CONTROLLED COPY
Centre for Biological Engineering
Standard Operating Procedure
SOP194
Title: Use and maintenance of Leica RM2125 RTS rotary microtome.
Location:
H27
Version 001
Effective Date: 24.05.2021
Review 24.05.2023
Written by: Sotiria Toumpaniari
Reviewed by:
Approved by: C.Kavanagh
Page 3 of 11
5.3. Operation
5.3.1. Clamping specimen on universal cassette clamp
1. Always clamp the specimen block BEFORE clamping the knife or the blade.
2. Lock the handwheel and cover the knife edge with the knife guard prior to any manipulation of knife
or specimen, prior to changing the specimen block and during all work breaks
.
3. Activate the handwheel lock by allowing the handwheel handle to lock in place.
4. To insert a specimen into the specimen clamp, puch lever (1) fowrards.
5. Mount the cassette (
2
) horizontally or vertically as required.
6. To clamp the cassette, release the lever.
Note:
Before clamping the cassette into the universal cassette clamp, remove excess wax on the outside of the
cassette to ensure that the cassette clamps in securely.
Wax deposits on the outside of the cassette can make the universal cassette clamp dirty. The dirt prevents the
cassette from clamping in securely and can lead to sections being too thick or thin, chattering within the section
and, in the worst-case scenario, damage to the specimen. Prior to sectioning, the user has to verify that the
specimen is clamped securely and, if necessary, remove wax deposits from the universal cassette clamp.
5.3.2. Clamping the knife / disposable blade in knife holder E
1. Carefully insert knife or disposable blade into the knife holder and clamp.
2. Fold knife guard (
3
) downward.
3. To insert the blade, rotate clamping lever (
4
) forward.
4. Carefully push in the blade (
5
or
6
) from the side.
5. To clamp the blade, rotate clamping lever (
4
) back upwards.
