Importance Of Microtome

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Practical 2 Title: Microtomy Aim: To make the tissue for microscopic examination. Introduction: Microtome is an instrument for cutting thin sections of a tissue, for microscopic examination. Microtomes will advance an object for a predetermined distance then slide the object to the cutting tool. There are a few types of microtome such as freezing microtome which is used for cutting frozen tissues, rotary microtome which is the one in which wheel action is translated into a back-and-forth movement of the specimen being sectioned and sliding microtome in which the specimen being sectioned is made to slide on a track. Materials: Microtome with accessories, tissue blocks, slides, adhesives (egg albumin), tissue floating bath. Parts of the microtome: …show more content…

Float your samples in water bath - Floating your samples on water helps remove wrinkles and allows for easy sorting. Use and care of microtome • Place the microtome on a table with the advancement handwheel on the right hand side • There is a locking lever at the top of the handwheel which prevents forward rotation of the wheel when moved beyond the handle. To unlock the wheel, move the lever toward the front of the instrument. • The rotary handle of the microtome must always be set in the locked position when changing a paraffin block or the blade. • Removal of the blade: Disposable blades must always be removed using forceps or a similar instrument. Do not remove the blade holder from the microtome with a blade present or transport the housing with the blade present. For microtomes with reusable blades cut resistant gloves must be used when removing and sharpening the blade. New blade should be placed in the blade holder and fastened before the wheel is unlocked. • Make sure the set screws and levers on the clamp, and the knife holder are firmly tightened before cutting to avoid vibration. • After use the microtome is cleaned by brushing or wiping off any ribbon fragments. Paraffin residue may be removed from the knife holder using

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