System provides low temperature sample processing.
Press Release Summary:
Automatic Freeze Substitution System, Model EM AFS2 with FSP, provides low temperature sample processing, embedding, and polymerization for freeze substitution and progressive lowering of temperature techniques, which allows substitution and resin infiltration of frozen specimens. System includes 10 user settings with up to 99 programs each, and programming and data viewing via mouse controlled color screen. Samples are maintained at temperatures from -140 to +70°C.
Original Press Release:
Leica Microsystems Introduces New Systems for Low Temperature Sample Processing
Bannockburn, Illinois. Freeze substitution (FS) of specimens in methanol, acetone or other media at low temperatures is the follow-up procedure to high-pressure freezing and other cryofixation methods. The sample processing techniques of FS and PLT (progressive lowering of temperature) have never been easier. The Leica EM AFS2 with FSP (freeze substitution processor) provides high-quality, reproducible results for light and electron microscopy.
The Leica EM AFS2 provides low temperature sample processing, embedding, and polymerization for FS and PLT techniques, which allows substitution and resin infiltration of frozen specimens. LED illumination from within the chamber provides excellent specimen visibility, and the LED UV lamp provides fast polymerization. System features include:
o Intuitive programming and data viewing performed via a mouse controlled color screen.
o Ten individual user settings, with up to 99 programs each, allow individual parameters to be set and stored; program data can be transferred from PC to the EM AFS2 via USB.
o The system's fume exhaust system ensures operator safety.
o A stereomicroscope for sample viewing and positioning is available.
o Longer processing is possible, as liquid nitrogen refilling occurs outside the chamber without affecting the temperature of the specimens; samples are maintained at temperatures ranging from -140° to +70°C.
Leica's new Leica EM FSP freeze substitution processor is an automatic reagent handling accessory that integrates to the EM AFS2 and dispenses reagents for both FS
and PLT techniques. It automatically dilutes reagents from 100% stock containers, which reduces user set up time and minimizes contact with the media. The user only needs to add the samples and reagents and press start to begin the process. Up to 20 samples can be processed automatically per run in special embedding molds that are designed for high-pressure frozen sample carriers and for PLT samples.
Company Profile:
Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative high-tech precision optics systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas Microscopy, Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation, and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for numerous applications, which require either microscopic visual presentation, measurement, analysis or electron-beam lithography. The company offers system solutions in the areas of Life Science including biotechnology and medicine, as well as the science of raw materials and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 11 manufacturing facilities in 7 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. With its workforce of about 3750 employees it makes a turnover of 604m Euros. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.
For more information contact:
Molly Lundberg
Leica Microsystems Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road
Bannockburn, IL 60015
Phone: 847/405-0123
800/248-0123
Fax: 847/405-0164
email: news@leica-microsystems.com
Website: www.leica-microsystems.com
