Leica VT1000S User manual

Operating Manual
Leica VT1000S, V1.8 English - 12/2009
Always keep this manual with the instrument.
Read carefully before working with the instrument.
/HLFD97 6
Microtome with
Vibrating Blade

3
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
Published by:
Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
Heidelberger Str. 17 - 19
D-69226 Nussloch
Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: http://www.leica-microsystems.com
These are determined only by the contract provi-
sions agreed between ourselves and our custom-
ers.
Leica reserves the right to change technical spec-
ifications as well as manufacturing processes
without prior notice. Only in this way is it possible
to continuously improve the technology and man-
ufacturing techniques used in our products.
This document is protected under copyright laws.
Any copyrights of this document are retained by
Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH.
Any reproduction of text and illustrations (or of
any parts thereof) by means of print, photocopy,
microfiche, web cam or other methods – includ-
ing any electronic systems and media – requires
express prior permission in writing by Leica Bio-
systems Nussloch GmbH.
For the instrument serial number and year of man-
ufacture, please refer to the name plate at the
back of the instrument.
© Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
The information, numerical data, notes and value
judgments contained in this manual represent the
current state of scientific knowledge and state-
of-the-art technology as we understand it follow-
ing thorough investigation in this field. We are
under no obligation to update the present manu-
al periodically and on an ongoing basis accord-
ing to the latest technical developments, nor to
provide our customers with additional copies,
updates etc. of this manual.
To the extent permitted in accordance with the
national legal system as applicable in each indi-
vidual case, we shall not be held liable for erro-
neous statements, drawings, technical illustra-
tions etc. contained in this manual.
In particular, no liability whatsoever is accepted
for any financial loss or consequential damage
caused by or related to compliance with state-
ments or other information in this manual.
Statements, drawings, illustrations and other in-
formation regarding the contents or technical
details of the present Operating Manual are not
to be considered warranted characteristics of our
products.
Note

4Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
Table of contents
1. Important Information .................................................................................................... 5
2. Safety................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Safety notes ................................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Warnings ...................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Safety instructions for handling the instrument ..................................................................... 7
3. Instrument Characteristics ........................................................................................... 8
3.1 Technical Data ............................................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Overview - VT1000S .................................................................................................................... 9
4. Installation ..................................................................................................................... 11
4.1 Standard delivery ...................................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Unpacking and setting up the instrument ............................................................................. 12
5. Operation ........................................................................................................................ 14
5.1 Installation site requirements.................................................................................................. 14
5.2 Setting up the instrument ......................................................................................................... 15
5.3 The VT1000S controls and their function ............................................................................... 16
5.4 Adjusting the amplitude ............................................................................................................ 20
5.5 Working with the VT1000S on a daily base ........................................................................... 21
5.6 Daily routine maintenance and switching off the VT1000S ................................................ 24
6. Malfunctions: Meanings and Troubleshooting ...................................................... 25
7. Cleaning and Maintenance ........................................................................................ 30
7.1 Cleaning the instrument ........................................................................................................... 30
7.2 Changing the fuse...................................................................................................................... 31
8. Ordering Information: Spare Parts, Accessories, Consumables ........................ 32
8.1 Additional accessories for standard size specimens (functional description) ............... 33
8.2 Additional accessories for large specimens (functional description).............................. 33
8.3 Foot switch (functional description)....................................................................................... 33
8.4 Buffer trays ................................................................................................................................. 34
8.4.1 Double-walled buffer tray S..................................................................................................... 34
8.4.2 Double-walled buffer tray L ..................................................................................................... 34
8.5 Magnifier, fiber optics, cold light source .............................................................................. 35
9. Warranty and Service .................................................................................................. 36

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Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
Symbols in the text and their meanings
Warnings appear in a gray box and
are marked by a warning triangle .
Useful tips, i.e. important information
for the user, appear in gray boxes and
are marked by an information
symbol .
Figures in brackets refer to item num-
bers in drawings or to the drawings
themselves.
Instrument type:
All information given in this instruction manual
applies only to the VT1000S.
A nameplate indicating the instrument serial num-
ber is attached to the rear side of the instrument.
1. Important Information
(5)
(Fig.5)
Information:
When making inquiries, please specify correctly:
• Instrument type
• Serial number
Qualification of personnel
The Leica VT1000S should be operated by trained
laboratory personnel only.
All laboratory personnel designated to operate
the Leica instrument must read this Operating
Manual carefully and must be familiar with all
technical features of the instrument before at-
tempting to operate it.
Intended use / improper use
The VT1000S is used for sectioning in the fields
of medicine, biology and industry, and is espe-
cially designed for sectioning fixed or unfixed
fresh tissue in a buffer solution.
The instrument must be used exclusively accord-
ing to the instructions contained in this Operat-
ing Manual.
Any other use of the instrument is considered
improper.

6Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
2. Safety
2.1 Safety notes
This Operating Manual contains important in-
structions and information regarding the opera-
tional safety and maintenance of the instrument.
The Operating Manual is an important part of the
product, and must be read carefully prior to star-
tup and use and must always be kept near the
instrument.
If additional requirements on accident
prevention and environmental protec-
tion exceeding the scope of this Oper-
ating Manual are imposed by laws/
regulations of the country of opera-
tion, this Operating Manual must be
supplemented by appropriate instruc-
tions to ensure compliance with such
requirements.
The safety and caution notes in this chapter must be observed at all times.
Be sure to read these notes even if you are already familiar with the operation and use of other
Leica products.
This instrument has been built and tested in ac-
cordance with the safety requirements for elec-
trical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use.
To maintain this condition and ensure safe oper-
ation, the user must observe all notes and warn-
ings contained in this Operating Manual.
For current information about applicable stan-
dards, please refer to the CE Declaration of Con-
formity on our Internet site:
www.leica-microsystems.com
The protective devices located on the instrument and the accessories must not be removed or
modified. The instrument must only be opened and repaired by service technicians authorized
by Leica.
2.2 Warnings
The safety devices installed in this instrument by the manufacturer only constitute the basis for
accident prevention. Operating the instrument safely is, above all, the responsibility of the own-
er, as well as the designated personnel who operate, service or clean the instrument.
To ensure trouble-free operation of the instrument, make sure to comply with the following in-
structions and warnings.

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Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
Danger
Caution: risk of injury when touching
the knives and blades as these are
extremely sharp.
Warning: risk of infection when work-
ing with fresh tissue or with material
where an infection cannot be excluded.
Caution: When not in use, cover mag-
nifier with corresponding lid to avoid
risk of fire.
Warning: Avoid touching live parts
under any circumstances!
2. Safety
2.3 Safety instructions for handling the instrument
Correct behavior
Be sure to handle knives and blades very
cautiously!
Never touch the cutting edge of knives and
blades!
Do not leave knives, blades and bladed knife hold-
ers unprotected.
All appropriate safety precautions must be met
to avoid the risk of infection.
Protective clothes according to safety regulations
"Working with harmful substances" (Safety mask,
gloves, protective clothing) must be worn!
Cover the magnifier during work breaks. as it may
act as a burning glass when not covered!
In case of emergency, press the red EMERGEN-
CY STOP switch (at the right side of the instru-
ment). To release the switch, turn it in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
The instrument may be opened by authorized ser-
vice personnel only.
Before removing the cover, ensure that the in-
strument is unplugged.

8Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
3. Instrument Characteristics
3.1 Technical Data
General data:
Sectioning frequency (± 10 %) .......................................................................................................... 0 - 100 Hz
Amplitude .................................................................................. adjustable in 5 steps: 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1 m m
Sectioning speed (± 10 %) ................................................................................................... 0.025-2.5 mm/s
Return stroke speed (± 10 %) .............................................................................................................. 5 mm/s
Total vertical specimen stroke .......................................................................................... 15 mm (motorized)
Sectioning range ........................................................................................................... 1 - 40 mm (adjustable)
Specimen retraction ................................................................ 0 - 999 µm (adjustable; can be deactivated)
Maximum specimen size:
with standard knife holder ......................................................................................................... 33 x 40 mm
with knife holder L ....................................................................................................................... 70 x 40 mm
Specimen orientation .................................................................................................................................. 330°
Section thickness selection ................................................................................... 1 - 999 µm, in 1-µm steps
Magnifier, assy. (Standard accessory) ....................................................................................................... 2 x
Ambient conditions:
Operating temperature range .................................................................................... min. 5 °C to max. 40 °C
Relative humidity ................................................................................................................................ max. 80 %
Altitude: ............................................................................................................... max. 2,000 m above sea level
Electrical data:
Nominal voltage range (± 10 %): .................................................................................................. 100 V - 240 V
Rated frequency (± 10 %): .................................................................................................................. 50 - 60 Hz
Power draw ................................................................................................................................................. 50 VA
Mains fuse ............................................................................................................................................... T 1.25 A
Pollution degree ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Overvoltage installation category ...................................................................................................................II
Overload protection ....................................................................................................................................... yes
Internal current limiter of electronics......................................................................................................... yes
Dimensions:
L x W x H ................................................................................................................ 480 mm x 360 mm x 200 mm
Height with magnifier ............................................................................................................................. 285 mm
Weight:
(without magnifier) ...................................................................................................................................... 17 kg
(magnifier only) .............................................................................................................................................. 2 kg
(total) ............................................................................................................................................................. 19 kg

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Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
3. Instrument Characteristics
3.2 Overview - VT1000S
Buffer tray S
Emergency stop switch
(not visible here)
Fixture for
magnifier
Fiber optics
(optional)
Magnifier
Cold light source
Leica CLS 100 (optional)
Knife holder
Control panel
Magnifier
carrier
Cutting head

10 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
Control knob
for sectioning
frequency
LED mode indication:
'Totalized section
thickness'
'Section thickness'
CLR-Clear button
DISP-Programming button
Selector button
'Single/ Continuous stroke'
(LEDs indicate selected
mode)
Toggle switch for knife
forward and return stroke
Toggle switch
'Buffer tray height adjust-
ment' (LEDs indicate limit
positions)
Pause button -
stops sectioning process
Control knob
for sectioning
speed
Indication of selected
section thickness or
totalized section
thickness in µm
+/- Selection button for
sectioning thickness
(1 - 999 µm selectable),
retraction and/or volume
Button for setting
the limit stops
of the sectioning window
Start button
for single / continuous
sectioning stroke
Emergency stop button
Fixing device for
drain tube
Connecting socket for
power cord
Power switch
Connection for footswitch,
9-pin
3. Instrument Characteristics
Button for maximum
advance speed