The companies, based in Wetzlar and Hamburg, Germany, have linked the Leica DM IRE2 inverted research microscope's electronics and Eppendorf's TransferMan NK2 micromanipulators in a new control unit concept. From either of the system's two units, if the user switches to a lower-power objective to view an oocyte cluster, for example, the unit will decrease the illumination level, increase the micromanipulators' speed, and increase the movement of the motorized stage if present. As a result of these synchronized controls, novice and experienced injectors alike can increase their injection efficiency.
The front panel of each unit displays current position information on the micromanipulators and other components and has buttons to change settings. A joystick tops each unit, while a dial and switch occupies their right sides. Clicking the switch toggles between manipulator-control and microscope-control modes, with the components serving different roles in each mode.
Users can pre-program up to four users' ...
