Micromanipulator Specifications

1. Mechanical structure and travel

• Three axes, X Y Z, or four including diagonal or rotation

• Coarse travel of 20 to 25 mm for rapid approach

• Fine travel of 2 to 5 mm by micrometer screw or piezo drive

• Left or right hand configuration, with two arms mountable together

• Rigidity and backlash directly affect positioning repeatability

2. Positioning precision: the key item

• Fine mode steps of 0.1 micrometre or less

• Repeatability of 1 micrometre or better when returning to a target

• Drift of 1 micrometre per hour or less for prolonged work such as nuclear transfer or ICSI

• Oil free mechanisms without backlash are more stable, while hydraulic types need maintenance against leaks

• Note: precision must be measured under working load with a pipette fitted, since unloaded figures mean little

3. Joystick and proportional control

• Three axis coaxial joystick aligned with the direction of travel to reduce misoperation

• Proportional control where pipette travel follows handle travel, with adjustable sensitivity

• One touch switching between coarse and fine

• Foot switch for injection and holding vacuum

• Adjustable damping, since too light causes tremor and too heavy feels vague

4. Injection and holding systems

• Injection by air or oil pressure, or by piezo drive

• Piezo drive suits hard shelled samples such as nematodes and zebrafish embryos

• Adjustable injection volume down to the picolitre range

• Holding pipette vacuum adjustable through a gas tight syringe or oil system

• Capillary holder sizes must match the pipettes in use

5. Microscope compatibility

• Designed for inverted microscopes, with the brand and model interface confirmed

• Usually mounted on the stage sides or a dedicated side plate

• The stage should be fixed or accept an operating platform so it does not shift during work

• Compatibility with incubation stages and heated stages must be checked in advance

• Working distance of a 40X objective must accommodate the pipette angle

6. Vibration isolation and environment

• An anti-vibration table, air or marble, is mandatory

• Away from lifts, compressors, corridors and doors

• No draughts from air conditioning across the working area

• Stable temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, since drift follows temperature change

• Level floor and levelled instrument

7. Accessories and consumables

• Pipette puller and microforge as companion equipment

• Consumables including injection and holding pipettes and capillaries, with sizes and cost stated

• Automatic pipette change or position memory on some systems

• Cleaning and dust cover kit

8. Power and environment

• Power supply AC 220 V, 50 Hz

• Operating temperature 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, drift within 1 degree per hour

• Relative humidity 40 to 70 percent

• Class 10000 clean room or laminar bench for cell work

• Independent earth required

9. Where procurement goes wrong

• Only micromanipulator is specified without step size or drift, and ICSI or nuclear transfer fails because drift exceeds the working tolerance

• The interface does not match the existing inverted microscope, requiring an adapter plate or a new stand

• No anti-vibration table and no temperature control, so micrometre work cannot be held steady on an ordinary bench