How do you troubleshoot a microtome?

How do you troubleshoot a microtome?

Ribbon will not form

1. Paraffin too hard; needs to be stickier.
2. Room/block too cold/hot.
3. Sections too thick.
4. Cannot seem to anchor the ribbon.
5. Angle of knife clearance is too small.
6. Blade may be caked and dirty.
7. Something in microtome not clamped down securely.

How do you maintain microtome?

Cleaning of the Microtome • The rotary when must be locked and blade removed from the holder before cleaning. Ensure that the lock is properly engaged. Always wear gloves when cleaning the microtome. Use a disinfectant that is effective against possible infectious agents.

What type of maintenance is required for the rotary microtome?

The key to good microtome maintenance is cleanliness and minimum lubrication. When you are done cutting for the day, remove your knife and then take the knife holder off the machine. Brush the machine off, paying particular attention to the specimen holder.

Why do paraffin sections fail to form ribbons?

The most common reasons for the ribbon not forming are either the wax is too hard, or the knife is at the wrong clearance angle. If it’s the knife, you just have to adjust the angle. If you think it may be the wax, take a look at the melting point of your paraffin.

What is a microtome blade?

A microtome (from the Greek mikros, meaning “small”, and temnein, meaning “to cut”) is a cutting tool used to produce extremely thin slices of material known as sections. Microtomes use steel, glass or diamond blades depending upon the specimen being sliced and the desired thickness of the sections being cut.

How does a microtome work?

The vibrating microtome operates by cutting using a vibrating blade, allowing the resultant cut to be made with less pressure than would be required for a stationary blade. The vibrating microtome is usually used for difficult biological samples.

How do you clean microtome blades?

Use a dry, lint-free, facial tissue to wipe your knife clean. DO NOT USE GAUZE or any other coarse material, it will destroy the edge of your knife. A. Keep the edge of your knife clean at all times.

Which is the most commonly used microtome?

rotary microtome
Most commonly used microtome for routine histopathology is rotary microtome. with paraffin. The tissue is then cut in the microtome at thicknesses varying from 2 to 50 µm.

What are the various difficulties encountered in Section cutting?

Cutting resistance from the blade may cause the researcher to exert extra pressure on the segment or to use a sawing motion with the blade, both without realizing it. This results in sections that appear “smeared” or misshapen, usually in an oval shape.

What is the knife used in rotary microtome?

diamond knife
Electron Microscopy Technique: after embedding tissues in epoxy resin, a microtome equipped with a glass or gem grade diamond knife is used to cut very thin sections (typically 60 to 100 nanometer).