Ergonomic Microscope Solutions? 9
Mr Durden asks: "Where I work there are lots of microscope use. I'm curious as to whether anyone has suggestions on solutions for ergonomics. Anything for the back, head, especially the neck would be greatly appreciated." would it be difficult to modify an existing microscope so that they output to some form of monitor or LCD? I'd be surprised if something like this did not exist.
Been there, done that (Score:1)
http://www.opto.de [www.opto.de]
where to get it... (Score:1)
Check out MicroBrightField Inc. (Score:2)
Unfortunately, most microscopes require that you sit at a bench with your knees against some cupboard doors, and look down into oculars, which can tense the muscles in your neck.
I work for MicroBrightField Inc. [microbrightfield.com] Where we integrate a computer system with microscopes for (mostly) neuroscientists around the world. The most elaborate setup has the ability to
- Use a motorized stage to move around the slide. The slide goes on a platform with stepper motors that move along an X and Y axis.
- Motorized focus to move through the focal plane (Z axis). A stepper motor attaches to the fine focus on one side of the microscope, and a linear encoder measures the height of the stage.
- See the material on the monitor of a Windows machine, and click markers, and trace regions. You can focus and move using a joystick, or using the mouse. The mouse wheel can do the focusing, and clicking near the edge of the image on the screen makes the stage move, and center the last point you clicked.
- See the computer screen when you look in the microscope. (we have a mini LCD that attaches to the drawing tube of a microscope) This gives the best image quality of the material (no CCD to reduce resolution) and still lets you click on things you see.
- Perform calculations on what you see in the microscope. This can be as simple as area, volume, or as complex as Sholl analysis of 'trees' of neuron processes.
- Estimate the number of cells in an entire brain using 'Unbiased Stereology.' You can examine just 200 or so different carefully selected sampling sites, and count 2-3 cells at each site to estimate (+- %8) the number of cells in an entire brain.
- Do a 3D navigable reconstruction (using OpenGL) of the tracing... putting a skin over contours that were drawn around specific regions and drawing neurons as trees of cylinders, walk through and examine any part of the space.
The entire set-up is a bit expensive, but it is very ergonomic to use... and enables some large scale studies which would not have been possible using manual methods.A couple of our customers go all-out and project the microscope image onto a lightweight LCD screen, that you use a simple stylus to draw on.... (A Wacom tablet) You would not beleive how easy it can be... sit back, put your feet up, put the wacom tablet in your lap, and start doodling (carefully tracing) over the material you see... As you draw, and place markers, the motorized stage moves, and you navigate around the material on the slide...
Check out MicroBrightField Inc. [microbrightfield.com]
I was hired to do the 3D solids modeling using OpenGL... which has been a really fun job.
-Jim (jim@oublic.org)
They exist (Score:1)
Microscope plus cheap camcorder = great fun! (Score:1)
Try it! It also works with binoculars and telescopes with the right tube and plenty of duct tape.
Yet still more, including inspection scopes! (Score:1)
By the way, the various powers listed on the scopes are easy to figure out - 40x means 40 times bigger, and 100x means 100x bigger. The 1000x enlargement lenses are usually pretty dicey - and you can ram them into the objects with ease.
Inspection binoculars, like those used for electronics, are really easy - you can often get all the action you need from a camcorder alone. I've used cheap VHS C camcorders on a simple bracket with a 19" TV monitor above to inspect surfacemount solder connections, and with a simple diopter adapter (available for anything with threads), you can double or triple the zoom effect. Autofocus gets in the way on some cameras, but the utility is there.
Last Cool Point!
If you have a 100x zoom feature on your cam corder, you can get slightly better resolution, but it really depends on the optics.
Holistic (Score:1)
The images were stunning, but my arse hurt all night long.
I would have preferred to go back to the setup I used when I learned to use a microscope as a child; lying on the floor with all my materials spread out in a big semi-circle. (but then I guess I was lucky)
Intel Play Computer Microscope (Score:1)
Actually, I first saw one in a pawn shop a few hours ago...
Finally a slashdot topic I know a little about. (Score:2)
One drawback of a video camera as opposed to looking through optics is the relatively low resolution available. The human eye has a far better resolution then the average CCD and this can make a difference, depending on the application.
As other posters pointed out, a video camera mounted to your microscope optics is going to lessen your neck strain and might make you more productive (again, depends on what you are looking at). Just like with a computer, your posture and seat height are also important. And if your job is forcing you to look through one of those cheap or old vertical microscopes, they need to at least get you proper tools to do your job. Binocular microscopes with an angled head are inexpensive nowdays.
To get an idea of what you'd get for an off-the-shelf system, check Edmund Scientific [edmundscientific.com]. Dig through their slow CFML catalog for microscopes and video microscopes for a selection of what is avaialable. Others have pointed out that you can put something together for well under their prices.
As far as microscopes in general, there are generally two types, low power binocular scopes and higher powered microscopes for slides (I forget the 'real' name for them).
Binocular Scopes - Usually 10x to 40x magnification, these are great for looking at 'real world' objects. Circuit boards, bugs, that expensive engagement ring you bought and that gash on the end of your finger are all amazing to look at with only 10x or 20x magnification. If you're thinking of buying something for your child to spark their interest in biology or the sciences in general, this is it. They will be able to relate better to the things they look at and you'll find yourself using it as well. These are used professionally by geologists and to inspect circuit boards (among other uses).
'Slide type' microscopes - These are the ones you remember from biology class for looking at pond water or single celled organisims (like that dude in the other comment who is trying to count his own sperm}. Typically having 3 or 4 set magnifications (10x, 40x, 100x, 400x and maybe 1000x combining the eyepiece and objective magnifications) and used with translucent specimens that are illuminated from beneath. These have an entirely different role, typically in biology. These are also fun for kids but they take a little more preparation because of the slides and such.
OK, so there is a start. Hopefully, you'll be able to convince your boss that a decent CCD camera along with a video capture card for your computer to archive and enhance the images is necessary for increased productivity and workplace ergonomics.