The simple answer is, contact us! We are happy to help troubleshoot your cutting parameters, as many low-quality sectioning issues are due to:
If you find that the issues persist after adjusting the cutting parameters, please call or email us with a description of the problem and the serial number of the model ready. We have a Compresstome Analysis Document we can send you which is a short, 3-page document to execute to try and remedy the problem. If the problem persists, we will initiate a repair case and request your model to be sent back to Precisionary Instruments for the needed repairs. Repairs typically take 1-2 weeks to complete and send back to the customer upon receipt of the model in our facilities.
The solution you choose to use is based on your experiments. While PBS is the most commonly used buffer solution, many who are cutting fresh brain tissue will use aCSF, or those slicing liver or kidney will use KHB solution.
You want the solution in the buffer tray to fully cover the specimen tube in order to produce the best results, which means that the buffer tray will be filled to the brim with solution. You will need 210 mL of solution to fill the buffer tray when working with the 20 mm specimen tubes, and 215 mL of solution to fill the buffer tray when working with the 15.5 mm specimen tubes.
For the Compresstome® VF-310-0Z, VF-500-0Z, and VF-210-0Z models, the maximum length of tissue you can fit within the specimen tube is 2.5 cm.
Yes! Our stainless steel buffer tray is available on our E-Store for purchase and is autoclavable. You may also autoclave the blade holders.
When cutting with the Compresstome®, the sections fall into a buffer tray as they are free floating. There are several ways to keep the solution cold during cutting, including:
There are several ways to clean the Compresstome® and the parts of the machine. Including:
Yes, agarose embedding is safe when using the Compresstome®! This has been our protocol for over 15 years and has been tried and true in over hundreds of labs all around the globe. We provide low-melting agarose tablets with all Compresstome® orders (in our Starter Kit of consumables) as well as for purchase in quantities of 10, 20, 50 and 100 tablets. The agarose embedding is safe for all tissue types because of our protocol to use the chilling block immediately after embedding your sample within the metal tube. The chilling block gels the agarose and takes ~30 seconds or less to do; while keeping your sample at biologically safe temperatures throughout the entire process.
We do not recommend using the Compresstome® without agarose embedding as the agarose provides 360˚ stability within the specimen tube, aids in the compression technology, and ultimately assists in producing the high-quality sections the Compresstome® cuts.
Precisionary Instruments Compresstome® tissue slicers are a type of vibrating microtome, otherwise known as a vibratome. We call ours the Compresstome® because our models utilize a patented compression technology that no other tissue slicer on the market possesses. This technology is found in the way our slicers are designed (cutting vertically as opposed to horizontally) and more importantly, in our specimen tubes.The specimen tube is the stage for your sample to be cut when using the Compresstome®. It is a two-part system consisting of an inner plastic plunger and an outer metal tube. The metal tube has a slightly indented, compression lip at the one end of the tube and this is what is gently compressing your agarose-embedded sample as it exits the tube to be cut. Your sample sits on the plastic plunger and gets pulled down within the metal tube to then be embedded with a low-melting agarose. The agarose is then chilled with a <a href=”https://precisionary.com/product-category/compresstome-parts/chilling-blocks/” title=”Compresstome<sup>®chilling block and the agarose assists with the compression technology. As the agarose-embedded sample exits the tube, the blade comes down and makes a cut right at that site of compression. This is how the Compresstome® creates even, consistent slices every time you cut.
The VF-310-0Z, VF-500-0Z, and VF-210-0Z models all accommodate either a 15.5 mm or 20 mm diameter specimen tube. Each Compresstome® order includes 1 set of specimen tubes from one of the two sizes. We also sell additional specimen tubes and specimen tube kits for purchase, which include two specimen tubes, one buffer tray, and one chilling block of the same-size diameter.
For larger tissue samples, such as macaque brain, our VF-800-0Z model is made with either a 75 mm or 100 mm diameter specimen tube and this size is fixed on the machine.
Both of these models are fully automated, produce sections with the same patented compression technology, and offer the same size specimen tubes for each model. The biggest difference between these two models is their functionality – more specifically, how you load the specimen tube for sectioning.
On the VF-310-0Z model, the micrometer sits within the control box and the control box is attached to the base unit. This restricts the space for inserting the specimen tube into the buffer tray when the tray is on the base unit. Thus, the user must remove the blade holder and buffer tray first, then prepare and insert the prepared specimen tube into the buffer tray, and then put the entire tray/tube onto the base model. Although it is incredibly simple to remove & attach the buffer tray (via a magnet and thumbscrew), once the tray is on the base unit the blade holder then has to be applied. For these reasons, preparation time takes ~1-7 minutes longer (depending on the user) from preparing your sample in the specimen tube and loading it onto the machine for cutting. However, exchanging the specimen tube kit on the VF-310-0Z model is effortless, and takes minimal time to remove for easy cleaning and exchanging with another specimen tube size.
On the other hand, the VF-500-0Z model’s micrometer sits in a sliding step motor box on the base unit, while the control box is a separate system attached to the main unit via a wire. Because of the sliding box, the user can easily slide this box out of the way while keeping the buffer tray and blade holder attached to the machine. This means that preparing and inserting your specimen tube takes slightly less time than with the VF-310-0Z model, and this is why this is our recommended model for slicing fresh brain tissue for electrophysiology. After the specimen tube is inserted into the buffer tray, the sliding step motor box can easily slide forward to quickly begin sectioning with the Compresstome. While this model is more convenient for loading your tissue samples and cutting, the buffer tray is a little more involved to remove from the machine for cleaning; and we do not recommend swapping between specimen tube sizes when using this model, unless you purchase both sizes with your initial purchase.
The biggest difference between these models is the automation. The Compresstome® VF-310-0Z and VF-500-0Z models are fully automated models, which means that there is both ‘Single’ and ‘Continuous’ cutting modes when operating them. The micrometer sits in the control box and automatically advances your sample forward to be cut, depending on the slice thickness display that the user sets on the control box. These units can cut either one slice at a time or continuous slices and the mode is easily set via a switch on the control box. For these reasons, the VF-310-0Z and VF-500-0Z models are excellent options for producing super thin sections, down to ~10 µm.
On the other hand, the VF-210-0Z is a semi-automated model meaning it can only cut one slice at a time. There is no continuous cutting mode as this model’s micrometer is a manual dial that the user needs to turn to their desired slice thickness in between each slice that is produced. Because of this manual micrometer, this model is recommended for fresh tissue slicing or producing sections >20 µm.
Our VF-310-0Z, VF-500-0Z, and VF-210-0Z models are our most popular Compresstome® models. These are our most versatile Compresstome® vibrating microtomes as they are able to cut fresh and fixed tissue from a variety of animal models; including mouse, rat, human, zebrafish, guinea pig, frog, chick (gallus gallus), and even plant samples.
The advantages of the Compresstome outweigh other market slicers for many reasons. These reasons include:
The Compresstome tissue slicer has many advantages over other tissue slicers. With a wide range of slicing capabilities, it is ideal for many tissue types, animal types, and experiments. Contact us today to see how the Compresstome tissue slicer can benefit you!
The VF-800-0Z model is designed for sectioning larger sized tissue specimens. The model is larger compared to the VF-210-0Z, VF-310-0Z, and VF-500-0Z models. The Compresstome VF-800-0Z is fully automated model and able to section fixed tissue. It can cut full brain slices of larger animals down to 40 µm thin. The VF-800-0Z can section full brains of pig, monkey, cat and dog with a diameter of up to 95mm. It is optimal for neuroanatomy and neuropathology experiments that need to section full animal brains. Contact us today to see if these models are right for you!
We are happy to get you started at trying a slicer!
You can reach us directly by number (617) 682-0586 or email info@precisionary.com. These are also found at the top of our website.
Additionally, you can get a free quote by submitting a free Quote Form. We will ask you for some basic information on yourself and your experiments to get started. We want to get to know you! This will help us generate the quote of the best model that suits your research needs.
We also have over 200 References and Protocols on specific experiments, animal models, and tissue types that have used the Compresstome®. We will send you the information you need to help get you started. We are here to help. Contact us today!
The Compresstome slicer can cut fixed tissue slices better than a cryostat for many reasons. These include:
Using a Compresstome slicer over the cryostat saves you time, money, and produces the best cut slices for your experimental needs. Contact us today to see how the Compresstome slicer will benefit you and your lab!