OCT-image Guided Laser Microtome TissueSurgeon
Laser-Based Imaging, Navigation and Sectioning
The laser microtome TissueSurgeon is a multipurpose sectioning instrument, which enables precise and contact free cutting of biological samples and a broad range of (bio-) materials. Based on femtosecond laser technology, it can be used for sectioning, structuring or gentle extraction of samples and materials in 2D and 3D for analysis. Fundamental limits of mechanical tissue preparation can be overcome for cutting of hard tissue, implanted tissue or difficult to cut materials, such as adipose tissue, ceramic scaffolds or polymers. The TissueSurgeon surmounts major limitations of common methods like mechanical microtomy, ground sectioning or laser-microdissection (LMD). In addition, in combination with imaging modules the TissueSurgeon does not only allow for guided twodimensional sectioning but also for three-dimensional cutting. This provides great flexibility and enables novel approaches.
Benefits
- Nearly serial sections of non-decalcified hard tissue (e.g. bone) with minimal loss of material
- Histology of hard and soft tissue, even delicate samples (e. g. cochlea, adipose tissue)
- Sectioning of biomaterials for tissue engineering (e.g. scaffolds, teflon, hydrogels)
- Implant-tissue interface histology (e.g. dental screws, cardiovascular stents, scaffolds)
- Contact free laser cutting of tissue avoids artefacts like compressions, scratches or cracks
- Gentle isolation of site-specific samples by image guided 3D-sectioning (e. g. along the implant-tissue interface of dental screws) for biochemical analysis
- 3D-microstructuring of tissues, matrices and materials.
Fields of Application
- Orthopedics/ Trauma and Osteology;
- Oro-facial and Dental Medicine;
- Oto-laryngealogy and Audiology;
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research;
- Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering;
- Soft tissue difficult to cut;
- Preclinical studies from small to large animal models.
Guided Cutting by Optical Coherence Tomography
For navigation and imaging of samples or quality control of cutting, the TissueSurgeon is equipped with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This provides a unique combination of two- and threedimensional cutting and imaging, facilitating dissection and analysis of samples. Beyond, simple Multiphoton Microscopy (MPM) is an option to be integrated into the laser microtome for deeper tissue imaging.
Benefits
- Image-guided cutting allows for defined 2D-cutting and quality control.
- Measurement of sample dimensions and layer thickness.
- Differentiation of tissues and structures for guided cutting.
- Structural information with resolution of approx. 10μm (OCT) up to approx. 1μm (MPM).
- Image guided 3D sample extraction of native hard and soft tissue allows biochemical analysis of fresh tissue.