Press Release

New artificial intelligence sample finder reduces time to experiment significantly

ZEISS presents the new AI Sample Finder for optimal user guidance and operation

20 October 2020 · 2 min read
Press Contact for ZEISS Microscopy Vybhav Sinha

Jena, Germany | 20 October 2020 | ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

ZEISS presents the new AI Sample Finder for optimal user guidance and operation. With this feature, the open and flexible inverted microscope platform ZEISS Axio Observer makes sample placement easier than ever and significantly reduces the time to experiment. For researchers, it offers a completely different way to operate a microscope, greatly boosting both productivity and ease of use. Users are guided more efficiently and have to perform fewer manual steps. They can navigate more intuitively and are able to analyze more samples on the carrier.

AI Sample Finder identifies the sample carrier and detects sample areas automatically. This accelerates the process of localizing a sample, especially when the sample is translucent or simply too small to see with the naked eye. After placing the sample on the loading position, AI Sample Finder moves it to the objective. There is no need to move microscope parts for sample placement manually. Focus is adjusted automatically, and a high-contrast overview image for fast and convenient navigation is taken within seconds even for very low-contrast samples. Intelligent routines reliably identify the sample carrier, regardless of its type. And with its deep learning algorithms, AI Sample Finder detects even unusual regions of interest.

  • ZEISS Axio Observer with AI assisted experiment startup

  • ZEISS AI Sample Finder automates the entire sequence from sample placement and focus adjustment to the identification of relevant sample areas.

    ZEISS AI Sample Finder automates the entire sequence from sample placement and focus adjustment to the identification of relevant sample areas.

  • ZEISS Axio Observer with AI Sample Finder and Apotome 3

    ZEISS Axio Observer with AI Sample Finder and Apotome 3

In life science research, a good overview image is the foundation for a detailed analysis to make sure all areas can be navigated and accessed directly. AI Sample Finder eliminates time-consuming manual adjustments and reduces the time to image from minutes to just seconds. It also reduces phototoxicity because only short illumination of the sample is necessary when performing adjustments and identification of relevant areas. During the experiment, the entire system can be controlled remotely for highest flexibility.

New accessories for improved optical sectioning and efficient illumination

When imaging big specimens, out-of-focus light often blurs the image, thereby reducing contrast and resolution. With ZEISS Apotome 3, removing out-of-focus light becomes simple and efficient. It comes with three grids for structured illumination and creates crisp optical sections of fluorescent samples free of scattered light. Automatically recognizing the magnification, the ideal grid is moved into the beam path, always resulting in the best image quality. The peer-reviewed algorithms yield artifact-free images even allowing the quantification of intensities. ZEISS Apotome 3 significantly increases the axial resolution compared to conventional fluorescence and adds optical sectioning capabilities to your widefield microscope for 3D rendering, even from thick specimens.

A new light source, the Excite Xylis LED is now integrated into the ZEISS microscopy environment. This effective illumination solution provides a high and reproducible light output over its entire life span without warmup times. With its broad emission spectrum, dyes from UV to far red can be excited for highest spectral flexibility. It is mercury-free and complies to latest RoHS standards. Long-lasting LEDs have resulted in changing light bulbs becoming obsolete and have led to lower running costs and positive outcomes for the environment.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 6.4 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2019).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With over 31,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 sales and service companies, 30 production sites and 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

  

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is the world's only one-stop manufacturer of light, electron, X-ray and ion microscope systems and offers solutions for correlative microscopy. The portfolio comprises of products and services for life sciences, materials and industrial research, as well as education and clinical practice. The unit is headquartered in Jena. Additional production and development sites are located in Oberkochen and Munich, as well as in Cambourne (UK) and Dublin (USA). ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

Press photo download

  • ZEISS Axio Observer

    Download ZEISS Axio Observer with AI assisted experiment startup

    File size: 2 MB
  • ZEISS Axio Observer

    Download ZEISS Axio Observer with AI Sample Finder and Apotome 3

    File size: 1 MB
  • ZEISS Al Sample Finder

    ZEISS AI Sample Finder automates the entire sequence from sample placement and focus adjustment to the identification of relevant sample areas. ZEISS Axio Observer with AI Sample Finder and Apotome 3 ZEISS Axio Observer with AI Sample Finder and Apotome 3 ZEISS Axio Observer with AI assisted experiment startup ZEISS Axio Observer with AI assisted experiment startup

    File size: 1 MB

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