Multi-channel fluorescence

When scanning fluorescence images, the scan mode tool window is enlarged via the fluorescence tab, which has been adapted to fulfill the specific requirements of multi-channel fluorescence microscopy. The VS-ASW for fluorescence applications supports individual color channel focus offsets and shading corrections and provides with the Online Deblur function a powerful tool to remove out of focus light during fluorescence scanning. The acquisition process starts with the generation of a brightfield or fluorescence overview of the entire slide. It includes the automatic detection of the specimen to avoid time-consuming scanning of areas where there is no sample on the slide. The high-magnification scan is subsequently performed automatically, over the whole slide, or over smaller, predefined areas of interest using the selected objective. During acquisition, hundreds of individual fluorescence images are simultaneously compressed without any loss in quality and stitched together to create a seamless, magnified version of the slide*. As a result, the process is carried-out within minutes, even using high magnification objectives.

* Please note, that specimen-dependent image shading can influence the image quality.

Easy to use

All functions are presented via an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. The user is guided step-by-step through the virtual slide acquisition process by an intuitive Scan Wizard. The VS120 also allows users to review the overview slide images and assign individual magnifications, scan areas and other parameters, even in a batch scan. Although several modes are predefined, the advanced software allows experienced users to be in full control of the scanning process. Therefore, different scan settings can be assigned to individual slides, saving significant scanning time, as well as offering the possibility of only scanning areas of interest, reducing the data file size.

Z-scan

The VS120 fluorescence system is also capable of scanning multiple large specimens in up to 15 z-planes. By selecting the virtual fluorescence Z scan mode, the reviewer can simply focus through the sample, as well as examining regions of interest in different dimensions. At each position of the whole sample, the VS120 system acquires a stack of fluorescence images at various focus positions, and these fluorescence z-stacks are stored within the images and can be focused virtually on the monitor. The image is displayed on the screen while being scanned, and can be viewed immediately without affecting the acquisition. This is due to the high-performance and unique multi-threading capabilities of the VS120 software.

Instant high-resolution evaluation

Users can view the overview image from low magnification, up to high magnification by simply zooming in. All samples can be evaluated instantly and simultaneously as they are stored electronically on a central server. As a result, the VS120 is ideal for use in a number of areas including research, pathology and education.

Fluorescence Expert Batch scan mode

The VS fluorescence software (VS-ASW-FL) packages now offer the ability to acquire virtual slides with fluorescence illumination in the new Fluorescence Expert Batch scan mode. This mode allows previously saved settings to be applied to a single slide scan, or to selected slides within the batch. When used in conjunction with the L100 slide loader, throughput is increased so as 100 fluorescently labeled slides can be scanned in a single batch run. Since the fixed exposure time from the entire scan is used for the batch scan, this mode is only applicable when scanning a series of slides with comparable fluorescence intensity, "e.g. for quantitative comparisons".

Global accessibility and real-time sharing

The Olympus VS120 seamlessly combines microscopy and imaging to create a virtual slide that is an exact copy of the real specimen. A high resolution image of the whole specimen is generated, which can be viewed and evaluated away from the microscope in real time and can be analyzed by multiple personnel across the globe. All users are able to review the same sample, yet control the position and magnification individually, as if it were a real slide. The VS120 software is designed to provide all the features needed to make both research and diagnostic use as easy as possible.