7000smz-2 Vibratome

Why should I use the Campden 7000smz-2 Vibrating Microtome?

Our top of the range high precision, vibrating microtome ('vibrotome' for short, but often referred to as a 'vibratome'), this is the finest tissue slicer in the world for preparations for visual patch clamping or high resolution imaging. The 7000smz series Vibrating microtome has been the instrument of choice for many labs for 10 years - over 450 labs and counting! Using our microtomes, research detailing tissue slicing for visual patching of neurological tissue, heart, lung, and tissue scaffolds have all been published. The 7000smz-2 microtome represents significant advances with higher precision at a lower cost.

Why is Z-axis deflection important?

The effect of excessive Z-axis deflection on the health and viability of the tissue preparation has been much discussed since the publication of Geiger et al (2003) and the Campden 7000smz-2 tissue slicer, with ≤ 1µm Z-axis deflection across a wide range of vibration speeds and amplitudes, delivers healthy viable sections every time.

The vibrating mechanism of the 7000smz-2 vibrating microtome delivers unprecedented accuracy with nearly silent operation. Every machine is tested before dispatch by our in-house measurement devices and each machine is supplied with its own z-axis calibration checker.

Interface

The user interface is easy and versatile (with no foot switch unlike previous models) and offers simple operation at the push of a button or a range of changeable parameters for the expert user. The Campden 7000smz-2 also provides longevity of performance, as not only does the slicer give ≤ 1 µm performance out of the box, but the advance vibrating mechanism does not contain bearings and other elements subject to wear. Thus it will retain the ≤ 1 µm z-ad performance for many years, giving you consistency in your biological preparation, without the need for expensive servicing.

Blades

We have developed both ceramic and stainless-steel microtome blades, alongside the machine, so that the grinding and honing facets for the blade edge are matched to the blade downward angle of orientation to the tissue. The ceramic blades have a particular advantage when slicing brain tissue older than 30 days. These ceramic microtome blades also have a second advantage in that unlike stainless blades, these do not have to be replaced after each tissue sample.

Accessories

Holding the tissue close to 4° C must continue throughout the slicing procedure. This can be done with passive cooling where a known amount of ice is used to maintain the cooled a.c.s.f. or with an electronically controlled thermo-electric Tissue Bath Cooler (7610A).

Other options include an LED cold light and magnifier or scope for clear observation whilst slicing. Shown with optional Slice incubation chamber and temperature controller.

Highlighted Accessory: Tissue Slice Recovery Chamber

Shown alongside the tissue slicer above, the Model 7470 Temperature-controlled Slice Holding Chamber was developed as an optional accessory to the Campden Instruments range of tissue slicers. They are designed to hold and maintain tissue slices in six sub-chambers at physiological temperatures with an aeration supply to allow recovery from slicing as well as incubation during the experimental day.

Customer Spotlight

Dr. Gareth Morris (University of Manchester and University College London) talks about his research and how the use of Brain Slices provides an invlauable, in vitro research tool.