Operating Instructions for the BioPulverizer

General   The BioPulverizer reduces tissue frozen to liquid nitrogen or dry-ice temperatures to a course powder.  The method is especially useful for tough tissue such as skin, cartilage, and cornea.  Cryo-fracturing with the BioPulverizer is a preliminary step for cell disruption.  Final disruption of the cells is accomplished using mechanical disrupters and/or aggressive extraction solutions (see homogenizer review at www.biospec.com).

Models 59012N and 59013N of the BioPulverizer, only, can be used with or without the LAS-50 film provided.  If you use the film, the sample may be easier to remove from the small confines of the mortar and the BioPulverizer may not require cleaning to make ready for another sample.  Depending upon the sample, there is a possibility that the film may rupture during the pulverization process.  Be that the case, the film approach is not applicable.

Operating Instructions   Place the BioPulverizer (BP) in the insulated container provided and thoroughly chill it with liquid nitrogen or, second best, crushed dry-ice.  Stainless steel is slow to cool down and later, slow to warm up.  Add liq N₂ to the stainless steel parts until liq. N₂ no longer flashes off vapor and some lingers on the stainless steel.

Add pre-frozen (-80 deg C or lower) tissue to the well of the mortar.  Fresh tissue sticks to the cold BP on contact and cannot be inserted into the well.  If using the film approach, first place a 1 ½ inch diameter disc of LAS-50 film in the bottom of the outer cup of the mortar and place the sample in the center of the film.  For the model 59012N only, then insert the inner sleeve of the mortar in the mortar cup, capturing the tissue in inner hole of the sleeve.

Remove the BP from the insulated container and place it on the lab bench.   There will be ample time to work with the chilled BP.  Insert the chilled pestle into the well of the mortar, patterned end first, and deliver one to three sharp blows to the pestle using a hammer or, in the case of the Model 59013H or 59014H, by pulling the spring-loaded handle.  Rotate the pestle slightly between blows.

Powdered tissue has a “dry” appearance and can be poured into a test tube or plastic weighboat containing extraction solution.  Pulverized tissue thaws quickly when exposed to room temperature, so work quickly or you will have a sticky mess.

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Last modified: 09/21/07.