The BD™ CARV II Confocal Imager delivers high resolution CCD confocal imaging in an easy to use and cost effective optical package that fits on your existing microscope. High speed multi-point confocal scanning, combined with high quantum efficiency CCD cameras, minimizes photobleaching and allows real-time imaging and recording at up to 100 fps. A long life arc source coupled to the instrument via an alignment free light guide allows for full spectrum (360nm - 700nm) confocal imaging of virtually any fluorescent probe. Automation of internal multi-position excitation, dichroic and emission filter wheels permits fast multi-dimensional imaging of up to five or more fluorescent probes in the same sample.

The BD™ CARV II Confocal Imager also offers automation of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The system can be used with application specific CCD cameras together with a variety of commercially available imaging software packages.

Multipoint Confocal Scanning
The BD™ CARV II Confocal Imager module utilizes a Nipkow spinning disk which contains multiple sets of spirally arranged pinholes placed in the image plane of the objective lens. The column of excitation light is split into 1000 beams to simultaneously scan the entire field at a rate of 1000 times per second, effectively creating a full image of the focal plane in real-time. Emitted light is collected and imaged using a high resolution and high quantum efficiency CCD camera.

The significant advantages to the spinning disk approach are the ability to monitor rapidly occurring events within living cells without compromising resolution, as well as the high frequency low intensity illumination substantially reduces photobleaching and phototoxicity.

Direct Viewing and Imaging of Confocal and Wide Field
The BD™ CARV II Confocal Imager permits direct viewing of confocal images through a binocular eyepiece and/or through the camera for fast imaging setup. It is the only pinhole spinning disk fluorescence confocal systems which allows the user to quickly switch from confocal to wide-field viewing or recording.

Full Spectrum Confocal
The BD™ CARV II uses a Halide/Mercury Halide Arc lamp as an illumination source. This allows full spectrum (360nm-700nm), real-time confocal imaging. In combination with the vast array of commercially available filter sets, any fluorescent marker can be confocally imaged at a fraction of the cost of laser based systems.

Automated filter selection
Automation of internal multi-position excitation (8), dichroic (5) and emission (8) filter wheels allows fast multi-dimensional confocal imaging. The automated filters reduce the reliance on multi-band pass filter sets allowing maximum light throughput and fast sequential imaging of up to five or more fluorescent probes in the same sample.

Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) capabilities
A FRAP Iris which is at the same focal plane as the confocal disk and creates an adjustable rectangular aperture on the image. This enables controlled photo-bleaching of part of the sample with high intensity Hg/metal halide light followed by fluorescence recovery recording. (see applications)

Microscope Compatibility
The BD™ CARV II unit can be configured to most inverted and upright fluorescent microscopes. (see configurations)

Application Specific Cameras
A wide selection of high-end cooled and non-cooled CCD cameras with a combination of 12- 16 bit information, fast readout, high quantum efficiencies and small pixel sizes produces images at a high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio. (see configurations for recommended cameras)

3D Software Option
A range of state of the art 3D software packages can be used for acquisition and analysis of confocal images. (see configurations for software options)

Co-localization Measurements
Co-localization measurements can be performed on overlaid images using any of the recommended imaging software packages.

Time Lapse
Using any recommended imaging software and camera, time lapse imaging of cells or organisms can be performed for long periods of time without significant bleaching or phototoxicity. Depending on the speed of the physiology being measured, with the right camera and z-stepper combination, time lapse at a single plain or at multiple plains (4D) can be imaged.

High Speed Calcium Imaging
BD™ CARV II, in combination with intensified cameras and cameras with on chip amplification, can be used to image fast fluorescence changes at rates ranging from 50-100 frames per second.

Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP)
FRAP is based on the principal of observing the rate of recovery of fluorescence due to the movement of a fluorescent marker into an area of the membrane which contains this same marker but which has been rendered non-fluorescent via an intense photobleaching pulse of laser light. The two-dimensional diffusion coefficient of the fluorophore is related to both its rate and extent of recovery. FRAP has proved to be a popular means to assess the structure of artificial and biological membranes.

Dual Emission Imaging (FRET)
CARV in combination with the Dual View™ adapter from Optical Insights allows you to perform:

• CFP/YFP and GFP/RFP Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)
• Calcium imaging using dyes such as Fluo3 and Fura Red or dual emission Indo-1 imaging.
• Simultaneous FITC/TEX Red or FITC/ Rhodamine Imaging