Optogenetics
Mightex Systems, with operations based in Toronto, Canada, and in the Silicon Valley, California, is a
leading supplier of photonic products and services for a broad spectrum of applications including industrial imaging,
bio-photonic solutions, LED illumination, machine vision, life & health sciences, and industrial test & measurement
etc.
Website: https://www.mightexbio.com/
Polygon: Cellular-Resolution Pattern Illumination
Pattern Illuminator for Life Science Research
Mightex’s market-leading Polygon pattern illuminators provide precise spatiotemporal control of light with subcellular
resolution, making it the perfect illumination tool for life science research.
- Any Shape, Size, Timing, and Colour
- Simultaneous Multi-Region Illumination
- Subcellular Resolution
- Compatible with Any Microscope
The Polygon uses digital mirror device (DMD) technology to illuminate multiple regions simultaneously. A DMD is composed of
hundreds of thousands of micro-mirrors that can be individually turned on to reflect light onto the sample. Thus, you can control
each mirror to control the area(s) of illumination and create any number of different sized patterns. The Polygon DMD device can
be mounted into the infinity-path of any microscope.
Different Models Optimized for Life Science Applications
Mightex offers multiple Polygon models that have been designed with different features to meet the needs of a wide-range of
applications that use patterned illumination. Please see below for all available Polygon models.
Polygon1000-G
The Polygon1000-G is a flexible solution for patterned illumination, as this patterned illuminator can be used with any
lightsource (350-700nm) that accepts a 3mm core lightguide. Thus, the Polygon1000-G provides future flexibility for different
wavelengths and lightsources, depending on your application.
- Wavelengths: 350-700nm
- Lightsource: lightguide-coupled
- Interchangeable front tubes available for fine resolution or large field-of-view
Key Applications: Neuroscience Optogenetics, Cell Biology Optogenetics, Photoactivation, Photoconversion
Polygon1000-DL
The Polygon1000-DL is a flexible solution for large field of view or high-power patterned illumination applications, as this
patterned illuminator can be used with any fiber-coupled lightsource (400-700nm), such as high-power lasers. This Polygon1000
model has been designed for high-power applications, such as in vivo optogenetics.
- Wavelengths: 400-700nm
- Lightsource: fiber-coupled
- Interchangeable front tubes available for fine resolution or large field-of-view
Key Applications: In Vivo Optogenetics, Cortex-Wide Optogenetics, Photoactivation
Powerful User-Friendly Polyscan Software for Life Science Experiments
Mightex’s PolyScan software platform is bundled with every Polygon to help you execute sophisticated patterned illumination
experiments for your research. It provides:
- Easy to use GUI to draw and define illumination patterns
- Arrange sequences of illumination patterns
- Define temporal illumination parameters for you experiments
- Synchronize illumination patterns with other lab equipment
Synchronize with Electrophysiology or Imaging Equipment
The Polygon comes with BNC connectorized TTL trigger input and output for easy synchronization with multiple lab equipment.
Synchronize the Polygon with your motorized stage for field of view stitching, or synchronize your stimulation patterns with
electrophysiology equipment.
Whitepapers
Applications Notes
Learn More »
OASIS Implant – Freely-Behaving Cellular-Resolution Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics
Understand the Link Between Neural Circuits and Behaviour
The OASIS Implant is a ground-breaking platform for simultaneous cellular-resolution optogenetics and calcium imaging in
freely-behaving animals to probe complex neuronal networks in the deep-brain, cortex, and multiple brain regions, or spinal cord.
- Freely-Behaving Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics
- Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics
- Multi-Region Investigation
- Reconfigurable Platform
- High-Quality Imaging with Scientific Cameras
A Different Approach to Integrated Freely-Behaving Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics
To offer neuroscientists the ability to stimulate and visualize individual neurons in freely-behaving animals, Mightex’s
engineers went back to the drawing board and pioneered a new path in the in vivo calcium imaging field. Instead of miniaturizing
and placing the microscope on the animal – thereby limiting the microscope’s features and the animal’s behaviour – we kept the
microscope out of the animal’s head by making use of long and flexible imaging fibers.
How It Works
By keeping the microscope away from the animal’s head, the OASIS Implant accomplishes 2 main goals:
Whitepaper
Learn More »
OASIS Macro – Cortex-Wide Imaging and Optogenetics System
Mesoscopic Imaging and Targeted Optogenetics Platform
The OASIS Macro is a mesoscopic platform for all-optical targeted optogenetics and calcium imaging. The OASIS Macro enables
researchers to simultaneously image the entire mouse cortex and perform targeted optogenetics (with Mightex’s market-leading
Polygon pattern illuminator).
- Large field of view for in vivo imaging and optogenetics
- Targeted optogenetics
- Reconfigurable platform
- Designed for in vivo experiments
Reconfigurable In Vivo Mesoscopic Platform for Imaging and Optogenetics
Mightex’s OASIS Macro is designed as a reconfigurable optical mesoscope system for in vivo imaging and optogenetics. The final
system can be tailored to performance requirements for unique applications. This can include major features such as adding a
second and third illumination source, or a dual-camera imaging system, as well as fine details including compatibility features
for certain cameras and objectives.
Learn More »
OASIS Micro – In Vivo Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics and Imaging System
Microscope Imaging and Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics Platform
The OASIS Micro is a ground-breaking microscope platform for all-optical cellular-resolution optogenetics and imaging in small
cortical or deep-brain areas of a head-fixed animal. Simultaneously image small cortical or deep brain regions and perform
neuron-specific targeted optogenetics with the addition of Mightex’s Polygon pattern illuminator.
- Small cortical area or deep-brain for in vivo imaging and optogenetics
- Cellular-resolution optogenetics
- Reconfigurable platform
- Designed for in vivo experiments
Reconfigurable In Vivo Microscope Platform for Imaging and Optogenetics
Mightex’s OASIS Micro is designed as a reconfigurable optical microscope system for in vivo imaging and optogenetics. The final
system can be tailored to performance requirements for unique applications. This can include major features such as adding a
second and third illumination source, or a dual-camera imaging system, as well as fine details including compatibility features
for certain cameras and objectives.
Learn More »
BioLED Sources & Controllers
BioLED Sources
Microscopy LEDs
Mightex BLS-series BioLED light sources are modularized fully-customizable turn-key solutions for optogenetics, fluorescence
excitation, and other biophotonics applications. Precisely-timed and high-intensity light pulses are required in optogenetics
experiments to activate channelrhodopsins (ChR2, ChR1 etc.) and halorhodopsins (NpHR) in order to excite and inhibit neurons.
To meet these requirements, Mightex has developed a proprietary “IntelliPulsing” technology to allow BLS-series sources to
output significantly higher power in pulse mode than what the LEDs are rated for in CW mode.
- High-power UV/VIS/NIR/white fiber-coupled LED’s
- Interchangeable fiber with SMA connector
- Compact, machined metal housing with integrated heat sink
Learn More »
Fiber-Coupled LEDs
Mightex BLS-series BioLED light sources are modularized fully-customizable turn-key solutions for optogenetics, fluorescence
excitation, and other biophotonics applications. Precisely-timed and high-intensity light pulses are required in optogenetics
experiments to activate channelrhodopsins (ChR2, ChR1 etc.) and halorhodopsins (NpHR) in order to excite and inhibit neurons.
To meet these requirements, Mightex has developed a proprietary “IntelliPulsing” technology to allow BLS-series sources to
output significantly higher power in pulse mode than what the LEDs are rated for in CW mode.
- High-power UV/VIS/NIR/white fiber-coupled LED’s
- Interchangeable fiber with SMA connector
- Optional LED controllers
Learn More »
Lightguide-Coupled LEDs
Mightex BLS-series BioLED light sources are modularized fully-customizable turn-key solutions for optogenetics, fluorescence
excitation, and other biophotonics applications. Precisely-timed and high-intensity light pulses are required in optogenetics
experiments to activate channelrhodopsins (ChR2, ChR1 etc.) and halorhodopsins (NpHR) in order to excite and inhibit neurons.
To meet these requirements, Mightex has developed a proprietary “IntelliPulsing” technology to allow BLS-series sources to
output significantly higher power in pulse mode than what the LEDs are rated for in CW mode.
- High output power
- Broad wavelength selections in VIS, UV and NIR
- Interchangeable liquid lightguides or fiber bundles
Learn More »
Spotlight LEDs
Mightex BLS-series precision LED spotlight employ the latest high-power LED technologies and a proprietary coupling optics to
achieve the best beam uniformity. In conjunction with BioLED light source control modules, these LED sources can be used for a
wide range of applications including optogenetics and other bio-photonics applications.
- High output power
- Uniform illumination spot with a highly delineated edge
- Multi-element aspherical optics, Adjustable focus
Learn More »
BioLED Controllers
Manual/Analog LED Controllers
Mightex BLS-1000-2, BLS-3000-2, BLS-13000-1, and BLS-18000-1 LED controllers are designed for driving Mightex LED sources. The
controllers have two operation modes:
Manual Mode: the output current can be controlled by manually turning the
knobs; or Trigger Mode: the output current can be controlled via an external analog input signal between 0 ~ 5V.
The
control mode is selected with a slide switch on the front panel, and the factory default is “Manual” mode. BLS-1000-2 and
BLS-3000-2 provide Maximum Current Selection DIP switches on the rear panel, which allow the user to set the maximum output
current of the channel to 500/750/1,000mA for BLS-1000-2, and 1,000/2,000/3,000mA for BLS-3000-2, respectively. The factory
default is set to 500mA for BLS-1000-2 and 1,000mA for BLS-3000-2, respectively. BLS-13000-1 and BLS-18000-1 has only one
maximum current setting of 13,000mA and 18,000mA, respectively.
When the controller is set to “Trigger” mode, the
output current is fully controlled by the input analog signal (0-5V)..
Learn More »
Software/TTL LED Controllers
Mightex BLS-SA/PL series BioLED control modules are modularized fully-customizable turn-key solutions for optogenetics,
fluorescence excitation, and other biophotonics applications. Precisely-timed and high-intensity light pulses are required in
optogenetics experiments to activate channel-rhodopsins (ChR2, ChR1 etc.) and halorhodopsins (NpHR) in order to excite and
inhibit neurons. To meet these requirements, Mightex has developed a proprietary “IntelliPulsing” technology to allow
BLS-series sources to output significantly higher power in pulse mode than what the LEDs are rated for in CW mode.
The control module features a linear LED driver design that eliminates light intensity ripples and oscillations often observed
when low-cost buckpuck nonlinear drivers are used. Clean and highly repeatable pulses are critical to quantitative experiments.
Both CW mode and pulse modes are supported. Time resolution of the control module is 20us and light intensity can be adjusted
with 0.1% increments. Each driving channel on the control module has its own TTL trigger input. Rising edge, falling edge, and
follower mode are supported in the trigger mode.
Mightex BioLED light source solutions come with a Windows-based operation software featuring an intuitive yet powerful graphic
user interface. A software development kit (SDK) is also provided for user integration into environment such as Labview and
Matlab.
An optional touch-screen control pad (P/N: BLS-PAD-000) is available, with which customers can control LEDs without a computer.
Learn More »
I/O Control Module
Mightex BioLED Analog and Digital I/O Control Module is a system-level control solution to be used in conjunction with the
BioLED Manual/Analog Controlled LED Controllers and with the Polygon Patterned Illuminator. It greatly extends the flexibility
and ease of system-level set-up when working with Mightex’s Polygon systems.
The I/O Control Module features four (4) independent channels. Each channel has an external trigger input (TTL), an analog
voltage output (0-5V) and a digital output (LVTTL). All I/O connectors are BNC-type to work seamlessly with laboratory
equipment. Intensity waveform of up to four (4) high-power LED light sources is controlled by the I/O Control Module1, each can
output light at a different wavelength (i.e. color). Up to thirty-two (32) different waveforms can be programmed onto the I/O
Control Module via USB or RS232. Each waveform can be associated with any one of the four LED’s to form a catalog of up to 128
unique Color/Waveform pairs.
The I/O Control Module can be synchronized with Polygon Patterned Illuminator. Each illumination pattern can be synchronized
with one of the 128 Color/Waveform pairs, and one can generate a complex sequence of illumination Pattern/Color/Waveform
combinations quickly and precisely. The I/O Control Module thus provides a convenient means to simultaneously achieve spatial,
spectral, and temporal control of the most advanced illumination system for optogenetics and other experiments.
Learn More »
Scientifica manufacture a fully-motorised, fixed stage, focusing nosepiece, upright microscope for use in
Elecrophysiology
Website: https://www.scientifica.uk.com
Interrogate larger neural networks at higher resolution than ever before, with the world's highest performing multiphoton
all-optical solution.
The HoloStim-3D seamlessly integrates with the HyperScope and VistaScope award-winning multiphoton imaging systems, to create an
industry-leading spatial light modulator (SLM) system for all-optical interrogation of neural networks with previously unachievable
performance.
Investigate neuronal circuits with 3D precision
The HoloStim-3D enables you to perform more complex photostimulation experiments, with higher throughput than those that are
possible with random-access two-photon or widefield photostimulation.
Discover the roles of neuronal subtypes and brain circuits by simultaneously targeting multiple cells with cellular resolution.
Observe and record comprehensive network activity by combining precise cell stimulation and imaging with the HoloStim-3D
By selectively photostimulating only the target cells and rapidly switching between stimulation patterns, you can better understand
neuronal interactions in networks.
Product Benefits
Selective and accurate targeting
Analyse larger neuronal networks
Freely combine different imaging and stimulation wavelengths
Perform simultaneous two-photon imaging and photostimulation
Deeper imaging and stimulation
Mimic neuronal firing
High laser transmission
User-Friendly design
Learn More »
