VayTek's Homepage

VayTek Website Links
Application Notes
Cameras
Contact Us
Customer Comments
Deconvolution Software
Distributors
FAQ 
Free Demos
Imaging Mall
Microscopes
Product Guide
Sending Files
Site Map
Stable Table
VoxBlast Software
VoxBlast 3-D Movies
Who We Are

VayTek, Inc.
505 North Third Street
Suite 200
Fairfield, IA 52556
Tel 641-472-2227
Fax 641-472-8131
Email vaytek@vaytek.com

Application Note

A Comparison of Digital Deconvolution
and Scanning Confocal Images

Egg Laying Tube, Cricket Nerve Cells, Fluorescently Stained

One of the most commonly asked questions about Digital Deconvolution in the field of Microscopy is : "How do images that have been deconvolved with a point spread function compare to images that have been captured with a scanning confocal microscope?" The answer to this question is: "Under most circumstances, deconvolved images are very accurate and very similar to those captured with a scanning confocal microscope." The scanning confocal microscope is more useful with very thick fluorescent specimens. However, VayTek's digital imaging system is more versatile, easier to use and more affordable. In some instances, it can remove the haze from microscope images better than a scanning confocal microscope. The images to the left illustrate this point. Images 1 through 3 show cells from the egg laying tube of a cricket that were treated with a fluorescent dye. The top image is unprocessed. Image 2 was produced using a popular point-scanning laser confocal microscope. Image 3 shows Image 1 after it was processed with MicroTome. Notice that there is slightly more detail in the deconvolved image. Images 4 through 5 are fluorescently stained nerve cells grown in culture. Image 4 is unprocessed. Image 5 was scanned with a popular slit scanning confocal microscope. Image 6 shows Image 4 after it was deconvolved with MicroTome. What cameras are suitable for deconvolution? What resolution should I have for my camera?