AZoOptics spoke with Simon Bush, Product Manager at Prior Scientific, about the OpenStand imaging platform and its role in enabling next-generation automated imaging systems across a range of applications and industries.
What is the OpenStand® platform, and what sets it apart in the field of automated imaging systems?
OpenStand is Prior Scientific's automated microscopy imaging platform, it provides extensive motorization capabilities to a broad spectrum of users from research through to industry. By combining advanced motorization with a customizable platform, we’ve made automated imaging even more versatile and effective.
It’s built around our 16-axis automation controller, which can control motorized stages, Z axis drives, LEDs, and many other motorized components that users may need for their specific applications.
OpenStand® is available in four different variants. What makes each version distinct, and how do they serve different application needs?
At MMC, we showcased our OpenStand-U microscope, our most flexible solution. It offers the maximum clearance for fixed samples and supports both reflected and transmitted light. You can focus the sample using either the nosepiece or the stage itself.
A similar system is the OpenStand-M, a smaller version of the OpenStand-U. It is designed for users who want to integrate their microscope into a larger device and provides the same level of capability fluorescence and industrial imaging.
OpenStand-L is our large format system, mainly for semiconductor applications. It provides access to our largest format stages that also carry the highest load capacities.
Then we have the OpenStand-V, which is our inverted solution. It’s been our most popular setup over the past year, handling everything from simple well-plate screening to advanced confocal imaging with third-party components.
For users looking to integrate OpenStand® into their workflows, what are the key features that make it a versatile solution?
The OpenStand is extremely versatile. We cover a wide range of applications between the four variants. A lot of the modules are shared across all the versions, which means users can apply the platform to all kinds of imaging tasks, even ones that are uncommon in their field.
For example, someone could configure an OpenStand-L semiconductor microscope to include an automated fluorescence module for detection of biological contaminants. The modularity allows for that level of flexibility.
Prior Scientific OpenStand: supporting customization for your microscopy application
Video Credit: Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd.
What kinds of imaging applications or scientific workflows are best supported by OpenStand®, and do the four variants align with specific use cases such as fluorescence, transmitted light, or materials inspection?
The four variants align broadly with certain applications. For example, an inverted microscope may better suit live-cell imaging, while an upright setup might be better suited for industrial inspection.
But we try not to put people into a box, if someone wants to use one configuration for something unusual we will work with them to make that happen. We collaborate closely with customers, combining our equipment with third-party objectives, cameras, and light sources to deliver systems that meet their particular needs.
Customization appears to be a major strength of OpenStand®. Can you share how Prior Scientific supports users in adapting the platform to fit their unique optical or mechanical requirements?
OpenStand is built from different preconfigured modules and almost everything about those modules is changeable.
For instance, if someone needs an epifluorescent system that transmits further into the infrared range rather than using standard fluorophores, we can source or build the components to make that possible.
It’s not just about building a custom microscope. For Prior, it’s about building a long-term partnership with the customer. Our whole team—R&D, production, and product managers—works closely together to ensure the customer's technical needs are met and supported.
What does the full offering look like when someone chooses to work with Prior Scientific on an OpenStand® system, from consultation to integration and ongoing support?
Our goal is to be able to support customers through the full process, which means from prototype to production. Customers can build their system with our open SDK and DLLs, and we help customize it through every stage.
With R&D, production, and product management all under one roof in the UK, we align technical requirements seamlessly and ensure lasting support. To make the process even smoother, we also offer compliance testing and branding services.
Video Credit: Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd.
How does OpenStand® interface with third-party hardware or software, and what level of control or automation can users expect from the system out of the box?
OpenStand works with third-party software like Micromanager, Insper, and Visitron’s Visiview, but we also facilitate customers developing their own software.
We provide customers with SDK and we have a dedicated customer support team to help realize the control architecture being built. This is one of the key strengths of OpenStand, we can help you build the software that you want using our hardware.
MMC brings together a wide range of researchers and technology developers. What feedback have you received from microscopy users here about OpenStand® and its role in enabling automated imaging?
A lot of the popularity for OpenStand-V comes from research. Users are particularly excited about the potential of adding multiple illumination ports.
From the industrial side there's a real appreciation of the flexibility that OpenStand offers and that users can pick and change the specific components needed for a system
People really appreciate the platform's flexibility and its ease of customization to fit their specific imaging needs.
Looking ahead, how do you see OpenStand® evolving to meet future demands in microscopy and imaging? Are there any developments or features you're particularly excited about?
We're looking at the stage offerings we have to make sure they are as accurate and repeatable as they can be. We're also looking into faster imaging and we have a new filter wheel coming out soon that will be integrated with OpenStand.
We're also looking at multi-cam systems to enable rapid multi-channel fluorescence.
About Simon Bush
Simon Bush is Product Manager at Prior Scientific, a global leader in precision optical and automation solutions for scientific and industrial applications. In his role, Simon oversees the strategy and development of the company’s imaging platforms, including OpenStand®, working closely with customers and engineering teams to deliver highly customizable, integrated systems.
He brings over a decade of experience in engineering and product development, particularly in motion control and optical imaging technologies. Simon regularly represents Prior Scientific at international conferences, including MMC, where he engages with researchers and technology developers on the latest innovations in automated microscopy.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd.
For more information on this source, please visit Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd.
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