| Description | The Movable Objective Microscope (MOM) is designed to be an ultra-stable, versatile, fluorescence platform for electrophysiology experiments. The MOM is a new alternative to the popular technique employing a fixed-stage, upright microscope on a translating X-Y table. The advantage of the MOM is thatThe Movable Objective Microscope (MOM) is designed to be an ultra-stable, versatile, fluorescence platform for electrophysiology experiments. The MOM is a new alternative to the popular technique employing a fixed-stage, upright microscope on a translating X-Y table. The advantage of the MOM is that only the microscope objective is moving in 3 dimensions. The main frame of the microscope, including the light source and camera mount, is firmly bolted to the tabletop via a rock solid aluminum extrusion.
Additionally, the microscope body is very compact, allowing easy access for multiple manipulators. The fixed stage is based on one of our Sutter MT-75 gantry columns that have already proven themselves as solid supports for manipulators and as fixed stages in our own microscope-translator system, the MT-1000. Furthermore, because there is no microscope frame below the objective, it is easy to use this microscope on in vivo preparations where an animal is immobilized on a special stage or stereotaxic frame.
Finally, the microscope is easily convertible from an upright to an inverted microscope. This would allow for fixed-stage electrophysiology experiments on cells in culture. Current designs require a massive translator and fixed stage in combination with a commercial inverted scope.... Read More | The Son of MOM® (SOM®) is a small, simple microscope designed to allow a single experimental setup to be used for both in vivo and in vitro experimentation. As in our two-photon Movable Objective Microscope (MOM), positioning over the sample and focusing is accomplished robotically. This removes theThe Son of MOM® (SOM®) is a small, simple microscope designed to allow a single experimental setup to be used for both in vivo and in vitro experimentation. As in our two-photon Movable Objective Microscope (MOM), positioning over the sample and focusing is accomplished robotically. This removes the need for the large translators and stages that normally limit the available space beneath the objective for in vivo experimentation.
The SOM is designed to take advantage of the high-quality images that can be obtained with a simple IR LED-based transmitted light source combined with an IR capable CCD camera. This combination is sufficient for the majority of in vitro electrophysiology needs. The SOM is also designed with a two-position filter cube to allow for identification of fluorescently-tagged cells for recording or for photostimulation. If you populate both of the filter cube positions, one of the filter sets will need to pass IR to allow for transmitted light imaging. As many filter combinations will pass IR, transmitted light imaging can generally be done in either of the two filter positions.
Features: - Simple moving microscope based on an MP-285/MPC-385 motorized micromanipulator
- X, Y and Z axes of manipulator used to position microscope over the sample and focus. No need for large translators or moving stages
- Optimized to allow in vivo and in vitro experimentation on one setup
- Standard configuration accepts RMS thread objectives - Contact Sutter for additional options
- Free Multi-Link™ software coordinates movement with micropipette positioning of MPC-200
- Transmitted IR and EPI fluorescent Imaging Modes
- Flexible excitation port allows easy addition of secondary sources for photostimulation
- MPC-200 controller with USB interface and open source commands
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