Abstract: A focus error detecting optical system has an optical parameter which makes a focus lock-in range by a focus error signal be a value capable of detecting focus on a front surface of a cover glass and focus on a back surface thereof separately. A control section, based on the focus error signal obtained by the focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position. Further, focus error detecting optical systems include optical units each having an optical parameter corresponding to a numerical aperture of respective objective lenses. A control section selects the optical unit of the focus error detecting optical system corresponding to the objective lens in use. The control section, using a focus error signal obtained by the selected focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to implement a drug discovery screening device having high throughput and high accuracy. The drug discovery screening device is provided with a Nipkow disc type confocal scanner for irradiating excitation light on samples placed on a well plate, and executing image processing based on fluorescent signals from the samples, and comprises a confocal scanner for irradiating a plurality of excitation lights and to which a plurality of fluorescent signals are incident, and a plurality of objectives lenses for irradiating a plurality of excitation lights emitted from the confocal scanner on the plurality of samples, to which the plurality of fluorescent signals generated from the plurality of samples are incident, and bringing the plurality of fluorescent signals to the confocal scanner.

Abstract: A drug creating screening apparatus characterized in a drug creating screening apparatus including a well plate provided with a plurality of wells and glass brought into contact with a bottom face of the well plate for carrying out drug creating screening based on information of fluorescence emitted by irradiating exciting light to samples mounted between a plurality of the wells and the glass, wherein at least one opening portion for measuring a thickness of the glass is provided at the well plate.

Abstract: A confocal microscope uses fluorescent or reflected light obtained by irradiating a plurality of beam spots to a sample so as to observe the sample. The confocal microscope has a phase modulator element which modulates phase of laser light to form the beam spots, a liquid crystal element which forms a plurality of pinholes through which only the fluorescent or the reflected light is transmitted, and a control section which controls the phase modulator element and the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: This invention is characterized by the following feature. A three-dimensional confocal microscope system for performing image processing based on image pickup data of sliced images of a sample outputted from a confocal scanner and thus acquiring a three-dimensional image of the sample, the system comprising a correction unit for correcting brightness of the sliced images on the basis of depth of the sample. Thus, a three-dimensional confocal microscope system that corrects changes in the brightness of the image due to the depth of the sample and thus achieves uniform brightness of the image at any point in the direction of depth can be realized.

Abstract: A focus error detecting optical system has an optical parameter which makes a focus lock-in range by a focus error signal be a value capable of detecting focus on a front surface of a cover glass and focus on aback surface thereof separately. A control section, based on the focus error signal obtained by the focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position. Further, focus error detecting optical systems include optical units each having an optical parameter corresponding to a numerical aperture of respective objective lenses. A control section selects the optical unit of the focus error detecting optical system corresponding to the objective lens in use. The control section, using a focus error signal obtained by the selected focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position.

Abstract: A confocal microscope uses fluorescent or reflected light obtained by irradiating a plurality of beam spots to a sample so as to observe the sample. The confocal microscope has a phase modulator element which modulates phase of laser light to form the beam spots, a liquid crystal element which forms a plurality of pinholes through which only the fluorescent or the reflected light is transmitted, and a control section which controls the phase modulator element and the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for performing an observation of a sample using a confocal image, the confocal microscope comprises a microscope, a confocal scanner of a Nipkow disk type, and a laser beam output section which is connected to the microscope and outputs a first laser beam for applying photic stimulation on the sample.

Abstract: This invention realizes a three-dimensional confocal microscope in which mechanical vibrations do not occur in the scanning unit for scanning in the direction of optical axis, and in which scanning in the direction of optical axis can be carried out at a high speed. This invention has the following features. In the confocal microscope having a confocal scanner attached to an optical microscope and constructed to enable acquisition of an image of a sample as a confocal image by the confocal scanner, a variable-focus lens of surface tension control type having no moving part is uses as the field lens.

Abstract: This invention realizes a three-dimensional confocal microscope in which mechanical vibrations do not occur in the scanning unit for scanning in the direction of optical axis, and in which scanning in the direction of optical axis can be carried out at a high speed. This invention has the following features. In the confocal microscope having a confocal scanner attached to an optical microscope and constructed to enable acquisition of an image of a sample as a confocal image by the confocal scanner, a variable-focus lens of surface tension control type having no moving part is uses as the field lens.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to provide a three-dimensional confocal microscope system configured so that an objective lens can be scanned in the optical-axis direction using an actuator to obtain sliced confocal images of a sample, wherein the actuator is driven using a scanning waveform signal, which is triangular or step-like and has been corrected so that acceleration is kept virtually constant at discontinuous points of change in the scanning waveform signal, thereby consistently providing sliced confocal images of the sample.

Abstract: This invention is characterized by the following feature. A three-dimensional confocal microscope system for performing image processing based on image pickup data of sliced images of a sample outputted from a confocal scanner and thus acquiring a three-dimensional image of the sample, the system comprising a correction unit for correcting brightness of the sliced images on the basis of depth of the sample. Thus, a three-dimensional confocal microscope system that corrects changes in the brightness of the image due to the depth of the sample and thus achieves uniform brightness of the image at any point in the direction of depth can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to provide a three-dimensional confocal microscope system configured so that an objective lens can be scanned in the optical-axis direction using an actuator to obtain sliced confocal images of a sample, wherein the actuator is driven using a scanning waveform signal, which is triangular or step-like and has been corrected so that acceleration is kept virtually constant at discontinuous points of change in the scanning waveform signal, thereby consistently providing sliced confocal images of the sample.