Rapid widefield optical sectioning
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Easy to use
How does it work ?
Based on patented HiLo technology, SPARQ rapidly removes out-of-focus elements using two differently illuminated images that are mathematically processed. SPARQ utilizes/leverages the structure inherent to the speckle that naturally occurs when illuminating with coherent light to achieve high quality structured illumination based optical sectioning.
Greater performance
Get confocal-like imaging without paying the confocal-like price
SPARQ technology cost-effectively improves the resolution and optical sectioning of new or existing widefield microscopes on-par with scanning or spinning disk microscopy.
Maximum intensity projections of a mouse spinal cord imaged with SPARQ (left) and confocal (right). P2Y12R/Green (Neurons), CVxCR1/Red (Microglia). Image courtesy of Dr. Steve Lacroix, CHUL Research Center, Université Laval.
Rapid and versatile
Use SPARQ for a broad range of applications: cleared, fixed and live cell/tissue imaging
SPARQ is an optional imaging mode for Bliq’s VMS and can easily be added to any upright or inverted micro or macroscope. Imaging at frame rates of up to 10 FPS, SPARQ is a camera based optical sectioning technology that can be used to quickly acquire large FOV images.
Single plane of a whole adult cleared mouse brain using a macroscope. TH-Alexa594 (Dopaminergic neurons).
High quality
Further increase the resolution of your SPARQ images using SRRF
Computational approach to super-resolution microscopy: Super-Resolution Radial Fluctuations (SRRF) Imaging, developed by the laboratory of Dr. Ricardo Henriques at the University College London can beautifully increase lateral resolution of SPARQ images.
Mouse spinal cord section, GFAP (Astrocytes). Courtesy of Dr. Graham Dellaire, Dalhousie University.
Compact design
Upgrade your current widefield microscope with SPARQ effortlessly
SPARQ can easily be coupled to most fluorescence illuminators and doesn’t require any alignment. With its small size, SPARQ is discrete and fits well even on microscopes installed in restricted space. Just fix it and start acquiring optically sectioned images!
SPARQ provides additional information from images acquired using widefield illumination.
Gallery
Single plane of mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers. DAPI/blue (nuclei) and Alexa-546/red (Wheat germ Agglutinin). Image courtesy of Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa.
Tiled MIP of a lily flower bud whole mount. Autofluorescence (470nm). Image courtesy of the Live Cell Imaging Lab and Luxidea, Inc.
Single plane of a mouse midbrain section. Dapi/blue (nuclei), TH-647/red (dopaminergic neurons). Image courtesy of Dr. Martin Lévesque, CERVO Research Center, Université Laval.
Single plane of dissociated ovarian cells. DAPI/blue (Nuclei), GFP/Green (Actin filaments), Alexa594/Red (Mitochondria).
Single plane of a stone pine whole mount. Autofluorescence (470nm). Image courtesy of the Live Cell Imaging Lab and Luxidea, Inc.
MIP of a mouse striatum section. TH-647 (dopaminergic neurons). Courtesy of Dr. Martin Lévesque, CERVO Research Center, Université Laval.
MIP of dissociated fibroblasts acquired using SPARQ or confocal microscopy. GFP/Green (Actin filaments), Alexa594/Red (Mitochondria).
Single plane of a mouse 3rd ventricle section. GFAP (astrocytes). Image courtesy of Dr. Hélène Girouard, department of pharmacology and physiology, Université de Montréal.
Resolution improvement of SPARQ image using SRRF (Super-Resolution Radial Fluctuations). Mouse spinal cord section. DAPI (nuclei). Image courtesy of Dr. Graham Dellaire, Dalhousie University.
MIP of a mouse spinal cord. DAPI/Blue (Nuclei), P2Y12R/Green (Neurons), CVxCR1/Red (Microglia). Image courtesy of Dr. Steve Lacrioix, CHUL Research Center, Université Laval
Applications
Applications | Features | Benefits |
Fixed cell imaging | - Multi-channel acquisition | SPARQ can be used with any fluorophore |
Live cell imaging | - Low laser intensity (comparable to standard widefield illumination) | Reduces photobleaching and phototoxity, allowing for long imaging sessions |
| - Fast 2D and 3D imaging | With a frame rate of up to 10 FPS, catch your dynamic proccesses using SPARQ | |
| - Multi-dimensional acquisition: Time lapse, z-stacks, multi-channels | Set your usual multi-dimensional experiments and turn on SPARQ for optically sectioned images | |
| - Combinaison with transmitted light constrat methods | Combine your SPARQ images with any contrast modes, without even changing objectives | |
Tissue slice imaging | - High penetration depth | Since the speckles remain sharp in depth, get the same optical sectioning capabilities as you go deeper |
| - Modification of optical thickness | Adjust SPARQ's thickness factor parameter to change the axial resolution without affecting the lateral resolution | |
| - 3D imaging and reconstruction | Create high quality 3D images by rejecting out-of-focus fluorescence | |
Whole mount and cleared tissue imaging | - Large area stitching | Keep the same imaging speed regardless of the field of view. SPARQ works with any camera |
| - Use different objective magnifications | Simply change objectives without the need to re-calibrate or to modify the SPARQ parameter | |
| - Works with any kind of objectives | Use high N.A, LWD or phase contrast objectives. It will not affect the SPARQ images | |
| - Keep high axial and lateral resolution | Improve the optical sectioning without sacrificing the lateral resolution as with standard confocal microscopy | |
In vivo imaging (on 2P) | - Can be used in combinaison with photo-stimulation | Use the same visible lasers to photo-stimulate and do SPARQ imaging (different light paths) |
| - Offers optical sectioning with visible lasers on a 2P optimized system | Increase the flexibilty of your 2P system by adding SPARQ and get visible light confocality | |
| - Can be used in vivo for positioning and other fluorescence uses | A one push button allows you to easily switch between SPARQ and other imaging modes |