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VayTek offers Advanced Image Processing Systems, including both hardware and software for:

  • Microscopy
  • Industrial Inspection
  • Medical Imaging
  • Quality Control
  • Non-Destructive Testing
  • Deconvolution of Confocal Images
  • 3D Volume Visualization and Measurement

 

VayTek, Inc.
305 West Lowe Ave.
Fairfield, IA
Tel 641-472-2227
Fax 641-472-8131
Email vaytek@vaytek.com

 

 

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Deconvolution Algorithms
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VayTek's Homepage


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

 

 

Application Notes
Bibliography
Cameras
Customer Comments
Data Acquisition
Deconvolution Algorithms
Distributors
Free Demo Software
Intro to Digital Imaging Systems
Microscopes
Send a File
Services
Stereo Pairs
VoxBlast Movies

VayTek's Homepage

MicroTome Software: Rapid Deconvolution for Windows

 Neuron, Raw Image

Neuron, Before Deconvolution

Neuron, Focused Image

Neuron, After Deconvolution
New, Powerful Upgrade for MicroTome (TM) Software

MicroTome is deconvolution software from VayTek, Inc. For researchers who need the highest quality output from their digital imaging system, MicroTome has been the software of choice for removing out-of-focus haze for more than fifteen years. This proven software is now better than ever with a powerful new upgrade which VayTek is putting on the market at half the previous cost.

MicroTome version 6.4 now includes seven methods for deconvolution, including:

  • constrained iterative
  • nearest neighbor
  • blind (no point spread function)
  • single image haze removal
  • a special image space version for any size image

The "image space version" of the deconvolution algorithms works with measured or calculated point spread functions.

The upgraded MicroTome accepts several file formats including:

  • TIFF
  • Metamorph
  • IpLab
  • Kinetic Imaging
  • BioRad.

To increase MicroTome's flexibility for users, the new version works as standalone software, or it can be used in conjunction with Image Pro from Media Cybernetics. VayTek's deconvolution software works with a broad range of fluorescent, transmitted, reflected and other image modes.

The new version takes full advantage of Windows 98, 2000, and NT operating systems for interactive, easy-to-use graphical interfaces. 2-D image analysis features like measurements, cell counting, histograms, haze removal choices, and color options are all available in the GUI format. MicroTome also automatically creates true color, 24 bit (RGB) images.

Controls for a Z axis stage motor and for shutters, along with built in Top View Projection, help to integrate the software with cooled CCD cameras. MicroTome is compatible with most framegrabber boards and cameras. In addition, MicroTome is modular so it is easily upgradable to other data acquisition packages.

To inquire about MicroTome, contact VayTek at 641-472-2227 or send email to vaytek@vaytek.com

MicroTome (trademarked name) is a high-performance program for Windows. It removes the out-of-focus haze from a microscope image. MicroTome makes 100 million calculations in about 4 seconds, the number required to clean up a single 512 x 512 image using the nearest neighbor algorithm. MicroTome also includes other features such as additional deconvolution algorithms, automated true color imaging, and built in top view. This version is for the serious minded user who needs to have an interactive interface, optimized software, and the speed to deconvolve many images quickly.

Features

  • Rapid haze removal (512 x 512 in 4 seconds)
  • Over 600 mathematical routines for user programming
  • User selectable algorithms: nearest neighbor, VayTek's proprietary single image haze removal and constrained iterative
  • Measured or theoretical point spread function (PSF)
  • Creates automatically true color, 24 bit (RGB) deconvolved images
  • Full 2D image analysis: measurements, cell counting, histogram, etc.
  • Built in top view
  • Integrated macro and powerful scripting functions
  • Accepts 8 bit grayscale, 16 bit cooled CCD, and 24 bit color images
  • Download manual for MicroTome Windows (self-extracting file)

Applications

  • General clean up of hazy images
  • Image mode: fluorescence, transmitted, reflected, DIC, etc.
  • Ratio imaging
  • Improves images captured with a confocal microscope

Technical Specifications

  • Input file format: 8, 16 or 24 bit integer, binary, raster scan, any size header - raw, TIFF, PICT - many more
  • Output file format: same as input
  • User must supply wavelength, microns/pixel, slice distance, oil index, and numerical aperture

Requirements

  • Additional software driver for framegrabber required
  • Windows PC, 1 Gig RAM (larger data sets may require additional RAM)
  • Super VGA monitor with windows accelerated video card
  • All Windows compatible graphics cards are supported
  • High quality CCD camera (contact VayTek for details) - camera information link
  • Z axis stepper motor strongly recommended
  • VolumeScan software to control z stage motion strongly recommended
  • Optional: will work with Image Pro Plus, Optimas, IPLab, or is available in STAND ALONE mode.

Contact us at vaytek@vaytek.com or call 641-472-2227.

Question: I'm trying to calibrate the deconvolution software and I get error messages when using the measured PSF in the Volume Constrained Iterative to remove haze in the bead data set using the same bead data set.
Answer: When you deconvolve a bead scan with a bead scan, the theoretical answer is that there will be one pixel with all the energy and the rest will be perfectly black. This is called a delta function in math and like unicorns and fairies they exist in the mind, not in our world. The Constrained Iterative deconvolution may balk at trying to converge into a delta function. Deconvolution will also not work on an object that is infinitely thin (a few pixels wide). Using the Constrained Iterative algorithm for deconvolution will only work when the object to be deconvolved is much larger than the Point Spread Function (PSF). And the PSF must be finite in extent.

For more details and questions/answers, see the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Computer Recommendations for VayTek systems
We recommend the following computer configurations for the best performance using VayTek software:

Platform: PC

  • Pentium computer or better, 800 Mhz or better
  • 1 GB or more of RAM
  • 40GB hard drive or larger
  • Color Monitor with 1280 x 1024 resolution or better
  • Good quality video graphics card
  • 2 serial ports
  • 1 parallel port
  • CD Read/Write drive
  • 100 MB Zip disk drive
  • 3.5 inch floppy drive
  • Ethernet card
  • Modem is optional
  • Windows 2000 or XP
  • 1 free PCI slot


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