Snap-Freezing Method

The best freezing occurs at low temperatures with good thermal exchange.
The Gentle Jane system was designed to optimize rapid freezing and minimize ice crystal artifact.

The Gentle Jane method utilizes a heat extractor chilled to -196°C.

Gentle Jane snap-freezing minimizes ice crystal artifact while preserving morphology.

Cooling The Heat Extractor
A Heat Extractor is chilled to -196°C in a plastic thermos containing Liquid Nitrogen.

Forming A Base Layer
A small amount of Cryo-Gel or other mounting media is dispensed onto a Blockholder.

The Heat Extractor is placed on the GentleJane device and falls at a controlled rate forming a frozen base layer in 8 -10 seconds.

Orienting The Specimen
Additional Cryo-Gel or other mounting media is dispensed onto the base layer.
The specimen is oriented on the mounting media.

Freezing The Specimen
The Heat Extractor is once again placed on the Gentle Jane device.
The specimen and mounting medium are snap-frozen in 8 -10 seconds.
The Heat Extractor is returned to the plastic thermos.