Modular and Flexible Incubation System Adapted to Inverted Microscopes

An incubation system offers precise and ergonomic environmental control of advanced live cell imaging.

The system, dubbed cellVivo, includes darkroom and laser-safety capabilities, as well as user-friendly remote monitoring. Fully adaptable for basic and high-end IX3 microscope systems alike, cellVivo offers precise control of environmental conditions, as well as user-friendly remote monitoring.


The cellVivo incubation system was launched by Olympus (Hamburg, Germany). Flexibility is provided by the various enclosure types and modules, which provide advanced laser-safe darkroom capabilities. Following the modular approach of the Olympus IX3 range of inverted microscope frames, cellVivo is based on a “one size fits all” concept. It includes adaptors for various IX73 and IX83 frame types, circumventing the need for multiple incubation systems for distinct microscope configurations.

Extended live-cell imaging requires stringent control of temperature, humidity, and CO2 and O2 levels for sample integrity and focus position. cellVivo’s workflow-optimizing design provides precise and user-friendly control even for very sensitive samples. One-handed accessibility allows simultaneous handling of the incubator and specimens, minimizing exposure to the external environment.

For ease of use and flexibility, the incubator systems can be rapidly and simply assembled, modified, and detached without the use of tools. Various enclosure types act as the base incubator box; they are available in a range of models, from a high-end light-shielded enclosure with incorporated safely laser-lock, to a more standard plain transparent enclosure. The intelligent light-shielded enclosures eliminate the need of a dedicated darkroom, with cell-friendly adjustable light-emitting diode (LED) interior lighting and a nonreflective glass viewing window. Additional and easily attachable modules include temperature and gas controllers and stage inserts for multiwell plates and different sample types, enabling users to build their own systems.

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