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Vibrating blade microtomes are used to produce monolayer or thicksections of fixed or fresh tissue under physiological conditions
without freezing or embedding. Sectioning fresh tissue specimens
with Leica Biosystems VT Series maintains the morphology, enzyme
activity and cell viability of the tissue. Their use also minimizes
artifacts, compression distortion, cell destruction and other inherent
deleterious effects of sectioning.
Applications for these instruments include immunohistochemistry,cell culturing of different organs, sections for patchclamping,electrophysiology, free floating sections and many other applications
in neuroscience, resulting in high-quality sections without the needof replicating experiments.
In order to maintain physiological conditions while sectioning fresh
tissue, it is common to use chilled buffer and minimize the verticaldeflection of the blade. During operation, the blade vibrates laterallyand advances forward through the specimen. Other parameters thatinfluence section quality are amplitude, frequency, knife travel speed
and blade angle. The Leica VT Series of instruments offers a complete
product range that control some or all of these parameters.

OPTIONAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR VT1200/S: VIBROCHECKThe vertical deflection of the blade can be measured by the Vibrocheckmeasurement device. The adjustment of the blade allows minimization ofthe vertical deflection to below 1 μm, which significantly increases thenumber of viable cells.

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Leica Biosystems offers a variety of vibrating
blade microtomes that have been developed in collaboration with renowned
scientists throughout the world. There is an instrument for every
researcher’s application and budget. The features of each instrument vary inthe degree of automation, ranging from the Leica VT1200 to the fully
automated Leica VT1000 S and VT1200 S with optional Vibrocheck, formeasuring and minimizing vertical blade deflection.

LEICA VT1000 S

LEICA VT1200

LEICA VT1200 S

LEICA BIOSYSTEMS VIBRATOME SERIES SPECIFICATIONSSPECIFICATIONS

Leica VT1000 SVibrocheck(measurement device for verticaldeflection of the blade)

Leica VT1200

Leica VT1200 S••

Fully automated cut mode••

Specimen retraction••

Adjustable amplitude

Adjustable in 5 steps: 0.2; 0.4;0.6; 0.8; 1 mm

From 0 - 3 mm, in incrementsof 0.05 mm

From 0 - 3 mm, in increments of 0.05 mm

Adjustable: 0 - 100 Hz

Fixed: 85 Hz (± 10 %)Fixed: 85 Hz (± 10 %)0.025 - 2.5mm/s

0.01 - 1.5 mm/s

Frequency
Blade travel speed

0.01 - 1.5 mm/s
individually programable front and rearposition

Adjustable cutting windowelectronicMaximum specimen size

33 x 40 x 15 mm

33 x 50 x 20 mm

33 x 50 x 20 mm

15 mm

20 mm20 mm•••

Crushed ice or chiller

Crushed ice or chiller

Total vertical specimen stroke
Selection of buffer trays
Cooling options
Multiple user settings
Return speed
Magnification options

Crushed ice or chiller
8 different user settings

5 mm/s

2.5 mm/s

1.0 - 5 mm/s, in increments of 0.5 mm/s

2x magnifier

2x magnifier, microscope

2x magnifier, microscope

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LEICA VT1000 S
The classic design of the Leica VT1000 S makes working with the instrument a pleasure.
Ergonomic hand rests and direct access to all functional elements provide exceptional comfort.
The VT1000 S features fine adjustable knife advance speed, a freely programmable cutting
window, and accelerated return knife speed to minimize overall sectioning time of even thesmallest specimens. The VT1000 S vibrating blade microtome is designed to consistently produce
thin sections of fixed tissue specimens, even non-homogeneous specimens that are difficult tosection. It is also used for some industrial applications related to structural analysis of foam andother very soft materials and botanical specimens such as plants and roots.

Leica Design by Werner Hölbl

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The variable frequency and amplitude allow the VT1000 S to adapt to a variety of applications. The visualclarity provided by the wide large-field magnifier, can be enhanced with an LED lighting system. Together,
these features provide exact, individually adjustable illumination of the entire sectioning range, and minimizes
surface reflection of the buffer solution for accurate sectioning.

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Labeling of cholinergic septal neurons in rat basal
forebrain by using a polyclonal antiserum againstcholine acetyltransferase (ChAT).

CA3 field of rat hippocampus. Syntaxin
positive axon terminals over pyramidalcells. 40 μm section. 400x.

Transversal section through rat brain cortex at theforebrain level. A large single neuron was labeled
by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. The small
axon and some branching dendrites are visible.

Epipremnum pinnatum (ivy). 50 µm section.

5RESEARCHSOLUTIONSSLEICA VT1200 ANDVT1200 S
Vibrating Blade Microtomes

Fresh nervous tissues, brain and spinal cord are soft, fragile and extremely susceptible to mechanicaldamage. The Leica VT1200 and VT1200 S vibrating blade microtomes are designed to meet today’s
sectioning demands for cutting fresh tissue in Neuropathology, Neurophysiology (patch-clamping) andElectrophysiology. These robust instruments feature a blade holder design with the possibility to measurevertical deflection using the optional Vibrocheck device. Negative mechanical effects on the tissue are
reduced to a minimum, which significantly increases the the number of viable cells.

The instrument was designed in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Peter Jonas (previously at the Physiology department of the Universityof Freiburg, Germany, now at Institute of Science and Technology, Klosterneuburg, Austria) and his former group.
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Modular Functionality
Both instrument versions can be enhanced with an
optional magnifier (2x) or microscope to improvevisual clarity.

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The SEMI-AUTOMATED LEICA VT1200 has been designedfor users who prefer to manually control sectioning parameterssuch as section thickness and cutting stroke for each individualsection. The VT1200 offers straightforward, intuitive operation, fastsectioning and a full range of accessories at an attractive price.
The FULLY-AUTOMATED LEICA VT1200 S is recommended for
multi user laboratories where users of both semi-automated vibrating
blade microtomes and fully automated instruments work together.
VT1200 S can be used in both semi- or fully-automated sectioning
modes depending on the users’ requirements. The fully automatedmode of the VT1200 S offers automatic feeding, specimen
retraction, and a cutting window. The mode of operation
can be individually selected, and settings can be stored
for up to 8 users. Automatic feeding, specimen
retraction and use of a cutting window aredesigned to minimize sectioning time.

Leica Design by Werner Hölbl

Flexible Performance
Customized Comfort
The separate, foil-protected control panel can beplaced on either side of the instrument dependingon the personal preference of the user.

The removable ice bath and buffer tray
allow working under physiological conditions andaway from the instrument, e.g., undera microscope.

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LeicaBiosystems.com

Leica Biosystems is an international company with a strong networkof worldwide customer services. For detailed contact information
on your nearest sales office or distributor please visit our website:
LeicaBiosystems.com

Leica Biosystems is a global leader in workflow solutions and automation. As the only company toown the workflow from biopsy to diagnosis, we are uniquely positioned to break down the barriers
between each of these steps. Our mission of “Advancing Cancer Diagnostics, Improving Lives” is atthe heart of our corporate culture. Our easy-to-use and consistently reliable offerings help improve
workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence. The company is represented in over 100 countries.
It has manufacturing facilities in 9 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries, andan international network of dealers. The company is headquartered in Nussloch, Germany. Visit
LeicaBiosystems.com for more information.

Copyright © 2020 by Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH. All rights reserved. Vibrocheck is a trademark of Leica Biosystems. LEICA and the Leica Logo are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
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