ASP™ Automated Specimen Processors
ASP™ instruments enable automated, accelerated preparation of biological samples for high-quality TEM and 3D volume EM (vEM) including serial block, focused ion beam and array tomography SEM. Two versions are available, the ASP-1000 and the ASP-2000. The ASP-2000 has all the features of the ASP-1000 with the added benefit of temperature controlled reagents.
One instrument prepares TEM and vEM specimens and does on-grid and pre-embedding immuno-gold labeling.
Complicated protocols? Simultaneously prepare titrations and controls – up to 72 reagent steps and 576 reagents. Unlimited protocol steps enable even more reagent steps for any protocol. The ASP-2000 adds automated reagent temperature control.
Expensive reagents? No problem. Requires only microliters.
Identical processing provides comparable results every time.
Efficient agitation ensures excellent mixing.
mPrep ASPs accelerate TEM and vEM preparation from days to hours:
- TEM – Renal biopsy – tissue preparation to resin curing in 2 hours
- TEM – Muscle – in 133 minutes – Applications Note and Publication
- TEM – Liver – in 133 minutes
- TEM – Planaria – in 3 hours, instead of 7 days
- TEM – LR White acrylic prep for immuno-labeling – in 45 minutes
- TEM – Agar enrobed yeast – in 1.5 hours
- vEM – Serial block face – brain prepared in a day – Winner Diatome Poster Award at M&M 2020
- vEM – Serial block face – heart in a day
- vEM – Serial block face – planaria in less than a day, instead of 5 – Winner Diatome Poster Award at M&M 2017
- vEM – FIB-SEM & Serial block face – breast cancer in 5 hours instead 2.5 days.
Stop babysitting reagent exchanges!
- TEM specimen fixation, en bloc staining, dehydration, and embedding
- Immunolabeling – On grid and pre-embedding (en bloc)
- vEM specimen fixation, staining, dehydration, and embedding
- SEM specimen fixation and dehydration
- Easy set-up and clean-up.
Easy Intuitive Protocol Creation
- Pre-written protocols for TEM and vEM
- Create new protocols – specify reagent, reaction time, agitation, and reagent temperature (ASP-2000)
- Two-tiered access: Operator and Developer
- Precise and efficient protocols with greater reproducibly than humanly possible.
Download ASP Brochure
Using ASP processors
1. Select a protocol (or easily create a new protocol)
2. Attach mPrep capsules with loaded specimens or grids
3. Place reagents in microwell plates on the ASP tray. Optionally seal reagent plates with disposable covers to cut air exposure and prevent evaporation
4. Press START. The ASP does the rest:
– mPrep capsules move from reagent to reagent
– Reagents are drawn into mPrep capsules for the specified time
– Agitation flows reagent in and out of capsules for excellent mixing
– mPrep capsules punch through optional reagent covers. Reagents are always fresh
5. When the protocol is completed, remove capsules from the ASP:
– For TEM and SBEM embedding there is no messy handling of specimens in resin. Eight resin-filled mPrep/s capsules are simply transferred to the oven to cure the resin
– For grids, mPrep/g capsules are removed and stored in an mPrep Capsule Grid box. No tedious handling of grids
– For SEM preparation simply transfer capsules directly to the CPD holder with no direct specimen handling.
Product Description
Capacity
- 8 mPrep capsules to simultaneously prepare 16 grids or 8 specimens (or up to 24-32 specimens for high throughput needs)
- Unlimited protocol steps
- Up to 72 reagent operations on the deck at a time
- Up to 576 reagents using 96-well microwell plates to hold reagents
Includes
- Automation platform with proven track record for reliability
- Eight channel head
- Pump module
- Integrated removable fume enclosure
- Microwell tray accommodates up to 6 standard 96-well or 12-well reservoirs
- Laptop Controller with multiple preinstalled protocols
Installation requirements
- 120-130 VAC 60 cycle standard. For other power needs please inquire
- ASPs should be installed to vent into a fume hood for safety with electron microscopy reagents
- Required space for base unit including integrated cover: 48 cm wide x 48 cm deep x 64 cm high (19 x 24 x 25 inches)
- Required space for pump module near base unit: 21 cm wide x 21 cm deep x 31 cm high (8 x 8 x 12 inch)
Download the ASP-1000 brochure
Download the ASP-2000 brochure supplement
Required
mPrep/g capsules to prepare TEM grids
mPrep/s capsules to prepare specimens
mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into ASP
mPrep/Bench to transfer resin-filled mPrep/s capsules to oven for resin curing
Microwell plates to hold reagents. Use either 96-well or 12-well
Recommended
mPrep CPD holder for use with critical point dryers and some cryo-preparation applications
Microwell plate covers to cover and seal reagents in microwell plates
ASPs can be used for the full range of specimen and grid preparation applications. Please refer to TEM, SEM and vEM, and Materials Applications.
See how the ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 have been used for these applications:
- Preparing kidney for TEM in 45 minutes from postfix to oven curing
- Preparing core needle kidney biopsies for TEM including en bloc uranyl acid staining in 2 hours prior to resin curing
- Processing oriented mammalian muscle for TEM in 2 hours from postfix to oven curing
- Serial block face specimen preparation of brain, heart, and planeria in about one day, instead of a week
- Rapid automated preparation of Planarian worm tissue for TEM in 3 hours
- Fully automated immunogold pre-embedding and on grid labeling
- Fixation and embedding in LR White resin in 45 minutes
- Liver reliably and consistently prepared for TEM in just 133 minutes prior to resin curing
- Planaria fixed, en bloc stained and ready for for 3D SEM block face imaging in 1.5 days
- Automated preparation of nano-particle TEM specimens.
- ASP product info
-
Using ASP processors
1. Select a protocol (or easily create a new protocol)
2. Attach mPrep capsules with loaded specimens or grids
3. Place reagents in microwell plates on the ASP tray. Optionally seal reagent plates with disposable covers to cut air exposure and prevent evaporation
4. Press START. The ASP does the rest:
– mPrep capsules move from reagent to reagent
– Reagents are drawn into mPrep capsules for the specified time
– Agitation flows reagent in and out of capsules for excellent mixing
– mPrep capsules punch through optional reagent covers. Reagents are always fresh
5. When the protocol is completed, remove capsules from the ASP:
– For TEM and SBEM embedding there is no messy handling of specimens in resin. Eight resin-filled mPrep/s capsules are simply transferred to the oven to cure the resin
– For grids, mPrep/g capsules are removed and stored in an mPrep Capsule Grid box. No tedious handling of grids
– For SEM preparation simply transfer capsules directly to the CPD holder with no direct specimen handling.
Product Description
Capacity
- 8 mPrep capsules to simultaneously prepare 16 grids or 8 specimens (or up to 24-32 specimens for high throughput needs)
- Unlimited protocol steps
- Up to 72 reagent operations on the deck at a time
- Up to 576 reagents using 96-well microwell plates to hold reagents
Includes
- Automation platform with proven track record for reliability
- Eight channel head
- Pump module
- Integrated removable fume enclosure
- Microwell tray accommodates up to 6 standard 96-well or 12-well reservoirs
- Laptop Controller with multiple preinstalled protocols
Installation requirements
- 120-130 VAC 60 cycle standard. For other power needs please inquire
- ASPs should be installed to vent into a fume hood for safety with electron microscopy reagents
- Required space for base unit including integrated cover: 48 cm wide x 48 cm deep x 64 cm high (19 x 24 x 25 inches)
- Required space for pump module near base unit: 21 cm wide x 21 cm deep x 31 cm high (8 x 8 x 12 inch)
Download the ASP-1000 brochure
Download the ASP-2000 brochure supplement
- System components
-
Required
mPrep/g capsules to prepare TEM grids
mPrep/s capsules to prepare specimens
mPrep/f couplers to prevent introducing damaging reagents into ASP
mPrep/Bench to transfer resin-filled mPrep/s capsules to oven for resin curing
Microwell plates to hold reagents. Use either 96-well or 12-well
Recommended
mPrep CPD holder for use with critical point dryers and some cryo-preparation applications
Microwell plate covers to cover and seal reagents in microwell plates
- Applications
-
ASPs can be used for the full range of specimen and grid preparation applications. Please refer to TEM, SEM and vEM, and Materials Applications.
See how the ASP-1000 and ASP-2000 have been used for these applications:
- Preparing kidney for TEM in 45 minutes from postfix to oven curing
- Preparing core needle kidney biopsies for TEM including en bloc uranyl acid staining in 2 hours prior to resin curing
- Processing oriented mammalian muscle for TEM in 2 hours from postfix to oven curing
- Serial block face specimen preparation of brain, heart, and planeria in about one day, instead of a week
- Rapid automated preparation of Planarian worm tissue for TEM in 3 hours
- Fully automated immunogold pre-embedding and on grid labeling
- Fixation and embedding in LR White resin in 45 minutes
- Liver reliably and consistently prepared for TEM in just 133 minutes prior to resin curing
- Planaria fixed, en bloc stained and ready for for 3D SEM block face imaging in 1.5 days
- Automated preparation of nano-particle TEM specimens.
- Purchase