COMPUTER CONTROL OF OPTICAL MICROSCOPE MOTION...

As early as 1995, Bunton Instrument began developing a biological microscope that featured motorized control of FOCUS, X/Y sample movements, objective nosepiece, aperture and field diaphragms, light intensity, condenser height for Koehler and total interaction with the image on a computer monitor. The entire microscope was controlled by the point-and-click mouse commands.

The prototype you see in the photo was developed jointly between Bunton and Tritek in Virginia.

We no longer "adapt" conventional microscopes but you will see several of the major microscope makers now offering very expensive motorized optical microscopes with computer control of all functions. You will also see a host of motorized stages, focus drives and nosepieces from the USA and Europe/UK. The fact is, these systems cost a ton of money and are well beyond the budgets of most labs.

PRECISION STEPPER MOTOR STAGE AND FOCUS DRIVE...

Bunton is now pleased to offer a turn-key, affordable motorized stage for use on inverted microscope plain stage plates and upright microscopy and macro rigs with plain stage plates able to receive 200mm x 200mm fixtures. The photo shows this unique stepper motor stage to scan an area of 50mm x 50mm with resolution of 0.02 micron and submicron repeatability. The prototype shown includes a joystick remote and separate controller. Production units after June 2006 will feature the controller card built into the joystick and simple USB2 cable interface to the Windows XP operating system. The stepper motor for z-focus drive is in the housing at the top left in the photo. This unit easily attaches to the fine focus shaft of most microscopes after removing the fine focus knob. This stage was developed for laser micro-dissection applications and offers a complete x/y motion (including software for operational commands) for less than $5,000.00. The 200mm x 200mm stage frame with very compact stepper motors (lower left in photo) quickly attaches to any metal surface with four or five Sorbothane pads included with the stage...no drilling or tapping of holes for screws! The stage will scan from .1 micron per second to 1mm per second. The adjustable sample mounts are quickly adjusted to received a 25mm x 75mm glass slides, 50mm x 75mm slides or small petri dishes up to about 45mm diameter. Custom chambers are easily adapted for biological cell studies and confocal imaging.

30 to 50% less than the stepper motor stages already on the market...with better precision and PC interface. Contact Bunton for further details on this new product family.

Visit: www.j3precision.com for details on the J3 stepper motor stage. Here you will see the stage mounted to an existing plain stage plate of a Hund inverted microscope. Custom holders are available for live cell environmental chambers and a new option for 2007 includes z-axis stepper motor control for fine focus steps as required for confocal, z-stacking or TIRF microscopy systems. USB2 interface to your PC with operating software included…starting at under $6,000.00 with joystick/controller.

Also: www.bioptechs.com for environmental chambers.