The clinical microscope has been at the forefront of every medical and laboratory research work for the past four centuries. Its ubiquitous presence in the laboratory should not surprise anyone to see microscope frames bent or held up in many different angles or position. As the classic microscope takes on a role much like a toy for the everyday scientist, researcher, or hobbyist, making its design more usable and comfortable for the user has become an important priority; and this is where clinical microscopes and ergonomics meet.

For too long, clinical microscope makers from around the world focused on the development of optical maximization like better contrast and more powerful zooming rate. The overall comfort and the elimination of user fatigue had always been at the back burner of microscope improvements. But this approach has become a thing of the past with the application of the concept of ergonomics in the manufacture of clinical microscopes.

The Need For Ergonomics

The many clinical microscopes that occupy all laboratories and biomedical research facilities have been designed for brief and abridged usage; but users, particularly scientists, are in the habit and are oftentimes required to use clinical microscopes for extended hours that run from an average of five to eight hours per usage. And so, this creates problems for the users that can translate not only to physical discomfort and fatigue but to permanent injuries as well.

It is known that the posture that scientists or other users assume whenever they are viewing specimen on the clinical microscope is all but comfortable. Microscope users through the years are forced to take on a cumbersome working position. The head of the user is basically humped over the ocular or viewing tubes, while the rest of the user’s upper body is arched forward; the optical controls of the microscopes also require the user’s wrists to be crooked in a very disagreeable position.  All in all, using the traditional microscope for long periods of time can cause muscular and skeletal disorders for the user.

Now that the usage of clinical microscopes has increased exponentially, concerns about the hazards or risks that involve the use of microscopes have also risen steadily. To address these perils, manufacturers of clinical microscopes have incorporated ergonomics in their approach to the microscope’s structural design.

Ergonomic Solutions

The common ergonomic solutions put into the modern clinical microscopes come in the form of additional accessories or special fittings. Below, you can find some of the standard ergonomic improvements to the clinical microscope.

Expanded Optical Tubes

The length of eye tubes of the latest microscopes has been expanded; for older microscopes, an expansion set for the optical tubes are available. This design or accessory is meant to lessen the pressure on the neck of the user as he or she humps the head over the eyepieces while viewing specimen.

Slanting Armrests

Adjusting the focus of the microscope while viewing specimen can be difficult for the user; particularly, if done for hours on end. This task requires wrist coordination and substantial movement of the forearms that can ultimately lead to muscular strains in the arms. Slanting armrests provide a relief and support that minimizes the movement and the compulsion to raise the arms from the work table whenever adjustment to the focus is needed.

Digital Camera Attachment

Most of the knobs that control the focus and the magnification rate of the clinical microscope are located in the middle of the microscope frame. On some microscopes, this means a distance of a few inches from the table to the adjustment controls which oftentimes implies discomfort if done continuously for hours due to the irregular position of the wrists and hands.

To address this, modern microscopes have ports or access that enable digital camera attachment. Through a digital camera, a user can view and adjust focus while viewing the specimen using a computer instead of the relatively small eyepieces and knobs.

Various Adapters

Various clinical microscope adapters are available. One such adapter enables the user to make the height of the microscope conform to the desired comfortable level.  Another kind of adapter is meant to reduce the steep vertical angle of the eyepieces, thereby making the viewing tubes more horizontal and the viewing experience closer to eye level; this way, the risk of having neck or eye strain can be avoided.

Indeed, the mixing of clinical microscopes and ergonomics is all about looking for a better and a more efficient way to make microscopes more user-friendly. Ergonomics bridge the gap between the need for prolonged microscope usage and comfort for the operators. Overall, it is about a stress free laboratory or research work.