The VistaScope microscope enables fluorescence imaging of living cells in ex vivo brain slices as well as in vivo preparations, including both anesthetized and awake animals.

The system is equipped with a tunable femtosecond laser and dual photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors for simultaneous dual-color imaging. To minimize pulse broadening and optimize excitation efficiency, a laser dispersion compensation unit (collimator) is integrated into the main optical path. The upright microscope is also fitted with an LED-based epifluorescence module, providing additional flexibility for conventional fluorescence imaging.