Focht Chamber System

After rigorous preparation your cells will need a micro-observation environment that is conducive to their viability, compatible with your experiments protocol and all techniques of microscopy! The Focht Chamber System 2 (FCS2) Was Designed To These Specification Guidelines

WHAT IS IT?

The Focht Chamber System 2 (FCS2) is a closed system, live-cell micro-observation chamber, that offers several advantages over other chambers. In addition to its unique perfusion and thermal control systems it is fully compatible with all modes of microscopy. It is also the only chamber to combine high volume laminar flow perfusion rates with Koehler illumination and precise temperature control without an air curtain.

THE SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF

Chamber (environmental optical cavity, this page)
Electronic Controller (this page)
Stage Adapter
Objective Heater
Objective Temperature Controller

HOW DOES IT WORKS?

Temperature Control:The FCS2 was designed to maintain accurate thermal control and allow high volume laminar flow perfusion. Both of these functions are incorporated into our patented Microaqueduct Slide (see drawing below). The surface of the slide, opposite the specimen side, is coated with an electrically conductive transparent thin film of Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) and two electrical contacts (bus bars). When the FCS2 is completely assembled two electrical contacts, (not shown in drawing), which are contained in the electrical enclosure rest on the bus bars. A temperature controller is used to pass a regulated current flow through the ITO Coating. This causes the the surface of the slide to heat. The heat is transferred through the perfusable media to the cell surface on the coverslip thereby providing first surface thermal control. The self locking base of the chamber is also temperature regulated to provide periphural heat as well.

PERFUSION

The surface of the Microaqueduct slide, opposite the coated side, contains "T" shaped grooves which allow for laminar flow perfusion. At the end of each of these grooves is a hole. These holes correspond to two 19 guage tubes 180 degrees apart on the underside of the upper half of the chamber, (not visible in the drawing). These tubes are attached to two larger 14 guage tubes which protrude out of the side of the chamber. These larger tubes are used to attach Tygon, Pharmed, or any other appropriate tubing material for perfusion.

MICROAQUEDUCT

Microaqueduct design enables proper Koehler illumination with high numeric aperture optics for both transmitted and reflected modes of microscopy

FEATURES

Suitable for no flow through high rate flow procedures where a rapid exchange of media is required with low cell surface shear
Cell temperature can be controlled from ambient to 50 degrees C ±0.2 degrees C without the need of an air curtain
Temperature is controlled uniformly across entire field with media equilibrating as it enters the chamber
Closed system so that bicarbonate CO₂ or organic buffers can be employed
Compatible with 1/16" Tygon tubing for perfusion
Easily assembled with ordinary skill (no tools required)
Stand alone temperature controller with an alarm interrupt circuit to safeguard your cells

SPECIFICATIONS
Physical Size	75mm OD 13mm high
Coverslip	No. 1.5 thick x 40mm Diameter
Imaging Aperature	22mm
Maximum Volume	706mm^3
Minimum Volume	<31mm^2
Maximum Volume Exchange Rate	1/sec
Minimum Fluid Aperature	0.6mm^2
Separation between optical surfaces	50 - 1000 microns
External port ID	1.6mm
Temperature Stability	+/- 0.2°C

The electrical enclosure includes (can also be detached to sterilize the perfusion tubes) • Temperature sensor • Heater contacts Upper Half • Contains the perfusion tubes Perfusion Tubes (14 guage) Upper Gasket Microaqueduct Slide (An optical surface which integrates perfusion and temperature control) • High volume laminar flow • Koehler Illumination • Electronically conductive coating for temperature control Singular lower gasket • This gasket can have any internal geometry you desire • Standard thicknesses from .1mm to 1mm • Allows you to define the volume and flow characteristics of the chamber 40mm coverslip Self locking base(designed to assure parallel uniform closure, eliminate leaks, & broken coverslips) • Temperature controlled • Dovetail mounted to scope for stability • No tools for assembly
MICROAQUEDUCT SLIDE
This drawing is a representation of the Microaqueduct Slide. (An optical surface which integrates perfusion and temperature control)
	High volume laminar flow Koehler Illumination Electronically conductive coating for temperature control

SINGULAR LOWER GASKET

By simply changing this one gasket you can change the volume of the chamber. This gasket can have any internal geometry you desire and can be any thickness from .1mm to 1mm. The drawing above shows the standard shapes of the gaskets that we include with every FCS2. We also include solid gaskets for you to custom fit to your application. Once you have found the shape that works best for your expiriment you can contact us to have a die made to those specifications. Examples of standard gasket outlines (below)

Standard gasket shapes
30mm round, 14mm X 22mm rectangle, 3mm X 22mm rectangle, upper gasket

CLOSED SYSTEM MICRO-OBSERVATION

Closed systems are used when the experiment requires that the specimen be contained in a completely air tight environment or the optical constraints of the microscope dictate a more precise definition of optical surfaces.

The following section offers an integrated solution for closed-system micro-environmental control complete with near laminar perfusion, user definable volume and flow and optical compatibility with nearly all modes of light microscopy.

But most importantly! It does not matter what chamber you use, If you are using immersion objectives on mammalian specimens, you will need an Objective Heater!