You are using a microtome but are having trouble cutting the tissue into sections. Which troubleshooting...

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Medical Sciences

You are using a microtome but are having trouble cutting thetissue into sections. Which troubleshooting strategy/strategieswould you choose?

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Steps to Better Microtomy 1 Use High Quality Blades Dos Use High quality sharp blades always for cutting Dont Do Dont use Blades that are used for as long as possible 2 Optimize Knife Tilt Angle Dos Knife tilt angle is always optimized for each microtome and blade type for better use Dont Do Knife tilt angle is never adjusted when conditions are changed different microtome new blade type different wax etc In this case problems occur 3 Carefully Trim Blocks Dos Blocks are carefully trimmed to expose tissue The last few sections are always cut at what will be the final thickness to polish the block face Dont Do Blocks are roughly trimmed to save time The surface is not polished before taking final sections This often produces a motheaten appearance in the final section which is full of small ragged holes 4 Avoid Freezing Damage Dos Blocks are chilled on a cold wet surface and are always cold when cut the surface of melting ice is excellent Dont Do Blocks are frozen before cutting This sometimes causes the blocks to crack 5 Use Cold Blocks Dos Blocks are always cold when cut Dont Do There is sometimes a delay before final sections are cut from a block The block may be warm and this may result in excessive compression of sections 6 Cut Sections See Answer

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