Knight Optical has introduced an innovative collection of Stock and Custom Fluorescence Filter Sets tailored for fluorescence imaging applications that require exceptional precision and high-efficiency transmission.
This article delves into Knight Optical’s latest product line and explores the essential technical aspects of these filter sets.
Extensive Filter solutions for Diverse Applications
These optical components are primarily utilized in fluorescence applications across various disciplines, including biology, materials science, chemistry, medical diagnostics, and mineralogy. The development of this product line emphasized the critical importance of specification variations.
Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely effective for optical components, especially in medical contexts, Knight Optical has designed its Fluorescence Filter Sets to cater to a wide array of customer needs.
The collection features three distinct types of filters:
- An Excitation Bandpass Filter
- An Emission Bandpass Filter
- A Dichroic Beamsplitter
In total, seven sets are available, each optimized for specific fluorophores based on thier excitation and emission wavelengths. Compatible fluorophores include:
- DAPI
- CFP
- FITC
- TRITC
- YFP
- CY5
- ROX
Common Use Cases
The primary function of these filter sets is in fluorescence imaging, which can be categorized into several key areas:
- Fluorescence microscopy
- fluorimeters
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostics
Fluorescence imaging is favored for its high signal-to-noise ratio, making it invaluable for numerous diagnostic applications. It has considerably advanced drug development and is instrumental in cancer research, notably in immunotherapy and immunology.
Recent high-profile fluorescence projects have influenced the development of this product range, showcasing its relevance in contemporary research.
Oncology Innovations
Fluorescence technology plays a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Breast Cancer: Recent advancements in fluorescence-guided imaging have shown promise in enhancing the intraoperative detection of residual breast cancer during lumpectomy procedures1. According to Dr. Shelley Hwang from Duke university, approximately 10% to 40% of patients require additional surgeries to ensure complete removal of cancerous tissue. The system utilizing the fluorescent imaging agent pegulicianine (LUM015) demonstrated higher sensitivity, albeit with lower specificity compared to traditional pathology methods.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cuSCC): A phase two study commenced in February to explore photoimmunotherapy and fluorescence imaging for patients with HNSCC and cuSCC, the latter being the second most prevalent skin cancer2. This trial aims to assess Shimadzu’s fluorescence imaging system for real-time monitoring of the IRDye 700DX, a light-activatable dye linked to an antibody-dye conjugate with Erbitux (cetuximab)3.
Research in Disease Analysis
Malaria Research: A recent study utilized live-cell fluorescence imaging to investigate the microgametogenesis of the malaria parasite. The researchers employed a live-cell approach to capture early microgametogenesis and microgamete release through advanced imaging techniques4.
COVID-19 Studies: While pandemic restrictions have eased, research on COVID-19 continues to be vital. Recent studies have employed fluorescence methods to develop rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, utilizing a fluorescence microscope from Leica Microsystems5.
Staying Ahead in the Industry
As a prominent supplier of medical device components, Knight Optical is committed to staying informed about the latest advancements in this dynamic field. This proactive approach enables us to provide expert advice and supply optical components to leading organizations worldwide, positioning us to identify future trends in science and technology.
Knight Optical’s Dynamic Product Development Journey
Helen Derbyshire, a Product Developer at Knight Optical, plays a pivotal role in the launch of this new filter range. With eight years of experience and a BSc in Forensic Chemistry, Helen is part of a dedicated team of women in STEM at Knight Optical and is eager about the new offerings.
She states: “In my role as Product Developer, I have focused on expanding our product catalog to better serve our customers. Fluorescence Filters have been a common request for custom orders, and now we are excited to offer a stock range that ensures high-quality filters with faster delivery times. Each set is meticulously designed to work with specific fluorophores while minimizing unwanted transmission. I believe these will effectively address many of our customers’ unique requirements!”
With a growing emphasis on fluorescence in diagnostics and analysis, we are eager to introduce our diverse range of Fluorescence filters and look forward to supporting upcoming projects.
Why Partner with Knight Optical?
clients choose Knight Optical for our commitment to quality, backed by our advanced Metrology Laboratory and QA Department. In addition to our Stock optics available for next-day shipping, we also provide Custom-Made Components.
Celebrating over 30 years in business, we take pride in our extensive experience and our collaborations with renowned global clients, contributing to some of the most innovative advancements in the field.
FOOTNOTES
1https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/breastcancer/97635
2https://europepmc.org/article/med/19256304
3https://www.curetoday.com/view/photoimmunotherapy-trial-begins-in-certain-patients-with-head-and-neck-and-skin-cancer
4https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1010276#abstract0
5https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925400522000570
