Veneto® Inverted Microscopes

Sam Tesfai
General Manager,

Thorlabs Imaging Systems

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Veneto^® Inverted Microscope Systems

Thorlabs' Modular Inverted Microscopy Platform provides a turnkey solution for widefield, confocal, and multiphoton imaging. Inverted microscopes are powerful and versatile research tools that can accommodate a range of applications, such as fluorescence, in vivo, ex vivo, 3D, high-resolution, high-speed (video-rate), and live tissue imaging. This platform is designed to meet the needs of labs working in cell biology and other life science applications that require an inverted microscopy platform while including key features provided by our upright systems, such as multiple imaging modalities, accessory ports, and easily accessible light paths.

The key highlights that set our Veneto inverted microscope platform apart from the typical inverted microscope are listed in the Highlights tab, while the Features tab gives more details on the supported imaging techniques and the day-to-day usage features. This platform is available as a turnkey system that also offers users access to internal optomechanics and optics for DIY customization. We offer configurations that support widefield, brightfield, phase, Dodt, confocal, and multiphoton imaging; see the Configurations tab for more details.

Options at a Glance

Laser Scanning

• 8 kHz and 12 kHz Resonant-Galvo-Galvo (US Patent 10,722,977) and Galvo-Resonant Scanners for High-Speed Imaging
• Galvo-Galvo Scanners for User-Defined ROI Shapes and Photostimulation Patterns
• Super Broadband Scan Optics Optimized for Two-Photon and Three-Photon Imaging

Signal Detection

• Standard Multialkali or High-Sensitivity GaAsP PMTs
• 13° Detection Module for up to Four PMTs with Confocal Imaging
• 13° Non-Descanned Detection Module for Two PMTs with Multiphoton Imaging

Up to 7 Customizable Optical Pathways

• 3 Paths on Bottom Tier for Laser Scanning and Widefield Imaging
• 1 Path on Second Tier for Reflected Light Illumination or Laser Scanning
• 1 Path on Third Tier Behind the Objective for Non-Descanned Detection
• 1 Transmitted Light Path
• 1 Trinocular Path

If you have additional questions about our Veneto imaging systems, please click on the Contact Me button to the right to send us an email.

Credit for Image Above: Wild-type mouse brain section (300 μm x 300 μm) tagged with DAPI (405 nm), Alexa 488 anti-S100B, Alexa 555 anti-Neurofilament, and Alexa 633 anti-GFAP. Sample Courtesy of Lynne Holtzclaw, NIH/NICHD/MIC.

Veneto^® Highlights

The Veneto Inverted Microscopes are turnkey systems that support widefield, confocal, and multiphoton imaging. This tab outlines the key highlights that set the Veneto platform apart from the typical inverted microscope. See the table to the right for the quick links to each section.

Vertically Integrated System

• Composed of Thorlabs Manufactured Components
• Multiple Ports for Mounting Scientific Cameras or Detection Devices
  • Bottom Port for Efficient Emission Detection (Requires Custom Optical Table with Compatible Opening for Access; To Request More Information, Click Here)
• Motorized Six-Position Turret Holds Ø32 mm Excitation and Emission Filters to Support Greater Collection Angles for Increased Signal
• High-Speed Motorized XY Stage with Scanning Speed up to 250 mm/s
• Light Sources
  • Brightfield: Mounted LED (6500 K Correlated Color Temperature)
  • Widefield: Mounted, Solis^®, and/or Chrolis™ LEDs or Optional Port for Industry-Standard Liquid Light Guides
  • Laser Scanning: Multiphoton or Confocal Laser Source (See Specs Tab for More Details)

Our Veneto microscopes come fully integrated with all the necessary components required to meet the exact needs of an experiment. As shown in the image to the right, Thorlabs manufactures the components to ensure seamless functionality; click on different parts of the microscope for more details. With a compact 32" x 18" (812.8 mm x 457.2 mm) footprint, our inverted microscopes offer broad compatibility with a variety of light sources and accept Ø32 mm optics in a motorized six-position filter turret. Direct access to several independent optical paths via SM2 (2.035"-40) ports with 60 mm cage pattern holes or SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) ports allows researchers the option to build in their own custom imaging modalities.

Integrated Control Unit and ThorImage^®LS Software
The included ThorImageLS software supports multiple imaging techniques and offers seamless modality changes when switching between configurations. An electronic control unit allows the user to operate all included motorized components through ThorImageLS and handheld controllers. The software recognizes each component once plugged in. Additionally, the control unit offers empty slots for future upgradability to add more modalities. Users can customize their workspace in the intuitive GUI and choose to visualize only the settings relevant to each aspect of the experiment. Open SDKs enable users to code their own device plugins; see the ThorImageLS tab for more details.

Galvo-Resonant Scanners offer high frame rates for high-speed imaging. The 8 kHz scanners offers a maximum frame rate up to 400 fps for 512 x 32 resolution. The 12 kHz scanners offer a maximum frame rate up to 600 fps for a 512 x 32 resolution.

High-Speed Scanners

• 8 kHz and 12 kHz Galvo-Resonant Scanners for High-Speed Imaging
• Galvo-Galvo Scanners for User-Defined ROI Shapes and Photostimulation Patterns
• 8 kHz and 12 kHz Resonant-Galvo-Galvo (US Patent 10,722,977) for Sequential Targeting

Veneto inverted microscopes can be configured with one or two co-registered scan paths to propagate, condition, and direct an input laser beam. We offer galvo-resonant scanners, a galvo-galvo scanner, and resonant-galvo-galvo scanners. These choices allow the user to optimize each experiment as needed for high frame rates, high sensitivity, and/or targeted exposure of the regions of interest.

Galvo-Resonant Scanners for High-Speed Imaging: Thorlabs offers 8 kHz and 12 kHz galvo-resonant scanners. Our 8 kHz scanners utilize the entire field of view and offer a maximum frame rate of 400 fps, while our 12 kHz scanners provide an increased frame rate of 600 fps.

Galvo-Galvo Scanners for User-Defined ROI Shapes: Galvo-galvo scanners support user-drawn scan geometries (lines, polylines, squares, and rectangles) and also support custom photoactivation patterns (circles, ellipses, polygons, and points). They offer consistent pixel dwell times for better signal integration and image uniformity.

Resonant-Galvo-Galvo Scanners for Multimodal Scanning: Thorlabs offers 8 kHz and 12 kHz resonant-galvo-galvo (RGG) scanners. The design of our RGG scanners is registered under US Patent 10,722,977. These scanners use an additional galvanometer in concert with a traditional galvo-resonant scanner to move the scan region. Edges of the scan region and the path the beam takes between scan regions are masked by Pockels cells to avoid unwanted exposure. Our 8 kHz scanners utilize the entire field of view and offer a maximum frame rate of 400 fps, while our 12 kHz scanners provide an increased frame rate of 600 fps.

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The built-in motorized focusing module translates the entire third tier pathway (outlined in red). This pathway includes the objective turret and the non-descanned PMTs.

Built-In Motorized Focusing Module

• Innovative Motorized Focusing Module Designed into the Microscope Frame
• Z-Stacks Can be Taken with Different Objectives by Turning the Objective Nosepiece
• Move Objectives Using Stepper Motor with 15 mm Travel Range and 50 nm Resolution
• Optional Piezo Motor with 100 µm Travel Range and 50 nm Resolution
• Control Focusing Module via the Included ThorImageLS Software

The Veneto microscope platform features an innovative built-in motorized focusing module fitted with a absolute linear encoder and a compact stepper motor actuator. The actuator provides smooth linear motion control and allows very small step sizes over the entire 15 mm travel range, delivering greater flexibility with a fine 50 nm resolution. The focusing module translates the entire third tier pathway that lies behind the objective; see the image to the right. This means a Z-stack can be easily taken with different objectives by simply turning the nosepiece to a new objective. This pathway is mounted on a vertical stage, which has a rigid, all-steel design and heavy-duty cross-roller bearings for uniform performance over the entire range of motion. The focusing module, which is built into the microscope frame behind the pathway, drives the stage to translate the objective turret and non-descanned PMTs.

For more precise movement, the focusing module can include an optional piezo motor that offers 100 µm travel with 50 nm resolution. The dual-drive option for the focusing module allows users to image multiple z-stacks by using the stepper motor and piezo simultaneously. Users can control the focusing module via the included ThorImageLS software.

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Mounted LEDs 

• Wavelengths Ranging from 265 nm to 1650 nm
• White, Broadband, and Dual-Peak LEDs Also Available
• Thermal Properties Optimized for Stable Output Power

Solis^®High-Power Mounted LEDs

• Typical Collimated Output Powers from 570 mW to 7.1 W
• Fanless Design Efficiently Dissipates Heat without Introducing Vibrations
• 20 Wavelengths Available

Chrolis™ 6-Wavelength High-Power LED Sources

• Combine 6 User-Changeable, High-Power LEDs into One Liquid Light Guide
• Eleven Wavelength Options Cover All Known Fluorophores Between 365 nm and 780 nm
• Pre-Configured or Custom Configurations Available

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Illumination Sources

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• Ultra Fast XY Scanning Up to 250 mm/s
• Integrated Brushless DC Linear Servo Motor Actuators
• 110 mm x 75 mm (4.3" x 2.95") Travel Range
• High Repeatability (0.25 µm) and Position Accuracy (<3 µm)
• See the Complete Website Presentation

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High-Speed Motorized XY Scanning Stage

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• Zelux™ Monochrome or Color CMOS Cameras for General-Purpose Imaging Applications
• Kiralux^® CMOS Cameras for a Range of Applications, Including Fluorescence Microscopy, Materials Inspection, and Multispectral Imaging
  • Monochrome, Color, NIR-Enhanced, or Polarization-Sensitive Sensors Available
• Quantalux^® Monochrome sCMOS Cameras for Low-Light Applications
  • Version Available with Hermetically Sealed TE-Cooled Packaging
• See Our Complete Range of Scientific Cameras.

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Camera Housings of Our Compact Scientific and Scientific CCD Cameras

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MCWHLP1 Mounted LED

• 6500 K (Cold White) Color Temperature
• 2350 mW (Min) Output Power
• 700 mA Max Current (CW)
• Typical Lifetime >100,000 Hours
• Ideal for Fluorescence Microscopy Applications

Veneto^® Features

The Veneto Inverted Microscopes are turnkey systems that support widefield, confocal, and multiphoton imaging. This tab gives details on the different types of imaging techniques, beam conditioning modules, included software, and Thorlabs support. For a walkthrough on the different modules available with the Veneto Inverted Microscope, see the video to the right. 

Example Configurations

The Veneto^® Inverted Microscopy Platform is designed to enable application-specific configurations. We currently offer confocal and two-photon configurations; two example configurations are shown below. Both configurations additionally support widefield viewing. As shown in the images below the Features bullets, users can remove the side cover to access several independent optical pathways. DIY customization is possible via SM2 (2.035"-40) ports with 60 mm cage pattern holes or SM30 (M30.5 x 0.5) ports if users want to build in their own custom imaging modalities.

Two-Photon + Widefield Configuration Click to Enlarge  Features  High-Speed Imaging via Galvo-Resonant or Resonant-Galvo-Galvo Scanners Pockels Cell and Motorized Variable Attenuator for Remote Laser Adjustment Two Detection Channels for GaAsP PMTs Click to Enlarge Two-Photon + Widefield Configuration with the Side Cover Removed

Confocal + Widefield Configuration Click to Enlarge  Features  High-Speed Galvo-Resonant or Galvo-Galvo Scanning Motorized Pinhole Wheel with 16 Sizes from Ø25 μm to Ø2 mm Four Detection Channels for GaAsP or Multialkali PMTs Four-Channel Confocal Fiber Laser Click to Enlarge Confocal + Widefield Configuration with the Side Cover Removed