International Slide Scanner Competition Awards Olympus VS120® Virtual Slide Microscope System Three First Place Honors

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 10, 2013 – The Olympus VS120 virtual slide scanning system has earned three top awards at the second International Scanner Contest (ISC), which took place in Berlin last autumn. The VS120 system creates virtual microscope slides – high-resolution digital images of complete specimens that can be electronically stored on a centralserver for simultaneous viewing anywhere in the world, at a range of magnifications.

The Olympus VS120 system earned two recent awards for outstanding fluorescence imaging.Image courtesy of Olympus America Inc.

The VS120 earned First Place awards in the important categories of Color and Precision, Fluorescence 20x and Fluorescence 40x. The awards are significant because color fidelity and precision are fundamental for all life science applications where analysis may depend on both structural and color interpretation. In addition, high-resolution fluorescence scanning has become one of the most important applications in research whole slide imaging.

The modular VS120 is designed to provide outstanding performance for fluorescence microscopy, combined with precise color rendition and scanning. Fluorescence imaging is used with virtual slide systems in a wide variety of fields including neuroscience, pre-clinical toxicology and cancer research. It is a powerful application for researchers due to the nearly limitless number of possible magnifications of the entireslide; the benefits of permanent storage without deterioration in comparison to glass slides; and the fact that virtual microscopy allows every focal layer and color channel to be reviewed or recolored for better signal separation. In addition, digital images can be shared easily with fellow researchers over the Internet.

The VS120 is the only microscope-based virtual slide system that allows automated multi-channel fluorescence scanning at 2x, 10x, 20x and 40x magnifications. In addition to brightfield and fluorescence illumination, the system also handles darkfield imaging, which is useful for unstained neuroscience specimens.

The ISC awards were announced at the 24th European Congress of Pathology in Prague in September. The ISC was organized by the Charité Universitäts medizin Berlin in collaboration with several other institutions, and is held every two years. The VS120 also earned two awards at the first ISC, which took place in Berlin in 2010.

For more information on the Olympus VS120 whole slide imaging system or the awards, contact Pia Rinta-Panttila, Olympus America Inc. Email: [email protected], phone 484-896-5292, or visit www.olympusamerica.com/vs120.  

About Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group

Olympus America Scientific Equipment Group providesinnovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians and educators. Olympus microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in life science.

About Olympus

Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas: Medical and Surgical Products, Life Science Imaging Systems, Industrial Measurement and Imaging Instruments and Cameras and Audio Products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

  • Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
  • Advanced research, clinical and educational microscopes and research and educationaldigital imaging systems;
  • Industrial research, engineering, test, inspection and measuring instruments; and
  • Digital cameras and voice recorders.

Olympus serves the healthcare field with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes.  For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.

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