SAS 5: Infiltration, Embedding, and Microtomy (Part II) Flashcards
This is after impregnating the tissue where it is placed into a mold containing the embedding medium and allowed to solidify.
Embedding
Ideally, the embedding medium should match the tissue type in ____ and ____
strength and hardness
Types of Blocking-Out Methods
- Leuckhart’s Embedding Mold
- Compound Embedding Ring and Base Mold
- Disposable Embedding Molds
It consists of two L-shaped strips of heavy brass or metal arranged on a flat metal plate and which can be moved to adjust the size of the mold to the size of the specimen
Leuckhart’s Embedding Mold
Made up of a series of interlocking plates resting on a flat metal base, forming several compartments. It has the advantage of embedding more specimens at a time, thereby reducing the time needed for blocking
Leuckhart’s Embedding Mold
Consists of a special stainless steel base mold fitted with a plastic embedding ring, which latter serves as the block holder during cutting
Plastic Embedding Ring and Base Mold
Equipped with a warm plate to manage the impregnated specimen, and a cold plat at -5C for rapid solidification of the block.
Tissue Tek
Disposable embedding molds:
- Peel-Away
- Plastic Ice Tray
- Paper Boat
It is a disposable thin plastic embedding molds, available in 3 different sizes, are simply peeled off one at a time, as soon as the wax has solidified, giving perfect even block without trimming. It may be places directly in the chuck or block holder of the microtome,
Peel-Away
It may be recommended for busy routine laboratories. Each compartment of this may be utilized for embedding one tissue bloc, which may then be removed by bending the plastic tray once the wax has solidified or by smearing the inner mole with glycerin or liquid paraffin before embedding.
Plastic Ice Tray
Normally utilized for embedding celloidin blocks but are really equally useful for paraffin wax blocks. They have the advantage of being cheap and easy to make. They provide accurate identification of specimens, thereby avoiding confusion and interchange of tissue blocks
Paper boat
Process by which the processed tissue is trimmed and cut unto uniformly thin slices or “sections” to facilitate studies under the microscope
Microtomy
Capable of cutting a section at a predetermined thickness by sliding the block into a cutting tool, usually a steel knife, glass and diamond blade, which is attached to the machine
Microtome
Blades that are used in Microtome
Glass and diamond blade
3 Essential Parts of Microtome
- Block Holder
- Knife Carrier and Knife
- Pawl, Ratchet Feed Wheel and Adjustment screws
Parts of microtome where the tissue is held in position
Block holder
Parts of microtome for actual cutting of tissue sections
Knife Carrier and Knife