The NanoXim microscope is an in-line digital holographic microscope, which leads to a very compact, simple and easy to use device. Using an iterative algorithm and numerical back propagation to retrieve the sample image at any plan from a single hologram, it reaches 1.38 μm lateral spatial resolution with a depth resolution of the order of 5 µm. The typical acquisition time, depending on the sample, ranges between 30 and 100 ms, enabling very fast real time acquisitions. Moreover, it does not require the use of biomarkers to enhance the features under study. Several high end users were contacted and had the opportunity to trial the NanoXim in a real laboratory environment on their own samples. Their feedbacks point out the same advantages of the NanoXim microscope with respect to the other imaging tools they usually use (fluorescence microscopy, light sheet microscopy). The large field of view (approx. 4mm² for the current prototype) associated with a good spatial resolution and short integration times allows gaining in the speed of the experiment, screening many samples simultaneously. Another asset is the NanoXim 3D imaging capability that requires only a single acquisition. Again, this allows fast 4D acquisition. Finally, the ease of use is clearly another advantage of the prototype. While using iterative algorithms to reconstruct the sample image, it does not require any specific computer.
In the meantime, a global market analysis put in evidence two segments to target, i.e. 3D cell cultures and small animal model imaging. The digital holograms produced by the technology lead to a very large possibility of post-treatment without any loss of data. One key axis of development will be in the software development of bioinformatics modules, such as retrieval of 3D features, live tracking of whole cell/features, automation protocols… Three kinds of hardware products have been identified: simple microscope, with most revenues generated by licensing of analysis software, 4D large sample analysis and 4D biological monitoring, which would however require an increase of the spatial resolution to compete with other technologies.
