(Photo collage. Image courtesy of Lin Daniel, PhD, SunJin Lab Co and Dr. Laurence Dubreil, Dr. Julien Pichon and Pr Marie-Anne Colle, PAnTher UMR703 INRAE/Oniris.)

Nikon has long had one of the most reliable and robust multi-photon confocal lenses on the market.
With the new AX R MP, they have further improved and developed the technology resulting in a system that is tailored for all in vivo applications.
The system offers the market’s largest field of view, fast image acquisition, and high sensitivity.
In addition, the new super-resolution detector NSPARC has been integrated into the system, providing the possibility to double the resolution.
AX R MP Multi-photon has all the features of AX R, but with the ability to use wavelengths up to 1300 nm, as well as super-sensitive NDD detectors to visualize signals deep into living tissue.

Nikon AX R MP with NSPARC: No compromise between fast image capture and high resolution

The Nikon AX R MP is equipped with Nikon’s innovative hybrid scanner, ie.
a fast galvanometer scanner with up to 8k x 8k resolution and an ultra-fast 2k x 2k resonance scanner.
The hybrid scanner allows you to switch between a frame rate of up to 30 frames per second in resolution 2048 x 2048 pixels to follow dynamic events in living cells and if necessary, switch to higher resolution, up to 8K with the galvanic scanner.
It is also possible to add Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) to the system.
NSPARC is a detector that has been developed to further increase resolution and sensitivity.
NSPARC contains an array of 25 super-sensitive detectors.
Each individual detector receives two-dimensional information from each scanned point, as opposed to a standard detector that receives information from only one pixel.
This method of image scanning, called Image Scanning Microscopy (ISM), provides higher sensitivity and improves the signal-to-noise ratio which means you can reduce the laser intensity.
The technology provides improved resolution of up to 80-100 nm laterally and 300 nm axially so that even small details that cannot be seen with a standard detector become visible.

Advantages of a large field of view.

The AXR MP has a 22 mm field of view for imaging with both resonance and galvanic scanners.
For example, a single field of view covers an entire mouse brain at low magnifications, and with the high-resolution galvanic scanner you can still achieve accurate Nyqvist sampling, even at 2X and 4X magnification.
The large field of view also helps to speed up image acquisition and image analysis because more data can be collected in a single image.
You get more data in less time.

Flexibility and sensitivity

One problem faced when trying to detect signals deep in tissue is so-called “light scattering”, i.e. tissue scatters the signals you are trying to see.
Therefore conventional detectors are not sensitive enough.
AX R MP uses NDD (Non-Descanned Detector) detectors sitting just behind the back aperture of the lens and can thus maximally detect these scattered signals.
These GaAsP detectors have the latest design and have been developed with the latest electronics providing extremely low noise.
The sensitivity allows signals from very weak fluorochromes to be obtained even very deep inside tissue.
As with all Nikon confocal solutions, the configuration is flexible and can be customized for most applications.
The AXR MP can be equipped with four NDD detectors, up to four visible light detectors, as well as the new NSPARC detector for increased resolution.

Intravital microscopy needs space

The AX R MP is designed to deliver maximum performance and flexibility for intravital microscopy.
Several different microscopes, even inverted, can be used as a base, but with the new AX-FN stands you get lots of free space under the objectives.
The AX-FN series stands are very flexible and allow you to tailor an experimental setup to suit your project without limitations.
The motorized upright microscope provides up to 40 cm of free space under the objective, and the various combinations of stands provide space to add the components needed.

A versatile and easy-to-use confocal system

AX R MP can also be equipped with lasers and visible light detectors.
The same system can be used for both multi-photon and single-photon excitation.
For visible light, detectors with variable detection ranges are used, allowing spectral detection in the wavelength range 400-750 nm.
Additional options are the possibility to use photostimulation with visible light and simultaneous detection with IR wavelengths.
All functions of the AXR MP are controlled through Nikon’s NIS-Elements software with the same user interface as for other microscope systems.
All functions for image acquisition, image processing and analysis through JOBS, General Analysis and AI are available, giving you the opportunity to automate experiments.  Read more about Nikon AX R MP with NSPARC here or contact us for more information.

Nikon AX R MP