We have "quick release" chucks on our microtomes. The excess paraffin on the
cassettes make it impossible to get the cassettes into the chuck. If you can
manage to get it into the chuck, then it seldom "seats" correctly which
makes sectioning very difficult. Therefore, we take the extra time to trim
around the edges of the cassette. Before "quick release" chucks were
available, I seldom had to trim around the edge of the cassettes. But the
cassettes were much different then. I'm sure many of you remember the chunky
cassettes. The "quick release" chucks were designed to fit the cassettes
that are used by most histology labs. I prefer the "quick release" chucks
for ease of use and lessens the strain on the hands.

Happy Cutting,
Diane

Diane C. Gladney, HT (ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
P.O. BOX 484
4500 Stuart Ave.
FT. Jackson, SC 29207

(803) 751-2530
DSN 734-2530

EMAIL: diane.gladney@se.amedd.army.mil  OR
                 dcgx1@aol.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Bruijntjes, J.P. [mailto:bruyntjes@voeding.tno.nl]
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 5:29 AM
To: Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: Re trimming round edge of cassette


Hi all

I was surprised to see that a lot of you answered this question with
different kind of tools to remove the excess wax. But I was wondering:
is it really necessary to remove that wax. At least, in our institute we
don't remove it. We just cut the blocks with no problem at all. I don't
see the advantage, it just takes more time to cut those blocks.

Joost

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: ian clarke [mailto:clarke.ian@virgin.net] 
Verzonden: maandag 4 augustus 2003 23:05
Aan: Histonet
Onderwerp: Re trimming round edge of cassette

Hi all,
Iam looking to see what techniques people use to remove the excess wax
from
around the cassette after embedding and before trimming.We use at
present a
blunted scalpel  but we have been told there may be a risk from needle
stick
type injury.
Thanks to all in advance
Ian Clarke
Histopathology/Cytopathology
CAH