Product category:
Optical microscopes
News Release from: Nikon UK | Subject: SMZ800
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 27 September 2004
Stereo microscopes at the cutting edge
of surgery
High magnification and coaxial illumination help detect imperfections as small as 50 microns on diamond surgical blades
Using its newly acquired Nikon SMZ800 stereo microscope, Mechmed can now check the cutting edges of its diamond surgical blades for imperfections that can often be less than 50 microns in length or depth Since the blade is the most important part of the specialist microsurgical instruments it designs and manufacturers for use in areas such as ophthalmology and neuro surgery, the ability to control and guarantee quality is vital
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 28 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Confocal system brings live cell imaging to life
The A1 is Nikon's powerful new fully-automated confocal imaging system capable of capturing high-quality confocal images of cells and molecular events at high speed and enhanced sensitivity
Slide scanner is optimised for oil immersion work
Purpose-designed for oil immersion, the Aperio ScanScope OS from Nikon creates high-resolution digital slides of blood smears, bone marrow, Gram stain, and other specimens requiring high magnification
Before the arrival of the SMZ800, Mechmed relied on a microscope with a maximum magnification of 60x, but this was felt to be inadequate.
Now the company can check blades at a magnification of up to 141x.
According to Chris Balch, partner at Mechmed, "In combination with coaxial episcopic illumination, this permits stress-free observation conditions in which imperfections smaller than 5 microns are clearly visible.
"The new approach means we can not only control of the quality of incoming blades, but also despatch new or repaired microsurgical instruments with an assured blade quality".
Mechmed has partnered the SMZ800 with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital camera.
This is playing a key role in documenting blades returned for repair.
"The addition of the Coolpix 4500 answers a long felt need to be able to show credible and accurate images of diamond blades and also the fine tips of other instruments.
"Occasional problems prompt the need for reports on damaged/suspect instruments where graphical representation of what is discovered during inspection is needed.
"Apart from the simple credibility of a photograph, the digital technique also allows for transmission of the captured images by email", added Balch. Request a free brochure from Nikon UK ...
• Nikon UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
