chapter 15, Safety and Cleanliness Considerations

In Part IV. The Path to Imaging Live Cells, Tissues, and Organs from: Confocal Microscopy and Multiphoton Excitation Microscopy: The Genesis of Live Cell Imaging

Author(s): Barry R. Masters

Published: 09 February 2006

Chapter DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/3.660403.ch15

Chapter Page Count: 1 page

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Front Matter

Part I. Optical Microscopy
1. A Brief History of the Microscope and Its Significance in the Advancement of Biology and Medicine

2. The Optical Microscope: Its Principles, Components, and Limitations

3. Abbe Theory of Image Formation and Diffraction of Light in Transmitted Light Microscopes

4. Optical Resolution and Resolving Power: What It Is, How to Measure It, and What Limits It

5. Techniques That Provide Contrast

Part II. Confocal Microscopy
6. Early Antecedents of Confocal Microscopy

7. Optical Sectioning (Depth Discrimination) with Different Scanning Techniques: The Beginnings of Confocal Microscopy

8. The Development of Scanning-Slit Confocal Systems for Imaging Live Cells, Tissues, and Organs

9. The Components of a Confocal Microscope

Part III. Nonlinear Microscopy
10. The Development of Nonlinear Spectroscopy and Microscopy

11. Multiphoton Excitation Microscopy

12. Theory and Instrumentation of Multiphoton Excitation Microscopy

Part IV. The Path to Imaging Live Cells, Tissues, and Organs
13. Remaining Problems, Limitations, and Their Partial Solutions

14. Speculation on Future Directions for Confocal and Multiphoton Excitation Microscopy

15. Safety and Cleanliness Considerations

Back Matter

Preview

Chapter Contents

15.1 Laser Safety
15.2 How to Clean Optics

Excerpt

Two other topics that should not be overlooked are laser safety and caring for the optics in your microscope. Here is a summary of cautions to take when using lasers and light microscopes.

15.1 Laser Safety

• Read one or more source books on laser safety.

• Be aware of the different types of lasers, their damage thresholds, and the risks of ocular damage, skin damage, and fire associated with each type of laser.

• Be aware of the advantages (ocular protection) and disadvantages (no knowledge of position of the laser beam) of laser safety goggles.

• When designing a laser system on an optical table be sure that the laser beam is not at eye height.

• Be aware of the fire danger with lasers. Most materials in the clinic are flammable.

15.2 How to Clean Optics

• Optics should be cleaned at the following times: when there is a power loss; at regular maintenance intervals; when a laser cavity is opened; when a new set of mirrors is installed; when new optics are received.

• Learn how to correctly clean a microscope objective prior to and after use.

• Particles of dust can severely degrade the image quality of optical components.

• Improper cleaning of a microscope objective will cause microscopic scratches that will permanently degrade the image quality. Never use anything but lens-cleaning paper with spectroscopic-grade acetone and methanol. Note that these solvents can solubilize oil from your skin and transfer it to the surface of the optical element.

• Use a dust cover made from a conductive material to shield the microscope from dust.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/3.660403.ch15

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