Perfusion systems for drift-free microscopy

A perfusion system for drift free microscopy imaging, comprising:

• a sample chamber defined by a first coverslip, a second coverslip positioned opposite—and in a substantially parallel orientation—to the first coverslip, and a spacer disposed between and abutting the first and second coverslips to form a sidewall of the sample chamber;
• an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed on opposite sides of the first coverslip;
• a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet opening and positioned above the inlet opening in a direction opposite the force of gravity;
• and
• a wick associated with a waste tank at a first end and disposed within the outlet opening at a second end,
• wherein a capillary force of the wick and a pressure difference between the reservoir and the waste tank causes a laminar flow of fluid from the inlet opening, through an optical detection area of the sample chamber, and toward the wick while maintaining drift free imaging conditions over long image acquisition times.

An imaging system, comprising:

• a perfusion system comprising:
• a sample chamber having an inlet opening associated therewith;
• a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet opening and positioned above the inlet opening in a direction opposite the force of gravity;
• an outlet opening associated with the sample chamber;
• and
• a wick having a first portion thereof forming a fluid tight connection with the outlet opening and having a second portion thereof disposed within a waste tank, wherein a capillary tension of the wick contributes to a laminar flow of fluid across an optical detection area of the sample chamber;
• one or more optical trains configured to view the optical detection area of the sample chamber;
• and
• a sensor for capturing images of the optical detection area of the sample chamber, and a pump or gravity driven drip reservoir mechanically uncoupled from the perfusion system.