Introduction to the "Arguscope"

The Arguscope is a fully automated imaging platform for macroscopic image recording and analysis.

Coupled with DCILabs' image analysis software, the Arguscope can be tailored into a complete imaging solution that enhances the throughput and accuracy of a variety of 'macroscopic' imaging tests in diverse application domains such as drug discovery R&D and material sciences. The Arguscope comes with an easy-to-use operator interface that allows you to set up even complicated scanning protocols within minutes. Camera, lighting, optics and scanning software are all included.

Arguscope versus machine vision systems

Whereas most machine vision systems are designed to inspect objects relatively large in size (more than a millimeter), the Arguscope is intended for inspection of smaller objects (or object details) which are just not visible to the unaided eye.

To be able to visualize and analyze these objects, the Arguscope is equipped with a zoom lens that magnifies the objects up to 4x and can therefore be regarded as an 'automated macroscope'. The samples - neatly stacked and held in place by customized sample holders - are positioned under the lens by an automated X-Y stage. Differences in sample height are taken care of by the autofocus algorithm, which moves the camera up and down (Z direction) to assure that all images are in focus.

When the field-of-view of the camera is too small to visualize the complete object surface, the 'mosaic creator' stitches adjacent image fields (or 'tiles') into a large overview or 'mosaic' image.

Arguscope versus automated microscope

The Arguscope differs from an automated microscope in the sense that the magnifications used by the Arguscope are smaller (0.75x - 4x versus 2.5x - 100x) and the objects that are visualized generally larger. Apart from these differences, both instruments are pretty similar.

News

The Arguscope was presented at FlandersBio's "Knowledge For Growth" event on May 7th 2009, ICC Ghent, Belgium

Etymology

The Arguscope is named after the Greek mythology figure of Argus Panoptes, the giant with a hundred eyes who was always alert and was given the task by Hera to guard Io, who was transformed into a heifer by Zeus.

"sleep never fell upon his eyes; but he kept sure watch always."

"Scope" is derived from the Greek verb "skopein", which means "to look".