Olympus has introduced two new silicon oil-immersion objectives, the UPLSAPO30xS and UPLSAPO60xS. The new lenses are ideal for live cell experiments, particularly those investigating thick samples or requiring long-term imaging. Users can generate bright images at higher resolution, as silicon oil significantly improves optical performance in comparison to conventional oil- or water-based approaches. This maximises the effectiveness of brightfield, differential interference contrast (DIC), fluorescence, confocal laser scanning and multiphoton studies. In addition, long-term time-lapse experiments can now be more reliably carried out without fear of evaporation or changes in refractive index, as silicon oil has high stability and low volatility. With increased brightness, resolution and reproducibility, the new unique Olympus silicon oil-immersion objectives are ideal for long-term or deep-penetration imaging.

Silicon oil allows users to capture bright, high resolution images of living samples, even deep into cells and tissues. This can be achieved because the refractive index of silicon oil (n = 1.40) is almost identical to that of living biological samples, at n =1.38, so silicon oil-immersion objectives minimise refractive index mismatch and spherical aberration. The properties of silicon oil also make it ideal for long-term, stable time-lapse studies. Unlike water, silicon oil is stable, viscous and of low volatility, meaning it does not dry out over time as water can. While glycerol has traditionally been used to circumvent some of the problems associated with water-immersion lenses, the properties of glycerol oil can change during the cause of an experiment as it tends to absorb moisture from the surrounding air. Silicon oil does not suffer from this issue, making it the medium of choice for performing reliable, reproducible long-term imaging.

With its 30x magnification and high NA of 1.05 the UPLSAPO30xS delivers highly resolved images of an extensive sample area. The Olympus UPSLAPO60xS provides increased magnification (60x) and NA (1.30), allowing researchers to produce highly detailed live sample images using fluorescence, confocal laser scanning and multiphoton excitation techniques. This objective is also ideal for high resolution 3D imaging applications by offering improved spherical aberration correction and a shorter working distance of 0.3 mm.

Each of the new objectives features a correction collar, making it easy to reduce spherical aberration even further via simple collar adjustments, optimising resolution, contrast and fluorescence performance. By integrating the new UPLSAPO30xS and UPLSAPO60xS lenses into their microscopes, researchers can build a complete system, optimised for clarity, resolution and reproducibility when performing deep-tissue and long-term imaging.

Quick and convenient microscopy with an expanded field of view and increased comfort

Olympus has released the new CX22 microscopes for routine and educational microscopy. Building on the success of the CX21 series of microscopes, the CX22 series feature significant improvements for convenient microscopic observations. Without compromising on image quality, these microscopes provide a bigger field of view and increased flexibility when it comes to altering the height of the eye point. The quick and easy setting of different viewing heights makes this microscope series perfect for use in an educational setting where users are changing frequently. Ergonomically designed and easy to use, these microscopes are also the ideal solution to a wide range of routine microscopy needs.

The new Olympus CX22 microscopes provide a variety of benefits to maximise ease-of-use, and are therefore ideal for teaching laboratories where users alternate regularly and have varying levels of expertise. For example, objectives and specimens can be protected from damage during focusing by a lock in the upper stage and significantly smoother operation is achieved by utilising a wire-driven stage. For even greater piece of mind, the eyepieces, objectives and condenser are all secured to the microscope frame, preventing the accidental loss or damage that could occur to the components if they were loose. In addition, the power cord can be wound around a hanger provided at the rear of each system, facilitating easy transport and storage.

The Olympus CX22 series includes both the CX22 and CX22LED microscopes. The CX22 utilises a halogen lamp, which enables easy intensity adjustment and facilitates the observation of images with faithful colour reproduction. The CX22LED provides a long service life and offers low power consumption and natural colour tones. Both systems have the added benefit of employing objectives, eyepieces and observation tubes which have all undergone anti-fungus treatment, of particular importance when the microscopes are used in hot humid environments. On top of all these benefits, the Olympus CX22 series has also been designed to deliver on-going performance, even in harsh environments and under rigorous use.  As such, the new microscopes provide exceptional performance and usability, whether used for teaching or routine microscopy.

Scottish Water recently took delivery from Microscope Systems of an Olympus BX53 fluorescence microscope for their cryptosporidium laboratory in Inverness.

The new microscope is equipped with state of the art CoolLED fluorescence excitation and top of the range U-SAPO UIS2 optics.

CoolLED fluorescence excitation negates the need for mercury lamps and provides an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative, with no compromise on fluorescence brightness when using DAPI and FITC. A wide range of LED's wavelengths are available for most applications.

Cardonald College Glasgow was keen to purchase a high spec digital fluorescence microscope for their new Healthcare and Life Sciences Suite and following a recommendation from BioReliance (a key biotechnology company based at the West of Scotland Science Park dealing with biological safety testing, cGMP production and electron microscopy) they contacted James Charles at Microscope Systems Scotland (MSS).

John Parker, Head of School, Life Sciences at Cardonald said: “The College received excellent service from James from MSS. He spent time outlining and explaining what was on offer and arranged for Patrick Shone from Olympus to do a full demonstration of the spec before purchase. Once the Olympus BX53 microscope system was purchased both James and Patrick came through to Cardonald to help with the set up and staff training. As well as using the Olympus BX53 fluorescence microscope we hope to see it used as a training tool for NHS staff, local bioscience and our education partners in schools, colleges and universities”.

The microscope is equipped with state of the art CoolLED fluorescence and an Olympus UC-30 camera system utilising the renowned cellSens software package from Olympus.

For further information on Life Sciences at Cardonald College Glasgow:

http://www.cardonald.ac.uk/courses/subject/31

The new Olympus BX3 clinical and research microscope range has just been launched in the UK and we shall be pleased to arrange demonstrations, provide quotations or discuss any of your possible future requirements.

Read more...

Microscope Systems Limited now offer CoolLED LED light sources for fluorescence applications on Olympus, Nikon, Leica, Meiji and Zeiss microscopes.

CoolLED pE-100 single wavelength excitation source (click to configure)

This source offers intense, stable excitation at a single wavelength.  The user can select from CoolLED's extensive range of LED wavelengths.  It is designed to fit on all current microscopes.  A simple once-ever adjustment will allow optimisation to the optical path of your microscope.

The CoolLED pE-100 is supplied as a complete working package with power supply and control pod.  Manual operation offers instant on/off and 0-100% intensity control.  The control pod accepts a BNC-type external TTL trigger.

Main benefits of the CoolLED pE-100 are:-

• No Mercury
  Economical
• Instant on/off
  Full range of wavelengths available
  0-100% intensity control
• Simple to install
  Simple to use
  Long stable lifetime
  No bulb changing
  No down time
  No warm up / cool down
  No disposal issues

CoolLED pE-2 four LED wavelength excitation source 

The CoolLED pE-2 LED excitation system is designed for use on all current epi-fluorescent microscopes.  It provides stable, controllable and intense light.  The Main Unit can drive up to 4 LED wavelengths.  It is a modular product which uses LAMs (LED Array Modules) selected from our wide range of LED wavelengths.  These LAMs can be interchanged by the user so that different wavelengths can be excited depending on the application.

CoolLED pE-2 system: Key Features:

• Modular system which drives up to 4 wavelengths
• Switch on and off instantly
• Adjust light intensity in 1% steps (0-100%)
• Stable, repeatable light intensity
• LEDs last for tens of thousands of hours
• Wide range of LED wavelengths available
• Integrated with many imaging software packages
• Quiet & cool operation

Click here to select wavelengths and configure your CoolLED pE-2 system

Typical applications for the CoolLED pE-2 systems:

• Confocal
• Clinical
  

With a CoolLED LED product, you will....

• Never have to re-align your light source
• No warm-up or cool-down period required
• No need to use ND filters
• No need to use shutters
• No bulb safety and disposal issues 

Microscope Systems Scotland - Scotland's Meiji Techno distributor.