[Histonet] Sponge problems in processing

[Steven E. Slap]

Hi HistoNetters

I agree with Gayle, and the other posters who pointed out that 
sponges carry over 1ml of fluid per sponge (so, with 100 cassettes, 
200 sponges, that's a lot of carryover).

I have had a lot of success with the biopsy cassettes which Gayle 
refers to, both in microwaves and in conventional tissue processors. 
You can request samples from Lab Storage Systems in St. Louis by 
phone at (800) 345-4167 or by e-mailing Rita Lovshe at 
rcl <@t> labstore.com.

best regards,
Steven Slap

At 10:20 AM -0700 4/1/04, Gayle Callis wrote:
>To: "Gudrun Lang" <gudrun.lang <@t> aon.at>, Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>From: Gayle Callis <gcallis <@t> montana.edu>
>Cc:
>Subject: [Histonet] Sponge problems in processing
>
>Gudrun,
>
>We no longer use sponges, prefer to place tissues in tissue embedding bags
>(Fisher) which look like tea bags or the little nylon bags (not as easy to
>handle, but thinner than sponges) and a tidge stiffer than tea bags.
>Sponges can cause artifacts in your tissues, looking like triangular holes
>in section.  This was published by Freida Carson in Journal of
>Histotechnology, 1980's.  Using tea bags may not be as fast during
>embedding, but speed there is a trade off for having to reprocess important
>tissue samples, ho hum tedious and time consuming while patient waits. 
>
>You analysis of problem sound correct with a poor exchange of solvents
>through sponges. If you pack cassettes super tight in basket/cassette
>holder inside processor you can impede solvent flow or if sponges are
>crammed too tight agaist tissue then lid smashed down on tissue/sponge
>sandwich - this is like having too thick a tissue in a cassette. 
>
>There are some clever biopsy cassettes with a folding, fine mesh inserts
>fitting inside a cassette.  These may be worth a try to avoid sponges. I
>think they are available through Fisher or some other company who could
>provide free samples.  It will be interesting to see peoples testimonials
>on using these. 
>
>There was Histonet discussion on these sponges way back in time - it may
>pay to do a search for those messages in Histonet Archives.