The Top Lenses in Medical Imaging

Medical imaging is essential in medicine, biology, and life sciences. According to the FDA, "Medical imaging refers to several different technologies used to view the human body to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions." A component of medical imaging includes gel documentation systems. A gel documentation system, also known as a gel doc or gel image system, is a medical imaging component important for studying nucleic acid and protein suspended within polyacrylamide (PAM) or agarose (extracted from seaweed) gels.

Generally, a gel doc includes an ultraviolet (UV) light transilluminator, a hood or a darkroom to shield external light sources and protect the user from UV exposure, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for image capturing. With the advancement in machine-vision optics like Computar's ViSWIR (Visible + SWIR) series, low light-capable cameras made of the following lenses are also being incorporated into gel documentation systems.

The LensConnect Plug & Play Series

The LensConnect Series is ideal for gel documentation, imaging systems, laboratories, and other machine-vision applications. The remote-control function of this lens series gives more flexibility in inspecting the device designs. In addition, LensConnect allows optimal management and inspection of specimens, enabling users to work quickly and efficiently while keeping their hands and medical equipment sterile.

The LensConnect Series of motorized lenses are engineered to enable power supply and control through USB. This innovative Plug and Play lens series allows remote adjustment of the zoom*, focus, or iris and comes with a simple set-up software compatible with Windows or Linux (*zoom adjustment for varifocal models only).

In addition, the remote control is easy to achieve the perfect settings for just about any environment—even without prior knowledge of the lens. The floating focus design delivers ultra-high resolution from near to far, and stepper motors enable precise focus control and high repeatability.

The ViSWIR Series

If your application requires vision greater than the human eye that can see past the visible, the ViSWIR Series is the intelligent choice. The ViSWIR series is another excellent choice for medical imaging and gel documentation systems because the lenses are engineered for the latest SWIR imaging sensors, meaning they can see past the human eye's vision. According to NASA, human vision is typically between 380 to 700 nanometers (nm). However, the ViSWIR Hyper-Apo Series can see far past the visible, clocking in from 400nm-1,700nm. NASA says that "other portions of the spectrum have wavelengths too large or too small and energetic for the biological limitations of our perception." Luckily, the ViSWIR series is not limited to some of the longer wavelengths, such as violet (700nm) and beyond.

Computar Machine Vision Lenses

Computar's wide range of machine vision lenses is perfect for various medical imaging applications, ranging from the tiniest 1/1.1" to 1.1" and 2MP up to 4k. So whether your laboratory requires a super small 1/1.1" easy plug-and-play remote-adjustment lens, a sharp 4k 2/3" C-Mount lens, or anything in between, we got you covered.

Computar's machine vision lenses will give your medical and scientific applications the best-fit optics for the environment it's in, whether they are gel docs, CT scans, microscopes, or other essential pieces of equipment. Our machine vision lenses will help with the positioning, scanning, sorting, identifying, measuring, and inspecting of organisms and biological materials. Contact your local Computar sales team for a quote today, and remember to ask about our custom lenses.

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