CYSEA SC-A1 Automated Tissue Clearing System
| Brand | CYSEA |
|---|---|
| Model | SC-A1 |
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The CYSEA SC-A1 Automated Tissue Clearing System is an engineered platform for high-fidelity, electrophoretic tissue clearing—based on the foundational principles of CLARITY (Clear Lipid-exchanged Acrylamide-hybridized Rigid Imaging/Immunostaining-compatible Tissue hYdrogel). It enables rapid, uniform lipid removal from intact biological tissues—including whole mouse brains, spinal cords, and other soft neural or peripheral organ specimens—through controlled electrokinetic transport of hydrophilic clearing reagents. Unlike passive diffusion-based methods, the SC-A1 applies a precisely regulated direct current (DC) field across a temperature-stabilized chamber to accelerate lipid–reagent complex migration out of the tissue matrix, achieving optical transparency while preserving endogenous fluorescence, protein epitopes, and 3D ultrastructural integrity. Designed for reproducible benchtop deployment in neuroscience, developmental biology, and translational pathology labs, the system operates without requiring embedding, sectioning, or refractive index matching media during imaging—supporting subsequent light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), confocal, or two-photon volumetric acquisition.
Key Features
- One-touch automated workflow with programmable clearing protocols—including pre-conditioning, electrophoretic clearing, and post-clearing buffer exchange
- Integrated auto-cleaning cycle using deionized water and mild detergent solution between runs to prevent cross-contamination and maintain electrode integrity
- Temperature-regulated clearing chamber (25–37 °C adjustable, ±0.5 °C stability) to minimize thermal denaturation and ensure consistent hydrogel swelling kinetics
- Modular DC power module with real-time current monitoring and adaptive voltage compensation to sustain optimal electrophoretic mobility across variable tissue sizes and densities
- Reagent reservoir system accommodating up to 3 L of clearing solution per run—compatible with standard CLARITY-compatible formulations (e.g., SDS-based or saponin-enhanced buffers)
- No acrylamide polymerization step required; supports both hydrogel-embedded and non-embedded tissue formats, enabling direct post-clearing imaging without mechanical support
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SC-A1 accommodates fresh-frozen or paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues up to 15 mm in maximal dimension (e.g., whole adult mouse brain, neonatal rat spinal cord, or human biopsy cores). It has been validated for use with immunolabeling workflows compatible with common primary antibodies (including those targeting synaptic proteins, neurotransmitter receptors, and glial markers) and fluorescent dyes (e.g., Alexa Fluor, Cy dyes, and GFP/RFP derivatives). The system complies with ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing practices and meets CE marking requirements for laboratory equipment. All reagents used in conjunction with the SC-A1 are non-carcinogenic per IARC Group 3 classification and demonstrate >90% retention of native fluorescence signal intensity after 96-hour clearing—validated via spectral unmixing and photobleaching resistance assays. While not classified as a medical device, the instrument supports GLP-compliant documentation through optional audit-trail-enabled software logging (see Software & Data Management).
Software & Data Management
The SC-A1 is operated via a dedicated embedded touchscreen interface running CYSEA ClearControl™ v2.1 firmware. Each clearing run generates a timestamped metadata log including voltage profile, cumulative charge (C), chamber temperature history, and user-defined protocol ID. Optional USB export enables integration with LIMS environments and supports CSV-formatted reports for traceability in academic publication or regulatory submissions. For laboratories operating under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, CYSEA offers a validated software add-on package—including electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails—that undergoes annual IQ/OQ verification per GAMP 5 guidelines.
Applications
- Whole-organ 3D neuroanatomical mapping of transgenic mouse models (e.g., Thy1-YFP, Ai14 tdTomato)
- High-resolution vascular network reconstruction in tumor xenografts and ischemic injury models
- Developmental staging of embryonic organogenesis using multi-color immunolabeling and light-sheet imaging
- Pathology cohort analysis of human post-mortem brain tissue for neurodegenerative disease biomarker spatial distribution
- Validation of AAV-mediated gene delivery efficiency across deep brain nuclei
FAQ
Does the SC-A1 require hydrogel embedding prior to clearing?
No—while optimized for hydrogel-embedded samples, the SC-A1 successfully clears non-embedded fixed tissues (e.g., PFA-perfused mouse brains) with retained structural coherence for up to 96 hours; extended runs (>120 h) may reduce mechanical stability.
What is the typical reagent consumption per sample?
Approximately 2.5–3.0 L of clearing buffer is consumed per full run; cost per mouse brain is ≤¥200 (RMB) when using domestically sourced SDS-based formulations.
Can the system be integrated into existing imaging pipelines?
Yes—the cleared tissue remains compatible with standard mounting media (e.g., FocusClear, SeeDB2), refractive index-matched immersion objectives, and commercial light-sheet platforms (e.g., Zeiss Z.1, Bruker Lightsheet 7).
Is technical support available outside China?
CYSEA provides remote diagnostics and application consultation via secure web portal; on-site service is available in North America, EU, and APAC regions through authorized distributor partners with certified field engineers.
