AN IMPROVED INTRAVITAL MICROSCOPY SYSTEM

The use of intravital microscopy as a tool for studying the microcircu lation has increased greatly over the last several decades. Early micr oscopes provided the first pictures of the microcirculation, but were cumbersome to use and subjected the tissue to a high light intensity, a problem which has recently become the subject of much discussion. Th e goal of this project was therefore to build a more ergodynamic micro scope which minimizes the light exposure to the tissue. The automation of the microscope controls provides a platform on which other options can be built into the microscope, such as an autofocus feature. Furth ermore, the use of the Optimas software also opens the possibility for on-line data processing.