Features

Image control

In order to be able to acquire a high quality image, full control of the optics is preferable. A logical stepwise control of the process is realized, also because the Image Control screen is always visible at the bottom of the image.

The user has the choice of setting the exposure time manually or making use of the fully automatic capabilities of the OptiGo. Full lens control (focus as an option) allows optimalisation of a broad range of applications.

The following specifications do further contribute to user friendliness:

• Inverted image for optimal contrast setting
• Flat fielding for best quantitative results
• Saturation indication for best quantification
• Automatic data storage for routine archiving
• Full brightness and contrast control assists to
• Visualize the image as optimal as possible.
• Image addition is very easy to accomplish.
• This functionality can be used to study e.g. enzyme kinetics and others processes.
• Always on-top of your screen mode for direct control

Cabinet control

• Illuminations and selection
  • The OptiGo is providing four on/off controls to switch the appropriate light sources. The availability of the source is dependent on the version and options installed.
  • The OptiVex (OptiGo Variable Excitation unit) produces high energetic visible and near infrared light.
  • The UV-Top (Ultra Violet EPI illumination) is extended with the selection of the three fixed wavelength, 256, 302 and 365 nm.
  • The WL-Top (White light EPI illumination) provides white light which is mainly used to visualise the sample for image positioning purposes.
  • The UV-Bot (Ultra Violet bottom illumination) is normally the transilluminator.
• UV safety features: The UV illumination sources (UV-Top and UV-Botom) can only be switched on if the cabinet door is closed. If for some reason it is required to use these sources with the door open this can be accompliced by pressing the knob located at the inside.
• OptiVex wavelength selection: The OptiVex can hold up to five different filtersets. These are application dependent and can be defined in the Setup. Selection is done by changing the selected ImaVex dropdown item.For further information please consult the 'Optivex User Manual' supplied with this option.
• Emission wavelength selection: The OptiGo-600 and OptiGo-700 are equipped with a emission filter changer which can hold up to five different filters. Please note that in case of chemiluminescent detection with the OptiGo-700, one filter position should remain unused. Selection is done by changing the selected Emission dropdown item. See ‘Setup’ for detailed filter definition information.If the OptiGo is switched on, the emission filter changer will initialise to position 1. After initialisation it will position to the last used filter before the software was shut down.

OptiGo : Unique Image Positioning system

Every user of a digital imaging system for gels, blots and other samples has experienced that an image on the screen is initially never in the right place. With most commercially available systems it is necessary to open the drawer or door to reposition the sample for the best visualization of the required field of view. The OptiGo however is the only imaging system with patented optics for image positioning without loss of optical resolution. It also ensures that lens adjustments are not required.

The positioning of the image can easily be done by mouse tapping the positioning keys or by keypad.

Slant correction

The slant adjustment is performing an optical rotation of the entire image. In this way it is very simple to visualize lanes in the optimum way.

Robot-ready

The transilluminator unit is fully accessible. Samples for automated 2D analyses can be loaded by robotic arm/system.

Dynamic range

Since every pixel within the image represents intensity data, it is important to achieve the highest possible conversion resolution. In commercially available systems this is mostly 8, 10 or 12 bit, representing 256, 1024 or 4096 grayscales. The OptiGo 600 and 700 have real 16 bit dynamic ranges which means 65536 real different gray scales. This offers much more precise quantification but also allows for shorter exposure times for chemiluminescent images.

The exposure time needed for chemiluminescent images is much shorter than the exposure time needed for film resulting in comparable image quality.

Quantification

The highly demanding OptiGo user can be certain of producing highly quantifiable data. The flatfielding function performs a uniform calibration for every individual image pixel. Flatfielding is a process which allows high end quantitative measurements.

As a result the OptiGo fully compensates for non uniformities and side effects of sources, filters and lens, even when they are very small. The image is a flat fielded with a non uniformity <3%.

The OptiGo software uses a wizard, which makes it easy to use.

GLP support

Documentation of results and the integrity of data becomes more and more important for drug discovery and genetic engineering. GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) can only be achieved if all image parameter and conditions are known and archived. OptiGo is fully equipped for this.

Health care

The OptiGo is very easy to clean. In combination with the image positioning system which ensures a minimal contact with your sample, it really cares for the health of the operator.

Output control

Printing

Printing of the image is performed as how you see it on the image windows. Adjustments of contrast and brightness will be implemented in the printout as well.

Saving / loading an image

An image can be saved to disk under the normal Windows conventions. If access to a network is available saving / loading to and from the network is possible.

The saving process will save the un modified image. This means that brightness and contrast changes have no effect on the original data.

The following image format are available:

• Tiff 16 bit 65K greyscales used for quantification and high dynamic images
• Tif 8 bit 256 greyscales used for standard visualisation
• BMP - Bitmap
• JPG - Compressed image format
• GIF - Compressed image format

Templates

Templates allow the user to define the settings for the Image-Control including the excitation- and emission filters. The parameters are being stored for its specific application.

The following parameters will be stored:

• Additions
• Interval time
• Invert
• Flatfielding
• Saturation
• On Top
• Brightness High and Low
• Contrast
• Exposuretime settings (No auto exposure)
• Zoom
• Iris
• FocusEmission filter setting
• Optivex settings