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CytoViva, Inc. is a scientific imaging and instrumentation company that develops and markets optical microscopy and hyperspectral imaging technology for nanomaterials, pathogen and general biology applications. The company’s core optical technology was invented by Dr. Vitaly Vodyanoy, Physiology Professor and Director of the Biosensor Laboratory at Auburn University. CytoViva commercialized this technology in 2005 and patents for the illumination optics were issued in 2009 (US patents No. 7,542,203, 7,564,623 ). In 2008, the company introduced hyperspectral imaging technology as an integrated solution with its patented optical microscopy capability.

The company is currently headquartered in Auburn, AL at the Auburn Research Park and has distribution partners worldwide. As of 2012, over 250 research laboratories utilize CytoViva technology.

Technology Overview
CytoViva combines patented optical microscopy technology with a proprietary hyperspectral imaging capability. This combination of technologies enables optical observation and spectral characterization of a wide range of nanoscale samples, including nanoparticles, pathogens and subcellular materials.

Patented Darkfield-based Light Illumination System
The CytoViva patented microscope light condenser system replaces the standard microscope condenser, providing very high signal-to-noise optical images of nanoscale samples. The system incorporates oblique angle, pre-aligned Kohler illumination. This pre-aligned Kohler illumination is achieved by bringing the source illumination to the condenser via liquid light guide, which is then focused on the condenser annulus via collimating lenses. Moving the illumination system in the Z axis via the microscope condenser mount allows the Kohler aligned oblique angle light to be precisely focused on a narrow Z axis plane, consistent with the focal plane of a high NA objective. The result is the creation of a very high signal-to-noise image, enabling direct observation of nanoscale sample elements.

Dual Mode Fluorescence Module
The Dual Mode Fluorescence system is a transmitted light fluorescent technique that enables real time observation of both fluorescent and non-fluorescent sample elements. This is accomplished through the proportionate mixing of fluorescence excitation light and full spectrum light. In this system, the excitation filters are placed on a filter wheel in front of the patented darkfield-based illumination system. As the excitation filter moves through the light path, all or part of the source light is modified by the filter. This excitation light then passes through the dark field microscope system. When combined with a triple pass emission filter above the microscope objective, direct simultaneous observation of fluorescently labeled and unlabeled sample elements is possible.

Hyperspectral Microscope System
By integrating hyperspectral imaging (HSI) onto the microscope, spectral image files of the original microscope image are captured. These spectral image files can be used to spectrally characterize sample elements such as nanoparticles, pathogens or subcellular materials. Using hyperspectral image analysis software, sample elements can be mapped in the image based upon their unique spectral fingerprint.

Hyperspectral images capture the full spectral data within each pixel of the image file. This enables spectral characterization of the image sample elements in each specific spatial-pixel area. When magnified to 100X, pixel-spatial areas can be less than 100nm. Hyperspectral images are collected by moving the sample on a motorized stage. Images are captured that contain spectra at each point along a line perpendicular to the stage motion as the scan progresses. The spectral information is used to characterize materials carried in the sample. In its most general form, hyperspectral microscopy can be used to determine the location of nanoscale materials within a sample. An RGB image of the hyperspectral data file is created. Detailed spectral analysis can be performed on these image files. Analysis methods include, but are not limited to identifying and mapping materials in composites, conducting mean spectral analysis and comparisons of comparable materials.

Applications

 * Identifying and mapping Ag, Au and other nanoparticles, in cells, tissue or other composite matrix
 * Characterizing drug loads and other functional groups added to nanoparticles
 * Confirming the presence of carbon nanotubes in tissue and cells
 * Detecting airborne carbon nanotubes and other airborne nanomaterials
 * Identifying liposomes used as drug delivery vectors
 * Mapping quantum dots and fluorescently tagged particles and subcellular structure
 * Bacteria, virus and other pathogen detection
 * Plant pathology
 * Subcellular structure characterization
 * Live cell imaging

Links
www.cytoviva.com