Confocal Spinning Disk
The confocal spinning disk 'Carv' is a device which allow any optical microscope to operate like a confocal microscope. Here we have a schematic representation of confocal imaging:
The panel 1 shows a simplified diagram of the emission path of a confocal imaging platform, indicating how out of focus light is prevented from reaching the detector.
The panel 2 shows how the focused light is applied to the specimen by either laser raster scanning (1) or through a Nipkow disk system such as the CrEST CARV II. The sample is illuminated simultaneously with 1000 discrete points of light over a circular area 13 mm in diameter. A 1/2 inch CCD camera at 60X magnification covers an area 150 µm by 100 µm.
The CrEST™ CARV II confocal imager utilizes a Nipkow spinning disk containing multiple sets of spirally arranged pinholes placed in the image plane of the objective lens. The column of excitation light is projected through 1000 pinholes to simultaneously scan the entire field once every millisecond, thereby creating a full image of the focal plane in real-time. Emitted light is collected and imaged using a high resolution and high quantum efficiency CCD camera.
The variable intensity light from a Hg/metal halide light source passes through an excitation filter before being reflected by a dichroic mirror towards the sample. The emitted light passes through the dichroic mirror and emission filter before entering either the CCD camera or binocular eye piece. The Nipkow disk can be moved in and out of the light path to produce a confocal or a wide field fluorescence image. A variable slit at the image plane can be used to selectively illuminate an area of the sample allowing Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) to be performed. All movable parts including the filter wheels, spinning disk shutters, and mirrors are automated and are controlled via touchpad or 3rd-party software.
| Features | Benefits |
Multipoint scanning at 1000 scans/second. |
Real time confocal imaging up to 100 frames per second or more. Use of CCD camera as a detector allows greater sensitivity and better signal-to-noise ratio images. Binocular viewing of confocal image allows easy set up and color viewing. |
Low intensity high frequency scanning. |
Minimizes photobleaching. Minimizes phototoxicity. Allows long term recording of biological events. |
Mercury/metal halide light source with liquid light guide delivery. |
Permits full spectrum (360 – 700 nm) confocal imaging. No light alignment required. Long lamp life (1500 hr) and low maintenance cost. |
Built-in automated multi-position excitation, dichroic and emission filter wheels. |
Permits fast multi-dimensional confocal imaging up to five or more fluorescent probes in the same sample. Uses commercially available filter sets. |
Adapts to most major models of fluorescence microscopes. |
Upgrade your fluorescence microscope to a personal confocal system. |
Movable spinning disk and field aperture for selective illumination. |
Permits switching between wide-field and confocal imaging. Allows Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) experimentation. |
Full automation with RS232 control. |
Operated by many popular imaging software packages such as Scanalytics’ IPLab and Molecular Devices’ Metamorph.® Allows multidimensional acquisition and analysis including, kinetics, co-localization, 1D – 5D rendering, ratio imaging, FRAP and FRET. |
Specifications
- Confocal scanner: Nipkow spinning disk (pinholes)
- Disk scan rate: 1000 scans per second
- Pinhole diameter: 70 µm
- Spectral transmission: 360 nm – 700 nm
- Z-resolution: 0.5 µm (PSF); 100X PlanApo 1.4NA
- Illumination source: 120 W Hg/metal halide (1200 hr)
- Internal excitation changer: Automated 8 position wheel (25 mm)
- Internal dichroic changer: Automated 5 position wheel (25.7 × 36 mm)
- Internal emission changer: Automated 8 position wheel (25 mm)
- Filter sets provided: DAPI, E-GFP, Texas Red
- Operation mode: Automated confocal, wide field, bright field
- Observation: Direct confocal binocular viewing or camera port
- Detector compatibility: CCD camera – Sensicam EM, QE (Cooke);CoolSNAP™ HQ, Cascade 512B (Photometrics); ORCA ER, AG (Hamamatsu) and more
- Microscope compatibility: Most inverted fluorescence microscopes with 100% camera port
- FRAP: Aperture control – touch pad or RS232
- System control: Touch pad or Computer via RS232 interface
- Software drivers: IPLab (Scanalytics, Fairfax, VA);Metamorph® (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) RS232 command set also available
- Size: 11(w) × 15.5(L) × 6(h) inches - 27.94(w) × 39.37(L) × 15.24(h) cm
- Weight: 14.5 lbs / 6.6 kg
- Power: 100 – 124V AC /12V DC
Note: Specifications represented may include optional components. Specifications subject to change. For most updated specification, please contact us.
 Plant Stems Dr. David Carter, UC Riverside, CA |
 Human Skin, maximum projection CY2-Basement membrane, CY3-Neuron, CY5- Endothelial cells Dr. William R. Kennedy and Gwen Wendelschafer-Crabb, University of Minnesota, MN |
 Drosophila Embryo- GFP-Tubulin Dr. Garrett Odell, Friday Harbor, University of Washington, WA |
For further informations please contact us or visit the manufacturer web site: www.crestopt.com