Leica Biosystems EG1160 - Manual (Page 24)

24 Instruction manual V4.0 – 4/98
1. The embedding cassettes contain-
ing the dehydrated and infiltrated tis-
sue sample are transferred to the
cassette bath ( approx. 100 cas-
settes), which is filled with molten
wax to prevent the solidification of
the wax.
The cassette bath temperature is
optimally maintained constant when
it is filled with molten paraffin.
If the cassette bath is not filled with
wax, it should not be filled with cas-
settes up to the top edge, as a film
could form on the cassettes at the
top reducing the quality of the em-
bedding.
By use of the optional vacuum at-
tachment for the cassette bath, the
tissue can be infiltrated under
vacuum. The vacuum is generated
by a vacuum pump that is connected
to the connecting branch on top of
the vacuum lid. The seal of the lid
must be free of paraffin to be seated
flat on the cassette bath to allow for
the vacuum to build up. To improve
the tightness, the lid should briefly be
pushed on to the cassette bath when
the vacuum pump is turned on. After
infiltration, the lid cannot be opened
immediately. The aeration knob has
first to be opened slowly (!) to allow
for pressure equalisation inside.
2. The embedding molds are placed
in the mold warmer.
Note:
Overheating of the molds must be
avoided as this could cause prob-
lems when removing the block from
the mold.
The molds should be clean and dry.
First, the molds should be treated
with xylene, then with soap solution
and finally rinsed with distilled wa-
ter and dried.
3. Take three to four cassettes out of
the cassette bath and, depending on
the work method, either place them
on the work area to allow liquid par-
affin to drop and immediately remove
them from the mold, or transfer them
to the heated recessed area filled
with molten wax for intermediate
storage to prevent immediate solidi-
fication of the infiltrated specimen.
This applies in particular to small bi-
opsies. If the heated recessed area
is not filled with wax, it provides ad-
ditional space on the work area.
4. Select an appropriate embedding
mold, place it under the dispenser
outlet nozzle and fill it with paraffin
as required:
a. using the foot pedal
b. manually, by pushing the paraf-
fin dispenser handle
c. when filling larger molds, the dis-
penser handle can be retracted,
thus providing enough clearance
under the paraffin outlet nozzle.
The flow is adjustable in 10 incre-
ments.
The paraffin reservoir is filled with
wax pellets (e.g. Leica HISTO–WAX).
The level of the molten wax should
reach up to 2-3 cm under the upper
edge of the reservoir.
When the symbol for "paraffin tank
on reserve" is displayed, there is still
approximately 1 litre left. However,
the paraffin reservoir should be re-
filled immediately at that stage.
The set temperature for the paraffin
reservoir should be set to a value
between the melting point and the
maximum value indicated by the
manufacturer of the paraffin that is
used.
Once all functional units have
reached the preselected tempera-
tures and the wax in the paraffin res-
ervoir is completely molten, tissue
embedding can begin.
Note:
Overheating of the molten wax must
be avoided as important components
can be damaged resulting in damage
to the sample.
11. Tissue embedding