Complete Imaging Systems, Add-On Kits, and Base Systems Offered
30 fps Confocal Imaging @ 512 x 512 Pixels
Variety of Excitation Laser Options
Modular Design Allows for Customization and Interchangeability
Confocal scanning optical microscopy is a high-resolution optical imaging technique based on imaging either fluorescent dyes or reflectance. In many situations confocal fluorescence microscopy can be used in place of widefield fluorescence microscopy for higher resolution imaging, particularly of volumes.
Widefield fluorescence microscopes excite a sample using a white light source. The light is then passed through filters to select the desired excitation wavelength. Fluorescence from the sample is then imaged with a CCD camera. Dyes are typically used to label different parts of the sample, such as the proteins that the user is examining. As the sample is completely illuminated, all of the dyed sample will fluoresce at once, including that which is out of the focal plane. Since the sample is fluorescing throughout its depth, even out of focus fluorescence will be imaged, which decreases the resolution of the resulting image.
Confocal fluorescence microscopy, on the other hand, scans a laser or lasers across a sample, collecting data one point at a time. Dyes are also used to label parts of your sample. A pinhole selector is used to limit the returned light detected by the photomultiplier(s) to only collect in-focus light. As a result, much higher resolution images, particularly 3D, are possible with confocal fluorescence microscopy than are obtainable with widefield fluorescence microscopy. Although confocal systems collect data on a point-by-point basis, Thorlabs' systems are still able to image at video-rate speeds (30 fps).
Thorlabs offers full-featured, video-rate Confocal Systems for fluorescence imaging. The VCMS-F and VCMK-F fluorescence models are dual-channel with 405 nm and 473 nm lasers. The VCMS-F is a complete, ready-to-use confocal fluorescence imaging system with on-site installation and calibration included (domestic or international). Our VCMK-F is the same as our VCMS-F, but requires the customer to supply their own microscope and does not include installation. For customers that wish to build their own confocal fluorescence imaging system and already have some microscopy components, we also offer a base system that include the confocal fluorescence scan head, confocal control unit, and a PC loaded with the ThorVCM software.
If your application requires customization to a complete system or add-on kit, please contact your local Tech Support office to learn about alternate configurations (i.e., laser wavelength, fluorescence filters, PMTs).
General Specifications
Transmission Range
400 - 700 nm
Lateral Resolution
<1 µm*
Diffraction-Limited FOV
FN 25 (440 - 750 nm) FN 15 (405 - 750 nm)
Output Power
~2 mW
*With 40X objective. Actual resolution will vary based on objective used.
Above: Pseudo-colored confocal fluorescence images of a peach worm obtained with a confocal camera system using a 60X water immersion objective. A total of 256 Z-slices (0.3 μm step size) were used to create the pseudo-3D projection shown at the bottom of the page. The total 80 μm Z-scan is represented below by a selection of 8 images that were taken in 10 μm increment (see images 1-8); each Z-slice measures 440 μm x 430 μm.
Human Skin and Sweat Gland Below is a view of a sample slice of human skin and sweat gland that was mounted on a standard microscope slide and observed with a confocal camera using an infinity-corrected 60X water immersion objective. Here, a series of individual Z-slices were used to create the pseudo-colored projection.
Rabbit Artery A 250 μm x 210 μm image showing the top view projection of a rabbit artery slice mounted on a standard microscope slide is shown below. Here, the pseudo-colored confocal fluorescent image was taken using a confocal camera in fluorescence mode and a 60X infinity-corrected objective.
Pollen These pseudo-colored 2D projections and 3D confocal fluorescent images of pollen were taken with the scan head of the VCM-F base system using a 60X objective.
Pollen grains were mounted on a standard microscope slide and excited with 405 nm light from the laser incorporated into the confocal camera head. The emission signal was selected using a dichroic mirror with a cutoff wavelength of 505 ± 15 nm, collected through a single mode fiber, and directed to a PMT for detection.
Dual-Channel Fluorescence
Plant Sectioning The pseudo-colored 3D images here show an optically sliced fluorescent plant sample, excited at 405 nm using the Confocal Camera from the VCM-F base sytem. Channel 1 (shown in red)collected fluorescence in the 505 - 555 nm range, while channel 2 (shown in green) was used to collect light from 569 - 600 nm.
Mouse Kidney Far Left: A 16 μm cryostat section of a mousekidney simultaneously excited with 403 nm and 471 nm light. The glomeruli and convoluted tubules are stained with Alexa Fluor 488 wheat germ agglutinin (green) while the nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue). This pseudo-colored image was obtained by modifying a VCM-F Video-Rate Confocal Camera to provide excitation at 403 nm and 471 nm and then mounting it on a Nikon TE2000 microscope equipped with a 40X Olympus Objective (NA = 0.75).
BPAE Cells Left: F-actin (filamentous actin) and nuclei distribution in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (BPAE) cells obtained using a modified Thorlabs' video-rate confocal camera mounted on a Nikon TE2000 microscope. The pseudo-colored green fluorescence indicates F-actin, which was stained with BODIPY FL phallacidin while blue fluorescence labels nuclei, which were stained with DAPI. The image was recorded using simultaneous scanning of both 403 nm and 471 nm laser sources and a Nikon PlanApo 60X oil immersion objective with an NA of 1.40.
2D Scanning
Rendering of 2D raster scanned images is easily performed using the provided ThorVCM software. To optimize imaging speed, data is collect as the resonant scanner oscillates in the forward and backward directions. The software provides user control of image size, image display resolution, and basic image processing controls. Images can be displayed in grayscale or pseudo-color to display multichannel information. Users can increase the signal-to-noise ratio by utilizing built-in line or from averaging functions.
3D Imaging
Users can render 3D image data when the confocal scanner is used in conjunction with a Z-Axis translation stage, such as the VCM-ZS500 that is included with the VCMS-R and VCMK-R. In 3D mode, 2D en face images at each imaging plane are recorded. A projection of the entire stack is created and can be stepped through in all orthogonal planes (XY, XZ, and YZ).
Ancillary Control
The ThorVCM software is designed to fully control all of the available peripheral components. The four-channel laser source (MCLS1) output power and individual laser sources can be enabled/disabled using the confocal software. The ThorVCM software allows individual PMT gain adjustments, enable/disable, and fluorescence filter selections using the PMT control unit. Scan length and step size of the Z-Axis translation stage (VCM-ZS500) can also be set for automated 3D confocal imaging.
Software Development Kit (SDK)
The architecture behind the ThorVCM software follows a multi-layered approach in which all applications access a central .DLL file. This architecture enables users to add custom features and updates to the software. Additionally, developers can create their own processing algorithms and synchronize them with the ThorVCM software, enabling real-time custom processing. The ThorVCM software is written in C on a Windows OS and will run with MFC and .NET environments. Please call for more details.
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Posted Comments:
Poster: larauz
Posted Date: 2009-10-26 14:43:08.0
A response from Lina at Thorlabs to crh206: At the moment we are in the process of releasing a z-translation stage - VCM-ZS5000 - specifically designed for confocal microscopy applications. We will send you more information about the stage through email and will notify you once it becomes available.
Poster: crh206
Posted Date: 2009-10-26 06:39:49.0
Hello
We are currently using the Confocal for 2D imaging but would like to go to 3D imaging. Is there any recommended translational stage that works nicely with the VCM program?
Poster: klee
Posted Date: 2009-10-16 14:30:25.0
A response from Ken at Thorlabs to christian.tardif: A member of our advanced imaging group will be contacting you directly regarding the pricing and to discuss about your application.
Poster: christian.tardif
Posted Date: 2009-10-16 13:01:31.0
I would like to know the cost of this scan head and if it is possible to only command the frame of it or change the optical part and the resonant scanner for a galvanometer.
So, I only need the scan head, wich Ill control it with my own software.
tanks
Poster: GSchaumann
Posted Date: 2009-10-16 03:58:17.0
Ich interessiere mich für Ihr Angebot zu konfokaler Mikroskopie. Bitte rufen Sie mich zurück. Gruß, Gabriel
Poster: klee
Posted Date: 2009-07-27 10:55:31.0
Response from Ken at Thorlabs to fantner: The Confocal Camera is available. A member of our advanced imaging group will be contacting you directly to find out more about your application.
Poster: fantner
Posted Date: 2009-07-27 10:17:26.0
Hi, I am interested in your scanning confocal camera. It this item available yet? If so, what is the price?
Thank you,
Georg Fantner
Poster: Laurie
Posted Date: 2009-04-22 08:08:09.0
Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to poeltinger: We are excited to see so much interest in our confocal cameras. As with the previous inquiries concerning our confocal systems, I will have someone from our German office directly contact you concerning pricing and availability.
Poster: poeltinger
Posted Date: 2009-04-22 02:46:30.0
Dear Sirs,
same question, like people before:
What will be the price for one confocal camera resp. for 10 pieces ?
Thank you in advance,
Werner Pöltinger
Poster: Laurie
Posted Date: 2009-04-21 08:59:31.0
Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to alastair.grundy: Thank you for your interest in our confocal cameras. A member of our UK sales team will be contacting you directly to provide information on pricing and availability.
Poster: alastair.grundy
Posted Date: 2009-04-21 07:01:58.0
Hi,
I am interested in this product and would like to know the price of the system and when it will be available.
Regards,
Alastair Grundy
Poster: Laurie
Posted Date: 2009-03-31 07:25:23.0
Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to mario_montes. Thank you for your interest in our confocal camera. A member of our advanced imaging group will be contacting you directly to answer your questions and find out more about your application.
Poster: mario_montes
Posted Date: 2009-03-31 05:46:18.0
Sirs,
I find the confocal camera very interesting, we would be very interested in this product, especially in the fluorescence version.
Do you already know the price for the system with a photomultiplier?
Also, you mention it will be available in April 2009, is that current information? Are you on time?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
--Mario Montes
The VCMS-F is our complete system for confocal fluorescence imaging. It includes everything in the VCMK-F, below, but also features a microscope and on-site installation. As the VCMS-F has sub-micron resolution, the system is sensitive to vibrations and thus we suggest placing the system on a passive vibration-isolation workstation, such as our Passive ScienceDesks.
Four-Channel Laser (405 nm and 473 nm Lasers Included)
The VCMK-F is an add-on kit that includes everything needed to add fluorescence imaging capabilities to a customer-supplied microscope. By attaching to the camera port, it is compatible with a range of microscopes by simply selecting an appropriate adapter. Please contact us to ensure that we have the correct adapter for your application or that we can custom-fabricate one. As the VCMK-F has sub-micron resolution, the system is sensitive to vibrations and thus we suggest placing the system on an passive vibration-isolation workstation, such as our Passive ScienceDesks.
Ideal for Customers That Already Have Microscopy Components
VCM-F Contents
Confocal Fluorescence Scan Head
Personal Computer with ThorVCM Software
Confocal Control Unit
For customers who wish to build their own confocal fluorescence imaging system or who already have microscopy components, Thorlabs offers the VCM-F. This base system includes three major components of a confocal system: a confocal scan head, a confocal control unit, and a personal computer. The confocal scan head houses a resonant scanner and a scanning galvo, both of which are used to scan a laser across a sample. The confocal control unit controls the scan head’s galvo scanner and resonant scanner. To interface with the confocal control unit and other confocal components, a personal computer is included and comes loaded with the ThorVCM software. Although not included with the VCM-F, the MCLS1 four-channel laser, VCM-ZS500 Z-axis stage, and photomultiplier tubes can be controlled through the ThorVCM software.
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