Decontamination compatibility
Proven H₂O₂ compatibility supports whole-room decontamination while protecting system integrity and imaging performance.
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BC43 brings high-performance confocal imaging into BSL3/4 laboratories, combining proven H₂O₂ compatibility with a compact benchtop design and integrated imaging workflow.
With IQ/OQ support, QC-aligned workflows and a dedicated BSL service model, BC43 helps laboratories maintain imaging confidence, data quality and operational continuity in demanding containment environments.
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BC43 is designed around the critical points that determine long-term success inside containment: decontamination, service access, validation, data consistency and day-to-day operation.
Decontamination compatibility
Proven H₂O₂ compatibility supports whole-room decontamination while protecting system integrity and imaging performance.
Service & warranty continuity
A dedicated BSL-3 service package and full warranty solution, with trained laboratory maintenance, remote support and defined service pathways to minimise disruption in restricted-access environments.
Designed for controlled spaces
Compact benchtop imaging, guided workflows and remote operation support and simplify day-to-day imaging in restricted-access, PPE*1-controlled and multi-user environments.
Guaranteed performance for reproducible imaging
Stable illumination, automated focus and QC-aligned workflows are designed to reduce avoidable variation of experimental results across time laboratories and users.
Qualification & performance assurance
IQ/OQ service package, QC, Argolight samples, and documented testing procedures help track and demonstrate system performance at installation, after decontamination and throughout routine use.
Integrated imaging & analysis
From confocal acquisition and real-time 3D visualisation to quantitative analysis with Imaris, BC43 provides an integrated workflow designed to simplify routine imaging.
*1PPE is Personal Protective Equipment. In a containment laboratory, required protective equipment can make fine physical interaction with the equipment less convenient. BC43 has been tested for operation and maintenance while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
BC43 supports defined H₂O₂ decontamination workflows for BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories, from system preparation through to return to operation.
More than 80 hours of H₂O₂ exposure testing demonstrated no impact onperformance under the validated protocol.
Oxford Instruments can also assess established facility decontamination protocols for suitability before installation.
Protect performance before, during and after decontamination.
In containment, uptime depends on a support model aligned to the laboratory’s own access, safety and decontamination protocols. BC43 enables trained laboratory teams to maintain imaging capability with Oxford Instruments support through online work instructions, performance tracking, and dedicated technical support. Fix it when it breaks – keep your full warranty !
Guaranteed spare-part provision, no-return part handling and a defined replacement chassis route help protect continuity when access or repair options are limited.
Reliable microscopy in containment requires more than imaging performance alone. BC43 combines high-quality confocal imaging with a dedicated BSL-3/4 service programme designed to support consistent performance and scientific continuity.
“Combining transparent performance metrics, validated quality-control workflows and training for laboratory staff to carry out defined maintenance actions provides an important foundation for sustaining reliable microscopy operations in high-containment laboratories.”
- Infectious Diseases Imaging Platform (IDIP), Heidelberg University
The specification tables below details the imaging performance of BC43 microscopes equipped with a 60x 1.42 NA objective lens.
Integrated into the BSL-3 service package IQ-OQ will quantify the actual performance of your system within our published specifications.
Every performance check carried out in your facility will result in a report provided to you detailing the actual measured performance. If any test fails during the scheduled periodic checks, our engineers will rectify to ensure continued performance within specification.
| OQ Test | Blue Channel Specification 405 nm Excitation 435-455 nm Emission |
Green Channel Specification 488 nm Excitation 517-541 nm Emission) |
Yellow Channel Specification 561 nm Excitation 580-610 nm Emission |
Red Channel Specification 638 nm Excitation 671-745 nm Emission |
| Laser Power* | P ≥ 12.5 mW | P ≥ 8.5 mW | P ≥ 9.5 mW | P ≥ 12.0 mW |
| System Uniformity | U ≥ 20% | U ≥ 65% | U ≥ 65% | U ≥ 65% |
| Illumination Centering | C ≥ 65% | Centering performance for other channels exceeds our measuring sensitivity | ||
* This test uses the epifluorescence (widefield) imaging mode of the microscope. All other tests utilize the confocal imaging mode of the microscope.
| OQ Test | Blue-to-Green Channel Pair Specification | Green-to-Yellow Channel Pair Specification | Green-to-Red Channel Pair Specification |
| Full Field of View Maximum Lateral Separation Distance (Lateral Co-registration) | Max |rxy| (Full FOV) ≤ 480 nm | Max |rxy| (Full FOV) ≤ 340 nm | Max |rxy| (Full FOV) ≤ 620 nm |
| Full Field of View Average Axial Separation Distance (Axial Co-registration) | Avg |rz| (Full FOV) ≤ 505 nm | Avg |rz| (Full FOV) ≤ 410 nm | Avg |rz| (Full FOV) ≤ 870 nm |
| Full Field of View Channel pair Co-registration (QUAREP Normalization) | Max |rexp / rref| (Full FOV) ≤ 3.17 | Max |rexp / rref| (Full FOV) ≤ 1.93 | Max |rexp / rref| (Full FOV) ≤ 3.61 |
| Central 30% Field of View Maximum Lateral Separation Distance (Lateral Co-registration) | Max |rxy| (30% FOV) ≤ 180 nm | Max |rxy| (30% FOV) ≤ 150 nm | Max |rxy| (30% FOV) ≤ 205 nm |
| Central 30% Field of View Average Axial Separation Distance (Axial Co-registration) | Avg |rz| (30% FOV) ≤ 505 nm | Avg |rz| (30% FOV) ≤ 410 nm | Avg |rz| (30% FOV) ≤ 870 nm |
| Central 30% Field of View Channel pair Co-registration (QUAREP Normalization) | Max |rexp / rref| (30% FOV) ≤ 1.55 | Max |rexp / rref| (30% FOV) ≤ 1.07 | Max |rexp / rref| (30% FOV) ≤ 1.89 |
*This test uses the epifluorescence (widefield) imaging mode of the microscope. All other tests utilize the confocal imaging mode of the microscope.
Use routine QC metrics to identify bias, monitor performance and improve confidence across BSL-3 imaging studies.
Download the QC method paper
Yes. BC43 is a compact, fully enclosed benchtop confocal system designed for use in BSL-3 laboratories. Its small footprint, integrated anti-vibration feet and enclosed design allow it to operate on a standard laboratory bench without requiring a dedicated optical table or darkroom, making it well suited to restricted high-containment environments.
BC43 supports validated H₂O₂ whole-room decontamination protocols without invalidating warranty coverage when approved procedures are followed. Documented OQ testing can be used to verify system performance following decontamination.
BC43 provides Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) documentation, with measured performance metrics that enable traceable quality control and support the quality-assurance requirements of regulated laboratories.
BC43 combines stable illumination, automated focus control and QC-tracked performance to reduce instrument-related variation and improve consistency in quantitative imaging across users and over time
Designated BSL personnel are trained to competently perform BC43 maintenance and component replacement within the containment laboratory. When needed, remote support from Oxford Instruments is provided. Spare parts are supplied as required, while removed parts remain with the laboratory for appropriate disposal. This service model reduces the need for external access to containment areas and helps minimise system downtime.
Tell us about your containment setup and imaging challenges, and we’ll help you assess whether BC43 and our IQ/OQ and fumigation workflows are a good fit.
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