[Histonet] Microtomes

[Cooper, Brian]

This has been a Histonet post in the past; techs are fiercely loyal to their favorite brand and I'm sure you'll see people disagree with me as soon as I hit send!

I prefer Microm.  In our experience, block alignment is easier with the Microm's because the X and Y axis orientation knobs are positioned in such a manner that you can adjust block orientation with your left hand while your right hand is on the flywheel.  This allows you to keep a constant sight line of the entire depth of the block face in relation to the knife.  With the Leica microtomes, the positions of these screws are moved to the right, and the orientation of the Y axis requires you to either use two hands at once, or for you to move your left arm across your sight line to orient the Y axis.  While certainly not insurmountable; this just makes block orientation take a little longer.  Since we frequently have to recut blocks from different institutions, this is a big deal here.  I'm sure the peeps from the other camp are going to say that it's all in the technique.  To that I say, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!!!  :)

Both of these machines are well designed and will provide years and years of excellent service as long as they are well maintained.  The best thing you can do is ask to demo both machines and see what you like best.         

Good luck!

Brian D. Cooper, HT (ASCP)CM | Histology Supervisor 
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Children's Hospital Los Angeles 
4650 Sunset Blvd MS#43- Los Angeles, CA 90027 
Ph: 323.361.3357     Pager: 213-209-0184
bcooper at chla.usc.edu 


-----Original Message-----
From: HERRINGTON, SHEILA via Histonet [mailto:histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 11:52 AM
To: histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Microtomes

We are looking to purchase two new microtomes and were wondering on thoughts and recommendations from the experience of the people that actually use them.  Pros and cons would be extremely valuable on ergonomics, reliability and overall performance.

Sheila Herrington, RT
Technical Lead, Immunohistochemistry and Histopathology Kelowna General Hospital
2268 Pandosy Street,
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 1T2

250-862-4300 x 7510

Sheila.herrington at interiorhealth.ca<mailto:Sheila.herrington at interiorhealth.ca>



_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



---------------------------------------------------------------------
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, 
is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential
or legally privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure
or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please
contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of this original message.  

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