Customizable, inverted imaging platform: Prior Scientific’s OpenStand-V

Why OpenStand? 

Prior Scientific’s OpenStand is a fully customizable microscopy platform that enables users to develop new imaging methods, software, or trial novel automation techniques. The system is equally suited to one-off customizations or as a working platform for creating prototypes for new products.  

What makes OpenStand truly unique is the development support that goes with it. Prior’s design engineers work with you every step of the way, supporting and guiding you to ensure the best configuration to meet your application. 

Since the initial introduction of OpenStand in 2020, Prior has created four basic models to build from:  

• OpenStand-U: a generalist upright system suitable for all common transmitted and reflected light techniques.  

• OpenStand-M: a small-format instrument, designed for reflected light microscopy. Ideal for integration into larger systems.  

• OpenStand-L: a large-format platform that shares many characteristics with semiconductor inspection microscopes, offering support for samples as large as 300x300mm 

• OpenStand-V: an inverted system, ideal for a wide spectrum of applications from basic plate screening to higher end microscopy techniques such as TIRF.  

Flexible, inverted configuration: a popular choice 

The OpenStand-V base model is recognizable as an inverted microscope, but it can be easily turned into something far more advanced, making it suitable for a wide range of systems. It’s easily the most popular of all the OpenStand configurations, forming the basis of more projects than all the other configurations in the last 12 months. 

Some of the recent applications for the OpenStand-V include live cell imaging, well-plate screening, and multimodal microscopy, as well as some more unusual uses for an inverted platform. The four case studies below are just a small sample to give a flavor of the platform's versatility.  

Rapid Development: Prototype to production in 12 months  

Sector: Biopharmaceutical 

Application: Immuno-oncology. Hawk Biosystems produce QF-Pro, a patented assay to quantify proteomic events in fixed clinical samples to analyze two biomarker sets in order to determine the life outcomes for certain cancers.  

The presence of a particular marker is currently used to stratify patients and determine treatment, but with QF Pro technology, they showed that the interaction between two biomarkers was a more relevant predictor of drug response than the presence of either marker individually. QF-Pro has been used to qualify a number of new CDx (companion diagnostics) biomarker targets.  

System details: Hawk Biosystems wanted to make their QF-Pro technology more accessible, as it relies on an advanced and uncommon microscopy modality. To address this, they needed a dedicated instrument. The end product is a fully automated, easy-to-use system for quantifying proteomic events in fixed and cell culture samples.  

It uses an adapted FRET-FLIM system to collect data effectively at less than 10 nm resolution and incorporates a motorized XYZ stage, filter turret, and a light source changer attuned to laser imaging (488nm laser). The system is interlocked for laser safety, has a water-cooled camera, wide-field fluorescence capability, and can image typical slides, FFPE mounted sections, or well plate-based samples. 

Its benefits include: 

• higher spatial resolution than even some advanced super-resolution techniques 

• quantitative readout and qualitative/spatial information 

• integration into standard laboratory workflows.  

OpenStand Benefit: 

The client had already proved the effectiveness of the technology for the application, and they wanted to develop a commercial product based on the research. Originally, they were working with various conventional microscopes with different software to carry out the process. This was too much for operators to learn in a clinical environment, and they needed a single, automated instrument. 

Using the OpenStand-V and working closely with Prior’s development engineers, they were able to develop a working prototype of a fully automated instrument, and in just 12 months, they had produced a fully commercial, own-label product. They have since transitioned into full production. 

Takeaway: One of the strengths of the OpenStand platform is how it enables Prior’s clients to develop and test a prototype using a combination of Prior’s and third-party components, and transition to a fully commercial product without needing to change supplier or set up their own manufacturing facility. 

Advanced Imaging for Live Cell Applications  

Sector: Life science 

Application: Live cell imaging 

System Details: The client needed a wide-field fluorescence microscope that also offered the capability for Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF). TIRF is an advanced, high-resolution microscopy technique that enables users to study processes occurring at or near a cell's surface, and the clients wanted to be able to switch between using fluorescence and TIRF at will.  

To combine the two modalities in the system, Prior’s development team created a customized epi-illumination path to accommodate the Cairn OptoTIRF. By using a precise motorized light source input switcher, the researchers could seamlessly switch between TIRF and widefield fluoresence. The optics were optimized to minimize the potential for vignetting.  

OpenStand Benefit: OpenStand isn’t just a modular platform. Although it’s possible to build sophisticated systems using only Prior Scientific’s components and standard software, the real strength of OpenStand is the ability to incorporate third-party components and create customized parts to develop systems that will work with the clients’ IP and software.  

Takeaway: This project demonstrates the capability of OpenStand-V for use with advanced imaging modalities. Through a combination of customization and integrating third-party components, Prior developed a unique, high-resolution imaging system for live cell imaging that combined two different imaging techniques in the same instrument with no loss of resolution or quality. 

Iterative Design Process for Specialized Microscopy  

Sector: Agriculture 

Application: Automated imaging to detect soil-derived samples. Manually checking soil samples for parasites is slow and requires an expert to carry out the checks. The client’s automated system was developed to standardize the tests, reduce the chance of human error and enable testing to be more accessible to farmers.  

System Details: The client came to Prior with very specific requirements for the imaging resolution and the type of imaging modalities they wanted to use. Prior’s first step was to customize an OpenStand-V that offered both DIC and Brightfield modalities. The customer also required the ability scan around well plates quickly without losing focus – the PureFocus850 was an ideal option.  

• However, during testing it was apparent that Brightfield was sufficient to image all the necessary features and the next iteration of the system excluded the DIC components. Prior was also able to assist with problems that only came to light during testing, such as the need to reduce interference from vibrations in the system. Also, because the commercial systems won’t be used in lab conditions, Prior introduced additional features to seal the light path to ensure the quality of the imaging no matter the location of the instrument.  

OpenStand Benefit: This case study demonstrates the benefit of OpenStand for iterative design: the customer was able to not only refine and hone the performance of their instrument but also save money in the process since the DIC components were expensive and, ultimately, not needed to achieve the results. The client has moved into the next phase of the project, where their system will be made more compact whilst keeping the essential components identified during prototyping. Since their software development was done using OpenStand, even after customizing their system further, none of that work is lost as the control architecture of the system is the same.  

Takeaway: Prior works with clients to optimize the layout and costs of their system over time. This reduces the risk for the customer, making it easier for them to innovate.  

Converting Life Science Tool for Semiconductor Applications 

Sector: Semiconductor 

Application: Researching a new production inspection technique for use with transparent semiconductor wafers.  

System Details:  

Prior worked with the client to transform the OpenStand-V into a semiconductor microscope. Standard, upright inspection microscopes were not suitable for inspecting transparent wafers. To achieve this, the system required: 

• A heavy-duty stage with long travel. Prior customized the H112 motorized xy stage to work on the inverted platform.  

• Integration with client’s own illumination system and optics. The client had developed a complex reflected light imaging technique (reflected phase contrast). Prior designed the system around this.  

• Laser autofocus with customized wavelength. Prior adapted its PureFocus850 hardware autofocus for a different operating wavelength (690 nm) to enable the customer to image using infrared light 

• Development of customized components. The system also required a customized camera and illumination changer as well as vacuum-sealed wafer chucks for 8- and 12-inch wafers.  

OpenStand Benefits: 

Because OpenStand is modular and completely customizable, the client was able to create a unique instrument with the help of Prior’s development team. This project also demonstrates the full versatility of the OpenStand platform by converting an inverted imaging platform that is traditionally associated with life sciences into a system for semiconductor inspection.  

Takeaway: With its combination of OpenStand platform, in-house manufacturing and development engineer, Prior was uniquely placed to create a custom solution for semiconductor inspection that its competitors couldn’t match.  

Prior Scientific: Your partner for custom imaging and rapid prototyping 

The case studies outlined above are just a small sample to show the range and variety that is possible with just one of the OpenStand configurations. Learn more about our customization and manufacturing services or contact us to discuss your application.