Olympus CX22 Binocular Microscope

Detailed Description

Experience the clarity and consistency required for rigorous daily screening with the Olympus CX22. Unlike entry-level finite optical systems that struggle to maintain sharpness across the viewing field, the CX22 utilizes a Universal Infinity System (UIS) optical path. This engineering choice ensures that light rays travel parallel after passing through the objective lens, effectively eliminating stray light artifacts and delivering uniform brightness and contrast even during extended periods of observation.

At the heart of the CX23’s predecessor lies its Plan Achromat objective set (4x, 10x, 40x, 100x Oil). These lenses are engineered to solve the most common frustration in laboratory microscopy: field curvature. By flattening the focal plane, these objectives allow users to view individual cells at the center and periphery of the slide simultaneously without constant refocusing. When paired with the high-eye-point widefield eyepieces, the system reduces visual fatigue significantly—a crucial benefit for pathologists, students, or technicians conducting batch screenings throughout the day.

Operational workflow is optimized through a user-centric design. The reversed quadruple revolving nosepiece positions the objectivies closer to the user, keeping hands clear of the stage while changing magnification—a subtle detail that drastically speeds up the scanning process. Below the stage, a high-efficiency Abbe Condenser (N.A. 1.25) concentrates light precisely onto the specimen, unlocking the full resolving power of the 100x oil immersion lens for detailed bacterial and cellular examination. Backed by Olympus’s legacy of optical excellence, the CX22 serves as a sturdy, reliable imaging partner capable of handling the demands of any clinical training program.

Key Features

• Infinity-Corrected Optics (UIS): Provides superior optical potential and modularity compared to standard fixed-tube length systems.
• Plan Achromat Objectives: Guaranteed flat-field correction ensuring 100% of the Field of View is usable and in focus simultaneously.
• High-Eyepoint Widefield Eyepieces (10x): Facilitates comfortable viewing for operators wearing glasses, with wide interpupillary adjustment (48–75mm).
• Reversed Nosepiece: Ergonomic placement allows easy lens exchange without breaking the user’s wrist position.
• Rackless Mechanical Stage: Provides low-profile, smooth X-Y translation controls that stay out of the user’s way.
• Coaxial Coarse/Fine Focus: Intuitive dual-control system featuring a built-in upper limit stopper to protect slides and oil objectives.
• Halogen Illumination (6V/20W): Delivers stable color temperature (approx. 3300K) ideal for color-critical applications like Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) stained tissue analysis.
• Anti-Fungus Treatment: Critical protection for optics in humid climates, preserving image quality over years of storage.

Typical Applications / Uses

• Academic Instruction: Preferred model for AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Histology courses due to its professional-grade feature set.
• Clinical Training Labs: Used in Phlebotomy and Medical Assistant programs to teach blood smear morphology and cell identification.
• Veterinary Practices: Robust enough for daily farm-call prep or in-clinic fecal flotation and dermatophyte checks.
• Aquaculture/Agriculture: Water quality monitoring for plankton counts and fish pathology sampling.

Main Benefits

• Edge-to-Edge Sharpness: The “Plan” objective distinction means users spend less time twisting focus knobs and more time analyzing data.
• Ergonomic Workflow: The combination of the reversed nosepiece and low-position stage controls minimizes repetitive strain injury risks.
• Outstanding Depth of Field: The infinity system provides excellent depth perception, helping users understand the 3D structure of thick specimens like larvae or tissue clumps.
• Legacy Reliability: Built with metal-on-metal gears and a cast iron-style base that resists tipping and vibration, unlike lightweight plastic hybrid alternatives.
• Cost-Effective Quality: Offers “research-grade” viewing quality at a price point structured for educational budgets or cost-conscious clinics.