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BioStation IM combines an incubator, a microscope and a cooled CCD camera in a compact body, allowing sophisticated time-lapse imaging, which until now has only been achieved with a complex system. BioStation IM provides fully motorized control from a PC, allowing users to easily conduct observations and imaging. Time-lapse imaging can be automatically accomplished according to a user-defined schedule.
Moreover, focus drift caused by thermal change and mechanical instability has been eliminated, enabling reliable time-lapse imaging in an optimal live cell environment.
By precisely controlling the temperature of the cell culture unit, specimen unit and microscope unit with built-in heaters and fans, focus drift during lengthy time-lapse observation has been vastly reduced. Moreover, BioStation IM boasts a newly developed focusing mechanism made from thermal-stable materials that are not affected by heat, therefore avoiding thermal expansion.
Motorized objective lens movable in X, Y and Z directions
BioStation IM's revolutionary motorized mechanics move the objective lens instead of the stage. The objective lens can be moved in X-, Y- and Z-axis directions, so a broad 6 mm x 6 mm area can be observed without moving the dish at all. As the culture plate is fixed, the medium does not shake.
Vibration dampeners block vibrations from the chassis to the microscope and the camera. The camera and the control section are insulated from the effects of the heater.
BioStation IM contains four sensors that automatically maintain a stable internal environment of 37 ºC. In addition, the humidifier maintains a humidity level of 95 % or higher and the CO2 gas mixer provides a stable supply of CO2 of 5 % concentration.
Z-stack image acquisition
The BioStation IM's phase contrast and fluorescence imaging modes are automated. Since all optical and mechanical components are motorized, multichannel, multipoint, Z-stack and magnification changes are all possible during time-lapse imaging.
An ergo controller that allows X, Y, and Z directional movement with an operational feel similar to a microscope comes standard. It also allows changeover of magnifications, fluorescence filters, imaging/observation methods, and fluorescence shutter ON/OFF.
BioStation IM can hold two fluorescence filter blocks. Nikon's filter blocks employ Nikon's original noise terminator to eliminate noise caused by stray light and provide clear, high S/N ratio fluorescence images.
Because a wide 6 mm x 6 mm area can be displayed by image stitching, the whole image of a specimen can be observed. The point of time-lapse observation can be easily specified from the widefield image.
The outside indicator allows the user to easily determine the condition of the BioStation IM's internal environment.
BioStation IM's chamber can be easily detached and sterilized in an autoclave. The glass top cover maintains a sealed environment that prevents the loss of humidity and CO2, as well as contamination.
Cell-friendly red LED illumination is used for phase contrast imaging. Moreover, the fluorescence illuminator shutter opens only when capturing images, therefore reducing photo-bleaching and phototoxicity of live cells.
The perfusion unit is small enough to fit inside the incubator
The perfusion components allow reagent administration and medium exchange without a change in the culture environment. Researchers can add drugs or medium supplements to their cultures or collect waste for further analysis.
* Syringe pump or peristaltic pump is necessary to pressurize the solution bottles.
This new 35 mm culture dish is divided into four parts and has an incorporated plane parallel top plate. The plate prevents light path distortion by the meniscus, which is the curve at the air-water interface, and enables high-quality phase contrast observation.
* Use of the Hi-Q4 culture dish is available for the BioStation IM CELL-S1 unit only.
