The Sutter NAN™ is a focusing nosepiece microscope designed for electrophysiology. The microscope frame is a reimagined version of Sutter's highly stable and adjustable MT-70 manipulator gantry stands; this design allows for numerous configurations that compensate for the ever-expanding list of electrophysiology applications.
NAN-12. Image Credit: Sutter Instrument
The height of NAN can be manually adjusted. It has a range of 75mm, which allows a single microscope to be coarsely re-positioned in Z, allowing the user to quickly switch between slice work or in vivo.
NAN has two height variants, which are determined by the chosen nosepiece. The focusing nosepiece comes with 25 mm of motorized travel and can be configured with either an Olympus 2-position swinging nosepiece or a single objective nosepiece (Sutter-made). The gantry stands’ height is 15.25 cm (6”) or 22.86 cm (9”) for the single nosepiece or 2-position swinging nosepiece, respectively.
The epi level can be configured with a complete Olympus epi-illuminator or a single filter cube.
The transmitted light system is available with an IR LED, single white light LED, or dual white light. LED transmitted light illumination makes use of the Olympus Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC) condenser, or IR-DIC components, for the available contrast methods. The LED(s) are guided by the TLED controller and can be triggered with a digital signal. This eliminates the need for shutters and adds the ability to photostimulate from the trans location.
In experiments where transmitted light is not desired, the LED, condenser focus mechanism, and condensing optics can be easily removed as a single assembly.
Additionally, the transmitted light path is shorter than other systems, enabling the microscope body to sit much lower than a traditional microscope. Stability is greatly enhanced when the microscope is shorter, which in turn increases ergonomics and ease of use.
NAN-21 with MPC-78 Stage. Image Credit: Sutter Instrument
The NAN can be configured using trinocular eyepieces for visualization. If only a camera is desired, it can be configured using a C-mount and tube lens.
An important detail to consider with the NAN is whether to translate the microscope, or move the sample and manipulators together on a large platform stage, or translate the microscope but mount the sample and manipulators on a fixed platform stage. For the XY motion, all combinations of manual and motorized motion are available with the NAN.
The three general configurations are as follows:
- Manual or motorized translator with manipulators mounted on individual gantry stands
- Manual or motorized translator with manipulators mounted on a large platform stage
- Motorized XY platform stage with the microscope fixed to the tabletop
To complete the Electrophysiology “rig,” Sutter also has a vast portfolio of accessories, such as the epi-fluorescence light source, manipulators, and Amplifier systems.
An example of the epi-fluorescence source is the FLED-DC which is a 2 channel LED system that can be directly mounted to the epi-port of the microscope. If more than two fluorescent channels are needed, then the Lambda 721 is a highly configurable LED light source with up to 7 channels. Sutter is also able to provide equipment racks and air tables if needed.
Applications
- Whole-cell recording
- Intracellular recording
- in vivo, in vitro, and slice
- Material science
- Patch clamp electrophysiology
Features
- Optional with manual or motorized translator, or motorized XY Stage
- Quickly configurable depending on experimental needs
- Open-design microscope with motorized focus
- Optimized to facilitate in vitro and in vivo experimentation on one setup
- Free Multi-Link™ software synchronizes movement with micropipette positioning of MPC-200
- Developed for use with Olympus objective lenses
- Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) or Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC)
- Epi-fluorescent illumination
Specifications
Technical specifications
Dimensions
16.5 in × 5.11 in × 13.1 in | 42 cm × 13 cm × 33.3 cm
Weight
NAN-11
39.7 lbs | 18 kg