Warner Instruments RC-26GLP Low Profile Open Diamond Bath Imaging Chamber Manual

S e r r i i e s s 2 0 C h a m b e r r I I n s s t t r r u c t t i i o n s s

M o d e l l R C 2 6 G L P

L o w P r r o f f i i l l e L a r r g e B a t t h C h a m b e r r

SERIES 20 CHAMBERS

A feature in common with all Series 20 chambers is the use of a glass coverslip for the floor of the chamber. In most cases, this same coverslip contains the imaging sample.

When viewed with inverted microscopes, images are visualized through a single thickness of glass, usually 0.13-0.17 mm.

The design of the Series 20 chambers incorporates a diamond-shaped bath which has been shown to produce a laminar flow across the bath. Since bath volumes are generally small, exchange times are measured in seconds even when flow rates are less than 1 ml/min.

THE RC-26GLP CHAMBER

The RC-26GLP chamber is a low profile version of our RC-26G chamber. This large volume, open bath chamber has been milled to a final height of only 2 mm and will accommodate large specimens such as slice preparations and permits excellent electrode access. In addition, the low profile provides extra clearance for upright microscopes.

The large bath area allows easy insertion and removal of coverslips during the course of an experiment. This chamber will accept 15 mm diameter coverslips in the bath and has a working volume of 180 µl. The bottom coverslip is 22 x 40 mm.

An optional hold-down anchor (termed a harp) is also available. Harps are stainless steel with

Lycra ® threads. Thread spacing is 2 mm and anchors weigh 500 mg. Other thread spacings are available. Contact our Sales department.

ASSEMBLY

The general procedure for assembling Series 20 chambers is to first mount a coverslip to form the chamber bottom and then placing the assembly into the appropriate platform. The platform serves to (1) clamp the assembly together providing a tight seal between the chamber and coverslip, and (2) to provide a means to mount the chamber/platform assembly onto the microscope, usually via a stage adapter.

Prior to beginning assembly make sure all required components are available and thoroughly cleaned. Be sure to remove any old vacuum grease from the perfusion channels and input/output ports.

To aid in application, pre-load a 1 cc syringe with a small quantity of vacuum grease. A syringe needle is not necessary.

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Preparing the chamber to accept the coverslips

A) Using the 1 cc syringe, apply a small bead of grease to the coverslip groove on the bottom of the

chamber.

B) Evenly distribute the grease around the seat by placing a 22 x 40 mm rectangular glass coverslip onto the chamber bottom and gently pressing it into position.

C) Remove and discard the coverslip.

D) Inspect the chamber and remove any grease from the bath area and perfusion ports.

E) The chamber is now primed and ready to accept the bottom coverslip.

NOTE: You may wish to first test fit a coverslip to determine the best amount of grease to apply.

Installing the chamber bottom and mounting into the platform

A) Place a clean 22 x 40 mm coverslip onto the bottom of

the chamber and gently press it into place to form a secure attachment. Take care to avoid breaking the coverslip or smearing vacuum grease over the ‘window’ area.

B) Check that the coverslip is seated properly and that the perfusion ports are not occluded.

C) Place the chamber/coverslip assembly into a P-1 or PH-1 platform. clamps into place and tighten the assembly together using the 4 Phillips-head screws.

Pre-filling the perfusion lines delivered through 1/16" OD polyethylene tubing which is attached to the inlet port.

B) Make attachments to the chamber as described in the section labeled ‘Perfusion’ and run a small amount of perfusate through both the inlet and exit ports.

Mounting onto the microscope

The assembled Series 20 chamber/platform can be mounted directly onto a microscope stage if the stage is both flat and has a cutout smaller than the platform. In most cases, however, the stage cutout

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is larger than the platform necessitating the use of a stage adapter. In addition, a stage adapter is highly recommended if the platform is to be heated since it provides insulation between the platform and microscope stage.

Warner Instruments stocks stage adapters for most popular microscopes (see Appendix A) and we will custom manufacture adapters for special applications. Contact our Sales Department for details.

PERFUSION

Perfusate is delivered to the chamber through 1/16" OD polyethylene tubing (PE-160, available from

Warner Instruments). A tubing sample is inserted into the chamber during shipping to identify the input port. Insertion of perfusion tubing to the input port can be greatly simplified by cutting the end of the tube on a bias rather than with a square face. We recommend pre-filling tubing with buffer before insertion as this will reduce the occurrence of bubbles in the flow path.

Fluid control

Solution source selection and rate of delivery can be of either of manual or automatic design and is left to the user. However, Warner Instruments manufactures several perfusion control systems (e.g., the valve-driven VC-6 and VC-6M Control Systems, both of which can be used for this application). Finally, a reference by Trese Leinders-Zufall describing the advantages of various perfusion control systems is available for download from the Support section of our website. You can find this and other references at http://www.warneronline.com.

Multiple perfusion solutions

Warner Instruments multi-port manifolds (MP Series) can be used to connect up to 8 solution lines to the Series 20 chambers. Input and output ports on the MP series manifolds are designed to accept

PE-160 tubing.

Tubing ends should be cut on an angle before insertion and pushed in as far as they will go. Air can be removed from each feed line by pre-filling with its appropriate solution. Finally, the manifold output tube is attached to the input port of the chamber. We recommend making the connection between the manifold exit port and chamber input port as short as possible to minimize solution exchange times.

Suction/Level control

Removal of solution from Series 20 chambers is usually performed by aspiration. We recommend the use of a vacuum trap to avoid introduction of aspirant into your house vacuum lines. In general, suction tubing is installed in a slot in the suction reservoir wall allowing adjustment of the fluid level in the main body of the chamber. Adjust the vacuum until the suction rate is equal to the flow rate into the chamber.

PLATFORM HEATING

A general discussion regarding issues surrounding heating of solutions and Warner platforms is available for download on our website. (http://www.warneronline.com)

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Monitoring the heat

Heat is transferred to the aluminum platform from a pair of 20 Ω power resistors, one mounted on each side of the platform. Heater platforms are supplied with a thermistor assembly and non-heater platforms can be upgraded by ordering a CC-28 Cable Assembly. The temperature of the platform is monitored by measuring the platform thermistor resistance and adjusting the voltage to the heaters. A second temperature sensing device such as a thermistor should be placed in the bath to directly monitor the solution temperature.

Automatic heat control is achieved by using either a Warner TC-324 or TC-344 Temperature Controller

(single or dual channel models, respectively). These devices allow either the platform or solution thermistor to be selected as the control sensor. The desired temperature is set and automatically maintained at less than 1°C deviation.

Thermistor information

The maximum temperature rating of the supplied thermistor is 60°C. The thermistor assembly is inserted into the small hole drilled in the side of the platform.

NOTE: If the thermistor fits loosely in the hole, use a drop of oil (immersion or mineral), or alternatively vacuum grease, to insure good thermal transfer.

MAINTENANCE

Cleaning of polycarbonate chambers should be performed using a dilute detergent solution.

Alternatively, Warner instruments has developed a trisodium phosphate (TSP) wash protocol which gives very good results. Contact our Technical Support staff or download the protocol in PDF format from our website. (http://www.warneronline.com)

NOTE: Do not use alcohol, ether or other solvents on plastic parts. Solvents may be used on the anodized surfaces of the platforms. All chamber parts may be autoclaved.

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APPENDIX

A. Warner Stage Adapters

Warner Instruments carries an extensive line of stage adapters for our Series 20 chambers and we are constantly adding new adapters as microscope manufacturers add to or modify their product lines.

Please contact our offices if you do not find an adapter for your microscope in the list below. You may also want to check our website (http://www.warneronline.com) to see if an adapter has been added since this manual was printed.

MICROSCOPE MANUFACTURER

Nikon Diaphot, TE 200 & TE 300

Nikon TMS with 8 x 12 cm stage cutout

Nikon TMS with 9 x 13 cm stage cutout

Nikon E400, E600, and E800

Olympus BX-40 and BX-50

Zeiss Axioskop

Olympus IMT (older model)

Olympus IMT-2, IX-50 and IX-70

Burleigh Gebraltar

Zeiss Axiovert with 211x230 specimen stage

Leica (Leitz) DMIRB/E with plane stage

Leica (Leitz) DMIL with object guide

Leica (Leitz) DMIRB/E with 3-plate mechanical stage

Prior and Ludl motorized stages on upright

Prior and Ludl motorized stages on inverted

WARNER INSTRUMENT STAGE ADAPTER

MODEL NO.

SA-NIK

SA-TMS/8

SA-TMS/9

SA-20UU

SA-OLY

SA-OLY/2

SA-20LZ

SA-20L3P

SA-20PL

SA-20PLI

NOTE: Warner Instrument Series P platforms are designed to fit the Zeiss 76x26 microscope slide frame

(#471719) without a stage adapter. Heater platforms will require an insulating material between the platform and frame.

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B. Chamber supplies/spare parts

We stock a large selection of supplies for use with Warner chambers. A partial listing of several parts are shown below. Please consult our catalog or website for items not included. Contact our Sales

Department for special needs or prices.

PART NUMBER

#1 Coverslips

CS-12R

CS-15R

CS-22S

CS-25R

CS-22/40

CS-22/50

DESCRIPTION

12 mm diameter (for RC-25 chamber)

15 mm diameter (for RC-25F chamber)

22 x 22 mm square (for RC-21B chamber)

25 diameter (for RC-21R chamber)

22 x 40 mm rectangle (for RC-21, 21A, 22, 22C,

23, 23D, 24, 24E, 26 & 26G chambers)

22 x 50 mm rectangle (for RC-26Z chamber)

QTY/PKG

100

100

100

100

50

50

CS-24/50 24 x 50 mm rectangle (for RC-27, 27E, 27L, 28 and 29 chambers)

50

Polyethylene Tubing

PE-160/10

PE-160/100

0.062"ODx0.045"ID tubing (1.57mm x 1.14mm)

0.062"ODx0.045"ID tubing (1.57mm x 1.14mm)

10 ft.

(3.3 m)

100 ft.

(33 m)

Replacement/Spare Parts for Heater Platforms

1

1

Multi-Perfusion Zero Dead Space Manifolds

MP-2 2 input, 1 output

MP-3

MP-4

MP-5

MP-6

MP-7

MP-8

3 input, 1 output

4 input, 1 output

5 input, 1 output

6 input, 1 output

7 input, 1 output

8 input, 1 output

Accessories

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

C. Comments

1) Best temperature regulation is achieved by preheating your solution with an in-line heater

(Warner Fast-flow SH-27B or Slow-flow SF-28) in addition to directly warming the chamber platform.

Warner Instruments, Inc. • 1125 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514 USA

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