A trick that may be helpful.  While orienting the tissue, place the
cassette on the cold plate.  Once the cold cassette is placed on the
base mold a seal is created that prevents paraffin from leaking out. 
This technique doesn't always work well with the small biopsy size
molds, as the block may chunk away from the cassette.  Keeping the base
molds at room temperature can be of help also.
 
Fred

	-----Original Message-----
From: "ian clarke"  
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 5:05 PM
To: "Histonet" 
Subject: 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