User manual LEICA EM FC7 BROCHURE

[. . . ] · The operator recognition system makes it easy for multiple users to use the same instrument. Up to 100 different user/specimen/knife profiles can be set. Leica Design by Werner Hölbl 3 Ergonomic Design Comfortable to use Leica Microsystems designed the Leica EM UC7/FC7 with specific features that make it a user-friendly, ergonomic instrument providing comfort and minimizing strain for each user. Easy, fast adjustments adapt the instrument to accommodate multiple users. Fatigue-free operation is an integral benefit of the Leica EM UC7/ FC7 design. [. . . ] A choice of two touchscreen control units are available to operate the ultramicrotome cryo chamber and ionizer. Indentations in the control panel casing enable the user to locate routinely-used controls that are adjusted while observing the specimen. While viewing the specimen, the user can set the cutting window and step advance and perform many other functions. 8 Advanced Control The innovative advanced touchscreen control unit of the UC7 enables fast and safe alignment of knife and specimen with help files and prompts to hand for beginners. Programmable knife and cutting sequences offer significant advantages for automated trimming (AutoTrim). The outstanding performance of the touchscreen is reflected in its ability to control all necessary components for sectioning. These include the built-in antistatic Leica EM CRION device control, the Leica EM UC7 cryo chamber control, storage of up to one hundred different user, specimen, and knife parameters and a USB connection to upload these parameters for reporting. Additionally, every user can save their settings on a USB stick inserted into the Leica EM UC7, enabling the controller to recognize the user as soon the USB stick is connected. 9 Counter window to toggle between section counter and feed totalizer, countdown, E-W measuring, and AutoTrim mode. Leica EM FC7 control field appears as soon as the chamber is connected. As soon as the Leica EM CRION ionizer is connected and switched on this window appears to adjust the intensity of the ionizer. To optimize diamond knife usage, up to 100 different knives can be stored. Each knife is divided into a number of segments. The selected segment is approached automatically with the motorized knife stage (patent applied). As soon as the upload button is pressed the grid box window appears and a grid position in the box can be selected, which is automatically reported in the log file. 10 Leica EM FC7 Within minutes the Leica EM UC7 can be equipped with the Leica EM FC7 low temperature sectioning system, which incorporates many features and offers a wide range of user benefits such as: · The Leica EM FC7 and Leica EM CRION ionizer controls are both integrated with the Leica EM UC7 control unit to provide easier operation and more workspace. · Using the advanced touchscreen control, three different cryo-modes are available: ­ Standard ­ High gas flow - increased GN2 gas flow reduces ice contamination below ­140°C ­ Wet sectioning ­ to set a temperature difference of up to 130°C between knife (­ 40°C) and specimen (­170°C), which is useful for, e. g. , DMSO applications. · Leica EM CRION ionizer with electrostatic charge and discharge functions controlled by footswitches greatly improves the method of cryosection collection. · The attachable micromanipulator (patent applied) provides precise positioning of the grid to make section collection easier than ever before. · Multiple lighting angles using the patented LED chamber illumination provide excellent visibility for section manipulation and pick up. · Contact-free, through-the-wall specimen arm makes the instrument highly stable for chatter-free cryosectioning. · The optional Cryosphere can surround the Leica EM UC7/FC7 to provide an environment with a relative humidity of less than 10%. It allows sections to be cut without contamination by ice crystals, which can be a problem at higher humidity. · Heated chamber walls prevent icing over a prolonged working time and enhance user comfort. The GN2 gap between chamber and arm rest ensures a warm surface for the user to rest on. Protocol Report of Leica EM UC7 Data Log Book. Data transfer for reporting user, specimen, knife, and storage parameters provides an electronic, paper-free log file. 11 Advanced Cryo-section Collection Leica EM CRION ionizer and micromanipulator Especially for frozen hydrated sectioning or the Tokuyasu method, the Leica EM CRION with electrostatic discharge and charge mode used with the micromanipulator provides outstanding cryo sectioning performance. The micromanipulator easily attaches to the Leica EM FC7 cryo chamber, which allows the grid to be exactly positioned close to the knife edge using the micrometer gauges. Once these positions are defined, fast retraction of the grid can be performed manually prior to sectioning to prevent possible influence of the grid on the ionizer. The Leica EM CRION is used in discharge mode in order to reduce electrostatic charging while sectioning. [. . . ] After the break, the scoring and the breaking mechanism resets automatically to the start position ­ ready for the next score. The balanced break concept The secret of producing a straight, controlled break in a strip of scientific-quality glass is to apply equal weight and pressure to each side of the score. In addition, the support elements, touching the glass from below, must have a minimum surface in order to avoid uncontrolled stress which is applied to the glass prior to the break. The new design of the Leica EM KMR3 allows simultaneous movement of the two breaking pins to apply exactly the same force to both sides of the glass strip. [. . . ]