Figure 1
Schematic drawing showing the imaging platform used for the scanning-LIEI model. A standard Nikon A1R-plus dual scanner system was customised for live animal imaging and vessel ablation by the following modifications: The laser board was equipped with a 200 mW 405 nm CW solid-state laser (A) and the laser path was modified with an ND32 neutral density filter in a manual slider (B) allowing the 405 nm laser beam to be used at full power for laser ablation or attenuated for imaging. The system was further equipped with a Mad City labs Z-axis Piezo nanopositioner stage (C) for rapid imaging in the Z-dimension. The microscope was fitted with a Nikon CFI75 Apochromat 25XC W lens (D) with a high numerical aperture of 1.10, a long working distance of 2.0 mm and an adjustable ring to correct for depth-dependent spherical aberration. This lens is ideal for deep imaging of live specimens. The microscope stage was enclosed in a plexiglass box connected to a temperature control unit (E) and medical oxygen was supplied to the mouse via a nose cone (F).
