Eppendorf CellTram Air / CellTram Oil Manual Micromanipulator for Microinjection
| Brand | Eppendorf |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | CellTram |
| Pricing | Contact Authorized Distributor |
Overview
The Eppendorf CellTram Air and CellTram Oil are precision-engineered manual micromanipulators designed for reproducible, low- to high-pressure microinjection in live-cell applications. These instruments operate on fundamentally distinct physical principles: the CellTram Air employs regulated compressed air to generate gentle, controllable suction and injection forces—ideal for delicate, suspension-based cells such as oocytes and zygotes—while the CellTram Oil utilizes mineral oil (Sigma M-8410, embryo-tested) as an incompressible transmission medium, enabling stable, high-fidelity pressure delivery up to 20,000 hPa (≈2 MPa). Both systems integrate seamlessly with standard inverted or upright microscope platforms via universal mounting interfaces, supporting integration into established electrophysiology, transfection, and embryology workflows. Their mechanical architecture prioritizes tactile feedback, positional stability, and long-term operational consistency—critical for single-cell manipulation where micron-scale precision and force repeatability directly impact experimental viability.
Key Features
- Patent-pending piston-cylinder actuation mechanism—maintenance-free, zero-lubrication design ensuring long-term drift-free performance and eliminating risk of oil contamination in sterile environments.
- Ergonomic large-diameter dial with high-friction surface texture enables fine-grained, fatigue-resistant pressure adjustment—even during extended microinjection sessions.
- Stable anti-slip base with adjustable leveling feet ensures vibration-damped operation on optical tables or laminar flow hoods.
- Universal needle holder compatible with standard capillary holders (e.g., Narishige, Sutter, WPI), facilitating rapid tool exchange across multi-instrument setups.
- CellTram Air: Integrated balancing valve allows real-time compensation for hydrostatic pressure gradients; calibrated air pressure range optimized for 0–500 hPa (typical for oocyte aspiration and cytoplasmic injection).
- CellTram Oil: Rapid-fill oil valve system minimizes air entrapment during priming; all wetted components fabricated from chemically inert, USP Class VI-certified materials compliant with ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity requirements.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CellTram platforms support a broad spectrum of biological specimens—from mammalian oocytes and blastomeres to plant protoplasts and algal cells—without requiring electrical stimulation or thermal modulation. Both models are routinely employed in GLP-compliant IVF laboratories and academic stem cell core facilities. The oil used in CellTram Oil (Sigma M-8410) is documented in peer-reviewed embryology literature for its non-toxicity and minimal osmotic perturbation in murine and bovine embryo culture. Device construction adheres to IEC 61000-6-2 (electromagnetic immunity) and IEC 61000-6-3 (emission) standards. While not electrically powered, the mechanical design meets ISO 13485:2016 principles for medical device accessories used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) workflows.
Software & Data Management
As fully manual, analog instruments, the CellTram Air and Oil do not incorporate embedded electronics or digital control interfaces. This architecture eliminates software validation overhead and ensures deterministic, latency-free pressure response—essential for time-critical intracellular injections (e.g., CRISPR RNP delivery into pronuclei). Pressure settings are recorded manually in laboratory notebooks or integrated into LIMS via standardized SOP templates. For audit readiness in regulated environments (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11–governed clinical ART labs), users may document dial positions, applied pressures, and procedural timestamps alongside imaging metadata from synchronized microscope acquisition systems.
Applications
- Manual intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and subzonal insemination (SUZI) in human and veterinary reproductive medicine.
- Cytoplasmic transfer, organelle transplantation, and mRNA/cDNA microinjection into early-stage embryos.
- High-pressure delivery of dyes, tracers, or gene-editing reagents into rigid-walled plant cells or fungal hyphae.
- Single-cell biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A/PGT-M) under morphokinetic monitoring.
- Microinjection-based transfection of primary neurons, hepatocytes, and other hard-to-transfect suspension or adherent cell types.
FAQ
What is the maximum recommended operating pressure for CellTram Oil, and how is it verified?
The nominal maximum pressure is 20,000 hPa (2 MPa), validated per DIN EN ISO 15001-2 using calibrated deadweight testers traceable to PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt). Users must confirm calibration annually using certified pressure test gauges.
Can CellTram Air be used with CO₂-enriched gas sources for pH-sensitive samples?
No—only dry, oil-free compressed air or nitrogen meeting ISO 8573-1 Class 1:2:1 specifications is permitted to prevent condensation or chemical interaction with biological samples.
Is the Sigma M-8410 oil supplied with the instrument, or must it be procured separately?
M-8410 is not included; users must source it independently from authorized Sigma-Aldrich distributors, verifying lot-specific embryonic viability documentation prior to use.
Does Eppendorf provide installation qualification (IQ) or operational qualification (OQ) documentation?
Yes—qualified users may request IQ/OQ templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and GCP guidelines through Eppendorf Technical Support; execution remains the responsibility of the end-user’s QA department.
