In-Situ SEM Microtome

Katana microtome and serial block-face SEM

Visualising 3D biological structure on the nanometer scale is

vital to furthering our understanding of how our cells, tissues

and organs function, enabling groundbreaking steps forward in

treatments for disease and disorder. Acquiring large volumes of

3D SEM data has been made possible by imaging using serial

block-face electron microscopy (SBEM), where a microtome

resides inside the vacuum chamber of an SEM. A diamond knife

repeatedly removes a thin layer (as thin as 20 nm) from the

surface of a sample block which is stained with heavy metals

and fixated in resins. After removing each section, the exposed

block surface is imaged by collecting the back scattered

electrons. This automated in-situ method can acquire a series of

electron micrographs which can be used to reconstruct 3D

models.

With its compact size and a height of only 56 mm, katana

microtome is designed to fit inside the vacuum chamber of

many SEMs. The microtome can be installed and removed from

an SEM stage in a matter of seconds, enabling a quick and easy

switch of your normal SEM to a serial block-face SEM.