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Precisionary Compresstome VF-310-0Z User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Precisionary Compresstome VF-310-0Z

  • Page 1 ® Compresstome VF-310-0Z User Manual...

  • Page 2: Thank You

    ® Thank you for choosing the Compresstome VF-310-0Z! At Precisionary Instruments, we are thrilled to help you get started with your new vibrating microtome, and we take great pride in quality customer service. Please read the following manual ® to help you get started with the Compresstome VF-310-0Z.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Thank You ....................................1 Part 1: Introduction .......................... 3 Safety ......................................4 Model Description ................................5 Technical Specifications ..............................6 Model Components ................................7 Control Box Anatomy ................................9 Accessories ................................... 11 Starter Kit Components ..............................12 Part 2: Setup ............................13 IMPORTANT! How to Replace the Vibration Head ....................14 Mounting the Cutting Blade to the Blade Holder ....................19 Preparing Agarose for Embedding ..........................25 Cutting Parameters Guideline ............................26 Embedding Tissue in Agarose ............................28 Part 3: Operation ..........................30 Sectioning with the Compresstome® Tissue Slicer .................... 31 Part 4: General Information ......................33 Cleaning and Maintenance ............................. 34 Buffer Tray Maintenance and Cleaning ........................36 Auto Zero-Z® Technology ............................. 37 Troubleshooting .

  • Page 4: Part 1: Introduction

    Part 1: Introduction...

  • Page 5: Safety

    Safety Dangers, warnings, and cautions appear in a box and are marked by the warning triangle. Important information for the user, such as disclaimers, appear in a box and are marked by the information symbol. Caution! Follow the accompanying documentation.

  • Page 6: Model Description

    Model Description The VF-310-0Z tissue slicer model is the latest version of our flagship product in the ® ® Compresstome slicer family. With patented Auto Zero-Z technology, the VF-310-0Z is fully automated to section both fixed and live tissues with a thickness range of 4 µm* to 1000 µm and an adjustable precision of 1 µm.

  • Page 7: Technical Specifications

    Technical Specifications Advance Speed 0-20 mm/s, adjustable Return Speed 20 mm/s Vibration Frequency 0-45 Hz, adjustable Vibration Amplitude 2 mm Z-axis Vibration ~0 µm Compatible Blades Stainless Steel, Ceramic, Tungsten Carbide, Sapphire Diamond Cutting Angle 15 degrees (no need for blade alignment) Thickness Adjustment Automatic Micrometer Resolution...

  • Page 8: Model Components

    Model Components (3) Vibration Head (5) Control Box (1) Blade Holder (2) Buffer Tray (8) Buffer Tray Plug (4) Specimen Tube (7) Tissue Advancement Plunger (3) Vibration Head (5) Control Box (8) Buffer Tray Plug (6) Transportation Fixture (1) Blade Holder (2) Buffer Tray...
  • Page 9 Figure Number Compresstome Part Part Number Function Blade Holder VF-BH-VM-310-0Z-NC Holds and stabilizes the cutting blade Buffer Tray Holds buffer or VF-BT-VM-LP-BOS solutions during sectioning Vibration Head VF-VHU-VM-310-0Z-NC Blade oscillation assembly, which includes a blade holder, and an oscillation motor Specimen Tube Four different tube VF-SPS-VM-6.5-BOS sizes (6.5, 12.5, 15.5, VF-SPS-VM-12.5-BOS...

  • Page 10: Control Box Anatomy

    Control Box Anatomy (10) (11) (12a) (5a) (12b) (13)
  • Page 11 Figure Number Control Box Part Name Control Box Function Slice Count Display Screen Displays how many slices have been cut in a cutting cycle Total Amount Sectioned (in µm) Displays the total amount, in microns, of tissue that has been sectioned since you began to cut in a cycle Current Slice Thickness (in µm) Displays the thickness range your VF- 310-0Z will cut slices to (in µm) Tissue Advancement Plunger Advances the specimen tube forward after each slice is made Fast Forward Function Moves the tissue advancement plunger forward, towards the specimen tube. Use this function to get the tissue advancement plunger to touch the end of the specimen tube before you begin a cutting cycle Fast Reverse Function Moves the tissue advancement plunger in reverse, for easy removal of the specimen tube from the buffer tank Start Button for Sectioning The button that will start your sectioning after turning the machine one and setting your settings Knob that Controls Speed Setting Knob that will control how fast the blade holder moves on the cutting track On/Off Switch Turns the VF-310-0Z on and off Reset Button This reset button is for resetting the total number of microns cut in a cutting cycle Knob that Controls Oscillation...

  • Page 12: Accessories

    Accessories (1) Chilling Block (2a) Specimen Tube: White Plunger (2b) Specimen Tube: Metal Tube (3) Acetone Bath for Blade Holder (4) Allen Wrench for (5) Power Cord Blade Holder Figure Number Compresstome Part Part Number Function Rapidly chills agarose in VF-VM-CB-6.5-BOS specimen tube for Chilling Block VF-VM-CB-12.5-BOS sectioning with the VF-VM-CB-15.5-BOS Compresstome Specimen Tube: White Where tissue specimen is Plunger glued onto VF-SPS-VM-6.5-BOS End with tapered lip for...

  • Page 13: Starter Kit Components

    Starter Kit Components ® Note: All of our Compresstome consumables can be ordered online at: http://precisionary.com/e-store/ Contact us directly at info@precisionary.com, and we will send you a quote. Consumable Part Number Quantity Description Agarose Tablets VF-AGT-VM-10 Low melting agarose for embedding tissue.

  • Page 14: Part 2: Setup

    Part 2: Setup...

  • Page 15: Important! How To Replace The Vibration Head

    IMPORTANT! How to Replace the Vibration Head In order to ensure safe shipment of your Compresstome® model, the vibration head was shipped detached from the main body of the VF-310-0Z vibrating microtome. This section will go over how to attach, as well as detach, the vibration head to your Compresstome® VF-310-0Z. Please refer to this guide whenever you need to remove or attach the vibration head.
  • Page 16 Use the provided 7/64 Allen key to remove the four (4) screws. Gently remove the vibration head from the VF-310-0Z. Note: The vibration head will slide off automatically if all 4 screws are completed loosened. It will look like this (bird’s eye view) when removed: Locate the clip that attaches one side (set) of wires from the other side of the vibration head. Unclip the wires. Your vibration head is now safely detached from the VF-310-0Z model.
  • Page 17 Attaching the Vibration Head to the VF-310-0Z Step Instruction Photo Take the vibration head and clip the wires on the vibration head to the wire clip attached to the VF-310-0Z. It will look like this when it is attached: Coil the wires in a loop in the space of the inner vibration head before attaching the vibration head to the VF-310-0Z unit. Carefully align the vibration head on the VF- 310-0Z unit. Note: The vibration head will be correctly aligned as long as all 4 screw locations are aligned.
  • Page 18 Use the 7/64 Allen key and four (4) screws provided to attach the vibration head onto the VF-310-0Z unit. Make sure all of the screws are aligned and tightened. Before you begin sectioning, make sure to check that the golden gear is properly aligned along the white nylon track. This part is behind the vibration head, and will look like this when it is correct:...
  • Page 19 If you have any questions about attaching or detaching the vibration head from your VF-310-0Z unit, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can reach us by phone at (617) 682-0586, as well as via email at info@precisionary.com. We are happy to help!

  • Page 20: Mounting The Cutting Blade To The Blade Holder

    Mounting the Cutting Blade to the Blade Holder Double-edged razor blades and ceramic blades are ideal for this vibrating microtome. Both are ® supplied in the Compresstome Starter Kit. The blades should be cleaned with acetone and ethanol before use. The sharpness of the blade can directly affect the quality of the slices.
  • Page 21 Tungsten Blade How to Properly Cut the Double Edged Blades Step # Instruction Picture Cut the double-edged blades horizontally: Curled edges after the blades are cut in half Two separate blades will form: Curled edges after the blades are cut in half After the stainless steel blades are cut in half, trim the extra tabs (curled edges) on the ends of the blades so they don’t stick out beyond the blade (pictured in step #2).
  • Page 22 The blades will be ready to use and will look like this: How to Properly Mount the Cutting Blade to the Blade Holder To remove the blade holder from the vibrating head unit, loosen the small screw on top of the blade holder with the included Allen wrench. Always remove the blade holder BEFORE removing or inserting the buffer tray.
  • Page 23 Remove the old cutting blade. Dispose of blade safely into a sharps container. Soak the blade holder in the acetone bath for 5 minutes. Wipe off any residual glue on the blade holder using a paper towel. It is critical to ensure all glue residue is removed before attaching a new blade.
  • Page 24 Pipette 5 µL of the super glue along the full length of the blade holder. Position the cutting blade on the blade holder. The edge of the blade should touch the raised lip of the blade holder (see step #7a). Make sure the exposed surfaces of the blade are clean to prevent damage to tissue.
  • Page 25 You do NOT want your cutting blade to be mounted like this: On the left side, the curled edge is on the raised lip of the blade holder, and the blade is off-centered. On the right side, you can see how the blade is off-centered towards the right.

  • Page 26: Preparing Agarose For Embedding

    Preparing Agarose for Embedding ® All tissue specimens must be embedded in agarose for the Compresstome to perform as designed. We recommend using our type-Ib agarose tablets. However, for larger quantities, type-Ib agarose powder can be purchased through Sigma Aldrich at: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sial/a0576?lang=en&region=US Please see Table 1 below for using our 0.5 mg agarose tablets.

  • Page 27: Cutting Parameters Guideline

    Cutting Parameters Guideline Compresstome® Cutting Parameters Oscillation Suggested Advance Tissue or Specimen Agarose % (Speed) Lung: • Precision-cut lung slices Any fixed tissues 1.5-2 1.8-2% Brain: live • Electrophysiology • imaging Organotypic slices: Tumor research Brain culture slices 2.5% Retina (fixed and acute slices) 1.5-2 * Infuse with agarose or gelatin to replace vitreous humor...
  • Page 28 Step # Instruction Picture Each tablet contains 0.5 mg of agarose. We recommend adding 20-25 mL of solution to each vial containing 1 agarose tablet. For alternative gel strengths, please see Table 1 on page 21 for the appropriate solution volume. Dissolve the agarose tablet for 2 minutes by swirling the vial.

  • Page 29: Embedding Tissue In Agarose

    Embedding Tissue in Agarose Place the chilling block into water and ice bath or a freezer to cool for at least 1 hour. The chilling block must be chilled pre- embedding your tissue sample. Prepare your tissue sample by cutting it so that the tissue fits inside the specimen tube.
  • Page 30 Pipette in agarose to fully cover specimen. Make sure no bubbles remain around the sample. Tap the side of the tube to remove any that are present. Suctioning the bubbles out with the pipette can also help remove them. Place the chilling block (should be pre- chilled, see step 1) over the specimen tube to chill the entire sample and help the agarose solidify.

  • Page 31: Part 3: Operation

    Part 3: Operation...

  • Page 32: Sectioning With The Compresstome® Tissue Slicer

    Sectioning with the Compresstome® Tissue Slicer Step # Instruction Picture Insert the tapered end of the specimen tube into the removable buffer tray. We recommend applying a small amount petroleum jelly to the specimen tube to ensure a good seal. Push the tube in fully such that the stopper knob hits the adapter.
  • Page 33 Make sure the tissue advancement plunger is touching the back of your specimen tube before you begin sectioning. You can use the ‘Fast Forward’ and ‘Fast Backward’ functions on the control box to move the tissue advancement plunger forward or backwards. Slide the prepared blade holder onto the axial bar of the vibrating unit, and lock in place with the included Allen key.

  • Page 34: Part 4: General Information

    Part 4: General Information...

  • Page 35: Cleaning And Maintenance

    Cleaning and Maintenance Step # Instruction Picture Remove blade holder by loosening the small screw with the included Allen key and sliding it off the axial bar. If reusing the blade, set it aside. If changing the blade, follow the instructions on page 17. Empty buffer from the buffer tank.
  • Page 36 Remove the specimen tube from the base. Remove the plunger from the metal casing and scrape residual glue from the front end of the plunger. Clean up any debris on the plunger and inside of the specimen tube with acetone swabs or soft brush.

  • Page 37: Buffer Tray Maintenance And Cleaning

    Buffer Tray Maintenance and Cleaning Step # Instruction Picture Unscrew buffer tray assembly. Make sure the blade holder is ALREADY removed before removing the buffer tray from the machine. Slide tray off unit. Clean with rubbing alcohol. DISCLAIMER: Do not use acetone as it may damage the materials.

  • Page 38: Auto Zero-Z® Technology

    Auto Zero-Z® Technology ® Auto Zero-Z is our latest breakthrough technology at Precisionary Instruments. This is a patented feature designed to allow the blade holder to operate in near zero Z-axis deflection without the need to optically align every single time.

  • Page 39: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting v Avoid trapping any air bubbles in the agarose during embedding. v The blade holder is a pre-aligned, delicate part. Glue residue on either side of the blade holder will deteriorate slice quality. v Do not bubble artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) or other buffer solutions during slicing to avoid contaminating and damaging the linear bearing of the vibration head.
  • Page 40 Is agarose safe to use for live tissue? For fixed tissue? • Absolutely! Agarose is a soft embedding medium that is safe to use for embedding both live and fixed tissues. We have diligently performed experiments in the lab to test the effects of agarose on both live and fixed tissue.
  • Page 41 The small screw on the blade holder is stripped and the Allen wrench won’t remove it. What do I do? • If the small screw is stripped, contact us for an immediate replacement. If you lost the Allen wrench, we will also replace it. I am getting uneven tissue slices.

  • Page 42: Warranty Information

    (at Precisionary Instruments discretion) and will ship it back to you within 2 weeks (dependent on parts availability) via FedEx carrier. 5. Precisionary Instruments will pay for shipping to and from the customer if the product is under warranty. Shipping costs for products outside of warranty are the sole responsibility of the customer.

  • Page 43: Contact Information

    E-mail: info@precisionary.com Phone: Customer Service & Quotes: (617) 682-0586 Technical Support: (508) 810-0111 Fax: 1-866-424-2217 Mailing Address for Documents Mailing Address for Slicers/Parts Precisionary Instruments Precisionary Instruments 207 Union Street 89 Hemingway Street Floor Winchester, MA 01890 Natick, MA 01760...

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