Motorized stage is easy to adjust

Prior Scientific has introduced the ZDeck Quick Adjust Platform System for Olympus BX51WI and BX61WI microscopes. The motorized stage allows the user to image multiple areas of interest with speed and precision. It lowers quickly and easily via pneumatic pistons, providing easy access for loading and unloading of samples.

No tools are required for height adjustment, simplifying the transition of changing between a thin sample and whole animal imaging heights. Condenser and pillar spacers are included with the system to allow for Koehler illumination at a wide range of focus heights. The system incorporates a custom Prior Scientific ProScan series high precision motorized stage which provides submicron repeatability and smooth movement.

The high precision motorized stage is controlled by the new ProScan III controller and PS3J100 joystick which provide ultra-fine control via dual digipots. Oversized plates are provided on both sides of the sample area for mounting micromanipulators. The ProScan series stage can also be equipped with encoders for applications that require the ultimate in high precision, and it is compatible with 6mm or 1/4-20 vibration isolation tables.

More information at www.prior.com.

Microscope Automation System

Prior Scientific has introduced the ProScan III Microscope Automation System. The modular system can control up to 16 axes including a motorized stage, focus drive, three filter wheels and three shutters with speed, accuracy and precision. It features a small footprint and a faster stage speed thanks to an improved processor.

Communication to the controller uses a true USB with a direct HID connection available, making the unit both Windows and Mac compatible. The Interactive Control Center (ICC) provides centralized manual control of all equipment. The screen provides positional feedback while the joystick, buttons and digipots control accessories such as a stage, focus drive, filter wheels, and shutters. New features in the center allow the user to measure distances, label filter wheel positions with dye names (e.g., DAPI, FITC, etc.) and take fine control of the stage for intricate movements.

More information at www.prior.com.

Flat top stage for live cell studies

Prior has released the H117P2IX flat top stage for the Olympus IX series of inverted microscopes. It is ideal for high-precision biomedical and material science scanning operations, and is especially useful for prolonged live cell studies. The newest version of the H117P2IX stage maximizes nosepiece access for correction collar adjustment by using miniaturized drive boxes. Drive components are mounted below the top plate, providing easy access for micromanipulators, environmental chambers and robotic loaders. The stage allows scanning with a broad range of sample holders, including microtitre plates, slide holders, petri dishes, well plates, flasks, haemocytometers and metallurgical sample holders. Stages can be driven by the Prior series of motor controllers or compatible systems in existing OEM configurations.
For more information visit www.prior.com.

Nanopositioner for 3-D tracking and super resolution microscopy

Mad City Labs announced its new Nano-LPQ piezo nanopositioner at the SPIE Optics + Photonics show. Designed specifically for microscopy, it is ideal for 3-D particle tracking and super resolution microscopy applications. The XYZ positioner has a low profile and  75 x 75 x 50 micron travel with picometer position noise under closed loop control. It has the same millisecond response times in XYZ, an integrated sample holder, analog and digital control with added scan synchronization features, and is compatible with LabView, C++, and major image and automation software. Mad City Labs’ Nano-Route3D software is included. 

More information:e-mail: sales@madcitylabs.com.

Subnanometer positioning for microscopy

The new PI nano series nanopositioning stages can be used for scanning microscopy, single molecule microscopy, 3D imaging, and autofocusing. They have a 20 mm (0.8 in.) profile, a large aperture and deliver subnanometer resolution in 2 and 3 axes. The included piezo controller has a 24-bit USB port, Ethernet, RS-232, and an analog interface, and it supports all major image acquisition software. The piezo stage can be used with the optional M-545 manual XY microscope stage, which is available in different versions for Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss and Leica microscopes.

For highly stable, closed loop operation, piezoresistive sensors are applied directly to the moving structure and precisely measure the displacement of the stage platform. The very high sensitivity of these sensors provides optimum position stability and responsiveness as well as sub-nanometer resolution. The proprietary servo controller significantly improves the motion linearity compared to conventional piezoresistive sensor controllers.

Image shows the piezo controller (background) and the optional manual XY microscope stage with the PInano XYZ piezo stage on top (foreground). 

More information here.