Photon Imager
A breakthrough in bioluminescence and fluorescence for in vivo small animal imaging
In vivo optical imaging of small animals in real time
The Photon Imager is a unique system for detecting, localizing, quantifying dynamically the optical signal - bioluminescence or fluorescence - of your animals in vivo, in a non invasive way. The system has a unique design which makes it extremely sensitive from the first second of the acquisition, and able to record the kinetics of dynamic signals. This is a key advantage for bioluminescence imaging and can open new horizons for fluorescence imaging. The real-time capabilities of the Photon Imager brings you decisive advantages for your strategy with optical imaging: control, kinetic information, sensitivity. It also makes the Photon Imager a system which can be upgraded with state-of-the-art technological developments.High sensitivity
Photon Imager intensified CCD. 1 -> Lenses
2 -> Photocathode
3 -> Multichannel plate
4 -> High voltages
5 -> Phosphor screen
The design of the Photon Imager, with its intensified CCD, makes it really sensitive from the first second of the acquisition.
The technology relies on an intensification of the signal by a factor 106;
as a consequence, the Photon Imager belongs to the most sensitive systems on the market for detection of weak signals.
The principle is described opposite: photons, after focalization by a series of lenses (1), are converted to electrons when they reach the photocathode (2). Electrons are amplified by the microchannel plate (3), and converted back to photons by a phosphorus screen (5). The resulting light spot is recorded by the CCD camera.
With such an amplification of the signal, thermal noise can easily be isolated since its intensity level remains much lower than that of any photon amplified by the intensifier tube. This way, the CCD can record the signal and forward the related information in a very fast way, with a frame rate of 43 Hz. The excellent sensitivity and real time capabilities of the Photon Imager come directly from this design, unique for in vivo whole body optical imagers for small animals.
The principle is described opposite: photons, after focalization by a series of lenses (1), are converted to electrons when they reach the photocathode (2). Electrons are amplified by the microchannel plate (3), and converted back to photons by a phosphorus screen (5). The resulting light spot is recorded by the CCD camera.
With such an amplification of the signal, thermal noise can easily be isolated since its intensity level remains much lower than that of any photon amplified by the intensifier tube. This way, the CCD can record the signal and forward the related information in a very fast way, with a frame rate of 43 Hz. The excellent sensitivity and real time capabilities of the Photon Imager come directly from this design, unique for in vivo whole body optical imagers for small animals.
Outstanding sensitivity and dynamic range
The technological design of the Photon Imager relies on an intensification of the signal by a factor 106;
as a consequence, the Photon Imager is the most sensitive system on the market for detection of weak signals.
Furthermore, users of the Photon Imager can rely on its outstandingly large dynamic range:
Luminescence expression in tissues can therefore be followed, quantified and compared,
from early detection with weak signals, to late development with greater signals.
Unique features of the Photon Imager
- Unmatched performance with a unique photon counting technology
- Fast and easy automated fluorescence, user friendly hardware and software
- New imaging possibilities. The Photon Imager is the only bioluminescence fluorescence instrument that provides fast kinetic results and acquire videos of non sedated, freely moving animals
Easy fluorescence
Continuous selection of the excitation wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 800 nm enables optimal excitation conditions. Autofluorescence is automatically suppressed.
No more guessingAcquisition time or pixel binning settings prior to imaging is not necessary. The Photon Imager continuously displays the light distribution during the experiment and can be stopped at any time. Bias linked to bioluminescent reaction kinetics are suppressed.
Non anesthetized, non sedated and freely moving animals: In Actio imaging
Thanks to its very high sensitivity and 20 ms temporal resolution, the Photon Imager is
the only optical system that opens the way to new applications that require non anesthetized
and freely moving animals. The fluorescence or bioluminescence signal is acquired simulatneously
as a standard video of the animal.
>> More information on In Actio imaging
Signal kinetics
The same mouse, bearing a fluc positive tumor, shows different bioluminescence time profiles after IV (left) and IP (right) injection of luciferin. The curves below illustrate this difference.
From Keyaerts et al, Dynamic bioluminescence imaging for quantitative tumour burden assessment
using IV or IP administration of D-luciferin, Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, January (2008).
Use of this product to practice in vivo imaging in animals
(the dection of light emitted from within animals) does not imply or convey
a license to practice in vivo imaging in animals, as covered by patents controlled by other corporations.
Biospace Lab disclaims any and all responsibility for,
or liability with regard to, another Corporation's patent rights or licenses.