Confocal modules
Partnering with Confocal.nl
IDIL is partnering with Confocal.nl, a manufacturer of a new range of laser-scanning confocal microscopes; all camera-based systems using the “REscan technique”. These RCM and NL modules can be added to virtually any widefield microscope, including older models, to create an advanced, photogentle, and super-resolution scanning confocal imaging system.
Confocal microscopy is widely used in biology and biomedical sciences because of the improved contrast it provides compared to traditional widefield fluorescence microscopy. Laser-scanning confocal microscopes use lasers to scan the sample and a pinhole to reject out-of-focus light, so only the emission light from the section of interest is collected. Acquiring multiple 2D planes then allows for the 3D reconstruction of the sample.
What sets us apart?
RCM1 and RCM2 are the first generation modules being the first generation with fixed pinhole, GAIA module is the brand new generation with switchable pinhole diameters. GAIA offers super-resolution capability whatever your objective (high or Low magnification). All those modules based on Point-scanning technique reach an optimal 120 nm lateral resolution (deconvolved).
NL5+ is a line-scanning confocal microscope, comparing to spinning-disk confocal microscopes in terms of speed, resolution, and ease-of-use. It doesn’t provide super-resolution capability like the Point-scanning modules but it is much faster (up to 75 fps at 2048 x 2048 pixels) and still provide high -sensitivity with low-phototoxicity.
When imaging with a wide-field system, the exposure time can be increased to capture more light but this is associated with phototoxicity, which can alter cell behaviour. Alternatively, super-resolution imaging techniques based on image reconstruction can be used. However, those techniques are prompt to generate artifacts and also implicate high light exposure to the sample and phototoxicity. The Re-scan Confocal Microscope is a highly sensitive imaging system, with super-resolution and minimal light exposure for the sample. These make RCM a good imaging system to solve the limitations mentioned above.
