Olympus Offers Multiphoton Microscope System Enhancements

 CENTER VALLEY, Pa., October 19, 2009 – Olympus now offers its latest innovations designed to expand the frontiers of two-photon confocal microscopy, with three newly introduced accessories that enhance the capabilities of the company’s leading FluoView FV1000®-MPE multiphoton system. The developments include a new Laser Sharing System, Dual-Port SIM Scanner, and Multi-Point SIM scanner software.

The Laser Sharing System allows researchers to use a single Spectra-Physics® Mai Tai® DeepSeeTM laser system to perform imaging experiments on two separate Olympus multiphoton systems, providing unprecedented flexibility and cost savings for core facilities and scientists who want to install multiple two-photon instruments, or systems with varying capabilities. Both systems can be used simultaneously with the laser if using the same wavelength of light. The Laser Sharing System eliminates the need for a second laser by optically redirecting laser light to accommodate a second multiphoton system.

The Dual-Port SIM (Simultaneous) Scanner offers unprecedented flexibility to users whose experimental protocols require photobleaching with both visible and infrared (IR) light. The scanner allows the user to do both without changing any optics or rehooking fibers, eliminating laser alignment issues, saving time, and cutting down on hassles that can interfere with imaging. “With the Dual-Port SIM Scanner, researchers can easily switch from visible to IR and back again,” said Dennis Donley, Olympus Group Manager for confocal laser scanning microscopes.

The new SIM scanner software enables the researcher to rapidly stimulate multi-point areas commonly needed in neuronal spine research. The software, with its dedicated neuroscience application, enables the user to control the scanner, laser, and dataset for stimulation applications used in uncaging or channel rhodopsin experiments. The SIM scanner software visualizes the signal not only from the confocal photomultiplier tube (PMT) but also from electrophysiology patch-clamp equipment through a new interface unit.

“With these three new developments, scientists using the FluoView FV1000-MPE multiphoton system have even more flexibility and imaging power to address their research questions,” added Donley. “The best just got even better.”

For more information on new enhancements for the Olympus FluoView FV1000-MPE, contact Dennis Donley, Olympus America Inc., 3500 Corporate Parkway, Center Valley PA 18034-0610; phone 1-484-896-5611; visit  www.olympusamerica.com/MPE or email dennis.donley@olympus.com .

About Olympus Scientific Equipment Group

Olympus America Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians and educators. Olympus microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in life science.

About Olympus

Olympus is a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

· Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
· Advanced clinical and research microscopes;
· Digital cameras and voice recorders.

Olympus serves the healthcare field and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com/microscopes.

Olympus and FluoView are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Corporation, Olympus America Inc., and/or their affiliates.

Spectra-Physics, Mai Tai and DeepSee are trademarks or registered trademarks of Newport Corporation

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