The Revolve merges two microscopes into one, reducing costs and freeing
up valuable lab space
The developers of a hybrid microscope that merges two microscopes into
one and replaces conventional eyepieces with an iPad, have been
presented with the latest Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award, a service grant
given to innovative companies by quick-turn manufacturer Proto Labs,
Inc. (NYSE: PRLB).
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Developed by Echo Labs, the Revolve combines both an upright and inverted microscope into one instrument. (Photo: Business Wire)
In life sciences research, two types of microscopes are used — upright
(for viewing glass slides) and inverted (for live samples in dishes). As
a result, industry sources estimate that nearly 75 percent of labs today
own both. The Revolve, developed by San Diego-based Echo Laboratories,
is a hybrid microscope that transforms between these two configurations,
eliminating the need to purchase two separate instruments. This frees up
valuable lab space and offers cost savings, given that the Revolve costs
about the same price as a traditional, research-grade microscope.
Developers have also replaced traditional microscope eyepieces with an
iPad, providing users with a high-resolution view through its retina
display. In addition, the tablet’s touch screen interface simplifies
taking images, which can then be shared on cloud-based services such as
Dropbox.
“This versatile microscope is a game-changer for scientists,” says Proto
Labs founder Larry Lukis. “Our Cool Idea! Award program seeks out
innovation and this product hits the mark. It truly re-imagines and
re-invents the look, the feel, the function of traditional microscopes.”
Proto Labs’ Cool Idea! Award grant provided machined aluminum parts for
both the prototyping phase and low-volume production runs to fulfill
early pre-orders for the product. Those parts included components for
the microscope’s XY specimen stage, a motorized LED fluorescence module
and a high-precision focus drive.
The Revolve officially went on the market this month, and is being used
by researchers at universities, biotechnology and pharma companies,
according to Eugene Cho, CEO and founder of Echo Laboratories.
“The high-precision parts from Proto Labs helped with overall accuracy
and image quality in key major sub-assemblies of the Revolve,” says Cho.
“These parts were essential in making our product a reality.”
About Proto Labs
Proto Labs is the world’s fastest digital
manufacturing source for custom prototypes and low-volume production
parts. The technology-enabled company uses advanced 3D printing, CNC
machining and injection molding technologies to produce parts within
days. The result is an unprecedented speed-to-market value for product
designers and engineers worldwide. Visit protolabs.com
for more information.
About Echo Laboratories
Echo Laboratories, based in San
Diego, designs and develops microscopes for life sciences professionals.
The firm is led by CEO and Founder Eugene Cho, who has 15 years of
experience in microscopy. The company’s cornerstone product, the
Revolve, combines the functionality of both upright and inverted
microscopes, setting a new precedent in microscope usability and design.
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