title: HelioScan: a software framework for controlling in vivo microscopy setups with high hardware flexibility, functional diversity and extendibility.
abstract: Intravital microscopy such as in vivo imaging of brain dynamics is often performed with custom-built microscope setups controlled by custom-written software to meet specific requirements. Continuous technological advancement in the field has created a need for new control software that is flexible enough to support the biological researcher with innovative imaging techniques and provide the developer with a solid platform for quickly and easily implementing new extensions. Here, we introduce HelioScan, a software package written in LabVIEW, as a platform serving this dual role. HelioScan is designed as a collection of components that can be flexibly assembled into microscope control software tailored to the particular hardware and functionality requirements. Moreover, HelioScan provides a software framework, within which new functionality can be implemented in a quick and structured manner. A specific HelioScan application assembles at run-time from individual software components, based on user-definable configuration files. Due to its component-based architecture, HelioScan can exploit synergies of multiple developers working in parallel on different components in a community effort. We exemplify the capabilities and versatility of HelioScan by demonstrating several in vivo brain imaging modes, including camera-based intrinsic optical signal imaging for functional mapping of cortical areas, standard two-photon laser-scanning microscopy using galvanometric mirrors, and high-speed in vivo two-photon calcium imaging using either acousto-optic deflectors or a resonant scanner. We recommend HelioScan as a convenient software framework for the in vivo imaging community.
authors: Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Dominik
authors: D
authors: Langer
authors: Marcel
authors: M
authors: van 't Hoff
authors: Andreas J
authors: AJ
authors: Keller
authors: Chetan
authors: C
authors: Nagaraja
authors: Oliver A
authors: OA
authors: Pfäffli
authors: Maurice
authors: M
authors: Göldi
authors: Hansjörg
authors: H
authors: Kasper
authors: Fritjof
authors: F
authors: Helmchen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003199:Computer Systems; D003201:Computers; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004867:Equipment Design; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium