Scanning Microscopy in Medicine and Biology

Scanning microscopy provides the means for extending the range of usefulness of the light microscope in several directions. In addition to the convenience of viewing a large bright image on the television type monitor, it can also enhance the contrast of faintly visible specimens and can extend the convenience of direct observation into the infrared and ultraviolet. By electrical processing of the video signal, a great deal of quantitative information can be extracted. This method has been used to determine the number, size, and size distribution of particles in a field and to quantitate absorption of biological materials for visible and ultraviolet light.