Notizie

Nikon Instruments, a leader in the development of advanced optical technology, today announced the debut of its new flagship upright microscope -- the Eclipse 90i. Fully motorized and extremely scaleable, the 90i is designed to meet the highest optical demands of digital imaging technology for a broad range of applications including cell biology, drug discovery, biochemistry, molecular bio, genomics, pathology, medical and related research environments.

The Nikon 90i establishes a new benchmark for digital imaging quality and performance through automation and features Nikon's new VC Plan APO Optics that deliver the highest quality performance imaging available. Along with advances in the utilization of fluorescence technology, the 90i offers superior ergonomics and advanced software that allows users to concentrate on their research and spend less time adjusting manual settings between optical observations and imaging techniques.

"Nikon's Eclipse 90i is a leap in innovation for microscopy. By combining Nikon's superior optics with extraordinary digital technology in an advanced automated microscope, the 90i delivers the quality, performance and versatility that is required today by researchers and core facility imaging labs," said Stan Schwartz, Vice President, Microscopy Product and Marketing Division, Nikon Instruments.

The 90i was designed to enable microscopists to perform as efficiently and productively as possible through its innovative state-of-the-art modern control interface via USB for fast, direct external control. The unique Digital Imaging Head, DIH-E, provides improved fluorescence performance with an integrated Epi-Fluorescence attachment that produces extraordinary high signal-to-noise contrast ratios through Nikon's patented "Hi-S/N Noise Terminator" technology.

Featuring a fully automated platform, the 90i's DIH-E includes the Epi- Fluorescence six-position filter turret, field diaphragm, electronic shutter, optical zoom (0.8X to 2.0X) and light distribution selection between the observation binocular and the two incorporated light ports for image collection. In addition to the external ergo controller the design of Eclipse 90i delivers comfort and ease-of-use to enable more productive and efficient research by eliminating physical strain and repetitive motions. The combination of the iControl and ACT-2U software enables the motorized control of both the microscope and digital imaging head from a PC. In this configuration, the system automatically switches the settings following an objective change and lets the operator monitor the microscope settings.

Distinguishing Features

The Nikon Eclipse 90i offers extensive motorized functions of its main body and with its accessories. On the main body, the 90i features a motorized fine-coarse control with a maximum speed of 5mm per second and an encoder-incorporated Z-axis provides resolution to 0.05 um and reproducibility to 0.1 um. In addition, a convenient control switch at the front of the microscope manages motorized light distribution, nosepiece rotation, fine or coarse focusing with quick drop function, handles the Epi fluorescence shutter, light intensity control, filter cube rotation and aperture along with the field diaphragms.

The 90i's motorized accessories include an XY Stage, Universal Condenser and DIC nosepiece that allows fast selection between high-contrast and high-resolution imaging capabilities. Nikon's 'fly-eye' lens array provides an even intensity that completely fills the objective back aperture and satisfies the strict demands of high-resolution digital imaging. Construction of multidimensional, ultra-high resolution images is made possible with Nikon's new violet corrected (VC) Plan APO optics and C1 Digital Eclipse Laser System. The VC Plan APO optics expand the spectral correction range into the violet lines, offer improved aberration correction and provide crisper and cleaner images across a broad range of observation conditions