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Depth of field and depth of focus are both well-known terms in photography, filmography, and microscopy. Given how similar their names are, they have sometimes been used interchangeably. However, despite both playing a vital role in camera and microscope optics, the two are very much different. Let’s look more closely at what defines the depth of field and depth of focus, their role in microscopy, and why the two should not be confused with one another.

Depth of Field

The depth of field is the distance between the closest object plane in focus and the furthest one in focus. In other words, it can be considered a lens’s ability to retain the quality of an image without moving the object farther or closer to the frame. Depth of field relates to how much detail can be seen above and below the optimal focus position.  When objects are placed at a set focal distance away from a lens, detail can blur and thereby degrade the resolution. As a result, smaller objects naturally lead to reduced depth of field for the lens. It is worth noting that the depth of field will increase as the condenser numerical aperture (condenser aperture diaphragm) is closed down (approaches zero).  While depth of field increases when the condenser aperture closes, resolution decreases.

Depth of Focus

Depth of focus is the imaging complement to depth of field and is more concerned with the tilt of the sensor plane of the microscope with respect to the lens image plane. This concept relates to how the quality of focus is altered as the object stays still and the lens’s sensor side changes. Therefore, the depth of focus will change significantly based on the magnification of the object and the microscope’s ability to focus light, known as the numerical aperture. Depth of focus has little to do with sensor size and is more closely related to sensor perpendicularity to the optical axis and pixel count — the more pixels the sensors have, the more noticeable sensor tilt will be on the quality of the image. Given how digital camera sensors are exposed at a given focal plane, depth of focus impacts the quality of the resulting image and is an essential consideration in photomicrography.

Depth of Focus vs. Depth of Field: How They Differ

As described above, depth of field and depth of focus relate to different perspectives. However, they are not entirely separate, as they both correspond to the axial depth of the space of a particular plane — depth of field relates to object space, whereas the depth of focus involves image space. This, in turn, influences their applications. For example, low-power objective lenses generally have lower numerical apertures and will have a higher depth of field (detail is lost quickly above or below the optimal focus plane) and higher depth of focus (sensor tilt is less impactful to image quality), while high-power objective lenses will have almost the reverse.

For Microscopes and More, Give Us a Call

Now that you have a better understanding of the depth of focus vs. depth of field differences and how they affect the quality of microscopes, see their influences for yourself with the help of ACCU-SCOPE’s high-quality microscope products. We offer a range of upright, inverted and dissection microscopes and various microscope accessories for laboratory settings and other environments. To learn more information about our products, give us a call today.

For centuries, biologists have been curious about the development of embryos. Because of the advancements in microscopy, our understanding of embryogenesis has not only evolved but now some of our best medical professionals use optical technologies to help women become pregnant.

When a woman and her partner struggle to conceive, they often turn to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to achieve pregnancy. ART treatments include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI). Each method aims to fertilize a female’s egg outside of her body. For the procedure to go smoothly, the IVF laboratory must have high-quality microscopes to support ART.

Ways Microscopes Can Aid Assisted Reproduction

There are several reproductive medicine approaches that use different microscopy techniques to enhance a woman’s ability to become pregnant. These reproduction techniques are IVF, ICSI, and IMSI. Before fertilization can occur, an IVF scientist must take steps to prepare the sperm and egg. Each of these steps requires the use of microscopes. Let’s take a closer look at these procedures:

Semen Analysis

Before artificial fertilization can occur, an experienced scientist evaluates the quality of the sperm. They typically use an upright microscope to determine the total number, motility, and morphology of the sperm. Only healthy sperm will be used for fertilization. This pre-selection process requires a microscope with DIC or polarized light illumination.

Oocyte Preparation

After extracting oocytes from the female patient, the outer egg cell layers (besides the zona pellucida) are removed. This process is called “denuding” and is performed in a Petri dish while observing under a stereo microscope. The egg is transparent, so excellent illumination and contrast control are essential to be able to see the egg and its layers. Diascopic stands are the stereo microscope stands of choice and feature a tilting mirror to angle the light to provide oblique or darkfield contrast. Once this step is complete, the IVF scientist evaluates the morphology of the oocyte using an inverted microscope for its high magnification and easy accessibility to the egg for micromanipulation. If abnormalities are detected, the oocyte will not be used during fertilization.

Fertilization

Once the healthy sperms and oocytes have been isolated, artificial fertilization follows next. With ICSI, a single sperm cell is injected into an oocyte using a micromanipulator. The oocyte’s zona pellucida and polar body must be visible for this procedure. An alternative to ICSI is IMSI, which involves the extra steps of assessing sperm morphology using an inverted microscope and injecting sperm with the desired morphology.

Embryo Growth

After the eggs are fertilized, an embryologist monitors the growth and development of the embryos over the next few days. They look for any imperfections in the embryos. Only the best and healthiest embryos are implanted into the mother.

How to Choose a Microscope for IVF Applications

ART laboratories require a range of microscopes to complete various clinical procedures, such as gamete selection and embryo monitoring. Choosing the right microscope requires considering several factors, including the specific operation or application and the microscope’s features. When selecting a microscope for IVF applications, look for the following features:

Stereo Microscope

• A zoom range that provides enough magnification to see detail in the egg
• Diascopic stand that generates the necessary contrast to reveal the detail in the egg

Inverted Microscope

• An inverted design that allows access to the cells or embryos for manipulation
• A range of objectives to ensure sufficient magnification that facilitates observation of the specimen and the use of micromanipulation tools during sperm and egg cell handling
• A built-in camera port to support the use of a digital camera for viewing specimens and documentation

Need Microscopes for IVF Procedures? Turn to ACCU-SCOPE

IVF laboratories need high-quality microscopes they can rely on. If you’re searching for stereo, inverted, and upright microscopes to outfit your IVF and embryology laboratory, you’ve come to the right place.

At ACCU-SCOPE, we have a wide selection of microscopes used for embryology and IVF, including stereo and inverted microscopes with cameras. We can even equip your lab with stereo stands and accessories that work with various microscope models.

Contact our team today for help choosing the right microscope for your application!

An educator’s job is never done. Whether it’s the start or end of a school year, teachers and professors are constantly on the lookout for top-of-the-line microscopes for education. They want to equip their students with the tools they need to explore the unseen world around them, stimulate curiosity, and make incredible discoveries. Unfortunately, microscope shopping takes a great deal of time, and if they look in the wrong place, all their efforts could be for naught.

Fortunately, ACCU-SCOPE offers a wide selection of the best microscopes for educational environments. With ACCU-SCOPE, you will be able to outfit your classroom or school laboratory with the affordable and quality tools your students need — whether they’re high school students getting a first glimpse at biology or graduate school students conducting their own experiments.

The Top Microscopes for Middle School, High School, and College Students

As you shop for the classroom, you’ll recognize a variety of factors to consider before buying a student microscope. For example, you need to decide whether monocular or binocular microscopes are ideal for your students’ needs and which magnification levels will suit your application. In addition, you’ll need to consider the device’s frame, optics, lighting, field of view, and resolution. There’s a lot to think about!

ACCU-SCOPE created this easily digestible guide to help you buy the right microscopes for your classroom. Here are some of the best options for educational settings:

EXM-150 Microscopes

Middle school and high school students are still in the introductory phase to microscopes and science as a whole. This means they generally don’t require the advanced features or super high magnifications that may be more of a distraction than they are helpful. Of course, this doesn’t mean educators should compromise on quality. Great images and extreme durability are still important. That’s where the EXM-150 monocular microscope comes in.

The EXM-150 series provides great performance at an affordable price. Its student-proof design makes it the perfect instrument for any setting. Inexperienced students can make precise observations without having to fuss with various settings. The mechanical stage is highly secure, so you can depend on it for years to come. Even better, this microscope features LED lights that budding scientists can use with or without a cord, plus an integrated carrying handle, making the instrument easily transportable.

EXS-210 Stereo Microscopes

The EXS-210 series holds true to the adage, “Big things come in small packages.” This compact stereo microscope provides quality, versatility, and performance at an affordable price. It is student-proof, has corded or cordless operation, and is easily transportable, making classroom set-up a breeze. It also uses our state-of-the-art optical coating techniques and LED illuminators for high-quality images, durability, and dependability. This microscope is highly favored by middle and high school students, homeschoolers, and hobbyists.

EXC-120 Microscopes

If your classroom requires microscopes that can withstand years of rigorous use and you want binocular or trinocular viewing for greater comfort and image quality, you’ll want to consider the EXC-120 series. These microscopes are specifically engineered for clinical and veterinary applications, and classroom laboratories, making them ideal for college and graduate students. An EXC-120 microscope features high-contrast objectives, a die-cast frame, ergonomic focusing controls, brass gears, and a wide field of view. With this microscope, it’s never been easier to achieve clear images while observing your specimen in a comfortable position.

3079 Stereo Microscopes (Dissecting Microscopes)

If your students are ready to take their observations to the next level, the 3078 stereo microscope series is the best option for you. Its top-of-the-line optical system provides high resolution, 3-dimensional views of samples, while its ergonomic and durable design makes it ideal for long-term use. These microscopes are frequently found in university laboratories and industrial and OEM applications.

Going Digital: The Future of Microscopy in the Classroom

Whether you’re buying microscopes for high school or college labs, you will want to consider equipping the classroom or laboratory with digital microscopes. These microscopes either have a camera already installed or have connections that allow for the attachment of an LCD camera. With these modern instruments, you can demonstrate important scientific concepts in real time by projecting the image on a screen for all to see. Your students can also easily share their findings by saving the images or videos for a report.

We recommend the following digital cameras for educational purposes:

• Excelis HD Lite Camera: This camera works with most microscopes and allows HD live imaging of samples. The built-in software allows streamlined operation without a computer. The user can also capture images using CaptaVision+ software for editing and measuring at a later time.
• SKYE WiFi 3 Camera: This camera creates its own WiFi network so the user can easily stream live images to a range of connected Android and iOS devices. Simply download the SKYE View 2 app, scan the QR code on the camera, and you’re ready to go! Thirteen students or more can connect to a single camera and view images simultaneously.
• Excelis 4K Camera: This camera delivers high-definition color images to any 4K monitor and the built-in software allows operation without a PC. Alternatively, the user can connect the camera to a PC using a USB 3.0 cable and control the camera through the CaptaVision+ imaging software.

Get the Best Microscope for Your Classroom Today

No matter your education needs, ACCU-SCOPE has a microscope that is perfect for you! We have an expansive range of educational microscopes plus the expertise to help you decide which ones will meet your students’ needs best. We continue to expand our product line to develop and include the latest advancements in the industry. Contact us today to learn more about our educational microscopy solutions and keep an eye out for new product introductions.

Something that many people don’t consider enough is how the camera is controlled.  Whether by mobile app, built-in software or computer software, this user interface is the way you communicate with the camera, view your samples and capture images or video.

Computer-based software offer the highest level of control for the camera.  From acquisition settings to image processing, calibration/measurement and reporting, computer software provides maximum flexibility and features.  In most cases, the software is free.  The caveat is that the software may not perform exactly as you like.

One alternative may be to use software from a third-party supplier.  If the software doesn’t fully support the camera, it may be able to use a TWAIN driver to provide basic functionality and control of the camera.  Third-party software often includes the ability to control illumination sources, filter wheels, stages and even the microscope itself.  But all of this comes at a cost, as third-party software can be very specialized and expensive.  However, it can be worth the investment if you get the control and capabilities you need for your work.

More cameras are available with built-in software with basic acquisition controls and sometimes measurement functionality.  Usually controlled via a mouse, cameras with built-in software are ideal for stand-alone operation where there isn’t room for a PC or where the application only requires a minimal set of features.  These microscope and camera systems are generally more portable, too.

Some cameras have some level of built-in software, and the functionality has been reduced to a few buttons on the outside of the camera housing.  The Teledyne Lumenera Infinity 5 series are a great example of this, and they possess buttons only for power, white balance, and snapping an image.

Even cameras can now generate their own WiFi signals that are readily identified by our mobile devices.  Mobile apps offer the convenience of portability and multiple users, with some cameras supporting up to 10 or more simultaneously connected users.

Choosing a camera that suits your needs is one decision, but don’t ignore the camera control software.  Both are required to get the job done.

This blog post concludes our series “Top Considerations When Buying A Microscopy Camera.”  We hope you found it interesting and learned something about microscopy cameras.  If there is another topic relating to microscopy cameras that you would like us to discuss, please share it in the Comments section.