mmi CellCut - Features

The second generation of a much acclaimed cutting-edge tool, mmi CellCut® combines several proven, leading-edge technologies to make the microdissection of paraffin samples, cryo samples, smears and even cell cultures fast, precise and, above all, absolutely contamination-free.

mmi CellCut® consists of an inverted microscope, high precision xy-stage, solid state laser, CCD camera, computer and software. The solid state laser with a wavelength of 355 nm guarantees precise cutting without damaging the tissue; it will run maintenance-free for approximately 10000 hours.

The isolated samples are cleanly removed using the mmi Isolation Cap . The cap rests on the membrane and has no direct contact with the specimen. Only the parts of the specimen that have been cut out cling to the lid. With the automatic cap lift all the procedures – the positioning of the cap above the cutting area, the sinking of the cap onto the membrane and retraction once the cells have been cut out – are controlled by software.

Product Power Points:

• Easy operation
• Outstanding image quality
• Exceptional stability
• High-precision laser cutting
• Single-step sample collection
• Long laser lifespan
• High-speed performance

• Fully automatic cap lift
• Automatic nosepiece
• Fully integrated fluorescence
• Multi-user interface

• Contamination-free microdissection, thanks to the patented mmi
  
• IsolationCap
  
• Easy operation
  
• Outstanding image quality
  
• High-precision laser cutting
  
• Long laser lifespan
  
• Safe, reliable operation
  
• Live cell microdissection
  
• Modular, upgradable instruments from MMI such as optical tweezers, mmi Cellmanipulator and mmi Cellector
  
• mmi Cellcut is compatible with all standard inverse microscopes used for research purposes

The new generation also comes with the following extra features:

• New solid-state laser, for even more stability
  
• Additional software functions such as: software-controlled, automatic full-slide cap lift, inspection mode, ablation mode

• mmi CellExplorer® image recognition software: automatically recognizes and cuts out fluorescence-marked cells, for instance (see separate information)
  
• Multi-cap: up to eight mmi IsolationCaps® can be attached simultaneously, facilitating automatic switching from one cap to the next during group cutting programs
  
• Multi-slide functionality: permits the simultaneous microdissection of up to three membrane mounted samples
  
• Pen screen

The cells grow in the cell chamber on a membrane coated with poly-l-lysin. Prior to microdissection, the cell chamber is placed in a petri dish coated with a special adhesive. Both parts are steam-sterilizable and in no way toxic for the cells.

The sealed petri dish is then put into the microdissection system, where the cells are encircled with the help of advanced software and gently cut out with the UV laser. The laser cuts through the closed dish, guaranteeing sterility and effectively excluding any form of damage to the cells.

Back in the laminar flow, the cell chamber is removed. The isolated cells remain in the petri dish and continue to grow on the adhesive, which is also poly-l-lysin-coated. The same cell chamber can be used several time to microdissect other types of cells.