Cutting-Edge Automation and Image Acquisition Solutions by INSCOPER
Introduction of
INSCOPER stands out as more than just another piece of acquisition software for microscopes; it represents a superior approach to live cell recording. Opting for INSCOPER empowers research teams and core facilities with microscopes that offer enhanced efficiency and ease of use. With INSCOPER, users can capture more images from their specimens while minimizing the time spent on microscope adjustments. Here’s how INSCOPER accomplishes this feat.
1. Revolutionizing Live Cell Imaging: Innovative Microscope Operation Approach
Inscoper Imaging Software presents a groundbreaking hardware solution that redefines the control of fluorescence microscopes in the realm of live cell imaging. In today’s microscopy landscape, microscopes and their associated peripherals are typically linked to computers and managed through acquisition software like Metamorph, Micro-manager, LAS-X (Leica), NIS (Nikon), Olympus Stream, and Zen (Zeiss). These software applications are traditionally installed on a PC, operating within the Windows environment.
However, Inscoper’s innovative approach introduces a fundamental departure from this conventional setup by dissociating the two primary functions handled by acquisition software:
- User Interaction: This aspect involves configuring the acquisition sequence, receiving and displaying acquired images, and saving them.
- Device Control: Device control encompasses communication with the various components within the microscopy system and the execution of user-defined acquisition sequences.
This segregation of functionalities liberates the Inscoper User Interface from hardware constraints. Consequently, regardless of the microscope type, the interface remains user-friendly, straightforward, and focused on meeting the user’s specific requirements rather than grappling with hardware intricacies.
The essence of Inscoper’s approach lies in embedding the Device Control functionality within a dedicated electronics box. This meticulously designed box is engineered to communicate with microscope devices as adeptly as hardware would, ensuring swift and reliable device control. By adopting this solution, Inscoper effectively eliminates the latency issues stemming from the computer’s operating system and the multitude of software drivers required to interface with the devices.
The key takeaway from this innovative approach is that the acquisition sequence no longer runs on the computer. Instead, it operates within the dedicated electronics box, delivering optimal microscope performance and unwavering reliability. Inscoper’s pioneering solution represents a significant leap forward in the field of live cell imaging, promising greater efficiency, precision, and user-centric control in microscopy workflows.
2. Biological Photomanipulation Techniques
In the realm of microscopy, photomanipulation encompasses a diverse array of techniques that empower biologists to engage with their live samples using precise and targeted illumination. Leveraging laser modulation methods, these techniques offer users the capability to initiate or modulate biological processes, induce localized stress, or selectively degrade specific portions of a specimen. One of the most frequently employed applications of photomanipulation in biology is known as Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP). This method facilitates the study of the diffusion dynamics of fluorescent-labeled organelles or proteins. It involves the selective photobleaching of a designated region within a cell, followed by the measurement of the recovery time for fluorescence within that area.
3. Time-Domain FLIM for Camera Microscopes
Inscoper fastFLIM innovation is an ideal choice for dynamic live cell imaging. It finds versatile applications encompassing an extensive array of functions, including monitoring fluorescence lifetimes, measuring FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) for studying protein-protein interactions, analyzing biosensors, and controlling environmental factors within the sample such as pH and viscosity. fastFLIM's straightforward design brings FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) into mainstream use as a complementary tool for precise quantitative fluorescence imaging. This seamlessly integrated solution is an integral part of the comprehensive Inscoper Imaging Solution, providing a robust and user-friendly product. Remarkably, it can be effortlessly combined with other fluorescence imaging techniques and third-party equipment, enhancing its flexibility and usability for researchers across diverse fields.
4. Enhancing Understanding Through Ratiometric Imaging
The liveRATIO solution represents a tailored extension of the Inscoper imaging solution designed explicitly for ratiometric imaging and its diverse range of applications. This specialized software empowers biologists with the ability to observe real-time changes in fluorescence ratios and subsequently review them. Notably, it achieves an acquisition frame rate that maximizes the microscope's capabilities, thanks to the elimination of all software latency enabled by our proprietary technology. Furthermore, liveRATIO seamlessly integrates ratiometric imaging into multidimensional acquisition sequences within a unified software environment. It also offers compatibility with microfluidics, enabling versatile and comprehensive experimentation in the same platform.
5. Everyday Imaging Made Easy with the MAICO I.S. Confocal Microscopy Solution by Hamamatsu and Inscoper
The MAICO I.S.: Your Complete Solution for Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy, Compatible with All Microscope Brands
Tailored for Live Cell Imaging with Low Laser Power and High Frame Rates
The Hamamatsu MEMS Confocal Unit (1) is an all-inclusive microscopy module engineered for laser scanning confocal imaging. This compact unit encompasses every essential component for obtaining top-notch confocal images, from laser excitation to fluorescence detection, complete with pinholes and filtering. Its low laser power and rapid scanning capabilities make it an ideal choice for live cell imaging. The MEMS mirror scanning device facilitates a remarkable acquisition rate of 19 frames per second, covering the entire field of view. This high-speed scanning not only ensures swift imaging but also aids in reducing photobleaching. Furthermore, the unit employs high-sensitivity GaAsP PMT detectors, enabling the utilization of low laser power.
Designed for Biologists: Intuitive Software and Seamless Integration
Hamamatsu has seamlessly integrated the Inscoper I.S. control and image acquisition solution (2, 3) to provide MAICO users with an exceptional imaging experience. The software boasts stability and user-friendliness, ensuring a short learning curve. It features a unified interface with three tabs, catering to both straightforward timelapse imaging and more intricate multi-dimensional acquisitions. Users can perform fluorescence excitation and image acquisition sequentially or simultaneously across up to four channels, all while seamlessly integrating on-the-fly deconvolution into their workflow. Connecting the MEMS unit to the microscope’s C-mount port is effortless, offering compatibility with various microscope configurations within the I.S. software interface. Additionally, the MAICO I.S. package includes the first two years of product warranty and support services, ensuring a comprehensive and worry-free experience for users.
The MAICO I.S. solution consists of:
- a compact unit for confocal imaging that connects to the camera port of any conventional microscope body, that contains up to four fluorescence excitation and detection channels (each channel includes laser source, pinhole, detector),
- a device controller for triggering and synchronizing the microscope signals
- a full-featured image acquisition software.
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