Our lab has a Vibratome 1500 that was working well until a recent cross-country move. I've tried adjusting the speed and amplitude of the blade, as well as the blade angle, but the sections are always missing a portion. If you look at the blade in the blade holder, it appears that the left side of the blade is just slightly higher than the right side. And, when you start sectioning, the liquid in the specimen tray is at a higher level on the right side of the blade than on the left side. Is there something I'm doing wrong or do I need a new blade holder? If I need a new blade holder, does anyone know where I can buy one? The manufacturer is out of business and I can't seem to find anyone who services them or sells parts. Any help would be appreciated.
I've attached a video showing how the vibratome cuts. I'm sorry it's not of better quality and is sideways; I couldn't figure out how to rotate it 90 degrees. Anyway...if you look at the video, hopefully you can see that the blade is not flat. I sectioned through a mouse brain and, as the section comes off at the end, you can see that a portion from the left side of the brain is missing.
It's not the tissue. I've tried rotating the brain 180 degrees. I've tried mounting it in a different part of the tray. I've tried different sectioning angles, different speed/amplitude combinations, and various positions for the tray. I've experienced this phenomenon 8 times or more, so it's definitely an equipment problem rather than a specimen problem.
I normally cut at a slower speed than on the video. Recently, it hasn't mattered whether I cut at a slow speed or a fast speed; the same thing happens every time. I'm beginning to wonder if the blades themselves have anything to do with the problem. We also have an old no-frills Vibratome 1000. I tried sectioning with that machine yesterday and had similar problems. I changed to a different brand of blade and it seemed to section very nicely--until I started having trouble with the motor. After 30-35 sections, the blade holder started stalling frequently. The blade holder would vibrate, but wouldn't advance or retract. I ended up having to turn the machine off after each section to get it to reverse to the starting position.
We have 2 vibratomes with issues, does anyone know who I can contact for service?
I have no experience with vibratomes, but I see similar effects, when my blade in the knifeholder is not fixed properly while cutting paraffinslides. My bladeholder has three screws that adjusts the gap for the blade. When one of them is a little bit loose or also tighten too much I have difficulties with cutting. Are there any screws that can be fixed?
Unfortunately, there are no screws to adjust the blade holder other than the one that attaches it to the suspension bar and allows you to change the blade angle. I think the blade holder itself is bent or has a build up of salts in it, but I can't get it off the machine to check. I need to order a screw driver of the correct size.
Adam,
Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'll have to find an electronically-savvy person to open up the Vibratome 1000 and check out the motor(s). I'm 100% convinced there will be corrosion in there since the machine is old and was used extensively in the past. As I was trying to take apart the newer Vibratome 1500, I found a lot of built up salts on the blade holder, so I'm sure that's an issue with the 1000 as well.
As for the blades, we've been using Feather blades from Electron Microscopy Sciences. Have you ever tried them? Do you have any idea how they compare to the Personna blades? Also, I can't find double-edged Personna razors in the Ted Pella catalog. Do you have an order number for them?
Thanks,
Jeanette
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