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

5
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.

7
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

9
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

11
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
4. Installation
4.1 Standard delivery
VT1000S Basic instrument ........................................................... 14 0472 35612
1 Silicon tube D-6x1.5..................................................................... 14 0462 27513
1 set of power cables:
-Mains cable ‘Germany' .......................................................... 14 0411 13558
-Mains cable 'USA-CAN-J' ..................................................... 14 0411 13559
-Mains cable 'UK' ST/BU F-5A ............................................... 14 0411 27822
1 set of replacement fuses 2 x T 1.25 A....................................... 14 6943 01251
1 Tool set:
-1 Allen key, size 2.5 ................................................................. 14 0194 13195
-1 Allen key size 8.0 .................................................................. 14 0194 04792
-1 Manipulator........................................................................... 14 0462 28930
1 Microtome protective cover, type 104 R – flexible ................ 14 0212 04091
1 Operating Manual for Leica VT1000S ...................................... 14 0472 80001
1 CE Declaration of Conformity (engl.) ........................................ 14 0472 80011
VT1000S complete configuration ............................................... 14 0472 35613
- VT1000S Basic instrument ...................................................... 14 0472 35612
- 3 Specimen discs S, non orientable ...................................... 14 0463 27404
- Buffer tray S .............................................................................. 14 0462 30132
- 5 Countersunk screw, M 5 x 8 ............................................... 14 2101 77121
- 2 Hose clamps ........................................................................ 14 0481 41952
- Knife holder S – for injector and razor blades ..................... 14 0462 30131
- 1 Hexagon key w/handle, size 3 – metric.............................. 14 0194 04764
- 1 Bottle of Cyanoacrylate adhesive ....................................... 14 0371 27414
- Magnifier assy. (magnifier glass & carrier) ......................... 14 0462 31191
VT1000S complete configuration & sapphire knife ................ 14 9010 00001
- Accessories as for complete configuration above ............. 14 0472 35613
plus:
- 1 sapphire blade ....................................................................... 14 0216 35654
If you ordered additional accessories, please compare the deliv-
ered parts with your order form. Should there be any discrepan-
cies, please contact your local Leica sales office immediately.

12 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
4.2 Unpacking and setting up the instrument
4. Installation
«
«
1. Cut through the iron strap (1) and adhesive
tape (2) using a suitable tool and remove
them.
2. Check the accessory cartons (3) and sepa-
rate accessories provided (standard scope of
delivery - in transparent bag (4) and check to
ensure that they are complete.
1
2
34
Fig. 12.1 Fig. 12.2
3. Lift the instrument out of the transport carton by the carrying straps (55
55
5) and place it on a suitable
stable laboratory table. The instrument is securely fastened to the baseplate with a screw (6).
Tilt the instrument including the baseplate (Fig. 12.4) - hold the instrument with one hand on the
recess (8) for the buffer tray! NEVER lift or hold it by the cutting head (7)! Unscrew the screw (6)
using the size 8 Allen key provided and remove the base plate.
5
5
Fig. 12.3
«6
7!
Fig. 12.4
8

13
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
Fig. 13.1
5. Using both hands at the sides (Fig. 13.1), grasp
the bottom of the instrument and carefully place it
on a suitable laboratory table.
Compare with the attached packing list to
make sure the delivery is complete.
Fig. 13.2 - Bottom of the instrument
2
Assembling the drain tube
• Connect the drain tube (Fig. 13.2) to the bottom of the instrument (1).
• Ensure that the loose end of the drain tube is closed tightly with the
matching stopper.
• Secure the loose end of the drain tube in the holder at the rear of the
instrument (2).
1
4
Assembling the magnifier support and footswitch (optional)
Fig. 13.3
• The magnifier support (3) is packaged separately.
• Set it on the instrument as shown in Fig. 13.3.
• Attach the optional footswitch.
• Securely plug the footswitch into the 9-pin socket (4).
3
When transporting the instrument, always do so WITHOUT the
magnifier support!
4. Installation

14 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
5. Operation
5.1 Installation site requirements
The place of installation must meet the following requirements:
Do not operate the instrument in rooms with an explosion hazard!
• The instrument is designed for indoor use only.
• The power plug must be freely and easily accessible.
• Power supply at a distance no greater than the length of the power ca-
ble (3m) – an extension cable must not be used.
• Level installation location,
• Substrate as free of vibration as possible,
• Relative humidity should not exceed 80%,
• Room temperature consistently between +5°C and +40°C,
• Avoid vibrations, direct sunlight, and large temperature fluctuations!
The instrument MUST be connected to a grounded power socket.
Use only a provided power cable that is intended for the local
power supply.

15
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
The Leica VT1000S is equipped with an autoranging power supply
to cover voltages from 100 V to 240 V.
Once the mains switch is turned on, the instrument carries out an
initialization process: after performing a slight forward movement,
the knife moves to the final rear position.
5.2 Setting up the instrument
1. Put the mains switch at the back of the instrument to the OFF position.
The instrument MUST be connected to a grounded power socket.
Use only a provided power cable that is intended for the local
power supply.
2. Make sure the mains cable is connected correctly to the instrument.
3. Attach the magnifier carrier.
4. Insert the buffer tray.
5. Insert the knife holder.
6. Insert a blade into the knife holder.
7. Connect the magnifier support with optional fiber-optic illumination as
shown in Fig. 13.3. insert plug (1) of the fiber optics light guide into socket
(2) at the cold light source.
8. Connect the optional foot switch at the rear of the instrument.
9. Plug the mains cable into the mains power wall outlet.
10. Switch the instrument ON (mains switch).
The instrument MUST be set up so that the power plug and switch
are free and easily accessible at all times!
5. Operation
1
2

16 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
5. Operation
5.3 The VT1000S controls and their function
Attention: Practice working with the controls without a knife hold-
er inserted. Only insert the knife holder when you are completely
familiar with all control functions.
Scale setting mm/s
0 0.00
0.5 0.025
1 0.05
2 0.10
3 0.15
4 0.20
5 0.25
6 0.50
7 0.75
8 1.00
9 1.75
10 2.50
10-Speed rotating potentiometer with scale
Function:
Continuous knife feed adjustment from
0.05 - 2.5 mm/s:
Knife return stroke is performed at constant speed
of 5 mm/s.
The additional locking lever (lever in 12 o'clock
position) prevents the speed setting from being
accidentally changed while sectioning is in
progress.
SPEED
Control knob with scale from 0 to 10
Function:
Continuous adjustment of knife sectioning fre-
quency (vibration) from 8 - 100 Hz.
Scale setting H z
00
0.5 8
110
220
330
440
550
660
770
880
990
10 100
FREQ
FREQ
Locking lever
SPEED

17
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
Function:
• When the V-Max button is activated in manual mode (LED on - red light)
and the REV/FORW button is pressed, the knife moves towards the spec-
imen at maximum speed.
• When the START button is pressed, the LED in the V-Max button is extin-
guished. Sectioning starts at the speed previously selected.
Setting a sectioning window:
If - accidentally - only one limit stop of the sectioning window is
set, the knife covers the maximum sectioning range!
• Activate the V-Max button. Press REV/FORW toggle switch for fast move-
ment of the knife towards the specimen. Press the button to set the
first limit of the sectioning window.
• Press REV/FORW once again, moving the knife edge past the specimen
block and press once more to set the second sectioning window
limit.
• Press START to deactivate V-Max. The knife edge moves back to the
first sectioning window limit and resumes sectioning at the previously
selected speed (10-speed rotary potentiometer).
Function:
• Start single or continuous sectioning stroke – according to whether
SINGLE or CONT mode has previously been selected (see description of
Single/Cont mode for further details).
• Specimen feed (section thickness) takes place prior to each section.
• Retraction (specimen is lowered) takes place when the knife reaches
the rear inversive point.
• In SINGLE mode, the knife stops automatically in the rear end position.
• In CONT mode, START/STOP has to be pressed again to stop the sec-
tioning movement.
• The knife stops in the rear end position once the current section has
been completed.
5. Operation
2
1
Button with LED
Button with LED

18 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
5. Operation
Function:
Immediate interruption of knife movement.
- Press PAUSE once again to continue sectioning.
Toggle switch
Function:
To move the knife towards the specimen.
Can also be used for manual sectioning.
Because of safety aspects the FORW-movement is carried out only while
the toggle switch is pressed and held;
the REV-movement is carried out completely once the switch has been
locked into place.
To stop the REV-movement before reaching the rear end position, switch
the toggle switch manually back into its center position.
The REV/FORW switch can also be used to stop a sectioning stroke which
has been activated by pressing the START/STOP button.
LED indication with -/+ adjusting button, DISP and CLR function keys
Function of LED indication:
Indicates the selected sectioning thickness or totalized section thickness.
Function of the -/+ button:
Selection of section thickness in 1-µm steps from 0 to 999 µm.
The specimen feed (in the preselected section thickness) takes place at the
beginning of each sectioning stroke.
Function of the DISP button:
To select between two modes of operation:
'∑µm'= section thickness totalizing
'µm' = section thickness
Function of the CLR button in section thickness totalizing mode:
Sets the value indicated in the section thickness totalizer mode
(∑µm) to zero.

19
Leica VT1000 S – Vibrating-blade microtome
5. Operation
Function:
Switch between single stroke
(1 sectioning stroke / 1 return stroke of the knife) and
continuous stroke (continuous sectioning until the START/STOP-button
is pressed).
- To stop the knife at the rear end position in CONT mode press the
START/STOP button.
The sectioning stroke in progress will be completed and the knife will
then stop at the selected end position of the sectioning range.
Toggle switch
•Function:
Motorized height adjustment of buffer tray within a total vertical range
of 15 mm (= total vertical specimen stroke).
The upper and lower end positions of the buffer tray are indicated each
by an audible sound signal and a red LED.
While the knife is in motion the UP/DOWN toggle switch is inoperational.
For the DOWN motion the toggle switch can be locked in the DOWN
position; for the UP motion, the switch must be pressed and held in the
UP position.
When the lowest possible position is reached with the toggle switch being
locked in DOWN there will be both an audible and a visible signal. Once
the switch is unlocked, the buffer tray is automatically raised until both
signals switch off.
• To select the retraction thickness, to deactivate retraction or to set the
volume of the VT1000S sound signal, press the following function key
combinations:
Volume adjustment:
• Select section thickness mode (‘µm') pressing the DISP button.
• Press the CLR and +buttons simultaneously. The indication 'BE 15' will
be displayed.
The volume can now be adjusted via the -/+ button.
'0' is equivalent to no sound signal.
• To quit the programming mode, press CLR.
Button with LED

20 Operating Manual V1.8 – 12/2009
Adjusting the retraction
• In programming mode, press DISP to display the specimen retraction
menu.
• The indication 'LO' will be displayed.
• Press the -/+ button to set a specimen retraction value between 1 and
999 µm. Or to turn off the retraction by selecting '0'.
• The selected value will be displayed in the FEED window.
• Press CLR to quit the menu function.
5.4 Adjusting the amplitude
• To obtain excellent sectioning results, the amplitude requires adjustment
according to the specimen type being sectioned.
To this end:
• With a 2.5 mm Allen key loosen the clamping screw (1) and secure the
eccentric on the bottom with your finger.
Selectable amplitude positions are, from left to right:
0.2 mm; 0.4 mm; 0.6 mm; 0.8 mm; 1 mm.
• Slide the amplitude clamping screw to the desired amplitude position
and retighten.
When adjusting the amplitude setting, do not remove the clamping
screw, simply loosen it.
The instrument is shipped with the amplitude set to 0.6 mm.
5. Operation
Fig. 20
1