Olympus has introduced the all-in-one FSX100 fluorescence and Fluoview FV10i confocal laser scanning microscope systems to enable the creation of high-end research images.
The microscopes are designed to remove all of the complex steps involved in setting up and using advanced-fluorescence and confocal microscopes, ensuring that users can concentrate on the images and data without any prior expertise in the control of microscope components.
By coupling microscopy and imaging hardware with automation and advanced software, the Olympus FSX100 and Fluoview FV10i allow users to obtain images and image series by loading their sample, defining their observation mode and regions of interest and then capturing their images.
All components are motorised and controlled via software, ensuring that functions such as focusing, exposure, fluorescence wavelength selection and even cover slip thickness correction are automated so the user does not have to touch the microscope at all.
As a result, advanced-imaging processes such as time-lapses, Z-stacks and multi-position image capture can be carried out with ease or combined to provide true multi-dimensional imaging.
The Olympus FSX100 and FV10i enclose the required components in a compact unit and can be placed on the bench at the point of discovery, or transported to wherever they are needed.
The stage is enclosed, providing full darkroom facilities and ensuring maximum imaging sensitivity.
The user-friendly software systems guide users through the whole imaging process.
An overview image of the sample is generated automatically once the slide or culture plate is placed on the stage and the user has clicked 'start'.
From here, scientists select their regions of interest and the microscope zooms in, optimising the image and presenting the user with a series of intuitive tools for imaging the sample.
These enable the selection of the observation method, viewing the different fluorescence and brightfield channels; navigating around the sample, manually controlling focus and exposure as well as controlling laser intensity and applying real-time noise reduction.
Settings from existing images can be reapplied to the instrument for imaging new samples, ensuring excellent experimental consistency.
The Olympus FSX100 all-in-one fluorescence microscope is fitted with three fluorescence filter cubes covering a range of applications.
Fluorescence illumination is provided by an easy to fit, pre-centred metal-halide burner with a 2,000 hour lifespan, a highly stable LED illumination system with a 16,000 hour lifespan is used to provide consistent brightfield and phase-contrast illumination.
The UIS2 optics used in the system include an SAPO 40x (NA 0.95) objective and 0.4x-2.0x optical zoom, providing an overall magnification range of 17x-80x.
The Olympus FV10i confocal laser scanning microscope is available as oil-and water-immersion models, both providing an overall magnification range of 10x-600x by combining the 10x and 60x UIS2 SAPO objectives with the confocal optical zoom.
The four-diode laser combiner unit will cover the majority of fluorescent dyes, while the two-channel fluorescence detection unit uses a spectrum method to automatically select the correct detection wavelengths for the dyes in use.
The water-immersion model also features automated water supply and automated correction collar for ensuring that the 60x objective is always used correctly.
It also features an integrated incubator to enable long-term live-cell imaging.
