Notizie

Newly-launched water immersion objective with wide, uniform, and distortion-free resolution streamlines analysis of biomimetic 3D samples.

They are well suited for observing large volumes of biomimetic 3D samples, with applications in biological research, pharmaceutical development, and more.

Nikon Corporation (Nikon) has developed the 20XC WI and 40XC WI models in the CFI Plan Apochromat LWD Lambda S Series of objective lenses for microscopes capable of high-precision 3D biological imaging. Sales of the new objectives will commence on May 30 through Nikon Solutions Corporation.

These new models improve image flatness over an expanded field of view approximately twice the previous size. This allows users to capture wider, distortion-free images in a single shot, which increases the amount of information obtained per image. Additionally, fewer total frames are needed to build composite images covering large samples. These improvements increase imaging efficiency and provide greater quantities of high-quality data for cell- and tissue-level analysis across diverse fields from drug discovery and regenerative medicine to fundamental developmental and cell biology research.

The importance of research targeting three-dimensional (3D) samples with complex structures is rapidly increasing in fields such as cancer research and regenerative medicine. In particular, studies using cell aggregates (spheroids), which recreate the unique microenvironment of living organisms by allowing cells to cluster together, or miniature organs (organoids) created by culturing stem cells in 3D, are drawing interest because they enable observations of more similar to those in the actual human body. Confocal microscopes, which capture light only from the focal plane of the objective lens, are often used to observe these 3D samples. By assembling a stack of cross-sectional (slice) images, 3D images can be constructed. In this process, the working distance (the range over which imaging is possible), the flatness of the cross-sectional images, the field of view, and the resolution of the microscope’s objective lens are all critical factors.

The newly developed lenses correct for lateral image distortion to provide flat, uniform imaging over an expanded field of view. By improving imaging efficiency, these lenses are expected to make significant contributions to fields where 3D imaging is important, such as in spheroid and organoid studies for regenerative medicine or cancer research.

1．Greatly boosts 3D imaging efficiency with wider, flatter high-quality imaging　

Imaging large, three-dimensional structures such as spheroids and organoids requires combining many frames together covering wide areas and deep volumes. By leveraging the strengths of confocal microscopy for cross-sectional imaging, the new lenses capture an area approximately twice as large as previous objectives in a single take. Additionally, it corrects peripheral image distortion and achieves a high degree of flatness.

These lenses also feature a long working distance, enabling deeper imaging into thick specimens. By improving the efficiency of image stitching while simultaneously expanding the imaging area, capturing data for the analysis of 3D sample structures is accelerated. Capturing wider, more uniform fields of view is highly effective in drug discovery settings, where statistical analysis is essential.

2．Supports long-term and continuous observation of living samples

These lenses are designed for water immersion. By placing a droplet of water between the lens and the sample, the difference in refractive index between the lens and water-rich biological samples is reduced to enable higher-resolution imaging. When combined with an automatic water dispensing system to replenish the droplet, it is possible to maintain imaging over long periods or during multi-point imaging across well plates. This not only improves efficiency for 3D samples but also enhances the performance of conventional 2D imaging.