Nikon Eclipse 90i Advanced Automated Research Microscope System

Nikon Updated: 2007-06-19
Nikon Eclipse 90i Advanced Automated Research Microscope System

Creating new standards in optics, automation, and pure performance.

The Eclipse 90i delivers a completely integrated, totally optimized digital microscopy system engineered to master the most demanding applications. The system is equipped with a broad range of designed-for-digital CFI Plan Apo VC objectives, delivering incredibly crisp, clean and true-to-life images. Combine this with the 90i's exclusive motorized digital head, proprietary "fly-eye" lens array, and integrated epi-fluorescence attachment, and you have a motorized microscope system geared to take the work out of adjusting the microscope so you can spend more time on what really matters — your research.

Exclusive Fly-Eye Lens
A revolutionary "fly-eye" lens array built into the transmitted-light illumination optics delivers illumination with uniform brightness throughout the visual field — perfect for digital imaging.

New Plan Apo VC Objectives
Plan Apo VC (Violet Corrected) objectives have improved chromatic corrections to the periphery of the field of view to create superior digital images with the absolute highest resolution and uniform brightness – a feature perfect for stitching captured images. These objectives are highly recommended for confocal microscopy because of their high numerical aperture and axial chromatic correction even at the H-Line (405nm).

Universal Epi-fluorescence Illuminator
Nikon’s revolutionary Noise Terminator eliminates stray light inside the filter cube to achieve a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio five times that of Nikon’s previous fluorescence system. This enables weakly fluorescing specimens to be captured with greater clarity, brightness, and dynamic range. The optional Excitation Balancer can balance the excitation wavelengths of blue/green and green/red excitation wavelengths of a multi-stained specimen.

High-Contrast DIC System
The DIC system features new prisms which provide high contrast images with excellent resolution and improved uniformity across the entire field of view, even at low magnifications.

Advanced Digital Imaging Head
Nikon has developed two types of digital-imaging heads integrating a Hi S/N epi-fluorescence illuminator, binocular eyepiece tube, dual ports, and optical zoom, into a single unit. When used in combination with a Digital Sight-series digital camera, researchers can check microscope status including fluorescence filters in use, magnification zoom, analyzer position, and optical path on the monitor. Since both microscope and camera data can be saved with the digital image, this feature is extremely convenient for managing the histories of large quantities of images taken at different settings. The motorized DIH-E can be controlled with a PC or through the 90i stand and while the DIH-M incorporates manual controls it features a motorized fluorescence illumination shutter.

High-precision Motorized Focus
Feedback from an internal glass scale that monitors the true position of the stage Z travel enables high precision repeatable focus control in 50 nanometer increments. This is critical for high–resolution deconvolution, 3D reconstruction, and confocal applications.

Motorized Control in Comfort
In addition to motorized control using buttons on the microscope, it is possible to control the ECLIPSE 90i and check the status of the objective and other settings via the GUI of Nikon’s iControl software running on a PC monitor. iControl also offers the unique ability to reprogram all buttons and controls on the 90i stand and Ergo controller to fit each individual researcher’s preference and these can be saved and recalled.

By using the optional Ergo Controller, researchers can adjust focus and move the stage as if seated in front of and operating the actual microscope.

Auto-adjust
The aperture and field diaphragms, ND filter, and other units are automatically set to the optimal position following an objective change. Both the Nikon motorized stage (optional) and motorized focus speed and sensitivity can be set to adjust automatically based on the objective magnification.

All objectives can be set to exact parfocality with a PC and the settings are stored in the 90i stand eliminating inconvenient focus adjustments.

Auto-switching of Observation Technique
Complicated procedures for changing observation technique, such as from DIC to epi-fluorescence, are made simple with the ECLIPSE 90i. Now, changes can be made automatically by clicking the desired technique on the GUI of a PC monitor. Setting preferences can also be registered for each individual user, and quickly recalled anytime.

Interactive Control of Image Capture with NIS-Elements Software
NIS-Elements is an integrated platform of imaging software developed by Nikon to achieve comprehensive control of microscope image capturing and document data management. NIS-Elements handles multidimensional imaging tasks flawlessly with support for capture, display, peripheral device control, and data management & analysis of images of up to six dimensions. The system also contributes to experiment efficiency with a database building feature developed to handle archiving, searching, and analysis of large numbers of multidimensional image files. Unified control of the entire imaging system offers significant benefits to users for cutting-edge research, such as live cell imaging.

Capture of Auto-focus Images
In configuration with a Digital Sight-series digital camera, the system automatically uses the image’s contrast information to enable auto-focus image capture under the brightfield method.

Auto Recording of Microscope Status
The camera automatically records the microscope settings, including the objective magnification and fluorescence filter in use, as a text file along with the captured image, increasing the efficiency of managing the history log of the images.

Ergonomic Design
The ergonomically designed 90i offers comprehensive support, especially when configured with additional ergonomic accessories such as the Ergonomic Eyepiece Tube, eye-level riser and new Ergo Controller.