Ultraview Vox specimen adapters

The stage adapters below are fixed to the NanoscanZ using four thumbscrews. It can be fiddly removing and screwing in the thumbscrews so take care not to drop them as they may get caught in the microscope mechanism. The universal adapter on the right is suitable for a variety of specimen formats (e.g. slides, Lab-Tek I, 35 mm dishes) but is not compatible with the CO2 supply. The multi-well plate adapter must be used for procedures requiring CO2 in combination with smaller specimen adapters that fit the CO2 work head.

Vox multi-well plate adapter (left) and universal adjustable adapter (right)

The following specimen adapters have the same footprint as a multi-well plate and fit into the multi-well plate stage adapter. They are all compatible with the Solent Scientific CO2 work head. The black wedge in the corner of the adapters should be used to secure the insert against the spring in the multi-well adapter.

Lab-Tek specimen adapters both empty (left) and with a Lab-Tek I chamber (right)

The adapters above have a rim all around the outside of the hole where the Lab-Tek fits. This prevents high resolution objective lenses with short working distances from imaging near the edge of the Lab-Tek because the objective lens will strike the adapter. This can seriously reduce the imaging area; especially in the case of 8-well Lab-Teks. The prototype Ibidi adapter below allows the objective lens to scan the entire area because the µSlide is flush with the bottom of the adapter. The µSlide is stabilised with a silicon gasket and a metal plate that is held in place with four nuts.

The 35 mm plate adapter has been altered to make it easier to hold Mat-Tek dishes in place. The light microscopy facility recommends Mat-Tek glass bottomed dishes with #1.5 coverslip bottoms. If you want to use any other glass bottomed dishes then you must speak to a member of the light microscopy facility before preparing your specimen.

Ibidi µSlide adapter (left) and 35 mm adapter modified for Mat-Tek dishes (right)

Connecting the CO2 supply to the specimen adapter

The specimen adapters above are all compatible with the CO2 work head (A in the image below). Note that the glass lid of the work head just sits loosely on top so if you tip it over it will fall off and break.

1. Slip the CO2 work head (A) onto the locating pins of your specimen adapter with the red and black valve to the right
2. Connect the Luer tube (B) from the bottle trap to the red and black valve by pressing in the red catch while pushing in the tube (C)
3. Make sure there is water in the humidification bottle that's attached to the bottle trap
4. Make sure the lids of the trap and humidification bottle are on tight and that all connections are secure
5. Make sure any tubing won't get caught by the motorised stage when it moves

A. The CO2 work head. B. Luer tube for the gas supply. C. Push the red catch so that the Luer adapter will slide into the work head.

Supplying CO2 to the work head

Turn on one of the CO2 valves on the wall adjacent to the Vox. Choose 5% or 10% CO2 depending on your medium. The water in the humidifier should start to bubble.

Vox CO2 wall valves