Forum - Miniscope.org Suggestions

Hello all,

I believe it would be useful for some of the users to have access to the first versions of the mini scope. I understand this may cause confusion, but the older circuit versions could be placed in a well-labeled folder.

In my opinion, this could allow users to understand a bit better how the circuit evolved and potentially would allow the users to adapt previous versions for their use. For instance, I believe a combination of using the MT9V021 CMOS sensors together with the new version of the mini scope body could reduce the weight of the sensor significantly. Of course, this would result in lower resolution, sensitivity, and fidelity of the images. However, in some instances that may be a sacrifice that could be made.

I know the old design of the plastic body is on gitHub, but not of the old electronics. I think having the schematics of the old circuits would be useful (at least to me :).

just my two cents.

Thanks for the suggestion Walter. I will work on finding my old designs and adding them to our GitHub repository.

I am not sure if the MT9V021 comes in a monochromatic version. While not as light, you might want to check out the MT9V022. I think it is the same chip we currently use but in a BGA package at 60% the size. I initially designed the CMOS Imaging Sensor PCB around non-BGA components because I was hand soldering most of the components. Now that we have everything assembled by an assembly house it is worth looking into redesigning some of the system using BGA components as well as 0201 resistors/capacitors instead of 0402.

Hi all,

it is not really a suggestion, more like a question and I could not find a better place to ask it: will the participants of this years up-coming miniscope workshop be able to build a miniscope or will it be demonstrated how to build it?

Thanks a lot in advance, I enjoy your Wiki very much!

Our upcoming workshop at SFN will have 200-300 participants, so we won't be able to let everyone build their own miniscope. We will definitely demonstrate how to build it though, and we are working on getting more detailed videos of the assembly onto the wiki.

I was wondering if one could theoretically use this device in capillary electrophoresis, detecting fluorescently labeled DNA? What modifications would need to be made in order for this device to be able to detect these kinds of fluorescent tags.