Olympus SC100 digital colour camera

Olympus' is a new, easy-to-use SC100 digital colour camera for high quality brightfield imaging, especially where optimal colour reproduction and superior resolution are required. The 10.5 megapixels sensor of the SC100 allows samples to be investigated in minute detail, particularly when using a low magnification objective. This frees users from needing to take multiple, high magnification images of a sample to preserve resolution. Similarly, images can be easily investigated at high digital magnification at a later date, even if this was not initially intended when using a low magnification objective. Thus the SC100 is perfect for intensive documentation and makes it easy to analyse your samples in detail, at a time convenient to you and without losing sight of the bigger picture.

With the SC100 digital colour camera you can capture in-depth image details in a single shot, without using any pixel-shift technology. The newly implemented CMOS sensor of the SC100 packs more than 10.5 megapixels into a standard size chip, increasing its resolving power to that approaching the resolution of the human eye when looking through the binoculars. In order to preserve image clarity, special care has been taken to minimise the "image noise" commonly associated with an increase in pixel number. The SC100 also utilises Olympus's optimised colour rendering algorithms to ensure that the colours present in the image match those seen when looking down the binoculars. Panning and focusing are comfortable, quick and fluid thanks to the high frame rates offered by the camera, while phase/DIC contrast and darkfield imaging are optimised by utilising the SC100's high sensitivity 2x binning mode.

The SC100 is supported by the Olympus cellSens life science imaging and the OLYMPUS Stream material science software packages, which offer advanced image processing, analysis and storage. Such techniques include "instant Extended Focal Imaging" (EFI),  which makes it easy to automatically produce an "all-in-focus" image simply by turning the focus knob, as well as the "Multiple Image Alignment" (MIA) tool for automatically stitching together single images to form a panoramic. The small, compact design of the SC100 camera incorporates a 2.0 USB port, enabling quick image capture and easy connection to a variety of computer hardware.

By using the SC100 camera as part of a complete Olympus system, you will always be ready to discover the details. For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

Olympus DP72 digital microscope digital camera

Offering unrivalled flexibility for microscopists, the 12.8 megapixel Olympus DP72 digital microscopy camera combines high sensitivity, speed, resolution and quality, with no restrictions. With market-leading image acquisition rates, image display via uncompressed full RGB, and a range of advanced features, the DP72 enables unsurpassed performance standards for all laboratory imaging needs.

The DP72 digital camera is highly flexible and features advanced image processing capabilities, making it ideal for pathology applications, where faithful colour reproduction is essential for clear and consistent diagnoses. The re-mastered pixelshift technology provides high-definition images with the single click of a button.

Capturing a 12.8 megapixel (4140 x 3096 pixels), full-resolution image with excellent clarity and detail is achieved in under 2.5 seconds. This best-in-class camera provides an excellent range of image resolutions to suit all magnifications and experimental requirements. In live-mode, 1360 x 1024 pixel images can be displayed at 15 frames per second (FPS) without any colour shift during sample movement, making it ideal for live imaging documentation.

Additionally, even if a specimen is wholly or partially dark, the flexibility of the DP72 allows it to record black and white images with exceptional sensitivity and low background noise. This precision is ensured for the faintest of images, via the Peltier-based cooling which maintains a temperature of 10 ^oC below ambient. The custom monochrome function allows the user to maximise the readout intensity of specific dyes by accentuating the respective pixel colour. Sensitivity can be increased by implementing binning modes, which combine the light intensity of 2 x 2 or 4 x 4 pixel areas. As a result, clear, sharp images are produced consistently for all illumination methods and experimental protocols. For further information,e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

The Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
chooses NanoSight to characterize magnetic nanoparticles

The Institute for Radiopharmacy at the Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is using NanoSight's LM-20 nanoparticle characterization system to study magnetic nanoparticles for applications in cancer therapy.

The research team of Dr Holger Stephan is working to develop magnetic nanoparticles which can be applied in cancer therapy, preferably in combination with intracellular hyperthermia/ablation and endoradionuclide therapies. This requires nanoparticles to be very stable under physiological conditions and they should also avoid accumulation in the reticuloendothelial system.

Many techniques had been used to characterize the nanoparticles before Dr Stephan discovered the NanoSight system. These included Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultra centrifugation. The NanoSight ability to track individual particles by the scattering of a laser beam has made the study of nanoparticle stability much more convenient. Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, NTA, has been used to successfully follow the stability of different systems as a function of temperature in EDTA and different cell media.

There are three specific goals for measurement: First is to get information about the size distribution of nanoparticles and, more importantly, their stability under physiological relevant conditions, Next is to study the influence of nanoparticle surface modification on the size distribution finally to achieve structure-activity relationships for the nanoparticles on the cellular uptake behaviour (first step) and cancer tissue accumulation (second step).

Dr Stephan has described several advantages of the NanoSight LM-20 system. He says "the NanoSight provides reliable results on nanoparticles as small as 50nm. Sample handling and measurement is straightforward and experiments are performed more quickly than using PCS. The ability to work directly with relevant solutions removes another block to quickly understanding the behaviour of these magnetic nanoparticles and their ultimate use in treating cancers."

"Our goal," continues Dr Stephan "is to rewrite the medical paradigm, currently being "see and treat" and to make the future one of "detect and prevent." By working on the combining of different therapeutic methodologies, we will provide synergetic medical effectiveness."

To learn more about nanoparticle characterisation using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, NTA, view website: www.nanosight.com and register for the latest issue of NanoTrail, the company's electronic newsletter.  Refer to next page

Olympus release v1.4 of its peerless Stream materials science microscopy imaging software, which includes a number of new and improved features

Olympus has updated its highly successful Stream materials science microscopy imaging software family. Stream v1.4 provides a number of new and improved features, which not only increase workflow efficiency, but also enhance the overall capabilities of the software. Importantly, Stream v1.4 and the associated Olympus hardware components are now compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, and there is improved interfacing with Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 programmes. Users will also benefit from functional improvements to the processing and measurement tools and database utilities. The Olympus Stream family is a comprehensive series of materials science software products, offering a peerless combination of imaging, analysis and microscope control features for superior performance and user-friendly operation.

Version 1.4 of the Olympus Stream software has been introduced to provide updated functionality and greater efficiency. As well as support for Microsoft Windows 7 (32 bit) by the Stream software and related Olympus hardware components, Stream v1.4 enables improved report creation capabilities via Microsoft Word (MS Office 2003 & 207). This includes the ability to integrate images, charts and workbooks, as well as documents from different sources. As a result, users can now create standard Word templates, making styling more intuitive, and use the Stream Report Composer for the straightforward, drag-and-drop selection of templates and content for the report. Furthermore, the final report can be edited directly within Word before being finished and submitted.

Database functionality and integration have also been improved in Stream v1.4 with a number of updates. A new database creation wizard ensures that the starting a new database is more intuitive and a number of default settings are pre-defined. In addition, database related file extensions - DBE and DBC - link straight through to Stream, opening the programme as well as initiating the wizard (DBE files), or the related database (DCE files). The Database Tool Window has also been updated so that if no database is open it shows links to 'recent databases', to the 'open database' dialogue, and to the 'create a database' wizard. Furthermore, the migration of existing Star and a4i databases into Stream has been made much simpler and quicker.

Image processing and measurement within Stream has also been enhanced with a series of additions. An auto-arrange function makes it easier to manage the open images within a workflow window, sizing and positioning them to fit in one overview. A new Differential Contrast Enhancement (DCE) filter selectively enhances areas of weak contrast for better detail and focus. New, simple, 3D measurement functions have been enabled since, in addition to the actual image generated during enhanced focal imaging (EFI), a height map is also produced and saved as a separate layer and this makes measurements in all three dimensions rapid and easy. The Stream Essentials and Motion programmes have always provided the capability to be supplemented by a set of 13 specialised measurement extensions to cover key processes such as layer thickness and micro hardness measurement as well as inclusion rating and grain sizing. The Extension Manager solution introduced in Stream v1.4 provides a common interface for all these extensions and makes them much easier to use, with wizard style interfaces and flexible image sources.

Other updates introduced in Stream v1.4 include: a new driver for the Olympus DP21 digital imaging camera to ensure full compatibility, and a complete list of materials science default settings for Olympus microscope frames.

Building on each other from the entry-level 'Start' package to the sophisticated automation and measurement tools available in the 'Motion' package and the additional 'Extensions' modules, the Stream family provides flexible and easy to use functionality for better image acquisition, measurement, archiving and automation.

For further information contact, Esther Ahrent, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu   Refer to next page

The new Olympus DP21 digital microscopy camera, for high-definition (HD) image capture, is suitable for life sciences and materials microscopy.