Did you ever wonder how you could make a cheap digital imaging solution for your microscope?
Well, I just experimented with a simple USB-webcam, a Logitech Quickcan Connect. I opened the case and took out the camera, removed the objective and "mounted" it on a microscope with a piece of cardboard and a rubber. Then plugged it into my PC and started the old "iPath capture" which allows automatic capture of images form a VfW (video for windows) device and stores them to a case on iPath ... look at the images, they are not bad for a 50 US$ imageing solution and our pathologists feels they are adequate for distance interpretation.
Have a look at this page for some examples and images of the setup
Here is some documentation on how I opened and prepared the camera.
 | the camera before the operation |
 | to remove the cam from the socket just pull hard. |
 | remove the rubber cover from the hole wth a screw driver |
 | remove the lens cover by lifting it by a screw driver |
 | lift the silver front cover from the top and remove it |
 | un-screw the screw that holds the two plastic halves together |
 | Now you can remove one plastic |
 | un-plug the microscope connection (pull connector) and remove the lense (just pull) |
 | now, the camera electronic circuit is inserted into the cardboard |
 | place the card borad onto the photo tube and attach with rubber string |
 | The "photo microscope" |
 | and finally plug the usb conenction. |
 | or alterative place it on the eyepiece. Remove |
 | Finally, the result on screen (click to enlarge) |
 | A "telemicroscopy" session with iPath andour new photomiroscope (click to enlarge) |
