Leica EM TP

Overview

With the Leica EM TP tissues can be processed into resin for subsequent EM and LM analysis. The Tissue Processor has an exhaust system allowing safe use of toxic substances such as osmium. Individual seals reduce evaporation of reagents while the preheat/cool system allows the correct reagent temperature to be maintained throughout processing. Small vials are available for EM and larger ones for LM processing. The larger vials can also be used for high throughput EM-runs, utilizing the Tripod system, where over 150 EM samples can be processed in one run.

Key Features

• 99 programmes
• Reagent list of 200 reagents, partially preset, can be updated by the user.
• Programme steps from 1 minute to 99h 59min
• Delay start up to the year 2099
• Delay end up to 2099
• Processing capacity up to 24 x 20ml EM vials per cycle, up to 12 x 100ml LM vials per cycle
• Temperature range +4 to + 60°C with pre-heat and pre-cool for EM vials
• Dimensions 54cm deep x 36cm wide x 28cm high
• Weight 29kg

The Leica EM TP is a tissue processor with integrated fume extraction system for preparing tissue for light and electron microscopical examination. Reagents are held in polypropylene vials clipped into a carousel, 24 for EM, (volume 20ml) and 12 for LM, (volume 100ml). The reagents can be pre-loaded onto the removable carousel in a fume chamber and then transported to the EM TP on the carousel. The specimens are supported in various baskets depending upon their size, the mesh varying in accordance with sample size. The baskets are located on an arm which can move vertically up and down to allow agitation when required. The speed of agitation is variable. For processing at specific temperatures the EM TP has a heater and cooler system for LM allowing temperature control between +4°C and +60°C. For EM the system also has pre-heat and pre-cool. This means that all reagents coming into contact with the tissue will be at the desired temperature, important for high quality EM processing.

Up to 99 processing schedules can be held in the memory and used either immediately or with a delay. The programmes are protected by battery back-up. The heater/cooler system also works during the delay. Programming is via a membrane-covered keyboard. A delay and ‘time to end’ feature makes setting delay times simple. Fumes are removed from the EM TP via an integral extraction system. For specimen safety the instrument has a battery back-up enabling processing to continue through a power shortage. The heater/cooler unit closes down but the carousel continues to operate thus preventing the specimens remaining in processing reagents for too long a period and damaging them.