• 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. Precision Cutting:
• The McIlwain Tissue Chopper is known for its ability to cut tissue samples with high precision, creating consistent slices. This is crucial in studies where uniformity is important, such as in enzyme activity assays or cell culture preparations.
2. Adjustable Cutting Thickness:
• The instrument typically offers adjustable settings for cutting thickness, allowing users to customize the thickness of tissue slices to suit their specific research needs.
3. Motorized Mechanism:
• The TC752 model usually features a motorized blade system that makes the chopping process faster and more efficient. The motorized action ensures a smoother, more consistent cut compared to manual methods.
4. Versatility:
• It is capable of slicing a variety of soft tissues, including brain, liver, heart, and muscle, among others. This versatility makes it an essential tool in many biological research labs.
5. Chamber for Tissue Placement:
• The tissue is typically placed in a chamber where it is secured, and the cutting process takes place with the tissue being moved by a rotating platform or mechanism, guiding it through the cutting blades.
6. Compact Design:
• Despite its functionality, the TC752 model is designed to be compact, allowing it to be used in standard laboratory settings without taking up excessive space.
7. Easy to Clean:
• The tissue chopper is built with materials that are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring that there is no cross-contamination between tissue samples.
8. Applications:
• Commonly used in neuroscience, cell biology, histology, and pharmacology for cutting tissues into slices for further analysis, including the preparation of tissue cultures, examination of organ-specific properties, and studying cellular behavior.