Related Manuals for Slee CRYOSTAT MNT
Summary of Contents for Slee CRYOSTAT MNT
- Page 1 O P E R A T I N G M A N U A L C R Y O S T A T M N T HIGH-END CRYOSTAT DE S I GN & M A N UFACT UR I N G M A DE I N GE R M A N Y...
- Page 2 Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
- Page 3 The information, numerical data and notes contained in this document represent the current state of scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art technology as we understand it following thorough investigation in this field. SLEE medical GmbH is under no obligation to update the present manual periodically and on an ongoing basis according to the latest technical developments, nor to provide our customers with additional copies, updates etc.
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
CONTENT INTENDED USE ___________________________________________________________ 7 SYMBOLS ________________________________________________________________ 7 OVERVIEW DEVICE _______________________________________________________ 8 SAFETY NOTES ___________________________________________________________ 9 Hand wheel stop Finger protection Electrical power connection Working with knives and disposable blades Emergency switch Motorized operation COMPONENTS __________________________________________________________ 14 Standard components and optional components SPECIFICATIONS _________________________________________________________ 15 UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION _________________________________________ 17 Unpacking the device... - Page 5 Specimen mounting Insertion of object holder Specimen orientation adjustment Fast approach to specimen Slow approach to specimen Thickness adjustment for trimming 9.10 Thickness adjustment for cut 9.11 Trimming of specimen 9.12 Manual cutting 9.13 Motor settings 9.14 Continuous cutting 9.15 Single cutting 9.16 Anti-roll plate...
- Page 6 SERVICE ________________________________________________________________ 58 WARRANTY _____________________________________________________________ 58 DISPOSAL ______________________________________________________________ 58 Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
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Page 7: Intended Use
1 INTENDED USE The floor standing open top cryostat MNT is a laboratory device and designed for rapid freezing and cutting thin sections of frozen specimens. It is intended for professional use in routine and research laboratories in the fields of biology, medicine and industry. -
Page 8: Overview Device
3 OVERVIEW DEVICE Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx... -
Page 9: Safety Notes
4 SAFETY NOTES The Slee open top cryostat MNT is provided with the following safety features: Hand wheel stop • Finger protection for knife- and blade-holder • Emergency switch • Collapsible hand wheel lever • The institution which owns the unit and the persons working with the unit, servicing or repairing it have the responsibility for a hazard-free use. -
Page 10: Hand Wheel Stop
4.1 Hand wheel stop Always use the finger protection with the knife- / blade holder and put hand wheel in stop position • if you adjust the blade, the knife or the specimen, • before changing the specimen, • if the appliance is not being used (break, weekend, etc.). -
Page 11: Finger Protection
4.2 Finger protection Always use the finger protection for the blade and knife holder and the hand wheel lock, • before you start any work with the knife or speci- men, • before changing the specimen, • if the appliance is not being used (break, weekend, etc.). -
Page 12: Electrical Power Connection
4.3 Electrical power connection Do not use any extension lead. Before installing the device, make sure that the electrical connection values match the specifica- tions on the type plate and that a constant power supply is guaranteed. Please note that the compressor requires a starting current of 25 to 35 A. -
Page 13: Emergency Switch
4.5 Emergency switch By pressing the red emergency switch an emergency stop is activated. The device is switched off completely immedi- ately. To deactivate the emergency stop, turn the knob. The switch moves automatically back into the original position and the device switches back on automatically. The motor remains deactivated and must be reactivated and restarted for operation. -
Page 14: Components
5 COMPONENTS 5.1 Standard components and optional components The Slee open top cryostat MNT is supplied with standard components (•) and can be equipped with optional components (o). Fully automatic rotary microtome • Integrated section counter • Cutting motor, freely selectable speed •... -
Page 15: Specifications
6 SPECIFICATIONS All temperature specifications refer to an ambient temperature of +20 °C and a relative humidity of 60 %. General Nominal power 230 V AC ±10 % 115 V AC ±10 % Nominal frequency 50 / 60 Hz 60 Hz Power draw chamber 860 VA Power draw chamber and object cooling... - Page 16 Chamber defrost Automatic defrost window must be closed. Hot gas defrost, time selectable, 1 - 3 times / 24 h or manual defrost on request Automatic stop at -5 °C chamber temperature / +20 °C evaporator temperature Freezing bar Minimum temperature 10 K below chamber temperature Number of positions 24 (standard) resp.
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Page 17: Unpacking And Installation
7 UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION Unpacking the device On delivery, you will receive the device packed upright in a cardboard box on a wooden pallet. It is equipped with four castors and two locking feet, height adjustable at the front. When the device is delivered, check the tilt and impact indicators attached to the packaging. If the tilt indicators are active (blue arrowhead), the appliance was transported lying flat, tilted too much or fell over during transportation. -
Page 18: Installation Site Requirements
7.2 Installation site requirements The installation site for the MNT should meet the following conditions to ensure the specified device performance: • Maximum ambient temperature of 22 °C • No direct sunlight into or onto the cooling chamber • Mains power supply within 3 m •... -
Page 19: Installation
7.3 Installation To open the chamber, slide the window to the top. Remove the transport security underneath the specimen holder and position the waste tray. Wait at least 4 hours before switching on the device (especially if you are not sure that the device was not tilted). Failure to comply may result in severe damage to the device. -
Page 20: Collapsible Hand Wheel Lever
7.4 Collapsible hand wheel lever The device is delivered with a ready to use hand wheel lever. For safety reasons, the lever of the hand wheel is folded in for transportation. Before you start any work unfold the hand wheel lever by simply pulling the lever into a horizontal position. -
Page 21: Initial Operation
8 INITIAL OPERATION Please allow for the cooling phase of at least 8 hours / overnight! Cryostats combine high-precision mechanics for cutting with a powerful cooling system. In order for the mechanics to function faultlessly, it is necessary for all components inside the cryostat chamber to be cooled evenly to the pre-selected temperature. - Page 22 Figure MNT control panel for cutting motor top right-hand Button Button name side of device. START STOP WIN DOWN WIN UP SINGLE ON OFF Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
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Page 23: Led-Display Osei-System
8.3 LED-display OSEI-system Slee cryostats are equipped with the Slee OSEI-system as standard: Optical Status and Error Indication. LEDs of different colors in the operating chamber enable quick and easy detection of the current status of the cryostat. Possible application or system errors are promptly indicated by colored light and thus increase operating safety. - Page 24 The disinfection process has been aborted. The UV-C lamp is defective Error messages: Error messages can be acknowledged by pressing the ESC button. UV-C light for surface disinfection, continuous [only applicable for devices equipped with this feature] • During UV-C surface disinfection, all LEDs are switched off and the UV-C lamp becomes active.
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Page 25: Software Settings
8.4 Software settings Software settings and feed: Press MENU ENTER, to open the settings menu. > Chamber temp. -20 °C Quickfreeze UV disinfection Light Auto To move down in the main menu list, press >FAST<. Retraction 5 µm Start defrost Contrast >... -
Page 26: Automatic Defrost, Disinfection And Power Saving Settings
8.5 Automatic defrost, disinfection and power saving settings Software settings and motor: Press MENU ENTER, to open the settings menu. > Chamber temp -20 °C Quickfreeze UV disinfection Light Auto Select program settings and press MENU ENTER, to TIME TUE 13:05:05 open the menu for setting automatic defrost and power Language English... -
Page 27: List Of Available Software Settings
Quick freeze (optional): Press MENU ENTER for 2 Sec, to start the quick freeze > TIME 13:05:05 (optional) function. After 10 min it stops automatically. Language English Display version Program settings 5 µm Settings for disinfection parameters: The disinfection cycle works in a semi-automated way. Defr. - Page 28 If OFF is selected, the white operating light is deactivated, status messages (red or blue light) are still being displayed. If AUTO is selected, the white operating light switches off automatically after the time specified under light duration and switches to the respective status indication (red or blue). Light duration 0 - 99 minutes Chamber increase...
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Page 29: Operation Of Microtome
9 OPERATION OF MICROTOME 9.1 Removal and insertion of disposable blades Activate the handwheel lock. Fold down the finger protection. Release the blade lock by turning the right-hand lever on the blade holder anticlockwise (1). If there is a blade in the blade holder, gently push the lever (2) to the right. -
Page 30: Orientation Of Disposable Blades
9.2 Orientation of disposable blades Activate the handwheel lock. Fold down the finger protection. For adjusting the cutting angle of the blade, loosen the blade holder fixation by turning the right lever on the blade holder base counter clockwise. Tilting the blade holder towards the sample increases the cutting angle, tilting the blade holder away from the sample reduces the cutting angle. -
Page 31: Insertion And Orientation Of Microtome Knives
9.3 Insertion and orientation of microtome knives Activate the handwheel lock. Loosen the blade holder by turning the fixing screws counter clockwise. Loosening the knife holder and inserting a microtome knife. Remove / insert the microtome knife. Adjust the height of the knife by turning the adjusting wheels on the right and left side of the knife holder. -
Page 32: Specimen Mounting
9.4 Specimen mounting The device is equipped with 24 freezing positions max. (24 stand- Specimen ard resp. 21 + 2 [version incl. quick freezing positions]). The tem- perature of the quick freezing positions is approx. 10 °C lower Embedding medium than the actual cryo chamber temperature. -
Page 33: Specimen Orientation Adjustment
9.6 Specimen orientation adjustment Turn the hand wheel to its highest position and activate the hand wheel stop. For orientation of the specimen, open the fixing lever at the left side of the object holder counterclockwise (1). To adjust the orientation, turn the right-hand orientation screw (2). -
Page 34: Fast Approach To Specimen
9.7 Fast approach to specimen Press >FAST<, to move the knife holder base towards the sample. Press <FAST>, to move the knife holder away from the sample. 9.8 Slow approach to specimen Press >SLOW<, to move the knife holder base slowly towards the sample. 9.9 Thickness adjustment for trimming To change the trimming settings, press TRIM continuously and press + or - o increase or decrease the value. -
Page 35: Manual Cutting
9.12 Manual cutting Release the hand wheel stop. Release the finger protection. Turn hand wheel evenly clockwise. A counter clockwise movement of the hand wheel will also result in cutting and incremental advance of the specimen. Approach specimen either by trimming or slow approach. To set the cutting thickness, press + or -, to change the setting. -
Page 36: Motor Settings
9.13 Motor settings Release the hand wheel stop. Remove the finger protection. Time TUE 13:05:05 To set the speeds for the cutting mode, press ON OFF to activate the cutting mode. CUT: 7 µm Trim: 19µm Cham: -20 °C (-22) QF: 0 Status:OK 0000... -
Page 37: Continuous Cutting
9.14 Continuous cutting Release hand wheel stop. Release the handwheel lock. Press ON OFF to activate the cutting mode. The LED lamp on the left-hand side of the switch lights up when the motor is activated. Activation of the cutting mode is indicated by the LED lamp lighting up. - Page 38 Switching whether the cutting motor should be acti- vated by pressing the start button once or twice is done in the settings menu. If double actuation (2 x) is activated, the button must be pressed twice with a maximum interval of 1 s to start the cutting operation.
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Page 39: Single Cutting
9.15 Single cutting Release hand wheel stop. For single cuts, press ON OFF to activate the cut mode and SINGLE to activate the single cut mode. The LEDs on the left-hand side of the switches light up when cut mode and single cut mode are activated. Activation of cut mode and single cut mode is indicated by the LEDs on the left-hand side of the control panel lighting up. -
Page 40: Anti-Roll Plate
9.16 Anti-roll plate Each device is equipped with an anti-roll plate. To adjust the vertical position of the anti-roll plate, turn the small wheel on the basis of the anti-roll plate to the left (to- wards blade) or to the right (away from blade). Vertical adjustment of anti-roll plate. - Page 41 It is recommended to adjust the setting of the height of the anti-roll plate during the cutting process. Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
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Page 42: Tips And Tricks - Tissue Sectioning
9.17 Tips and tricks – tissue sectioning The temperature of the cryostat plays an important role in the quality of the tissue sections obtained. Each type of tissue requires a different temperature. The following list provides an indication. Please note that the temperature ranges indicated in the table below are approximate values and may require adjustments for individual tissues. -
Page 43: Tips And Tricks - Cutting Artifacts
9.18 Tips and tricks – cutting artifacts Cutting artifact Cause Remediation Alternating thin and thick wrong temperature of the cutting edge / select temperature according to the tissue blade type cuts wrong temperature of the cryo chamber adjust temperature sample is not optimally fixed on specimen remove sample and freeze again holder Squeaking sound when... -
Page 44: Tips And Tricks - Cutting Angle
handling too rough work more cautiously, more carefully specimen is too cold Section shows horizontal correct temperature columns warm up specimen 9.19 Tips and tricks – cutting angle Problem Cause Remediation Hard tissue does not cut cutting angle is too small tilting the blade away from the specimen increases the clearance angle well... - Page 45 6. Why do I have condensation on the glass panel? The cooling chamber operates at extremely low temperatures (as low as down to -30 °C), while the area above the chamber, where the glass panel is positioned when open, remains at room temperature. If cold air seeps into this upper area, the temperature drops slightly, causing condensation to form.
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Page 46: Operation Of Cryostat
UV-C radiation at 254 nm has an intense germicidal effect. Microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts are effectively destroyed in the area accessible to UV-C light without the addition of chemicals. The cryostat MNT can be optionally equipped with an UV-C light source that can either be automatically activated (see chapter 8.5) or manually activated. -
Page 47: Installation Instructions For Uv-C Lamp
10.2 Installation instructions for UV-C lamp Please follow the respective steps and pay attention to the relevant instructions. Never touch the UV-C lamp directly on the glass, since this may reduce the durability. Picture 1 Slide the UV-C lamp as shown into the glass bulb. - Page 48 Picture 5 Once the plug is connected to the UV-C lamp, the UV-C lamp unit can finally be clipped into the retaining clips. Picture 6 Done. Picture 7 Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
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Page 49: Quick Freeze Position
10.3 Quick freeze position [only for devices with this optional feature] The MNT floor-standing cryostat can be optionally equipped with a quick freeze position (2 positions). Upon activation, the installed element will cool the two quick freeze positions down to approximately -55 °C. The quick freeze position can be activated in the settings menu (see chapter 8.4). -
Page 50: Heat Extractor
10.6 Heat extractor For an even more rapid freezing process with improved structural preservation of tissues, the device is equipped with a heat extractor. Apply the heat extractor on top of the spec- imen during the freezing process. Illustration similar The application of the heat extractor can lead to a change of orientation of the specimen in the frozen block, especially when it comes to smaller samples. -
Page 51: Complete Defrosting Of The Device
10.8 Complete defrosting of the device It is highly recommended to defrost the device at least every 6 months. If the device is used regularly in warm tropical climate, a more frequent complete defrost might be necessary. The device should be defrosted for a minimum period of 48 h, better over the weekend. -
Page 52: Cleaning And Maintenance
11 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 11.1 Cleaning The recommended frequency of cleaning of the cryostat chamber depends on how frequently the device is used. Wear protective clothing and disposable gloves according to Good Laboratory Practices. Please take note of the safety aspects of the device. Only use aqueous and alcohol-based cleaning agents, no Acetone or Xylene. -
Page 53: Recommended Maintenance And Service Schedule
Cleaning of blade holder (see chapter 11.4). Cleaning of window. Monthly Check of temperature sensor in cryo chamber. Cleaning of cryostat ventilation (see chapter 11.5). Yearly Complete service (performed by authorized Slee service technician) • check of all functions • complete defrost •... -
Page 54: Cleaning Of Disposable Blade Holder
11.4 Cleaning of disposable blade holder Turn the handwheel to the highest position and activate the handwheel lock. Fold the pressure plate forwards using the lever. Remove the blade from the blade holder. Loosen the upper part of the blade holder by turning the right-hand lever counterclock- wise. -
Page 55: Modification Of The Blade Holder For Use Of High-Profile Blades
Separate the lateral slide from the eccentric shaft by simultaneously turning and pulling out the shaft. To pull out the eccentric shaft, it must be ro- tated over the small pin in the carriage. To do this, push the pin into the carriage and turn the shaft over it. -
Page 56: Cleaning Of Cryostat Ventilation
11.6 Cleaning of cryostat ventilation During daily use, dust settles on the fins of the condenser. This can affect the cooling capacity of the appliance. Monthly cleaning of the cryostat ventilation is recommended. MNT: 2 ventilation grilles at the front We recommend to use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning. -
Page 57: Optional Accessories
12 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Blade remover, magnetic 34004113 Standard knife holder 10156010 Microtome knife (16 cm C-cut, 1 pcs.) 28000026 Disposable blade holder (low and high profile) 10157004 Object holder rack (stainless steel) 31000769 Heat extractor block 31000253 Object holder (Ø 22 mm; 5 pcs., 5 different colors) 30000002 Object holder (Ø... -
Page 58: Warranty
13 SERVICE Internal components should only be serviced by technicians authorized by SLEE medical GmbH. If technical service or spare parts are necessary, please contact your local SLEE medical GmbH distributor. Please have the following information available: • complete contact details, •... - Page 59 Notes Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN.docx...
- Page 60 SLEE medical GmbH • Am Neuberg 14 55268 Nieder-Olm • Germany www.slee.de T: +49 (0) 6136 76997-0 E: mail@slee.de www.slee.de YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Manual_MNT_2025-05-026.00_EN...
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