Choosing a vibrating microtome

A vibrating microtome is a tissue slicer that cuts through samples using a high-frequency oscillating blade. You may hear of vibrating microtomes being referred to as “vibratomes.” Typically, these types of microtomes are used to cut softer tissues, either fixed or live/acute. Here are some advantages of using a vibrating microtome:

• • Can help you make live tissue slices, such as acute mouse brain slices for patch-clamp electrophysiology
  • You don’t have to freeze your tissue or process it in paraffin-wax
  • No risk of lysing cell membranes because there is no freezing process
  • Quick setup for cutting and clean up

Some disadvantages of vibrating microtomes include:

• • Slower to cut than a cryostat or rotary microtome (this is because you need a slow cutting speed for making live tissue slices without damaging live cells)
  • Sections can’t be as thinner than typically 10 µm

Don’t worry, we are happy to help you choose the best microtome for your needs! Here are a few questions to consider:

• • Are you slicing live or fixed tissue?
  • What are you embedding your tissue in?
  • How thick or thin do you want your tissue slices?
  • What experiments do you plan to use your tissue slices for?

Based on your answers, you may find these points helpful:

• • If you are slicing live tissue slices, especially for patch-clamp electrophysiology of mouse brains, then you definitely need a vibrating microtome. 
  • If you need to embed your tissue in paraffin wax, then a vibrating microtome won’t work. However, our rotary microtomes will work, so check them out here.
  • If you need to cut thicker slices (50µm to 500µm or more), then a vibrating microtome will work.
  • If you are using tissue slices for electrophysiology, precision-cut tissue slices, organotypic slice cultures, or free-floating immunohistochemistry, then you can use a vibrating microtome.

We’re experts in tissue slicing, so don’t hesitate to ask us your questions!

Vibrating microtomes are a big purchase for a lab, so there are several important factors to think about:

• • Price
  • Tissue slice quality
  • Microtome quality
  • Delivery time
  • Warranty
  • Annual service plan
  • Customer service & support

Here is how Precisionary Instruments can help meet your vibrating microtome needs:

• • Price: Our price for microtomes are competitive. We also price match and beat competitor prices by 10%.
  • Tissue slice quality: We have experimentally demonstrated that our vibrating microtomes produces healthier live tissue slices for electrophysiology, and smoother, more consistent sections for immunohistochemistry.
  • Microtome quality: Our microtomes are made of the highest quality materials and are robust. They will support your experiments for many years.
  • Delivery time: Only takes about 1-2 weeks from receipt of your order for our in-stock microtomes to reach you.
  • Warranty: We offer a full 5-year warranty for Compresstomes®, which covers repairs, parts, labor, and shipping.
  • Annual service plan: At the end of your warranty, we offer annual service agreements to take care of your microtome for years to come.
  • Customer service & support: We are known for excellent customer service and product support. You can reach us quickly by e-mail, phone, WhatsApp, WeChat, and video. You’ll always talk to a real person.