Overview of the Benchtop mesoSPIM
This next-generation mesoSPIM has higher resolution, larger field of view, and higher magnification range than mesoSPIM v.5. It comes in a more compact form, easier to build, and at a significantly lower cost.
Overview of the mesoSPIM (Version 5)
This mesoSPIM version features a horizontal detection path, dual-sided excitation, modular sample holders, and sample stages with large travel range (52 x 52 x 102 mm). The sample stages are mounted to a gantry built from Qioptiq X-95 profiles. The footprint of the microscope is 1.1 x 0.75 x 0.65 m (length x width x height).
Sample mounting in cuvettes (all versions)
A key advantage of the mesoSPIM is that it allows mounting samples in quartz or glass cuvettes which renders sample handling and exchange highly ergonomic. Cuvettes can be attached to the sample stages by magnetic holders. Especially for CLARITY-cleared samples which are index-matched to an index of 1.45, quartz cuvettes are the preferred way of imaging. These cuvettes are then immersed in a larger “immersion cuvette” which contains a medium of the same index to allow for sample translation and rotation without refocusing.
How to mount samples (all versions)
Given that cleared samples come in all sizes and shapes, the mesoSPIM allows for a wide variety of sample mounting techniques. The most common are to put the specimen in a sample cuvette or to use clamping holders. Cuvette mounting is the preferred way for imaging CLARITY and CUBIC samples whereas clamping works well with dehydrated, hard samples generated using clearing methods based on organic solvents (such as BABB, iDISCO).
Open software: mesoSPIM-control (all versions)
The mesoSPIM-control software is open-source and based on Python and PyQt5. It allows control of the ASLM mode and contains an acquisition manager, a table-based tool to create complex multichannel, multiview or tiling acquisitions.