[Histonet] Embedding beads

[Alan Taylor]

Hi All

Thanks for the correction Dr Richmond. It is Hama Beads.

We keep ours in used rectangular cover slip boxes, which hold many beads of individual colours in each box. When in use each embedder has their allocated box at the back of the embedding centre, close to the dispensing spout, so that a bead can be quickly picked up with tweezers and dropped into the cassette tray when filling with wax.  

When not in use the boxes are kept in a small instrument tray at the side of the embedding centre. Each persons name is clearly written on the lid of each box. The stock bags are kept in a nearby drawer.  

Have never considered timing each embedding, but I am certain that there are very few additional seconds in reaching for a bead and dropping it into the molten wax.

Alan Taylor
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. EX1 3AJ Devon. UK. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jennifer Campbell 
  To: Amber McKenzie 
  Cc: Alan Taylor ; Willis, Donna G. ; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
  Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 2:51 PM
  Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads


  We use squares of colored construction paper. Each tech is assigned a color and they use those or their initials for all of the different jobs in the lab.

  There has to be accountability for every job.

  Jen Campbell


  On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 9:43 AM, Amber McKenzie <amber.mckenzie <@t> gastrodocs.net> wrote:

    Does this slow the embedder down any having to pick a bead up each time to embed along with the tissue?  I've never heard of this procedure before.  The labs I've worked in have an embedding log and we initial each case we embed. What do you keep the beads in and are they set in a particular spot on the embedding station so they're easily assessable?

    -----Original Message-----
    From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Taylor
    Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 5:15 PM
    To: Willis, Donna G.; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
    Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

    Hi All

    We use Hamma beads to identify individual embedders on a particular day.
    Hamma beads will be well known to parents and child carers as tiny tube like
    beads that can be made into many patterns and then ironed (by adults) to
    make colourful place mats etc for children.

    Hamma beads come in a very wide range of colours, in bulk bags from any good
    toy or handicraft store. They are very cheap and they are clearly visible
    when placed in the corner of an embedding cassette when filling with wax.

    We have a small staff in our lab so the colours we have chosen are readily
    identifiable to an individual who has embedded a particular block. I can
    strongly recommend them, we have used them for a number of years as a
    traceable guide to a particular block. Hope this is helpful to all of you
    who are embedding lots of blocks each day.

    Best wishes to you all

    Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS
    Microtechnical Services
    71 Sweetbrier Lane
    Heavitree
    Exeter. Devon. EX1 3AJ.UK

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Willis, Donna G." <Donna.Willis <@t> baylorhealth.edu>
    To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
    Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 3:58 PM
    Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


    Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get
    small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds.

    Thanks,

    Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP)
    Histology Lab Manager
    Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas
    ph. 214-820-2465 office
    ph. 214-725-6184 mobile
    donna.willis <@t> baylorhealth.edu

    **********************************************************************
    This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This
    information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and
    entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient,
    further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are
    not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please
    notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized
    copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is
    strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and
    regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates
    hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information.
    _______________________________________________
    Histonet mailing list
    Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
    http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


    _______________________________________________
    Histonet mailing list
    Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
    http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

    _______________________________________________
    Histonet mailing list
    Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
    http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




  -- 
  Jen Campbell, HT(ASCP)
  Supervisor of Technical Services
  Muhlbauer Dermatopathology Laboratory
  61 Monroe Avenue, Ste B
  Pittsford NY 14534
  P: 585.586.5166
  F: 585.586.3137


  IMPORTANT NOTICE:  This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential
  or sensitive information which is, or may be, legally privileged or
  otherwise protected by law from further disclosure.  It is intended only
  for the addressee.  If you received this in error or from someone who was
  not authorized to send it to you, please do not distribute, copy or use it
  or any attachments.  Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail
  and delete this from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.