Inscoper

A new way of operating microscopes for live cell imaging

Inscoper Imaging Software is a turnkey hardware solution that completely revolutionizes the way fluorescence microscopes are controlled in live cell imaging.

Today, microscopes and their devices are connected to computers and controlled by acquisition software, such as Metamorph, Micro-manager, LAS-X (Leica), NIS (Nikon), Olympus Stream, and Zen (Zeiss). Installed on a PC, this software runs on the Windows operating system.

Inscoper’s fundamental new approach involves dissociating the two functionalities managed by the acquisition software:

1/User Interaction: to configure the acquisition sequence, receive the acquired images, and display and save them;

2/Device Control: to communicate with the different devices in the microscopy system, and run the acquisition sequence defined by the user.

This separation means the Inscoper User Interface is free from hardware constraints. So, regardless of the type of microscope, the Interface remains simple, easy to use and focused on user requirements rather than hardware issues.

Inscoper approach involves embedding the Device Control functionality in an electronics box. This dedicated box has been designed to communicate with devices in the same way as hardware to control them as quickly and reliably as possible. This solution eliminates all latency caused by the operating system and the multiple software drivers needed to communicate with the devices. To obtain the best microscope performance and the reliability, the key is not to run the acquisition sequence on the computer.

Compatible with all widefield and spinning disk confocal microscopes

The Inscoper Control & Image Acquisition Software can be used for Multi-Dimensional Acquisition (MDA) with all the widefield and spinning disk confocal microscopy systems on the market: Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Zeiss.

With all connector types, Inscoper can control any device (e.g. camera, illumination, stage) that you already own, or want to purchase. Within hours, Inscoper can implement all devices, from old releases to the very latest ones that have not yet been integrated by other conventional software.

In fact, even devices that have never been used for microscopy purposes can be integrated, regardless of the connector or communication protocol. This unique feature makes Inscoper the perfect tool for researchers or engineers developing new microscopy techniques.

Retrofitting outdated microscopes

The Inscoper Imaging Solution can obviously equip any new microscope.

However, researchers and microscopy facility managers do not always have the budget or the willingness to buy a complete new system. But they often have “old” microscopes that are no longer used.

Restoring an outdated microscope, making it easy to use and far faster compared with even a new commercial setup is certainly a viable option when its optics and main components are still in good working order. Like in other industries, we call this retrofitting. Users view the high-performance retrofitted microscope as they would a new one but it costs much less budget-wise.

User Interface Presentation Video