Andrew,
it depends on the size, thickness, and density of the bone samples you will be
processing.  large trephine (we get samples taken with a large trans illiac
biopsy needle which are much bigger than the Jam Shidi needles used in the
past)  can be processed in to glycol methacrylate (Polyscieces JB4 kit) if you
make sure the samples are cut to a thickness of no more than 1-2mm using a
diamond wire or disc saw.  i routinely cut samples of mineralized bone this size
on rotary microtomes (i prefer the Sorvall JB4 microtome) using a d profile
tungsten carbide knife.  i make my own GMA so that i can control the hardness,
but you can buy it as a kit from Polysciences.  larger/denser samples may
require harder methylmethacrylate processing.  The stroke window size of the
rotary microtome will determine the limit of the area size of the bone sample
you can cut.  anyway, we need to know a few more details about what kind of bone
samples you want to process to advise you further.  it is getting late, not sure
i am still coherent.
patsy


Andrew Kennedy wrote:

> Hi Histonetters,
>
> We are in the process of setting up a Mineralised Bone Histo section in our
> Department and we need some advice. We are continuing the work of another
> department who have handed over this job to us and would like to streamline
> the process a bit. The way they make up their resin is long, tedious and
> tricky, so that is the first thing I would like to "fix". Secondly we use
> "spare time" on another departments' old sledge microtome to cut the bones
> and I would like to purchase our own equipment to get away from having to
> fit in with another lab.
> So firstly, has anyone had any experience cutting Mineralised (not
> decalcified!) bone on a heavy duty rotary microtome or should we be using a
> sledge?
> Secondly, what resins do you use and are they available in easy to use kit
> forms?
>
> Thanks for any help in advance
>
> Andrew Kennedy
>
> Senior Science Officer in charge - Histopathology.
> Department of Anatomical Pathology
> Concord Repatriation General Hospital
> Hospital Road
> Concord, NSW, Australia
> 2139
> Phone: +612 9767 6115
> Fax: +612 9767 8427
>
> "Noli illegitimi carborundum"
>
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