Since its launch in May 2001, the Olympus BX45 has become widely acknowledged as a significant step forward in microscope ergonomy, particularly suitable for screening applications
The design of the Olympus BX45 prioritises maximum built-in ergonomic flexibility.
The BX45 has an adjustable observation tube 80mm higher and 70mm closer to the operator than any conventional tilting tube.
The eyepoint position can be moved towards the observer by up to 45mm, whilst the eyepiece itself can be tilted from 0 to 25 degrees.
An eyepoint adjuster allows the position to be raised by 30mm, and up to two adjusters can be attached between the frame arm and the observation tube. Addenbrooke's hospital, in Cambridge, UK, a national and regional centre for the training of cytologists, purchased 18 BX45 microscopes for its cervical cancer screening training programme.
Cytology manager Janet Wiseman explains her choice of microscope for the department: "These were the only microscopes that were really suitable for our use; there was nothing else I felt that compared with them.
Olympus was at the forefront with the ergonomics and that's what's important for us." "If you watch the screeners at work they are actually moving the field of view all the time; both hands are constantly going, which is why it is so important to have comfortable microscopes," said Mrs Wiseman.
"With the new Olympus your hands are flat on the desk, with support in your arms the right way and you can tilt the eyepieces to where you want to have your head and extend the eyepieces to a comfortable position." Another happy customer is the cytology screening service of the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, based at the Chelmsford and Essex Hospital.
Jackie Meadows, BMS3 within the department explains; "Ergonomy considerations were primary in deciding which new screening microscopes we should choose.
As a department, we were able to look at a selection of ergonomic microscopes which the manufacturers made available.
Each microscope was in the department for a week or more, and every screener had the opportunity to work with the various models." "Everybody felt comfortable working with the ergonomic features of the Olympus BX45.
The main benefit was the ability to change the angle of the microscope head.
It is also possible to put spacers in to increase the height between the observation tube and the stage.
The third big advantage was that we could adjust the tension setting on the controls for stage movement."
