Telemicroscopy | Telemicroscopy
Key Words: digital imaging, digitized slide, field-of-view
Definition:Telemicroscopy allows microscope images to be shared with remote users using the Internet or other communications network
TECHNOLOGY:
At its simplest level, telemicroscopy can mean the sharing of a static view of a microscope slide with another person via email (store-and-forward telemicroscopy). At its most sophisticated, a number of remote users may participate in examining and discussing a microscope slide using an intranet or the Internet - with control over the field-of-view, magnification and other microscope operations. Telemicroscopy depends on digital imaging for the creation of an easily-shared slide image. Remote operations depend on motorized 'robotic' microscopes, and microscope software technologies that allow network access, remote operation and security in the sharing of confidential information.
APPLICATIONS:
Telemicroscopy can be used to access expert opinion for diagnosis and consultation - wherever that expert may be (in another room or on another continent). It avoids the need for experts to travel, or to maintain a presence in the hospital during, for example, a surgical procedure. Telemicroscopy also allows a number of remote users to see real-time images from restricted areas, such as clean rooms in industrial or bio-environments. Telemicroscopy is widely used in education where limitless numbers of students, wherever they are located, can see the same slide simultaneously. Telemicroscopy is also used in external quality control (EQA) procedures, avoiding the need to disseminate sets of glass slides, which are easily broken or lost.
MICROSCOPE CONFIGURATION:
At its simplest level, a microscope image can be captured with a digital camera mounted on a microscope and then shared with a remote user via the Internet. For remote use of microscope functions, a motorized 'lead' microscope is required (for example, Eclipse 90i, TiE biological microscopes). A number of commercially available telemicroscopy systems are available to enable remote microscope use.
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM:
Nikon's Coolscope digital microscope system is a simple to use 'all-in-one system' for creating digital slides, sharing images with remote users, and enabling the sharing of some basic microscope functions.
