Why Compresstome^®?

The Compresstome is a revolutionary vibrating microtome designed to create higher-quality slices than traditional vibratomes. This overview explains everything you need to know about the Compresstome so you can start creating better-quality slices.

Compresstomes vs. Other Vibratomes

Problems with Legacy Vibrating Microtomes

How the Compresstome Works

The Benefit of Compression for Tissue Slicing

What Makes the Compresstome Different?

Compresstomes vs. Other Vibratomes at a Glance

Compression to increase tissue stability

Automation

Cutting Speed

Stabilization Technology

Weight

Footprint

Precisionary VF-510-0Z

Compression to increase tissue stability

Yes

Automation:

Fully Automated

Cutting Speed

0.01 - 10 mm

Stabilization Technology:

Auto Zero-Z technology included

Weight:

13 pounds

Footprint:

330 x 255 x 195 mm

Leica VT1200S

Compression to increase tissue stability

Automation:

Fully Automated

Cutting Speed

0.01 - 1.5 mm

Stabilization Technology:

Manual adjustment after each blade change

Weight:

123 pounds

Footprint:

600 x 250 x 469 mm plus control unit

Campden Instruments 7000smz-2

Compression to increase tissue stability

Cutting Speed:

Fully Automated

Cutting Speed

0.01 - 5 mm

Stabilization Technology:

Manual adjustment after each blade change

Weight:

73 pounds

Footprint:

420 x 400 x 270 mm

Problems with Legacy Vibrating Microtomes

Many scientists encounter common problems with legacy vibratomes that hinder their scientific work. The Compresstome addresses these problems head-on, offering scientists a reliable workhorse vibratome, backed by expert support.

Problem #1: Tissue Slice Quality

Legacy vibratomes have a flat stage where you glue your tissue sample, with a cutting blade that approaches horizontally. However, the tissue sample isn’t well-supported, meaning the blade can easily push your tissue sample and squish, tilt, and compress it—these effects may damage cells and tissue architecture, affecting your results.

Other vibratomes have blades that push the tissue while cutting, because the sample cannot be stabilized.

Even with a small agar block, other vibratomes will press the tissue sample which can harm cells.

Problem #2: Reliability

Vibratomes are a significant capital investment for any lab, and with that investment, it’s natural to want some assurance that the instrument will work reliably for years. However, many legacy vibratome models only come with a 1-year warranty. At Precisionary, we build vibratomes designed to last, backed by a 5-year warranty and flexible maintenance plans to ensure your vibratome remains operational at all times.

Problem #3: Service and Maintenance

For many instrument manufacturers, vibratomes are just another product line. That means when it comes time for service or repairs, response times tend to be slow, and service technicians tend to lack the expertise needed to keep your vibratome running. At Precisionary, tissue sectioning is our main focus. Our scientists are always on hand to answer questions, assist in troubleshooting, and help you achieve your desired results.

How the Compresstome Works

Watch this short video to learn how the Compresstome vibrating microtome works.

Compresstome Produces Higher Quality Tissue Slices

The Compresstome vibrating microtome has been scientifically proven to create more consistent tissue sections for immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology than other vibratomes. In the figure below, you can see the significant reduction in chattermarks in tissue slices produced with our Compresstome tissue slicer versus sections (A, C). Slices made at the same cutting speed and oscillation on another market vibratome produce chattermarks on the surface of tissue slices.

Comparison of tissue slices sectioned with a Compresstome vibrating microtome vs. another leading market vibratome

Mouse brains sectioned with a Compresstome® yields significantly higher number of healthy, live neurons for electrophysiology compared to slices made by other leading market vibratomes.

What's the biggest difference about the Compresstome Tissue Slicer?

The Compresstome vibrating microtome’s unique feature is that you embed your tissue sample into a stainless steel tube (called a “specimen tube“) and surround it with agarose. The agarose provides 360-degree stability around your tissue during the entire cutting process, allowing you to achieve higher-quality slices.

The Benefit of Compression for Tissue Slicing

Embedding tissue in agarose is simple and proven to keep the tissue from harm. Agarose stabilizes the tissue during cutting with the Compresstome. This yields slices with smooth surfaces and does not harm or disrupt the tissue. Agarose embedding allows you to cut consistent, even tissue slices without chatter marks.

What is Auto Zero-Z Technology? How does it benefit tissue slicing?

Compresstome slicer models marked with “-0Z” mean that they have our patented Auto Zero-Z technology. These vibrating heads are precisely aligned to eliminate vibrations in the Z-axis. Auto Zero-Z technology helps reduce damage to surface cells on live tissue samples and further reduces chattermarks on thin sections for improved imaging results.

Talk to a Tissue Sectioning Expert

Our team is always here to answer any tissue sectioning questions you may have. Get in touch today.

Why Compresstome^®?

Compresstomes vs. Other Vibratomes at a Glance