BEST Pathology Microscope? Olympus BX41!
Read the Edited Video Transcript for ‘BEST Pathology Microscope? Olympus BX41!’
Hey, this is Chad with Munday Scientific. Today, we’re going to talk about one of my favorite microscopes, the Olympus BX41.
This particular microscope is set up for pathology use, and the BX41 is one of the refurbished microscopes that goes out our door more than just about any other model we sell.
We’re going to take a closer look at the microscope, go over some of its features, and discuss some of the different options available.
Tilting Binocular Head
This BX41 is equipped with a tilting binocular head, which is probably the most common head we sell with this microscope.
It’s very ergonomic and can be tilted up or down to provide a more comfortable viewing position.
The microscope has Olympus WHN 10X/22 eyepieces, providing a 22 mm field of view.
If you’re a pathologist and need to make measurements, a reticle can be installed in the eyepiece. The eyepiece has a reticle shelf inside specifically for this purpose.
Reticles are often installed in a focusable eyepiece, allowing you to adjust the focus of the reticle independently and get a nice, sharp image.
Trinocular Head Option
Another option for the BX41 is a trinocular head, such as the Olympus U-TR30-2.
It installs in the same location as the tilting binocular head and can be secured using the microscope’s built-in 3 mm Allen wrench.
Whenever installing or removing a microscope head, always keep one hand on the head until you’re certain that it is securely tightened.
The trinocular head includes a pull rod that controls how the light is directed between the eyepieces and the camera port. Depending on the position of the rod, you can direct the light to the eyepieces, split the light between the eyepieces and camera, or direct the light to the camera.
This makes the trinocular configuration a good choice if you plan to add a microscope camera.
Nosepiece and Objectives
Moving down the microscope, this particular BX41 has a six-position nosepiece.
This version does not have a slot for an analyzer, although nosepieces with an analyzer slot are available. The BX41 will also commonly be found with a five-position nosepiece.
For this pathology configuration, we have:
- 2X objective
- 4X objective
- 10X objective
- 20X objective
- 40X objective
That’s a very common objective configuration for pathology.
There are also a wide variety of objective options available, including Plan, Plan Fluorite, and Plan Apo objectives, depending on your application and image-quality requirements.
Stage Options
This microscope has a mechanical stage with a slide holder.
If you prefer to move the slide manually with your fingers, the slide holder can be removed.
You can also configure the microscope with a stage that doesn’t have the coaxial stage controls. This keeps the controls out of the way for pathologists who prefer to manipulate their slides by hand.
Flip-Out Condenser
Underneath the stage, we have a flip-out condenser.
The reason we use this condenser on pathology microscopes is to properly fill the field when using low-magnification objectives such as the 2X or 1.25X.
Without the appropriate low-magnification condenser configuration, you may see vignetting or a shadow around the outside edge of the field when using the 2X objective.
Daylight Blue Filter
This BX41 uses a halogen illumination system, so you’ll also find a daylight blue filter in the illumination path.
If we remove that filter, you’ll notice that the halogen illumination has a warmer, more yellow appearance.
The daylight blue filter helps correct that warmer color temperature and produces a cooler, whiter appearance through the microscope.
Field Diaphragm and Light Control
The BX41 also has a field diaphragm and an adjustable light-intensity control.
There’s also a preset illumination feature. When the preset button is engaged, you’ll see the indicator illuminate.
Once you’ve determined the illumination level you prefer, the preset can be adjusted with a small flathead screwdriver. With the preset engaged, the illumination remains at that predetermined level.
This can be particularly useful in a laboratory with multiple microscope users because it allows you to establish a consistent illumination setting.
BX41 Lamp Housing
Another component worth discussing is the lamp housing.
The BX41 uses a 6V, 30W halogen bulb, and we have other videos demonstrating how to replace the bulb.
If you’ve recently installed a new bulb but the microscope still doesn’t illuminate—even though the microscope’s power indicator comes on—there’s a possibility that the lamp housing itself has failed and needs to be replaced.
These lamp housings are relatively inexpensive to replace and can help keep an older BX41 working for many more years.
Condenser Centering and Köhler Illumination
When reassembling the microscope, make sure the condenser is properly seated in the substage assembly.
You’ll also see two condenser-centering controls. These are used when setting Köhler illumination.
We have another video specifically demonstrating how to set Köhler illumination, and we’ll include a link to that video in the description.
Proper setup and alignment help ensure that the microscope performs as intended and that the objectives remain parfocal as you move from one magnification to another.
Handling the Nosepiece and Objectives
One important tip when removing or installing the nosepiece is to lower the stage first.
The nosepiece and objectives can be heavier than you might expect, so support the assembly securely. It’s always a good idea to use two hands whenever possible.
I’ve done this a lot, but I still make sure everything is supported until I know it’s securely locked in place.
Why We Like the Olympus BX41
That’s basically the Olympus BX41.
I really like this microscope. It has a strong, heavy-duty aluminum frame, and these microscopes have stood the test of time. Many of them are now 15 to 20 years old and are still excellent instruments.
You can also upgrade a BX41 to LED illumination, which can give an older microscope a much more modern illumination system.
For a pathology configuration like this one, you’re looking at a refurbished microscope in the neighborhood of $5,000, depending on the exact configuration and options.
It’s a great choice for a new lab, dermatopathology, home pathology applications, clinical laboratory work, hospital use, or anyone looking to upgrade their existing microscope.
Contact Munday Scientific
If you have any questions about the Olympus BX41 or need help choosing a microscope configuration, give us a call.
Munday Scientific
Phone: 919-775-1517
Online Shop: microscopemarketplace.com
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Thanks for watching!