Miniature two-photon microscopy for enlarged field-of-view, multi-plane and long-term brain imaging

We have developed a miniature two-photon microscope equipped with an axial scanning mechanism and a long-working-distance miniature objective to enable multi-plane imaging over a volume of 420 × 420 × 180 μm3 at a lateral resolution of ~1 μm. Together with the detachable design that permits long-term recurring imaging, our miniature two-photon microscope can help decipher neuronal mechanisms in freely behaving animals. A two-photon miniature microscope with enlarged field of view and axial scanning capabilities has been developed and applied in freely moving mice.