[Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks

[Cormier, Kathleen]

We use the paratrimmer too. What we do for a paraffin catcher is to use
a specimen cup (I call them urine cups, but whatever) to catch the
paraffin. When it get fullish, we place in the slide oven to melt the
paraffin, when melted pour off, and reuse the cup... :)

Kathy Cormier
Histology Manager
Charles River Laboratories
251 Ballardvale Street 
Wilmington, MA 01887
Ph: 781-222-6803
Fax: 978-988-8793
kathleen.cormier <@t> crl.com
Accelerating Drug Development. Exactly.
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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of gayle
callis
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:56 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks

You Wrote: 

 

I am looking for a stainless steel knife that we use to scrape off the 

paraffin from the embedded blocks.  I could not find the 6 inches size 

knife in any catalog. 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mala

 

Nirmala Srishan

Histology Supervisor

Holy Name Medical Center.

 

************************************************************************
*

Dear Mala, 

 

In the past, we used an old style permanent edge scalpel blade but after
a
disaster with one person seirously cutting himself while trimming
paraffin
from a block, we purchased a Paratrimmer with a heated, slanted metal
surface.  This trimmer has made everyone happy by eliminating the
potential
for serious injury and does an even better job of getting rid of excess
paraffin.     

 

There are two models sold, one from Thermo Scientific and the other one
was
recently spotted on a vendor website. (Sorry, I didn't jot the name
down).
The trimmers  are worth the investment to keep you and your employees
safe
from nasty cuts, no matter what the knife/blade, etc could be used.  

 

The only drawback to the Para Trimmer is the messy paraffin drippings
have
to be collected in some separate container that the manufacturer doesn't
supply.  This is more than a bit annoying.  It seems to me the
manufacturer
of these devices would design the trimmer with a paraffin catch tray.  A
small aluminum baking pan (from grocery store) could be used and
disposed of
(not a "Green" consideration).    

 

Be safe rather than sorry.  

 

Gayle M. Callis 

HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) 

 

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