Efficiency Improvement of Observation and Analysis of Crystals

Because API crystals, used in the making of drugs, have three-dimensional shapes, only a part of the sample can be brought into focus in many observations. Additionally, crystal-specific transparency and light refraction lower the contrast, making it difficult to observe the shapes clearly.
The VHX Series 4K digital microscope supports various lighting conditions with a single unit, enabling quick and easy condition determination, which takes a lot of time with conventional microscopes. This microscope is equipped with the Multi-lighting function, which automatically captures multiple images with omnidirectional lighting at the press of a button. Crystal observation can be started promptly using high-resolution 4K images by simply selecting an image suitable for the purpose from the captured images.
Because the data of multiple captured images is stored, any image can be easily used to observe the target again.
Additionally, by simply selecting a past image, the conditions used for capturing that image can be completely reproduced. A different sample of the same type of target can be easily observed under the same conditions on a different day and time by a different operator.

Observation of API crystals using the VHX Series 4K digital microscope
The VHX Series can also seamlessly switch from observation to analysis of crystal grain sizes. The automatic area measurement/count function can be used to perform binarization on a specified area. Area measurement and counting of crystals can be automatically performed.
This function automatically measures, calculates, and counts detailed values—such as the number, average area, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, area ratio, and other items of crystals in the selected area as well as the area, perimeter, maximum diameter, and minimum diameter of each crystal—and then displays these values in a list. In the selected area, targets that are not required can be excluded and overlapping targets can be separated, which enables highly accurate analysis.

Starch crystals have high transparency and, consequently, low contrast on the background. This makes it difficult to observe the crystal outlines and shapes clearly.
In addition to the backlight that provides transmitted lighting, the VHX Series 4K digital microscope is equipped with the High Dynamic Range (HDR) function, which captures multiple images at varying shutter speeds and composes a single image with high color gradation. With this function, high-resolution 4K images can be captured with high contrast even for targets—like starch crystals—having low contrast on the background, enabling clear observation of crystal outlines and textures.

Starch observation using the VHX Series 4K digital microscope

The VHX Series 4K digital microscope, which combines high resolution with a depth of field that is at least 20 times larger than that of optical microscopes, is equipped with a versatile lighting unit having high functionality. This unit provides multiple different lighting conditions, including transmitted illumination, coaxial illumination, and polarized illumination.
Additionally, the Multi-lighting function, which automatically captures multiple images with omnidirectional lighting, quickly prepares the lighting conditions suitable for each crystal.
The VHX Series’ high performance, functionality, and unique system enable easy observation with high-resolution 4K images even for crystals having varying appearances, such as those of amino acids and proteins, whose observation conditions were traditionally difficult to determine.