Jeff,

Shandon sells a super mega cassette, a super mega cassette base mold  and a
quick release clamp to accommodate the super mega cassette block.. It can
be used on our microtomes, but am not sure if all microtomes will be able
to use these same pieces.  What model of microtome are you using?  Call us
if you need more information on these super mega items.

Regards,

Mark Lewis
Product Specialist
Shandon
1-800-716-3703
 ----------
From:  kellarec@MSX.UPMC.EDU [SMTP:MIME :kellarec@MSX.UPMC.EDU]
Sent:  Friday, November 12, 1999 1:19 PM
To:  histonet@pathology.swmed.edu; jcrews@organo.com
Subject:  RE: big honkin' samples

<<File: ENVELOPE.TXT>>
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  --
Before investing in a Jung Polycut E sliding microtome, I used an old
Leitz
820 rotary microtome with an old quick release clamp. I was successful in
getting pretty nice paraffin whole mount sections on whole larynx and
prostate specimens. The trick is to get some paraffin support behind the
big
honkin specimen (approx. 1.5" to 2" of solid paraffin), while still
achieving enough clearance between the blade and specimen. Also remember
to
release trapped air bubbles during embedding, if not, they will cause the
specimen to vibrate and break away from the cassette at the microtome. It
usually took half a day to properly embed the specimen and then let it
cool.
Old fashioned lead "L's" worked great as molds with mega-cassettes placed

on
top.






Eric C. Kellar
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center






> ----------
> From:  Jeff Crews[SMTP:jcrews@organo.com]
> Sent:  Friday, November 12, 1999 10:36 AM
> To:  histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:  big honkin' samples
> >      Does anyone have any experience with embedding and sectioning >

    large-cross-section tissues? We have some porcine vertebral samples >

     that measure about  2" x 1 1/2". I can get larger cassettes for >

  processing them and make some larger embedding molds, but how do you >

    suggest that we clamp them in the microtome? This is the first time >

     that we've had to do something this large, and I'd appreciate hearing
> >      from others about it. Thanks again!
>                                                 jc
> >