The Axio Examiner fixed stage microscope from Carl Zeiss is designed to enable electrophysiological experiments to be performed with greater ease and with maximum flexibility and safety.
In the field of the neurosciences, Axio Examiner is suitable for patch clamp experiments on nerve cells, examinations of brain sections and for measuring electrical signals on cells.
Together with the Zeiss LSM 710 NLO laser-scanning microscope, it is integrated into a multiphoton system with unmatched sensitivity.
The connection of one or two Axiocam cameras and the use of the Axiovision 4.7 software with a special physiology module make the quantitative evaluation of typical experiments comfortable and convenient, said Zeiss.
This includes the ability to visualise IR DIC or IR Dodt and Fluorescence in individual and merged live windows.
Axio Examiner has been designed so that complex experimental setups, for example, with various stages, micropipettes or light sources, are easy to set up, adapt and safe to use.
This is ensured by the stable stand design and by the slim profile in the front area of the system, providing the user with optimum access to the specimens.
Axio Examiner offers flexibility in adapting the specimen area and in the selection of the contrasting method.
For configuring a specific Axio Examiner, the user has four upper parts, two lower parts and a large number of different components and motorisation options to choose from.
Numerous interfaces allow flexible adaptation to the respective requirements.
The objective changer can be just as easily removed as the stage carrier and the condenser carrier.
The specimen area is flexible and, depending on the system configuration, is extendable to a free working distance of up to 100mm so that electrophysiological processes can be conveniently examined not only on living tissue sections and organs, but also on whole organisms.
Settings can be changed without difficulty during the experiment as all relevant controls are arranged at the front of the system.
The optical design developed for Axio Examiner also offers maximum optical quality for transmitted light techniques and for advanced fluorescence applications.
With the W N-Achroplan and W Plan-Apochromat series, water immersion objectives specially developed to meet the requirements of neuroscience are available for visible light and infrared.
Various contrasting methods, such as Dodt gradient contrast, are options that are integrated in the stand design.
Depending on the specimen, this makes it possible to achieve the highest resolution, the best contrast and optimum structure recognition in deeper tissue layers.
In addition, several motorised functions are available and can be remote-controlled via the docking station or the Axiovision software.
All motors are automatically deactivated after the target position has been reached.
In addition, the motors can be actively grounded.
This guarantees that any remaining voltage can also drain off.
The new Aquastop for condensers protects the system against overflowing liquids.
Axio Examiner offers flexible possibilities for additional magnification.
For example, a double camera tube featuring an integrated continuous zoom system or a special additional magnification turret with fixed magnification steps.
