The Sutter BOB^™ — designed to eliminate the conventional microscope frame—is a simple, open-design upright microscope platform ideal for slice electrophysiology, wide field functional imaging, two photon retinal imaging, photostimulation and new techniques just being developed! A microscope, in its simplest form, is an objective and a tube lens. Other components of most modern microscopes are designed to serve specific functions: different types of experiments, methods of illumination and means of signal detection.

Replacing the microscope frame with an optical rail builds in the ability to adjust the overall height of the microscope, unheard of in conventional microscope designs. Work on slices in January, do in vivo experiments in March. The BOB microscope is a compact, single assembly that mounts to the “blue rail” with one massive, stable connection. Focusing is motorized and incorporated between the focus arm and the optical rail.

Fluorescence epi-illumination is built into the basic BOB via an Olympus vertical illuminator. LED transmitted light illumination uses the Olympus Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC) condenser. Sutter’s TLED and TLED controller form the trans-illumination light source. The TLED controller is capable of being triggered with a digital signal eliminating the need for shutters and adding the ability to photostimulate from the trans location. In experiments where transmitted light is not desired, the LED, condenser focus mechanism and OCC condenser are easily removed as a single assembly. Additionally, the transmitted light path is shorter than in other frames, allowing the microscope body to sit significantly lower than a conventional microscope. When the microscope is shorter, there is more stability, increased ergometrics and ease of use.

The Sutter BOB when configured with an optional motorized XY stage or translator with MPC-200 controller, takes full advantage of our free Multi-Link™ software program for micromanipulator positioning. During whole-cell patch recording in slices, it is common to search a large area of the slice to find appropriate neurons. If the BOB is configured with Multi-Link, after you find your target, Multi-Link will then retrieve your recording and stimulation pipettes to the same field of view so that you can begin recording immediately. If later you need to stimulate a region outside the current field of view, Multi-Link can release the recording pipette and allow you to reposition the objective and stimulating pipette(s) to the new stimulation region.

APPLICATIONS

Patch clamp electrophysiology
in vivo, in vitro, and slice
Whole-cell recording
Intracellular recording
Material science

FEATURES

Optional motorized fixed XY stage or motorized translator
Open design microscope with motorized focus
Quickly configurable based on experimental needs
Optimized to allow in vivo and in vitro experimentation on one setup
Designed for use with Olympus objective lenses
Free Multi-Link™ software coordinates movement with micropipette positioning of MPC-200
Oblique Coherent Contrast (OCC) or Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
Epi-fluorescent illumination

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions
9.1 in x 10.8 in x 20.4 in | 23.1 cm x 27.5 cm x 51.9 cm

Weight
BOB
23.9 lbs | 10.8 kg
BOB-TL
29.3 lbs | 13.3 kg

Electrical
115/230 volts
50/60 Hertz power line

ROHS

CONFIGURE YOUR BOB™ MICROSCOPE

STEP 1
Use this chart to determine the BOB system suited to your requirements

BOB SYSTEMS WITH FLUORESCENCE
CATALOG NUMBER	Trinocular head or camera mount	Transmitted light	Add a second wavelength to transmitted light
BOB-FL	Camera	No	No
BOB-FLTL	Camera	Yes	No
BOB-FLTL2	Camera	Yes	Yes
BOB-FLTR	Trinocular Head	No	No
BOB-FLTRTL	Trinocular Head	Yes	No
BOB-FLTRTL2	Trinocular Head	Yes	Yes

BOB SYSTEMS WITHOUT FLUORESCENCE
CATALOG NUMBER	Trinocular head or camera mount	Transmitted light	Add a second wavelength to transmitted light
BOB	Camera	No	No
BOB-TL	Camera	Yes	No
BOB-TL2	Camera	Yes	Yes
BOB-TR	Trinocular Head	No	No
BOB-TRTL	Trinocular Head	Yes	No
BOB-TRTL2	Trinocular Head	Yes	Yes

BOB^™
International prices vary by country. Please contact your local distributor or Sutter Instrument for a quotation.

BOB systems with* fluorescence*
Catalog Number	Description
BOB-FL	BOB microscope with epi-illuminator
BOB-FLTL	BOB with epi-illuminator, transmitted light
BOB-FLTL2	BOB with epi-illuminator, dual transmitted light
BOB-FLTR	BOB with epi-illuminator, trinocular head
BOB-FLTRTL	BOB with epi-illuminator, trinocular head, transmitted light
BOB-FLTRTL2	BOB with epi-illuminator, trinocular head, dual transmitted light

BOB systems without* fluorescence*
Catalog Number	Description
BOB	BOB microscope
BOB-TL	BOB with transmitted light
BOB-TL2	BOB with dual transmitted light
BOB-TR	BOB with trinocular head
BOB-TRTL	BOB with trinocular head, transmitted light
BOB-TRTL2	BOB with trinocular head, dual transmitted light

STEP 2

CHOOSE YOUR OBJECTIVE(s)

The BOB uses a standard Olympus 2-position nosepiece. You can
use your own objectives or select up to 2 from the choices below.

Catalog Number	Description
OBJ-Y522	4X-UPLFLN4X;U PLAN FLUORITE 4X OBJECTIVE;NA 0.13, WD 17mm
OBJ-Y524	10X-UPLFLN10X2;U PLAN FLUORITE 10X OBJECTIVE;NA 0.3, WD 10mm
OBJ-Y587	40X-LUMPLFLN40X/W;U M PLAN FLN 40X/W OBJ;NA 0.8, WD 3.3mm, IR, ECO
OBJ-Y592	60X-LUMPLFLN60X/W;U M PLAN FLN 60X/W OBJ;NA 1.0, WD 2.0mm, IR, ECO
OBJ-Y672	60X-LUMFLN60X/W;NA 1.1, WD 1.5mm, 25 ANGLE, IR.CC, ECO

STEP 3
For models with TL in the part number, choose a condenser. For DIC models,
select the condenser that matches the highest power of your selected objectives.

Catalog Number	Description
OCC	Oblique coherent condenser
DIC-40X	DIC condenser for BOB with 40x objective
DIC-40XIR	DIC condenser for BOB with 40x objective and IR
DIC-60X	DIC condenser for BOB with 60x objective
DIC-60XIR	DIC condenser for BOB with 60x objective and IR

STEP 4
For models with FL in the part number, choose a filter cube(s) and a light source.

FILTER CUBES

Catalog Number	Description
CUBE-GFP	Filter Cube - GFP
CUBE-CY3	Filter Cube - CY3
CUBE-YFP	Filter Cube - YFP
CUBE-DAPI	Filter Cube - DAPI
CUBE-A635	Filter Cube - ALEXA 635
CUBE-MCH	Filter Cube - mCHERRY

LIGHT SOURCES

Catalog Number	Description
HPX-L5	Lambda HPX-L5 High powered LED light source
LS-OF30	Lambda LS with 300 Watt ozone free lamp
LB-421	Lambda 421 Optical Beam Combiner and controller
LB-721	Lambda 721 Optical Beam Combiner and controller
FLED-Y	Lambda FLED for BOB / Olympus
FLED-DC-BOB	Dual Channel Lambda FLED for BOB

STEP 5
Select a stage and translator as needed.
If you are planning on using our free Multi-Link Software, you
will need to select a stage or translator with the MPC-200 controller

MOTORIZED LARGE PLATFORM STAGE

Catalog Number	Description
MPC-88¹	Moving platform stage plate with motorized gantry supports, MPC-200 controller and ROE, cables and manual
MPC-88-M6¹	Same as MPC-88 except with M6 tapped holes

MPB-88¹	Moving platform stage plate with motorized gantry supports, BOB controller, cables and manual
MPB-88-M6¹	Same as MPB-88 except with M6 tapped holes

MP-88¹	Moving platform stage plate with motorized gantry supports, MP-285 controller and ROE, cables and manual
MP-88-M6¹	Same as MP-88 except with M6 tapped holes

¹ Please specify chamber type when ordering

MOTORIZED TRANSLATOR AND STANDS

Catalog Number	Description
MT-2000-BOB	Motorized translator with MP-285 controller, ROE, and stands
MT-2200-BOB	Motorized translator with MPC-200 controller, ROE, and stands
MT-2800-BOB	Motorized translator with BOB controller, ROE, and stands

MOTORIZED TRANSLATOR AND FIXED PLATFORM STAGE

Catalog Number	Description
MT-2089-BOB	Motorized translator with MP-285 controller, ROE, and fixed platform stage
MT-2289-BOB	Motorized translator with MPC-200 controller, ROE, and fixed platform stage
MT-2889-BOB	Motorized translator with BOB controller, ROE, and fixed platform stage

MOTORIZED TRANSLATOR ONLY (no stands or platform)

Catalog Number	Description
MT-800-BOB	Motorized translator with MP-285 controller and ROE
MT-820-BOB	Motorized translator with MPC-200 controller and ROE
MT-880-BOB	Motorized translator with BOB controller and ROE

STEP 6
Select a camera as needed

CAMERA

Catalog Number	Description
CAM-EL	ELECTRO, Cooled 1.4MP CCD Camera
CAM-PR	PRIME 25B, Back illuminated CMOS Camera
CAM-BSI	PRIME BSI, High-res scientific CMOS Camera

A C C E S S O R I E S

MP-88 / MPB-88 / MPC-88 Chamber inserts
Catalog Number	Description
X040500²	Warner Series 20 (round) - aluminum
X040503²	Warner Series 20 (round) - stainless steel
X040505²	Warner Series 20 (octagonal) - aluminum
X040507²	Warner Series 20 (octagonal) - stainless steel
X040510²	50mm round - aluminum
X040512²	50mm round - stainless steel
X040497²	Blank insert - Aluminum
X040498²	Blank insert - stainless Steel
SI-SLIDE²	Insert with slide holder
SI-PETRI	For petri dish and slides
SI-W30²	Warner Series 30 platform - aluminum
SI-W30ST²	Warner Series 30 platform - stainless steel
SI-ALA-MS²	ALA MS series insert - aluminum
SI-CUSTOM	Custom stage insert

Post-style manipulator columns
MT-95	Post-style manipulator column - 6 in
MT-95-M6	Post-style manipulator column - 6 in (metric table)

² No charge when ordered with MP-88, MPB-88 or MPC-88

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Download BOB Sales Flyer