Posted by
Jacqueline Ross on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Slide-scanner-tp7580065p7580079.html
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Hi All,
One further comment that I forgot to include in my previous email. We can also do batch imaging, using a slide tower, however in our hands it's really only suitable for brightfield imaging.
This is because we have found that it really is necessary to define the exposure time for fluorescence carefully (and manually by going to the brightest region and setting it there) as with a standard fluorescence microscope. Otherwise, it's easy to end up with a load of images that are over-saturated. For fluorescence, you may not have the luxury of being able to repeat the scanning due to photobleaching.
Kind regards,
Jacqui
Jacqueline Ross
Biomedical Imaging Microscopist
Biomedical Imaging Research Unit
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142, NEW ZEALAND
Tel: 64 9 923 7438
Fax: 64 9 373 7484
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sms/biru/-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jacqui Ross
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March 2013 5:37 p.m.
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: Re: Slide scanner
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Hi All,
We have the MetaSystems VSlide, which we purchased last year. It's microscope-based, i.e. not a box, which is what we wanted so that we have a large range of objective lenses and filter cubes available. It does fluorescence and brightfield. There are 2 cameras, one colour and one monochrome so you can do "high resolution" colour imaging as well using the monochrome camera (3 LEDs are used for the illumination). We tested it out thoroughly prior to purchase and were satisfied that it would be suitable for our requirements.
Data can be output in various ways, including Imaris format (.ims) which is hierarchical and can be read in ImageJ/FIJI. Regions can be extracted, etc. using the free MetaViewer.
We have been very happy with the performance of the system with only the odd glitch, usually user-related. The main issues we have encountered have been specimen-related since we are a research facility so slides/sections, etc. tend to be quite variable.
Also, the file size and requirements for storage have astounded some of our researchers. Let's just say that the 63x/1.4NA oil immersion objective lens isn't getting a lot of use!
Kind regards,
Jacqui
Jacqueline Ross
Biomedical Imaging Microscopist
Biomedical Imaging Research Unit
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142, NEW ZEALAND
Tel: 64 9 923 7438
Fax: 64 9 373 7484
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sms/biru/-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Sathya Srinivasan
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March 2013 10:59 a.m.
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: Re: Slide scanner
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Hi,
We have the VS120S slide scanner from Olympus in our facility and is the same system that Craig was mentioning in his reply. This system is very much liked by users for its simplicity and good quality images. As Craig has mentioned, there are no software to open the .vsi images generated. The stitching is flawless and generates great images. There is an ImageJ VSI reader plugin to open the images (but have been unsuccessful so far to open a large image- but have heard that it has worked fine for at least one user). The OlyVIA software that Craig was mentioning is a freeware and can be used to open the .vsi files and have minimal features like sharing with other users online and taking a snapshot of the screen and export to PPT slides or Photoshop. The drawback is that the resolution of the image will go down when you use OlyVIA software and take a snapshot of the image. The features in the VS-ASW software (which controls the microscope and imaging) is good and user friendly (was able to train users within an hour and they are able to image on their own). The VS-ASW software has many features which are not present in OlyVIA like crop ROI into new image, burn in info (burns the scale bar in the image), annotations, measuring tools, image processing tools (Edge detection, Sharpening tools, smoothing, enhancements, rotation, etc.). The following are the pros and cons of the VS-ASW slide scanner:
Pros:
-Fast imaging, can scan up to 5 slides in bright field mode and with a slight modification can do the batch scan in fluorescence mode too. The Olympus tech claims that the latest version of the software can do a fluorescence batch scan mode too- but have to see it.
-Can do Z-stacks up to 15 microns and EFI processing (Extented Focus Image) in thick sections- good feature for imaging processes like neurons which are in different focal planes -Good quality images with seamless stitching -User friendly software for imaging and hardware control -The hardware (microscope) has not failed on us
Cons:
-Software crashes too often and has a mind of its own. Has seen it change the settings quite a few times even like disappearance of some features like the batch scan in fluorescence mode, which was an unexplained mystery even to the Olympus techs.
-The stand alone Olyvia software has minimal functions and cannot be used for extensive image post-processing
- The .vsi file is not compatible with most of the other image processing programs (not sure if Image-Pro can open it and would like to try) -The software is still in infancy and need lots of improvements to make it more stable -Stand alone software (similar to the ones that controls the microscope with all the features) and Upgrades are costly Hope this helps and good luck.
Sathya Srinivasan
Manager
RUN Microscopy Facility
www.ucalgary.ca/runcore
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB, Canada
> Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:20:01 +0000
> From:
[hidden email]
> Subject: Re: Slide scanner
> To:
[hidden email]
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> *****
>
> **Commercial Response**
>
> I'm writing from Media Cybernetics, developers of Image-Pro Premier software. Since some folks are mentioning the need for good post-acquisition analysis software, I thought I'd share that Image-Pro Premier software now allows you to open large slide scanning files. It currently open BigTiff, Aperio, Objective Imaging Turboscan files and will soon open Leica slide scanning files.
>
> Once the image is opened, you can extract out a portion to analyze with tools like Smart Segmentation, automatic counting & classification, batch processing, Send to PowerPoint, PDF reporting and annotations. Here's some additional information:
>
http://www.mediacy.com/index.aspx?page=Pathology>
> Downloadable 14-day trials are available via our website.
>
http://www.mediacy.com/index.aspx?page=IP_Premier>
> We also have a DAB Analysis App which is freely available to all Image-Pro Premier users. I'm also looking for collaborators to help us develop new Image-Pro Premier Apps, so please email me if you are interested.
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
>
>
> Kathy Hrach
> Media Cybernetics, Inc.
> 401 N. Washington St, Suite 350
> Rockville, MD 20850
> tel 301-495-3305 ext. 260
> mobile 240-372-2010
> fax 301-495-5964
> email
[hidden email]
> www.mediacy.com
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [
[hidden email]] On
> Behalf Of Sue Penrhyn-Lowe [
[hidden email]]
> Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 12:33 PM
> To:
[hidden email]
> Subject: Slide scanner
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> *****
>
> I am looking to buy a new virtual slide scanner with both Fluorescent and bright field capabilities. What are your thoughts on the leica SCN400F?
> Thank-you
> sue
>
>
>
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