The FCS3® System is an environmental chamber used on a microscope to enable the acquisition of high resolution, time-lapse images of cells undergoing either natural growth or fluidic exposure to variant factors. The FCS3® provides the same capabilities on an upright microscope as the FCS2® System does for inverted microscopes. Both systems enable the user to define precise and unlimited flow characteristics within the chamber to suit their protocols. Bioptechs’ patented thermal design provides uniform temperature control across the entire field. This is a feature that is not possible with a peripheral only heated chamber.
What is it?
The Focht Chamber System 3 (FCS3 ®) is a closed system, live-cell micro-observation flowcell chamber that offers several advantages over other chambers. In addition to its unique perfusion and thermal control system, it is fully compatible with all modes of microscopy. It is also the only chamber to combine high-volume laminar flow perfusion rates with Koehler illumination and precise temperature control without an air curtain. Its user definable flow characteristics make it adaptable to nearly any protocol where cells are perfused in a flow-cell.
Why do you need an FCS3?
The FCS3 is a flow cell or flow chamber that is designed specifically for the demands of today’s live-cell imaging requirements. It has limitless flow characteristics because its flow geometry can easily be customized by the user. It can provide low shear near laminar flow as well as high shear in a directed flow and anything in between. The most important feature of the FCS3, other than unequalled temperature uniformity, is that there is a precise directed flow of media over the cells. Open dish type chambers do not provide the flow capabilities of the FCS3. The FCS3 provides an optical imaging cavity where the user can precisely define the optimum flow characteristics necessary for the experiment.
FCS3 users enjoy the following characteristics:
- Easy no tools needed assembly
- Compatibility with all modes of microscopy
- Complete control of the volume within the optical cavity
- Complete control of the separation between optical surfaces
- Complete control of the shape or profile of the flow channel
- Complete control of the temperature uniformly across the entire field
- Compatable with upright microscopes
How does it work?
Cells are grown on a 40mm glass coverslip. This coverslip is then incorporated into a perfusable fluid optical cavity that is compatible with all modes of microscopy, and its geometry can be easily defined by the user. This optical cavity is secured into a fixture on the stage of the microscope where media can be perfused or remain static. When media enters the chamber, it is prewarmed, then emerges into a fluid optical path where the media is precisely directed over the cells. The media is collected within the optical cavity and directed out of the chamber on the other side. The flow characteristics of the media in the optical cavity are easily modified by selecting gaskets of varying geometry that direct the flow. Temperature control is maintained by both peripheral thermal support from the chamber metal frame and heat that is emitted from an electrically conductive optically transparent coating on the Microaqueduct "window" of the optical cavity. This technique provides uniform temperature control across the entire field, thus eliminating the temperature gradient that occurs with other designs. This technique also enables the FCS3 to recover from perfusion induced temperature fluctuations in just seconds.
Temperature Control:
The FCS3 was designed to maintain accurate thermal control and allow high-volume laminar flow perfusion. Both of these functions are incorporated into our patented Microaqueduct Slide (see drawing below). The surface of the Microaqueduct Slide, opposite the specimen side, is coated with an electrically conductive, transparent, thin film of Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO), and two electrical contacts (busbars). When the FCS3 is completely assembled two electrical contacts, (not shown in drawing), which are contained in the electrical enclosure rest on the busbars. A temperature controller is used to pass a regulated current through the ITO Coating. This causes the surface of the slide to heat. The heat is transferred through the media to the cell surface on the coverslip thereby providing direct thermal control. The self locking base of the chamber is also temperature regulated to provide peripheral heat as well.
FCS3 Starter Set includes:
- FCS3 Chamber
- Controller
- 5 Micro aqueduct Slides
- 100 #1.5 – 40mm German Desag 263 Coverslips
- 30 piece Gasket Set