Vibrating microtomes—also called vibratomes—are used widely in neuroscience, pathology, and tissue sectioning. Campden Instruments microtomes are precision-built to ensure high-quality slices with minimal tissue deformation.
Campden Instruments is a leading manufacturer of vibratomes for the life sciences industry. Campden Intruments' vibrating microtomes (vibratomes) have been used for over 40 years to produce tissue slices for visual patching, extracellular recording and imaging of neurological (e.g. brain slice, spinal cord), heart, lung and liver tissue (e.g. Precision Cut Lung Slices, Living Myocardial Slices, Precision Cut Liver Slices), as well as for sectioning plant material.
Our vibratomes are built to meet the needs of researchers in a range of fields, including neuroscience, cell biology, and histology. Whether you are working with brain tissue, spinal cord tissue, or other types of tissue, our vibratomes can help you achieve high-quality results.
Our vibratomes are easy to use and come with a range of features to help you achieve the results you need. They are available in different configurations (see table below) to meet the specific needs of your laboratory.
We use only the highest-quality materials and cutting-edge technology to manufacture our products. Our vibratomes are designed to last, so you can rely on them for your research projects for years to come.
Our vibrating microtomes are used in over 500 laboratories worldwide.
DOWNLOAD a full bibliography.
“Our lab has two 7000smz-2 Vibrotomes used to generate precision-cut lung slices from both animal and human tissue as well as precision-cut slices from other organs. We are particular happy with the consistency in slice generation, flexibility and range of slice thickness, ease of use, and last but not least the customer support offered by Campden Instruments.”
– John Stegmayr, PhD, Lund University
 9000SMZ |
 5100mz-Plus |
5100mz |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimal Z-Axis Deflection | 0 µm (±0.1 µm) | 0 µm (±2.0 µm) | ≈5–8 µm |
| Opti-cal Vertical Calibration Device* | Included as standard | Included as standard | Optional accessory |
| Blade Oscillation Frequency | 20–120 Hz | 50–80 Hz | 50–80 Hz |
| Blade Oscillation Amplitude | 0.5 – 3.0 mm | 0.5 – 1.5 mm | 0.5 – 1.5 mm |
| Amplitude Step Size | 0.25 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Advance Speed Resolution | 0.01 mm/sec | 0.1 mm/sec | 0.1 mm/sec |
| Specimen Retraction | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Specimen Size | 28 x 40 x 19 mm | 28 x 40 x 19 mm | 28 x 40 x 19 mm |
| Slice Thickness | 1–999 µm in auto mode Up to 20 mm in manual mode |
||
| Cutting Range | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Stored Section Thickness Memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple User Settings | 8 different | 8 different | 8 different |
| Operating Modes | Manual, semi-automated, or fully automated | Manual or semi-automated | Manual or semi-automated |
| Cooling Options | Ice bath or optional Model 7610A Tissue Bath Cooler | ||
| Physiological Temperature Unit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 420 x 400 x 270 mm 16.5" x 15.7" x 10.6" |
350 x 450 x 350 mm 13.7" x 17.7" x 13.7" |
350 x 450 x 350 mm 13.7" x 17.7" x 13.7" |
* Campden's Opti-cal is calibrated with metrology equipment traceable to National Standards.
Model 9000SMZ
The Vibratome 9000SMZ is a high-precision vibrating microtome designed for neuroscience, cardiac, lung, liver, organoid, plant research and histology. Slice live and fixed tissue with accuracy and ease.
Model 7000smz-2
The predecessor of the 9000SMZ, this was the finest tissue slicer in the world for preparations for visual patch clamping (second only to the 9000SMZ). Shown with optional Slice incubation chamber and temperature controller.
Model 5100mz-Plus
The 5100-Plus is perfect for those who need to keep slices viable for longer e.g. for electrophysiological field recordings. The user can calibrate the Z-axis deflection of the blade to 2 µm with the adjustable blade holder and “Opti-cal” Calibration device.
Model 5100mz
The 5100mz is a very competitively priced, high precision, vibrating microtome (vibrotome for short) which shares many features with the top of the range 7000smz series, such as the vibrating mechanism, the inner and outer tissue baths and the easy to use control system.
