NARISHIGE IM-H1 Injection Holder

Overview

The NARISHIGE IM-H1 Injection Holder is a precision-engineered mechanical mounting platform designed specifically for integration with NARISHIGE’s HI-7 Microinjection Stand and oil-hydraulic micropipette systems, including the IM-6 and IM-9B microinjectors. It serves as a rigid, vibration-damped interface that secures 1.0 mm outer diameter glass capillaries during high-resolution intracellular or extracellular microinjection procedures—commonly performed in developmental biology, transgenic model generation, oocyte manipulation, and single-cell electrophysiology. The IM-H1 operates on a passive mechanical coupling principle: it does not incorporate actuators, sensors, or electronic control; instead, it relies on precise CNC-machined aluminum alloy construction and calibrated clamping geometry to ensure axial alignment stability and minimal lateral drift under sustained hydraulic pressure (up to 100 kPa typical for IM-6/IM-9B operation). Its design conforms to standard microscope stage-mounting interfaces (M4/M6 threaded holes) and supports compatibility with upright and inverted configurations.

Key Features

• Optimized mechanical interface for 1.0 mm OD glass capillaries—ensuring coaxial alignment with IM-6 and IM-9B injector nozzles
• Integrated HI-7-compatible mounting base with standardized M4 thread pattern for rapid attachment/detachment from microscope stages
• Modular accessory support: accommodates CT-1 PTFE tubing (ID 0.3 mm, OD 1.0 mm) for oil transmission and CI-1 universal tube couplings with leak-tight compression sealing
• Included HI01PK01 silicone rubber gaskets (2.5 mm inner diameter, pack of 10) provide consistent seal integrity between capillary holder and hydraulic actuator housing
• Corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum body with low thermal expansion coefficient (23.1 × 10⁻⁶ /°C), minimizing positional drift during extended temperature-stable experiments
• No moving parts or electronics—designed for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in electrophysiology rigs and laser-based imaging environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IM-H1 is validated for use with borosilicate and fused silica capillaries of 1.0 mm outer diameter and wall thicknesses ranging from 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm. It maintains dimensional stability across ambient laboratory conditions (15–30 °C, <60% RH). While the IM-H1 itself is not a medical device, its use in GLP-compliant preclinical research workflows aligns with ISO 13485–referenced instrumentation handling protocols when deployed alongside NARISHIGE’s CE-marked microinjection systems. All included components—CT-1 PTFE tubing (USP Class VI compliant), CI-1 couplings (stainless steel 316L), and HI01PK01 silicone gaskets (FDA-listed, USP Class VI)—meet biocompatibility requirements for non-invasive in vitro applications per ISO 10993-5.

Software & Data Management

The IM-H1 is a purely mechanical component and does not interface with software, drivers, or digital data acquisition systems. It functions independently of NARISHIGE’s optional digital pressure controllers (e.g., IM-900 series) or third-party LabVIEW/Python-controlled hydraulic manifolds. However, when integrated into automated microinjection platforms, the IM-H1’s repeatable mechanical registration enables traceable capillary positioning metadata—supporting audit-ready documentation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with timestamped video capture (e.g., via Hamamatsu ORCA-Fusion BT) and calibrated stage coordinate logging.

Applications

• Single-cell microinjection in zebrafish, Xenopus, and mouse embryos for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery or mRNA transfection
• Subcellular organelle targeting using pressure-controlled nanoinjection into cultured neurons or stem cells
• Microfluidic interfacing where IM-H1 anchors capillaries at chip inlet ports for stable fluidic coupling
• Electrophysiological patch-clamp preparations requiring simultaneous injection and recording via dual-pipette configurations
• High-throughput oocyte enucleation and nuclear transfer in reproductive biotechnology labs

FAQ

Is the IM-H1 compatible with non-NARISHIGE micromanipulators?
Yes—provided the manipulator features a standard M4 or M6 mounting interface and accommodates 1.0 mm OD capillaries with ≤0.25 mm wall thickness.
Can the HI01PK01 gaskets be sterilized?
Autoclaving (121 °C, 15 psi, 20 min) is validated for HI01PK01 silicone gaskets; repeated cycles may reduce sealing life after ≥5 uses.
Does the IM-H1 require calibration?
No—its function is purely mechanical and geometric; however, alignment verification against a reference capillary axis is recommended before critical experiments.
What is the maximum operating pressure supported?
The IM-H1 itself imposes no pressure limit; system pressure is governed by the connected IM-6 or IM-9B injector and CT-1 tubing rating (max 200 kPa continuous, per NARISHIGE technical bulletin TB-IM-CT1-2023).
Are replacement gaskets available separately?
Yes—HI01PK01 gaskets are sold in packs of 10 (P/N HI01PK01-10) and are cross-referenced in NARISHIGE’s global spare parts catalog.