• Solutions to crumbling cryo, histo and histo-macro sections on page Y2

MCILWAIN TISSUE CHOPPER
The McIlwain Tissue Chopper is made in the UK. It is marketed in USA as 'Vibratome 800'. This tissue sectioning system has been designed to prepare sections of tissue for metabolic experiments and to be especially applicable to small and irregular specimens available at biopsy or from small organs. Its special features cause much less disturbance of cell structure than homogenizers or blenders, and to be applicable to fragments which would be difficult or impossible to cut by ordinary methods. It has been applied to liver, kidney and various parts of the central nervous system.

Slices up to 1mm thick and cubes or prisms up to 1mm cross section can be prepared with the chopper in 30 seconds. Provision is made for stepless variation of slice thickness from zero to the maximum by means of an indexing clutch in conjunction with a micrometer head, the latter being calibrated in microns.

The action of the machine is as follows: a circular stainless steel table, on which the specimen is placed, is traversed automatically and at a speed which can be varied, from left to right of the machine. At the same time, a chipping arm carrying a blade is raised and dropped by its own weight and the tension of a spring, at speeds varying from zero to over 20 strokes per minute. As the table carrying the tissue passes under the blade it is chopped into the required slices. If prisms are required, the table is returned to the left hand side of the machine, turned through 45 degrees, and the process repeated. Cubes are formed by rotating the table 90 degrees. A safety limit switch is provided to prevent the machine from overrunning and a quick return mechanism is fitted to the return of the table.
The cutting table is designed for easy rotation and it may be lifted off for sterilisation. It is held onto its platen by 'sticktion' provided by a coating of petroleum jelly.

Dimensions 310 x 285 x 150mm. Weight 6.5kg.
The McIlwain tissue chopper comes with 2 blades and 3 plastic discs.

Please note that Petri Dishes are not supplied with the Tissue Chopper.

U0800 McIlwain tissue chopper, with standard table ask Availability
U0800-B Blades for McIlwain tissue chopper AUD18.00 /pk/10 Availability
U0800-C Clips for McIlwain tissue chopper AUD17.00 /pk/2 Available
U0800-D Discs for McIlwain tissue chopper AUD37.00 /pk/10 Available
U0800-H Blade holder for McIlwain tissue chopper, standard AUD75.00 Available
U0800-S Spanner for McIlwain tissue chopper AUD18.00 Available
U0800-T Cutting table for McIlwain tissue chopper, standard AUD182.00 Available
U0801 McIlwain tissue chopper, with Petri dish table ask Availability
U0801-H Blade holder for McIlwain tissue chopper, Petri dish AUD87.00 Availability
U0801-T Cutting table for McIlwain tissue chopper, Petri dish AUD235.00 Availability

BRAIN MATRICES
These high quality Brain Matrices are designed for freehand slicing of discrete regions of the brain. They allow slicing of either coronal or sagittal sections through the brain at intervals of 1mm and of 2mm for large brains. The all-metal design with a hard, durable chrome coating offers superior cooling properties. They may be heated, sterilised, chilled and scrubbed clean without damaging the surfaces. All Brain Matrices of the same animal are identical to give reproducible sections.

They are ideal for precise and reproducible blocking of living or fixed brain tissue in:
Anatomy: Precise blocking of the brain prior to microtome sectioning.
Neurophysiology: Reproducible blocking of the brain prior to sectioning.
Biochemical Pharmacology: Reproducible removal of small brain regions for biochemical analysis.

These Matrices may be heated, sterilized, chilled and scrubbed clean without damaging the surfaces.
Precise, reproducible blocking of living or fixed brain tissue.
Immediate soaking in liquid cleaner is advisable after use.
To keep tissue cool and viable, chill matrices befor use.

Other animals available - ask

U040-C Brain matrix, mouse adult 30g, coronal AUD823.00 Availability
U040-S Brain matrix, mouse adult 30g, sagittal AUD823.00 Availability
U042-C Brain matrix, rat adult 125-185g, coronal AUD823.00 Availability
U042-S Brain matrix, rat adult 125-185g, sagittal AUD823.00 Availability
U044-C Brain matrix, rat adult 200-400g, coronal AUD824.00 Available
U044-S Brain matrix, rat adult 200-400g, sagittal AUD823.00 Availability

VIBRATOME 500 RODENT BRAIN MATRICES
Building on a tradition of excellence, the Vibratome Company now offers a complete line of rodent brain matrices. The matrices are designed for easy free hand sectioning of discrete regions of the brain. The rodent brain matrices are designed for easy slicing of coronal or sagittal sections and come standard with a mid-line sagittal cut to facilitate the splitting of left and right hemispheres. The Vibratome matrices are designed to precision standards for reproducible 1.0mm sections; slots are 0.25mm and take standard 0.23mm single edge blades. The matrices are designed to be scrubbed, chilled, sterilised (autoclavable), and heated without damage.

The Vibratome matrices are made of a specially treated aluminium compound for long life. They have been treated with a hard coat Teflon process normally reserved for the harshest of environments. They are machined with an easy to hold wide round base.


Discontinued when sold. Replaced U040, U042 and U044 above.

U0500 Coronal brain matrix, 125-185g adult rat - discontinued
U0530 Coronal brain matrix, 30g adult mouse AUD414.00 Available