Microtome

Microtom

Rotary microtomes are the most commonly used type of microtome in histopathology labs. They use a rotating knife to cut thin sections of tissue samples. Sliding microtomes use a stationary knife and a moving sample platform to cut tissue sections. Vibratome microtomes use a vibrating blade to cut soft tissue samples without freezing or embedding whereas cryostat microtome is used to cut frozen tissue samples. It uses a freezing mechanism to freeze the tissue sample, which is then cut into thin sections using a blade. The frozen tissue sections can be used for a variety of applications, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and fluorescence microscopy.
Practical considerations when using microtomes include the thickness of the tissue sections, the angle of the blade, and the speed of cutting. The thickness of the tissue sections depends on the type of analysis being performed and can range from 1 to 50 microns. The angle of the blade should be adjusted to ensure clean and precise cuts. The speed of cutting also affects the quality of the tissue sections, with slower speeds resulting in better quality sections.
Several manufacturers produce microtomes for histopathology labs, including Leica Biosystems, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sakura Finetek, and Microm International GmbH. These companies offer a range of microtomes with different features and capabilities to meet the needs of various research and diagnostic applications.
In conclusion, microtomy is an essential technique in histopathology labs that involves cutting thin sections of tissue samples for microscopic examination. Different types of microtomes are available, each with its own advantages and limitations. Practical considerations such as thickness, angle, and speed should be taken into account when using microtomes. Several manufacturers produce microtomes for histopathology labs, offering a range of options to suit different needs.