Confocal laser endomicroscopy technology can obtain cell-level images in real time and in situ, which can assist doctors in real-time intraoperative diagnosis, but its non-invasiveness makes it difficult to relocate the optical biopsy site. The confocal probe localization algorithm can automatically calculate the coordinates of the probe tip, that is, the coordinates of the optical biopsy site. In this paper, a confocal probe localization algorithm based on region growing and endoscope size prior was proposed. The algorithm detected the probe region by region growing on the probe edge image, then searched for tip points based on a given probe axis, and iteratively optimized it. Finally, based on the single-degree-of-freedom motion characteristics of the probe, the three-dimensional coordinates of the tip of the probe were calculated by using the prior information of the size of the endoscope, which solved the scale uncertainty problem of the monocular camera. The confocal probe localization algorithm was tested on the dataset collected in this paper. The results showed that our algorithm no longer relied on the color information of the probe, avoided the influence of uneven illumination on the gray value of the probe pixels, and had a more robust location accuracy and running speed. Within the length of the probe extending out of the endoscope from 0 to 5 cm, the pixel error could be as low as 11.76 pixels, and the average relative position error could be as low as 1.66 mm, which can achieve the real-time and accurate localization of the confocal probe.
Endoscopes ; Algorithms ; Microscopy, Confocal/methods*

The technique of electron microsco-pic in situ hybridization is applying in situ hybridization at the electron microscopic level. It is mainly used in the ultrastructural localization of the lablled DNA, RNA and RHA in a cell and/or a tissue. In this paper I mainly elaborated its establishment and classification, and the operation procedure of nonradioactive electron microscopic in situ hybridization and some points for attention. In the end I also discussed its application for research.
In Situ Hybridization ; methods ; Microscopy, Electron ; methods

This article introduces the basic theories about atomic force microscope (AFM) and electron microscope (EM), respectively. New applications of each microscopic technology in regenerative medicine, covering both material science and life science, are discussed. The advantages or disadvantages of the kinds of microscopes in working conditions, sample preparation, resolution and the like, are discussed and compared systematically to make clear each scope of applications. This could be a useful guide for selecting the appropriate microscopic analysis in research work about regenerative medicine.
Humans ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; trends ; Microscopy, Electron ; methods ; trends ; Regenerative Medicine ; methods ; trends

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to examine archaeoparasitological specimens from coprolites associated with La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos (CMC) located near present-day Durango, Mexico. The eggs for 4 different types of parasites recovered from CMC coprolites were imaged using CLSM to assist with identification efforts. While some of the parasite eggs recovered from CMC coprolites were readily identified using standard light microscopy (LM), CLSM provided useful data for more challenging identifications by highlighting subtle morphological features and enhancing visualization of parasite egg anatomy. While other advanced microscopy techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), may also detect cryptic identifying characters, CLSM is less destructive to the specimens. Utilizing CLSM allows for subsequent examinations, such as molecular analyses, that cannot be performed following SEM sample preparation and imaging. Furthermore, CLSM detects intrinsic autofluorescence molecules, making improved identification independent of resource and time-intensive protocols. These aspects of CLSM make it an excellent method for assisting in taxonomic identification and for acquiring more detailed images of archaeoparasitological specimens.
Eggs ; Methods ; Mexico ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Ovum ; Parasites

As a new kind of advanced nonlinear imaging approach, two-photon fluorescence microscopy technology is wildly used in the field of live cell and tissue imaging, especially focusing on long-term dynamic three-dimensional cell imaging. This paper firstly presents the principle and characteristic of two-photon fluorescence microscopy. Then, the paper focuses on the three key aspects of the viability of the specimen, sensitivity of detection, as well as the speed of acquisition. In the end, the future prospect of development and application of two-phonon imaging technology are predicted.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton ; methods

Although traditional tooth preparation techniques (e.g., depth-groove-guided and index-guided techniques) are designed to improve preparation precision, the results are unsatisfactory because of the lack of proper estimating tools. This study proposed a novel technique, in which relevant details for preparation of drilling holes are provided and corresponding depth is estimated using a quantitive bur under a microscope. This technique offers a viable option for precise tooth preparation.
Humans ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Tooth Preparation ; methods

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography, using a polychromatic synchrotron X-ray, for analysis of the mouse lung microstructure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal mice were used for experiments. Some of the mouse lungs were prepared by the lung fixation-inflation method. The resulting sponge-like inflated lung samples were used for microtomography. The remaining mouse lungs were cut into 10 um sections and were used for microradiography and optical microscopic correlation. The experiments on mouse lung samples were performed at the 7B2 beamline of the Pohang Light Source in Korea. RESULTS: Phase contrast X-ray microtomography of inflated lung samples showed individual alveolar structure on 3-D reconstruction. Phase contrast microradiographs of thin lung samples showed microstructure of lung, such as alveoli and bronchioles, and were well correlated with optical microscopic images. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography using polychromatic synchrotron X-ray is feasible for evaluation of microstructure of the lung.
Animals ; Lung/*cytology/*radiography ; Mice ; Microscopy/*methods ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; X-Ray Microtomography/*methods

OBJECTTo study the significance of the ultra-high power microscope in the examination of vaginal discharge.

METHODSBy the ACT-2000 ultra-high power microscope system and Olympus CX21 microscope, the vaginal discharge of 1,100 gynaecology out-patients was examined respectively.

RESULTSThe positive rate of mould in the patients was 11.55% by CX21 and was 20.27% by ACT-2000, respectively. The positive rate of trichomonas vaginalis was 2.55% by CX21 and 3.0% by ACT-2000, respectively. The clue cell was detected in 11.27% of the patients by ACT-2000, but no such cell reported by CX21. Totally, positive results were obtained in 14.09% of the patients by CX21 and 32.55% by ACT-2000.

CONCLUSIONBy using the ultra-high power microscope, the positive result can be increased obviously in the examination of vaginal discharge. It is very important in clinical practices.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopy ; methods ; Microscopy, Electron ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Vaginal Discharge ; pathology ; Young Adult

Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; methods ; Negative Staining ; methods ; Viruses ; ultrastructure

Confocal scanning microscopy is a new technique which can obtain the 3-D images of samples by using scanning and computer processing. It has been widely used in biomedical fields owing to its advantages such as high resolution and 3-D imaging. In this paper, we analyze the principle and research development of confocal scanning microscopies, and illustrate its advantages by comparing it with other microscopies.
Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Microscopy, Confocal ; methods ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results