Leica Biosystems VT1200/VT1200 S - Manual (Page 20)

18 Instructions for Use V 1.4 RevC – 09/2013
5. Working with the Instrument
5.1 Description of the typical application
The Leica VT1200 / VT1200 S is a microtome with a vibrating blade and is
predominately used for sectioning fixed and unfixed specimens during
neurological research.
• To simplify the process of inserting the speci-
men, you can quickly move the specimen re-
ceptacle to the lowest position by pressing the
DOWN button.
• To prepare high-quality sections, especially
for unfixed tissue, Leica suggests using the
optional VibroCheck measuring instrument to
determine the height amplitude of the blade
after each blade change, and then to minimize
it using the setting screw on the blade holder.
To perform the aforementioned process, install
the VibroCheck instrument ( see p. 37 for the
VT1200 or p. 39 for the VT1200 S ), install the
blade and adjust the clearance angle to the
desired position. Then take the measurement
and make the appropriate adjustments to the
placement of the blade holder.
Remove the VibroCheck according to the in-
structions, and turn the blade 90° toward the
top to ensure that the ice tray and buffer tray
can be installed safely.
• Insert the buffer tray into the ice tray and cover
it with the lid. Fill the ice tray with crushed ice.
• Remove the cover and fill the buffer tray with
pre-cooled physiological buffer.
• Push the ice tray and buffer tray onto the
dovetail guide and clamp them down.
• Use cyanoacrylate adhesive to adhere the
specimen to the specimen plate and use a
manipulator to place it in the buffer tray. Insert
the hose for gassing the buffer into the hose
clamp.
• Use the UP button to lift the specimen to the
sectioning level of the blade quickly. Fine-
adjusting the blade-to-specimen proximity can
be performed using the desired step size 1, 10
or 100 µm.
• Advance the blade toward the specimen using
the "Blade forward" key.
• After sectioning the specimen, use the setting
dial to feed to the desired section thickness
using the selected step size (1, 10 or 100 µm).
This raises the specimen receptacle to the
desired value.
• Start the sectioning process by pressing the
RUN/STOP key. The process can be stopped
again by pressing this key after the cut has
been completed. Use the "Blade back" key to
move the blade in front of the specimen. Select
the section thickness for the next cut and start
the sectioning process again.
• After completing the sectioning process,
remove the blade, dispose of the specimen
receptacle by pushing the DOWN key into its
lowest position, and unclamp, empty and clean
out the ice tray and buffer tray.