
High pressure freezing with the possibility of light and electrical stimulation
High Pressure Freezer Leica EM ICE
High pressure freezing is key for the study of intricate changes in fine structure or cellular dynamics.
- Cryo-immobilize your aqueous samples under high pressure with a unique freezing principle and uncover secrets of the cellular process.
- Capture and resolve highly dynamic processes at the nanometer scale with millisecond precision.
The EM ICE solution, combining superior high pressure freezing with the possibility of light and electrical stimulation, is the platform for your discoveries.
Superior cryo-fixation quality
Currently cryo-fixation is the only way to fix cellular constituents without introducing significant structural alterations.
The EM ICE solution uses a unique, alcohol-free freezing principle to allow a superior cryo-fixation of the specimen enabling better quality results to be obtained:
- No alcohol in the chamber leads to a faster pressure increase and immediate cooling of the specimen
- No alcohol residue on the carrier or the specimen
- Precisely define the timing for light and electrical stimulation
Learn more: White Paper: Performing high pressure freezing with EM ICE solution
Application Note: Ultrastructural preservation and contrast in drosophilia tissue
Why Electrical Stimulation?
To resolve controversial questions in neurobiology, it is essential to employ new techniques for visualizing cellular activity.
The EM ICE solution offers electrical stimulation of neurons with millisecond precision and complete coordination of electrical discharge at the moment of freezing. It gives neurobiologists the most reliable tool for capturing and imaging action potential and membrane trafficking events.
See our Webinar
Webinar on how to reveal cellular dynamics with millisecond precision


Why light stimulation?
Synchronizing light stimulation and high pressure freezing enables you to visualize in photosensitive specimens:
- highly dynamic processes and
- structural changes
with nanometer resolution and millisecond precision. This innovation opens up new possibilities for life science researchers.
With the EM ICE solution you can:
- Apply light stimulation to any light sensitive compounds
- Photoactivate various biological specimens
- Study, beyond the limits of current understanding, highly dynamic processes, such as neurotransmission at synapses
- Benefit from light stimulation, including precise correlation between the light pulses and moment of freezing
- Add with one click any of the 5 different LED light modules to the instrument. Each module is automatically recognized by the software and recorded in the log file.
Focus on your sample
You can load the sample in the EM ICE solution with one move.
Then, when you close the cover of the loading station, you trigger the perfectly aligned sequence of the cartridge assembly and freezing process.
No additional actions are needed, as the loading and freezing process are fully automated.
The specimen goes from fresh to frozen in 1 second!
Efficiency included
You can complete your workflow fast with the EM ICE solution.
Recovery between freezing cycles is only one minute – so no waiting necessary.
The sample storage Dewar is refilled automatically with liquid nitrogen (LN2) – no maintenance necessary. It enables you to:
- Use 3 positions with a capacity to hold up to 3 different specimens
- Perform up to 9 consecutive freezing cycles
- Choose the number of specimens per position with programmed rotation and differentiation between specimens and conditions
The LN2 Dewar is drained automatically – no action necessary
Flexible & ready for upgrade
The Leica EM ICE gives you the flexibility you need for your research.
Feel free to:
- Choose the type of environmental control (loading station or table and chamber temperature control)
- Retrofit the instrument with light stimulation mode at any time
- Upgrade to environmental control (table heating and/or environmental chamber) whenever you need it
All upgrades (light stimulation module and environmental settings) can be performed directly in your lab by the Leica Service Team. There is no need to return the instrument to the factory.
Interested to know more?
Talk to our experts. We are happy to answer all your questions and concerns.
Contact UsDo you prefer personal consulting?
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Leica Microsystems Inc.1700 Leider LaneBuffalo Grove, IL 60089 United StatesOffice Phone : +1 800 248 0123Service Phone : 1 800 248 0223Fax : +1 847-236-3009
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Precision Lens5715 West Old Shakopee Road Unit 150Bloomington, 55437 United StatesOffice Phone : 952-881-0414
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D.M.I. Medical IncHistology Systems, Novocastra Reagents and associated instruments, EM Sample Preparation4611 S. University Dr. Suite 435Davie, 33328 United StatesOffice Phone : +1-954-538-3808Service Phone : +1-954-328-0693Fax : +1-866-492-6373
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D.M.I. Medical Inc.Life Science Research: Confocal Microscopy, Widefield, Nanotechnology, Industry Microscopy, Clinical Microscopy, Surgical Microscopy, Digital Pathology, Cytovision, Aperio, Ariol, Histology Instruments, Histology Consumables, Advanced Staining Instruments, Advanced Staining Consumables, Kreatech Reagents, Thermobrite / Thermobrite Elite4611 S. University Dr. Suite 435Davie, 33328 United StatesOffice Phone : +1-954-538-3808Service Phone : +1-954-328-0693Fax : +1-866-492-6373
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Q Surgical28 Liberty Ship Way Suite 2830Sausalito, 94965 United StatesOffice Phone : 415-331-1020Fax : 415-462-5186
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Spective LLC - Canada3103 Glenwood DriveDurham, 27705 United StatesOffice Phone : 9194526288
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SurgicalOne, Inc.23030 E Industrial DriveSAINT CLAIR SHORES, 48080 United StatesOffice Phone : 586-775-3300Fax : 586-775-3301
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TAP Medical Products, Inc.4580 Klahanie Drive S.E. #452Issaquah, 98029 United StatesOffice Phone : 425-785-9993Fax : 800-832-1859
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Angstrom Scientific Inc.120 N CENTRAL AVE STE 3Ramsey, 07446 United StatesOffice Phone : 2019627222Fax : 2019628290
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I. Miller Precision Optical Instruments Inc.325 Bustleton PikeFeasterville Trevose, 19053 United StatesOffice Phone : 215-925-2285Fax : 215-925-8374
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DB Surgical12480 West Atlantic Blvd Suite 1Coral Springs, 33071 United StatesOffice Phone : 954-340-2727Fax : 954-340-1221