Use the term “Microscope” or “Scanner” instead?
In our
descriptions, the term “microscope” and “scanner” is often used likewise. All
of our microscopes are scanners also and all of our scanners include magnifying
of the tissue like a microscope does. Often the relevant expression is used to
focusing the attention to the more important task at the relevant moment, but
this is not done consequently. So we can assume, the used term “microscope” or
“scanner” has no important difference in our aspects.
What is a scanner?
The term
“scanner” used by 3DHISTECH includes a microscope unit to magnifying the object
(tissue) to be scanned. The tissue itself is scanned FOV by FOV (FOV means
field of view; the area of the tissue, captured by the scan camera with
1exposure) and then, these fields are assembled by the software to a virtual
slide (or virtual tissue).
In opposite to
the microscope, the scanner includes always a slide loading mechanics that allows
the insertion of the slide manually or automatically, and the entire tissue (or
only a part of it) is scanned automatically; a virtual tissue will be created.
To reach this, because each virtual tissue may be
assembled from more 100 FOVs, the tissue must be moved in X- and Y-direction in
relation to the objective pupil. So we can say, the X-Y-stage unit, equipped
with the specimen holder is a part of the scanner.
In opposite to
this, the focus unit (contains the objective, the condenser and the focusing
mechanics) is a part of the microscope unit; a part of the optical path.
Both units are
mounted together on the scanner plate and the assembled scanner plate makes the
scanner unit.
This example
shows that the term is floating or, the border between scanner part and
microscope part can often not be defined exactly.
Watch video: “Tissue scan process” (P250)
Scanner components; quick reference
The table
combines units and includes components and
- Offers an overview of existing
modules, components and units.
- A compare of units and scanners is
easily possible.
- Shows scanner types, equipped with different
units
- You will go very quickly familiar
with the units of the scanners.
