Innovations in the field of life sciences-2009: No. 6
6th place according to The Scientist. Universal microscopesIn 2009, Olympus introduced two new universal microscopy systems: FluoView FV10i, the world's first autonomous confocal microscope that allows you to create three–dimensional images of a sample, and FSX100, an autonomous microscope that has no analogues in the US market, allowing you to conduct fluorescent studies and work using the light field method.
Both devices include lighting systems, microscopes, movable sample tables and cameras. All components are placed inside a small, simple case.
According to Olympus product manager Mark Clymer, the appearance of the new microscopes is very different from traditional laboratory equipment. Their autonomy means that they can be installed almost anywhere. Moreover, unlike conventional fluorescent microscopes, which are usually used in darkened rooms, the new systems allow you to work in illuminated laboratories.
The FSX100 costs $55,000, while the FluoView FV10i costs $147,000 for a model requiring the use of immersion oil, and $167,000 for a model working with an aqueous immersion system optimal for visualizing living cells.
An important point is also the carefully developed software of microscopes, which makes working with them easy even for beginners. This quality is especially in demand in organizations where microscopes are available to a large number of users.