Reader’s Choice #7
This automated tissue microtome eliminates the handwheel and its inherent risks of injury. A rotating specimen sectioning disc permits exchange of tissue blocks away from the blade holder.
DSC1 was created with the input of histotechnicians throughout its three-year development process
Historically, a major source of histotechnician injury has occurred due to accidental lacerations from microtome blades while exchanging tissue cassettes in the specimen clamp or exchanging blades.
As with all automated microtomes, tissue block trimming and sectioning is accomplished without the use of manual handwheel operation. However, the DSC1’s automated blade holder uses a unique tissue block sensor to detect the surface of the tissue block and automatically set the blade holder to the appropriate position for trimming or sectioning. There is no need for course feedwheel movement or even pushbutton operation. Upon completion, the technician presses a button, and the DSC1 automatically resets the blade holder position and rotates the specimen disc to bring the tissue block to the three o’clock position where it can be safely removed from the cassette clamp.
Leica
KEYWORD: microtome
