[Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin

Tue Aug 9 10:30:42 CDT 2011

I currently use a paratrimmer. However, in the past I used an extremely dulled metal scalpel with a non-disposable scalpel. I dulled it by scraping it on concrete then on cardboard boxes. It is perfect for popping blocks out of the molds and also the perfect size for quickly scraping the sides of the blocks. I find that it is a lot easier and safer to use than the paring knife that many histotechs use. 

Carrie L Dula, HTL, SLS(ASCP)

--- On Tue, 8/9/11, histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu <histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:

From: histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu <histonet-request <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 11
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 10:25 AM

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Re:  Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks
      (histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com)
   2. RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 9 (Joanne Clark)
   3. : [Histonet] re-cycled xylene in tissue processor (White, Lisa M.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:46:55 -0400
From: "histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com" <histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com>
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re:  Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks
To: John Shelley <jshelley <@t> sanfordburnham.org>
Cc: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
    <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>,    "Cormier, Kathleen"
    <Kathleen.Cormier <@t> crl.com>
Message-ID: <7AC5A3C6-0AAD-434A-962D-5F44B523EBE9 <@t> imagesbyhopper.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I agree, the Para-Trimmer is the next best thing since sliced bread!  I'll never go back to the knife again.

We use lid from one of the Ventana special stains boxes to catch the wax.  I have also fashioned a drip tray out of the cardboard boxes that the coverslips come in.

We're all McGuyver's at heart, aren't we?  :o)

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 8, 2011, at 11:14 AM, John Shelley <jshelley <@t> sanfordburnham.org> wrote:

> Hi All,
> 
> I likewise use the Para-trimmer and instead of a specimen cup I just use the top lid of a 1/2 gross microscope slide box. Once filled I just throw away in the trash.
> 
> Kind Regards!
>  
> John J Shelley
> Senior Research Associate, Histology Core 
> 
> 
> 
> -----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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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 16:01:19 +0000
From: Joanne Clark <jclark <@t> pcnm.com>
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 9
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
    <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
    <0494A7D4E8CC254EA2FB81464982E3786EA635 <@t> S10MAILD001N1.SH10.lan>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We have been using recycled xylene on our VIP5 for the past 5 years and haven't had any problems.  We use it for both the cleaning cycles and the xylene stations.

Joanne Clark, HT
Histology Supervisor
PCNM
------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 09:33:43 -0500
From: "Gaiser, Marcia" <Marcia_Gaiser <@t> ssmhc.com>
Subject: [Histonet] re-cycled xylene in tissue processor
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
    <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
    <728F817C02110E498D803A7C3B0C6248068D43B5E0 <@t> S009-APEXM06.ds.ad.ssmhc.com>

Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi, Has anyone had experience using re-cycled xylene in the Tissue-Tek VIP5 tissue processor for the clean cycle?
Will use of re-cycled xylene, over time, damage the processor?

Thank you,
Marcia Gaiser
Pathology Supervisor

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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 12:10:34 -0400
From: "White, Lisa M." <Lisa.White3 <@t> va.gov>
Subject: : [Histonet] re-cycled xylene in tissue processor
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID:
    <2B2ECF33934F5D4996D8BE03EFDF39760874200A <@t> VHAV09MSGA3.v09.med.va.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We have recycled xylene in the past and now Formula 83 and have a VIP 5
and VIP 6.  Sakura told us when we purchased each processor NOT to use
recycled solvent in Sakura processors for the cleaning solvent station.
If you want to give it a try would suggest waiting until the warranty
has expired on the off chance that something would go wrong.

Lisa White, HT(ASCP)

Supervisory HT

James H. Quillen VAMC

PO Box 4000

Corner of Veterans Way and Lamont

PLMS 113

Mountain Home, TN 37684

423-979-3567

423-979-3401 fax

------------------------------

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 93, Issue 11
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