Precisionary Compresstome VF-310-0Z User manual

Compresstome® VF-310-0Z User Manual

1
Thank You
Thank you for choosing the Compresstome®VF-310-0Z!
At Precisionary Instruments, we are thrilled to help you get started with your new vibrating
microtome, and we take great pride in quality customer service. Please read the following manual
to help you get started with the Compresstome®VF-310-0Z.
Safety
Note
The information, numerical data, notes and value judgements contained in this manual
represent the current state of scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art technology. We aim to
update the present manual regularly according to the latest technical developments. Please
contact us or visit our website to find the latest versions of this user manual.
Contact [email protected] for updated information.
Website: www.precisionary.com
Dangers, warnings, and cautions appear in a box and are marked by the warning
triangle.
Important information for the user, such as disclaimers, appear in a box and are
marked by the information symbol.
Caution! Follow the accompanying documentation.

2
Table of Contents
Thank&You&....................................................................................................................................................&1!
Safety&.............................................................................................................................................................&1!
Table&of&Contents&........................................................................................................................................&2!
Part&1:&Introduction&.........................................................................................................................&3!
Model&Description&......................................................................................................................................&3!
Technical&Specifications&...........................................................................................................................&4!
Model&Components&....................................................................................................................................&5!
Control&Box&Anatomy&................................................................................................................................&7!
Accessories&...................................................................................................................................................&9!
Starter&Kit&Components&..........................................................................................................................&10!
Part&2:&Setup&....................................................................................................................................&11!
IMPORTANT!&Transportation&Fixture&Removal&...............................................................................&11!
Mounting&the&Cutting&Blade&to&the&Blade&Holder&.............................................................................&12&
Mounting&the&Cutting&Blade&to&the&Magnetic&Blade&Holder……………………………………………….17&
Attaching&the&Gooseneck&Lamp&to&the&Compresstome®&...............................................................&18!
Preparing&Agarose&for&Embedding&......................................................................................................&20!
Cutting&Parameters&Guideline&..............................................................................................................&22!
Embedding&Tissue&in&Agarose&...............................................................................................................&23!
Part&3:&Operation&...........................................................................................................................&25!
Sectioning&with&the&Compresstome®&Tissue&Slicer&........................................................................&25!
Part&4:&General&Information&.......................................................................................................&27!
General&Cleaning&and&Maintenance&.....................................................................................................&27!
Buffer&Tray&Maintenance&and&Cleaning&..............................................................................................&30!
Auto&Zero-Z®&Technology&......................................................................................................................&31!
Troubleshooting&.......................................................................................................................................&32!
Warranty&Information&............................................................................................................................&34!
Contact&Information&................................................................................................................................&34!

3
Part 1: Introduction
Model Description
The VF-310-0Z tissue slicer model is the latest version of our flagship product in the
Compresstome® slicer family. With patented Auto Zero-Z®technology, the VF-310-0Z is fully
automated to section both fixed and live tissues with a thickness range of 4 µm* to 1000 µm and
an adjustable precision of 1 µm.
The Compresstome®VF-310-0Z excels at sectioning slices used for:
● Electrophysiology
● Immunohistochemistry
● Organotypic culture slices
● Precision cut tissue slices
● Sectioning of mature or older brain tissues
● And much more!
*Slice thickness minimum depends on tissue sample and organ system.

4
Technical Specifications
Advance Speed
0-20 mm/s, adjustable
Return Speed
20 mm/s
Vibration Frequency
0-45 Hz, adjustable
Vibration Amplitude
2 mm
Z-axis Vibration
~0 µm
Compatible Blades
Stainless Steel, Ceramic, Tungsten Carbide
Cutting Angle
15 degrees (fixed, no need for blade alignment)
Thickness Adjustment
Automatic
Micrometer Resolution
1 µm
Specimen Tube Diameters
15.5 mm (normal), 20 mm (large)
Maximum Tissue Length
2.5 cm
Minimum Slice Thickness
4 µm*
Cutting Mode
Single or Continuous
Cutting Bath
140 x 60 x 30 mm (maximum 250 mL)
Power Source
For both domestic & international customers:
100-240 V AC and 50/60 Hz for each power
supply cord.
Only the original power supply unit (power
cord) should be used with the CompresstomeÒ
VF-310-0Z model.
Power Consumption
18 W
Dimension ( L x W x H )
330 x 240 x 190 mm
Weight
5 kg
*Depends on tissue type and organ system.

5
Model Components
(1)$Blade$Holder
(2)$Buffer$Tray
(3)$Vibration$Head
(4)$Specimen$Tube
(5)$Control$Box
(7)$Tissue$Advancement$Plunger
(8)$Buffer$Tray$Plug
(1)$Blade$Holder (2)$Buffer$Tray
(3)$Vibration$Head
(5)$Control$Box
(6)$Transportation$Fixture (8)$Buffer$Tray$Plug

6
Figure Number
Compresstome Part
Part Number
Function
1
Blade Holder
VF-BH-VM-310-0Z-BOS
Holds and stabilizes the
cutting blade
2
Buffer Tray
VF-BT-VM-LP-BOS
Holds buffer or
solutions during
sectioning
3
Vibration Head
VF-VHU-VM-310-0Z-
BOS
Blade oscillation
assembly, which
includes a blade holder
and an oscillation
motor
4
Specimen Tube
VF-SPS-VM-15.5-BOS
VF-SPS-VM-20-BOS
Two different tube
sizes (15.5, and 20 mm
in diameter) that hold
the specimen for
sectioning and
embedding tissue in
agarose
5
Control Box
--
Controls for the cutting
speed, oscillation
frequency, and desired
thickness in microns.
6
Transportation Fixture
--
Stabilizes vibration
head for safe transport
7
Tissue Advancement
Plunger
--
Pushes the specimen
tube forward for sample
to be cut
8
Buffer Tray Plug
VF-BT-PL-BOS
On/off knob to keep
solution in buffer tray
and easily remove
solution when needed
All moving and electrical components of the Compresstome® tissue slicer must
be kept dry, in particular the power supply unit.

7
Control Box Anatomy
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5a)
(5b)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12a)
(12b)
(13)

8
Figure Number
Control Box Part Name
Control Box Function
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9
Accessories
Figure Number
Compresstome Part
Part Number
Function
1
Chilling Block
VF-VM-CB-15.5-BOS
VF-VM-CB-20-BOS
Rapidly chills agarose in
specimen tube for
sectioning with the
Compresstome
2a
Specimen Tube: White
Plunger
VF-SPS-VM-15.5-BOS
VF-SPS-VM-20-BOS
Where tissue specimen is
glued onto
2b
Specimen Tube: Metal
Tube
End with tapered lip for
compression technology-
white plunger will move
through the metal tube for
sectioning
3
Acetone Bath for
Blade Holder
VF-VM-AB
Use to remove glue from
the blade holder before
reapplying a new blade
4
Allen Wrench for
Blade Holder
VF-BH-VM-AW
Use to remove and tighten
the small screw on the
blade holder when taking it
on/off the machine
5
Power Cord
VF-VM-PC-BOS
Power cord for the VF-310-
0Z model.!
6a
Original Blade Holder
VF-BH-VM-310-0Z-BOS
Adheres the blades via glue
and/or magnets and easily
attaches to vibration head
6b
Magnetic Blade
Holder
VF-BH-VM-MGNT
7
Buffer Tray
VF-BT-VM-LP-BOS
Holds the buffer solution
for the produced free-
floating sections
8
Plastic Cleanup
Razors
VF-BL-VM-PCR
Use to clean the edges of
the white plungers after
sectioning with the
Compresstome

10
Starter Kit Components
Note: All of our Compresstome®consumables can be ordered online at:
http://precisionary.com/e-store/
Contact us directly at in[email protected], and we will send you a quote.
Consumable
Part Number
Quantity
Description
Agarose Tablets
VF-AGT-VM-10
10
Low melting agarose for
embedding tissue.
Blades
VF-BL-VM-SSB
10
Double-edged stainless-steel
blades.
Pipettes
__
2
Plastic, disposable pipettes
included for easy transfer of
agarose into the specimen tubes
for embedding.
Glue
VF-VM-GLUE
1
Used for securing blades to the
blade holder and tissue
specimens to the specimen tube.
Forceps
VF-VM-
FORCEPS
2
Small forceps for easy manual
manipulation of tissue sample.
Petroleum Jelly
VF-VM-PJ
1
Petroleum jelly recommended
for application to the inside of
the tube adapter to help prevent
minor leaks for Compresstome
slicer buffer trays (0.16 ounces
each packet)
Plastic Cleanup
Razor
VF-BL-VM-PCR
5
Use to clean the edges of the
white plungers after sectioning
with the Compresstome.
Only use Precisionary supplied parts for Compresstome® operation; this
includes only using the chilling block, blade holder, specimen tubes and buffer
tray supplied with your Compresstome® tissue slicer. Do not use parts
supplied from alternate suppliers for use with the Compresstome®.

11
Part 2: Setup
IMPORTANT! Transportation Fixture Removal
Please remove the transportation fixture before your first-time use. This fixture will need to be
securely mounted back to the machine before any future shipment.
Before using the Compresstome®slicer, you MUST remove the thumbscrew that
holds the “transportation fixture” in place on the machine. This piece is screwed
in at the back of the vibrating head and is there to help stabilize the
Compresstome®during shipment. Failure to remove the transportation
stabilization plate may result in damage to the vibrating head.
1. Remove thumbscrew that is
on the right side of the
transportation fixture. You do
not need to remove anything
on the left side (leave as is).
2. After removing the thumbscrew, the
transportation fixture will fall shown
in the picture above. Place the
thumbscrew back into the machine so
that it does not get lost and that you
can reattach the transportation fixture
for any future shipments.

12
Mounting the Cutting Blade to the Blade Holder
Double-edged razor blades and ceramic blades are ideal for this vibrating microtome. The
Compresstome®Starter Kit includes either 10 double-edged razor blades or two ceramic blades to
get you up and running with your Compresstome® purchase. The blades should be cleaned with
acetone and ethanol before use.
The sharpness of the blade can directly affect the quality of the slices. As seen in the table below,
we recommend replacing blades periodically according to the razor and tissue type.
Razor Type
Tissue Type
Replacement Frequency
Double-edged
Standard (brain, lung,
gastrointestinal, skin)
Every 3-5 samples
Fibrous (lymph nodes, liver,
spleen, kidney)
Every 1-2 samples
Ceramic
All
Every 3-4 weeks
Tungsten
All
Every 1-2 weeks
For each double-edged stainless steel blade, cut the blade horizontally to form two separate blades.
You will only need one of the two resulting blades for each use. For ceramic and tungsten blades,
remove one of the blades carefully from the pack.
Blade Type
Blade Picture
Stainless Steel Double-Edged Blades
Ceramic Blade
Tungsten Carbide Blade

13
How to Properly Cut the Double-Edged Blades
Step #
Instruction
Picture
1
Carefully cut the double-edged
blades horizontally:
2
Two separate blades will form:
3
After the stainless-steel blades are cut in half, trim the extra tabs (curled edges) on the
ends of the blades so they don’t stick out beyond the blade (pictured in step #2). If
using a ceramic or tungsten blade, simply remove one carefully from pack to apply
directly to the blade holder.
4
The blades will be ready to use and
will look like this:
Curled'edges'
after'the'blades'
are'cut'in'half
Curled'edges'
after'the'blades'
are'cut'in'half
Exercise caution when handling sharp objects and always remember to wear
gloves and safety goggles while operating the Compresstome®.

14
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1
To remove the blade holder from the
vibrating head unit, loosen the small screw
on top of the blade holder with the included
Allen wrench.
!
2
Slide the blade holder off the axial bar.
!
3
Remove the old cutting blade.
!
!
!
4
Soak the blade holder in the acetone bath for
5 minutes. Wipe off any residual glue on the
blade holder using a paper towel. It is critical
to ensure all glue residue is removed before
attaching a new blade.
!
Always remove the blade holder
BEFORE removing or inserting
the buffer tray.
Dispose of blade safely into a
sharps container.
DISCLAIMER: Please only use
acetone to clean the blade
holder and specimen tube. The
buffer tray is not made of
acetone safe materials.

15
5
Squeeze a small amount of super glue onto
a petri dish or other solid surface.
!
6
Pipette 5 µL of the super glue along the full
length of the blade holder.
!
7
Position the cutting blade on the blade
holder. The edge of the blade should touch
the raised lip of the blade holder (see step
#7a).
Make sure the exposed surfaces of the
blade are clean to prevent damage to tissue.
Press firmly, then allow the glue to dry for
one (1) minute before use.
!
!
!
!
Do NOT touch blade edge.

16
7a
You are ready to use your blade/blade
holder when the cutting blade is positioned
like this:
!
7b
You do NOT want your cutting blade to be
mounted like this:
On the left side, the curled edge is on the
raised lip of the blade holder, and the blade
is off-centered.
On the right side, you can see how the
blade is off-centered towards the right. The
curled edge was also not trimmed on this
side.
!
7c
This is another example of how you do
NOT want to mount your cutting blade to
the blade holder:
Notice that the top edge of this blade is not
touching the blade holder edge, and it is
also not centered.
There is also a buildup of glue on the blade
holder, and this should be cleaned before
mounting a new cutting blade.
!
!

17
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18
Attaching the Gooseneck Lamp to the Compresstome®
Step&
Instruction&
Picture&
!
!
!
!
!
"!
To attach the Gooseneck Lamp, you will
first need to attach the Magnet “Puck”
and thumbscrew onto the base of your
Compresstome model.
The photo on the top shows the two
pieces separately, and the photo on the
bottom shows the two components as
one (i.e. how they will be installed on
your Compresstome).
!!!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
9!
To attach the magnet “puck” onto the
Compresstome, first choose which
slotted hole you wish to attach the
magnet “puck”; which will be one of the
four slotted holes shown here.
For example, the second slotted hole
from the top is chosen in this photo.
Separate the two pieces, and place the
magnet (the “puck” part) into the desired
slot, as shown here:
.
!
!
!
!
!
!
B!
Next, carefully tilt the Compresstome®
on its “back” so that the bottom is facing
you.
**When doing this step, the magnet
“puck” may fall out! Please be sure to
either hold onto the puck as you gently
tilt the Compresstome, or reinsert the
puck once the Compresstome is on its
side.
Take the thumbscrew and screw it onto
the end of the magnet puck underside of
the Compresstome.
Once attached, it will look like so:
&

19
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
I!
Now, gently lay the Compresstome
upright, and you are now ready to attach
your Gooseneck Lamp to your
Compresstome!
You can see from the two photos that
the magnet “puck” rests on the top of the
Compresstome base, and the
thumbscrew holds the magnet in place
from the underside of the base of the
Compresstome, as shown in the second
photo:
&
&
&
!
!
!
!
K!
The bottom of the Gooseneck Lamp
easily attaches to the top of the magnet
“puck” and so the lamp will stay in place
throughout sectioning!
Once the magnet “puck” is installed onto
your Compresstome® base, you can
gently place your Gooseneck Lamp on
top of the magnet “puck”.
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
P!
Plug the lamp into a nearby standard
outlet, flip the switch “on”, and angle the
Gooseneck Lamp how you choose for
your experimental needs.
Here are some examples of our favorite
Gooseneck Lamp positions during use:
The Gooseneck Lamp is flexible, there
are many different ways to utilize the
Gooseneck Lamp during use with the
Compresstome!
!
!
!