Hyphenated Systems launches advanced confocal imaging module

By Wai Lang Chu

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Microfluidics

A new confocal imaging module for applications such as 3D map
microfluidics analysis has been launched, which will aid all phases
of microfluidics development, from understanding physical phenomena
in the lab through developing novel devices.

Advanced confocal imaging uses a spinning disk with multiple confocal apertures to provide parallel data collection pathways for image acquisition at speeds that improve on scanning confocal techniques.

The versatility of this technique ensures the 3Dmap can characterise even subsurface structure in transparent media with submicron accuracy. The inclusion of new optics improve field size and z-resolution

Hyphenated Systems' new Advanced Confocal Imaging (ACI) module for its 3Dmap (Microfluidics Analysis Platform) systems present 3D structural metrology for developers and manufacturers of microfluidic devices, by providing a larger field of view and improved depth resolution.

Central to this is the new optics module. The system's inverted optics and open architecture are designed to facilitate the integration of additional analytical techniques, such as flow measurement, live cell imaging, fluorescent bead characterisation, surface roughness analysis all on a single platform.

"Microfluidics research and development is all about the interactions between structure and flow at the microscopic scale-a scale where these phenomena are very different from the macro scale that we are accustomed to,"​ said Terence Lundy, vice president and managing director, >Hyphenated Systems.

"This new module improves their ability to observe these phenomena in two critical ways: it allows them to look at larger areas and to measure 3D structure with better resolution in the third dimension. Both of these have significant practical value in the field."

Microfluidics - a liquid handling technology that uses volumes at the nanolitre scale - is still considered to be in the early stages of adoption.

However, it is potentially significant in a wide range of technologies. Microfluidics is used in the development of DNA microarray technology, micro-thermal and micro-propulsion technologies, and lab-on-a-chip technology.

Another growing field similar to microfluidics is digital microfluidics. Instead of considering a continuous flow of liquid as in the present case, digital microfluidics studies the displacement, formation, division, fusion of micrometer-scale droplets of liquid.

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