Vision Epi

Digital solutions for morphological analysis in fluorescence microscopy

Solution for morphological analysis of digital samples in fluorescence microscopy: Specialized tools for automatic selection and quantitative analysis of different cytochemical and fluorescence staining techniques. Analysis of morphology, shapes, marks, optical density and concentration of a wide range of objects. Statistical processing of saved measurements.

Main benefits

1. Motorized microscope and Vision digital camera
2. Automatic preparation of digital samples
3. Autofocus — automatic focus adjustment
4. Image editor and atlas of digital samples
5. Morphological analysis and classification of elements
6. Customizable reference guide of analysis objects and parameters
7. Tools for automatic selection of fluorescence stains
8. Database: storing, sorting and searching
9. Statistical processing and report generation of the analysis
10. Easy access to analysis results and digital samples
11. Telemedicine and remote consultations with colleagues
12. Education for specialists: scientists, doctors, lab technicians and students

Motorized fluorescence microscope

A motorized microscope is the main component of the analysis system

Vision solutions are based on a motorized microscope that implements 3 principal automatic functions: scanning along X/Y axes and focusing on Z axis.

A motorized microscope changes your work completely from manual to automatic, increasing efficiency. It is designed with a focus on convenience and ease. You work with a unified system: a microscope, a camera and a computer, without wasting time on manual operations with a microscope.

A digital sample is generated by digitizing a microscopic image taken with a Vision camera connected to a trinocular microscope with a C-mount adapter.

A slide is usually scanned at low and high magnification (often with 10x and 40x objectives) facilitating easy navigation and zoom with no loss of image quality. This ensures repeatability of results as compared to standard manual microscopy.

We have made every effort to provide you with a solution of highest accuracy, reliability and repeatability. All drives are controlled by means of the dedicated software and control unit.

Complete control of your Vision camera

	Camera settings Different modes when working with color (8 or 16 bit) allow color depth adjustment. “Field alignment” function removes any image defects: uneven field illumination, dust and scratches on optical components of the system.
	Color settings and exposure/brightness control Manual or automatic color settings give the possibility of image adjustment according to illumination (LED or halogen). If its necessary to change image brightness, adjust exposure.
	Histogram Histogram explores contrast, saturation and exposure of the image, as well as estimates what is required when capturing/enhancing an image.
	Preview Live image preview. “Zoom” function lets you magnify the sample. “Resolution” function sets the size of the captured image in pixels.

Digital sample preparation

	1. Create a digital sample Prepare a microscopic slide and place it on the stage of your motorized microscope. Set the required parameters: size, thickness and location of the object, and autofocus if required. After that Vision system will prepare a complete digital sample automatically.
	2. Select a specific area of the digital sample If required, you can scan the slide again with a higher magnification (40x or 100x). This will provide additional quantitative information, as well as significantly improve the detalization of a specific area of the primary image.
	3. Securely save it in the database Digital microscopic samples are saved in the database. Use the “Digital sample editor” to import, export and edit individual frames as well as complete digital samples. Digital microscopic samples can be used for remote consultations with colleagues, video conferences, publications on specialized social networks, etc.

Image editor and atlas of digital samples

Image editor is used to manage and edit frames of a digital sample.

There is a date, ID and name of every digital sample displayed in the editor. Select a sample in the gallery to display automatically all the its frames, that can be scaled freely.

Use the editor to perform the following tasks:
— import microscopic frames captured in external programs
— copy or move frames from one sample to another
— perform frame specific actions “Overlay” and “Wide focus”

Image analysis

Analysis objects reference guide

Specify a set of analysis objects, set their type and dependency between them. Object measurements are performed depending on the object type.

Reference guide customization to calculate nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in a series of cells

1. Select objects of examination and set required calculation parameters.
2. There are two objects: a cell (1) and a nucleus (2). Type for both is region. A nucleus is located inside the cell, i.e. the nucleus is a host for the cell.
3. The result is the following structure:
   — Region: Cell
      — Region: Nuclear
   
4. Next, select the measurement parameters to calculate the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio.
5. For a cell (1) choose — the area, for a nucleus (2) — area and area fraction complement to the host. In this case, complement to the host will be the cytoplasm (3).
6. You now have, in the reference guide, a structure to calculate nuclear (2), -cytoplasmic (3) ratios.

Object tree

All analysis elements are at hand Object tree is an organized list that contains all analyzed objects. Select an object in the object tree and the system will display all information regarding its measurement parameters. If there is any information you don”t need at the moment, for example, marks and comments that interfere with your work, just deselect the checkbox, and they will be hidden. Select the checkbox to view your comments again. Measured parameters — area — area fraction complement to the host — host area fraction — brightness (R, G, B) — optical density dispersion — minimum diameter — maximum diameter — equivalent diameter — shape factor — quantity — number of objects in a frame — number of objects in a host — number of objects per area (1 mm2) — area of inclusions — number of inclusions — inclusion eccentricity — inclusion fraction — fraction without inclusions — optical density (R, G, B) — perimeter — polarization index — other

Classification and object analysis

Flexible and powerful classification adapted to required analysis tasks

Classify analyzed objects using required criteria to generate a report.

Select a required analysis object and measurement parameter to start classification.

The system will automatically measure and display the results visually in a histogram form.

Fluorescence analysis

DAPI-stained image


FITC-stained image


TRITC-stained image


Final image
Final image is generated by combining a series of original images with different fluorescent stains

Specialized tools for automatic selection and quantitative analysis of different cytochemical and fluorescence staining techniques (Acridine Orange, Auramine, EGFP, FITC, S65T, RSGFP, Rhodamine 237, RH414, RH421, RH795, LDS751,TRITC, Proqidium Iodine, RFP, DAPI, Hoechst 33342, Hoechst 34580, AMCA and others)

Application of fluorescence analysis
— infection diagnostics: mycobacterium tuberculosis, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, etc.
— neoplastic disease diagnostics: cervical cancer, breast cancer, hepatoma, etc.
— genetic disease diagnostics
— disseminated connective tissue disease diagnostics: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rheumatism, Shengrena syndrome, etc.
— autoimmune disease diagnostics of various organs
— use in IVF to prevent congenital defects
— histological and cytological scientific research

Morphological analysis of a fluorescence image

Calculation of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio of a group of cells

	1. Capture a FITC-stained image.
	2. Capture a TRITC-stained image.
	3. Obtain a final image by combining a series of original images with different fluorescent stains.
	4. Select cells to be examined and analyze them. When their parameters are measured the cells are saved in the object tree.
	5. Classify the stains. Generate and print out the analysis report.

Report generation

Professional report

Analysis parameters are exported to Microsoft Excel where further analytical calculations can be made on the obtained results and additional elements included to make a more detailed and comprehensive report.

Send your report to your colleagues by email, publish it in specialized social networks online or just print it out.

Database

Reliable database

Vision database stores all patient records, microscopic samples, analysis results, and reports. Information is shown in a form of a patient record with his/her analysis result. Possibility to assess quickly the dynamics in analysis results over a period of time.

The system saves all data automatically, excluding any possibility of loosing valuable information. Advanced data management tools, like filtering and sorting, will help you not to waste time on searching.

Storage, statistic handling, quick search, cooperation with colleagues, remote access via Internet and integration into other information networks (LIS/HIS).

If you need a special report template or additional data fields to a patient record, we can help you customize the database according to your requirements.

Main characteristics

	Motorized fluororecence microscope with “infinitive” optics and Vision digital camera. Preview live video on a PC as well as capture a digital microscopic sample.
	Personal computer with Vision Epi software, high resolution monitor and color printer.
	Automatic digital sample preparation. Single images are “stitched” automatically to make a complete digital sample (“virtual slide”).
	Autofocus.
	Image editor of digital samples to work with frames of a digital sample.
	Atlas of microscopic objects is a customizable hierarchical database. Text comments to images in the atlas.
	Analysis of morphology, shapes, marks, optical density and concentration of a wide range of objects. Tools to select objects. Classification.
	Customizable reference guide of objects and examination parameters.
	Calculation of optical and geometric parameters: quantity, optical density, color, brightness, shape, area, diameter, etc.
	Database stores all information about digital samples and analysis results. Statistic handling, quick search and integration into other information networks (LIS/HIS).
	Export of analysis paremeters to create a report.
	Specialized tools for automatic selection and quantitative analysis of different cytochemical and fluorescence staining techniques.