MICROSOCOPY & IMAGING
Routine care is an essential part of microscopy workflow
IMAGE QUALITY IMPROVE YOUR Lauren Alvarenga on cleaning and troubleshooting microscopes M
icroscopes are precision medical devices where the data and results are translated through a system of optics that produces an image of a sample. Tis means that they require routine care and maintenance to ensure that they are producing the best images they possibly can. Tis improves data integrity, patient care, quantitative imaging and more. Here we discuss a variety of topics on microscope care ranging from proper cleaning procedures to troubleshooting your digital images for a practical approach to microscope maintenance.
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MICROSCOPE CLEANING Similar to the image acquisition process, microscope maintenance follows a ‘macro-to-micro’ approach. Before you begin performing maintenance, start with a clean and tidy work environment and a microscope frame that is free of immersion oil or tissue media spills. To clean the microscope frame of dirt or stains, first wipe the dirt away with a cloth moistened with a little bit of water and neutral detergent. You want to avoid harsh organic solvents as they can damage plastic components and optical cements. After your detergent, wipe the external
components of the frame with a cloth that is wet – but isn’t dripping – with lukewarm water. Tis removes any residual detergent, and the combination with water is strategic; water is needed to remove any soluble substances such as salt from tissue media, and the detergent helps remove things that are not soluble in water. When cleaning the frame, take care to avoid touching the optical surfaces such as the eyepieces and objectives to avoid watermarks. Especially now that viral transmission is on the minds of every person working in the labs, it’s good to know how to disinfect your microscope frame. Tere are a few
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