Re[2]: big honkin' samples

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From:emaher@zeiss.com (by way of histonet)
To:histonet@histosearch.com
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     I work for Microm/Richard Allan Scientific and we make a megacassette.
     I don't think you will have the same problem with ours, as the hole
     for the lid latch is on the top, it's too far up for the paraffin to
     reach.  If you want a sample let me know or contact your local rep.
     Thanks
     Evanne Maher
     Micron/RAS
     800 543-1033, X7940


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Subject: Re: big honkin' samples
Author:  "P. Emry" <emry@u.washington.edu> at Internet
Date:    11/12/99 5:24 PM


Hi Jeff,

I got a lot of help from others on the net when I started doing large pig
bones.  I'll pass on what I have learned and used.

I had a fast-release chuck that slipped so that small bites were
being taken out of the specimens.  I got one of the screw
down chucks which solved my problems and gave me the ability to use large
metal bases (aluminum with a grid)  with mega-cassette sized blocks
attached that fit into the chuck.  I inherited these things with the lab
so I don't know where you can buy them.

I also use a meg-cassette by filling it with paraffin. It fits nicely in
the screw down chuck. Unfortunately, the mega-cassette has a hole where
the hook on the lid fits. When you fill it you have to plug the hole
with bits of cooling paraffin or it leaks.  I bought a glue gun and
plugged the hole on a second cassette I use for embedding.

(If there is a vendor listening, redesign the mega-cassette so that hole
is closed and won't let the paraffin leak out.  Having to use two
cassettes per specimen is not a good thing and trying to plug it up with
cooling bits of paraffin is time consuming.)

Am I the only one with this problem or have you real "pros" found a way to
avoid this problem?

Best of luck.

Trisha
U of Washington, Seattle

On Fri, 12 Nov 1999, Jeff Crews wrote:

>      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
>
>
>

Trisha




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