iPath | University of Basel Telepathology Server

How to transform an analog microscope or dermatoscope cheaply into a digital imaging station?

Well, I just experimented with a simple USB-webcam, a Logitech Quickcan Connect. I opened the case and took out the camera, removed the objective and "mounted" it on a microscope with a piece of cardboard and a rubber. Then plugged it into my PC and started the old "iPath capture" which allows automatic capture of images form a VfW (video for windows) device and stores them to a case on iPath ... look at the images, they are not bad for a 50 US$ imageing solution and our pathologists feels they are adequate for distance interpretation.

Image 1: the camrea from the shop
Image 2: camera electronic mounted on the photo tube
Image 3: camera electronic on the eyepiece
Image 4: a view of my desktop running a real-time remote microscopy session with the 40$ cam
Folder: gallery of images how I prepared the camera
Image 5-13: sample images from my telemic session.

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kurt 2006-11-30 14:57	So, our self made camera has procedded another step. The technicians in our hospital workshop have given it a nice case. They even integrated the capture button of the original quickcam and now you can capture images just by pressing the button on the camera and do not even have to touch the computer.
Oleksiy 2006-12-15 10:11	Dear Kurt, it's nice! Thank you very much both for your idea and for your goodwill!!! Best wishes!
nazim 2007-01-08 15:16	Dear Kurt! Good experiments! I have some experience too in this business. But there were some complexities with a focal length... Thanks&best regards!
kurt 2007-01-10 19:28	Can you describe these problems. I would be interesting to learn. Was it not possible to move the chip close enough?
nazim 2007-01-12 09:08	Yes. Difficulties were with installation of the chip closely to an eyepiece. The field of the view was reduced. At installation of the chip without an eyepiece (the chip has been built in a tube of an eyepiece without lenses) the divergence was observed in focus and in increasing of the object in comparison with the usual picture received in an eyepiece of a microscope . Than I have thought: whether such self-made design from disassembled veb-cameras is necessary?
kurt 2007-01-12 09:32	The enlargment of the images comes from the fact that the chip is smaller than the beam of light. To adjust, one would have to put a lense in the way of light. If someone has a good microscope with a phototube, I would not opt for this solution but recommend a Canon PowerShot (610/640) with a commercially available adapter (=> 400-500US$). The webcam solution is more like a starter package. 1) You can adapt to ANY microscope. 2) Immediate on screen display. 3) Handling is extremely simple as you can take photographs with the button on the camera. The pathologist does not have to convert image format or insert chip or connect camera with USB cable ... wbecam is much easier for handling 4) you could even use the webcam for real-time sharing through yahoo messenger ot skype video So, in conclusion, I think the webcam solution is a good option to get started and give doctors a tool that works immediatly and anywhere. If a pathologist is interested and comfortable with digital images and wants to increase quality, but ALSO HIS human capacity of computer handling, then one can try to find a solution with a didgital photo camera. But I found digital photocamera are complicated for many pathologists complicated to use .... and I am here talking about our patholgists in Switzerland !!!
nazim 2007-01-13 09:33	Dear Kurt, I agree with you - to researchers the USB-camera is very convenient. Please look to production of the Chinese firm: www.scopetek.com. I have sent them inquiry about the price-list. We shall look, may be, if we will accept the prices, their production is useful to us in our work.
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