|
 |
|
FCS3
®
-
Focht Chamber
System 3
Closed System Live Cell Environmental Chamber
System for Upright Microscopes
Bioptechs is happy to release the FCS3 ®, a closed system, parallel plate,
micro-environmental chamber for upright microscopes. The FCS3 provides the
user with all of the functionality of the popular FCS2 but redesigned for
upright microscopes. Therefore, you have the following attributes in one
easy to load and use chamber:
- Suitable for no flow through high rate flow procedures where a rapid
exchange of media is required with low cell surface shear
- Cell temperature can be controlled from ambient to 50 degrees C +/-
0.2 degrees C without the need of an air curtain
- Temperature is controlled uniformly across entire field with media
equilibrating as it enters the chamber
- Closed system so that bicarbonate CO2 or organic buffers can be
employed
- Compatible with 1/16" tubing for perfusion (C-Flex, Tygon, etc.)
- Easily assembled with ordinary skill (no tools required)
- Stand-alone temperature controller with an alarm circuit to
safeguard your cells
- Near laminar flow
|
|
FCS3 Cross Sectional View
|
|
FCS3 & Universal Upright Stage Adapter |
|
What is it?
The Focht Chamber
System 3
(FCS3) is a live-cell micro-observation system specifically for
upright microscopes. It has all of the optical, thermal and fluidic capabilities
of its predecessor the FCS2. Therefore, it provides compatibility with all modes
of microscopy, uniform temperature control throughout the observation aperture,
a near laminar flow that is adjustable to provide the user with the ability to
modify the separation of optical surfaces, flow path geometry, and fluid volume. The system is
comprised of:
- The Chamber (environmental optical cavity, this page)
- An Electronic Controller (this page)
- A Stage Adapter
|
|
How does it work?
Temperature Control:
The FCS3 was designed to maintain accurate
thermal control and allow near laminar flow perfusion. Both of these
functions are incorporated into our patented Microaqueduct Slide (see drawing
below). The surface of the slide, opposite the specimen side, is coated with an
electrically conductive transparent thin film of Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) and two
electrical contacts (busbars). When the FCS3 is completely assembled and placed
on the stage adapter, two electrical contacts and a thermal sensor, (not shown
in drawing), rest on these busbars. A temperature controller is used to pass a
regulated current flow through the ITO Coating. This causes the surface of the
slide to heat. The heat is transferred through the media to the cell surface on
the coverslip thereby providing a conductive heat transfer. The metal base of
the chamber is also temperature regulated to provide heat to both the incoming
media and peripheral thermal support to the metal housing.
Click here for thermographic images.
Click Here
to view an assembly and demonstrational video of the FCS3.
(Note: Download times vary with speed of
connection, ~8mb in size) |
|
Microaqueduct Slide
Microaqueduct
Perfusion:
A fluid pathway is formed by separating the
Microaqueduct slide from the coverslip containing cells with a single silicone
gasket. This gasket can be any thickness from 50 micron to 1mm and any lateral
geometry you choose or create. This arrangement allows the user to define the
flow characteristics. Therefore, you are not limited by the geometry of the
optical cavity instead you select or create it! Fluid access to this flow
channel is made through two 14-gauge needle stock tubes protruding from the
sides of the chamber top. These tubes provide fluid connection to two perfusion
holes in the Microaqueduct slide that interface two "T" shaped grooves cut into
the inner surface of the Microaqueduct slide. The “T” groove allows the media to
seek the path of least resistance and become nearly laminar before flowing
across the cells. This technique eliminates the need for the metal perfusion
ring and additional gaskets, which are the limiting factors, required by most
conventional chambers. Typical FCS3 Perfusion Configuration For Induced Change Biology |
|
Microaqueduct design enables
proper Koehler illumination with high-numeric aperture optics for both
transmitted and reflected modes of microscopy |
|
Top View of Optical Cavity |
Isometric View of Optical Cavity Microaqueduct Slide is transparent glass but rendered as a
solid to improve contrast to illustrate function. |
|
|
FCS3
Chamber |
| |
|
|
 |
FCS3 Exploded View
- FCS3 Chamber Top
- FCS3 Pressure Plate
- 40mm Coverslip
- Upper Gasket*
-
Thickness and internal geometry allows user to define flow characteristics
-
Standard thicknesses from .1mm to 1mm
-
Microaqueduct Slide
(An optical surface that integrates
perfusion and temperature control)
- Near laminar flow
-
Koehler illumination compatible
-
Electronically conductive coating for temperature control
- Lower gasket
- Seals chamber base to Microaqueduct slide
- Perfusion Tubes (14 gauge)
- Compatible with 1/16th
inch tubing
- FCS3
Chamber Base
(Designed to assure parallel uniform closure, eliminate leaks,
& broken coverslips)
- Temperature controlled
-
No tools for assembly
|
|
Upper gasket*
By simply changing this one gasket you can change the volume and flow
characteristics of the chamber. This gasket can have any internal geometry you
desire and can be any thickness from .1mm to 1mm. The drawing below shows the
standard shapes of the gaskets that we include with every FCS3. We also include
solid gaskets for you to custom cut to your application. Examples of standard
gasket outlines (below). |
|
Standard gasket shapes: |
|
The Gasket Set Includes:
(3)
0.1mm 30mm Round, (2) 0.1mm 14 x 24
(3) 0.25mm 30 mm Round, (2)
0.25mm 14 x 24, (1) 0.25mm Blank
(3) 0.5mm 30mm Round, (2)
0.5mm 14 x 24, (2) 0.5mm Blank
(5) 0.75mm 30mm Round w/holes, (2)
0.75mm 14 x 24, (1) 0.75mm Blank
(2) - 1.0mm 30mm Round, (1)
1.0mm 14 x 24, (1) 1.0mm Blank
Custom shapes are available. Simply contact Bioptechs to make
arrangements for their production. |
|
But most importantly!
It does not matter what chamber you use, if you are using immersion objectives
on mammalian
specimens, you will need an
Objective
Heater! |
|
To assist you and
Bioptechs in selecting the most appropriate system to meet your needs,
please review and fill out the
following questionnaire.
Micro-Environmental System Profile Questions (.pdf)
Micro-Environmental System Profile Questions (.doc) |
| |