Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopes

X1 Upright Spinning Disk Confocal

The X1 system is an upright microscope, specialized in high-speed live-cell observation for samples requiring in situ imaging on special sample holders or devices with a non-transparent bottom. The system is outfitted with full environmental control for live cell support (temperature, CO₂, humidity) and a series of dry or water dipping lenses for direct, from-above immersion into live-cell environments, such as neurons growing on a MEA-chip or organotypic cultures on opaque surfaces.

For 3D observation, the microscope is equipped with the fastest spinning disk unit at the SCF (max. 10000 rpm = max. 2000fps). In most practical cases however, X1 fluorescence imaging is limited to a full frame rate of about 50fps, due to signal intensities and/or data-transfer rates from the camera. For improved illumination uniformity, the scanner is equipped with a Homogenizer unit (Visitron Systems).

In addition, for wide field imaging one can make use of an intensified high-speed CMOS camera (HiCAM Fluo) using a dedicated acquisition station. Geared toward capturing the fastest live-cell dynamics (e.g. neuronal signaling), this combined intensifier+detector can record full frame time-lapse sequences with a max. frame rate of 1000fps in any of the wide field fluorescence channels.

• Microscope base: Nikon Ni-E (upright)
• Confocal disk unit: Yokogawa CSU-X1
• Uniformity unit: Homogenizer (Visitron Systems)
• Disk format: 50 µm pinholes @ 250 µm spacing, dual disk technology
• Available lasers: 405, 488, 561, and 640 nm
• Camera at SD module: Photometrics Prime 95B (w. 2.5x relay lens)
• Piezo z-stage: Mad City Labs Nano-Drive (200 µm)
• Wide field light path: through disk (low throughput) or side-port (high speed)
• Wide field excitation: Lumencor Spectra X (390/438/470/510/542/632 nm)
• Wide field camera: Lambert Instruments HiCAM Fluo (high-speed camera)
• Specialty: upright configuration, BSL2 experiments, ultra-high speed wide field imaging

W1 Upright Spinning Disk Confocal

The W1 upright SD system is a modular spinning disk microscope, specialized in larger field-​of-view (FOV) live-​cell observation and stimulation. Like the X1 system, it is optimized for life samples requiring in situ imaging on special sample holders or devices with a non-​transparent bottom. The system is outfitted with full environmental control for live cell support (Temperature, CO2, %RH), and a series of water dipping lenses for direct, from-​above immersion into live-​cell environments, such as neurons growing on a MEA-​chip or organotypic cultures on opaque surfaces.

For 3D observation, the microscope is equipped with a larger FOV spinning disk unit (max. 4000 rpm = max. 200 fps). In most practical cases, W1 fluorescence imaging is limited to a full frame rate of about 20fps, due to signal intensities and/or data-​transfer rates from the camera. For improved illumination uniformity, the scanner is equipped with an Homogenizer unit (Visitron Systems GmbH). To optimize optical sectioning at both low and high magnification, users can use one of two disk formats (50/500um vs. 25/500um). In addition, the W1 system offers a choice between a highly sensitive EMCCD camera and a higher resolution sCMOS camera. 

For wide field imaging one can make use of either of the two cameras via the wide-​field bypass in the CSU-​W1 unit, such that no emission light is lost by passing through the disk.

• Microscope base: Nikon Ni-E (upright)
• Control software: NIS-Elements
• Confocal disk unit: Yokogawa CSU-​W1 (2-​disk, 2-​camera model)
• Uniformity unit: Homogenizer (Visitron Systems GmbH)
• Disk 1 format: 25 µm pinholes @ 500 µm spacing, dual disk technology
• Disk 2 format: 50 µm pinholes @ 500 µm spacing, dual disk technology
• Available lasers: 405, 488, 561, and 640 nm
• Camera 1: Andor iXon 888 Ultra EMCCD (w. 2x relay lens option)
• Camera 2: Hamamatsu ORCA-​Fusion
• XY stage: Märzhäuser Scan 130x85
• Wide field light path: spinning disk bypass
• Wide field excitation: Lumencor Spectra X (390/438/475/514/550/635 nm)
• Specialty: upright configuration, BSL2 experiments

W1-SoRa Inverted Spinning Disk Confocal  

The inverted W1-SoRa system is a high-end modular spinning disk microscope, covering a broad range of experimental needs. Outfitted with full environmental control for live cell support (Temperature, CO₂, %RH), the system is configured for live-cell observation of samples at biosafety level 1 or 2.

The microscope can run all common types of live-cell experiment, combining time lapse, multi-position (XYZ), multi-channel and stitching (large image) functionalities. In addition, it can be custom-scripted to perform more complex and/or ‘smart’ imaging routines (JOBS). Combined with the larger field-of-view (FOV) spinning disk unit and triggered piezo Z-stage, the system is particularly suitable for faster and/or higher throughput confocal imaging.

The CSU-W1 confocal scanning unit features synchronized dual sCMOS cameras for simultaneous two-color fluorescence imaging, and a special hardware timing configuration enabling more accurate timing, maximum efficiency light-doses, and high-speed (two-color) sectioning up to 30fps full frame rate.

Finally, through the fully compatible SoRa super-resolution imaging mode, the system offers an easy-entry option for super-resolution imaging that is particularly suited to live-cell samples (XY resolution ~120-150nm).

• Microscope base: Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E (inverted)
• Confocal disk unit: Yokogawa CSU-W1 SoRa (2-disk, 2-camera model)
• Uniformity unit: Uniformizer (Yokogawa)
• Super-resolution unit: Magnification changer + SoRa disk (Yokogawa)
• Disk 1 format: 50 µm pinholes @ 500 µm spacing, dual disk technology
• Disk 2 format: 50 µm pinholes (SoRa) @ 500 µm spacing, dual disk technology
• Available lasers: 405, 445, 488, 515, 561, and 640 nm (w. triggering)
• Camera 1: Hamamatsu ORCA-Fusion (w. triggering)
• Camera 2: Hamamatsu ORCA-Fusion (w. triggering)
• Piezo z-stage: Mad City Labs Nano-Drive (200 µm, w. triggering)
• Hardware timing unit: NIDAQ (National Instruments)
• Wide field light path: spinning disk bypass
• Wide field excitation: Lumencor Spectra X (387/466/510/531/628 nm)
• Specialty: BSL-2 experiments possible, automated water immersion dispenser, Silicone immersion objectives

X-Light v3 Inverted Spinning Disk Confocals (addons to WF2 & WF3)

The X-Light v3 SD systems are high-end spinning disk microscopes, specialized in ultra large field-of-view (FOV 25mm), high-throughput confocal observation of thinner live cell samples at intermediate magnifications.

The microscopes can run all common types of live-cell experiment, combining time lapse, multi-position (XYZ), multi-channel and stitching (large image) functionalities. In addition, itheycan be custom-scripted to perform more complex and/or ‘smart’ imaging routines (JOBS).

The scanner configuration combines synchronized dual Kinetix sCMOS cameras for simultaneous two-color fluorescence imaging, 7 excitation lasers, various multi-band emission filters and two different image splitters to provide excellent flexibility for optimizing multiplexed experiments.

Finally, due to its dedicated hardware triggering module it additionally offers more accurate timing, maximum efficiency light-doses, and high-speed (two-color) sectioning up to 20fps full frame rate. Currently, the SCF houses two X-Light v3 SD systems, both on a Nikon Ti2-E base.

• Microscope base: Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E (inverted)
• Confocal disk unit: CrestOptics X-Light v3
• Uniformity unit: 25mm FOV (CrestOptics)
  
• Disk format: 50 µm pinholes @ 250 µm spacing
  
• Available lasers: Lumencor Celesta (405/446/477/520/546/638/749 nm) (w. triggering)
  
• Camera 1: Photometrics Kinetix (w. triggering)
  
• Camera 2: Photometrics Kinetix (w. triggering)
  
• Hardware timing unit: NIDAQ (National Instruments)
  
• Wide field light path: spinning disk bypass
  
• Wide field excitation: Lumencor Celesta (405/446/477/520/546/638/749 nm)
  
• Specialty: high data throughput, dual cameras, thin samples, fast multi-color (multi-band filters), NIR fluorescence & BLS2 experiments (for WF3+X-Light SD only)