Questions and answers
The questions that come up most often from practice, IT and compliance. If yours is not there, a mail to info@darkfield.ch is always welcome.
General
What is darkfield.ch?
darkfield.ch is a Windows application for the structured
execution and documentation of darkfield analysis sessions
in therapeutic practices.
Who is the software for?
For practitioners and researchers using darkfield microscopy
in their work and wanting to document it systematically
— with full data sovereignty and optional exchange
with colleagues.
Is this a medical diagnostic device?
No. darkfield.ch is an observation and
documentation tool. The software neither provides medical
diagnoses nor replaces a clinical examination. That clear
boundary is the basis for its legally sound use in the
Swiss complementary-therapeutic field.
Technology & installation
Which operating system do I need?
Windows 10 from version 1809 or Windows 11, 64-bit each.
macOS and Linux are planned for a later release but are
not currently supported.
Which microscope works?
Any darkfield microscope with a UVC-compatible USB camera
(practically every modern microscope camera). Minimum
720p, 1080p recommended. If unsure, try it — the
test mode is free.
How long does installation take?
Under five minutes. The MSIX installer is signed („lightnet
multimedia gmbh"); enable sideloading once in Windows
settings and run the app.
Do I need an internet connection?
No — not for daily use. Only on first run the app
downloads the recognition model (about 84 MB) and later
optionally the consensus bundle. The software runs fully
offline afterwards.
Where is my data stored?
In
%LOCALAPPDATA%\darkfield.ch\, structured
per client and session. Files are always accessible in
Windows Explorer and can be backed up or encrypted with
your usual tools.
Licence & pricing
What does the software cost?
The test mode is unlimited and free. Full feature set
except PDF export and community exchange. Pro licences are
available on request via
info@darkfield.ch.
What does the pro licence include?
Everything in test mode, plus PDF export, AI-assisted
analysis, participation in the community consensus and
access to future updates.
Is my licence key ever shared with third parties?
No. The key never leaves your machine. A pseudonymous
12-character operator ID is locally derived from it —
that is what you use (optionally) in the community
exchange. The key itself stays with you.
Privacy & law
What data leaves my practice?
By default none. If you actively take
part in the community exchange, only anonymous pattern
descriptors are transmitted — no images, no patient
names, no licence key, no practice address.
How does the right to be forgotten work?
On your written request we block your pseudonymous
operator ID. The next consensus bundle excludes your
past contributions, and your reliability score is removed
from our system. Request via
info@darkfield.ch
including your licence key.
Is there a DPA for the practice?
Yes. When you take part in the community exchange, you
enter a data-processing agreement with lightnet multimedia
gmbh. The template (Swiss FADP plus optional GDPR annex)
ships with the pro licence.
Where are your servers?
Both the aggregation host and the shared hosting for
distribution are located in Switzerland. No data transfer
to third countries.
Community exchange
Do I have to take part?
No. All core features — patient management,
recording, local pattern recognition, PDF export —
work fully without participation.
Can I pause participation?
Yes, at any time. In the settings you can temporarily
disable the exchange. Your local work is unaffected.
What if an update feels wrong?
The app keeps the last three consensus bundles locally.
In the settings you can roll back to an earlier version.
Signatures are re-verified on every rollback.