Imaging device

An imaging device for acquiring an image of a plate-like specimen container having a rectangular shape as seen in top view, comprising:

• a table for placing said specimen container thereon;
• a position reference member provided on an upper surface of said table and including a first extension and a second extension, said first and second extensions extending in directions intersecting at right angles to each other as seen in top view;
• a holding mechanism provided on the upper surface of said table and for aligning said specimen container along said position reference member;
• a movement mechanism for moving said table, said position reference member, and said holding mechanism in a horizontal direction;
• an illumination part for irradiating said specimen container with light;
• and
• an imaging part for photographing said specimen container illuminated by said illumination part,
• said holding mechanism including
• a rotating plate extending horizontally in plate-like form, and
• a main body portion for pivoting said rotating plate forwardly in a circumferential direction around a vertically extending central axis by means of elastic force of a spring,
• said rotating plate including
• a front wing portion extending in a radial direction from said central axis, and
• a protruding portion protruding forwardly in said circumferential direction from said front wing portion,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a second direction as seen in top view to align along said first extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said front wing portion into contact with said specimen container,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a first direction as seen in top view to align along said second extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said protruding portion into contact with said specimen container, and
• wherein an angle between a first line extending along a forward edge of said front wing portion as seen in said circumferential direction and a second line connecting a forward end point of said protruding portion as seen in said circumferential direction and a point at which said first line contacts said protruding portion is not greater than 135° as seen in top view.

An imaging device for acquiring an image of a plate-like specimen container having a rectangular shape as seen in top view, comprising:

• a table for placing said specimen container thereon;
• a position reference member provided on an upper surface of said table and including a first extension and a second extension, said first and second extensions extending in directions intersecting at right angles to each other as seen in top view;
• a holding mechanism provided on the upper surface of said table and for aligning said specimen container along said position reference member;
• a movement mechanism for moving said table, said position reference member, and said holding mechanism in a horizontal direction;
• an illumination part for irradiating said specimen container with light;
• and
• an imaging part for photographing said specimen container illuminated by said illumination part,
• said holding mechanism including
• a rotating plate extending horizontally in plate-like form, and
• a main body portion for pivoting said rotating plate forwardly in a circumferential direction around a vertically extending central axis by means of elastic force of a spring,
• said rotating plate including
• a front wing portion extending in a radial direction from said central axis, and
• a protruding portion protruding forwardly in said circumferential direction from said front wing portion,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a second direction as seen in top view to align along said first extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said front wing portion into contact with said specimen container,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a first direction as seen in top view to align along said second extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said protruding portion into contact with said specimen container, and
• wherein said protruding portion protrudes in a semicircular shape forwardly in said circumferential direction as seen in top view.

An imaging device for acquiring an image of a plate-like specimen container having a rectangular shape as seen in top view, comprising:

• a table for placing said specimen container thereon;
• a position reference member provided on an upper surface of said table and including a first extension and a second extension, said first and second extensions extending in directions intersecting at right angles to each other as seen in top view;
• a holding mechanism provided on the upper surface of said table and for aligning said specimen container along said position reference member;
• a movement mechanism for moving said table, said position reference member, and said holding mechanism in a horizontal direction;
• an illumination part for irradiating said specimen container with light;
• and
• an imaging part for photographing said specimen container illuminated by said illumination part,
• said holding mechanism including
• a rotating plate extending horizontally in plate-like form, and
• a main body portion for pivoting said rotating plate forwardly in a circumferential direction around a vertically extending central axis by means of elastic force of a spring,
• said rotating plate including
• a front wing portion extending in a radial direction from said central axis, and
• a protruding portion protruding forwardly in said circumferential direction from said front wing portion,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a second direction as seen in top view to align along said first extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said front wing portion into contact with said specimen container,
• wherein said specimen container is urged in a first direction as seen in top view to align along said second extension when said rotating plate is pivoted forwardly in said circumferential direction to bring said protruding portion into contact with said specimen container,
• wherein said rotating plate further includes a rear wing portion extending in a radial direction from said central axis and positioned rearward from said front wing portion in said circumferential direction, and
• wherein said movement mechanism reciprocally moves said table, said position reference member, and said holding mechanism in a horizontal direction between an imaging position and a retracted position spaced apart from said imaging position,
• said imaging device further comprising a stopper member coming in contact with said rear wing portion to pivot said rotating plate rearwardly in said circumferential direction around said central axis to thereby release an urging force exerted on said specimen container, when said table, said position reference member, and said holding mechanism move to said retracted position.