Linear Optical Disector

Number

Use the Linear Optical Disector to analyze material that is perpendicular to specific landmarks (the T-square alignment tool is especially useful for this).

This method combines the Linear Scan and the disector probe into a surveying tool.

It is designed to allow the sampling of sites that are defined by a line (vector) between two locations. An optical disector is applied to each sampling site.

Prerequisites

Distance between sampling sites
Section thickness, counting frame thickness and guard zone thickness because the probe is be implemented at each scan site

How do I use the Linear Optical Disector probe?

At low magnification, trace a contour of the area of interest.
Switch to a high magnification lens suitable for counting cells.
Click Probes>Define Counting Frame and define the size of the counting frame in the XY plane.
Click a marker type to count cells.
Click Probes>Linear Optical Disector. The Linear Scan dialog box appears .
- Adjust the settings as needed and click OK.
- Align sampling site with the line: the counting frame is aligned with the line.
- Use T-square alignment aid: use for objects perpendicular to specific landmarks.
Click to set the initial point of the line along which the sampling sites are to be placed.
Move your cursor to draw the line then click to set the end point of the line.
Stereo Investigator positions you at a sampling site and prompts you to focus to the top of the section.
- Focus to the top of the section, then click OK.
Mark cells within the counting frame by clicking them.
- Use different marker types for different cell populations.
Click the Next Scan Site icon to move to the next site.
Repeat steps 8-10 until you have marked all of the sampling sites.
Click Probes>Display Probe Run List to see the results for Linear Scan.