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Questions and Answers
What are the two types of block advancement mechanisms?
What are the two types of block advancement mechanisms?
What does a retracting action do on the upstroke?
What does a retracting action do on the upstroke?
What is produced by a retracting action on the tissue block?
What is produced by a retracting action on the tissue block?
During which movement does the retracting action occur?
During which movement does the retracting action occur?
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What is not involved in the mechanism of block advancement?
What is not involved in the mechanism of block advancement?
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What is another name for the rotary microtome?
What is another name for the rotary microtome?
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Who invented the rotary microtome?
Who invented the rotary microtome?
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How widely used is the rotary microtome?
How widely used is the rotary microtome?
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What is the popularity of the rotary microtome design?
What is the popularity of the rotary microtome design?
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Which description best fits the rotary microtome?
Which description best fits the rotary microtome?
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What is the purpose of the hand wheel in the mechanism?
What is the purpose of the hand wheel in the mechanism?
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What does the block holder move on?
What does the block holder move on?
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How is the block holder advanced?
How is the block holder advanced?
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What type of sections does the mechanism cut?
What type of sections does the mechanism cut?
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What action does the hand wheel perform?
What action does the hand wheel perform?
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Which type of rotary microtome is completely manipulated by the operator?
Which type of rotary microtome is completely manipulated by the operator?
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What thickness range can a semi-automated microtome cut?
What thickness range can a semi-automated microtome cut?
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How many motors does a fully automated rotary microtome have?
How many motors does a fully automated rotary microtome have?
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Which type of rotary microtome includes foot and hand control?
Which type of rotary microtome includes foot and hand control?
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Which of the following is an example of a fully automated rotary microtome?
Which of the following is an example of a fully automated rotary microtome?
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What is the function of the microtome base plate?
What is the function of the microtome base plate?
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Which component of the microtome must be stationary and locked during microtomy?
Which component of the microtome must be stationary and locked during microtomy?
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Which part of the knife holder adjusts the knife angle?
Which part of the knife holder adjusts the knife angle?
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What is the function of the face plate in the knife holder?
What is the function of the face plate in the knife holder?
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Which of the following holds the blade in the knife holder?
Which of the following holds the blade in the knife holder?
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What is the role of a cassette clamp or block holder?
What is the role of a cassette clamp or block holder?
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What movement does the cassette clamp or block holder perform with each revolution?
What movement does the cassette clamp or block holder perform with each revolution?
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What feature may the cassette clamp or block holder have to help align the tissue with the blade?
What feature may the cassette clamp or block holder have to help align the tissue with the blade?
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What is the function of the coarse hand wheel?
What is the function of the coarse hand wheel?
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Which part remains stationary while the cassette clamp or block holder moves up and down?
Which part remains stationary while the cassette clamp or block holder moves up and down?
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What does the advancement hand wheel do?
What does the advancement hand wheel do?
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What feature prevents the block holder from coming down towards the blade?
What feature prevents the block holder from coming down towards the blade?
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When should the safety lock be used on a rotary microtome?
When should the safety lock be used on a rotary microtome?
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In which direction does the advancement hand wheel turn?
In which direction does the advancement hand wheel turn?
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What is the primary purpose of the advancement hand wheel's safety lock?
What is the primary purpose of the advancement hand wheel's safety lock?
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What is the range of micron settings for section thickness on most microtomes?
What is the range of micron settings for section thickness on most microtomes?
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What does the thickness gauge measure on a microtome?
What does the thickness gauge measure on a microtome?
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Which part of the microtome allows for micron adjustment?
Which part of the microtome allows for micron adjustment?
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Where does the whole microtome rest?
Where does the whole microtome rest?
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What is another term for the thickness gauge on a microtome?
What is another term for the thickness gauge on a microtome?
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Study Notes
Rotary Microtome
- Most widely used microtome, also known as the Minot microtome, after its inventor Professor.
- Popular design used globally.
Mechanism
- Hand wheel rotates 360 degrees, moving the specimen vertically past the cutting surface (knife edge) and returning to the starting position.
- Block holder mounted on a steel carriage moves up and down in grooves, advanced by a micrometer screw, cutting perfectly flat sections.
Types of Rotary Microtome
- Manual: Completely operated by the operator.
- Semi-automated: Has a built-in motor drive with foot and hand control, can cut thin sections of 0.5 to 2.0 um thickness with suitable accessories.
- Fully automated: Has two motors driving both the fine and coarse advance hand-wheels, an example is the automated cryostate.
Mechanism of Block Advancement
- Retracting or non-retracting action.
- Retracting action moves the tissue block away from the knife on upstroke, producing a flat face to the tissue block.
Rotary Microtome Parts
- Microtome base plate or stage: Platform with rails that secure the knife holder base.
- Knife holder base: Part that anchors the knife holder to the microtome stage, must be stationary and locked during microtomy.
Knife Holder Components
- Blade clamp: Holds the blade.
- Knife tilt: Adjusts the knife angle.
- Face plate: Guides the ribbons away from the blade and towards the operator.
Cassette Clamp or Block Holder
- Holds the paraffin block in place.
- Moves up and down with each revolution while the blade is stationary.
- May have knobs to manipulate the block face in various directions to align with the blade.
Coarse Hand Wheel
- Moves the block holder toward or away from the knife.
Advancement Hand Wheel
- Turns in one direction and advances the block toward the knife at specified microns.
- Equipped with a safety lock to prevent the wheel from releasing and having the block holder come down towards the blade when not actively sectioning.
Micron Adjustment
- Micron settings for section thickness range from 1 to 60 microns on most microtomes.
- Thickness Gauge: Micron settings for section thickness.
Base
- The base on which the whole microtome rests.
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Description
Learn about the different types of rotary microtomes, including manual, semi-automated, and fully automated microtomes, and their characteristics.
