Microtome Accessory for Easy Production of Continuous Specimen Strips

Louisiana State University
posted on 04/07/2011

Presently, microtome use is a labor intensive activity that requires a considerable amount of skill. This invention is a device that drastically reduces the time and skill needed to prepare professional-grade histological slides. The device affixes to any standard microtome to allow long, continuous strips of sequential slices of wax-embedded specimens to be cut without the use of a water bath.

Suggested Uses

Histological slide preparation

Advantages

Reduces the amount of specimen handling, decreasing the chance of tearing the delicate tissue. Eliminates the need for a water bath in tissue slide preparation. Easy to use, allowing even novice users to prepare professional-grade slides. Produces higher quality slides and increases the efficiency of the operator, reducing project costs associated with slide preparation.

Detailed Description

Presently, microtome use is a labor intensive activity that requires a considerable amount of skill. This invention is a device that drastically reduces the time and skill needed to prepare professional-grade histological slides. The device affixes to any standard microtome to allow long, continuous strips of sequential slices of wax-embedded specimens to be cut without the use of a water bath. The elimination of the water bath alters the traditional process of tissue sectioning and slide preparation by cutting down on handling the delicate strip of tissue, considerably decreasing the chances of tearing and damaging the specimen. Additionally, this process can be conducted with relative ease and very little training compared to traditional techniques, allowing even novice users to prepare professional-grade slides. By increasing the quality of the end product and the efficiency of the operator, this device offers a considerable value in decreased project costs.

File Number: 1041