Key Words: resolution, digital imaging, telemicroscopy
Definition:A microscope slide in a digital format created through digital imaging technologies and viewed on a PC rather than though the microscope eyepiece
TECHNOLOGY:
The creation of a digital slide involves scanning and digitizing the entire (or selected regions of) a glass microscope slide at all required objective magnifications. All the information available on the glass slide is reproduced at diagnostic image quality in the digital slide.
Once a slide has been digitized it can be viewed through a PC screen using appropriate microscope software. In the same way as viewing a slide on a conventional microscope, the user can select an area of interest, select the magnification and alter microscope parameters such as brightness and microscope focus. Additionally, digitized slides allow users to simultaneously see two or more areas of the slide on the screen at the same time, enable the use of thumbnail navigation aids to pinpoint the field of view in the context of the whole slide, allow image analysis features such as the measurement of lesions, and the addition of text annotations.
APPLICATIONS:
The digitized slide overcomes problems associated with the storage of conventional glass slides (i.e. possible breakage, fading, deterioration, and space restrictions) and with the dissemination of slides (for second opinions, discussion, education, and quality control purposes). Perhaps the greatest areas of application are in healthcare and digital pathology where virtual slides are compatible with picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and complement electronic medical records. Digital slides are also central to telepathology, where the digital format of the slide enables rapid dissemination to remote users.
MICROSCOPE CONFIGURATION:
The key piece of equipment enabling the creation of the digitized slide is the digital imaging camera which captures images as the slide is scanned. This digitizes visual information from the original slide and determines the final image quality. The creation of digital slides requires a motorized microscope with motorized stage, focus, objective changeover, and appropriate operating software. Special digital microscope systems incorporate all software and hardware features to enable the digitization and viewing of microscope images.
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM:
Please consult with your local Nikon representative
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