Complete Microinjection Systems: (for IVF, ICSI & Transgenics) Microscopes, Microinjectors and Micromanipulators

COMPLETE MICROINJECTION SYSTEM

Tritech Research sells complete microinjection systems that integrate our industry-standard microINJECTOR™ control system with top name brand inverted microscopes and micromanipulation equipment. We take advantage of our status as a fully authorized Narishige dealer, and manufacturer of custom OEM solutions for Olympus and other microscope systems to get you great prices and the added convenience of getting a fully integrated microinjection system from a single source.

microINJECTOR™ Accessories

Different Microinjectors need different accessories. Click here to access a single page that has the information on all of our microinjectors and their respective accessories.

      MICROINJECTION BASICS

DEFINITION

Microinjection refers to the process of using a fine tipped needle to insert substances at a microscopic level into a cell or the intercellular space. It is a simple mechanical process in which a needle roughly 0.5 to 5 micrometers in diameter penetrates the cell membrane and/or the nuclear envelope or simply into a tissue. The desired contents are then injected into the desired sub-cellular, cellular, or intercellular compartment and the needle is removed. Microinjection is normally performed under a specialized microscope with the aid of a micromanipulator which allows for small movement under high magnification.

AREAS OF APPLICATION AND USE

Microinjection is frequently used in genetic engineering and transgenetics to insert genetic material into single cells. Microinjection can also be used in basic genetics research, in the cloning of organisms, and in the study of cell biology and viruses. Common clinical applications include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to help achieve fertilization for couples with severe male factor infertility, and for ophthalmology procedures like Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) and Intra Ocular (IO) injection.

GETTING STARTED

In basic microinjection, a hollow needle with a microscopic tip is filled with a liquid, inserted into a target, and then temporarily pressurized so as to inject the desired fluid into the target. The two broad areas of microinjectors are Analog and Digital Pressure-type, vs. Positive-displacement and syringe-type injectors all of which have a broad range of features and price ranges to assist you in your research. The variables that determine the amount injected with pressure-type injectors are pressure, time, viscosity of the fluid, and diameter of the needle opening. With digital Positive-displacement-type a particular volume and rate of delivery can be specified. Wondering which type to choose? If the volumes you need to deliver are less than 10 nanoliters, then pressure-type is really the only choice because positive-displacement units don't have the precision for picoliter injections due to thermal expansion and other variables that are larger than picoliters. From tens of nanoliters up to hundreds of microliters, you can take advantage of the convenience of positive-displacement injectors that require no external pressure source and let you deliver exact volumes.

In most pressure-type microinjection, the needle is either at a user-set pressure when injecting, or at atmospheric pressure when not injecting. In some cases, backflow of cytoplasm or medium into the needle can be problematic. For these cases, a lower "holding pressure" that is lower than the injecting pressure, but higher than atmospheric pressure is useful between injections. A holding pressure can also aid in reducing needle clogging. However, no matter how careful one is, needles occasionally do clog. For these cases, a short blast of a "clearing pressure," higher than the normal injection pressure, can be useful to unclog the needle.

HOW TO CHOOSE A MICROINJECTOR

To choose a microinjector, take into account some of the following considerations:

• The volume you'll be injecting
• Viscosity of the medium that is being injected
• Cost of the medium that is being injected
• Needle tip diameter and size of particulates in medium you're injecting (with regard to clogging)
• Total volume you'll be injecting (consider the economy injecting multiple targets with the same needle vs. issues of cross-contamination of samples)
• The pressure source (i.e. will you use a lab air jet, compressed tank, or positive displacement?)
• Do you need a dual microinjector/micromanipulator system to both hold the target as well as to inject it?
• Will you use the microinjector for only one simple application, or do you have other future experimental set-ups in mind for the future?
• Will it be easier for you to backfill or frontfill your needle?

WILL ONE OF THE FOUR MICROINJECTORS ABOVE WORK FOR ME?

Absolutely!

We are confident that one of the five systems showcased above — MINJ-1, MINJ-D, MINJ-PD, MINJ-FLY and MINJ-1000 — will meet popular microinjection needs. We have taken the guesswork out of decision making, and put together a variety of low-cost, high-quality solutions for researchers. Call us (310-446-4460) if you need something different or customized!

HELP TO DECIDE WHICH MICROINJECTOR IS BEST FOR YOUR APPLICATION

We carry a range of microinjectors that have a variety of features to fit almost any research need and that will also fit a variety of budgets. Since we design and manufacture most of the microinjectors we sell, we are also happy to help provide you with additional features and modifications you may need for cutting edge research. Please feel free to contact us directly if you need additional help in choosing the right microinjector for your current and/or future applications or if you need a customized microinjector for a specialized use.

Microinjection does not have to be a complicated and difficult task, and Tritech Research is here to help you choose the best microinjector for your research and your budget. We also stock a variety of microscopes, micromanipulators, needle holders, borosilicate glass, needle pullers, microforges, microgrinders, and all of the other accessories required to perform your work.

If you have any questions about our products or your particular application, we're here to help.

The products outlined above provide state-of-the-art replacements for the products in the table below. Tritech's mission is to lower the cost and speed the progress of biomedical research. We want you to get the best product for your research budget. Feel free to compare features and prices, then let us know what you think!