[Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks

[Pam Marcum]

If you are using the cassette writers and slide writers the knives can damage the surface of the barcode so I try to have everyone use the paratrimmers.  It is best not to have the repetitive injuries some of us developed over years of trimming blocks and many other things.  



Pam Marcum 

UAMS 





----- Original Message -----


From: "Shirley A. Powell" <POWELL_SA <@t> mercer.edu> 
To: "Kathleen Cormier" <Kathleen.Cormier <@t> crl.com>, "gayle callis" <gayle.callis <@t> bresnan.net>, histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2011 10:09:17 AM 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re:  Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks 

I too use the paratrimmer.  It is great for avoiding repetitive injuries.  For those of us who have carpal tunel syndrome and arthritis in the hands and cannot hold a small knife long enough to scrap multiple blocks it is great.  Just part of my PPE.  Worth every penny. 
Shirley 

-----Original Message----- 
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cormier, Kathleen 
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 11:04 AM 
To: gayle callis; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks 

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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