Scanalytics Integrates Image Processing with Microscope Control

(FAIRFAX, VA -- April 6, 1998) Automated microscopy is now a reality with Scanalytics' new Extension Modules and fully-automated Acquire Modules for IPLab scientific image processing software. Now available for Windows in an updated format, IPLab affords scientists the opportunity to obtain fully integrated control of image acquisition and analysis, customized user protocols, and a hardware-compatible process through which they can interact with their specimens. Scanalytics products provide Total Imaging Solutions for scientific professionals looking to control a diverse array of cameras, micro-position equipment, shutters and filters effortlessly and accurately.

Benefits of the new IPLab Extensions and Acquire Modules
IPLab is a leading image processing laboratory software, now available on Macintosh, Windows 95 and NT platforms. IPLab software provides scientific image acquisition, visualization, analysis and laboratory automation in a single package. Applications include microscopy, low-light imaging, biomedicine, astronomy, remote sensing and others.

Scientists craving easy-to-use software for integrated image acquisition have found their solution in IPLab's fully-automated Acquire Modules. These Acquire Modules give scientists the added freedom to quickly, easily and accurately combine multiple experiments, while allowing extra time for additional studies. In addition to the frame grabbers and digital cameras previously supported by IPLab software, Scanalytics now provides Acquire Modules that are compatible with interline transfer digital cameras distributed by Cohu Corporation and Princeton Instruments. These cameras are ideal for GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) imaging, an essential technique for visualizing living specimens.

Scientists having difficulty automating their image capture for multispectral fluorescence microscopy applications can now turn to the Shutters & Filters Extension for IPLab. When scientists let IPLab control their filter changes, they gain not only faster performance, but also better accuracy and reproducibility in their experiments. The new Shutters & Filters module now controls LEP, Sutter, and Uniblitz filters on Windows 95™, NT, and Macintosh platforms. This gives scientists greater choices and flexibility of compatible and fully-integratable hardware systems. Each of these filter wheels accepts standard optical filters which are designed specifically for use with today's fluorescent probes.

For scientists who own one of the new Zeiss automated microscopes for use in 3D optical sectioning experiments, the new add-on IPLab software module, ZeissMover Extension, is the answer. ZeissMover provides scientists with a simple, quick and accurate way to capture multi-wavelength images in 3D. Now available on the Windows platform, the ZeissMover Extension controls the microscopes' Z-axis motors through Macintosh, Power Macintosh, and now, PC computers. Additionally, ZeissMover controls several other functions of the microscopes, including the fluorescence filter and objective turrets on Zeiss Axiophot 2 electronic microscopes.

Scientists wanting to add microscope control to existing microscopes for collecting 3D section data need look no further than Scanalytics new MicroMover Extension. The MicroMover Extension for Windows now provides easy-to-use commands for complete control of X,Y and Z-axis microscope positioning from LEP, Prior Scientific and the Pifoc motor from Polytec Intrumente. Scientists can select commands from the menus interactively, or create IPLab Scripts to automate their own special protocols for increased experimental consistency.