Biomedx Microscope Catalog
Biomedx Microscope Catalog
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1-206-577-0037
www.biomedx.com
Microscope General Features__________________________________
Microscope Base Assembly
The Biomedx premium ergonomic microscope base unit includes an integrated
stage with a wire drive smooth scroll x-y axis control, a field iris diaphragm, 5
objective inward-facing nosepiece turret, focus stage lock and limit control with
tension adjuster, special analysis wavelength filter holder, a built-in wide diameter
glass fiber optic light guide, and an enhanced brass gear focus assembly upgrade.
Fiberoptic Lightsource
For uncompromising illumination, Biomedx systems provide 150 watts of light
carried through a pure glass fiber optic cable directly into the microscope. Since
fiber optic technology was invented, it has been used to get bright light into small
spaces, and microscope illumination is one area it has been used extensively.
Our universal condenser is made of die cast metal and has 5 adjustable turret
positions. It includes a snap-in field expanding lens that offers a full field of view
when using a 2x wide field objective (preferred for some industry’s applications like
viewing dried layers of blood). The turret condenser with the included field
expanding lens is shown to the right.
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Trinocular Head Assembly
The head assembly shown directly to the right allows viewing through the binocular
eyepieces, and by simply pulling a knob that moves a prism inside the head, the
microscopic image can be relayed to the video camera system and onto the TV
monitor. While 80% of the images light goes to the video system, 20% remains in
the binocular eyepiece for continued viewing ability. This 80/20 system is perfect for
this application. When doing critical viewing through the eyepiece in a mode like
darkfield, 100% of the light can be directed to the oculars for outstanding imaging.
Typical oculars chosen with this head are the 10x widefield eyepieces with FN 20.
The next head assembly shown here is a 50/50 system. Half the light goes to the
video and half goes to the eyepieces. It is good for all around applications and with
the sensitivity of our cameras works well for all video viewing modes. However,
anyone that is going to do critical darkfield work now or in the future and demands
the best viewing through the eyepieces should consider the first option.
The objectives are placed into a turret nosepiece which rotates each
objective into place as needed. Our standard microscope system has a
5 objective nosepiece turret.
Video Imaging
Standard definition video cameras High definition video cameras is the way to go for higher
meeting traditional NTSC/PAL video resolution real time live imaging. With our special optical
standards would be a choice when couplers, select consumer HD camcorders can be used.
cost savings is an absolute must. This allows imaging to be directed to HD flat panel TVs for
We have long used these small big screen viewing. Very impressive. Here is one in the
head cameras for their excellent Biomedx classroom.
imaging capability. These cameras
contain industry proven CCD color imagers with on-board
digital algorithms built into their internal ROM chips for
excellent color and image rendition. These cameras also
undergo stricter quality control to meet our specific
microscope application needs.
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Video/Optical Standard phase contrast view.
Zoom Systems
With the advent of HD camcorders, zoom
functions can be provided with the
camcorder’s internal optical and digital
zoom capabilites when our optical coupling
components hook it to the microscope.
Rotate the turret condenser
and you have a simple
differential interference
contrast perspective
Biomedx Systems
Superior Quality,
Performance, Continue to zoom and increase
Versatility, image size further.
There is a bit of misunderstanding about magnification factors and zoom systems on microscopes and how they
function. Part of the problem has been the creative marketing on the part of some microscope resellers.
Let’s set the story straight. The maximum magnification you can get on a standard light microscope is about 1250x to
1600x. This is viewing through the eyepiece with the naked eye which will also give you the finest detail you can see.
This detail is termed resolution.
Though we can get large magnification with optical arrangements, digital video, and manipulating a camera up and
down over the video coupling lens (the lens that connects the microscope to the camera and focuses the image to the
camera chip), what we want is "useful" magnification, not “empty” magnification. Useful magnification is a function of
resolution. Resolution is the limit up to which two small objects are still seen separately. It is used as a measure of the
resolving power of a microscope.
Resolution in a microscope is a function of the numerical aperture of the objective (printed as NA on the objective).
Digging into the mathematics, the maximum resolved distance is equal to the wavelength of the color of light through
the specimen divided by 2NA. Going further, the maximum magnification possible with optimum resolution tops out at
slightly less than 1000 times the NA. A 100x oil objective typically can have a numerical aperture of 1.3. so 1.3 X 1000
= 1300 as the theoretical limit of magnification with the most resolution. Since no manufacturer makes a 13x eyepiece
(13x eyepiece X 100x objective = 1300 mag) we are left with the standard 12.5x eyepieces which gives 1250x
magnification. The higher the NA of an objective, the higher the price. Today some very high priced objectives ($10k+)
are approaching 100x with an NA of 1.6 which could give 1600x optical magnification.
When a microscope is sold based on some ultimate magnification factor like 8,000x or 30,000x, this is simply related to
the physical image size that appears on the video monitor. For example, a red blood cell is 7 to 8 microns in diameter.
If you have a red blood cell that is 1 inch large on the video monitor, divide 8 microns into 1 inch (.0254 meters) and
you will arrive at the number 3175. So a I inch red blood cell on the video monitor is magnified 3175x. Do you have
any more resolution of that image then what you can see through the eyepiece at 1250x? No you do not. You just have
a bigger image. But sometimes, bigger is better and in the case of microscopy viewing, it is a nice advantage.
Zoom Systems
One way to get a zoom function is through the use of a computer with a digital zoom software function. Choose the
right imaging software and this is a built in function, so there is little extra cost to get this option if you are going through
a computer. Computer video zooming is not dependent on a scopes maximum light intensity. However, when you are
seeking more magnification using higher power objectives, optical zooms, or vertical camera adjustments (explained
below), more light is needed to push the image through the optics.
Another zoom method that has been used by some manufacturers is through vertically adjusting the camera over the
video coupling lens. For optimum focus, a camera should be set at one specific distance but these manufacturers take
advantage of the physics of older style finite corrected microscope objectives which is older technology but still widely
available. How it works is this: if you observe the principles of light and image projection, you will note that the further
away you get from the place where you may be projecting an image to, the larger the image gets. By varying a
camera’s distance over the projection lens (the video coupler) of a microscope, a zoom type effect can be achieved. It
is not the best way to accomplish the job, but it is simple and inexpensive. Some companies have patented motorized
drives that make the vertical camera adjustment by simply pushing a button. Because of these patents, they ask for a
$20-30K premium for their systems. For the level and type of zoom these arrangements offer, this premium is quite
excessive.
A third way to get a zoom function is with an optical zoom placed between the camera and microscope. This is far
superior to the method mentioned above. It does not rely on magnifying the image with electronics, nor manipulating
the camera distance from the video coupler, but by using optical lenses.
A fourth way is to use the built in optical and digital zoom function on the latest HD camcorders. With a consumer
driven market where manufactures crank out large volumes of devices it means lower costs all around and with the
right camera and optical connections to the microscope, this has become one of the best low cost zoom options.
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Video Displays
There are a number of choices available for viewing your microscope image on a video screen. Here are a few:
When using a lower cost standard definition camera, any standard TV/VCR combination unit will work such as
the one shown above on the left. These units have direct video inputs so you can plug the composite video
output of the camera directly to the TV. These are a simple option if you have it available but with the advent of
HD into the marketplace these units are no longer sold in stores.
With our standard definition cameras that have high resolution s-video output capability, matching this output with
a professional level monitor with s-video input is a nice choice and looks the best, but these monitor options are
expensive and getting harder to find and when you do find them they are in the pro market and a bit pricey.
What you will find in all electronic stores today are HD flat panel TVs from 14” to 65” in size. If you are using a
standard definition camera, choosing a TV that has s-video input capability is needed. Since the signal feeding
the TV is standard definition, up to a 19” screen size would be preferred. Though we have plugged our standard
definition cameras into our 47” screen in class and it looks good from a distance, it is pushes the limits of
resolution for closer viewing and we think keeping a display under 32” for a standard definition camera is
warranted. If using a high definition camcorder than the larger screen sizes are okay.
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Video Cameras
Standard video cameras have CCD (charged coupled device) chips where images get focused from a lens and are
then translated electronically to a TV picture. Analog CCD chip cameras have been the video standard in use for a
long time for live biological imaging.
CMOS chips are a more recent technology which is coming along with increasing image quality. You will find these
chips in many digital cameras that go direct to a computer and in HD camcorders. We have found USB digital cameras
primarily work best for still imaging. The frame rate (how many picture frames the camera takes each second to make
a smooth moving live picture) is in the range of 15 frames per second with a decent image screen size, though 30
frames per second is more preferable. We can get this with consumer and prosumer HD camcorders and plug them
directly into TV screens in high-def mode for 30 frames per second viewing at 1920 x 1080 resolution.
With many camcorders, getting high pixel count has been important where a definite quality difference can be seen
going from say a 3 megapixel camera to a 8 to 12 megapixel camera. However, the number of pixels does not tell the
whole story. Recently some manufactures have decreased the pixel count to perfectly match a 1920 x 1080 HD screen
size while increasing the pixel size along with the physical CMOS chip size. With the increased pixel size this has
meant more sensitivity to low light conditions and with a matched pixel to screen size it has meant less internal
electronic processing to form the image which is a source of image noise. With these latest innovations, we have seen
2 megapixel chip cameras outperform 9 megapixel cameras and it has become the
standard for Biomedx systems to provide high definition viewing, optical and digital zooming
along with all the other features that make these systems first in class.
It is an easy process to get the video out of any camera and into your computer. Here is
one of our laptops showing a live blood microscope image. The computer can be used for
image storage and retrieval and an HD flat panel as the microscope video display. Today
with wireless networks and HD camcorders, you can install wireless memory chips into the
camcorder so when an image snapshot is taken, it is wirelessly transferred right to the
computer for printing or saving into a client folder.
With internal SD memory chips in the cameras, there is not even a need for a computer as the chips
can be removed from the camcorder and plugged directly into a printer to print from the chip.
*In the photo group, 60 people who had not been exercising started an exercise Wagner Health Clinic
program, compared with 34 people in the non-photo group. Ounce of Prevention
*More people had stopped smoking in the photo group (11) than the non-photo group Worth a Pound of Cure
(1). 312-555-8476
*The photo group lost more weight, 17.6 pound apiece, compared with 11 pounds for
the others.
*The photo group had a more significant drop in cholesterol.
After a year, participants in the photo group had a statistically significant greater
reduction in the average thickness of their arteries’ walls compared with the non-
photo group. From USA TODAY
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Sample Component Pricing
These are our prices on individual components.
We think you will find true value in the Biomedx
pricing structure which includes our point specific
knowledge of this area of work.
Computer options.
Economy Abbe condenser (top
element in picture) for brightfield These prices change continually. Some
of our laptops have direct video input to
viewing when using a darkfield set
take signal directly from scope.
-up. $105
Legacy Items
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Overview & Sample Systems
These next two pages will give you an idea of our system’s flexibility. Our systems all begin with our base Olympus
modified CX41 with built in fiber optic light guide, external high powered lighting like 150 watt quartz halogen light
boxes, and enhanced brass gear focus control. Choose a system and tailor as you desire to meet your needs. You
can start with a basic clinic configuration, take it out of the box and plug it in. Depending on your selected camera it
is ready to go to feed any video monitor of your choice from simple low cost TV, to high performance laboratory
imaging monitor, to your desktop computer, to a large screen plasma or LCD/LED display. As you desire to change
or increase functionality and performance, you can alter your system now or at any time in the future.
System 1
Simple yet high quality microscope performance for clinic application, demonstration, education.
Here is a basic unit - but there is nothing basic about the quality and image capability. It is the
superb Biomedx microscope base (custom modified Olympus CX series with superior Olympus
optics) for industrial and clinical health applications including live blood and dry layer
investigation. Unit comes with a trinocular eyepiece assembly with a fixed 50/50 prism which
splits light between the eyepiece oculars and video camera. Has a quintuple objective turret
that has a plan achromatic 4x brightfield objective for things like dry layer viewing and plan ach
40x non oil phase objective for a simple, easy and beautiful live blood perspective. Comes with
standard 10x FN18 eyepieces and a universal style turret condenser that can easily switch
between brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast and 3D view. With our fiber optic enabled base
and 150 watt quartz halogen light source and it offers superior imaging performace.
.
Price: $ 5496 with preferred HD Option
Options: 2x Widefield objective in place of 4x for a larger dry layer view - add $435. 10x objective for magnifying dry layer and for wide field live
blood $140. 100x oil phase contrast objective $702. See simple worksheets for other video options.
System 2
For more exacting research and increased flexibility.
Our System 1 can be upgraded to System 2 taking microscopy however far you desire to
go. Uses a binocular head assembly with a special trinocular prism port so either 100% of
the light and image is directed to the eyepiece for critical investigation or 80% of the light
goes to the video and 20% continues on to the eyepiece for navigation. Deluxe 10x
eyepieces with rubber eyecups and field view number of FN20. The base System 2 has a
4x objective for accomplishing dry layer work, a 10x objective, and a 40x non-oil phase
objective for live blood, a universal style metal turret condenser for brightfield, darkfield,
phase & 3D contrast viewing, HD camcorder with optical & digital zoom function & direct to
chip recording ready to go to HDTV.
Price: $6186 with the preferred HD Option
Options: 2x Widefield objective in place of 4x for a larger dry layer view - add $435. 100x phase oil objective add $702, Dedicated darkfield
condenser $450, 50x plan oil iris darkfield objective $1051, 100x plan oil iris darkfield objective $751. See simple worksheets for other video
options.
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System Overview Continued...
Most popular add-ons: 1) 100x oil phase objective, 2) 50x oil/iris dark field objective, 3) 20x phase objective, 4) dedicated oil dark field condenser.
Price: $6382
Options:
100x plan oil/iris objective $751, For the flexibility of a universal turret condenser (ability to easily switch modes from phase contrast, darkfield, 3D
& brightfield) add $832 for the condenser, $115 for the centering telescope, $473 for 40x non-oil phase objective and $702 for 100x oil phase. One
option chosesn by some is to forgo the 50x oil objective and use a 40x non-oil and swap the 10x for a 20x. This provides good versatility without
having to use oil on the top side for those using methods like HemoBiographic analysis .
Price: $9925
Remember: These are just a few suggested sample configurations you can accept as
listed, or change as desired. You can start small and upgrade as desired or get
everything you want built-in at the beginning. The prices shown sometimes drift slightly up
or down depending on camcorder market prices.
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Worksheet to Build a Microscope System
Begin with a Biomedx premium ergonomic microscope base. Includes integrated stage with a $ 1425
wire drive smooth scroll x-y axis control, field iris diaphragm, 5 objective inward-facing nosepiece
turret, focus stage lock limit control with tension adjuster, special analysis wavelength filter
holder, wide diameter glass fiber optic light guide.
Select a 150 watt quartz halogen light source specific to your country:
___120v countries $380 ___220v $425 ___LED array light source $540 _______
Select your condenser(s):
___ Metal turret condenser for brightfield, darkfield, 2x widefield, 10x, 40x, 100x phase $ 832
___ Dedicated cardioid oil darkfield condenser $450
___ Brightfield abbe condenser $105
___ Phase centering telescope $115 _______
Select your objectives:
___ 2x plan for widest view of dry layers $518
___ 4x plan for dry layer $83
___ 10x plan for dry layer close up and widefield live. $140
___ 20x plan phase objective for brightfield/darkfield/phase widefield live viewing $357
___ 40 x plan non-oil phase contrast (everyday working lens for live blood viewing) $473
___ 100x plan oil phase contrast (for higher resolution and more magnification) $702
___ 50x plan oil iris objective for high level darkfield live blood viewing $1051 _______
___ 100x plan oil iris darkfield $751
Select your eyepiece head assembly:
___ Standard head assembly with 50/50 light to eyepiece/video split $832
___ Upgraded head assembly with 100% light to eyepiece & 80/20 eyepiece/video split $1270 _______
(Upgraded head is shown as 2 line items on a quotation or invoice as it is composed of 2 separate components.)
___ All microscopes using any video camera require a camera coupler for the head assembly.
(Coupler is shown as 2 line items on a quotation or invoice as it is composed of 2 separate components.) 231
Select your eyepiece oculars:
___ Deluxe 10x with wider field of view at FN20 and rubber eyecups (pair) $212
___ Standard 10x with field of view at FN18 (pair) $100 (non-Olympus) _______
___ 15x FN 14 (pair) $170 (non-Olympus) ___ 15x Olympus $317
Select a video camera:
___ High Definition Option with zoom - you will need this camcorder optical coupler $580 _______
Plus Canon camcorder that Biomedx acquires and sets up to the scope
Includes memory chip & 10’ HDMI cable $560 _______
(Pricing subject to change slightly up or down as models and market pricing changes.)
___ Standard definition color video camera with power supply and wire harness $410 _______
11 Total: _______
Microscope System 1 Simple Worksheet
______________________________________________________________________________
Equipment: _______________________________________________________________________
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