Re: methylmetacrylate re-embedding
You can re-embed polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) blocks in the following manner:
1. Trim off as much of the polymerized PMMA as you can.
2. Place the block into your monomer. This will melt the polymerized PMMA.
Change the monomer as needed. Be PATIENT...this takes time!
3. Re-infiltrate with polymer and embed as usual.
To help eliminate bubbles, I place my specimens (embedded in glass shell vials) into a jar of room temp water, making sure that the water level is equal to the level of the polymer in the vial. Cover vials with foil and place the "waterbath" into a 37 degree oven overnight. The water acts to disperse the heat generated by polymerization.
In the morning, remove the vials from the waterbath, remove the foil, check to
be sure that polymerization has occured from the bottom of the vial to a point
safely above the specimen, return the vials to a 60 degree oven to complete polymerization, if necessary.
I have never tried to re-embed glycolmethylmethacrylate (GMA/JB4) blocks, so I don't know if you can do that.
Good luck!
-Diane Mahovlic, HT(ASCP)
Othopedic Pathology and Biomaterials Laboratory
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
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