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Scanning laser microscopes designed to obtain high-magnification cross-sectional (i.e., three-dimensional) images by scanning the sample with a focused point of laser light, restricting the illumination to a tiny, targeted section of the specimen, while eliminating out-of-focus light (i.e., confocal microscopy). The image data is detected, amplified, and usually digitized and displayed on a high-resolution (typically 1024 x 1024 pixels) monitor (and/or stored in the memory of a computer). Most of these microscopes are mounted on conventional or specially designed light microscopes (e.g., upright, inverted stage). These microscopes are used mainly for cell and molecular biology (e.g., cell cultures, tissue) examination; handheld microscopes intended mainly for in vivo skin histology assessments are also available. Dedicated miniature instruments intended for use with endoscopes (e.g., gastrointestinal) are also available.
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