I'm interested in the new FLoid microscope. What objective does it have, and is the zoom optical or digital?
The FLoid Cell Imaging Station has a single, 20x plan fluorite objective, which is sufficient for a wide range of basic imaging applications, with a total optical magnification of 460X. Once you take the image, you can use a digital zoom up to 1840X.
How do the specific parameters on an objective relate to my application and how do I select the right one for my EVOS imaging system?
Please find a comprehensive objective selection guide in the link below. It provides detailed guidance based on sample type, vessel type and mode of imaging.
https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-analysis/cellular-imaging/cell-imaging-systems/evos-objectives/selection-guide-evos-objectives.html
What type of magnification can I expect with the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The FLoid Cell Imaging Station comes with an inbuilt 20X lens, and has 460X optical magnification and up to 1,840X digital zoom.
Does the FLoid Cell Imaging Station come with a keyboard and a mouse?
Yes. The device comes with a keyboard, mouse, power cable, and USB flash memory stick.
Is an extended warranty available for the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The instrument comes with a 12-month warranty, and you may purchase an extended warranty for an additional 12 months.
What reagents can I find on the Molecular Probes reagents tab within the FLoiD instrument's software?
The Molecular Probes reagents tab covers about 160 different reagents in 20 application categories, all related to cell imaging. Each reagent has a protocol with quick-reference icons and concise text for maximum usability.
Which dyes can I use on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The FLoid Cell Imaging Station contains the three most common channels used in fluorescence imaging: DAPI, Alexa Fluor 488 / GFP/ FITC, and Texas Red channel. For a complete list of Molecular Probes dyes that are compatible with the device, please see the FLoid Cell Imaging Station Dye compatibility page (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-analysis/cellular-imaging/cell-imaging-systems/floid-cell-imaging-station/floid-reagent-dye-compatibility.html).
Can I change the emission filters on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The emission wavelengths on the FLoid device are fixed, which means that the filters are always there and ready for use.
What are the emission wavelengths on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The emission wavelengths are 446/33 nm (blue channel), 532/59 nm (green channel), and 646/68 nm (red channel).
What are the excitation sources on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The excitation sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with wavelengths of 390/40 nm (blue channel), 482/18 nm (green channel), and 586/15 nm (red channel).
What channels are available on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
Four channels are available: transmitted light, and blue, green, and red fluorescent channels.
How heavy is the FLoid device?
It weighs ~28 pounds or ~13 kg.
What are the physical dimensions for the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
Here are the physical dimensions for the FLoid Cell Imaging Station:
15.9" (W) x 21.1" (H) x 13.9" (D) (40.4 x 53.6 x 35.3 cm)
Can I select a different language for the user interface with the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
Yes. You may choose from English, Spanish, German, simplified Chinese, French, Italian, and Japanese.
Does the FLoid device save images?
Yes. The FLoid device saves images as JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG file formats. Save underlying channels to retain unaltered TIFF files of each channel.
Do I need to load software on my computer for using the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
No. Most computers have built-in image-viewing software that will open the JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG files.
Can I connect the FLoid device to a computer?
No, but you can easily transfer your data to a computer using a USB drive.
Does the FLoid device require a computer?
No. The FLoid Cell Imaging Station is a fully integrated system combining optics, electronics, and mechanics with an onboard computer and widescreen LCD monitor.
How long do I need the FLoid Cell Imaging Station to warm up before use?
The light sources do not require any warm-up time prior to imaging. The device start-up time is less than one minute, after which it is ready to image.
How do I clean and maintain the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
Simply wipe the instrument exterior using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with distilled water. Wipe the instrument dry immediately after cleaning.
What types of vessels are compatible with the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
T-flasks, petri dishes, 6-well plates, 96-well plates, microscope slides, coverslips, and Matek dishes are compatible with the FLoid Cell Imaging Station.
Can I set up the FLoid Cell Imaging Station myself?
Yes. You can unpack the device and collect images in little as 10 mins. A field installation engineer is not necessary.
Does the FLoid Cell Imaging Station need to be placed in a darkroom?
No. The light shield helps block most ambient light and enables imaging at the bench or tissue culture facility in normal lighting conditions.
How long does it take to generate images from the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The FLoid device can generate images in 1-2 mins for most samples.
Do I need special software to see my results from the FLoid Cell Imaging Station, saved to a thumb drive on my computer?
No. Most computers have built-in image-viewing software that will open JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG files.
Can I print images from the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
Yes. The FLoid device is designed to operate like a molecular biology gel documenting station. You simply walk up and, after a few clicks and a few moments, you walk away with a credit card-sized printed image that you can peel off and place directly into your lab notebook.
How do I process images on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
This can be done easily. The FLoid device has built-in image processing so you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast of your images. You can also display images in color or black and white.
Can the FLoid device measure cells in my image?
Yes. The scale bar changes as the digital zoom level is changed, allowing easy estimation of sample sizes.
How do I capture images on the FLoid Cell Imaging Station?
The FLoid device is primarily operated through a graphical user interface, much like a smart phone. You focus on the sample with the turn of a knob.
What is focus assist?
Focus assist is a gauge designed to aid in rapid focusing and to help reduce the feeling of being "lost" while trying to focus on a sample with the FLoid Cell Imaging Station. The scale bar displays a number based on the position of the objective lens. That number can be correlated with a particular sample vessel, allowing you to focus on a sample in that sample vessel more quickly in the future.
I'm trying to acquire an image on the EVOS imaging system, but nothing shows up on the monitor. What can be causing this?
For the EVOS imaging systems:
Make certain the light is on (easy way to test this: place a piece of thin paper on the stage).
Make certain the sample is not too opaque; compare with a calibration slide or another, thinner or single-cell sample on a slide.
Check the objectives to make certain the turret is in alignment and the objective is completely threaded in its slot.
For the EVOS FL Imaging System: change the position of the light cubes.
For the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System: check the insertion of all USB ports for connectively from scope to computer.
For brightfield settings, check the condenser slider slot; make certain the condenser sliders are completely in place.
I'm using an EVOS imaging system and my objective is rubbing up against the edge of the vessel holder of my stage. How can I correct this?
Objectives can hit the vessel holder when they are focused too high in the Z axis (up and down). This is a particularly a problem with the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System during instrument start-up, when the stage moves during system initiation, or when changing objectives. Coverslip-corrected objectives tend to be wider and flatter at the top of the barrel, which means that they are more likely to run into the edges of the vessel holder, particularly if you are imaging at the edges of the sample container. In those cases, use of that objective for those areas of the container may not be possible. If the objective if “jammed” by the vessel holder, then carefully unscrew the thumbscrews of the vessel holder and lift it straight off the stage, then move the objective downward in focus and toward the center of the stage. It is a good idea to have a shut-down procedure in your lab that includes moving the objectives to the lowest magnification and focusing downward with course focus prior to turning off the instrument for the day.
An objective can be damaged by scraping against the vessel holder. If this happens, take out the objective and examine it carefully for damage, particularly on the lens.
I want to check to make sure I have the most up-to-date software for my EVOS imaging system. Where do I go for this?
Here is a page you can go to - https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/products-and-services/services/instrument-qualification-services/instruments-and-services-portal/instrument-software-downloads.html. Look under the “Cell Imaging Systems” section and follow the link for your EVOS imaging system. There you will find the free download link as well as instructions to follow. We recommend you check for updates at least every six months, or if your system seems to have a software glitch of any sort.
Can the EVOS cell imaging systems be used to automatically count cells?
Only the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System and EVOS FL Auto 2 Imaging System have an automatic cell counting function. On the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System, automatic cell counting is enabled via built-in instrument firmware whereas on the EVOS FL Auto 2 Imaging System, the Celleste Image Analysis Software needs to be purchased separately to enable automatic cell counting.
The EVOS XL, EVOS FL, and EVOS FL Color imaging systems provide a manual cell counting tool that allows tagging of up to six different labels on the screen image.
What is the difference between the FLoid Cell Imaging Station and the EVOS FL imaging systems?
The FLoid Cell Imaging Station is a simple, easy-to-use transmitted-light and three-color fluorescence microscope. The three fluorescent colors, blue, green, and visible red (Texas Red dye) are set and cannot be changed to other filter sets. The magnification is also set with a 20x objective; this objective cannot be removed or changed.
On the other hand, the EVOS FL Imaging Systems are easy-to-use transmitted-light and fluorescence microscopes that allow the user access to the objective turret and light cube tray to permit multiple options for magnification and fluorescence detection. The EVOS FL Imaging Systems allow the use of 23 different light cubes and 18 different objectives (from 2x to 100x).
Can the light cubes used in the EVOS FL imaging systems also be used in the Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter?
Yes, the Countess II FL instrument uses the same light cubes as the EVOS imaging systems. The Countess II instrument does not use light cubes.
I need a new microscope system. I see that you offer a number of EVOS systems. How do I choose?
You should choose based upon the complexity of your labs' analyses and whether you need transmitted (color) camera imaging or fluorescent (monochrome) camera imaging, or both. At routine/basic analyses, we offer the EVOS XL Core Imaging System for simple transmitted light imaging (typically used in cell culture facilities) or the FLoid Cell Imaging Station for dedicated three-color fluorescence imaging. The EVOS XL Imaging System differs from the EVOS XL Core Imaging System in that it has a larger monitor, a five objective turret (only four objectives with the EVOS XL Core instrument), can be networked, and can perform cell counting.
If you need more options for fluorescent wavelengths, cell counting, or time-lapse imaging, you may consider the EVOS FL Imaging System or the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System. The EVOS FL Auto Imaging System is our most versatile option, featuring automated imaging and more. It has both color and monochrome camera options, and can even be paired with our EVOS Onstage Incubator system.
