ATUMtome: Automated Tape Collecting Ultramicrotome

The ATUMtome's tape collecting part of the system (ATUM) was developed at Harvard University, where Professor Jeff Lichtman, PhD, MD, and his team designed the instrument to help collect ultrathin sections to help reconstruct the brain‘s neural pathways 7 a precursor to one day mapping the entire human brain.

•   Collects hundreds to thousands of sections on a continuous tape
•   Nondestructive to sample, with sections available for years into the     future for processing, post-staining, immunogold labeling, correlative     imaging7 and at any work pace desired
•   Section thickness range from 0 nm to 15 µm
•   Determines sample viability sooner in the process so you don’t waste     Valuable time cutting and imaging a problem sample
•   Uses multiple resolutions for locating regions of interest, then zooming     in for higher resolution imaging
•   Allows correlative microscopy for localization and then ultra-structural     imaging
•   Prepares samples that allow short pixel dwell time for fast detection of     images during electron microscopy
•   Uses standard sample preparation techniques and resins
•   Charging effect on sections is manageable
•   Priced at a fraction of the cost of alternative 3D imaging techniques