ECLIPSE Ji

Chieko Nakada: The target users for this microscope system are not limited to those familiar with conventional microscopes. It is designed to be accessible for a wide range of people involved in biological research and who work with microscopic images. The development concepts focus on 'easy operation,' 'improvement of experimental efficiency,' and 'system flexibility.' The first concept, 'easy operation,' aims to address the existing problem of difficulty in operating and optimizing microscopes. For the second, 'improvement of experimental efficiency,' we propose a solution that streamlines the entire workflow. This includes optimizing settings, quantification, and analysis. This solution is in response to the recent trend of image information becoming increasingly important in microscopy. And lastly, we have 'system flexibility'. This concept emerged to address the need for a system that can adapt to changes in research trends, target samples, and diversity.

Mike Davis: In recent years we have noticed a change in microscope users in the US market. They are not getting enough time to understand and master the operation of microscopy techniques before using them. This is due to the increasing complexity and sophistication of microscopic observation techniques, and the increased performance and functionality of the microscopes themselves. But without a thorough understanding and mastery of these techniques, it affects the quality of their data collection. Our main objective was to create a user-friendly 'smart microscope' that would allow for high-quality data collection, even for those without extensive microscope expertise or experience, while also preserving the core functionality and flexibility for experienced microscope users.

Takao Nonaka: I was entrusted with the task of implementing the concepts that Chieko and Mike had proposed and constructed. The concept I considered to be the most crucial was 'easy operation. Conventional microscopes often require complicated hardware and software operations before results can be obtained. However, recent technological innovations in drug discovery and regenerative medicine are remarkable, and the volume and speed of research and operations tend to increase accordingly. We are currently experiencing an era of promoting reforms in work style, time management, and individual quality of life. With this in mind, we approached this concept with the question: can we make using microscopes as intuitive as mastering a smartphone application?

ECLIPSE Ji Development Concepts

Easy Operation:

• Researchers have been struggling to optimize their microscopes due to the rapid evolution of biological system technology.
• Current automated microscopes require human judgment at many steps.
• Microscopes could reduce the burden on users if they functioned more autonomously.

Improvement of Experimental Efficiency:

• Digital cameras are commonly used to capture microscopic images, which are then converted into digital data.
• It is becoming more common to obtain quantitative information from digital images.
• To prevent waste, alerts can be sent out when abnormalities are detected in samples.

System Flexibility:

• Research trends and targeted samples can be updated daily.
• In many research settings, it is common for multiple users to share a single microscope.
• Flexibility is necessary to accommodate ongoing changes in technology, research objectives, and diversity for long-term use.

Nakada: The development concept of the ECLIPSE Ji was shared with each Nikon department in Japan and Nikon Group offices worldwide for production of the microscope. Mike and his team in the US provided valuable suggestions about the ideal form of microscopes for digital transformation and the digital native generation. We then collaborated with various individuals involved in the front- and back-end processes of product development from an early stage. We worked with the software and hardware development teams to enable autonomous decision-making and operation of the device. Additionally, we collaborated with the R&D department to develop AI-based elements for a learning model. And to include the quantitative evaluation of sample images feature, we formulated a quality verification method with the quality assurance department.

Davis: The development of the ECLIPSE Ji was a collaborative effort that extended around the world, from initial concept-sharing to final production. Our US team researched how users utilize microscopes and identified major challenges. Members in each country, including Japan and in Europe, repeatedly examined and refined the shared concept to make it a reality. Nikon had the best people and the highest motivation to complete an automated system using high-performance optical technology. It takes many talented developers and validators to achieve this.

Nonaka: This project involved engineers from different generations and organizational boundaries. Experienced designers worked on hardware development, while younger designers focused on software development. As this was a new product concept for Nikon, everyone had different interpretations of the concept at the beginning, making it challenging to translate into product features. After several discussions, we reached a common understanding, and I found the process enjoyable. Mike and other sales representatives from Japan and around the world provided valuable input during the product specification stage. Although some features are not yet implemented in the current Ji model, they are scheduled to be gradually added in future updates.

Davis: Live imaging is all about time. Stumbling over focusing, proper exposure, lighting settings, etc. can have a huge impact on the condition of the sample, and the ECLIPSE Ji　has the aim of allowing the microscope to learn these processes itself via AI to minimize damage to the sample. As a microscopist with over 30 years of experience, this is very exciting for me. The combination of superior optical technology and AI has transformed the microscope into a more powerful and user-friendly tool. The complex operations and traditional appearance that have been in place for hundreds of years are no longer present. The ECLIPSE Ji is evolving to provide even more advanced support. I am very excited about the new possibilities that it will bring.

Nonaka: We hope that the ECLIPSE Ji will be useful for many research projects, including drug discovery, by allowing users to spend less time on complex microscope-related operations and data analysis than before. The time saved can be used to work on new research, read research papers, or even take a walk in the park. We would be delighted to see this become a catalyst for the enrichment of society as a whole. I would like to thank everyone involved in developing the ECLIPSE Ji, including the users we interviewed.

Nakada: The ECLIPSE Ji is easy to set up and provides immediate microscopic images and quantitative results. We hope it can be used more conveniently in all life science fields, leading to new discoveries by increasing agility in understanding trends in target samples, formulating and revising hypotheses, and planning the next experiment. Additionally, the improved efficiency of experiments will contribute to reforms in work styles and cost reductions. As for future challenges, we have heard various requests from users and sales staff. We are excited to collaborate with everyone to tackle these challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Note: The job title and responsibilities at the time of the interview.