Image producing apparatus

An image producing apparatus includes at least one light emitting diode stimulating ray source, a filter for cutting a stimulating ray emitted from the at least one light emitting diode stimulating ray source and allowing only fluorescent light generated by stimulation of a fluorescent substance by the stimulating ray to pass therethrough, and a solid state image sensor for detecting the fluorescent light transmitted through the filter. According to the thus constituted image producing apparatus, it is possible to safely produce a fluorescent image at low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an image producing apparatus and, 
particularly, to such an apparatus which uses a solid state image sensor 
and can safely produce a fluorescent image at low cost. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
A fluorescence system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance 
is known. According to this system, it is possible to study a genetic 
sequence, the expression level of a gene and the metabolism, absorption, 
excretion path and state of a substance introduced into a test mouse and 
to effect separation or identification of protein or estimation of the 
molecular weight or properties of protein or the like. For example, this 
system can perform a process including the steps of distributing a 
plurality of DNA fragments on a gel support by means of electrophoresis 
after a fluorescent dye was added to a solution containing a plurality of 
DNA fragments to be distributed or distributing a plurality of DNA 
fragments on a gel support containing fluorescent dye or dipping a gel 
support on which a plurality of DNA fragments have been distributed by 
means of electrophoresis in a solution containing fluorescent dye, thereby 
labeling the electrophoresis-distributed DNA fragments, exciting the 
fluorescent dye by a stimulating ray to cause it to release a fluorescent 
light, detecting the released fluorescent light to produce an image and 
detecting the distribution of the DNA on the gel support. This system can 
also perform a process including the steps of distributing a plurality of 
DNA fragments on a gel support by means of electrophoresis, denaturing the 
DNA, transferring at least a part of the denatured DNA fragments onto a 
transfer support such as a nitrocellulose support by the Southern-blotting 
method, hybridizing a probe prepared by labeling target DNA and DNA or RNA 
complementary thereto with the denatured DNA fragments, thereby 
selectively labeling only the DNA fragments complementary to the probe DNA 
or probe RNA, exciting the fluorescent dye by a stimulating ray to cause 
it to release a fluorescent light, detecting the released fluorescent 
light to produce an image and detecting the distribution of the target DNA 
on the transfer support. This system can further perform a process 
including the steps of preparing a DNA probe complementary to DNA 
containing a target gene labeled by a labeling substance, hybridizing it 
with DNA on a transfer support, combining an enzyme with the complementary 
DNA labeled by a labeling substance, causing the enzyme to contact a 
fluorescent substrate, transforming the fluorescent substrate to a 
fluorescent substance having a fluorescent light releasing property, 
exciting the thus produced fluorescent substance by a stimulating ray to 
release fluorescent light, detecting the fluorescent light to produce an 
image and detecting the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer 
support. This fluorescence detecting system is advantageous in that a 
genetic sequence or the like can be easily detected without using a 
radioactive substance unlike an autoradiography. 
Since most substances emit fluorescent light upon being irradiated with 
ultraviolet rays, the image producing apparatus used in this fluorescent 
detecting system generally uses an ultraviolet ray source for emitting 
ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 250 to 400 nm, particularly 365 nm 
or 315 nm, as a stimulating ray source. 
However, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 250 to 400 nm are harmful 
to the human body. When an ultraviolet ray source is used as a stimulating 
ray source, therefore, it is necessary to protect users from exposure to 
the ultraviolet rays. For this, it is necessary to take various protective 
measures, such as having the user wear UV-cut glasses, thereby increasing 
costs. 
Particularly, in the fluorescent detection system, it is often necessary to 
electrophorese a specimen labeled with a fluorescent substance on a gel, 
view an obtained image, pick out a portion where a specific target 
substance is distributed by cutting or sucking it out, further process the 
portion and conduct various analyses. For carrying out such a process, the 
electrophoresed specimen is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to visualize 
an electrophoresis image and the user visually observes the 
electrophoresis image to find the portion where the specific target 
substance is distributed so as to be able to pick out the portion by 
cutting or sucking. The user therefore cannot avoid being exposed to the 
ultraviolet rays. 
Further, a chemiluminescence detecting system is known, which comprises the 
steps of selectively labeling a fixed high molecular substance such as a 
protein or a nucleic acid sequence with a labeling substance which 
generates chemiluminescent emission when it contacts a chemiluminescent 
substance, contacting the high molecular substance selectively labeled 
with the labeling substance and the chemiluminescent substance, 
photoelectrically detecting the chemiluminescent emission in the 
wavelength of visible light generated by the contact of the 
chemiluminescent substance and the labeling substance, producing digital 
image signals, effecting image processing on the signals, reproducing a 
chemiluminescent image on a display means such as a CRT or a recording 
material such as a photographic film and obtaining information relating to 
the high molecular substance such as genetic information. This 
chemiluminescence detecting system is used for similar purposes to those 
of the fluorescent detecting system. Therefore, it is preferable for a 
single image producing apparatus to be able to produce both a fluorescent 
image by a fluorescence detecting system and a chemiluminescent image by a 
chemiluminescence detecting system. 
In this connection, since chemiluminescent emission is weak, a specimen has 
to be kept in a space completely shielded from light for detecting 
chemiluminescent emission and producing a chemiluminescent image. However, 
the discharge tube used as an ultraviolet ray source in the fluorescence 
detecting system generates much heat and it is necessary to take measures 
for dispersing heat when the ultraviolet ray source is employed. As a 
result, it is difficult to keep a specimen in a space completely shielded 
from light and, therefore, it is difficult for a single image producing 
apparatus to produce both a fluorescent image by a fluorescence detecting 
system and a chemiluminescent image by a chemiluminescence detecting 
system. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image 
producing apparatus which uses a solid state image sensor and can safely 
produce a fluorescent image at low cost. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image producing 
apparatus which can produce both a fluorescent image by the fluorescence 
detecting system and a chemiluminescent image by the chemiluminescence 
detecting system. 
The above and other objects of the present invention can be accomplished by 
an image producing apparatus comprising at least one light emitting diode 
(LED) stimulating ray source, filter means for cutting a stimulating ray 
emitted from the at least one light emitting diode stimulating ray source 
and allowing only fluorescent light generated by stimulation of a 
fluorescent substance by the stimulating ray to pass therethrough, and a 
solid state image sensor for detecting the fluorescent light transmitted 
through the filter means. 
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one light 
emitting diode stimulating ray source is constituted so as to emit a 
stimulating ray whose center wavelength is between 400 nm and 700 nm. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source is constituted so as to emit a 
stimulating ray whose center wavelength is between 400 nm and 550 nm. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source is constituted as a blue light 
emitting diode for emitting a stimulating ray whose center wavelength is 
between 400 nm and 500 nm. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source comprises a light emitting 
diode base plate including a plurality of light emitting diode stimulating 
ray sources and a diffusion plate positioned on the light emitting diode 
base plate and on which a gel including an electrophoresed specimen can be 
placed. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source comprises a light emitting 
diode base plate including a plurality of light emitting diode stimulating 
ray sources and a diffusion plate positioned on the light emitting diode 
base plate and on which an electrophoresis tank for accommodating a gel 
containing a specimen to be electrophoresed can be placed. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the filter means is 
detachable. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the solid state 
image sensor is constituted as a cooled CCD. 
In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, an image 
intensifier is provided in front of the solid state image sensor. 
In the present invention, examples of the fluorescent dye stimulable by 
light emitted from the light emitting diode stimulating ray source and 
having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm include Fluorescein (C.I. No. 45350), 
Fluorescein-X indicated by the structural formula (1) shown below, YOYO-1 
indicated by the structural formula (2), TOTO-1 indicated by the 
structural formula (3), YO-PRO-1 indicated by the structural formula (4), 
Cy-3 (registered trademark) indicated by the structural formula (5), Nile 
Red indicated by the structural formula (6), BCECF indicated by the 
structural formula (7), Rhodamine 6G (C.I. No. 45160), Acridine Orange 
(C.I. No. 46005), SYBR Green (C.sub.2 H.sub.6 OS), Ethidium Bromide 
indicated by the structural formula (9), Texas Red indicated by the 
structural formula (10), Propidium Iodide indicated by the structural 
formula (11), POPO-3 indicated by the structural formula (12), Quantum 
Red, R-Phycoerrythrin, Red 613, Red 670, Fluor X, FAM, AttoPhos, Bodipy 
phosphatidylcholine, SNAFL, Calcium Green, Fura Red, Fluo 3, AllPro, NBD 
phosphoethanolamine, Carboxyrhodamine (R6G), JOE, HEX, Ethidium homodimer, 
Lissamine rhodamine B peptide, Cy-5 (registered trademark) indicated by 
the structural formula (8), Allphycocyanin and the like. 
In the present invention, examples of the fluorescent dye stimulable by 
light emitted from the light emitting diode stimulating ray source and 
having a wavelength of 400 to 550 nm include Fluorescein (C.I. No. 45350), 
Fluorescein-X indicated by the structural formula (1) shown below, YOYO-1 
indicated by the structural formula (2), TOTO-1 indicated by the 
structural formula (3), YO-PRO-1 indicated by the structural formula (4), 
Cy-3 (registered trademark) indicated by the structural formula (5), Nile 
Red indicated by the structural formula (6), BCECF indicated by the 
structural formula (7), Rhodamine 6G (C.I. No. 45160), Acridine Orange 
(C.I. No. 46005), SYBR Green (C.sub.2 H.sub.6 OS), Ethidium Bromide 
indicated by the structural formula (9), Texas Red indicated by the 
structural formula (10), Propidium Iodide indicated by the structural 
formula (11), POPO-3 indicated by the structural formula (12), Quantum 
Red, R-Phycoerrythrin, Red 613, Red 670, Fluor X, FAM, AttoPhos, Bodipy 
phosphatidylcholine, SNAFL, Calcium Green, Fura Red, Fluo 3, AllPro, NBD 
phosphoethanolamine, Carboxyrhodamine (R6G), JOE, HEX, Ethidium homodimer, 
Lissamine rhodamine B peptide and the like. 
In the present invention, examples of the fluorescent dye stimulable by 
light emitted from the light emitting diode stimulating ray source and 
having a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm include Fluorescein (C.I. No. 45350), 
Fluorescein-X indicated by the structural formula (1) shown below, YOYO-1 
indicated by the structural formula (2), TOTO-1 indicated by the 
structural formula (3), YO-PRO-1 indicated by the structural formula (4), 
Cy-3 (registered trademark) indicated by the structural formula (5), Nile 
Red indicated by the structural formula (6), BCECF indicated by the 
structural formula (7), Rhodamine 6G (C.I. No. 45160), Acridine Orange 
(C.I. No. 46005), SYBR Green (C.sub.2 H.sub.6 OS), Quantum Red, 
R-Phycoerrythrin, Red 613, Red 670, Fluor X, FAM, AttoPhos, Bodipy 
phosphatidylcholine, SNAFL, Calcium Green, Fura Red, Fluo 3, AllPro, NBD 
phosphoethanolamine and the like. 
Structural Formula 
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will 
become apparent from the following description made with reference to the 
accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an image producing apparatus which 
is an embodiment of the present invention. The image producing apparatus 
according to this embodiment is adapted to detect chemiluminescence 
emission generated by contacting a chemiluminescent substance with a 
labeling substance and a fluorescent light emitted from an image carrier 
carrying an image of a fluorescent substance and produce a visual image. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the image producing apparatus includes an imaging 
device 1, a dark box 2 and a personal computer 3. The personal computer 3 
is equipped with a CRT 4 and a keyboard 5. 
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view showing the imaging 
device 1. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 1 includes a CCD (charge coupled 
device) 10, a heat transfer plate 11 made of metal such as aluminum, a 
Peltier element 12, a shutter 13 positioned in front of the CCD 10, an A/D 
converter 14 for converting analog image data produced by the CCD 10 to 
digital image data, an image data buffer 15 for temporarily storing image 
data digitized by the A/D converter 14 and a camera control circuit 16 for 
controlling the operation of the imaging device 1. An opening portion 
formed between the imaging device and the dark box 2 is closed by a glass 
plate 17 and the periphery of the imaging device 1 is formed with heat 
dispersion fins 18 over substantially half its length for dispersing heat 
released from the Peltier element 11. 
An image intensifier 19 disposed in the dark box 2 is provided in front of 
the glass plate 17 and a camera lens 20 is mounted on the front surface of 
the image intensifier 19. 
FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of the dark box 2. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the dark box 2 is equipped with a first blue light 
emitting diode stimulating ray source 21 for emitting a stimulating ray 
whose center wavelength is 450 nm and a second blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 22 and a third blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 23 are provided obliquely above the first blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21, each being adapted for 
emitting a stimulating ray whose center wavelength is 450 nm. A filter 24 
is adhered to the upper surface of the first blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 21 and filters 25, 26 are respectively adhered to 
the front surfaces of the second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray 
source 22 and the third blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 
23. The filters 24, 25, 26 cut light of wavelengths other than one in the 
vicinity of 450 nm and harmful to the stimulation of a fluorescent 
substance and transmit light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 450 
nm. A filter 27 for cutting the stimulating ray having a wavelength in the 
vicinity of 450 nm is detachably provided on the front surface of the 
camera lens 20. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 28 designates an image 
carrier carrying an image of fluorescent substance. 
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the personal computer 3 and the peripheral 
devices thereof. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the personal computer 3 includes a CPU 30 for 
controlling the exposure of the CCD 10, a timer means 31 for storing an 
exposure time input by a user, an image data storing means 32 for storing 
image data produced by the imaging device 1, an image data transferring 
means 33 for transferring the image data produced by the imaging device 1 
to the image data storing means 32, an image processing means 34 for 
effecting image processing on the image data stored in the image data 
storing means 32 and an image producing means 35 for producing a visual 
image on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data stored in the 
image data storing means 32. The first blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 21, the second blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 22 and the third blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 23 are controlled by a light source control means 
36 and an instruction signal can be input via the CPU 30 to the light 
source control means 36 through the keyboard 5. 
The thus constituted image producing apparatus according to this embodiment 
detects fluorescent light from the image carrier 28 carrying an image of a 
fluorescent substance and produces a visual image in the following manner. 
When the user inputs an exposure time T during which the CCD 10 is to be 
exposed through the keyboard 5, the exposure time T is stored in the timer 
means 31. The image carrier 28, which is a specimen, is then placed on the 
filter 24 and lens focus is adjusted by the user. After the dark box 2 has 
been closed, the user inputs an exposure start signal through the keyboard 
5. The first blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21 alone or 
the second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22 and the 
third blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 23 are turned on by 
the light source control means 36, thereby emitting a stimulating ray 
toward the image carrier 28. 
Light components of wavelengths not in the vicinity of 450 nm are cut by 
the filters 24, 25, 26 from the stimulating rays emitted from the first 
blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21 alone or the second 
blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22 and the third blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 23. As a result, the 
fluorescent substance contained in the image carrier 28 is stimulated by 
light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 450 nm, thereby emitting 
fluorescent light. 
The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance contained in 
the image carrier 28 enters the photoelectrical surface of the image 
intensifier 19 via the filter 27 and the camera lens 20 and amplified so 
that an image is formed on the fluorescent surface of the image 
intensifier 19. The CCD 10 of the imaging device 1 receives light from the 
image formed on the fluorescent surface of the image intensifier 19 to 
convert electric charges and accumulates them. Since light components 
having wavelengths in the vicinity of 450 nm are cut by the filter 27, 
only fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance contained in 
the image carrier 28 is received by the CCD 10 of the imaging device 1. 
When the exposure time has passed, the CPU 30 outputs an exposure 
completion signal to the imaging device 1 and causes the CCD 10 to 
transfer electric charges accumulated therein to the A/D converter 14 and 
the A/D converter 14 to produce digital image data. At the same time, the 
CPU 30 outputs a data transfer signal to the image data transferring means 
33 to store the digital image data produced by the imaging device 1 in the 
image data storing means 32. 
Afterward, when the user inputs an image producing signal and an image 
processing signal through the keyboard 5, the digital image data stored in 
the image data storing means 32 are read out and input to the image 
processing means 34. In accordance with the input image processing signal, 
the image processing means 34 effects image processing on the read out 
digital image data and a visual image is produced on the screen of the CRT 
4 based on the image-processed digital image data from the image producing 
means 35. 
A chemiluminescent image is produced in the same manner as a fluorescent 
image except that the filter 27 is removed and the first blue light 
emitting diode stimulating ray source 21, the second blue light emitting 
diode stimulating ray source 22 and the third blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 23 are kept to be off, chemiluminescent emission 
emitted from the image carrier 28 is photoelectrically detected by the CCD 
10 via the camera lens 20 and the image intensifier 19 to produce image 
data and a chemiluminescent image is produced on the screen of the CRT 4. 
The CPU 30 is constituted so as not to output an operation signal to the 
light source control means 36 when an instruction signal requesting the 
production of a chemiluminescent image is input together with an exposure 
start signal through the keyboard 5. 
According to this embodiment, since the first blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 21, the second blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 22 and the third blue light emitting diode 
stimulating ray source 23 are used as a stimulating source for stimulating 
a fluorescent substance contained in the image carrier 28, it is 
unnecessary to take measures to prevent the user from being exposed to 
ultraviolet rays and, therefore, it is possible to safely produce a 
fluorescent image at low cost. 
Further, according to this embodiment, since the light emitting diode 
stimulating ray sources 21, 22, 23 used generate less heat than an 
ultraviolet ray source, it is unnecessary to take measures for heat 
dispersion. Therefore, since the dark box 2 can be completely shielded 
from light and extremely weak chemiluminescent emission can be detected, 
it is possible to produce a fluorescent image by the fluorescence 
detecting system and a chemiluminescent image by the chemiluminescent 
detecting system using a single image producing apparatus. 
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view showing a fluorescent image visualizing 
device which is another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 6 is 
a schematic perspective view thereof. 
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fluorescent image visualizing device 40 
includes a blue light emitting diode array base plate 42 provided with a 
plurality of blue light emitting diodes 41 for emitting a stimulating ray 
whose center wavelength is 450 nm, a bandpass filter 43 placed on the blue 
light emitting diode array base plate 42, a diffusion plate 44 made of 
opal glass, slightly opaque acrylic resin or the like, and a transparent 
cover glass 45 placed on the diffusion plate 44. A gel containing specimen 
labeled with a fluorescent substance and electrophoresed is placed on the 
transparent cover glass 45. The bandpass filter 43 is provided for 
improving the contrast of a fluorescent image and the transparent cover 
glass 45 is provided for preventing the diffusion plate 44 from being 
damaged when a band portion of a target substance is cut out with a knife. 
When the thus constituted fluorescent image visualizing device 40 is 
located in a slightly dark ambience and the plurality of blue light 
emitting diodes 41 of the blue light emitting diode array base plate 42 
are turned on, blue light is emitted from the plurality of blue light 
emitting diodes 41. The blue light passing through the bandpass filter 43 
is converted to non-directional light by passing through the diffusion 
plate 44 and impinges on the gel 46 via the transparent cover glass 45. 
The gel 46 is formed with bands 47 of the specimen labeled with a 
fluorescent substance and electrophoresed and the fluorescent substance is 
stimulated by light impinging on the gel and having a wavelength in the 
vicinity of 450 nm, thereby emitting fluorescent light from the bands 47. 
The thus emitted fluorescent light can be viewed with the eyes and, 
therefore, an electrophoresis image of the specimen can be visualized in 
this manner. In this case, if the user wears sun glasses for cutting light 
having the wavelength of the stimulating ray emitted from the blue light 
emitting diodes 41, the bands can be viewed with the eyes, even if the 
amount of light emitted from the fluorescent substance is small. 
According to this embodiment, it is possible to safely view the bands 47 of 
the specimen labeled with a fluorescent substance and electrophoresed on 
the gel 46 and analyze a target substance by finding a band portion where 
the target substance is distributed, picking out it by means of cutting it 
out with a knife, sucking it out or the like and further processing it. 
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a fluorescent image 
visualizing device which is a further embodiment of the present invention. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the fluorescent image visualizing device 40 according 
to this embodiment includes a blue light emitting diode array base plate 
42 provided with a plurality of blue light emitting diodes (not shown) for 
emitting a stimulating ray whose center wavelength is 450 nm, a bandpass 
filter 43 placed on the blue light emitting diode array base plate 42, a 
diffusion plate 44 and a transparent cover glass 45 placed on the 
diffusion plate 44. In this embodiment, an electrophoresis tank 52 
provided with electrodes 50, 51 is placed on the transparent cover glass 
45 and a gel 46 is set in the electrophoresis tank 52 so that a specimen 
labeled with a fluorescent substance can be electrophoresed therein. 
The fluorescent image visualizing device 40 is located in a slightly dark 
ambience and voltage is applied to the gel 46 via the electrodes 50, 51, 
thereby electrophoresing a specimen in the electrophoresis tank 52. The 
plurality of blue light emitting diodes of the blue light emitting diode 
array base plate 42 are then turned on and, similarly to in the previous 
embodiment, the electrophoresis image is visualized. By viewing the 
visualized image, the band portion where the target substance is 
distributed can be found and the target substance can be analyzed by 
picking it out by cutting with a knife, sucking or the like, and further 
processing it. 
According to this embodiment, the specimen can be electrophoresed and an 
electrophoresis image can be safely visualized in situ. 
FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross sectional view showing a dark box of 
an image producing apparatus which is a further embodiment of the present 
invention. 
As shown in FIG. 8, the dark box 2 of the image producing apparatus 
according to this embodiment is equipped with a fluorescent image 
visualizing device 40 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 instead of the first blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21 and the filter 24 and the 
second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22 and the third 
blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 23 are not provided. 
Specifically, the image producing apparatus includes a blue light emitting 
diode array base plate 42 provided with a plurality of blue light emitting 
diodes 41 for emitting a stimulating ray whose center wavelength is 450 
nm, a bandpass filter 43 placed on the blue light emitting diode array 
base plate 42, a diffusion plate 44 made of opal glass, slightly opaque 
acrylic resin or the like, and a transparent cover glass 45 placed on the 
diffusion plate 44. A gel containing a specimen labeled with a fluorescent 
substance and electrophoresed is placed on the transparent cover glass 45. 
The filter 27 is secured to the front surface of the camera lens 20 for 
cutting light of a wavelength equal to that of the stimulating ray emitted 
from the plurality of blue light emitting diodes 41. 
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a personal computer and the peripheral devices 
thereof. 
As shown in FIG. 9, the personal computer 3 includes a CPU 30 for 
controlling the exposure of the CCD 10, a timer means 31 for storing an 
exposure time input by a user, an image data transferring means 33 for 
reading out image data produced by the imaging device from the image data 
buffer 15, an image processing means 34 for effecting image processing on 
the image data read out by the image data transferring means 33 and 
storing them in an image data storing means 32, and an image producing 
means 35 for displaying a visual image on the screen of the CRT 4 based on 
the image data stored in the image data storing means 32. The plurality of 
blue light emitting diodes 41 are controlled by the light source control 
means 36 and an instruction signal can be input via the CPU 30 to the 
light source control means 36 through the keyboard 5. The CPU 30 is 
adapted to output various signals to the camera control circuit 16 of the 
imaging device 1. 
In this embodiment, when a user inputs a lens focus adjusting signal 
through the keyboard 5, the CPU 30 outputs a lens focus adjusting mode 
signal to the camera control circuit 16. When the camera control circuit 
16 receives the lens focus adjusting mode signal, it controls a reading 
operation control circuit (not shown) to cause it to transfer image data 
stored in the CCD 10 in the form of electric charges every predetermined 
time period. 
Prior to reading a fluorescent image, the gel 46 containing a specimen 
labeled with a fluorescent substance and electrophoresed is placed on the 
transparent cover glass 45 by the user and the camera lens 20 is operated 
to adjust the lens focus. When the lens focus adjustment has been 
completed, the dark box 2 is closed. Afterward, when the user inputs an 
exposure start signal through the keyboard 5, the plurality of blue light 
emitting diodes 41 are turned on by the light source control means 36 and 
a stimulating ray is emitted toward the gel 46. At the same time, the 
exposure start signal is input to the camera control circuit 16 and the 
shutter 13 is opened to start the exposure of the CCD 10. 
Bands of the specimen labeled by fluorescent substance and electrophoresed 
are formed on the gel 46 and when they are irradiated with the stimulating 
ray emitted from the plurality of blue light emitting diodes 41, the 
fluorescent substance is stimulated to emit fluorescent light. The 
fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance impinges on the 
fluorescent surface of the image intensifier 19 via the filter 27 and the 
camera lens 20 to form an image. The CCD 10 receives light from the image 
formed on the fluorescent surface of the image intensifier 19, converts it 
to electric charges and accumulates the charges. Since light having a 
wavelength equal to that of the stimulating ray is cut by the filter 27, 
only fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance in the 
specimen contained in the gel 46 is received by the CCD 10 of the imaging 
device 1. 
When a predetermined exposure time has passed, the CPU 30 outputs an 
exposure completion signal to the camera control circuit 16 of the imaging 
device 1. When the camera control circuit 16 receives the exposure 
completion signal from the CPU 30, it causes the CCD 10 to transfer analog 
image data accumulated therein in the form of electric charges to the AND 
converter 14 and causes the A/D converter 14 to digitize them. The digital 
image data are temporarily stored in the image data buffer 15. At the same 
time, the CPU 30 outputs a data transferring signal to the image 
transferring means 33 and causes it to read out the digital image data 
temporarily stored in the image data buffer 15 of the imaging device and 
to input them to the image processing means 34. The image processing means 
34 effects image processing on the image data input from the image data 
transferring means 33 and stores them in the image data storing means 32. 
Afterward, when the user inputs an image producing signal through the 
keyboard 5, the digital image data stored in the image data storing means 
32 are read out by the image producing means 35 and, based on the read out 
image data, a fluorescent image containing bands of the specimen is 
displayed on the screen on the CRT 4. 
According to this embodiment, it is possible to visualize an 
electrophoresis image of the specimen on the screen of the CRT 4 by the 
imaging device 1 including the CCD 10, find a band portion where the 
target substance is distributed, pick out the portion by cutting it out 
with a knife, sucking it out or the like, further process it and analyze 
the target substance. 
The present invention has thus been shown and described with reference to 
specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the present 
invention is in no way limited to the details of the described 
arrangements but changes and modifications may be made without departing 
from the scope of the appended claims. 
For example, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 
and 9, although the CCD 10 is used, instead of the CCD 10, an other type 
of solid state image sensor such as a CID (Charge Injection Device), PDA 
(Photo-Diode Array) or MOS type imaging element may be used. 
Further, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 and 
9, although the image intensifier 19 is provided in front of the imaging 
device 1, it is not absolutely necessary to provide the image intensifier 
19. 
Moreover, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 
and 9, although the imaging device 1 includes the Peltier element 12 for 
cooling the CCD 10 and the heat dispersion fins 18 on the periphery of the 
imaging device 1 for dispersing heat emitted from the Peltier element 12, 
it is not absolutely necessary to provide the Peltier element 12 and the 
heat dispersion fins 18 and they may be omitted depending on the intensity 
of fluorescent light emitted from fluorescent substance. 
Furthermore, in the above described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 
although the first blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21, 
the second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22 and the 
third blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 23 are provided in 
the dark box 2, only the first blue light emitting diode stimulating ray 
source 21, or only the second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray 
source 22 and the third blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 
23 may be provided. 
Further, the first blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21, the 
second blue light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22, the third blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 23 and the blue light emitting 
diodes 41 employed in the above described embodiments are each adapted to 
emit stimulating rays whose center wavelength is 450 nm, because many 
kinds of fluorescent substances used in fluorescent detection systems are 
designed to be effectively stimulated by an argon laser source for 
emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 480 nm. However, a light 
emitting diode stimulating ray source for emitting light whose center 
wavelength is in the range between 400 and 700 nm may be employed 
depending on the kind of fluorescent substance. 
Moreover, in the above described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, although 
the exposure time T is set by the user, an exposure time T may be 
automatically determined by determining exposure times T in accordance 
with the kinds of image carrier 28 and the kinds of fluorescent substance 
in advance, storing them in the personal computer 3 and inputting the kind 
of image carrier 28 or the kind of fluorescent substance through the 
keyboard 5. 
Furthermore, in the above described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, when 
an exposure start signal is input through the keyboard 5, the first blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 21 alone or the second blue 
light emitting diode stimulating ray source 22 and the third blue light 
emitting diode stimulating ray source 23 are turned on by the light source 
control means 36. However, it is not absolutely necessary to constitute 
the light source control means 36 so as to be controlled by the personal 
computer 3 and the light source control means 36 may be manually operated. 
Further, in the above described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the 
filter 27 for cutting light having a wavelength in the vicinity of 450 nm 
is detachably mounted on the front surface of the camera lens 20 and the 
image producing apparatus is constituted so as to be able to detect 
extremely weak chemiluminescent emission and produce a chemiluminescent 
image when the filter 27 is removed. However, the image producing 
apparatus may be constituted so as to produce only a fluorescent image by 
the fluorescent detection system, in which case the filter 27 can be fixed 
to the front surface of the camera lens 20. 
Moreover, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, 
although the bandpass filter 43 is provided, it is not absolutely 
necessary to provide the bandpass filter 43. 
Furthermore, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, 
although the transparent cover glass 45 is provided on the diffusion plate 
44, if the diffusion plate 44 is made of material resistant to damage, it 
is unnecessary to provide the transparent cover glass 45. 
Further, in the above described embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the 
electrophoresis image of the specimen is visualized, a portion where a 
target substance is distributed is found, picked out by cutting it out or 
sucking it out and further processed and the target substance is analyzed. 
However, it is sufficient to merely visualize the electrophoresis image of 
the specimen. 
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image 
producing apparatus which uses a solid state image sensor and can safely 
produce a fluorescent image at low cost.