The freezing method you will choose for your specimen will have a very critical impact for the quality of your sections for extemporaneous exams to accurate diagnosis and on the molecular quality for genomic and proteomic research programs.

SnapFrost® uses an isopentane freezing bath (or equivalent product) cooled down to -80°C or -140°C. This type of coolant do not degas as the liquid nitrogen does. It therefore directly transmits the temperature to the specimen for a faster and more controlled freezing procedure. Molecular components do not have time to migrate into the specimen neither water crystals to form to a damaging size for the tissues. Cells membranes integrity is preserved, tissue lesions are avoided, results are optimal and reproducible. Morphology & IHC staining will appear much more contrasted and clear to analyze. Thin sections are easier to obtain thanks to a tighter tissue texture.

SnapFrost® is equipped with a time programmer to have the freezing chamber at the right temperature at any time needed without waiting for it. No liquid transfer is required before or after freezing procedure.SnapFrost® does not use liquid nitrogen making this machine extremely economical and safe at every day use.

SnapFrost® does not use liquid nitrogen neither as a cooling fluid nor as freezing fluid directly. The system uses electrical compressors to cool the freezing fluid as a deep freezer. The freezing fluid used does not spill when dipping a hotter sample into it thus there are very limited risk of handling. Moreover, SnapFrost® does not require any dedicated and securitized environment unlike liquid nitrogen because of new European regulations. At last, SnapFrost® freezing chamber is closed safely with a locker and a key, 2 keys being supplied with the instrument.

.

SnapFrost® is available in -80°C and -140°C freezing chamber temperature versions. The -80°C version is more dedicated to the freezing of fragile specimens like brain or muscle which tend to explode under a too brutal freezing procedure like dipping into liquid nitrogen. The -140°C version allows to freeze most of specimens in optimal conditions because the bath temperature is beyond the lowest water crystallization point (-135°C) thus strongly reducing the risks of damages to tissue structures because of large crystals. Freezing chamber volume is the same in the two versions and is large enough to allow for repeated freezing without bath heating.

With very limited dimensions, SnapFrost® is a compact instrument that can be easily placed and used into labs. It is equipped with rolls and a hand to facilitate the transfer from one room to the other. Hot air is extracted by the rear panel. The system is robust and requires very limited care, mainly a regular cleaning of the cold air inlet filter at the front side.

Don't hesitate to contact us for further information by info@alphelys.com or by phone +33 (0)1 30 07 52 95.