Brain Slice Chamber: Interface and Submerged

The BSC1 chamber design is similar to the original "Oslo chamber" (Langmoen & Andersen 1981) with later modifications (Dhanjal & Sears 1980, Alger et al, 1984) to allow both interface and submerged methods of slice maintenance.

"Submerged" and "Interface" methods of slice maintenance with same chamber

Slices supported on removeable insert adaptable to your requirements

A standard insert having a nylon net is supplied with the chamber for submerged and interface methods. This insert can be modified or custom made to accommodate other preparations eg. adult spinal cord (Dhanjal & Sears 1980, Alger et al, 1984) and Cerebellar slices (Crepel et al 1981).

Optional "Sloped Insert" allows perfusion of slices with a small dead-space

In experiments requiring small dead-space (eg for rapid solution change; use of expensive drugs; obtaining small volumes for fraction collector system etc) a sloped insert is available with the chamber and used in place of the net-type insert. This is arranged to allow perfusion fluid to flow past the slice whilst maintaining a high oxygen tension above it (Murphy et al 1997, Bliss et al 2003). The slope takes the perfusion fluid away to an exit well where it can be collected for re-circulation or analysis.

Proportional Temperature Controller (PTC03) with low noise performance
* Available separately

The temperature is controlled by a proportional control heating unit, the PTC03 which provides smooth DC controlled power to the heater element incorporated into the chamber. Please order this item separately.

The chamber is constructed from clear acrylic having a diameter of 100mm, height is 75mm and the base plate is 130mm in diameter. The slices rest on a nylon net fixed on to a removable insert, located in the centre of the chamber. Pre-oxygenated medium enters the main body of the chamber through a fine bore tube which spirals in the heated distilled water in the lower part of the chamber and enters the upper part of the chamber via a bubble trap. Alternatively a secondary pathway is built in such that the bubble trap is by-passed and the fluid arranged to enter above the surface of the slice by use of a fine-bore stainless steel tube. Depending on whether submerged or interface type preparations are required, the height of the perfusion fluid is adjusted at the exit well by means of a needle on a screw mechanism. In addition, the net-type removable insert can be replaced by an insert having a sloping grove. 

The slices then rest on a piece of  lens tissue while being perfused from above via the fine stainless steel tube.  In the case of interface preparations, the high oxygen tension is maintained by bubbling a  95% oxygen,  5% carbon dioxide gas mixture through a ceramic bubbler located in the lower heated part of the chamber.  This moistened and warmed gas mixture enters the upper part of the chamber via "port holes" and is then deflected by a  profiled  lid across and downwards towards the centrally located slice preparation. The temperature in the upper chamber is maintained by ensuring that the medium and moistened gas mixture enter at the required temperature.  This is dependent on the temperature of the lower chamber body which is warmed by a heating element controlled by the Proportional Temperature Controller, PTC03. An optional monitor sensor allows the upper chamber temperature to be checked when required.