As a pathologist or clinical staff member, having the right microscope is crucial for accurate and efficient analysis. The Olympus BX43 and BX46 microscopes are excellent choices for home pathology work, veterinary pathology, forensic pathology, and various other hospital settings. These high-quality, refurbished microscopes from Munday Scientific and Microscope Marketplace are built to deliver exceptional performance and reliability.

If you’ve purchased one of these models from Munday Scientific, you’re in good hands. Our microscopes come fully refurbished and ready to help you excel in your work. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up your Olympus BX43 or BX46 microscope, as demonstrated by our expert, Chad Potts, in the following instructional video:

• Setting Up the Olympus BX46
• Setting Up the Olympus BX43

Step 1: Unbox and Prepare Your Microscope

Once you’ve received your Olympus BX43 or BX46, carefully unbox it. You should find the following key components:

• Microscope base
• Microscope head
• Eyepieces
• Objectives
• Stage
• Power cord

Ensure that all parts are accounted for, and if you are missing anything or need a different configuration, please feel free to reach out to us at info@mundaymicroscope.com or call 919-775-5596.

Step 2: Attaching the Microscope Head

1. Place the microscope base on a stable, level surface.
2. Attach the microscope head: The head is the upper portion of the microscope that holds the eyepieces and objectives. Align the dovetail of the head with the dovetail on the body and slide it into place. You may need to tighten a screw to secure it in position.

Chad Potts demonstrates this step in the video above, showing how to properly connect the head to the base, ensuring stability and proper alignment.

Step 3: Installing the Eyepieces

Next, you’ll need to insert the eyepieces into the ocular tubes. The eyepieces on the Olympus BX43 and BX46 are typically 10x magnification, but you can choose from different magnification options depending on your needs.

1. Insert the eyepieces into the ocular tubes: Align the eyepiece’s diameter with the ocular tube opening and gently slide it in. Ensure it's firmly seated, but don't force it.

Step 4: Attaching the Objectives

The objectives are the lenses that provide magnification for your specimens. The Olympus BX43 and BX46 usually come with a set of objectives (typically 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x oil immersion) that are attached to the revolving nosepiece.

1. Rotate the nosepiece: If the objectives are not already in place, rotate the nosepiece until each objective clicks into place.
2. Ensure proper alignment: Make sure each objective is correctly seated and that there is no wobbling or misalignment.

Step 5: Installing the Stage

The stage is where you’ll place your specimens for observation. Here's how to install it:

1. Align the stage with the microscope base: The stage should fit securely onto the base of the microscope. Slide it into place and secure it with screws if necessary.
2. Position the stage clips: The clips are used to hold your slides in place. Make sure they are in position and can easily be moved to accommodate slides of varying sizes.

Chad explains how to attach the stage in the setup video. He also highlights some additional adjustments you may want to make depending on your work environment and needs.

Step 6: Plugging in the Microscope

1. Plug in the power cord: The Olympus BX43 and BX46 have a power input located at the back of the base. Insert the power cable into the microscope and plug it into an electrical outlet.
2. Turn on the microscope: After ensuring everything is securely connected, power on the microscope using the switch on the base.

Step 7: Adjusting the Light Intensity with LIM (Light Intensity Management)

Both the Olympus BX43 and BX46 come equipped with the LIM (Light Intensity Management) feature. This feature allows you to precisely control the illumination level for your observations.

1. Adjust the LIM tool to your desired light intensity. For example, when using higher magnifications like 100x, you may want to lower the light intensity to prevent overexposure and enhance contrast.
2. Watch this instructional video on how to use the LIM tool: Using LIM Tool on the BX43/BX46

Step 8: Setting Kohler Illumination

One of the most important adjustments for achieving optimal image clarity and contrast is Kohler illumination. Kohler illumination ensures that light is evenly distributed across your field of view, reducing imperfections or light imbalance and improving the overall image quality.

If the microscope is not in proper Kohler illumination, you may notice issues like light imbalance, glare, or imperfections that affect the clarity of your specimens. Additionally, improper Kohler illumination can cause parfocal issues, meaning that when you switch objectives, you may experience significant focus shifts, which can be frustrating during your observations.

Here’s how to properly set Kohler illumination on the Olympus BX43 or BX46:

1. Adjust the condenser: Start by positioning the condenser to its highest point using the condenser height knob.
2. Open the field diaphragm: Turn the field diaphragm fully open.
3. Focus the condenser: Use the condenser focus knob to bring the diaphragm into focus.
4. Center the field diaphragm: Use the centering screws on the condenser to center the diaphragm within the field of view.
5. Close the field diaphragm: Once the field diaphragm is centered and in focus, close it slightly until the edges just appear in the field of view.

By doing this, you’ll ensure that the light is properly aligned, reducing the chances of light imbalance or focus issues.

For a detailed guide, watch this instructional video on Kohler illumination for microscopes:

• Kohler Illumination for BX46
• For the BX45 and BX46, the steps are similar but with slight variations. Watch this video for more guidance on these models: Kohler Illumination for BX45 and BX46

Step 9: Final Adjustments and Calibration

Once everything is set up, ensure that the microscope is properly calibrated.

1. Adjust the coarse and fine focus knobs to get a clear image of your specimen.
2. Use the condenser to adjust the light path if necessary, ensuring optimal contrast and resolution.

Why the Olympus BX43 and BX46 Are Perfect for Pathologists

These microscopes are ideal for a variety of pathology applications, including:

• Veterinary Pathology: Examining tissue samples, blood smears, and other specimens in veterinary diagnostics.
• Forensic Pathology: Analyzing forensic specimens, such as tissues or fluids, to identify the cause of death or injury.
• Clinical Pathology: Working with hospital labs to diagnose diseases by examining blood, urine, or tissue samples.
• Hematopathology: Diagnosing blood disorders and abnormalities, often with the use of cytology and blood smear slides.

Conclusion

The Olympus BX43 and BX46 microscopes are powerful tools for pathologists and clinical hospital staff. Their exceptional quality, combined with features like LIM and Kohler illumination, make them perfect for a variety of applications in pathology. Whether you’re performing routine diagnostic work, examining samples at home, or conducting forensic investigations, these microscopes will meet your needs.

If you’re ready to get started, you can explore our current Olympus BX43 and BX46 models here, or reach out to us for personalized assistance.

For any questions or custom configurations, please contact us at info@mundaymicroscope.com or call 919-775-5596.