First Automated Microwave System For Tissue Embedding

Leica Microsystems AG - With its new Leica EM AMW, Leica introduced an unprecedented microwave system for electron microscopy that automatically dehydrates, infiltrates, and polymerizes specimens in resin. This makes the time to prepare specimens a matter of hours instead of days, which frees up valuable time for more important tasks. Leica's automated, patented technology for tissue embedding allows results to be reproduced at any time and documented seamlessly.

Patented technology
Leica's patented combination of microwave chamber and automatic reagent changer minimizes the manual effort and the time from specimen dehydration to polymerization. Users can dedicate the time saved to other tasks, and laboratory workflow can be significantly streamlined. The Leica EM AMW automatically guides the reagents into the microwave chamber that contains the specimens and brings the specimens into contact with the correct fluid for a defined time and defined temperature.

Uniform distribution of energy
The one-of-a-kind monomode microwave chamber of the Leica EM AMW focuses the energy on a defined area. This results in a uniform microwave field and uniform action on specimen and reagent - without hot or cold points, and without the need for additional water loads. Another benefit of monomode technology is its high energy density. It attains vastly greater efficiency than a conventional multimode chamber, even with lower quantities of energy. Depending on the specimen, the user can select either continuous or pulsed microwave power.

Safe, non-contact temperature monitoring

Because temperature is one of the most important process parameters, Leica Microsystems has equipped the new instrument with a software-controlled, non-contact infrared sensor. It controls and monitors the temperature, thus also ensuring maximum specimen safety.

Intuitive programming and easy reproduction of results The mouse-controlled 6.5" monitor and intuitively operated software make programming as easy as clicking a mouse. The user can configure up to 99 programs and define an unlimited number of temperature curves. Thus the Leica EM AMW not only is an extremely versatile instrument, it also provides reproducible results at any time and documents all data.

SOURCE: Leica Microsystems