Watch tutorials, webinars and informative videos about PreSens optical sensor systems.
Microprofiling
PreSens optode microsensors are the ideal tool for studying your micro-sample. They allow high spatial resolution measurements without extensive sample preparation. The sensors are only minimally invasive, have a very high spatial resolution and show no analyte consumption. Some are thinner than a human hair and allow measurements down to micrometer level. PreSens microsensors consist of a fiber optic light guide coated with an analyte sensitive dye at the very tip. As measurements are solely based on light, no electrical interferences occur and there is no need for reference electrodes, keeping your measurements as easy and the set-up as small as possible. Most of these microsensors are additionally housed in a robust stainless steel needle / cannula which allows inserting the microsensor safely into solid or semi-solid substances for measurements. Once in place the sensor tip can safely be extended from the needle. But also bare fiber microsensors without housing are available for integration in customized measurement set-ups. Combined with PreSens micromanipulators these microsensors allow the measurement of smallest analyte concentrations gradients in micrometer resolution to detect even the tiniest sample heterogeneities. In diffusional controlled systems such as tissues, sediments or microbial cultures they are therefore an irreplaceable tool to monitor fluxes, rates and reaction kinetics.
Oxygen, pH & CO2 – Essential Parameters in Biological & Environmental Research
PreSens microsensors are the perfect tool to measure inside small sample volumes such as animal or plant tissues, sediments or microbial mats, and have been applied widely in both in vivo and in vitro but also in in situ applications. Spot measurements in heterogeneous samples can often only give partial information and small-scale processes might remain undetected. Microsensors offer an easy method to analyze micro-dynamics of O2, pH & CO2 in most different applications. Be it photosynthesis, respiration, or investigations on tissue oxygenation, with PreSens microsensors and manipulators analyte dynamics can be analyzed in micro-resolution.
Application Fields | Animal & plant physiology, tissue oxygenation, microbiology, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, marine science, micro-respiration, photosynthesis, waste water research, chemical kinetics |
Samples | Small sample volumes, tissues, animals (rat-, mouse-, insect-models), plants, seeds, rhizospheres, sediments, biofilms, microbial mats, salt crusts, corals, wastewater, bottles, tubes, packages |
Small-scale Gradient Measurements in the Life Sciences
PreSens microsensors measure in smallest volumes and are ideally suited for microprofiling in tissues, cell cultures, vials or 96 well plates. Mounted to one of our manipulators gradients can be assessed with micrometer resolution. Monitoring of diffusional processes and reactions kinetics, as well as the measurement of boundary layers can be realized without extensive sample preparation. Furthermore, the micromanipulators allow exact localization of the sensor inside a sample, so most precise on-the-spot measurements can be performed. Whether it is in vivo or in vitro measurements – PreSens microsensors and manipulators are the tool for most precise profiling with highest resolution.
Application Fields | Tissue engineering, tissue oxygenation, tumor research, microbiology, cytology, chemical kinetics, pharmaceutical packaging |
Samples | Tissues, scaffolds, mouse-, rat-, insect-models, PCR, vials, 96-well plates, multidishes, microscopic slides, Petri-dishes, blisters, packages, bottles, tubes |
Here we show the use of our automated and manual microprofiling equipment:
Visit our VIDEOS page to watch more videos on the use of PreSens sensors.
- Use your microsensor for high resolution measurements inside samples
- Measure minimally invasive in µm resolution to detect even smallest heterogeneities
- Monitor diffusional processes and reaction kinetics
- Measure boundary layers
- For laboratory & field applications
With oxygen microsensors and pH microsensors in different design and the Manual Micromanipulator and Automated Micromanipulator PreSens offers a solution for every microprofiling application. Even our slender oxygen, pH and CO2 dipping probes with stainless steel housing can be applied for profiling applications where a sensor tip size in millimeter range is appropriate, e. g. for profiling coarse sediments. The micromanipulators are easy to implement in various applications and feature a Heavy Stand for horizontal and vertical measurement of your sample. The dustproof and watertight transport case for the Automated Micromanipulator is ideally suited for travelling and allows not only easy transportation onto planes and ships for expeditions but also assures safe storage of all equipment.
Following are some of our basic microprofiling set-up configuration options. For more detailed information on the products and possible combinations visit our product finder > micromanipulators or click the configuration links below!
Manual Solutions:
PreSens offers two types of Manual Micromanipulators (MM):
The MM is equipped with a heavy base plate and can be used without mounting it to any stand or rail. The base plate even allows tilting the micromanipulator up to 90°. Additionnally the MM features the safe-insert function. This equipment allows the insertion of PreSens needle-type microsensors into the sample and then the sensor tip can safely be extended when in position for measurements.
The MM33 comes without base plate. It can be mounted to the Heavy Stand or any customized stand in your measurement set-up. If required it can be equipped with the safe-insert function for needle-type microsensors.
Manual Micromanipulator MM + Microsensors:
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM + Needle-type Microsensor NTH
The MM is specially designed for the use with PreSens needle-type microsensors. The NTHs allow the use of the MM's safe-insert function. This features allows to insert the microsensor with retracted sensor tip into the sample and locate it in the exact measurement position. Then the sensor tip can safely be extended for measurements.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM + Profiling Microsensor PM
The Profiling Microsensor has a very robust fiber construction and can be inserted in semi-solid samples. It is therefore ideally suited for profiling measurements inside animal & plant tissues, sediments, microbial mats, etc.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM + Implantable Microsensor IMP
The implantable microsensor is a bare fiber microsensor without any housing. It is therefore ideally suited for implementation in customized measurement set-ups. Together with the MM it is the tool for e. g. measurements in animal physiology, where a small sensor tip size and exact localization of the sensor tip is neccessary.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Manual Micromanipulator MM + Dipping Probes:
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator + Dipping Probe DP
In applications where a sensor tip size in millimeter range is feasible and a very robust sensor is needed, then our slender dipping probes with stainless steel housing are the solution. The dipping probes can be customized and are available in various lengths. This product combination can be used for profiling applications in coarse sediments and soils.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Microsensors:
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Heavy Stand HS + Profiling Microsensor PM
Together with the Heavy Stand the MM33 can be used for horizontal or vertical profiling. The Profiling Microsensor with its robust fiber construction can directly be inserted in semi-solid samples, therefore this product combination is ideally suited for e. g. sediment cores or tissue samples.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Heavy Stand HS + Safe-Insert SI + Needle-type Microsensor NTH
Mounted to the Heavy Stand and equipped with the safe-insert accessory the MM33 can be used to safely introduce a needle-type microsensor in a sample and then extend the sensor tip at the exact location for measurements. Microprofiling of samples with hard surface structures, such as in packaging or physiological applications, can easily be realized.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Heavy Stand HS + Implantable Microsensor IMP
This product combination is ideally suited for customized measurement set-ups and applications in animal & plant physiology. The bare fiber microsensor can be precisely localized.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Dipping Probes:
- Meter + Manual Micromanipulator MM33 + Heavy Stand HS + Dipping Probe DP
If a sensor with tip size in millimeter range can be applied and you need a very robust sensor, then our slender dipping probes with stainless steel housing are the solution. The dipping probes can be customized and are available in various lengths. Mounted to the MM33 it can be used for vertial and horizontal profiling in sediment cores and soils.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Automated Solutions:
Automated Micromanipulator AM + Microsensors:
- Meter + Automated Micromanipulator AM + Heavy Stand HS + Profiling Microsensor PM + Transport Case
This product combination is the solution for almost any profiling application. The microsensor with its stable fiber construction was specially design for profiling in semi-solid samples. High resolution profiling can be conducted automatically while different zones can be measured in different step sizes.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Automated Micromanipulator AM + Heavy Stand HS + Safe-Insert SI + Needle-type Microsensor NTH + Transport Case
The AM can be combined with a needle-type microsensor for high resolution profiling. It can additionally be equipped with the safe-insert accessory, which allows to insert the microsensor with retracted sensor tip into the sample and when in position the sensor tip can safely be extended at the exact measurement location.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
- Meter + Automated Micromanipulator AM + Heavy Stand HS + Implantable Mircosensor IMP + Transport Case
The implantable microsensor does not have any housing and is therefore ideally suited for integration in customized measurement set-ups. With the AM it can be exactly localized inside the sample and profiling with μm resolution can be performed.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Automated Micromanipulator AM + Dipping Probes:
- Meter + Automated Micromanipulator AM + Heavy Stand HS + Dipping Probe DP + Transport Case
Whenever profiling in compact samples, like e. g. soils, has to be performed and a sensor tip size in millimeter range is applicable, then the PreSens dipping probes are the ideal solution. The dipping probes have a stainless steel fitting and can be customized in length and diameter according to your requirements. Mounted to the AM they are ideally suited for profiling in sediments and soils.
O2 Configuration pH Configuration
Our service team will be happy to assist you in finding the right microsensor and profiling equipment for your application! Please contact us!