Leica vibratomes are the most expensive vibrating microtomes available, placing them in the high-cost category of laboratory instruments.
22.
A recent development is the laser microtome, which cuts the target specimen with a femtosecond laser instead of a mechanical knife.
23.
Planar concave microtome knives are extremely sharp, but are also very delicate and are therefore only used with very soft samples.
24.
The microtome can be compared to a very accurate " deli " slicer, capable of slicing sections as thin as 1 micrometre.
25.
In contrast to mechanically working microtomes, the laser microtome does not require sample preparation techniques such as freezing, dehydration or embedding.
26.
In contrast to mechanically working microtomes, the laser microtome does not require sample preparation techniques such as freezing, dehydration or embedding.
27.
Today, the majority of microtomes are a knife-block design with a changeable knife, a specimen holder and an advancement mechanism.
28.
Modern sled microtomes have the sled placed upon a linear bearing, a design that allows the microtome to readily cut many coarse sections.
29.
Modern sled microtomes have the sled placed upon a linear bearing, a design that allows the microtome to readily cut many coarse sections.
30.
By adjusting the angles between the sample and the microtome knife, the pressure applied to the sample during the cut can be reduced.
