Microscope Accessories For Direct-View 3D Imaging

• Convert your two-dimensional (2D) optical microscopes into three-dimensional(3D) imaging systems.
• Edge® unique products provide improved information  through real-time 3D viewing and computer enhanced 3D tomographic measurement.
• Edge® products mount on all major brands of light microscopes.

Edge® 3D Imaging Accessories Afford Low Cost, 3D Imaging and Analysis Technology That  Solve Significant Application Problems. Features Include:

• Full 3D image viewing in real time.
• Transmission and reflection in all standard microscopy modes, including bright field and phase contrast.
• Capture and display 3D without the need for special 3D viewing equipment such as 3D glasses.
• Enhanced resolution.
• Increased depth-of-field of two to three times for any objective lens.
• 3D images seen in real time by convergence parallax.
• 3D images seen in real time through motion parallax.
• Simple add on condenser system.
• Simple add on illumination system.  

Applications

The applications for  3D microscope technology  are extensive. The  most common applications include bio-technology, autoradiology, biochemistry, botany, brain mapping, cell biology, computer analysis, dentistry, orthopedics, developmental biology, forensics, fluid inclusions, food technology,fracture analysis, geology and micro fossils, immunolabeling, inspection, in situ hybridization, in vitro, marine biology, material sciences, morphology, micromanipulation, neuroscience, Pap smears, pathology, paleontology, parisitology, physiology, plant biology, quality control, research, semiconductor, thick sections, tissue engineering, whole mounts, and any applications requiring the best possible technology in three dimensional light microscopy.

Use Edge® products to intuitively understand structures within layers and recognize structures above and below the x/y plane. Distinguish holes from valleys and inclusions from surface contamination. Retrofit an inverted microscope for micro-manipulation, micro-recording and patch clamping to easily locate a pipette or electrode. Use with inverted or upright microscopes to instantly understand cell morphology and differentiation in 3-dimentional tissue culture.

Edge® products are ideal tools for examining thick sections in neuroscience, or where the integrity of the specimen would be lost by thin sectioning. In developmental biology, thick whole mount preparations benefit from the improvement in image quality, along with the more comprehensive understanding of 3-dimentional structures. Reconstruction microscopy methods will not work with alive and moving specimens. Use Edge® technology instead!

3D is Better Than 2D

Conventional high power 2D microscopes occlude or obscure critical information about 3D structures, often leading professionals , researchers and technicians to misinterpret specimens. Reliance on 2D images results in lost critical information and distorts reality.

Edge® 3D Imaging Compared to Confocal

In addition to high cost, confocal microscopes have significant limitations. Confocal microscopes typically do not provide easy access to 3D images, and usually render in-focus large depth of field in 2D images. 3D confocal is not a real-time process. After multiple image capture and processing, it requires up to several hours to acquire a volumetric image. This is not acceptable for moving objects, such as live specimens, and significantly limits the utility of these instruments. Edge 3D imaging, LLC have developed products with real-time 3D enhanced depth of field viewing for a fraction of the cost of confocal. Our add-on systems convert your existing 2D microscopes into very powerful high resolution 3D microscopes, allowing you to observe your specimens in a whole new light.

Improved Image Quality

Edge® proprietary optical systems enhance image quality through improved depth perception, resolution and contrast control. Our products' simplicity allows real-time inter-action, which leads to faster and better understanding of the image. With 2D microcopy critical information about 3-dimentional structures can be lost or misinterpreted.

True Z-Axis Resolution

 The importance of Z-axis  information has popularized methods such as deconvolution and confocal microscopy. Instantly understand Z-axis information without the use of computers or the need to create serial stacks. By seeing Z-axis information in real-time and in the context of a specimen's entire thickness, the viewer gains additional information about interrelationships between structures.

Publications -About Edge 3D Technology

Greenberg, G. (1998) A retrofit for conventional light microscopes that provides high-definition 3-D imaging in real-time. Oral presentation. Scanning Meeting ‘98. Baltimore, MD.

Greenberg, G. and Boyde, A. (1997) Direct-view 3-D microscopy using conventional lenses. Microscopy and Analysis 22:7-9.

Greenberg, G., Boyde, A. (1997) Convenient and controllable direct-view 3D imaging in conventional light microscopes: Approaches via illumination and inspection. Proc RMS 32/2:87-101

Greenberg, G., Boyde, A. Multiple oblique illumination method of high definition stereo microscopy. In Focus on Modern Microscopy. Cheng, PC (ed), World Scientific Publishing Co. PTE. LTD. (in press)

Greenberg, G. (1994)Direct 3-D imaging using a multiple oblique microscope. Scanning 16:248-249

Greenberg, G. and Boyde, A. (1995) Reply to the rebuttal, Galbraith, W. (1995) Letters to the Editors Neuroimage 2, 85-87

Greenberg, G. and Boyde A. (1993) Novel method for stereo imaging in light microscopy at high magnifications. Neuroimage 1:121-128

Inventions & Patents

1. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,305,139 (1994) Illumination System and Method for a High Definition 3-D Light Microscope.

2. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,345,333 (1994) Illumination System and Method for a High Definition Light Microscope.

3. Greenberg G, Ginsburg R, US Patent No. 5,539,572 (1996) Microscope Illumination and Stereo Viewing.

4. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,548,441 (1996) Illumination System and Method for a High Definition Light Microscope.

5. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,570,228 (1996) Fiber Optic Illumination System and Method for a High Definition Light Microscope.

6. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,592,328 (1997) Illumination System and Method for a High Definition Light Microscope.

7. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,684,626 (1997) Center Masking Illumination System and Method.

8. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,706,128 (1998) Stereo Microscope Condenser

9. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,867,312 (1999) Illumination System and Method for a 3-D High Definition Light Microscope.

10. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 5,969,856 (1999) Center Masking Add-On Illuminator

11. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 6,020,993 (2000) 3-D Photo Attachment for a 2-D light microscope.

12. Greenberg G, Ginsburg R, US Patent No. 6,320,696B1 (2001) Microscope Illumination and Stereo Viewing Including Camera.

13. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 6,646,819 B2 (2003) Interactive Dynamic Imaging

14. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 6,657,796 (2003) Variable-Size Sector-Shaped Aperture Mask and Method of Using Same to Create Focal Plane-Specific Images.

15. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 6,798,570 (2004) Real-Time 3-D Images

16. Greenberg G, US Patent No. 6,891,671 (2005) Apparatus and Methods for Creating Real-Time 3-D Images and Constructing 3-D Models of an Object Imaged in an Optical System.

17. Hewitt C, Doolin E, Kesterson J, Pauren P, Greenberg G, US Patent No. 7,003,143 (2006)  Tomographic Microscope for High Resolution Imaging and Method of Analyzing Specimens.

18. Greenberg G, Method and Apparatus for Improving Digital Images (patent pending)

New Patents Pending

Variable-Size Sector-Shaped Aperture Mask and Method of Using Same
to Create Focal Plane-Specific Images USA

Apparatus and Methods for Creating Real-Time 3-D Images and
Constructing 3-D Models of an Object Imaged in an Optical System USA

Apparatus and Methods for Creating Real-Time 3-D Images and
Constructing 3-D Models of an Object Imaged in an Optical System USA

Interactive Dynamic Imaging USA

Tomographic Microscope for High Resolution Imaging and
Method of Analyzing Specimens USA

A Diect-View Three-Dimensional Light Microscope USA

Dynamic Light Guide USA