[Histonet] Embedding beads

[Alan Taylor]

Hi All

The embedding bead goes into the cassette tray, into one corner, not into 
the stainless steel embedding mould with the tissue. The plastic cassette is 
placed on top of the mould, as usual and filled with molten wax, the 
coloured bead is quickly dropped in and the embedding mould is placed on the 
chiller to solidify in preparation for microtomy. The bead has no contact 
with the blade at any time, remaining at the back of the cassette tray.

Hope this clarifies this easy process.

Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS.
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. EX1 3AJ. Devon. UK.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Amber McKenzie" <amber.mckenzie <@t> gastrodocs.net>
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 6:17 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


How do you not cut thru the bead when sectioning?  I'm intrigued by this 
process b/c I've never heard of this before.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly Boyd
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 3:20 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding beads

I started using the embedding beads several months ago as a quick way to 
track who embedded what cassette. Each tech is assigned a number according 
to the number on their microtome. I get the beads from Cancer Diagnostics. 
You can probably find something similar at a craft store.
These come in small round plastic containers that fit easily any where on 
the embedding center. They place the bead in a bottom corner of the cassette 
when topping it off with paraffin.
They have actually saved us time. Once the techs get used to it, it might 
add a few seconds to the embedding. Before, the techs had to write down 
which blocks they embedded. (Very time consuming and often not complete). If 
I needed to see who embedded a certain block, I had to go check that log 
book. Now I can see who embedded it just by looking at the block.

Kelly
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