Subject: Re- Mac OS confocal softwar
--This is a reply from a commercial vendor--
 
Janine LaSalle asks:
>can MacOS software run the hardware of a confocal microscope, including
the z-stage
>control, laser scanning, and PMTs?
 
I would say the answer is "yes" Macintosh software can provide these
capabilities, to some extent. However, Meridian Instruments is the first
company to even begin exploring the utility of such an endeavor, and
Signal Analytics was able to provide development to that end. In this
case, we control the emission filters and the Z-axis motors on Meridian's
InSight Basic real-time confocal scope.
 
We have yet to be approached by anyone about the possibility of adding Mac
capabilities to PMT-based confocal systems. Granted, this would be a
pretty big development project, incorporating new software and
commercially available add-on hardware (I/O boards and the like), but I
think it's worth exploring and could be done.
 
I am certain that no currently available software for confocal microscope
control on Windows, Unix, etc. was available short of a major development
effort. Just because something isn't currently available for the Mac
doesn't mean it can't be done. Recent improvements in the Macintosh
product line, and the obvious existence of a Mac-using population in this
field, make this a more interesting prospect than in the past. Hopefully
the Microscope manufacturers are following this thread and will start to
seriously consider the possibilities of a Mac interface built on a
product like our IPLab Spectrum.
 
The fact is, any microscope to which a video camera can be attached
(digital cameras too, but they're a bit tricky due to scan rates) and
Z-axis controlled (either via RS 232 or by add-on stepper motors) can be
used with our systems. To that extent, the abilitiy is available NOW. As
to what's available later for more sophisticated confocals, contact me.
 
Paul Krumpe
Signal Analytics Corp.
Vienna VA USA
(703) 281-3277
(703) 281-2509 fax