Observation apparatus

Provided is an observation apparatus including: a housing that has, in a top face thereof, a transmission window on which a container accommodating cells can be placed and through which light can pass; a camera portion that is accommodated in the housing and that captures observation light coming from the cells irradiated with illumination light emitted from an illumination portion and entering the housing by passing through a bottom face of the container and the transmission window of the housing; and a housing-interior heating portion that is accommodated in the housing and that heats the cells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-252699, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an observation apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, there is a known observation apparatus with which cells that are being cultured in an incubator are observed (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is an observation apparatus including: a housing that has, in a top face thereof, a transmission window on which a container accommodating a sample can be placed and through which light can pass; an image-acquisition portion that is accommodated in the housing and that captures observation light coming from the sample irradiated with illumination light and entering the housing by passing through the transmission window; and a housing-interior heating portion that is accommodated in the housing and that heats the sample.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

An observation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, an observation apparatus1of this embodiment is provided with: a housing3; a housing-interior layer-like resistor (resistor)19that is accommodated in the housing3and that serves as a housing-interior heating portion5; an illumination portion7; a camera portion (image-acquisition portion)9; and a temperature sensor11.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 2, the observation apparatus1is provided with: a display portion13that displays an image or the like acquired by the camera portion9; and a control portion15that controls the illumination portion7, the camera portion9, the temperature sensor11, the display portion13, and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19.

The housing3has, for example, a cuboid shape surrounded by: a bottom face3aon which the illumination portion7and the camera portion9are placed; outer walls3bthat are erected on the bottom face3a; and a top face3cthat is disposed so as to be parallel to the bottom face3awith the outer walls3bsandwiched therebetween.

The top face3cof the housing3has a transmission window4on which a container17accommodating cells (sample) S can be placed.

The transmission window4is, for example, a hard, smooth glass plate that is disposed above the illumination portion7and the camera portion9so as to be substantially horizontal, and that is configured so as to allow light to pass therethrough. In addition, the transmission window4is configured so that it is possible to maintain a constant distance between the container17and the camera portion9in the optical-axis direction of the camera portion9and so that it is also possible to move the container17along a surface of the transmission window4and to maintain the container17at a certain position.

The container17is, for example, a cell-culturing flask having a top plate17a, and is entirely formed of an optically transparent resin. The cells S are accommodated in the container17and are immersed in an aqueous solution such as a medium W or the like.

The housing-interior heating portion5is provided with the housing-interior layer-like resistor19that generates radiant heat by converting externally supplied electricity to heat.

The housing-interior layer-like resistor19is disposed in close proximity to the transmission window4of the housing3and parallel to the transmission window4with a gap between the transmission window4and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19. This housing-interior layer-like resistor19is, for example, a carbon resistor or a metal-coated resistor, and is configured so as to heat the cells S in the container17, which is placed on the transmission window4, by generating radiant heat.

In addition, the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is formed in a rectangular shape, and gaps are formed between the outer walls3bsurrounding the peripheral area thereof and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19. In addition, the housing-interior layer-like resistor19has an opening (through-hole)19athat is provided on the optical axes of the illumination portion7and the camera portion9.

The illumination portion7is disposed so that the position thereof is shifted in a direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera portion9and so as to face the transmission window4of the housing3. The illumination portion7is configured so as to emit illumination light upward and to make the illumination light pass through the transmission window4and the bottom face of the container17upward from therebelow via the opening19aof the housing-interior layer-like resistor19so that it is possible, subsequently, to radiate the illumination light onto the cells S from below or to cause the illumination light to be reflected at the top plate17aof the container17, thus radiating the illumination light onto the cells S from diagonally above.

The camera portion9is disposed facing the transmission window4of the housing3. The camera portion9is configured so as that it is possible to capture, via the opening19aof the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, observation light coming from the cells S, examples of which include reflected light that passes through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4downward from thereabove when the illumination light coming from the illumination portion7is radiated onto the cells S from below and reflected at the cells S, and transmission light that passes through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4downward from thereabove when the illumination light coming from the illumination portion7is radiated onto the cells S from above via the top plate17aof the container17, thereby passing through the cells S, and so on.

The temperature sensor11is disposed on a surface of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19by facing the transmission window4. The temperature sensor11measures the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, and transmits this information to the control portion15after converting the magnitude of the temperature to the magnitude of an electrical signal.

The display portion13displays, in addition to images acquired by the camera portion9, for example, information about an instruction for capturing images by using the camera portion9, a target temperature and the actual temperature of the cells S, a difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature, etc.

The control portion15is configured so as to control capturing of images of the cells S performed by the camera portion9and to save the images acquired by the camera portion9, by executing a control program. In addition, the control portion15is configured so as to set the gain and the exposure time of the camera portion9, and to set lighting conditions for the illumination portion7.

Furthermore, the control portion15is configured so as, by executing the control program, to detect the difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19measured by the temperature sensor11; to supply power to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19if the actual temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is lower than the target temperature; and to stop supplying power to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19if the actual temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is greater than the target temperature.

The operation of the thus-configured observation apparatus1will now be described.

In order to observe the cells S by using the observation apparatus1according to this embodiment, first, radiant heat is generated by supplying power to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19by means of the control portion15, and the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is measured by means of the temperature sensor11. Then, for example, the cells S that have been accommodated and cultured in the container17in an incubator (not shown) are placed, in the container17, on the transmission window4of the housing3.

Here, by placing the container17in close proximity to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19in the housing3, it is possible to uniformly heat the cells S in the container17by means of the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19. In addition, because there is a high correlation between the temperatures of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19and the container17that are placed in close proximity to each other, it is possible to indirectly measure the temperature of the cells S in the container17on the basis of the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19itself measured by the temperature sensor11.

Next, the control program is executed by the control portion15, and the difference between the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19measured by the temperature sensor11and the target temperature is detected. Then, by means of the control portion15, power is supplied to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19if the actual temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is lower than the target temperature, and the power supplied to the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is stopped if the actual temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19is greater than the target temperature. By doing so, it is possible to maintain the state of the cells S in the container17at an appropriate temperature.

Next, in the state in which the cells S in the container17are heated by the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, by means of the control portion15, the camera portion9is driven and the illumination light is generated by the illumination portion7. After being made to pass through the transmission window4of the housing3and the bottom face of the container17upward from therebelow via the opening19ain the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, the illumination light emitted from the illumination portion7is radiated onto the cells S from below and is radiated onto the cells S from diagonally above by being reflected by the top plate17aof the container17.

The observation light coming from the cells S, examples of which include reflected light that is reflected at the cells S when the illumination light is radiated thereonto from below, transmission light that passes through the cells S when the illumination light is radiated thereonto from above, and so on, pass through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4of the housing3downward from thereabove, and are received by the camera portion9after passing through the opening19ain the housing-interior layer-like resistor19.

At this time, the illumination light is refracted and scattered depending on the shapes of the cells S and the refractive index thereof, or the illumination light is dimmed depending on the reflectance or the transmittance of the cells S, thereby being converted to observation light carrying information about the cells S and captured by the camera portion9. The images of the cells S acquired by the camera portion9are transmitted to and displayed on the display portion13.

As has been described above, with the observation apparatus1according to this embodiment, by acquiring images of the cells S by capturing images thereof while heating the cells S in the container17by means of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19in the housing3, it is possible to observe the cells S that have been cultured at an appropriate temperature by using an incubator, while maintaining the state thereof at the appropriate temperature.

In this embodiment, because there is a high correlation between the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19and the temperature of the container17, it is possible to indirectly ascertain changes in the temperature of the cells S on the basis of the resistance of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19itself. Therefore, for example, the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19may be adjusted on the basis of the resistance of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19itself without providing the temperature sensor11, or the temperature of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19may be adjusted by using the temperature measurement by means of the temperature sensor11in combination with the resistance of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19itself.

This embodiment can be modified as below.

As a first modification, for example, as shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the housing-interior heating portion5may be provided with a housing-interior radiation layer21that makes the radiation of radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19uniform.

As the housing-interior radiation layer21, for example, an aluminum plate painted in matte black, having a high heat emissivity and conductivity, may be employed. In addition, the housing-interior radiation layer21may be disposed between the transmission window4of the housing3and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19. In addition, as with the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, the housing-interior radiation layer21may have an opening that is provided on the optical axes of the illumination portion7and the camera portion9. The housing-interior radiation layer21and the transmission window4may be in contact with each other or may have a gap therebetween, and the housing-interior radiation layer21and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19may be in contact with each other or may have a gap therebetween.

With this modification, it is possible to more uniformly heat the cells S by causing the radiant heat from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19to be uniformly conducted to the cells S in the container17by means of the housing-interior radiation layer21. Note that it is desirable that the housing-interior radiation layer21have gaps between the outer walls3bthat surround the peripheral area thereof and the housing-interior radiation layer21. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the housing-interior radiation layer21.

In addition, in this modification, as shown in the aforementioned drawings, the housing-interior heating portion5may be provided with a housing-interior reflection layer23that reflects the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19.

As the housing-interior reflection layer23, for example, a mirror-finished aluminum plate having a high reflectance with respect to infrared light may be employed. In addition, the housing-interior reflection layer23may be disposed on the opposite side from the transmission window4of the housing3with the housing-interior layer-like resistor19sandwiched therebetween. In addition, as with the housing-interior layer-like resistor19, the housing-interior reflection layer23may also have an opening that is provided on the optical axes of the illumination portion7and the camera portion9.

By doing so, the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19in the direction opposite side from the cells S is reflected by the housing-interior reflection layer23and is conducted to the cells S, and thus, it is possible to more efficiently heat the cells S. Note that it is desirable that the housing-interior reflection layer23and the housing-interior layer-like resistor19have a gap therebetween, and that the housing-interior reflection layer23and the outer walls3bsurrounding the peripheral area thereof have gaps therebetween. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the housing-interior reflection layer23.

As a second modification, for example, as shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the housing-interior heating portion5may employ a transparent metal film25, such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film or the like, instead of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19.

The transparent metal film25is disposed, for example, on an inner surface of the transmission window4, and is configured so as to generate heat by converting externally supplied electricity, thus making it possible to heat the cells S in the container17placed on the transmission window4. In addition, the transparent metal film25is configured so as to allow the illumination light coming from the illumination portion7to pass therethrough and to allow the observation light, examples of which include reflected light, transmission light, and so forth coming from the cells S, to pass therethrough. Note that it is preferable that the transparent metal film25have gaps between the outer walls3bsurrounding the peripheral area thereof and the transparent metal film25. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the transparent metal film25.

In this case, the temperature sensor11may be disposed on a surface of the transparent metal film25facing the illumination portion7and the camera portion9to measure the temperature of the transparent metal film25, and may convert the magnitude of the temperature to the magnitude of an electrical signal to be transmitted to the control portion15. Because there is a high correlation between the temperature of the transparent metal film25and the temperature of the container17since the transparent metal film25is disposed in close proximity to the container17on the transmission window4, by measuring the temperature of the transparent metal film25by means of the temperature sensor11, it is possible to indirectly ascertain changes in the temperature of the cells S in the container17.

In addition, the control portion15may, by executing the control program: detect the difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the transparent metal film25measured by the temperature sensor11; supply power to the transparent metal film25if the actual temperature of the transparent metal film25is lower than the target temperature; and stop supplying power to the transparent metal film25if the actual temperature of the transparent metal film25is greater than the target temperature.

In this modification, because there is a high correlation between the temperature of the transparent metal film25and the temperature of the container17, it is possible to indirectly ascertain changes in the temperature of the cells S on the basis of the resistance of the transparent metal film25itself. Therefore, for example, the temperature of the transparent metal film25may be adjusted on the basis of the resistance of the transparent metal film25itself without providing the temperature sensor11or the temperature of the transparent metal film25may be adjusted by using the temperature measurement by means of the temperature sensor11in combination with the resistance of the transparent metal film25.

With this modification, it is possible to capture, by means of the camera portion9, the observation light that is coming from the cells S and that has passed through the transmission window4of the housing3by making the observation light pass through the transparent metal film25. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an opening (through-hole) in the transparent metal film25to allow the observation light to pass therethrough.

In this modification, as with the first modification, the housing-interior heating portion5may be provided with the housing-interior reflection layer23.

As a third modification, for example, as shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, it is permissible to provide an opening/closing-type lid portion29with which a sealed space27can be formed in the peripheral area of the container17placed on the transmission window4of the housing3.

By forming the sealed space27in the peripheral area of the container17by using the lid portion29, it is possible to suppress escape of the heat of the cells S to the exterior.

In this modification, as with the first modification, the housing-interior heating portion5may be provided with the housing-interior radiation layer21and the housing-interior reflection layer23.

In addition, in this modification, as shown inFIGS. 5C and 5D, a lid-interior heating portion31that is disposed in the sealed space27formed by the lid portion29and that heats the cells S in the container17may be provided in addition to the housing-interior heating portion5provided in the housing3.

The lid-interior heating portion31may be provided with a lid-interior reflection layer33that reflects, toward the container17, the radiant heat conducted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19to the sealed space27and the illumination light coming from the illumination portion7. In this case, a top plate of the lid portion29facing the transmission window4of the housing3may be configured by using the lid-interior reflection layer33. As the lid-interior reflection layer33, a reflection layer having a similar configuration to that of the housing-interior reflection layer23may be employed.

By doing so, by reflecting the radiant heat conducted to the sealed space27from the housing-interior layer-like resistor19by means of the lid-interior reflection layer33, it is possible to guide the radiant heat to the cells S in the container17. By heating the container17also from above by means of the lid-interior reflection layer33, it is possible to reduce the nonuniformities in the temperature of the cells S and fogging of the container17. Note that the lid-interior reflection layer33may be disposed between the top plate of the lid portion29and the container17instead of forming the top plate of the lid portion29.

In this modification, as shown inFIGS. 5C and 5D, a container (humidifying pad)30having H2O (liquid water) inside thereof may be placed in the sealed space27. By doing so, by filling the sealed space27with saturated vapor by causing H2O in the container30to be evaporated, it is possible to reduce the amount by which the medium W in the container17is evaporated. The container30may also be provided in a similar manner in fourth, fifth, and sixth modifications of this embodiment and first, second, and third modifications of a third embodiment, described later.

As the fourth modification, as shown inFIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and6D, in the configuration of the third modification, the illumination portion7, instead of being disposed on the bottom face3aof the housing3, may be disposed on the optical axis of the camera portion9in the lid-interior reflection layer33of the lid portion29so as to face the housing3. In this case, when light is emitted from the illumination portion7, it is permissible to capture, by using the camera portion9, transmission light that has passed through the cells S in the container17, and that has additionally passed through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4of the housing3.

As the fifth modification, as shown inFIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and7D, instead of the configuration of the fourth modification, the illumination portion7may be disposed on the inner surface of the lid portion29instead of the lid-interior reflection layer33of the lid portion29. In this case, when light is emitted from the illumination portion7, it is permissible to capture, by means of the camera portion9, the transmission light that has passed through the cells S in the container17, and that has additionally passed through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4, or the reflected light that has been reflected at the cells S, and that has additionally passed through the bottom face of the container17and the transmission window4.

As the sixth modification, as shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and8D, in the configuration of the third modification, the lid-interior heating portion31may be provided with a lid-interior layer-like resistor35that generates radiant heat.

The lid-interior layer-like resistor35may have a similar configuration to that of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19and may be disposed parallel to the transmission window4in close proximity to the container17above the container17(between the container17and the lid-interior reflection layer33) and so as to have a gap between the container17and the lid-interior layer-like resistor35. It is preferable that the lid-interior layer-like resistor35have gaps between side surfaces of the lid portion29surrounding the peripheral area thereof and the lid-interior layer-like resistor35. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the lid-interior layer-like resistor35.

With this modification, it is possible to efficiently heat the cells S over the entire container17by using the lid-interior layer-like resistor35disposed so as to face the bottom face of the container17in combination with heating by means of the housing-interior heating portion5. In addition, the radiant heat emitted from the lid-interior layer-like resistor35in the direction opposite side from the container17is also conducted to the cells S by means of the lid-interior reflection layer33disposed above the container17, and thus, it is possible to more efficiently heat the cells S.

In this modification, as shown in the aforementioned drawings, the lid-interior heating portion31may be provided with a lid-interior radiation layer37that makes the radiation of the radiant heat emitted from the lid-interior layer-like resistor35uniform. The lid-interior radiation layer37may have a similar configuration to that of the housing-interior radiation layer21and may be disposed between the container17and the lid-interior layer-like resistor35.

By doing so, it is possible to more uniformly heat the cells S by causing the radiant heat from the lid-interior layer-like resistor35to be uniformly conducted thereto by means of the lid-interior radiation layer37.

Second Embodiment

Next, an observation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10, an observation apparatus41according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the observation apparatus41is provided with the opening/closing-type lid portion29with which the sealed space27can be formed in the peripheral area of the container17placed on the transmission window4of the housing3, and, additionally, structures for externally supplying CO2and H2O (vapor) to the sealed space27formed by the lid portion29.

In describing this embodiment, portions having configurations that are the same as those in the observation apparatus1according to the first embodiment, described above, will be given the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 9C, the observation apparatus41includes a gas supply port29ain the lid portion29as a structure for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27. In addition, as shown inFIG. 10, the observation apparatus41is provided with, as the structures for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27: a CO2storage portion (not shown) that stores CO2, such as a CO2canister or the like; a CO2sensor43that measures the CO2concentration in the sealed space27; a CO2control valve45with which it is possible to change the amount of supplied CO2; an H2O generating portion (not shown) that generates H2O (vapor); a humidity sensor47that measures the humidity in the sealed space27; and a humidity control valve49with which it is possible to change the amount of supplied H2O.

The CO2sensor43is configured so as to transmit the measured CO2concentration in the sealed space27to the control portion15.

The humidity sensor47is configured so as to transmit the measured humidity in the sealed space27to the control portion15.

The control portion15compares the CO2concentration transmitted thereto from the CO2sensor43to a target CO2value, and adjusts the amount of supplied CO2by means of the CO2control valve45so that the CO2concentration in the sealed space27reaches the target CO2value. In addition, the control portion15compares the humidity transmitted thereto from the humidity sensor47to a target humidity, and adjusts the amount of supplied H2O by means of the humidity control valve49so that the humidity in the sealed space27reaches the target humidity.

With the thus-configured observation apparatus41, by managing the CO2concentration and the humidity in the sealed space27by means of the structures for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27, it is possible to observe the cells S while culturing the cells S in an appropriate environment.

Third Embodiment

Next, an observation apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 12, an observation apparatus51according to this embodiment differs from those of the first and second embodiments in that the housing-interior heating portion5is provided with: an infrared-light radiating portion (housing-interior infrared-light generating portion)53that radiates infrared light onto a medium in the container17instead of the housing-interior layer-like resistor19; and, as a temperature sensor, a thermal camera portion (thermal camera)55that measures the temperature of the medium accommodated in the container17instead of the temperature sensor11.

In describing this embodiment, portions having configurations that are the same as those in the observation apparatus1according to the first embodiment and the observation apparatus41according to the second embodiment, described above, will be given the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The infrared-light radiating portion53is disposed on the bottom face3aof the housing3so that the position thereof is shifted in a direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera portion9. The infrared-light radiating portion53emits infrared light upward, and radiates the infrared light onto the medium W in the container17from below after making the infrared light pass through the transmission window4of the housing3and the bottom face of the container17upward from therebelow.

In addition, the infrared-light radiating portion53is configured so as to generate infrared light at 1450 nm±50 nm or 1940 nm±50 nm. Because 1450 nm and 1940 nm are the absorption wavelengths of water, it is possible to efficiently heat, via an aqueous solution such as the medium W or the like, the cells S by means of the infrared light emitted from the infrared-light radiating portion53.

The thermal camera portion55is disposed on the bottom face3aof the housing3so that the position thereof is shifted in a direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera portion9, for example, next to the infrared-light radiating portion53. The thermal camera portion55measures the temperature of the medium W on the basis of the heat energy generated in the medium W in the container17irradiated with the infrared light coming from the infrared-light radiating portion53, and transmits this information to the control portion15after converting the magnitude of the temperature to the magnitude of a pixel value.

The control portion15is configured so as, by executing the control program: to detect the difference between the target temperature and the temperature of the medium W measured by the thermal camera portion55; to cause the infrared-light radiating portion53to emit the infrared light if the actual temperature of the medium W is lower than the target temperature; and to cause the infrared-light radiating portion53to stop emitting the infrared light if the actual temperature of the medium W is greater than the target temperature. In addition, the control portion15is configured so as to cause the infrared-light radiating portion53to stop emitting the infrared light when the thermal camera portion55is capturing an image.

The operation of the thus-configured observation apparatus51will be described.

In order to observe the cells S by using the observation apparatus51according to this embodiment, first, for example, the cells S that have been accommodated and cultured in the container17in an incubator (not shown) are placed, in the container17, on the transmission window4of the observation apparatus51. Then, the control portion15causes the infrared-light radiating portion53to emit the infrared light and to irradiate the medium W in the container17therewith, thus heating the medium W. In addition, the thermal camera portion55is driven by means of the control portion15, and the temperature of the medium W is measured by the thermal camera portion55.

Here, by heating the medium W by means of irradiation with the infrared light, it is possible to efficiently heat the cells S immersed in the medium W. In addition, because there is an extremely high correlation between the temperatures of the medium W and the cells S immersed in the medium W, it is possible to nearly directly measure the temperature of the cells S in the container17on the basis of the temperature of the medium W measured by the thermal camera portion55.

Next, in a state in which the cells S in the container17are heated by means of irradiation with the infrared light, the illumination light is emitted from the illumination portion7, the observation light coming from the cells S is captured by using the camera portion9, and the obtained image is displayed on the display portion13. With regard to irradiation of the illumination light and capturing of the observation light, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted because the procedures thereof are similar to those in the first embodiment. It is also possible to display images of temperature distributions captured by using the thermal camera portion55on the display portion13.

As has been described above, with the observation apparatus51according to this embodiment, by acquiring images of the cells S by capturing images thereof while heating the cells S in the container17by means of irradiation with the infrared light, it is possible to observe the cells S that have been cultured at an appropriate temperature by using an incubator, while maintaining the state thereof at the appropriate temperature. In this case, it is possible to more accurately ascertain the changes in the temperature of the cells S by more directly measuring the temperature of the cells S by means of the thermal camera portion55.

This embodiment can be modified as follows.

As a first modification, for example, as shown inFIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C, it is permissible to provide the opening/closing-type lid portion29with which the sealed space27can be formed in the peripheral area of the container17placed on the transmission window4of the housing3and a light-absorbing portion57that is disposed in the sealed space27formed by the lid portion29and that absorbs light.

As the light-absorbing portion57, for example, an aluminum plate painted in matte black may be employed. In addition, the light-absorbing portion57may be disposed between the container17and the top plate of the lid portion29facing the transmission window4. Note that it is desirable that the light-absorbing portion57have gaps between and the side surfaces of the lid portion29that surrounds the peripheral area thereof and the light-absorbing portion57. By doing so, it is possible to enhance the heat resistance of the housing-interior radiation layer21.

By doing so, with the light-absorbing portion57, it is possible to block stray light, to temporarily absorb the infrared light that is coming from the infrared-light radiating portion53and that has passed through the container17, and to subsequently radiate, onto the cells S in the container17, the absorbed light in the form of infrared light again. By doing so, it is possible to reduce nonuniformities in the temperature of the medium W and fogging of the container17.

As a second modification, for example, as shown inFIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, it is permissible to provide the opening/closing-type lid portion29with which the sealed space27can be formed in the peripheral area of the container17placed on the transmission window4of the housing3and a lid-interior reflection layer59that reflects the infrared light emitted from the infrared-light radiating portion53and the illumination light emitted from the illumination portion7.

In this case, the top plate of the lid portion29facing the transmission window4may be configured by using the lid-interior reflection layer59. As the lid-interior reflection layer59, for example, a mirror-finished aluminum plate having a high reflectance with respect to infrared light may be employed.

By doing so, the infrared light that is coming from the infrared-light radiating portion53and that has passed through the container17is reflected and radiated onto the medium W again by means of the lid-interior reflection layer59, and thus, it is possible to more efficiently heat the medium W. By doing so, by heating the medium W also from above the container17by means of reflection, it is possible to reduce the nonuniformities in the temperature and fogging of the container17.

As a third modification, as shown inFIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and15D, in the configuration of the first modification, an infrared-light radiating portion (lid-interior infrared-light radiating portion)61that is disposed on the top plate of the lid portion29so as to face the housing3may be provided in addition to the infrared-light radiating portion53disposed on the bottom face3aof the housing3.

The infrared-light radiating portion61is configured so as to radiate the infrared light onto the medium W from above the container17placed on the transmission window4. In addition, as with the infrared-light radiating portion53, the infrared-light radiating portion61is configured so as to generate the infrared light at 1450 nm±50 nm or 1940 nm±50 nm.

By doing so, as compared with the case in which only the infrared-light radiating portion53is employed, it is possible to more efficiently heat the cells S by radiating the infrared light onto the medium W in the container17from two directions, that is, above and below, by using the infrared-light radiating portions53and61.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, an observation apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 17, an observation apparatus63according to this embodiment differs from that of the third embodiment in that the observation apparatus63is provided with the opening/closing-type lid portion29with which the sealed space27can be formed in the peripheral area of the container17placed on the transmission window4of the housing3, and, additionally, structures for externally supplying CO2and H2O (vapor) to the sealed space27formed by the lid portion29.

In describing this embodiment, portions having configurations that are the same as those in the observation apparatus41according to the second embodiment and the observation apparatus51according to the third embodiment, described above, will be given the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 16C, the observation apparatus63includes the gas supply port29ain the lid portion29as the structure for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27. In addition, as shown inFIG. 17, the observation apparatus63is provided with, as the structures for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27: the CO2storage portion (not shown) that stores CO2, such as a CO2canister or the like; the CO2sensor43; the CO2control valve45; the H2O generating portion (not shown) that generates H2O (vapor); the humidity sensor47; and the humidity control valve49.

With the thus-configured observation apparatus63, by more directly measuring the temperature of the cells S by means of the thermal camera portion55and by managing the CO2concentration and the humidity in the sealed space27by means of the structures for supplying CO2and H2O to the sealed space27, it is possible to observe the cells S while culturing the cells S in a more appropriate environment.

As has been described above, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and design alterations or the like within a range that does not depart from the scope of the present invention are also encompassed. For example, the present invention is not limited to forms in which the present invention is applied to the individual embodiments and modifications described above, and the present invention may be applied to embodiments in which these embodiments and modifications are combined, as appropriate, without particular limitation thereto.

From the above-described embodiment, the following invention is derived.

An aspect of the present invention is an observation apparatus including: a housing that has, in a top face thereof, a transmission window on which a container accommodating a sample can be placed and through which light can pass; an image-acquisition portion that is accommodated in the housing and that captures observation light coming from the sample irradiated with illumination light and entering the housing by passing through the transmission window; and a housing-interior heating portion that is accommodated in the housing and that heats the sample.

With this aspect, when the illumination light is radiated onto the sample in the container placed on the transmission window in the top face of the housing, the observation light that is coming from the sample and that has passed through the transmission window enters the housing, and the observation light is captured by the image-acquisition portion in the housing. In this case, by heating the sample by using the heating portion in the housing, it is possible to observe the sample that has been cultured at an appropriate temperature, while maintaining the state thereof at the appropriate temperature.

In the above-described aspect, the housing-interior heating portion may be provided with a resistor that generates radiant heat.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to uniformly heat the sample by means of the radiant heat emitted from the resistor.

In the above-described aspect, the resistor may be a housing-interior layer-like resistor that is disposed parallel to the transmission window of the housing.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently heat the sample over the entire container by means of the housing-interior layer-like resistor that is disposed so as to face the bottom face of the container.

In the above-described aspect, the housing-interior layer-like resistor may be a transparent metal film.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to capture, by means of the image-acquisition portion, the observation light that is coming from the sample and that has passed through the transmission window by making the observation light pass through the transparent metal film. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a through-hole in the transparent metal film to allow the observation light to pass therethrough. The transparent metal film may be an ITO film.

In the above-described aspect, the housing-interior heating portion may be provided with a housing-interior radiation layer that is disposed between the transmission window of the housing and the housing-interior layer-like resistor and that makes the radiation of the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor uniform.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to more uniformly heat the sample by causing the radiant heat from the housing-interior layer-like resistor to be uniformly conducted to the sample by means of the housing-interior radiation layer.

In the above-described aspect, the housing-interior heating portion may be provided with a housing-interior reflection layer that is disposed on the opposite side from the transmission window of the housing with the housing-interior layer-like resistor sandwiched therebetween and that reflects the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor.

By employing such a configuration, the radiant heat emitted from the housing-interior layer-like resistor in the direction opposite side from the sample is also conducted to the sample by means of the housing-interior reflection layer, and thus, it is possible to more efficiently heat the sample.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the sample.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to ascertain changes in the temperature of the sample by means of the temperature sensor.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the resistor.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to ascertain changes in the temperature of the sample without having to directly measure the temperature of the sample. This is effective in the case in which there is a high correlation between the temperature of the sample and the temperature of the resistor.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a lid portion with which a sealed space can be formed in a peripheral area of the container placed on the transmission window of the housing.

By employing such a configuration, by forming the sealed space in the peripheral area of the container by using the lid portion, it is possible to suppress escape of the heat of the sample to the exterior.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a lid-interior heating portion that is disposed in the sealed space and that heats the sample.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to more efficiently heat the sample by using the lid-interior heating portion in combination with the heating by means of the housing-interior heating portion.

In the above-described aspect, the lid-interior heating portion may be provided with a lid-interior layer-like resistor that is disposed above the container parallel to the transmission window of the housing and that generates radiant heat.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently heat the sample over the entire container by means of the lid-interior layer-like resistor that is disposed so as to face the bottom face of the container.

In the above-described aspect, the lid-interior heating portion may be provided with a lid-interior radiation layer that is disposed between the container and the lid-interior layer-like resistor and that makes the radiation of the radiant heat emitted from the lid-interior layer-like resistor uniform.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to more uniformly heat the sample by causing the radiant heat from the lid-interior layer-like resistor to be uniformly conducted thereto by means of the lid-interior radiation layer.

In the above-described aspect, the lid-interior heating portion may be provided with a lid-interior reflection layer that is disposed above the container and that can reflect the radiant heat toward the container.

By employing such a configuration, the radiant heat conducted above the container is reflected by the lid-interior reflection layer to be radiated onto the sample, and thus, it is possible to more efficiently heat the sample.

In the above-described aspect, the temperature sensor may be a thermal camera that measures a temperature of a medium accommodated in the container.

Because there is a high correlation between the sample temperature and the medium temperature, by employing such a configuration, it is possible to nearly directly measure the temperature of the sample by means of the thermal camera, and thus, it is possible to more accurately ascertain changes in the temperature of the sample.

In the above-described aspect, the housing-interior heating portion may be provided with a housing-interior infrared-light generating portion that generates infrared light at 1450 nm±50 nm or 1940 nm±50 nm.

Because 1450 nm and 1940 nm are the absorption wavelengths of water, by employing such a configuration, in the case in which the sample is immersed in an aqueous medium, it is possible to efficiently heat the sample via the medium by means of the infrared light emitted from the housing-interior infrared-light generating portion.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a lid portion with which a sealed space can be formed in a peripheral area of the container placed on the transmission window of the housing

By employing such a configuration, by forming the sealed space in the peripheral area of the container by using the lid portion, it is possible to suppress escape of the heat of the sample to the exterior.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a light-absorbing portion that is disposed in the sealed space and that absorbs light.

By employing such a configuration, in the case in which stray light in the sealed space is blocked and the sample is immersed in an aqueous medium, it is possible to reduce the nonuniformities in the temperature of the medium and fogging of the container.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a lid-interior infrared-light radiating portion that is disposed in the sealed space and that radiates infrared light at 1450 nm±50 nm or 1940 nm±50 nm onto the sample.

By employing such a configuration, in the case in which the sample is immersed in an aqueous medium, it is possible to efficiently heat the sample via the medium by means of the infrared light emitted from the housing-interior infrared-light generating portion and the lid-interior infrared-light radiating portion.

The above-described aspect may be provided with a lid-interior reflection layer that is disposed above the container and that reflects the infrared light emitted from the housing-interior infrared-light generating portion.

By employing such a configuration, it is possible to more efficiently heat the sample by irradiating the sample again with the infrared light by reflecting, by means of the lid-interior reflection layer, the infrared light that is coming from the housing-interior infrared-light generating portion and that has passed through the container.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST