VT-Eye

VT-Eye - Overview

The VT-Eye – Innovative technology

The VT-Eye from VisiTech International is a breakthrough in confocal imaging for the life science community. Using novel acousto-optical deflector technology, the VT-Eye allies ultra-fast scanning and acquisition with high resolution confocal imaging to deliver a system that sets new standards in real-time live-cell confocal microscopy.

Ultra Fast Scanning – Captures transient data

The VT-Eye incorporates Acousto Optical Deflector (AOD) technology that offers high speed beam deflection with no moving parts for scanning the X axis. The result is a confocal laser scanning microscope that scans at up to 50,000 lines per second. Ultra-fast image capture rates of 400 frames per second and above offer the ability to capture clear images of diverse dynamic events such as Calcium puffs, sparks and waves in Life Sciences and particle movement in fluid flows in Materials Science.

Multi-wavelength Imaging

Specimens multi-labelled with fluorescent proteins, for example CFP, YFP, GFP, RFP and their variants, in the study of protein expression and protein-protein interactions, or multi-stained for example with DAPI, FITC, TRITC, Cy5, etc., in the study of cell structure require rapid switching between excitation wavelengths.

Multi-wavelength imaging for multi-labelled specimens from Ultra Violet, through the visible to the near Infra Red is achieved by using a selection of motorised primary multiband dichroics. The system operates with almost any laser or combination of lasers using Acousto Optical Tuneable Filter (AOTF) technology to provide fast laser line selection.

Flexible Image Masking Modes – Choose sub-areas to scan or photobleach

Multiple ROI's, of any shape, are used to generate simple and complex masks for illuminating small portions of the field of view, which may be used for viewing some cells without illuminating their neighbours. The image mask may also be used to photobleach selected multiple regions while retaining the unmasked image for viewing the whole area. This offers many possibilities for FRAP and FLIP type experiments.

Multiple High QE Detectors – Maximum sensitivity

These provide simultaneous ratio information for dual emission probes used, for example in ion concentration experiments, and simple ratio data to study the dynamics of experiments using paired FRET coupled probes.

The VT-Eye is supplied with up to 4 channels of Photomultiplier (PMT) detection using high quantum efficiency (QE) devices for maximum sensitivity. Separation of the emissions into the appropriate channels is achieved with standard off-the-shelf dichroic cubes for simplicity and ease of changing detector spectral ranges.

On-line measurements – Immediate experiment review

Images with sub-micron resolution generated by the VT-Eye are available during acquisition for producing on-line histogram and intensity plots from multiple regions of interest (ROI's). Users may view on-line intensity versus time plots and/or histogram intensity plots from multiple ROI's for immediate experiment feedback.

The confocal aperture is user selectable enabling a choice of optical-section thickness or to trade signal amplitude for spatial resolution.

3D Image Stacks – Capture volumes at video rate

The VT-Eye 'freezes' 3D volume information when the VisiTech Nanofocus piezo focussing device is used. The capturing of 'stacks' of images over a pre-determined range of focus positions at high speed (up to 100 slices per second or more under appropriate conditions), enables each stack to represent an almost instantaneous view of the scanned sample volume.

The Nanofocus provides faster and more accurate focus changes than the motorised focus mechanisms of most microscopes albeit with a limited total focus range. Under software control users may set slew rate limits and settling times to match experiment conditions, permitting precise data collection from even the most delicate samples.

Motorised microscope focus control is also available for those applications where longer focus travel is required.

Fast Capture to Disk – for long duration experiments

Experiment durations of hours may be recorded even at the maximum capture rates of the system.

High speed acquisition creates vast quantities of data in a very short time, requiring that large volumes of data are stored equally as fast.

VisiTech offer a range of parallel hard disk modules that permit images to be stored at the fastest acquisition speeds, enabling sustained fast acquisitions for long duration experiments.

Flexible choice of microscope

Choose the most appropriate microscope for your applications rather than being constrained to microscopes from one manufacturer. The VT-Eye integrates to all upright and inverted research microscopes from the major manufacturers.

Intuitive Control

The VT-Eye operates on a high performance Windows based graphics workstation providing a comfortable familiar environment appreciated by experienced and first time users alike.

Simple export of data to other Windows applications provides rapid transfer of data to your favourite analysis and publishing packages.

VT-Eye systems include flexible and powerful, yet simple-to-use acquisition software. VisiTech's software 'event coordinator' makes light work of even the most complex protocols.

For multi-dimensional work, the ability to visualise a particular focus slice over all the stacks in a time series is provided, as is the quick creation of 'through focus' images for the 3 major axes.

Wide range of applications

Applications that are addressed by the VT-Eye include, but are not limited to,
Calcium signalling,
Cellular dynamics,
Intermolecular interactions,
Protein localisation
Protein expression,
Photo-activation,
FRET
FRAP
Fluid flows in shear cells
Colloids, suspensions and sedimentation

High Quality at High Speed

The VT-Eye provides an innovative solution to the challenge of producing high quality confocal images of dynamic processes at high speed with the advantages of flexible system configurations.