Flash point of Isopentane is -60 degrees F.  I think this means a match held over an open surface will cause flames unless the liquid is colder than that. 

One solution is to keep it chronically colder than that, and relieve the risk.   The refrigeration device below is for that purpose.  It keeps a cup of isopentane at -80 degrees.  It is contained in a metal well.  Not much can happen.  

http://www.myneurolab.com/myneurolab/mnl_products_detail.asp?idproduct=476401&catdesc=Histology+Equipment&CatThreeID=650&CatOneID=4&subcatdesc=Freezing+Devices&idsubcategory=187

Dow Corning makes a silicone liquid, 200 I think, that has the necessary thermal properties, but is none flammable.  I have not heard of its use in histology, maybe it blocks staining and water.  3M also makes a nonflammable coolant liquid that might work.


Cordially,
Charles W.  Scouten, Ph.D. 
myNeuroLab.com 
5918 Evergreen Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 63134 
Ph: 314 522 0300  
FAX  314 522 0377 
cwscouten@myneurolab.com 
http://www.myneurolab.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Chlipala
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 11:59 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] freezing of specimens in surgery center

Hello Histonetters
 
I have a unique question.  We are currently starting to set up procedure for collecting samples from a clinical trial.  The clinical trial involves taking multiple synovial biopsies at a surgery center.  Since portions of the samples need to be processed for frozen sections we wanted to be able to freeze the specimens at the surgery center via isopentane cooled liquid nitrogen.  We really do not want to have to transport the multiple specimens back to the main lab prior to freezing due to the time involved it would probably be 1-2 hours post biopsy before we could freeze the samples.  The surgery center is questioning the flammability of the isopentane.  Has anyone encountered anything like this?  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Thanks in advance.
 
Liz
 
Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC Manager Premier Laboratory, LLC P.O. Box 18592 Boulder, Colorado 80308
Office: (303) 735-5001
Fax: (303) 735-3540
liz@premierlab.com
www.premierlab.com
 
Ship to Address:
Premier Laboratory
University of Colorado
MCDB, Room A3B40
Boulder, Colorado 80309
 
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