VS800® Virtual Slide System from Olympus Improves Lab Throughput, Enhances Scanning with Custom Optics

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 28, 2011 – Olympus, a leading provider of microscopes for laboratories worldwide, has introduced the VS800* virtual slide system, a next-generation, fast and efficient way to scan and review microscope slides in just minutes. The self-contained, eyepiece-free system offers customized proprietary Olympus optics for the highest quality scans. In addition, with its unique robotic handling, it significantly increases throughput via the simultaneously loading and unloading of specimen slides. The system provides annotation, measuring and synchronized simultaneous review of multiple images for more efficient information management and workflow. In the U.S., the VS800 is intended for research and educational use only.

Users of the VS800 system will benefit from its renowned Olympus optics, which deliver sharp, clear, bright images of superb quality. The proprietary microscope objective found exclusively in the VS800 was designed and engineered by Olympus specifically for virtual microscopy applications. It has a high numerical aperture and extraordinary flatness from edge to edge. Because virtual slide images typically comprise multiple fields that are aligned with one another, capturing the best edge-to-edge quality of each image helps ensure both optimal scanning speed and more accurate alignment.

The VS800 is one of the fastest virtual slide scanners available, thanks to its high-throughput robotics. The system is designed for facilities with higher volumes of slides or those where results are needed quickly, such as research laboratories, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. With its simultaneous parallel slide loading and unloading, it offers significant advances in overall slide processing. This means that while the prior slide is still on the stage, the next slide is delivered and set up, ready to be scanned. The VS800 system’s real-time autofocus also aids in speeding throughput, by eliminating the need to create a focal map of the sample prior to the actual scan.

Users will find that image management and archiving are easier than ever. The system’s secure software has an easy-to-use intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) and even offers one-button automation for fast and easy scanning. Slides can be scanned in one location and reviewed, archived or retrieved almost instantaneously in another via network or web browser. Multiple users can add linked annotations, markers, dictation and files, and the system can be linked to Laboratory Information Systems (LIS). Barcoding helps ensure data security and integrity. STAT capability provides immediate scanning of critical samples, and a real-time slide review feature saves precious laboratory time. The system holds up to 300 slides and can work unattended, making it ideal for automated overnight batch scanning.

For more information on the Olympus VS800 virtual slide system, contact Lorne Davies, Olympus America Inc., atlorne.davies@olympus.com or 484-896-5104; visit www.olympusamerica.com/uscap

About Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group
Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians, engineers and educators. Olympus bioscience microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in life science. Olympus industrial microscopes and metrology systems play a leading role in precision R&D, engineering and manufacturing applications in fields as diverse as aerospace, the automotive industry, electronics, materials science/metallurgy, medical devices, photovoltaics and semiconductors.

About Olympus
Olympus is a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
• Advanced clinical and research microscopes;
• Industrial research, engineering, test, inspection and measuring instruments; and
• Digital cameras and voice recorders.

Olympus serves healthcare and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com

Olympus, VS and Virtual-Z are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Corporation, Olympus America Inc., and/or their affiliates.
In the U.S., the VS110-FL is for research and educational use only.