Abstract: Disclosed are a procedure and system for live monitoring of staining quality and heavy metal diffusion during electron microscopy preparation protocols for biological samples. The disclosed approach employs x-rays via, e.g., a commercially available micro-CT device, to observe and measure the diffusion and distribution of the heavy metals during conventional biological sample staining procedures for electron microscopy. This allows one to observe and check the quality and homogeneity of the staining without damaging or destroying the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are a procedure and system for live monitoring of staining quality and heavy metal diffusion during electron microscopy preparation protocols for biological samples. The disclosed approach employs x-rays via, e.g., a commercially available micro-CT device, to observe and measure the diffusion and distribution of the heavy metals during conventional biological sample staining procedures for electron microscopy. This allows one to observe and check the quality and homogeneity of the staining without damaging or destroying the sample.

Abstract: An optical scanning system includes a probe and a processor. The probe includes a mechanical oscillator responsive to AC voltage signals and an optical fiber. The optical fiber has a free end that executes an oscillatory scanning motion in response to being mechanically driven by the mechanical oscillator. The processor is configured to receive measured intensities of light emitted from spots of a sample scanned by light from the free end of the optical fiber. The processor is also configured to assign intensities to image pixels based on the measured intensities of light. The acts of assigning compensate for variations in the density of the scanned spots.