Polygon_new | Mightex | Stimulation and Imaging for Life Science Research

Polygon

DMD Pattern Illuminator
for Targeted
Photostimulation

Polygon

DMD Pattern Illuminator
for Targeted
Photostimulation

DMD Pattern Illuminator
for Targeted Photostimulation

Polygon

DMD Pattern Illuminator
for Targeted Photostimulation

Polygon

Overview/Features

700 Labs Worldwide, >125 Publications Using Polygon

Mightex’s market-leading Polygon DMD pattern illuminator provides precise spatiotemporal control of light with subcellular resolution, making it the perfect illumination tool for life science research.

Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics and Photostimulation
Simultaneous Multi-Region Illumination
Subcellular Resolution
Compatible with Any Microscope

Polygon Brochure & Specifications

State-of-the-Art Illumination Technology

The Polygon uses digital mirror device (DMD) technology to illuminate multiple regions simultaneously. A DMD is composed of hundreds of thousands of micro-mirrors that can be individually turned on to reflect light onto the sample. Thus, you can control each mirror to control the area(s) of illumination and create any number of different sized patterns. The Polygon DMD pattern illuminator can be mounted into the infinity-path of any microscope.

Polygon Key Features

Simultaneous Optogenetic Stimulation of Individual Cells or Sub-Cellular Components

The Polygon enables scientists to precisely control where light will hit their sample. With subcellular resolution, the Polygon can illuminate any cellular feature in any shape or size simultaneously on their sample.

Select illumination of individual cells expressing ChR2 in slice using the Polygon (Courtesy of Matthew Tran & Dr. Blake Richards, McGill University).

Stimulation of Any Optogenetics or Photostimulation Probe

The Polygon provides great flexibility when it comes down to wavelength selection. From UV to VIS/NIR range, the Polygon can project light of different colours suitable for your light-sensitive constructs.

Spatio-Temporal and Intensity Control of Light

Control the initiation, duration, and intensity of light stimulation patterns using the Polygon. Create different waveforms to control the light intensity and duration outputted from the Polygon.

Select gradient illumination of a cell expressing a novel optogenetic construct using the Polygon (Courtesy of Elliot Dine & Dr. Jared Toettcher, Princeton University).

In Vitro and In Vivo Optogenetic Stimulation

The Polygon can be used with a wide-range light sources, including LEDs and lasers. The Polygon is also compatible with Mightex’s OASIS Implant for freely-behaving imaging and optogenetics and OASIS Macro for cortex-wide imaging and optogenetics.

UV Micropatterning with Sub-Micron Resolution

The Polygon is compatible with UV light sources (350nm+) and provides sub-micron illumination for photopatterning and microfabrication experiments.

UV Photopatterning (Courtesy of Gayla Berg, University of Colorado).

Illumination patterns using the Polygon synchronized with slice electrophysiological recordings (Courtesy of Matthew Tran and Dr. Blake Richards, McGill University).

Integrates into Any Electrophysiology, Two-Photon or Confocal Microscope Setup

The Polygon is designed to be coupled into the infinity space of any microscope model (Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Zeiss) with Mightex’s microscope-specific adapters. The Polygon comes with BNC connectorized TTL trigger input and output for easy synchronization with different lab equipment.

Powerful User-Friendly Software for Life Science Experiments

Mightex’s PolyScan software platform is bundled with every Polygon to help you execute sophisticated patterned illumination experiments for your research.

Webinars

Using DMD-Based Patterned Illumination for Neuroscience Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics

Using DMD-Based Patterned Illumination for Optogenetic Control of Cellular Behaviours

700 Worldwide Polygon Customers

Below is a select list of Universities that are using the Polygon.

See Customers Testimonials

Learn More about OASIS Implant

Publications Using the Polygon

Targeted Optogenetic Stimulation of Motor and Non-Motor Cortices

Kauvar et al. used the Mightex Polygon to optogenetically inhibit the activity of multiple cortical regions—at the same time—in awake mice. They designed a calibration system to align the illumination to specific regions of cortex, and could synchronize illumination to different parts of a task the mouse was performing. This calibration system is demonstrated in these images. The Mightex system enabled them to target nearly the entirety of dorsal cortex.

Kauvar IV, Machado TA…Deisseroth K (2020). Neuron

Spatial Control of Microtubules at the Subcellular Scale

van Haren et al. 2018 illustrated the development of a novel optogenetic system to manipulate microtubule organization. Targeted light stimulation from the Polygon was used to precisely inactivate the microtubule-binding protein End-binding protein 1 (EB1), which is responsible for binding microtubules and recruiting plus-end-tracking proteins (+TIPs) to their positive ends.

van Haren J et al. (2018). Nature Cell Biology

Layer-Specific Optogenetics in the Hippocampus

Butler et al. 2016 explored intrinsic production of gamma oscillations in CA1 region of the hippocampus. Slice electrophysiology was used to measure hippocampal activity, and ChR2 was expressed to manipulate network activity. Mightex’s Polygon was used to illuminate select layers of the hippocampus expressing ChR2 to measure the oscillatory activity produced.

Butler JL et al. (2016). Journal of Neuroscience.

See All Polygon Publications

Different Models Optimized for Life Science Applications

Mightex offers multiple Polygon models that have been designed with different features to meet the needs of a wide-range of applications that use patterned illumination. Please see below for all available Polygon models.

Polygon1000-G

The Polygon1000-G is a flexible solution for patterned illumination, as this patterned illuminator can be used with any lightsource (350-1000nm) that accepts a 3mm core lightguide. Thus, the Polygon1000-G provides future flexibility for different wavelengths and lightsources, depending on your application.

- - Wavelengths: 350-1000nm*
  - Lightsource: lightguide-coupled
  - Add-on front tube available for large field of view

Key Applications: Neuroscience Optogenetics, Cell Biology Optogenetics, Photoactivation, Photoconversion

* Focus readjustment may be needed when using two wavelengths that are greater than 350nm apart.

Polygon1000-G (Standard)

Polygon1000-DL

The Polygon1000-DL is a flexible solution for a large field of view or high-power patterned illumination applications, as this patterned illuminator can be used with any fiber-coupled lightsource (350-1000nm), such as high-power lasers. This Polygon1000 model has been designed for high-power applications, such as in vivo optogenetics.

Wavelengths: 350-1000nm
Lightsource: fiber-coupled

Key Applications: In Vivo Optogenetics, Cortex-Wide Optogenetics, Photoactivation

* Focus readjustment may be needed when using two wavelengths that are greater than 350nm apart.

Polygon1000-G (Large Field-of-View)

Polygon1000-DI

The Polygon1000-DI is designed for labs and imaging facilities that envision using both lightguide-coupled and fiber-coupled light sources with the same Polygon device and microscope setup. Whether you need to use the Polygon for high-power applications in combination with a laser source, or for other photostimulation applications in combination with LED light sources, the Polygon1000-DI has dual optical input to accommodate all possible scenarios.