FHC's OTS-4000 Oscillating Tissue Slicer

FHC’s OTS-4000 Oscillating Tissue Slicer has been designed to meet the highest standards for precision and accuracy. With an ultra light-weight blade oscillation mechanism mounted on a heavily reinforced chassis, FHC was able to maximize stability and minimize vibration.

The OTS-4000 is delivered ready to use and is adaptable to the individual user’s needs. The blade height, blade oscillation speed, blade angle and blade advance speeds are all easily adjustable. Slice thickness is adjustable from 10 microns to 990 microns. With flexible gooseneck fiber optic lights and a magnifying glass, as well as, a clear front on the tissue mounting/collection tray, keeping focus on the slice is not a problem. The entire tissue slicer, including the optional built in refrigeration unit, is 10.5”x7.5”x16” and only weighs 30 lbs., so it takes up very little space on a counter top, can be stored most anywhere and can be easily maneuvered.

The only downside is that the OTS-4000 has many toggle switches that perform different functions. With so many toggle switches, it is easy to get confused and accidentally hit the wrong one. This can be especially frustrating when running a critical experiment. So one must take time learning all of the toggle switches and how to correct oneself (when it is possible to do so) if a wrong toggle switch is accidentally engaged. Also, with so much variability and flexibility, one must take the time and possibly waste tissue samples, in order to optimize all settings needed to obtain the best possible tissue slice with the least amount of damage.

We have been using FTC’s OTS-4000 oscillating tissue slicer for at least a couple years now and are extremely pleased with the slices we obtain. We use the OTS-4000 to obtain 400 micron rat cerebellum slices, although it could be used for any tissue of interest and any thickness of interest. We are able to retrieve beautiful, consistent, evenly sliced tissue almost every time. The machine gives us consecutive tissue sections easily and rapidly. Of course, each new user requires a few educational sessions to get comfortable with the operation of the machine, but this little extra time is well worth it.

I would definitely recommend FHC’s OTS-4000 to any lab considering the purchase of a new tissue slicer. On top of a quality product, we have always received decent customer service from FHC. Even though the cost is quite high, it is money well spent.

VelvetLee Finckbone
Lab Technician
Dept. of Physiology
Texas Tech University Health Science Center