An automated microscope for patch clamp and advanced imaging

The Sensapex uMs is a highly reliable microscope developed with slice electrophysiology and imaging in mind. The microscope is paired with a matching stage designed to deliver the smooth motion and stiffness required for demanding experiments. The uMs is a proven solution for experiments ranging from patch clamp recordings to voltage imaging at kHz frame rates. Based on our expertise in motion control, it brings accuracy and reproducibility to your experiments. Today and (thanks to the easily extendable design) for years to come. No matter where your research takes you.

How does the uMs achieve this performance

The uMs microscope system was developed in response to regular calls from researchers for a modern, easy to use and above all reliable upright microscope.

To address this, we extended the Nikon FN-1 with our existing motion control expertise. By combining the superior patch clamp optics of the Nikon FN1 with the proven industry-leading motion control technology from Sensapex, we are able to provide a slim microscope that excels where it most needed for patch clamp research: clear visualization of small structures, stability and accuracy. All of that combined with the ease of use provided by the TSC Touchscreen Unit, which integrates the control of the microscope and stage with any other Sensapex devices.

The uMs design is based on a stationary microscope with a moving sample stage – allowing for smooth motion of the sample during recordings. The required stability is achieved by ensuring all relevant elements of the microscope and stage are stiff, with smooth motion control including slow acceleration, to ensure movement does not introduce vibrations. We take this to the next level by ensuring that the stage has a low center of mass, reducing the risk of picking up and enhancing vibration. This effect can further be enhanced by using compact and relatively light weight micromanipulators.

As in all Sensapex products, the uMs is built with closed-loop control of all positioning. This directly leads to the class-leading accuracy and repeatability of the stage and focus drive. While other “optimized for slice electrophysiology” microscopes and stages will accumulate errors in their positions after repeated automated movements (e.g. during image tiling or Z-stack imaging), the uMs reliably moves to the required location each time. In addition to focusing and stage movement, the objective changer is also motorized and includes a means of registering the focal planes of the two objectives, so that switching does not shift the focus.

Because the microscope frame is slim, it is possible to position a larger number of micromanipulators around the sample, making the uMs and ideal microscope for experiments requiring large numbers of recording electrodes. This concept of space saving is taken one step further thanks to the fully integrated Touchscreen Control Unit. This small box contains all the required control electronics for stage, microscope and any other Sensapex devices used on the complete system, with no need for 19″ racks.

Control of the uMs can be achieved by hand through the touchscreen and rotary wheel control units, or through a PC using our opensource SDK. Thanks to the use of ethernet interfacing, software control has orders of magnitude shorter latencies than when using serial connections such as USB.

Overview of our uMs product range

• The uMp-TSC2 touch screen unit provides an intuitive and stand-alone user interface that is used together with uMp-RW3/4 wheel controllers. In addition to basic operation with focusing and XY-positioning, features such as 1-click automated objective changing and quickly configurable memory positions are integrated  in the TSC. All functions and configuration options for the full device range is provided by this small unit – no additional PC is required for setup and use.
• The uMs-FN1 core includes the microscope with all focusing control and a 2-position objective changer. The microscope has a focus range of 40 mm at a resolution of just 4 nm. As it is based on Nikon FN-1 upright microscope, it provides supports all standard Nikon optics.
• The fully motorized XY-stage consists of the extremely stiff uMs-FXY stage top plate and the uMs-MXY closed-loop XY-translator. The stage achieves a positioning range sufficient for scanning a full standard multi-well plate (120 x 85 mm) at a speed of 10 mm/s at 4 nm resolution and 100 nm repeatability.
• For software control, an opensource SDK is provided, which allows control through most programming and scripting languages. To allow users a quicker start, a complete set of Python wrappers is also provide.

We facilitate new discoveries

Sensapex has had the privilege to provide products to more than 1000 labs worldwide. We are regularly surprised and impressed by the clever way in which our manipulators are used for experiments. Often in ways that we never imagined. Our ever-growing list of References showcases some of the amazing work being done with our instruments.

Configuration examples

Sensapex products are proprietary and patented (US 9,138,892, US 9,662,783, EP 2 776 215, US 10,427,292; EP 09851052.2, EP15906190.2, US 15/765,608, EP: 15906189.4). Automated patch clamp (US 9,498,293 and US 9,668,804) and pipette cleaning (US 15/232,770 and EP 16836035.2) products are manufactured under licenses from GTRC and MIT, U.S.A.