Leica Biosystems CM3050 S - Manual (Page 48)

48 Instructions for Use V 1.7 RevC - 08/2014
6. Troubleshooting, applications tips
6.2 Potential problems - causes and remedies
Problem Causes Remedies
Frost on chamber walls and mi-
crotome
- Cryostat is exposed to draft (open
windows, doors, air-condition-
ing).
- Sliding window has been open for
a long period of time at a very low
chamber temperature.
- Frost build-up caused by breath-
ing into the cryochamber.
- Eliminate draft sources or
change place of installation
of the cryostat.
- Close sliding window.
- Consider wearing a mask.
Sections smear - Specimen not cold enough.
- Knife and/or anti-roll plate not yet
cold enough - sections melt.
- Select lower temperature.
- Wait until knife and/or
anti-roll plate have reached
chamber temperature.
Sections splinter
Sections not properly flattened
- Specimen too cold.
- Static electricity / draft.
- Specimen not cold enough.
- Large surface specimen.
- Anti-roll plate poorly adjusted.
- Anti-roll plate poorly aligned rela-
tive to knife edge.
- Wrong clearance angle
selected.
- Knife blunt or damaged.
- Select higher temperature.
- Eliminate cause.
- Select lower temperature.
- Trim specimen parallel; in-
crease section thickness.
- Readjust anti-roll plate.
- Align correctly.
- Set correct clearance angle.
- Use different part of knife or
replace knife.
Sections not properly flattened
despite correct temperature and
correctly aligned anti-roll plate
- Knife and/or anti-roll plate dirty.
- Edge of anti-roll plate damaged.
- Blunt knife.
- Clean with dry cloth or brush.
- Replace anti-roll plate.
- Use different part of knife or
replace knife.