Fluorescence Microscope Provides Quality Imaging and Streamlines Workflow

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 May 2009
A new microscope has been launched which provides quality fluorescence imaging.

The EVOS fl is an "evolutionary” fluorescence microscope based on the innovative EVOS platform. The EVOS platform offers a fully integrated digital imaging system that includes an inverted microscope, high-resolution digital camera, and liquid crystal display (LCD).

Launched by the Advanced Microscopy Group (AMG; Mill Creek, WA, USA), a division of Westover Scientific, Inc., the EVOS fl brings fluorescence capability to the company's EVOS inverted microscope line. A key feature of the EVOS fl is its innovative light-emitting diode (LED)-based light cube system. Each light cube integrates the illumination source, the light engine, and the fluorescence filters into a single compact unit, removing all need for alignment or calibration by the user. In addition, by shortening the optical path the light cube can deliver very bright illumination intensities. Because each LED will last for more than 50,000 hours, the user never has to change a bulb. Most importantly, LEDs can be instantly adjusted and precisely controlled by the user, so the chance of photobleaching or phototoxicity is greatly reduced.

The EVOS fl is supported by an embedded microprocessor that gives the user full control of image acquisition and management without need for an external computer. Mouse control and a streamlined user interface provide tools for adjusting illumination levels, balancing fluorescence, and transmitted light channels, capturing image data, and saving it to a portable USB drive.

Dr. Mark Rand, senior application scientist, added, "This is a true user-focused microscope. All of the innovations we put in--the on-board computer, the light cubes, the form factor, and the controls--had one guiding purpose. That was to make high quality fluorescence microscopy unbelievably easy and reliable. We are satisfied that EVOS fl fully achieves this goal."

Westover Scientific is an optical equipment development firm. Westover's AMG division creates innovative optical equipment for the life sciences market, including diagnostic and research laboratories. The AMG product line includes microscopes, digital imaging equipment, and software for a variety of routine and specialty applications.

Related Links:
Advanced Microscopy Group



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