Bioptechs Stable Z System
The Bioptechs Stable Z System is an accessory for a microscope designed to warm biological specimens in standard plastic-ware on a microscope stage with the distinct advantage of eliminating Z-axis drift.
Bioptechs Stable Z
The Bioptechs Stable Z
is the only peripheral heating device on the market that will not induce Z-axis drift into the specimen plane. This feature is what sets it apart tom all other traditional “stage warmers”. It is an inexpensive alternative to more sophisticated systems to maintain the temperature of specimens for imaging while maintaining focus.
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The Bioptechs Stable Z System is an electronic specimen warming device that applies heat exclusively and immediately adjacent to a specimen containing structure such as a 35mm culture dish or LabTek chamber slide in a manner that does not induce Z-axis drift to the specimen plane. It is comprised of a small electronic controller supported at 45 degrees for easy viewing, a DC adapter power supply, and a stage adapter to fit the microscope. Its temperature range is from ambient to 50 Degrees C and comes with a reference probe to measure the actual temperature in the dish.
How it works:
There are several factors that make the Stable “Z” superior to traditional “stage heaters”.
When a material is heated it expands. This is why other “stage heaters induce thermal drift. However, within the heated core components of the Stable Z, there is a nodal plane from which thermal expansion occurs. The perimeter of the Stable Z’s heated core, which is also the mechanical support surface for the heated core, is machined to this nodal plane. Then the specimen resting surface is machined down to the same level. The exposed nodal plane is attached to a glass plate having a near zero coefficient of expansion and poor thermal conductivity. Therefore, heat produced in the core of the device is isolated from the microscope. Therefore, even though heat is being applied to the specimen from a metal, peripherally located source, the effect of thermal expansion is not transmitted to the specimen plane because the support surface, nodal plane within the heating core, and specimen are all coplanar with each other and stay that way!
Other points of function
The heated specimen retainer is made of a minimal thermal mass and efficiently heated to minimize conductive and radiative heat transfer to the microscope stage.
There is also a means of adjusting the relationship between the specimen plane and the support surface for the heated core to compensate for the position of the specimen plane in various brands of dishes.
The glass carrier plate that supports the heated components does not contribute to Z axis drift because it has a near zero thermal expansion coefficient.
The result is the most stable and economical method of warming a specimen for time-lapse imaging. The only limitation is that as heat is applied peripherally. Therefore, you can expect a thermal gradient, but no more or less than any other traditional “stage heater” that does induce Z-axis drift.
What makes it better than traditional stage heaters?
“Z” axis stability, reduced warm up time and price!
It is simply a better value through superior engineering.
Why would I use the Stable “Z” over some of the other equipment Bioptechs micro-environmental products?
Half Section of Bioptechs Stable Z
The Stable “Z” is ideal for those who use standard plastic ware dishes and do not need a highly integrated micro-environmental system or simply need to keep their specimens warm for short periods of time while on the scope.
The Stable “Z” outperforms traditional “stage heaters” and is available at an unbeatable value.
Not everyone needs the sophistication of a high-end Delta T Dish System, or the expense that comes with it. Therefore, Bioptechs has developed a very competitively priced specimen warming system that accommodates any brand of 35mm dish and provides superior thermal control with the exclusive feature of Z-axis stability for time-lapse applications. Examine the construction of the Stable “Z” and see for yourself how “stage warmers” should have been made from the beginning! If you need a specimen warmer or if you are still using a traditional “heated metal plate” to warm your specimen, contact Bioptechs for a demo of this improved technology!
The Bioptechs Stable “Z” Heated Lid
Now users of the Bioptechs Stable “Z” system have the ability to remove condensation and reduce the temperature gradient across the dish of the Stable “Z”. Available with or without a gas perfusion port.
