A simple technique to measure the movements of the microscope stage along the x and y axes for stereological methods

Kaplan S., Canan S., Aslan H., Ünal B., Şahin B.

Journal of Microscopy, vol.203, no.3, pp.321-325, 2001 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 203 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1046/j.1365-2818.2001.00931.x
  • Journal Name: Journal of Microscopy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.321-325
  • Keywords: Dial indicator, Microscope stage, Stereology, Systematic uniform random sampling, x and y axes
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Measurements of microscope stage movements in the x and y directions are of importance for some stereological methods such as the optical disector and optical fractionator. The length of stage movements can be measured with great precision and accuracy using a suitable motorized stage, which is generally a computer-assisted instrument. This type of equipment is generally too expensive for and not readily available in many laboratories. This paper describes a simple method to measure the movements of the microscope stage along the x and y directions, which can be used for purposes such as systematic uniform random sampling. It needs a microscope attachment consisting of two dial indicators; one of them is used to measure the amount of stage movement along the x-axis and the other measures the amount of movement along the y-axis. Movements of the stage on the micrometre-scale can be measured easily using this device. © 2001 The Royal Microscopical Society.