Microscopes used for life sciences exist in two configurations — either upright, typically used for glass slides, or inverted, to view live samples in petri dishes. Labs will usually have both for their research. In order to save them money and space, Echo has created Revolve, a hybrid microscope that switches from upright to inverted modes. The startup announced today funding of $7.5 million to scale its manufacturing of the new microscope.
In addition to the microscope’s dual function, Echo replaced the device’s traditional eyepieces with an iPad Pro for improved viewing. “Users engage with our proprietary iOS app to drive the Revolve, allowing them to easily capture, archive, and share images on a large Retina Display screen,” wrote Echo founder and CEO Eugene Cho in an email to VentureBeat.
The microscopes are manufactured and assembled by hand in Echo’s San Diego offices and cost…