[Histonet] Fresh tissue sectioning and safety

[Charles Scouten]

I doubt that anyone has measured aresol formation during use of a tissue chopper or a Vibratome.  The existance of such an aerosol formation effect  is hypothetical, but has not been ruled out.

We offer both a McIllwain Tissue chopper, and the Vibratome(TM).  

If I may speculate, a Chopper impacts the tissue and drives through.  There is much more violence than a Vibratome would create, and could be splashes and spray. Cells might be squeezed, and squirt.  A Vibratome saws its way through the tissue. I can not see any aresol formation likely with the Vibratome, but, again, it has never been measured.

As a former Vibratome user and now a representative, I do not think you would find it any more a "hassle" than the choppers.  The instrument comes with a supply of instant setting cyanoacrylate glue.  Just glue the tissue to a pedastal, put it in the Vibratome, and cut your sections.  The Vibratome can cut 50 micron fresh sections, much thinner than a chopper, but 200 would be easy work.  Just cut it.  Drain the fluid out the tap in the back, and bleach or other stong disinfectant can be run through, then rinse.  

Do you have access to a Vibratome to have someone show you how it works?




Cordially,
Charles W.  Scouten, Ph.D. 
myNeuroLab.com 
5918 Evergreen Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 63134 
Ph: 314 522 0300  
FAX  314 522 0377 
cwscouten <@t> myneurolab.com 
http://www.myneurolab.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Galletly, Neil P
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 11:30 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Fresh tissue sectioning and safety

 
I plan to cut 200 micron sections of fresh human tissue (mainly colon, esophagus and cervix) using a Krumdieck Tissue Slicer as part of a research project.  Our college safety officer has raised concerns about the possibility of tissue aerosol generation during cutting the tissue, which would have implications regarding possible spread of viral infections such as HIV and Hep B/C etc.  I'd be grateful for people's views as to whether this is likely to be a real risk and if so what precautions people are taking to avoid it.
 
I could use a Vibratome instead but I understand this is much more of a hassle - and presumably the risk of aerosol formation would still exist?
 
Many thanks
 
Neil Galletly
Clinical Research Fellow
Department of Histopathology
Imperial College London
Hammersmith Campus
London
UK
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