FV4000
Transforming Precision Imaging
- Superior image quality with our ultra-low-noise SilVIR™ detector and an industry-leading six channels, ten laser lines, and 400–900 nm dynamic range.*
- Acquire confocal images up to 60x faster and super resolution images up to 8x faster than the FV3000.
- Count the number of photons in each pixel and represent features as discrete histograms of photons captured at different wavelengths.
- Game-changing dynamic range enables you to count from a few photons to thousands with linearity—a first in confocal microscopy.
- Easy to use with minimal adjustments required to obtain high-impact images and data.*As of October 2023.
The detectors are easy to set up due to their high dynamic range. They can handle low signals but do also not switch off and perform well with high signals. This makes it very user friendly to set up the microscope. The photon counting mode is a highly appreciated function. The high precision and simple adjustment and high flexibility make the FV4000 a very valuable tool for imaging facilities with users of different experience levels and varying complexity in their imaging experiments.
Breakthrough SilVIR™ Detector Technology: The New Gold Standard
Our advanced, silicon-based SilVIR™ detector makes it easier than ever to acquire precise, reproducible data.
The detector combines two advanced technologies—a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and our patented* fast signal processing design.
- High dynamic detection enables the system to acquire weak and strong fluorescence signals in one image with good linearity and quantify the number of photons for better image analysis.
- Widest available spectral detection wavelength (400–900 nm) enables you to use visible to near-infrared fluorescence dyes and capture data with high spectral efficiency**.
- Ultra-low noise translates to ultra-dark backgrounds, so even very weak fluorescence stands out.
- Unlike old detector technologies, the SilVIR detector’s sensitivity remains constant over time for consistent, reproducible experiment data.
*Patent number US11237047
**As of October 2023
Sample courtesy of Katherine Given, Ph.D. Principal Investigator, Neurobiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
The histogram on the image captured using the SilVIR detector shows a discrete pattern where the intensity can be converted to the photon number. The detector’s fluorescence intensity can be quantified as the photon number, and the background level is extremely low.
I am really impressed with the system and its performance. The super sensitivity was really impressive.
More Information from Your Confocal Images
The system’s updated TruSpectral technology combined with high sensitivity SilVIR detectors enable you to see more by making it possible to multiplex an industry-leading six channels simultaneously*.
Sample courtesy of: Hiroshi Hama and Atsushi Miyawaki, Cell Function Dynamics, RIKEN CBS.
Sample Courtesy of: Sample preparation Alexia Ferrand; sample acquisition Sara R. Roig and Alexia Ferrand. Imaging Core Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel.
Easily Adapts to Changing Research Needs
Our FV applications are unique solutions available for the FV4000 microscope that provide outstanding value and flexibility.
- Automated macro to micro imaging: find the spheroid/organoid in a microplate with low magnification then change to high magnification to acquire details in 3D.
- Microscope Performance Monitor: easily measure and track your system’s performance, settings, and measurement results, improving traceability and the reproducibility of experiments.
- Stage tracking: precisely control the position and keep your specimen in the center of the image, even if it’s moving.
- NoviSight™ software: add powerful 3D cell analysis capabilities to your workflow to quantify cell activity in three dimensions and more easily capture rare cell events, obtain accurate cell counts, and improve detection sensitivity.
Overview and edge images of a Drosophila wing (42-hour pupation). Stained with phalloidin (AlexaFluor 405, F-actin, Cyan), anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (AlexaFluor 555, cell surface, red), and anti-HRP antibody (AlexaFluor 647, axon, blue). Sample courtesy of: Sun Zhengkuan, Shigeo Hayashi, Laboratory for Morphogenetic Signaling, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Japan.
Gentler High-Speed Time-Lapse Confocal Imaging
HeLa cells labeled by MitoView 720. XYZT imaging by 1K resonant scanner for 30 min.
Time-lapse imaging is easier with smart features:
- Capture every moment of live cell dynamics: resonant scanner can acquire high-resolution images over a wide area.
- Minimal phototoxicity: the scanner’s short pixel dwell time reduces the time the focused laser beam rests on a single spot.
- Better signal-to-noise ratio: the SilVIR detector’s high sensitivity produces higher quality images at higher speeds.
- Greater precision: rolling average processing maintains qualifications and time resolution.
Reproducible Image Data Between Users and Systems
The SilVIR detector has less sensitivity loss over time compared to previous-generation detector technologies. With our laser power monitor (LPM) and TruFocus™ Z-drift compensator, achieve reproducible images under consistent conditions. Different users on different days can acquire the same precise images using the same settings. Even the images acquired by different FV4000 microscopes can be compared and discussed using the same photon number intensity scale.
To further enhance reproducibility, the Microscope Performance Monitor makes it easy to check the system’s laser power, detection sensitivity, and optical performance, helping ensure that your FV4000 microscope is functioning at a consistent and high level.
Driving the Future of High-End Imaging Research
We designed the FV4000 microscope to benefit everyone who uses it—from the core facility manager to individual users sitting at the scope and running imaging experiments.
Core Facility Managers
- Consistent operation every day: our SilVIR detector does not degrade over time, so you get maximum uptime without the usual drop off in performance.
- High performance, low maintenance: users can quickly capture outstanding images that are quantitative and reproducible while the laser power monitor and Microscope Performance Monitor give managers greater insight and control over the system.
- Future-proof your facility with industry-leading features and upgradeability: 10 laser lines, six channels, 400 to 900 nm dynamic range, and the ability to easily upgrade to MPE on the same system enable the microscope to meet your needs now and in the future.
- Fast to learn, easy to use: spend less time showing users how to confirm their settings thanks to the simple-to-adjust SilVIR detector.
PI and Group Leaders
- Breakthrough technology: the microscope’s combination of unique and innovative features enables you to capture images and data that’ll surprise your colleagues.
- Quantify fluorescence signals: our SilVIR detector can quantify the number of photons in each pixel—even in high dynamic range—from a few photons to thousands.
- Save time: automated workflows free you up to do other things while your experiment is running.
- Outstanding support: we’re here for you every step of the way to answer questions and help you get the most out of your system.
Individual Users
- Fast learning curve: the FV4000 breaks the mold of the complicated confocal, enabling new users to start capturing publication-quality images with minimal training.
- Spend less time at the scope: the microscope’s combination of speed and ease of use help imaging experiments to run quickly and efficiently, so users spend less time sitting at the microscope.
- Get it right the first time: the microscope’s simpler setting adjustments combined with the information provided by the Microscope Performance Monitor helps users know that the system is performing as expected before they start imaging, reducing the need to repeat experiments.
Microscope Support and Service You Can Count On
We designed the FV4000 system to be easy to maintain:
- Semiconductor-based SilVIR detector is stable, durable, and does not lose sensitivity over time.
- Laser power monitor continuously checks the illumination condition and makes adjustments to maintain consistent laser power.
- System admin can view log files to keep track of the service maintenance schedule.
- Lasers are individually replaceable, making them easy and relatively inexpensive to change.
We stand behind our products with a commitment to fast service and technical support. We offer various support plans to keep your microscope running at peak performance at a predictable cost as well as remote support options, so you don’t need to wait for an engineer or specialist to visit if you’re having an issue.
Compared to other confocals I have experience with, yours was very stress-free to use (no fear of destroying the sample or feeling overwhelmed with the software/general operation) and required minimal amount of adjustments from the user in order to produce a good quality data without feeling that my options are limited.
—Sanni Erämies, Tampere University / Imaging Facility Tampere Core Facility
Applied Technologies
Near-infrared (NIR) imaging is fully integrated into the FV4000, and all detectors work through the NIR range so that you can maximize the benefits of this imaging technique:
- Deeper tissue penetration: NIR light penetrates deeper and scatters less in biological tissues, enabling you to image structures deep beneath the surface.
- Healthier cells: since NIR light has less energy than visible light, it reduces the risk of photodamaging and photobleaching to biological samples.
- Easier complex multicolor imaging: take advantage of NIR fluorescent probes and maximize the system’s six spectral detectors with minimal overlap.
- Better contrast and clarity: there’s less autofluorescence in the NIR range, leading to higher contrast images.
- Industry-leading specs power cutting-edge research: our high-efficiency volume phase hologram (VPH) grating and slit can detect 400 nm to 900 nm wavelength range with a minimum 1 nm step while the laser combiner enables up to 10 laser lines from 405 nm to 785 nm in parallel.*
*As of March 2023.
HeLa cells labeled by 6 fluorochromes.
Cell nuclei (DAPI; blue), cell membran (AF488; green), nuclear pore (AF561; yellow),
microtubule (Qdot605; magenta), mitochondria (MitoTracker DeepRed; cyan), actin (AF750 phalloidin; gray).
Award-Winning Technology for Award-Winning Research
The FV4000 system’s optical elements have a high transmission from 400 nm to 1300 nm, including the galvanometer and resonant scanner, which are coated in silver rather than aluminum.
Our award-winning X Line™ objectives are corrected for chromatic aberrations between 400–1000 nm. They also have a higher numerical aperture, excellent flatness, and very high transmittance from UV to NIR, increasing the multiplexing capabilities.
For improved colocalization reliability, our specialized A Line™ (PLAPON60XOSC2) oil immersion objective (ne~1.40) significantly minimizes chromatic aberration for strict colocalization analysis.
Higher-Quality Images Up to 60 Times Faster than the FV3000
A unique combination of technologies delivers high-quality images up to 60 times faster than the FV3000 microscope.
- High-resolution images at high speed: the 1K × 1K resonant scanner at FN20 with 0.033 µs per pixel unleashes the full power of multiplexing and enables fast stitched macro images.
- Exceptional quality macro images: resonant scanner images with the SilVIR detector enable you to create high-resolution stitched images in a short amount of time and with exceptional image quality.
Together with the AI restoring tools, it gives a perfect combination for fast and high-quality volumetric imaging.
—Edwin Hernandez, Core Facility Manager, Cajal International Neuroscience Center (CINC)
8x Faster Super Resolution Imaging*
The FV4000 microscope enables you to capture macro to micro to super resolution images with no additional hardware.
- Easy: observe subcellular structures using our A Line HR objectives and super resolution software (FV-OSR).
- Detailed: the software automatically optimizes the confocal aperture to detect high-frequency components and enhance their contrast down to 120 nm resolution.
- Fast: acquire super resolution images 8x faster than previous-generation systems thanks to the SilVIR detector’s ultra low noise.
*Compared to the FV3000.
Together with the AI restoring tools, it gives a perfect combination for fast and high-quality volumetric imaging.
—Edwin Hernandez, Core Facility Manager, Cajal International Neuroscience Center (CINC)
Unlock Deeper Insights with High-Resolution 3D Imaging
A unique combination of technologies delivers high-quality images up to 60 times faster than the FV3000 microscope.
- High-resolution images at high speed: the 1K × 1K resonant scanner at FN20 with 0.033 µs per pixel unleashes the full power of multiplexing and enables fast stitched macro images.
- Exceptional quality macro images: resonant scanner images with the SilVIR detector enable you to create high-resolution stitched images in a short amount of time and with exceptional image quality.
Precise Dynamics of Live Cells with Less Damage
Typically, using longer wavelengths for fluorescence excitation for shorter periods of time is better for overall sample health. Using less phototoxic light means you can image for longer periods, enabling you to obtain more consistent and reproducible data from live cell imaging experiments.
The FV4000 system not only provides gentle time-lapse imaging via the 685 nm, 730 nm, and 785 nm lasers, but it also features a dedicated TruFocus Red Z-drift compensator to maintain the focus position. This upgraded TruFocus Red unit supports a larger range of wavelengths and is compatible with a wide range of objectives, including our high-performing X Line™ and A Line™ series.
The New FV4000 will allow for faster imaging + better preservation of the sample…and will allow better reproducibility.
—Alexia Ferrand, Advanced Microscopy Specialist, University of Basel
Time-lapse photo stimulation: the laser injury was performed on C2C12 cells. The green pseudocolor represents the application of an FM 1-43 bath. The image was acquired with a 2 μs galvo scanner and a UPLSAPO60XOHR objective. A 405 nm laser was used for photodamage and a 488 was used to image. Sample courtesy of: Daniel Bittel and Jyoti Jaiswal, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Research Institute.
Time-lapse image of HeLa cells stained with Hoechst33342 (nuclear, blue), MitoTracker Green (mitochondria, green), LysoTracker Red (Lysosome, yellow), SiR-Tubulin (tubulin, magenta), POR-SA-Halo (ER, cyan). Hoechst33342: Ex 405 nm/Em, MitoTracker Green: LysoTrakcer Red: SiR-Tubulin: POR-SA-Halo: Sample courtesy of: Masayasu Taki, Ph.D., Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Japan, Yuichi Asada and Ryusei Aruga, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Japan.
A 17-hour, time-lapse image of HeLa cells stained with MitoTracker Red (mitochondria, magenta), POR-SA-Halo (ER, cyan). MitoTracker Red: Ex 561nm/Em, POR-SA-Halo: Ex 730nm/Em, Sample Courtesy of: Masayasu Taki, Ph.D., Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Japan, Yuichi Asada and Ryusei Aruga, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Japan.
Clear Images at Depth
Use our silicone immersion objectives with the FV4000 microscope and achieve clear images of features and structures deep within your sample. Silicone oil has a refractive index close to that of live cells or tissue, greatly reducing the spherical aberration as compared to air, water, or other oils. With less aberration, you can achieve clearer images of your sample at depth. And silicone immersion oil does not dry out at 37 ℃ (98.6 °F), making it effective for long-term time-lapse imaging.
Stunning, Data-Rich Images in Less Time and with Less Effort
Get better images in less time and with less effort. TruAI™ denoise technology takes the already low-noise images from the FV4000 and reduces noise to ultra-low limits for stunning, data-rich resonant images.
To speed up image analysis, you can pretrain an AI model so that the system can automatically segment your image data, greatly reducing the workload of this often time-consuming manual process. Then, TruAI technology further streamlines the analysis so that you can get your data quickly.
Where Innovation Meets Imaging Excellence
Improve your resonant scanner image quality by incorporating TruAI noise reduction. Although resonant scanner images are effective in capturing cellular dynamics at high speeds with low damage, this usually causes a compromise in the S/N ratio. TruAI noise reduction can improve these images without sacrificing time resolution using pre-trained neural networks based on the noise pattern of the SilVIR™ detectors. These pre-trained TruAI noise reduction algorithms can be used for on-the-fly processing as well as post processing.
Faster, Easier Image Analysis
Image analysis requires data extraction using segmentation techniques based on intensity value thresholds. However, this can be time-consuming and is affected by the sample conditions.
TruAI image segmentation using deep learning helps streamline image processing and minimize sample variables for more accurate image analysis. It enables you to segment superior performance with weak fluorescence fluorescence images or tissues that are usually difficult to extract using the simple thresholding method.
The FV4000 microscope is engineered to be modular, making it easy for you to configure the system based on your applications and budget. You can start with a standard FV4000 and easily upgrade to multiphoton imaging by adding the MPE module as your research changes.
One Platform for Your Research Needs
Multiphoton and single-photon combination imaging in one sample is also possible. The FV4000MPE microscope is capable of second and third harmonic generation imaging, so different researchers or users can make the most out of the system. If your research requires a custom setup, the microscope’s modularity and optional ports enable you to customize the system to add extra lasers, cameras, detectors, and more.
Choose the Configuration that Suits Your Application
Specifications
| Scanner | Galvanometer scanner (normal imaging) |
64 × 64 to 4096 × 4096 pixels, 1 μs/pixel–1000 μs/pixel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resonant scanner scanner (high-speed imaging) |
512 × 512 pixels, 1024 × 1024 pixels | ||
| Field number (FN) | 20 | ||
| Spectral confocal detector | Detector | SilVIR detector (cooled SiPM, broadband type/red-shifted type) | |
| Maximum channels | Six channels | ||
| Spectral method | VPH, detectable wavelength range 400 nm–900 nm | ||
| Laser | VIS laser | 405 nm, 445 nm, 488 nm, 514 nm, 561 nm, 594 nm, 640 nm | |
| NIR laser | 685 nm, 730 nm, 785 nm | ||
| Laser power monitor | Built in | ||
| Image | High dynamic range photon counting (1G cps, 16-bit) | ||