Innovative new microscopy system offers creation of virtual images at diagnostic-level resolution for the entire slide, which can be accessed from any location around the world via the internet
The challenges are all too familiar.
In the field of medicine an expert opinion for tissue sample analysis is required from someone located elsewhere.
Training sessions often lack sufficiently equipped microscopes or identical samples.
Moreover, analysis, consultation and documentation have to be kept as cost-efficient as possible.
With this in mind, Soft Imaging System, in conjunction with Olympus, has developed an innovative new microscopy system, the Dotslide (.slide).
In contrast to conventional digital microscopy, it offers creation of virtual images at diagnostic-level resolution, for the entire slide.
These virtual slides can be accessed from any location around the world via the internet.
While digitisation in microscopy has made enormous advances over the years, it has run into some difficulties of late.
One problem was not being able to capture an image area at multiple magnification levels.
This meant that an overview of the entire slide with detailed views at high resolution was simply not possible.
Dotslide however, eliminates these restrictions, says Olymopus.
The scanning of entire slides is now possible - including the microscopic specimen at a level of magnification defined by the user.
A virtual slide is thereby created that can be displayed on a monitor in perfect quality and archived in an online database if necessary.
As when using a genuine glass slide, sections can be enlarged or reduced - by anyone with authorised access at any location in the world.
It is even possible to mark points of particular interest or significance for direct recall.
Comprehensive functions for labeling these sections or appending audio notes to marked positions make it easy to include more detailed information.
It is based on an entire system of individual components (microscope, motorised stage, PC, software) that interact optimally.
The software is the core of the system.
It regulates the acquisition procedure, enables numerous processing routines as well as ensuring flawless visualisation and allocation of images to web-based galleries.
When selecting the hardware, particular emphasis was placed on speed, flexibility, automation, configurability, ease of use and optimal expandability, says Olympus.
The system is used with an Olympus BX51 microscope, known for its excellent optical performance and optimal resolution.
Numerous motorised components and the unique modular and ergonomic design ensure maximum efficiency.
The integrated digital colour camera offers high resolution, rapid frame rates and an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio.
Equipped with dual Xeon processors, the integrated PC features 4GB Ram as well as a 128MB graphics card enabling superior and fast sample visualisation.
Similarly, the Dotslide motorised stage ensures best performance with its ultra-fast PCI DSP stage controller card.
All motorised components of the microscope as well as the motorised stage and camera are controlled via an intuitive user interface.
An autofocus function provides additional ease of use and guarantees clear, sharp images at all times.
