The Digital Age has brought with it many changes in the way we look at things, literally. As can be expected, the most notable and literal of these changes is the digital microscope, which is an advanced variation of the conventional optical microscope. It uses fiber optics and a charge coupled device camera to produce an image directly to a monitor.

As such, you will not find the eyepiece from which to look through the camera lens and to the sample specimen underneath it. In many ways, it is a point-and-shoot operation just like your digital camera.

Varied Uses

Along with the ability to save the images and/or videos to the computer hard drive, this very convenient operation has made it possible to use the digital microscope for a variety of uses. Among the few most important are the following:

* Galleries and museums for restoration of artworks
* Textile plants for examination of fiber quality
* Scientific laboratories, both on site and in the field, in such areas of specialization as entomology, paleontology, marine biology and other sciences
* Engineering workshops for examination of printed circuit boards
* Printing shops for quality control of prints
* Forensic laboratories for identification of forged documents
* Veterinary clinics for identification and removal of small pests on animals
* Beauty saloons for identification of skin problems and tattoo shops for fine skin inking

The digital microscope enjoys its popularity among a broad range of users because of the benefits it brings to the table. First, it can be portable, thus, one can bring it even in the most rugged of conditions. Second, its images can either be saved in the hard drive or printed for closer examination, which also allows for later analysis. Third, it enables many users in one room and even in various locations to view the same image, thanks to Internet technology. All of these benefits were non-existent with the traditional microscope.

Varied Types

There are two basic types of the digital microscope according to its portability. First, you have the portable type that can easily be carried by hand. You will find them being used by the abovementioned industries.

Second, you have the mounted digital microscopes that resemble their conventional counterparts in that these are fixed to the table. The differences lie in better quality optics, transmission of images to other locations and to a projector, and saving of the images/video.

Take note, however, that any conventional microscope can be made into a digital one through the addition of the digital eyepiece. This is a small digital camera used to replace the standard eyepiece of the conventional microscope and connected to the computer via a USB. Of course, there are limitations to this set-up as it is still bench-mounted.

Indeed, the digital microscope has made life easier for us humans as well as our pets in so many ways. Your children will learn more things, thanks to such a useful device through which they can explore the world from a whole different perspective.

CanScope - complete solution for all your microscopy needs.
Contact: 1-877-56SCOPE(72673) or info@CanScope.ca