Empowering regenerative medicine and drug discovery by providing optimum observation environment with the LED light source.

Nikon Instruments Inc. (Nikon) has developed epi-fluorescence attachments for stereo microscopes that can be equipped with an LED light source.

These products allow direct coupling of Nikon’s LED light source to stereo microscopes without the need for fiber optics.

Stereo microscopes are suitable for observing large samples. To observe detailed internal structures, a technique called "fluorescent observation" is used, in which features of interest are stained with fluorescent proteins such as GFP or fluorescent dyes to highlight them against a dark background. Epi-fluorescence attachments are needed to pass light from an illumination source through the objective lens for fluorescent observation.

Compared with conventional mercury light sources, LED light sources maintain stable brightness throughout long-term observation, from start-up to shutdown. This stability contributes to improving the reproducibility of studies in fields such as regenerative medicine, cancer, and neurological disorder research, where observing large samples is paramount.

In fields such as regenerative medicine and drug discovery research where it is especially important to monitor changes in cells and tissues over long periods, microscopy techniques using gentle, low-phototoxicity LED light sources have become the industry standard. Nikon's new epi-fluorescence attachments address these needs and support further advancements in science.

Advantages of Using LED Light Sources in Stereoscopic Microscopy

These newly released epi-fluorescence attachments for stereo microscopes are designed to enhance the stability of fluorescence microscopy across various research fields.

• Stable brightness and flexible intensity adjustment enable highly reproducible observations - LED light sources provide stable illumination throughout the observation period, from activation of the light source to the completion of the experiment, allowing visualization and measurement with consistent light intensity. This characteristic also reduces day-to-day variability in illumination, enabling highly reproducible results even in long-term experiments.
• Minimized light toxicity for reliable observations - Cells can suffer damage from intense light. Compared with conventional mercury light sources, LED light sources emit less ultraviolet and infrared light. Adjusting the brightness to a minimum can reduce damage to test samples, photobleaching of fluorescent dyes, and the effects of heat. This allows true phenomena in large samples used for stereoscopic microscopy to be evaluated in an environment with reduced influence from external factors, further enhancing the reliability of research outcomes.

D-LEDI Fluorescence LED illumination system attachable via these new products

The Nikon D-LEDI LED light source, which can be attached via the newly developed epi-fluorescence attachments, delivers high performance in fluorescence microscopy.

This light source device is equipped with LEDs that emit light in four different wavelengths: 385 nm, 475 nm, 550 nm, and 621 nm. Through a dedicated controller, users can operate all these wavelengths simultaneously or select specific wavelengths. Additionally, the brightness of multiple wavelengths can be easily adjusted using Nikon's NIS-Elements software. Time-lapse imaging is also supported. The product employs a natural cooling system, minimizing vibration and ensuring high-precision data acquisition, particularly during high-magnification observations, while maintaining stability. The built-in LEDs are designed to have a long life of approximately 20,000 hours, eliminating the need for frequent replacements as in the case of mercury lamps. Furthermore, the LEDs are optically aligned upon shipment, sparing users the trouble of adjustment and making them immediately user-friendly.

About Nikon Instruments Inc

Nikon Instruments Inc. is the US microscopy arm of Nikon Healthcare, a world leader in the development and manufacture of optical and digital imaging technology for biomedical applications.

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