MICKLE LABORATORY MCILWAIN 800 SERIES TISSUE CHOPPER VIBRATOME, BRINKMANN MTC/2E is a specialized instrument designed for slicing delicate tissues into thin sections for various biological studies. It is commonly used in neuroscience, histology, and cell biology to prepare tissue samples for further analysis.

• Stepless variation of slice thickness from zero to maximum.
• The specimen table is traversed automatically from left to right at a variable speed.
• Chopping Arm is raised and dropped at speeds of up to 200 strokes per minute.
• Safety limit switch prevents overrunning and a quick return mechanism is fitted for the return of the table

The McIlwain Tissue Chopper has been designed to prepare samples of tissue for metabolic experiments and is particularly suitable for small and irregular samples for biopsy or from small organs. For Neuroscience it offers the opportunity for rapid chopping of tissue such as hippocampus, which is relatively flat, and will not suffer excessive stress damage.
The McIlwain also has applications in organotypic slices and for preparing tissue for immunology studies. For slicing cortical or sub-cortical regions, our vibrating microtomes provide more precise and gentle slice sectioning. The tissue chopper is also good for preparing cell cultures from the brain of young animals.
Its operation is such that it will cause much less disturbance of cell structure than would a blender or homogeniser, and it can be used on fragments which would be difficult to cut by ordinary methods. Typical applications are for liver, kidney and parts of the central nervous system. Preparation of 1mm thick slices or cubes and prism samples can be prepared in 30 seconds. The Chopper offers stepless variation of slice thickness from zero to maximum by means of an indexing clutch in conjunction with micrometer head calibrated in microns.
The specimen is placed on the circular stainless steel table; the table is traversed automatically, at a speed, which can be varied, from left to right. During this travel the chopping arm, with blade, is raised and dropped, at speeds of up to 200 strokes per minute. As the table carrying the specimen passes under the blade it is chopped into the desired slices. If prism shaped pieces are required the table is returned to the left hand side of the machine, rotated through 45°, and the process repeated. To prepare cubes the table is rotated through 90° for the second chop. A safety limit switch is fitted to prevent the machine overrunning and a quick return mechanism is fitted for the return of the table.

Specifications

• Slice Thickness: maximum 1mm
• Power Supply: 220-240 volts 50Hz or 115 volts 60HZ
• Power Rating: 0.5 amp
• Fuse: 3.15 amp anti surge (T) 5x20mm
• Operating Conditions:
• Indoor use
• Altitude: < 2000 meters
• Ambient Temperature: 5-40° C
• Maximum RH: 80% at 31° C decreasing linearly to 50% RH at 40° C
• Installation Category II
• Pollution: degree 1 or 2 (IEC664)
• Dimensions: 32 x 28 x 15 cms
• Weight: 6.6kg (240 volt) 6.3 kg (115 volt)

Key Features:

1. Vibratome Technology:

   • Uses a vibrating blade system for slicing tissues, minimizing tissue damage and allowing for precise, consistent sections. This is especially useful for delicate tissues like brain slices.

2. Adjustable Section Thickness:

   • Offers adjustable slicing thickness, allowing users to create slices in a range of thicknesses, typically from 10 to 500 microns, depending on the tissue type and research needs.

3. Motorized Operation:

   • Features a motorized cutting mechanism that provides consistent, smooth cuts, improving efficiency and reducing operator strain.

4. Versatility:

   • Can handle a variety of soft tissues, such as brain, heart, liver, and muscle, making it versatile for different applications in research and diagnostic labs.

5. Ergonomic Design:

   • Designed with ease of use in mind, featuring intuitive controls and a user-friendly interface for adjusting settings like speed and cutting thickness.

6. Precision and Consistency:

   • Provides precise, reproducible results, which is critical in experiments requiring consistent tissue preparation, such as electrophysiology or immunohistochemistry.

7. Stability and Safety:

   • The chopper is built to provide stable, secure tissue placement, ensuring that slicing is done safely and without movement that could affect the sectioning.

Applications:

• Neuroscience: Brain slice preparation for electrophysiological studies or microscopy.
• Histology: Tissue sample preparation for microscopic analysis.
• Cell Biology: Sectioning of tissue samples for studying cellular structures.
• Pharmacology: Preparing tissue slices for drug testing or bioassays.