Biomedical Optics Products

Toshiba Imaging Systems Division is partnering with Olympus Canada to offer a new tool for clinical pathology and teaching, the High Definition Synergy-HD Microscope Imaging System. It includes a hi-def, wide screen 42" or 47" 1080p LCD monitor and delivers video in real time, displaying the entire slide at all ROIs and magnifications. Toshiba's camera and 3-chip prism block offers 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 frames per second, and promises superb color reproduction, contrast, and image detail without binning, jitter, or lag.

The system displays exceptional detail, contrast, and brightness even at low 2X / 4X magnifications where clinical screening and margins are performed. Its image processing electronics promise superior signal-to-noise ratio. A wide variety of adjustments, including custom color matrices and other user settings, is available via a compact control unit that promises ease of use. The high contrast images are viewable from any angle. A second PC with an HD-SDI frame grabber can be added to allow digital capture of the HD images at full 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The frame grabber allows simultaneous viewing on the monitor.

Olympus Canada

Dental laser company Zap Lasers has unveiled what it calls "the world's first microlaser for soft-tissue applications," the Styla MicroLaser. It combines a wireless, cordless design with proven diode laser technology in a self-contained unit measuring 6.9 inches and weighing 1.9 ounces.

Zap says its engineers spent more than two years compacting the company's diode laser technology into Styla's all-in-one design. In addition to 2.0 watts of power, eight pre-set procedures and continuous and pulsed modes, Styla features a lightweight body; pre-threaded disposable tips, and magnets to align and secure them; a position sensor to detect orientation and adjust the display accordingly; a base that can simultaneously charge three batteries in less than one hour; rechargeable batteries that run for more than 20 minutes continuously; and a wireless foot pedal that uses 2.4 GHz technology to communicate with Styla's main body and allows freedom of movement for dentists.

Zap Lasers

Agilent Technologies (Santa Clara, CA) has introduced a multiwavelength laser combiner for microscopy applications such as epifluorescence, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. The new combiner provides 19 wavelength options that can be used in three-channel to eight-channel configurations. As research needs change, new laser wavelength channels can be added, or laser lines can be changed within channel.

The multiwavelength laser combiner gives new options to a wide variety of OEM and end-user applications for fluorescence microscopy including FRET, TIRF, FLIM, FRAP and FISH. It is based on Agilent's complex monolithic optic (CMO) design, which incorporates many individual optical components into one monolithic structure. This is the first implementation of a CMO design for microscopy applications.

Agilent Technologies

Hamamatsu (Bridgewater, NJ) has introduced the C9252DK-14 flat panel sensor, a digital X-ray image sensor designed for CT imaging, panoramic and cephalometric imaging, somatology, and biochemical imaging. The lightweight and compact C9252DK-14 offers a flat panel structure with a large area of 12 cm x 24 cm and allows both partial scan and whole scan modes for use in panoramic and CT imaging, respectively. It also offers a wide dynamic range, high speed frame rate (30 frames/sec), and high sensitivity (6000 LSB/mR).