Stories & Features

There is a common misconception in instrument development: that custom always means expensive. For many engineers, this leads to sticker shock when they see a custom quote, causing them to default to off-the-shelf (OTS) components. However, the cost delta between custom and off-the-shelf is often a myth when you look at the efficiencies gained across the entire Development Pathway from IDEX Health & Science.
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When you set out to build a fluorescence microscope, the focus is often on the components: which lens, which filter, and which camera. However, a high-performance system is not just a collection of parts—it is a series of interconnected architectural decisions. Many developers fear that moving away from off-the-shelf components into a custom design will be overwhelming. The goal of collaboration is to demystify the instrument development process by providing a clear, phased roadmap.
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The design of illumination optics for fluorescence-based systems has traditionally been defined by a frustrating compromise: speed versus sensitivity. If you’ve ever had to choose between the high intensity of a pinpoint laser and the rapid scanning speed of a wide-field beam, you’ve experienced the inherent limitations of traditional illumination design. But what if you didn’t have to choose?
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Every high-performance life science instrument requires a precisely tuned source-to-sensor imaging subsystem that balances resolution and throughput. Discover how to avoid the endless design loop by partnering with our team of experts at IDEX Health & Science.
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Custom illumination goes beyond power and wavelength. Our Melles Griot wide-field illumination modules are designed to power the future of life sciences. Engineered for next-generation, high-throughput, high-resolution imaging, our custom solutions provide everything you need for reliable, high-performance systems.
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At SPIE Photonics West 2025, our Director of RDE | Systems Imaging—David Steinchen—gave a live product demonstration of a turnkey fluorescent microscope (created in partnership with Dover Motion) to showcase one example of how our components can come together to enable your innovation. Watch our product demo here.
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We see the big picture and can help you optimize the different parts of the path to come together into one, efficient fluidic and optical life science subsystem.
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Don’t let prototype delivery and testing delays affect your fluidics platform release. IDEX Health & Science can accelerate your instrument development and deliver on time with our new Rapid Prototype Valve and Manifold program.
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Explore the specifications, theory, and technology behind Semrock optical filters from IDEX Health & Science and how you can reduce cost, maintain quality, and meet your filter bill-of-materials (BOM).
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What is a manifold assembly? Manifold assemblies create a fluid distribution system that streamlines your fluidic system to control all reagents—inlet ports to outlet ports—to create a clean and organized flow path. Learn more.
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