The modern light microscope is one of your biggest capital investments, and may be your most important research tool.  The focus of our business has been centered on delivering high-end microscopy and digital imaging solutions to the life science and industrial markets.

We supply complete systems through separate components; with an emphasis on recycling your existing equipment.  Upgrade your existing microscopes with the latest Digital Imaging Products.  Adding sophisticated software and hardware packages are economical methods that stretch equipment dollars.  AIC offers expertise in all brands of microscopes and can provide complete refurbished microscope systems for both industrial and life science applications.  AIC can save many thousands of dollars by retrofitting your microscopes to meet today's challenges in the laboratory and meet specific budget requirements.

This is a unique position in the Scientific Imaging Industry that AIC has worked at since 1989.   It is essential to the productivity of your organization, and to the degree of confidence with which your work is received by the industrial, medical, and research communities, that the personnel who work with the microscope are fully aware of the potential of the instrument and that the microscope is maintained in optimum condition to produce its best results and be able to remain in that condition for an extended lifetime. 

It is far more economical to have AIC maintain, enhance and upgrade your existing equipment than to replace it.  The salesperson from the major microscope companies will always state that a NEW system is required (remember they have quotas to meet and are in business ONLY to sell NEW microscopes).  Whether supplying complementary components and integrating your existing imaging and microscope equipment into a new digital Imaging workstation, adding confocal or deconvolution capabilities, or providing turnkey confocal systems, AIC can customize a solution to fit your requirements.

Please contact AIC for a discussion of your application requirements and we can show you how to take your microscopy to the next level.  Below are some of the products that can be implemented to advance your lab to the next level.




Products for Microscopy available from:

	AIC-GFP StereoMicroscopes - USMFI2 The Universal Fluorescence Microscope Illuminator series 2.  When combined with the SZX12 Stereomicroscope and a Zeiss HBO 100w light source a State of the Art GFP System is created which will both outperform and cost less than any single brand system on the market today.  Or add these modular products to your existing Leica, Nikon, Olympus, or Zeiss  stereomicroscope for a cost effective alternative to a new GFP Microscope.  Let AIC show you how to make the most of your existing equipment. (Contact AIC for further information about upgrading existing systems as not all systems are upgradable)
	AIC-SteroMicroscope Stand - UTC7000 - The Universal Transmitted Cold Light Stereo Microscope Stand UTC7000 is a leap forward for life science stereo microscopes, the ergonomically designed base creates an environment that provides a truly relaxing experience allowing the researcher to focus on the sorting work at hand with no worries about the stage warming creating a detrimental environment for subjects.  The high precision tilting and translating mirror provides superior illumination to simple transmitted light bases offered.  The stand is compatible with most stereo microscopes from Zeiss, Leica, Nikon and Olympus.
	APPLIED IMAGE - MICROMETERS - Applied Image, a recognized leader in the manufacturing of imaged optical components provides NIST traceable standards for Microscopy and Image Analysis.  The SM Series of Stage Micrometer Calibration Standards is ideally suited for calibrating optical, imaging, video as well as reticule based measurement systems.   Also complete Image Analysis Morphometrical calibration standards composed of eight test plates of various shapes, positions, angles and sizes.  Over 30 different standards available for all microscopy applications.  All are available as NIST calibrated standards.  Please contact AIC for further information.
	BD Bioscience/BioVision - The BD™ CARV II Confocal Imager delivers high resolution CCD confocal imaging in an easy to use and cost effective optical package that fits on your existing microscope. High speed multi-point confocal scanning, combined with high quantum efficiency CCD cameras, minimizes photobleaching and allows real-time imaging and recording at up to 100 fps. A long life arc source coupled to the instrument via an alignment free light guide allows for full spectrum (360nm - 700nm) confocal imaging of virtually any fluorescent probe. Automation of internal multi-position excitation, dichroic and emission filter wheels permits fast multi-dimensional imaging of up to five or more fluorescent probes in the same sample. The CARV II Confocal Imager also offers automation of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The system can be used with application specific CCD cameras together with a variety of commercially available imaging software packages. The following features are standard in the package: Multipoint confocal scanning, Full spectrum confocal, Automated filter selection, Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ( FRAP) capabilities, 3D software options.
	Chroma Technology Corporation - The Employee-owned Chroma Technology Corp specializes in the design and manufacture of optical filters and coatings for applications that require extreme precision in color separation, optical quality, and signal purity: low-light-level fluorescence microscopy and cytometry spectrographic imaging in optical astronomy laser-based instrumentation Raman spectroscopy.  Chroma Filters are used almost exclusively by the four major microscope manufactures.  The quality of their product and dedication to knowledgeable microscopy sets Chroma Technology apart as the premier filter manufacture in the world when it comes to fluorescent filter sets.  For further information about fluorescence microscopy CLICK HERE for an impressive handbook assembled by Chroma Technology.
	EXFO  - The X-Cite™ 120XL system is ideally suited for fluorescence microscopy applications because it provides excellent image quality, lower operating costs and improved productivity. It uses a 120-watt lamp to deliver rich spectral excitation with a more uniform field of view than conventional fluorescence illumination systems. The proprietary Intelli-Lamp™ technology helps to provide more than 2,000 hours of life. The lamp is pre-aligned so changing it is a simple, one-step process. The optional adjustable iris allows the user to set light intensity to 100%, 50%, 25%, 12% or 0%.  In addition the Intelli-Lamp® system’s proprietary design continually monitors lamp temperature, preventing life-shortening restrikes until the lamp cools to a "safe-to-restart" state. The design also helps to ensure that the X-Cite® 120 operates at a consistent intensity – both over time and from lamp to lamp – for reliable and repeatable results. Finally, working with the liquid light guide, the 120W Metal Halide lamp provides rich spectral excitation and produces a totally uniform field of view, and ensures that no heat is transferred to the specimen.  New Product Selection Guide now available.
	EXFO  - The X-Cite™ 120PC_XL system is ideally suited for automated fluorescence microscopy applications because the RS232 Communication PC control of lamp, iris and shutter integrates well in automated systems.  The Software Interface is simple to use.  The powerful 120W Metal Halide lamp used in the X-Cite® 120 PC provides excitation intensity better than conventional mercury arc lamps, with an added benefit: the broader spectrum excites more fluororphores.  The proprietary Intelli-Lamp™ technology helps to provide more than 2,000 hours of life. The lamp is pre-aligned so changing it is a simple, one-step process.  The built in shutter (200ms response time) and optional Foot Pedal for Hands free operation provide fast and efficient workflow.  The  X-Cite® 120 PC is CE Marked Ready for use worldwide.  In addition the Intelli-Lamp® system’s proprietary design continually monitors lamp temperature, preventing life-shortening restrikes until the lamp cools to a "safe-to-restart" state. This design also helps to ensure that the X-Cite® 120 operates at a consistent intensity – both over time and from lamp to lamp – for reliable and repeatable results. Finally, working with the liquid light guide, the 120W Metal Halide lamp provides rich spectral excitation and produces a totally uniform field of view, and ensures that no heat is transferred to the specimen.  New Product Selection Guide now available.
	EXFO  - The X-Cite™ Exacte system The Revolutionary New Light Source for Fluorescence Illumination - The X-Cite® exacte employs a 200w DC-powered mercury lamp coupled with patented Closed-Loop Feedback technology to provide ultra-stable illumination, for imaging protocols lasting from milliseconds to days. With the optional X-Cite® Radiometer, light output can also be calibrated in absolute power units (watts), ensuring truly repeatable experiments.  The X-Cite® exacte is designed for demanding imaging applications such as live cell, high speed and quantitative imaging, all of which require illumination stability and precise repeatability. Controlling illumination variability allows researchers to significantly improve productivity by reducing or even eliminating time-consuming image processing steps to normalize data.  With the X-Cite® exacte's high-speed internal shutter, intensity adjustment in increments as small as 1%, computer programmability and a graphical user interface that records real-time stability data, EXFO once again sets a new standard for fluorescence illuminators.  New Product Selection Guide now available.
	Ludl Motorized microscope components - The BioPrecision2 BioPrecision stages are designed for demanding applications where speed, repeatability and accuracy are required.  These stages utilize precision ground crossed roller bearing guideways, recirculating ball leadscrews, and precision motors. All components used in these stages are machined with state of the art CNC equipment to resulting in the highest stage performance. All stage components are black anodized for durability and long lasting appearance.  A full compliment of specimen holder inserts are available almost any application including single slides, double slides and petri dishes. Custom holders are available.
	Motic Inverted Microscopes - The AE30/31 combines CCIS optics with innovative mechanical design, provides the unrivalled versatility, ergonomics and optical excellence and brings you a new series of inverted microscopes.  The CCIS optics allows new accessories and functions to be incorporated into the AE30/31 inverted microscope. The CCIS infinity design has succeeded in achieving longer working distance objectives with higher numerical apertures. This represents a significant development in optical performance and versatility. The design of the AE30/31 inverted microscopes optimally integrates all functions enabling effective ergonomics and maximum expandability.  The AE30/31 has been designed to meet the needs of demanding users. The size of the microscope is compact to minimize the footprint and conserve limited desk space available in modern laboratories. The ergonomic design has made AE30/31 compatible with the manner in which you work. The coaxial coarse/fine focusing knobs, controls for the attachable mechanical stage and light intensity, are placed conveniently at your fingertips to minimize user fatigue. The ideally positioned focus knobs and stage controls make their manipulation stress free. provides bright, even illumination at any magnification. The "only one in its class" centerable lamp is housed externally and has an externally operated mechanism for control of all facets of illumination.
	Old School Industries - The Boom Stand full catalog  from Old School Industries provides a wide variety of microscope stands for every application. From Economy stands which are small, compact stands. Ideal for reflected light applications where the samples (specimens) are small. These stands allow mounting of a riser bracket to hold an X/Y stage. Standard and Heavy weight base stands represent the most common stereomicroscope stands.  Workstation stands are the perfect stand where stability, work surface are combined into one assembly. Floor Base stands offer moveable, stable platforms for mounting microscopes.  The cross blocks of all stands have bronze bushings cast into them to provide a lubricious surface upon which the vertical and horizontal shafts slide. The vertical posts are made of solid stainless steel. All stands include Old School's Quick Release Safety Clamp.  New to their lineup are transmitted light bases for stereomicroscopes. Featuring an ergonomically positioned tilting mirror control on front of base, adjustable front/back placement of the mirror, A 3:1 gear reduction allowing for precise positioning of the mirror angle with a click stop at the 45° position, 25 mm diameter filter holder which is easily accessible from outside of the stand, focusing condensing lens system, allows adjusting of illumination spot size from 12.5mm to 50mm diameter with illumination focusing controls conveniently located low  8" x 9" specimen platform with 98mm glass insert and user adjustable throat depth.
	Prior Scientific Corporation - The ProScan™ II system is ideally suited for the most demanding imaging applications where high precision and accuracy are essential.  A ProScan™ II Motorized Stage System consists of: a ProScan™ II controller (or optional Prior PCI High Speed Controller), a compatible motorized stage from the ProScan™ II Motorized Stage line and a range of accessories such as filter wheels, shutters, joysticks, focus control, touchscreen keypads, z scale probes and specimen holders to further enhance your system. The ProScan™ II System is compatible with most third party imaging software products and is easily integrated with existing systems. IDEAL APPLICATIONS for the ProScan™ II System include: Image tiling, time lapse studies, precision scanning, industrial and semiconductor inspection, high throughput screening applications, 3d imaging, deconvolution, and fluorescent image data acquisition techniques such as FRET, FRAP, TIRF, etc.
	Schott-Fostec - The KL1500 LCD is the performance leader in the field of 150-watt halogen cold light sources. With its outstanding modern design combined with optimized, homogeneous light output and variable light control options, this light source has been designed for applications in Stereo Microscopy and Macroscopy in laboratory, industrial and medical applications.  See the System Diagram for the many accessories available.  The KL 1500 LCD is available in 120- and 230-volt versions. The KL 1500 LCD has been approved and certified as laboratory and electromedical device by VDE (230 volt version) and CSA (C/US) (120 volt version). The 230 volt version carries the CE conformity label. The Full Line Catalog describes all accessories for you Fiber Light Source.
	Schott-Fostec - The KL2500 LCD with its new design and unique performance spectrum, the KL 2500 LCD is setting a new benchmark in the field of halogen cold light sources.  Fitted with a 250-watt cold light reflector lamp, the KL 2500 LCD transmits more than twice the amount of the light of the KL 1500 LCD.  This unparalleled performance makes the KL 2500 LCD the instrument of choice for the most challenging applications in Stereo Microscopy, Macroscopy and Forensics.  See the System Diagram for the many accessories available.  The KL 2500 LCD is equipped with a 5-position filter wheel, which makes filter selection quick and easy. Color filters and special GFP-fluorescence excitation filters are also available.  Electronic accessories such as remote control or tilt switch can be connected to the analog socket in the front panel, enabling remote light source operation or connection of an RS-232 Interface.  The Full Line Catalog describes all accessories for you Fiber Light Source.
	Syncroscopy -  AUTO-MONTAGE Auto-Montage software provides the ultimate solution to microscopist's who need fully focused images from their optical microscope. The software is designed to overcome the problems traditionally associated with the inadequate depth of field for imaging 3-dimensional specimens, by allowing a composite, perfectly focused image to be produced. This is achieved by combining the focused parts from a series of images focused at different heights on the specimen to form an in-focus composite.  Auto-Montage can be used with your existing images or image capture system. These source images can be imported into Auto-Montage, where they are automatically analyzed and all high detail regions are combined into a single, perfectly focused, image.  Typical users for Auto-Montage include entomologists, botanists, material scientists, geologists and anyone who works with 3-dimensional samples. In fact there isn’t really a typical user.  With Auto-Montage’s unique and diverse range of montaging methods and its unrivalled suite of processing, editing, measurement, data management and 3D visualization tools no other package comes close to matching Auto-Montage’s functionality, flexibility, effectiveness and efficiency.  A wealth of valuable 3D measurement data is created during the image capture process, allowing you to generate height coded images and publish dramatic 3D views of your samples.
	Till Photonics  - The POLYCHROME V is the fifth generation of their successful monochromator based light sources with increased wavelength switching speed and unsurpassed brightness.  Suitable light sources constitute the heart of all fluorescence systems. TILL Photonics offers a complete line of light sources which excel through their unsurpassed brightness and ease of coupling to all major microscopes.  All units can be used in a stand-alone configuration but may also serve as core components for a fully integrated imaging or photometry system.  The Polychromes have always been the reference for microscope illumination devices since the release of the Original Polychrome in 1993. The culmination of 10 years of experience with illuminating experiments has been condensed into a highly compact package, the Polychrome V is brighter, faster, more intelligent, more stable, easily adjustable, more versaTILL Whether you do ratio imaging with rapid wavelength switching, GFP-imaging with a variety of fluorophores to be distinguished, FRET with the faintest signals to be detected, Photometry with very high time resolution, or TIRF with a combination of wide- and evanescent field, the Polychrome V, with its optimized condensers for all major microscopes.
	VisTek  - The VIP320 and VIP3200 Series Tabletop Vibration Isolation Platforms are passive, mechanical and robust. They do not require compressed air, or complicated algorithms associated with semi or fully active, piezzo electric vibration control systems. The products are small, efficient and maintenance free while maintaining complete system integrity. The VIP300 Series consists of standard, rectangular shaped platforms with 3 or 4 VIB320 bearings for isolating microscopes and other sensitive instruments. The VIP3200 Series are custom shaped vibration isolation platforms designed for a specific microscope brand and model number.  All the products provide Exceptional six degrees-of-freedom isolation. Tangential, and secant compliance. and  Fast settling times.  The Horizontal Isolation provided by a horizontal, non-linear spring results in isolation that is constant and independent of the frequency and amplitude of the input vibrations. As a result, the horizontal spring filter whites out or filters out a broad band of input frequencies and insures a constant level of vibration transmission reduction. With Vertical Isolation accomplished via Broadband filtering with substantially non-linear spring filters.
	VisTek  - The V2500  Series  Vibration Isolation Table is designed for your needs.  Vistek manufactures exceptionally rigid, elegant, lightweight tables designed for the microscope user.  Vibration isolation is provided only where you need it - - recessed within the table and directly beneath the microscope.    With the addition of the new Series 320 Vibration Isolation Bearings, a wider range of payloads can be isolated making it easier to add and remove microscope accessories.  And, as always, the isolation is only where you need it - - beneath the instrument. Users can select from three locations for this area on the left-hand side, right-hand side, or in the center  Consequently, the rest of the table is available as a work area.  The microscope or other piece of equipment is isolated with Vistek Vibration Isolation Bearings (VIBs). The VIBs support a platform, upon which your instrument sits, manufactured from powder-coated steel and the same material used for the tabletop surface providing for a clean consistent appearance.  Since the isolation bearings are passive, mechanical, and maintenance free, there are no air hoses, supporting hardware, or off-gassing components.  The table is available in a large selection of sizes ranging from 30” wide to 72” wide.
	Yokogawa - CSU10 provides for Fast scanning, high optical efficiency and high S/N.  The confocal scanning method of the CSU family of confocal microscopes is based on the Nipkow disk scanner; an optical scanner using rotation of a disk with pinholes to produce an image.  While a Nipkow scanner is good at fast scanning, its optical efficiency is too low to capture weak fluorescent images.  By placing a microlens array in front of the Nipkow disk, the CSU family of confocals greatly improves the optical efficiency by about two orders.  In addition, the design of the CSU family of confocals minimizes the background inside the system thus realizing a very high S/N.  The CSU10 has two disks; one with about 20,000 microlenses, the other with pin-holes arranged in the same pattern as the microlenses.  Light incident on the upper disk is focused by the microlenses on the corresponding pinholes.  The two disks rotate together at 1,800 rpm by an electrical motor so that the light beams raster-scan the specimen. The light passing through the pinhole is focused by an objective lens on a spot in the specimen.  Fluorescent light from the specimen returns along the same path through the objective lens and the pinhole, and reflected by the dichroic mirror through a relay lens to the imaging point in a camera or eye.   The pinhole pattern is designed to capture 12 frames per rotation, which means 360 frames per second of confocal images can be captured with CSU10.   Using the CSU10 is as easy as using a regular microscope.  You can mount the CSU10 on the majority of research grade microscopes from Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, and Olympus.  Please contact AIC for further details on the compatibility of your specific model.  CLICK HERE for further information on how the CSU10 works and CLICK HERE for a comparison sheet on all their models.
	Yokogawa - QLC100 is based on dual disc confocal technology and offers high speed real-time performance. Scanning speeds of 360 frames per second are possible, allowing capture and analysis of cellular and physiological processes in real-time. A microlens array increases light transmission, so weak fluorescent samples can be imaged. Increased light transmission means that smaller pinholes are used, which increases image resolution. Spinning disk technology reduces photobleaching allowing long time course experiments. A standard C-mount connects the to any inverted or upright microscope. A C-mount adapter on the output port makes the compatible with any camera technology. The Confocal laser scanning module offers the opportunity to upgrade your existing camera-based imaging system to a laser scanning confocal microscope, without the need to buy an expensive stand alone CLSM. This technology facilitates switching rapidly between different cameras and different microscopes, to suit the target application. CLICK HERE for further information on how the QLC100 works.  The QLC100 is designed to incorporate illumination from various lasers, enabling excitation over the entire visible spectrum. The QLC100's self-aligning optics eliminate complicated set-up procedures.  The QLC100 is as simple to use as your conventional microscope.

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