Automatic xy micro-stage for microscopy

This is a project to construct a cheaper and custom-made automatic xy micro-stage for mouse imaging. It is meant to reduce time under anesthesia for mice in-vivo experiments as well as to improve consistency of mouse positioning inter-timepoint under imaging probe. These are important considerations for successful longitudinal studies in accordance to the 3R's of ethical animal research (reduction, replacement and refinement of protocols).

Preprint where this work is described: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.12.07.570719v1

This was modelled fully in Fusion 360 CAD software with dimensions custom to our optical table for our lab's in-house built optical coherence tomography machine.

3D printed materials mostly do not matter, but I am experimenting with the use of TPU for dampening vibrations due to stepper motor in rest state which may be impactful during imaging, and the use of carbon-fiber nylon for parts which may require sterilization via dry auto-clave.