[Histonet] Re: PMMA removal

[Gayle Callis]

Caron,

Question:  Are you asking about large bone samples or thin, 5 um microtomed 
bone sections?  It is really not possible to totally remove infiltrated and 
then polymerized PMMA from larger bone samples or slabs once it is inside 
the boney structures/components.

However, one can remove rapidly polymerized bubbled PMMA from outer 
surfaces of PMMA infiltrated and then polymerized bone sample without 
hurting the bone.  This required grinding away every extra fragment of PMMA 
down to the bone, then immersing it into either pure monomer.

Removing PMMA from a microtomed section mounted on a slide is done by 
immersion into hot (60C) xylene, several changes.   Other solvents can be 
used for this purpose, and is a technic Neil Hand used before doing 
immunohistochemical staining on PMMA embedded tissues.


At 12:17 PM 2/9/2007, you wrote:
>I was wondering if anyone has a method for removing PMMA from bone without 
>harming the bone. Thank you for your help.
>
>Caron Fournier, BSc, R.T.
>
>
>Department of Orthopaedics,
>
>
>Division of Orthopaedic Engineering Research,
>
>
>U.B.C.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)