I would caution anyone from introducing silver nitrate into your
fluid-transfer tissue processor.   There are many metallic components that
will be affected by even traces of the silver nitrate.  The most obvious
will be the specimen basket and specimen chamber/retort.  There are many
more hidden components which can be negatively affected by the chemicals we
bring into the processor on or in the specimens (as well as in the reagent
containers.)   It would be in your best interest to contact the manufacturer
of your tissue processor to confirm product and chemical compatibility - to
verify that its use would not void any "in warranty" or service agreement
coverage.
    I can tell you that the use of silver nitrate in any of the VIP models
of tissue processor is not supported by Sakura or its distributors.
Repairs as a result of using silver nitrate can be costly and are not
covered by warranty or service agreements.
    I'm sure you'll get many responses in support of marking dyes (many have
been posted in the past, as well).  Usually these dyes become "fast", "set"
or "fixed" with a dilute glacial acetic acid solution.

Kind regards,
Nancy

Nancy Klemme (HT)ASCP
Customer/Product Support Mgr.
Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.
1750 W. 214th Street
Torrance, CA    90501
Phone = 800/725-8723
Web site = www.sakuraus.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Alex Bolivar [mailto:alexbolivar@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 7:10 AM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Cc: abolivar@cha.ab.ca
Subject: silver nitrate for marking margins


Hello all!

I was wondering if anyone out there was using silver nitrate to mark the
margins of gross specimens. We are currently using india ink and other
tissue marking dyes, but would like to try silver nitrate. If anyone is
using it, what concentration do you use, and do you have any concerns
related to toxicity. Also, does it make a mess on cutting boards,
instruments and things?

Thanx in advance!

Alex Bolivar
University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada