Upright Microscope utilizes focusing nosepiece design.

Press Release Summary:



Featuring stable, fixed stage construction, FN1 produces minimal electrical noise and exhibits vibration-free operation. Physiological water dipping objectives offer working distances to 3.5 mm, with 45° approach angle, coated top lenses, and axial chromatic aberration correction for visible to NIR imaging. Other features include IR wavelength selection turret and condenser with 8.2 mm working distance usable for DIC and oblique illumination techniques.



Original Press Release:



Nikon's New FN1 Upright Focusing Nosepiece Microscope Delivers Outstanding Image Results



MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 7 / -- Nikon Instruments, a leader in the development of advanced optical technology, today announced the debut of a new flagship microscope re-developed from the ground up in collaboration with electrophysiologists for neuroscience and electrophysiology applications. The FN1 is a special purpose upright microscope featuring stable fixed stage construction and Nikon's unique focusing nosepiece design. The microscope is designed to combine exceptional observation ability with outstanding expansion capabilities, has virtually no electrical noise and exhibits vibration free operation. The new microscope provides maximum open space for working around a specimen or whole animal with easy access to manipulators, stimulators and flow chambers for electrophysiology studies.

New Optics Components -- Set New Standards

A new set of physiological water dipping objectives have been developed for the FN1 featuring longer working distances of up to 3.5mm, with slimmer profiles, 45 degree approach angle for easy access of manipulator patch needle placements, special coated top lenses to prevent bubbles and new axial chromatic aberration correction for visible to near infra-red imaging. To enable deep penetration optical contrast techniques, a new IR wavelength selection turret is adopted providing the highest contrast selection of visible, near IR and IR DIC image modes. A new condenser with 8.2 mm of working distance, usable for DIC and new Oblique Illumination techniques offers vibration free operation and both the filter turret and condenser as well as the main body of the FN1 are completely sealed against water leaks.

Vibration and Noise Free Operation

The Nikon FN1 features an ON/OFF mechanism for the filter turret, optical path changer, magnification changer and the condenser filter changer to reduce vibration related noise. A new holder for CCD cables eliminates vibration noise emanating from air conditioners, open doors or windows. New ground pins for objectives lens, condenser and objectives sliders substantially decrease electrical noise. The microscope's arm has been set back further and allows users to view and operate from directly above a specimen. In addition a new transmitted light fiber illuminator provides bright but cool illumination to living specimens and eliminates electrical noise from the microscope environment. All controls are moved forward including dual course and fine focusing controls. The arm is also able to be raised up to 40mm to accommodate thicker specimen chambers or even whole animals can be placed on the stage platform. Nikon's unique two-objective sliding nosepiece is now even more ergonomic and easier to use for objective change over, incorporating a new "double dipping" mechanism to help maintain patch electrode placement and objective changing with independent movement combined with par-centering and par-focus adjustment for the objectives.

Easier Observation and Best Image Quality

The FN1 makes specimen observation easy with the addition of two special new water immersion physiology objectives. The worlds first 100X 1.1 N.A. objective with a working distance of 2.5mm incorporates a correction collar to control spherical aberration and provides compensation for physiological temperature and specimen thickness variation, having excellent IR transmission, it is ideal for multi-photon studies of deep brain slice imaging. Another addition is the new CFI75 LWD 16X 0.80 N.A. objective with an industry unique working distance of 3.0mm and a 45 degree manipulator approach angle. This Best of Breed combination of numerical aperture, long working distance and approach angle allows for a usable one-lens solution for electrophysiology applications and when used with the variable magnification double port, allows you to vary intermediate magnifications between 0.35x, 2x, and 4x, it is possible to observe from a low magnification wide field to a high magnification high resolution field with the 16x objective alone. Vibrations caused by switching objectives are no longer a problem. This feature provides the flexibility to image large structures, such as the hippocampus, as well as small structures, such as axons and dendrites, with the same lens. The 0.35x intermediate magnification allows a 2.0mm viewfield, enabling easy electrode handling under macro observation.

Users can quickly switch between IR illumination and IR-DIC to ensure accurate recognition of micro needle tips and enhance flexible contrast. The microscope also allows users to select specific IR wavelengths for each specimen type:

-- 700-750nm for high contrast images of thin slices with fine structures

-- 800-900nm for high contrast images of thick slices with deep structures

-- Off-center oblique IR illumination providing flexible contrast from various angles.

Outstanding Expansion Capability

The FN1 can be used in combination with the C1 confocal system and IR-DIC. The C1 can be attached to the top straight port and the IR-DIC imaging camera to the back port with magnification changer. The water dipping 100x Plan objective with correction ring delivers outstanding aberration correction for IR and maximum spatial resolution for thick specimen samples. With the optional new motorized Z-axis and enhanced C1 software, users can conduct images analysis, 3D slice imaging and reconstruction, and can obtain 3D image and electrophysiological data alternatively from the same specimen.

The new FN1 PhysioStation microscope helps you take the "art" out of sophisticated electrophysiology imaging experiments and puts the researcher in command of the State-of-the-Science upright microscope dedicated to electrophysiological experiments.

About Nikon Instruments Inc.

Nikon Instruments Inc., is a global leader in the development of advanced optical technology. Its product line includes microscopy equipment, digital imaging, precision measuring and semiconductor wafer-handling equipment. Nikon is committed to providing technologically advanced instruments that offer optimal versatility, performance and productivity. Nikon combines state-of- the-art capabilities with innovative designs to produce optically superior, ergonomically friendly products for cutting-edge scientific research, medical and industrial applications. For more information visit the Nikon website at www.nikonusa.com/ . Product related inquiries can be directed to Nikon Instruments at 800-52-NIKON

All Topics