data of the same region of a sample by repeatedly detecting light from the same region based on the calculated number of image data sets, and generates the raw image by adding together the acquired multiple sets of image data of the same region.

Abstract: Visual observation of morphological features of a cell group or individual cells acquired in 3D image data is facilitated, thus improving observation accuracy. Provided is an image processing device that generates, on the basis of a plurality of 2D images acquired by a microscope at different focus positions on a cell clump, 3D images of respective cells constituting the cell clump, that processes the generated 3D images and analyzes feature amounts on the basis of at least one measurement parameter, that displays analysis results in a graph, that allows a user to select a region of interest on the displayed graph, and that generates, from the 3D images that correspond to the plurality of cells that are included in the selected region of interest, 2D display images each in a plane with reference to an axis that is determined on the basis of a shape feature of the corresponding cell and displays the 2D display images in a list.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope system including a motor-driven stage on which is mounted a culture vessel containing one or more cell clusters, each including cells having a target molecule labeled with a fluorescent or luminescent chemical; a low-magnification-image acquiring unit that acquires low-magnification images of the cell clusters in the culture vessel mounted on the stage; a detecting unit that detects the position of each cell cluster in the culture vessel by analyzing the acquired low-magnification images; and a high-magnification-image acquiring unit that, after the detected position is aligned with the optical axis of an objective lens, acquires slice images of fluorescence or luminescence emitted from the cells forming the cell cluster at a higher magnification than the low-magnification-image acquiring unit at intervals along the optical axis while the stage and/or the lens is moved to change stepwise the distance between the lens and the cell cluster.

Abstract: An image having an expected superresolution effect is created in a straightforward manner and with superior precision. The invention provides a scanning laser microscope including a scanner that scans a laser beam emitted from an Ar laser device on a specimen; an objective lens that radiates the laser beam scanned by the scanner onto the specimen and that collects return light coming from the specimen; a detector array that has a plurality of minute detector elements arrayed at a position that is optically conjugate with the focal position of the objective lens; and a superresolution calculating portion that calculates a center position of a spot of the return light that is incident on the detector array on the basis of a light intensity signal output from each of the minute detector elements in the detector array.

Abstract: A light source includes: light-emitting elements of different colors, forming a light-emitting element group; a light-emitting element base on which the light-emitting elements are placed in a way that a main optical axis direction intersects a placement surface of the light-emitting element base; a reflection unit including a reflection surface configured to narrow light emitted from the light-emitting element group, a front-side opening portion formed on a front side of the reflection unit in the main optical axis direction, and a rear-side opening portion formed in a rear side of the reflection unit in the main optical axis direction; and a diffusing portion placed in front of the reflection unit in the main optical axis direction, and configured to diffuse the light. In the reflection unit, an area of the front-side opening portion is smaller than that of the rear-side opening portion.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope system including a motor-driven stage on which is mounted a culture vessel containing one or more cell clusters, each including cells having a target molecule labeled with a fluorescent or luminescent chemical; a low-magnification-image acquiring unit that acquires low-magnification images of the cell clusters in the culture vessel mounted on the stage; a detecting unit that detects the position of each cell cluster in the culture vessel by analyzing the acquired low-magnification images; and a high-magnification-image acquiring unit that, after the detected position is aligned with the optical axis of an objective lens, acquires slice images of fluorescence or luminescence emitted from the cells forming the cell cluster at a higher magnification than the low-magnification-image acquiring unit at intervals along the optical axis while the stage and/or the lens is moved to change stepwise the distance between the lens and the cell cluster.

Abstract: A good super-resolution image can be generated, while eliminating a troublesome task necessary for generating a raw image. Provided is a sample observation apparatus including a memory, which stores a first number of photoelectrons required in a raw image for generating a super-resolution image, and a main controller, which calculates the number of image data sets to be added together for generating the raw image based on the first number of photoelectrons stored in the memory and a predetermined image acquisition condition, which acquires multiple sets of image data of the same region of a sample by repeatedly detecting light from the same region based on the calculated number of image data sets, and which generates the raw image by adding together the acquired multiple sets of image data of the same region.

Abstract: A superior superresolution image can be generated. Provided is a specimen observation apparatus including an objective lens that radiates excitation laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen; and a main controller that obtains a plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen by repeatedly detecting fluorescence from the same region on the specimen irradiated with the excitation laser light by the objective lens, and that emphasizes high-frequency components in an addition image data obtained by adding the obtained plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen.

Abstract: An image having an expected superresolution effect is created in a straightforward manner and with superior precision. The invention provides a scanning laser microscope including a scanner that scans a laser beam emitted from an Ar laser device on a specimen; an objective lens that radiates the laser beam scanned by the scanner onto the specimen and that collects return light coming from the specimen; a detector array that has a plurality of minute detector elements arrayed at a position that is optically conjugate with the focal position of the objective lens; and a superresolution calculating portion that calculates a center position of a spot of the return light that is incident on the detector array on the basis of a light intensity signal output from each of the minute detector elements in the detector array.

Abstract: A microscope according to the invention comprises an aberration correcting objective lens facing a specimen and having an aberration correcting lens correcting an aberration due to an error in the thickness of a cover, a Petri dish or a slide glass; a moving amount detector detecting moving amount of the aberration correcting lens; a focusing unit moving the specimen; a driver unit driving the focusing unit; and an arithmetic unit obtaining a defocus amount based on a moving amount detected by the moving amount detector. When the aberration correcting lens is moved, the specimen is put out of focus. On the basis of a defocus amount obtained by the arithmetic unit, the driver unit drives the focusing unit so that the lens may focus on the specimen.

Abstract: A still-picture acquisition section in a computer selects a brightness-periodically-varying portion of image data of a living cell like a cardiac cell, as a sample, which makes a self-ordered periodic motion, monitors a change in brightness, generates a trigger signal at the timing at which the value of the brightness exceeds a specific threshold value, causes a camera body to repeatedly pick up the image of the living cell after a predetermined delay time, and then averages the picked-up images. This makes it possible to acquire as high-quality still pictures the instantaneous status of a living cell which varies with time in accordance with the application of external stimulation or the in-vivo order.

Abstract: A microscope according to the invention comprises an aberration correcting objective lens facing a specimen and having an aberration correcting lens correcting an aberration due to an error in the thickness of a cover, a Petri dish or a slide glass; a moving amount detector detecting moving amount of the aberration correcting lens; a focusing unit moving the specimen; a driver unit driving the focusing unit; and an arithmetic unit obtaining a defocus amount based on a moving amount detected by the moving amount detector. When the aberration correcting lens is moved, the specimen is put out of focus. On the basis of a defocus amount obtained by the arithmetic unit, the driver unit drives The focusing unit so that the lens may focus on the specimen.

Abstract: An inverted microscope is provided that reflects an observation light passing through an image-formation optical system upward using at least one reflection optical system and that leads the observation light to an observation path. The inverted microscope includes a confocal scanner arranged at an image surface position of the image-formation optical system, a light source for applying light onto a sample through the confocal scanner and the image-formation optical system, and a confocal image formation optical system that leads the light passing through the confocal scanner to the sample through the image-formation optical system, returns a return light from the sample to the confocal scanner along a route opposite to that for leading the light to the sample, and obtains a confocal image. A confocal observation optical system is also provided for leading the return light from the sample passing through the optical scanner to the observation optical path.

Abstract: A confocal microscope apparatus includes a disk scanner for scanning a specimen with a laser beam, and camera main body for photographing a still image. An exposure time calculation circuit is arranged to generates an exposure time signal for the camera main body. A rotation sensor, a scan track start point/end point determination circuit, and a rotation period calculation circuit are arranged to generate a rotational period signal for the disk scanner. A comparator compares the exposure time signal with the rotational period signal, so that a motor controller and a motor driver control rotation of a motor of the disk scanner by a comparison output from the comparator.

Abstract: A laser beam from a light source is reflected by a beam splitter and two galvanomirrors, and enters a pupil projection lens. The beam passing through the lens forms a spot on an image plane of an objective. This spot is two-dimensionally scanned by shaking the galvanomirrors with respect to their axes perpendicular to each other. Reflected light or fluorescence from a sample is returned to the beam splitter through the same path, passes through it, and is then reflected by a mirror. This optical system includes an optical unit which can be inserted/removed therein/therefrom. When the optical unit is removed, the optical system serves as a confocal optical system. When the optical unit is inserted, the optical system serves as a nonconfocal optical system. In the confocal optical system, the beam from the mirror enters a condenser, converges, passes through an iris and enters a photomultiplier tuber. The condenser includes a convex lens and a concave lens.

Abstract: An optical surface profile measuring device adapted to be able to simultaneously or substantially simultaneously measure a same part on the surface of an object to be measured with two different measuring ranges by combining a surface profile measuring device of a high resolving power using the critical angle method with a surface profile measuring device having a wide measuring range using the astigmatism method, in order to facilitate the setting of a detecting head within a measuring range while maintaining a high resolving power and to enable to measure automatically regardless of the state of the measured surface.

Abstract: A confocal microscope apparatus includes a disk scanner for scanning a specimen with a laser beam, and camera main body for photographing a still image. An exposure time calculation circuit is arranged to generates an exposure time signal for the camera main body. A rotation sensor, a scan track start point/end point determination circuit, and a rotation period calculation circuit are arranged to generate a rotational period signal for the disk scanner. A comparator compares the exposure time signal with the rotational period signal, so that a motor controller and a motor driver control rotation of a motor of the disk scanner by a comparison output from the comparator.

Abstract: A still-picture acquisition section in a computer selects a brightness-periodically-varying portion of image data of a living cell like a cardiac cell, as a sample, which makes a self-ordered periodic motion, monitors a change in brightness, generates a trigger signal at the timing at which the value of the brightness exceeds a specific threshold value, causes a camera body to repeatedly pick up the image of the living cell after a predetermined delay time, and then averages the picked-up images. This makes it possible to acquire as high-quality still pictures the instantaneous status of a living cell which varies with time in accordance with the application of external stimulation or the in-vivo order.