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MICROSCOPY FOR THE CLINICAL LAB

Microscopy Solutions for Urology

See urinary sediment in a different light.

Urinary sediment brings a wide range of cells, casts, crystals, and other formed elements into view. ZEISS microscopy combines brightfield, phase contrast, and polarized light microscopy with digital imaging capabilities to support routine urinary sediment examination and crystal evaluation workflows.

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THE UROLOGY CHALLENGE

Urinary sediment requires more than one way of seeing

Urinary sediment brings a wide range of cells, casts, crystals, and other formed elements into view. ZEISS microscopy combines brightfield, phase contrast, and polarized light microscopy with digital imaging capabilities to support routine urinary sediment examination and visualization of crystalline material.

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    Brightfield microscopy

    Provides a familiar overview of stained and unstained urinary sediment preparations for routine microscopic examination.

  • phase contrast icon_blue

    Phase contrast

    Enhances contrast in low-contrast, unstained specimens, helping bring otherwise difficult-to-see sediment structures into clearer view.

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    Polarized light

    Reveals birefringent structures and provides an additional optical view for crystal evaluation workflows.

  • crystal icon_blue

    Crystal visualization

    Polarized light and lambda plate functionality provide additional visual information when examining crystalline material in urinary sediment.

  • camera icon_blue

    Digital documentation

    Digital imaging compatibility supports image capture and documentation of urinary sediment preparations as part of the microscopy workflow.

  • ergonomics visual icon_blue

    Ergonomic viewing

    Adjustable ergonomic viewing options support a more adaptable working position during extended microscope sessions.

FIND YOUR FIT

Configure Axiolab 5 for your urology workflow

Two configurations on one Axiolab 5 platform. Choose Standard for routine urinary sediment examination and visualization of crystalline material, or Advanced Ergo for upgraded EC Plan-Neofluar phase objectives and an ergonomic viewing setup. Both combine brightfield, phase contrast, polarized light, and digital imaging compatibility.

  • STANDARD ROUTINE

    Axiolab 5 Urology

    Axiolab 5 Urology Standard Configuration

    Polarized light and lambda plate functionality reveals birefringent structures and provides an additional optical view for visualization of crystalline material.

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    Highlights

    • Phase contrast enhances visibility of low-contrast structures in unstained urinary sediment preparations.
    • Polarized light and lambda plate functionality provide additional optical information for crystal evaluation workflows.
    • Digital imaging compatibility supports image capture and documentation of urinary sediment preparations.
    More information
  • ADVANCED ERGONOMICS

    Axiolab 5 Urology • Adv Ergonomics

    Axiolab 5 Urology Advanced Ergonomics Configuration

    Polarized light and lambda plate functionality reveals birefringent structures and provides an additional optical view for visualization of crystalline material.

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    Highlights

    • EC Plan-Neofluar phase objectives provide the upgraded optical configuration for phase contrast examination.
    • Polarized light and lambda plate functionality support crystal evaluation workflows.
    • An ergonomic phototube provides adjustable viewing options for extended microscope use.
    More information
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MATCHED TO YOUR DISCIPLINE

One Axiolab 5 across your urinary sediment microscopy workflows.

From routine urinary sediment examination to visualization of crystalline material, Axiolab 5 delivers trusted ZEISS optics across your urology workflows, with brightfield, phase contrast, and polarized light providing complementary views of the preparations in front of you.

AXIOLAB 5  Urology · STANDARD / ADVANCED UROLOGY Visualize birefringent structures with polarized light.
Axiolab 5 Urology · Standard / Advanced Urology Enhance contrast in unstained urinary sediment with phase contrast.
Axiolab 5 Urology · Standard / Advanced Urology View urinary sediment in brightfield.
Axiolab 5 Urology · Standard / Advanced Urology Visualize epithelial cells and cellular morphology in urinary sediment.
Courtesy of J. A. T. Poloni.
Axiolab 5 Urology · Standard / Advanced Urology Examine urinary sediment with advanced phase contrast optics.
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YOUR WORKFLOW, YOUR SETUP

Built for the way urinalysis labs actually work

Find the urinary sediment workflow that sounds like yours and explore the Axiolab 5 configuration designed to support it.

Calcium oxalate bi-hydrated crystals. Fresh and unstained urine sediment. Brightfield and Phase contrast

Examine routine urinary sediment

Brightfield and phase contrast provide complementary views of urinary sediment preparations, supporting visualization of cells, casts, and other formed elements.

Rotable polarization stage, Axiolab 5 pol

Observe crystalline material

Polarized light and lambda plate functionality provide additional optical information for visualization of crystalline material.

fluroescence positioning_microsocpy user

Bring low-contrast structures into view

Phase contrast enhances visibility in unstained urinary sediment preparations, bringing low-contrast structures into clearer view without staining.

ergonomic user

Adjust your setup for extended microscope use

An ergonomic phototube provides adjustable viewing options, while EC Plan-Neofluar phase objectives support an advanced optical setup for urinary sediment microscopy.

headshot of user story

“I remember vividly the first time I observed a urine sample on the microscope and I saw a beautiful erythrocyte in movement. I could clearly, for the first time, understand the biconcave morphology of this cell. In the blood slides, they are stained and immobile, much different from the real morphology. During urine sediment analysis, I observed that incredible structure in full detail! It was an amazing experience to me.”

Dr. José Antonio Tesser Poloni Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo-Brazil

Take a closer look at microscopy in urinalysis

Download the white paper to learn more.
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Explore the fundamentals of urinary sediment microscopy, including common sediment components and the complementary roles of brightfield, phase contrast, and polarized light. This practical compendium provides microscopy examples and additional background for understanding routine urinalysis workflows.

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STILL DECIDING?

Clinical urology— frequently asked questions

Answers to help you configure the right Axiolab 5 for your sediment and crystal work.

  • Which Axiolab 5 configuration should I choose for urology?

    Choose Axiolab 5 Standard for routine urinary sediment and crystal evaluation workflows using brightfield, phase contrast, and polarized light. Advanced Ergo combines these contrast methods with EC Plan-Neofluar phase objectives and an ergonomic phototube for an upgraded optical and viewing setup.

    Browse configurations

  • Why use phase contrast for urinary sediment?

    Phase contrast enhances contrast in transparent or low-contrast unstained specimens, helping bring sediment structures into clearer view without staining.

  • Why use polarized light in urinalysis?

    Polarized light provides an additional optical view of birefringent material and is particularly useful for visualization and evaluation of crystalline material in urinary sediment.

  • What does the lambda plate add?

    The lambda plate works with polarized light to provide additional visual contrast when examining birefringent structures and crystalline material.

  • What does the Advanced Ergo configuration add?

    Advanced Ergo adds EC Plan-Neofluar phase objectives and an ergonomic phototube while retaining the brightfield, phase contrast, polarized light, and crystal evaluation capabilities of the Standard configuration.

    Learn more about ergonomic setups

  • Can I digitally document urinary sediment preparations?

    Yes. Both configurations offer digital imaging compatibility to support image capture and documentation as part of routine urinary sediment microscopy workflows.

    Learn more about Smart Microscopy