M3500 Issue 2 - Feb 2006
Last reviewed: Oct 2010 / Next review Oct 2013
17
-
has the microtome reached the end of its travel ?
-
is the section thickness setting appropriate ?
4.2
THICK / THIN SECTIONS
INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO CUT
-
knife/blade not sharp enough
-
knife/blade tilt angle too high/low
-
clamping screws too loose
-
cassette loose on holder
4.3
SECTIONS CRUMBLING OR NOT FORMING
-
specimen
dehydrated
-
knife/blade not sharp enough
-
cutting motion too fast or uneven
-
knife/blade tilt angle too high/low
4.4
EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF SECTIONS
-
knife/blade not sharp enough
-
knife/blade tilt angle too high
-
knife/blade surfaces debris built up
4.5
UNEVEN THICKNESS ACROSS SECTION
-
clamping screws too loose
-
cassette loose in holder
-
knife/blade not sharp enough
-
knife/blade edge too thin
-
cutting motion uneven
4.6
VERTICAL SCORE MARKS ON SECTIONS
-
knife/blade edge nicked or chipped
-
knife/blade faces have build up of debris or frost
-
tissue contains hard, fine particles (eg: bone fragments)
NB:
When removing debris always brush up the knife,
NEVER
down or along
