What is the PC-Scope?

The PC-Scope is a fully-integrated, computer-controlled optical microscopy system designed to eliminate the ergonomic problems associated with long-term microscope use while significantly reducing the cost of ownership. With the appropriate adapter cards and communication protocol, the PC-Scope is fully capable of seamless remote operation for telepathology type applications.

PC-Scope benefits?

Productivity Improvement

An independent assessment by a commercial quality control inspection organization determined that the PC-Scope raises productivity by at least 100%. Using a PC-Scope system to perform in-line inspections, the facility estimated that it could easily double its throughput and that a 300% increase was more likely, assuming optimization of their process to take advantage of some key capabilities of the PC-Scope. The ease of use and the ability to capture and transmit high resolution images with user-inputted annotation and to store and compile inspection data would shorten the work cycle significantly. By placing the microscope inside a limited-access room with the personal computer outside, inspectors could perform their duties without having to don special clothing and pass through protective passage ways.

Employee Health and Welfare

Conventional microscope design trade-offs usually result in a system poorly suited to human operation, in that the operator must maintain a rigid and unnatural posture for extended periods of time. Researchers have determined that about 80 percent of microscopists experience headaches or musculoskeletal pain, and 75 percent complain of eye strain. One study reported an OSHA injury rate of 19 for a sample of microscope operators while another indicated a high incidence of career dropout between the fifth and tenth years of practice. The research that supports these published works indicates most microscopists cannot successfully operate the optical microscope for an entire career without incurring debilitating injuries. And, if special sample handling procedures are required, personnel clothing considerations can significantly increase the difficulty of use and the associated physical stress.

With the PC-Scope, the operator uses a mouse connected to a personal computer to control the microscope while observing the true-color image on a high-resolution color monitor. Precision positioning of the sample is done under computer control. The operator can specify the x,y coordinate of a feature to move the stage automatically to put that feature into the field-of-view of a 100x objective lens (on-screen magnification is 4000x). The physical operation of the PC-Scope is even less stressful than normal personal computer operation since a mouse, instead of a keyboard, is used as the primary input device.

Reduced Cost-of-Ownership

The purchase price of a fully-functional system is significantly more than that of a conventional bench-top microscope, but the improved throughput and eliminated harm to its long term users quickly offsets the initial higher price. The system includes a 100mm x 100mm motorized stage with an optional 20 slide cassette handling system, a high resolution video imaging system, a personal computer with monitor, and a microscope with 2, 4, 10, 20, and 40x plan achromat biological objectives. Lens selection, image focusing, stage x & y travel, substage condenser focus, and aperture and field diaphragm openings are controlled from the screen of the personal computer. The substage condenser is automatically lowered to expand the illumination field for low magnification objectives.

Made in the USA.

The patented PC-Scope, designed by TriTek Corp., is built in their Northern Virginia laboratory and uses state-of-the-art imaging optics from Olympus Optical Co., LTD of Japan.

TriTek personnel provide in-line installation, and all parts and labor carry a 12 month, on-site warranty. TriTek also offers an extended service plan for post-warranty maintenance.

Employee Training

TriTek offers a qualitative microscopy training program with a curriculum that covers light optics, personal computer construction & operation, microscope construction & operation, and rapid screening techniques.

 

The objective of the training program is to provide employees with skills that will prepare them for entry level product inspection positions in a laboratory. Subsequent on-the-job training, specific to the actual business process, should be minimal. For customers desiring deeper application-specific training, the course can be augmented with customer-provided material or instruction. Confidentiality of proprietary material is guaranteed.

The course is offered for up to 6 students for a nominal fee for a single system purchase and is complimentary with the purchase of 4 PC-Scopes. The series of lectures and laboratory exercises is presented over a 2 week period on the customer’s premises.