Re: [Histonet] Embedding

[Jay Lundgren via Histonet]

My lab uses trained lemurs, so I certainly hope not.


Virus-free.www.avast.com

<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

On Wed, Jan 3, 2024 at 12:51 PM Ann Specian via Histonet <
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:

> Can anyone let me know if CAP, New York State or ISO have any required
> credentials for someone to be able to embed human tissue?
>
>
> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding station

[Rene J Buesa via Histonet]

"Open" your options and try Sakura.René 

On Tuesday, March 21, 2017 3:54 PM, "Flynn, Evelyn via Histonet" 
 wrote:
 

 Hello all,


  Our laboratory is purchasing a new paraffin embedding station.  We are 
considering a Leica Arcadia or a Thermo

HistoStar model.


  Has anyone had good or bad experiences with either of these?


Thanks for your input,

Evelyn Flynn


Lead Research Technologist

Boston Children's Hospital
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


   
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding and microtomy "medical waste"

[Morken, Timothy via Histonet]

Curt, we went through  the same thing, but for the embedding we keep a plastic 
bucket on the bench and lined with a biohazard bag, and put all the lids and 
papers in that. We keep those for a week in case some tissue ends up missing. 
Then it goes into the red cans.

At the microtome we do use the smallish plastic biohazard waste cans with 
self-closing lid. 
(https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/eagle-step-on-biohazard-waste-containers-3/p-36261)
 They are now used to this and it is not really a problem. They are not allowed 
to prop them open. We tried red 5-gallon "paint can" type containers with fully 
removable lids, but the techs were required to put the lids on every time they 
moved away from the microtome. Of course that did not happen. Our safety people 
finally said we must have self-closing lids. We tried several kinds, even one 
that was auto-open with a sensor, but that did not open fast enough. The foot 
pedal works ok. 

We went through the stainer water issue as well when we were considering the 
Ventana stainer that disposes directly to the drain. The city water department 
came in and checked out everything and passed it all off. He also gave us a lot 
of good info about what we can and cannot put down the drain here. Best to 
contact local authorities on that since it may be different than ours.


Tim Morken
Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus 
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
Department of Pathology
UC San Francisco Medical Center




-Original Message-
From: Curt via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 1:19 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding and microtomy "medical waste"

So here's a good one for you all... we had the county health department come 
through the lab and ding us on medical waste... specifically the plastic 
disposable lids at embedding, the lens paper used for wrapping specimens such 
as ECC and EMB. Then they got us on the Kim Wipes used to clean the water bath 
at microtomy... those papers have human tissue on them so they need to be 
treated as medical waste... NOW we have to have red cans next to all microtomes 
and embedding stations. The obvious issue outside of cost and logic is that 
these medical waste cans all seem to have self closing lids which really 
interferes with the rhythm and pace of work when one needs to reach over with a 
food to open the lid after every block is embedded and when they water bath is 
cleaned after every block...

Simple question(s): 1)does anyone else have to do such things to contain the 
waste, 2) does anyone know of a source for medical waste cans that do not have 
these frustrating self closing lids... if we could simple remove the lid and 
replace it when done then we could deal with it, the cost is one thing but 
slowing down work flow is a problem.

And just for a little more humor, they actually wanted me to contain and 
dispose of the water runoff from our two automated slide stainers, we run about 
2200 slides a night... that would be many gallons of waste water every night 
and would not be within the budget We in turn ran a fish kill test which 
demonstrated that the water runoff which contain little Hematoxylin, bluing and 
clarifier do not pose any significant threat to the environment, not even in 
California

Bottom line to all this, I need some red trash cans with removable lids, if 
they're still out there somewhere Anywhere.


Thanks for your input,

Curt

Ps, I didn't proff read thie smail... if something is not spelt correctly, 
don't hold it against me

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding center backup

[Rathborne, Toni]

Stacy,

Our volume is similar, and we do have a backup embedding center. I'm sure that 
you could get a used one for much less than a new one to have just for this 
purpose.

Toni

-Original Message-
From: Stacy McLaughlin [mailto:stacy_mclaugh...@cooley-dickinson.org] 
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 2:59 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding center backup

Happy Monday in Histoland,
How many of you out there have a backup embedding center or paraffin dispenser 
for a backup?  We are a smaller lab (10k surgical cases/year).  We only have 
one embedding center and I want to ask what others out there are doing.
Thank you,
Stacy

Stacy McLaughlin, HT(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
30 Locust Street
Northampton,MA 01060
stacy_mclaugh...@cooley-dickinson.org

[Cooley-Dickinson.org]
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Pam Marcum]

I am sorry anytime you are carrying patient tissue in cassettes (processed or 
not) is a bad plan.  In order to guarantee the tissue is safe it would need to 
be enclosed in a way that an accidental bump or fall could not allow tissue 
cassettes to go flying off down the hall.  Playing 52 card pick up with 
cassettes is not my idea of fun and not finding one or two could result in a 
bad diagnosis if no other tissue was available to replace it.  Biopsies come to 
mind immediately.  
  
Since you noted it is a busy hall you also have the risk of paraffin falling on 
the floor and causing someone else to fall, which should be a lawsuit waiting 
to happen.  The inconvenience is out weight by the possible incidents this 
could cause involving patient tissues, hospital personnel and visitors to your 
facility.  All of this plus adding time to carry baskets to another area and 
back for cleaning and use. 
  
Pam Marcum 
UAMS 

- Original Message -

From: Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com 
To: Histonet histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 8:29:18 AM 
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question 

It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft 
away from the tissue processors. 

The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and 
require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much 
used hallway. 

Opinions? 

Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why? 

Thanks in advance, 

Paula 
___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Rene J Buesa]

Whom ever made the decision (probably an administrator) is totally ignorant 
of what histology flow is all about.To put it mildly it is an absolutely 
stupid decision.Has this decider any idea about Lean, sure not.To have a 
good work flow everything should be as close as possible.René J.  

 On Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:29 AM, Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com 
wrote:
   

 It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft
away from the tissue processors.

The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and
require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much
used hallway.

Opinions?

Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

Thanks in advance,

Paula
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Podawiltz, Thomas]

Not what I call a lean system. Why the change?

Tom 


Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
AP  Section Head 
LRGHealthcare
603-524-3211 ext: 3220




-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:29 AM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question

It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft away 
from the tissue processors.

The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and 
require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much used 
hallway.

Opinions?

Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

Thanks in advance,

Paula
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.  
This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and confidential 
information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If you 
are not the intended recipient, you may not print,distribute, or copy this 
message or any attachments.  If you have received this communication in error, 
please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message and any 
attachments from your computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely 
those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Morken, Timothy]

Paula, 
How many times per day?
Is the embedding close to the cutting area?

Of course any extra walking is a problem, especially in busy areas. Is this a 
non-patient area (hopefully!)? Any restructuring should be to move things 
closer together, not further away!

Having said that, If it comes to that I would be more concerned about embedding 
proximity to the cutting area since having embedding near cutting enhances 
workflow and cross coverage. If you don't unload processors very often then 
having them distant might not be too bad. Not ideal, but not a necessarily a 
deal killer. 


Tim Morken
Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus 
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
Department of Pathology
UC San Francisco Medical Center



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 6:29 AM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question

It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft away 
from the tissue processors.

The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and 
require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much used 
hallway.

Opinions?

Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

Thanks in advance,

Paula
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[O'Donnell, Bill]

Wow. Speechless. (well nearly speechless) Wow.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 8:29 AM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question

It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft away 
from the tissue processors.

The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and 
require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much used 
hallway.

Opinions?

Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

Thanks in advance,

Paula
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.utsouthwestern.edu_mailman_listinfo_histonetd=AwIBaQc=ND-Z_FnoJTOCBd6ZraMT0-wJD0GDS_U0VV_Zq7yxAI4r=3iEA9oByFKGUVmHHjEGViq9-hi91LvAPvOKSxbQaAakm=Z1oOrSS6RzAgCDvKpzUacQVCuoAJ8m8HWh5TAjVZEl0s=gFaW1bvH7xHTQ8IRNT5DF0Fu2a-YqZVKp3V0JjWc_XAe=
 

This email and attachments contain information that may be confidential or 
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, notify the sender at once 
and delete this message completely from your information system. Further use, 
disclosure, or copying of information contained in this email is not 
authorized, and any such action should not be construed as a waiver of 
privilege or other confidentiality protections.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Paula Sicurello]

Why the change? Space. There is a larger space available for histology.

It would be optimum to either move the processors into the new space or
leave the embedding centers where they are now.

I mentioned did bring up about the samples/wax freezing in transit and the
reply was the experts didn't mention anything about that

The experts may not have been experienced histotechs.

Paula

On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Hannen, Valerie 
valerie.han...@parrishmed.com wrote:

 I do not think it to be a good idea.

   1) What is the possibility of a trip and fall in transit? Cassettes
 flying everywhere, possibility of losing any?

   2) Dripping paraffin on a hallway floor-- a slip and fall scenario for
 other people using the much used hallway.

   3) As Tom stated.. not a lean system/process.

 Just my two cents!


 Valerie Hannen,MLT(ASCP),HTL,SU (FL)
 Section Chief, Histology
 Parrish Medical Center
 951 N. Washington Ave.
 Titusville,Florida 32796
 T: (321)268-6333 ext. 7506
 F: (321) 268-6149
 valerie.han...@parrishmed.com
 www.parrishmed.com



 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Podawiltz, Thomas
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 10:32 AM
 To: Paula Sicurello; HistoNet
 Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

 Not what I call a lean system. Why the change?

 Tom


 Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
 AP  Section Head
 LRGHealthcare
 603-524-3211 ext: 3220




 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:29 AM
 To: HistoNet
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question

 It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft
 away from the tissue processors.

 The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and
 require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much
 used hallway.

 Opinions?

 Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

 Thanks in advance,

 Paula
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

 THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.
 This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and confidential
 information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If
 you are not the intended recipient, you may not print,distribute, or copy
 this message or any attachments.  If you have received this communication
 in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message
 and any attachments from your computer. Any views or opinions expressed are
 solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of
 LRGHealthcare.

 ==
 This email is intended solely for the use of the individual to
 whom it is addressed and may contain information that is
 privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure
 under applicable law. If the reader of this email is not the
 intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for
 delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are
 hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or
 copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
 have received this communication in error, please immediately
 delete this message. Thank you
 ==

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Lucie Guernsey]

If I may, I'd like to piggy-back onto what Paula has mentioned regarding
allowing paraffin infiltrated tissue to cool before embedding it. Hopefully
someone can help both of us out, even if we seem to warm our infiltrated
tissue differently (Paula's in a dry bin and mine in a wax bath).

I work in a research lab where we work in large batches and time is not a
priority like it is in a clinical setting. Rather than leaving 60-80
cassettes of infiltrated tissue soaking in a hot wax bath for hours at a
time, we've begun to allow the cassettes to cool and just toss a handful of
cassettes into the wax bath 5-10 minutes before we're ready to embed that
batch of cassettes. Sometimes we don't even embed the cooled tissue until
the next day or later that week. I haven't noticed an obvious difference in
how our blocks section, though we have troublesome batches sometimes and we
haven't been able to put our finger on why.

Anyone know if allowing infiltrated tissue to cool and then reheat before
embedding is better or worse than keeping the tissue soaking in wax for
hours at a time?

Thanks!
Lucie

Lucie Guernsey
UC San Diego
lguern...@ucsd.edu



On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi Tim,

 There are several embedding events through-out the day, though mostly in
 the wee hours of the morning.  The embedding centers would be in the same
 room as the  microtomes (another question about those tomorrow).

 I worry about the small (GI, needles, etc) biopsies freezing before they
 reach the embedding stations.  In my experience, once they freeze they get
 this outer wax coating (like a permeability barrier) which doesn't melt
 when placed in the dry (no paraffin inside) but hot, holding bin.

 They just don't seem to embed that well and have a tendency to drop out of
 the sections when cutting.

 Has anyone else had that happen?

 Paula

 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Morken, Timothy timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu
 wrote:

  Paula,
  How many times per day?
  Is the embedding close to the cutting area?
 
  Of course any extra walking is a problem, especially in busy areas. Is
  this a non-patient area (hopefully!)? Any restructuring should be to move
  things closer together, not further away!
 
  Having said that, If it comes to that I would be more concerned about
  embedding proximity to the cutting area since having embedding near
 cutting
  enhances workflow and cross coverage. If you don't unload processors very
  often then having them distant might not be too bad. Not ideal, but not a
  necessarily a deal killer.
 
 
  Tim Morken
  Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus
  Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
  Department of Pathology
  UC San Francisco Medical Center
 
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
  histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
  Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 6:29 AM
  To: HistoNet
  Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
  It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft
  away from the tissue processors.
 
  The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and
  require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much
  used hallway.
 
  Opinions?
 
  Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?
 
  Thanks in advance,
 
  Paula
  ___
  Histonet mailing list
  Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
  http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Podawiltz, Thomas]

Well said. 

As a tech who once dropped a tray of cassettes on the floor I would be more 
concerned about the travel from the processors to the embedding unit. Just 
imagine a bunch of gastric biopsy cassettes scattered down the hallway and one 
or two open cassettes on the floor.  Increase the travel time and distance and 
increase the risk. 


Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
AP  Section Head 
LRGHealthcare
603-524-3211 ext: 3220




-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of WILLIAM DESALVO
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 1:22 PM
To: Lucie Guernsey
Cc: HistoNet; Morken, Timothy
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

Cooling the paraffin and then re melting will not affect the tissue, unless the 
combined heated, liquified state period becomes extended. Cooling the paraffin 
is a great protector of the tissue, no different than what you have with a 
completed block. Be cautious at how fast and at what temperature you reheat at.
With dry embedding, you have to be cautious about small tissue pieces obtaining 
a drying or heat affect. The small tissue pieces are typically at the bottom of 
the cassette and closest to the heating element, without the insulation of the 
liquid paraffin. Wet embedding there is a possibility of debris tissue 
fragments floating amongst the cassette. Both methods require cleanliness and 
short times in liquid paraffin to embedding. 

Sent from my iPhone

 On Mar 12, 2015, at 10:09 AM, Lucie Guernsey lguern...@ucsd.edu wrote:
 
 If I may, I'd like to piggy-back onto what Paula has mentioned 
 regarding allowing paraffin infiltrated tissue to cool before 
 embedding it. Hopefully someone can help both of us out, even if we 
 seem to warm our infiltrated tissue differently (Paula's in a dry bin and 
 mine in a wax bath).
 
 I work in a research lab where we work in large batches and time is 
 not a priority like it is in a clinical setting. Rather than leaving 
 60-80 cassettes of infiltrated tissue soaking in a hot wax bath for 
 hours at a time, we've begun to allow the cassettes to cool and just 
 toss a handful of cassettes into the wax bath 5-10 minutes before 
 we're ready to embed that batch of cassettes. Sometimes we don't even 
 embed the cooled tissue until the next day or later that week. I 
 haven't noticed an obvious difference in how our blocks section, 
 though we have troublesome batches sometimes and we haven't been able to put 
 our finger on why.
 
 Anyone know if allowing infiltrated tissue to cool and then reheat 
 before embedding is better or worse than keeping the tissue soaking in 
 wax for hours at a time?
 
 Thanks!
 Lucie
 
 Lucie Guernsey
 UC San Diego
 lguern...@ucsd.edu
 
 
 
 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 Hi Tim,
 
 There are several embedding events through-out the day, though mostly 
 in the wee hours of the morning.  The embedding centers would be in 
 the same room as the  microtomes (another question about those tomorrow).
 
 I worry about the small (GI, needles, etc) biopsies freezing before 
 they reach the embedding stations.  In my experience, once they 
 freeze they get this outer wax coating (like a permeability barrier) 
 which doesn't melt when placed in the dry (no paraffin inside) but hot, 
 holding bin.
 
 They just don't seem to embed that well and have a tendency to drop 
 out of the sections when cutting.
 
 Has anyone else had that happen?
 
 Paula
 
 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Morken, Timothy 
 timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu
 wrote:
 
 Paula,
 How many times per day?
 Is the embedding close to the cutting area?
 
 Of course any extra walking is a problem, especially in busy areas. 
 Is this a non-patient area (hopefully!)? Any restructuring should be 
 to move things closer together, not further away!
 
 Having said that, If it comes to that I would be more concerned 
 about embedding proximity to the cutting area since having embedding 
 near
 cutting
 enhances workflow and cross coverage. If you don't unload processors 
 very often then having them distant might not be too bad. Not ideal, 
 but not a necessarily a deal killer.
 
 
 Tim Morken
 Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus
 Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies 
 Department of Pathology UC San Francisco Medical Center
 
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula 
 Sicurello
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 6:29 AM
 To: HistoNet
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
 It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 
 210 ft away from the tissue processors.
 
 The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 
 minutes and require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of 
 cassettes down a much used hallway.
 
 Opinions?
 
 Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[WILLIAM DESALVO]

Cooling the paraffin and then re melting will not affect the tissue, unless the 
combined heated, liquified state period becomes extended. Cooling the paraffin 
is a great protector of the tissue, no different than what you have with a 
completed block. Be cautious at how fast and at what temperature you reheat at.
With dry embedding, you have to be cautious about small tissue pieces obtaining 
a drying or heat affect. The small tissue pieces are typically at the bottom of 
the cassette and closest to the heating element, without the insulation of the 
liquid paraffin. Wet embedding there is a possibility of debris tissue 
fragments floating amongst the cassette. Both methods require cleanliness and 
short times in liquid paraffin to embedding. 

Sent from my iPhone

 On Mar 12, 2015, at 10:09 AM, Lucie Guernsey lguern...@ucsd.edu wrote:
 
 If I may, I'd like to piggy-back onto what Paula has mentioned regarding
 allowing paraffin infiltrated tissue to cool before embedding it. Hopefully
 someone can help both of us out, even if we seem to warm our infiltrated
 tissue differently (Paula's in a dry bin and mine in a wax bath).
 
 I work in a research lab where we work in large batches and time is not a
 priority like it is in a clinical setting. Rather than leaving 60-80
 cassettes of infiltrated tissue soaking in a hot wax bath for hours at a
 time, we've begun to allow the cassettes to cool and just toss a handful of
 cassettes into the wax bath 5-10 minutes before we're ready to embed that
 batch of cassettes. Sometimes we don't even embed the cooled tissue until
 the next day or later that week. I haven't noticed an obvious difference in
 how our blocks section, though we have troublesome batches sometimes and we
 haven't been able to put our finger on why.
 
 Anyone know if allowing infiltrated tissue to cool and then reheat before
 embedding is better or worse than keeping the tissue soaking in wax for
 hours at a time?
 
 Thanks!
 Lucie
 
 Lucie Guernsey
 UC San Diego
 lguern...@ucsd.edu
 
 
 
 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com wrote:
 
 Hi Tim,
 
 There are several embedding events through-out the day, though mostly in
 the wee hours of the morning.  The embedding centers would be in the same
 room as the  microtomes (another question about those tomorrow).
 
 I worry about the small (GI, needles, etc) biopsies freezing before they
 reach the embedding stations.  In my experience, once they freeze they get
 this outer wax coating (like a permeability barrier) which doesn't melt
 when placed in the dry (no paraffin inside) but hot, holding bin.
 
 They just don't seem to embed that well and have a tendency to drop out of
 the sections when cutting.
 
 Has anyone else had that happen?
 
 Paula
 
 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Morken, Timothy timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu
 wrote:
 
 Paula,
 How many times per day?
 Is the embedding close to the cutting area?
 
 Of course any extra walking is a problem, especially in busy areas. Is
 this a non-patient area (hopefully!)? Any restructuring should be to move
 things closer together, not further away!
 
 Having said that, If it comes to that I would be more concerned about
 embedding proximity to the cutting area since having embedding near
 cutting
 enhances workflow and cross coverage. If you don't unload processors very
 often then having them distant might not be too bad. Not ideal, but not a
 necessarily a deal killer.
 
 
 Tim Morken
 Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus
 Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
 Department of Pathology
 UC San Francisco Medical Center
 
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 6:29 AM
 To: HistoNet
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
 It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210 ft
 away from the tissue processors.
 
 The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes and
 require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down a much
 used hallway.
 
 Opinions?
 
 Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?
 
 Thanks in advance,
 
 Paula
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Sue]

I guess my first question would be why?  As far as the paraffin frezzing, we 
leave out biopsies out and when ready to embed we place them on the hot area of 
the embedding center until they are melted then embed and have no issues at 
all.   The only thing I can think of is the area they are being held in and 
that temperature.  If you are looking for a lean approach this is not it.  If 
they are already in a space I would ask what the space is going to be used for 
and perhaps that use could be swiched. 
  
TJUH 
  
sue 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Jeffrey Robinson]

This certainly does not sound ideal to be moving tissue blocks around the 
building.  If this situation cannot be changed then perhaps a plastic bin with 
a snap on lid could help minimize the risk of losing blocks during transport.

Jeff Robinson, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:47 AM
To: Hannen, Valerie
Cc: HistoNet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

Why the change? Space. There is a larger space available for histology.

It would be optimum to either move the processors into the new space or leave 
the embedding centers where they are now.

I mentioned did bring up about the samples/wax freezing in transit and the 
reply was the experts didn't mention anything about that

The experts may not have been experienced histotechs.

Paula

On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Hannen, Valerie  
valerie.han...@parrishmed.com wrote:

 I do not think it to be a good idea.

   1) What is the possibility of a trip and fall in transit?
 Cassettes flying everywhere, possibility of losing any?

   2) Dripping paraffin on a hallway floor-- a slip and fall scenario
 for other people using the much used hallway.

   3) As Tom stated.. not a lean system/process.

 Just my two cents!


 Valerie Hannen,MLT(ASCP),HTL,SU (FL)
 Section Chief, Histology
 Parrish Medical Center
 951 N. Washington Ave.
 Titusville,Florida 32796
 T: (321)268-6333 ext. 7506
 F: (321) 268-6149
 valerie.han...@parrishmed.com
 www.parrishmed.com



 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Podawiltz,
 Thomas
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 10:32 AM
 To: Paula Sicurello; HistoNet
 Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

 Not what I call a lean system. Why the change?

 Tom


 Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
 AP  Section Head
 LRGHealthcare
 603-524-3211 ext: 3220




 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula
 Sicurello
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:29 AM
 To: HistoNet
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question

 It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210
 ft away from the tissue processors.

 The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes
 and require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down
 a much used hallway.

 Opinions?

 Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?

 Thanks in advance,

 Paula
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

 THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.
 This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and
 confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient(s)
 named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not
 print,distribute, or copy this message or any attachments.  If you
 have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by
 return e-mail and delete this message and any attachments from your
 computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the
 author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare.

 ==
 This email is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom
 it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
 confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
 If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient or the
 employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
 intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
 distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.
 If you have received this communication in error, please immediately
 delete this message. Thank you
 ==

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


This email and attachments may contain PHI that is privileged and confidential 
and is not intended for any unauthorized person. If you, the reader, are not 
the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, 
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Do not 
read the email but instead reply to the sender and destroy the message and any 
attachments. Thank you.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Marcum, Pamela A]

We routinely pull tissue from the processor and in the time it takes to load 
the embedding centers in numeric and alpha case order the block cool and 
paraffin will harden.  I would not call it freezing it has just cooled.  We 
start embedding immediately and between the heat on the embedding center and 
the heat in the block storage area on the embedding center we are fine.  On 
Saturday and/or Sunday we leave them in cooled paraffin until Monday morning, 
again no problem.  We do not refrigerate it everything is room temperature and 
then put in embedding center for approximately 30 minutes before we start 
embedding.  Sometimes for small biopsies we just set it on the staging area (10 
blocks at a time) and start as soon as the person assigned has the station set 
up for their preference.  

Pam Marcum
UAMS

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Lucie Guernsey
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 12:08 PM
To: Paula Sicurello
Cc: HistoNet; Morken, Timothy
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

If I may, I'd like to piggy-back onto what Paula has mentioned regarding 
allowing paraffin infiltrated tissue to cool before embedding it. Hopefully 
someone can help both of us out, even if we seem to warm our infiltrated tissue 
differently (Paula's in a dry bin and mine in a wax bath).

I work in a research lab where we work in large batches and time is not a 
priority like it is in a clinical setting. Rather than leaving 60-80 cassettes 
of infiltrated tissue soaking in a hot wax bath for hours at a time, we've 
begun to allow the cassettes to cool and just toss a handful of cassettes into 
the wax bath 5-10 minutes before we're ready to embed that batch of cassettes. 
Sometimes we don't even embed the cooled tissue until the next day or later 
that week. I haven't noticed an obvious difference in how our blocks section, 
though we have troublesome batches sometimes and we haven't been able to put 
our finger on why.

Anyone know if allowing infiltrated tissue to cool and then reheat before 
embedding is better or worse than keeping the tissue soaking in wax for hours 
at a time?

Thanks!
Lucie

Lucie Guernsey
UC San Diego
lguern...@ucsd.edu



On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Paula Sicurello pat...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi Tim,

 There are several embedding events through-out the day, though mostly 
 in the wee hours of the morning.  The embedding centers would be in 
 the same room as the  microtomes (another question about those tomorrow).

 I worry about the small (GI, needles, etc) biopsies freezing before 
 they reach the embedding stations.  In my experience, once they freeze 
 they get this outer wax coating (like a permeability barrier) which 
 doesn't melt when placed in the dry (no paraffin inside) but hot, holding bin.

 They just don't seem to embed that well and have a tendency to drop 
 out of the sections when cutting.

 Has anyone else had that happen?

 Paula

 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Morken, Timothy 
 timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu
 wrote:

  Paula,
  How many times per day?
  Is the embedding close to the cutting area?
 
  Of course any extra walking is a problem, especially in busy areas. 
  Is this a non-patient area (hopefully!)? Any restructuring should be 
  to move things closer together, not further away!
 
  Having said that, If it comes to that I would be more concerned 
  about embedding proximity to the cutting area since having embedding 
  near
 cutting
  enhances workflow and cross coverage. If you don't unload processors 
  very often then having them distant might not be too bad. Not ideal, 
  but not a necessarily a deal killer.
 
 
  Tim Morken
  Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus
  Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies 
  Department of Pathology UC San Francisco Medical Center
 
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
  histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula 
  Sicurello
  Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 6:29 AM
  To: HistoNet
  Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
  It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 
  210 ft away from the tissue processors.
 
  The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 
  minutes and require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of 
  cassettes down a much used hallway.
 
  Opinions?
 
  Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?
 
  Thanks in advance,
 
  Paula
  ___
  Histonet mailing list
  Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
  http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

[Paula Sicurello]

Thanks to all who submitted their input.

Since the experts were going for lean in the new histology space, more
than likely the embedding stations will go in there.  It *is* more
efficient to have it set up this way.  I just worried about the itsy bitsy
GI biopsies not embedding well.

A majority of people who replied had experience with this type of lab
layout and the tissue samples did not suffer any as a result of getting a
tour of the hallway.  Many had to travel much farther than 200 feet.

As suggested by many,  I will pass along the very good idea of using a
sturdy bin with a nice fitting lid for transport.

I will think of it this way:  better to have the chance of dropping the
basket and cassettes and getting wax on the floor, than to drop the basket
and cassettes in NBF while traversing the hallway.  Hazmat, here we come,
if that were to spill.

Happy Thursday!

Paula

On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 2:07 PM, Jeffrey Robinson 
jrobin...@pathology-associates.com wrote:

 This certainly does not sound ideal to be moving tissue blocks around the
 building.  If this situation cannot be changed then perhaps a plastic bin
 with a snap on lid could help minimize the risk of losing blocks during
 transport.

 Jeff Robinson, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA.

 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Sicurello
 Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:47 AM
 To: Hannen, Valerie
 Cc: HistoNet
 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding Question

 Why the change? Space. There is a larger space available for histology.

 It would be optimum to either move the processors into the new space or
 leave the embedding centers where they are now.

 I mentioned did bring up about the samples/wax freezing in transit and the
 reply was the experts didn't mention anything about that

 The experts may not have been experienced histotechs.

 Paula

 On Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Hannen, Valerie 
 valerie.han...@parrishmed.com wrote:

  I do not think it to be a good idea.
 
1) What is the possibility of a trip and fall in transit?
  Cassettes flying everywhere, possibility of losing any?
 
2) Dripping paraffin on a hallway floor-- a slip and fall scenario
  for other people using the much used hallway.
 
3) As Tom stated.. not a lean system/process.
 
  Just my two cents!
 
 
  Valerie Hannen,MLT(ASCP),HTL,SU (FL)
  Section Chief, Histology
  Parrish Medical Center
  951 N. Washington Ave.
  Titusville,Florida 32796
  T: (321)268-6333 ext. 7506
  F: (321) 268-6149
  valerie.han...@parrishmed.com
  www.parrishmed.com
 
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
  histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Podawiltz,
  Thomas
  Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 10:32 AM
  To: Paula Sicurello; HistoNet
  Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
  Not what I call a lean system. Why the change?
 
  Tom
 
 
  Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
  AP  Section Head
  LRGHealthcare
  603-524-3211 ext: 3220
 
 
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
  histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula
  Sicurello
  Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:29 AM
  To: HistoNet
  Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Question
 
  It has been proposed to move the embedding centers to a room about 210
  ft away from the tissue processors.
 
  The trip from processor to embedding center would take over 2 minutes
  and require the histotechs to carry the baskets full of cassettes down
  a much used hallway.
 
  Opinions?
 
  Do you feel this is a good idea-yes or no and why?
 
  Thanks in advance,
 
  Paula
  ___
  Histonet mailing list
  Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
  http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
  THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.
  This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and
  confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient(s)
  named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not
  print,distribute, or copy this message or any attachments.  If you
  have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by
  return e-mail and delete this message and any attachments from your
  computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the
  author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare.
 
  ==
  This email is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom
  it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
  confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
  If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient or the
  employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
  intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
  distribution, or copying

Re: [Histonet] embedding of insects in historesin (Technovit 7100)

[Damien]

Hi Jurgen,

If you still need assistance,please let me know. Feel free to contact me
directly.

Best,
Damien L.

On Fri, Nov 21, 2014 at 12:55 PM, dr.ha...@gmx.net wrote:


Hallo, Andi G.

Thanks  for your reply. Normally I use paraffine for embedding insects
after  dehydration and using N Butylalkohol with sucess. In my opinion
it is absolutly necessary to avoid any rests of water and to cut cool.
But  this  technique  is  limited  to sections of 3-4 µ and heating is
unavoidable.
I  would  be very grateful for a reply of Damien Laudier or of someone
else, who could help me in this matter.

Jürgen
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




-- 
Damien Laudier
Laudier Histology
www.LaudierHistology.com
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding of insects in historesin (Technovit 7100)

[Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)]

First of all, this sounds like a Damien Laudier question. Damien, I hope you 
can help this guy.
Secondly, do you have to use plastic embedding? I was successful with paraffin 
embedding. I was able to section various small insects and also bees. It takes 
some patience and soaking in mollifex or glycerin water but the chitin became 
less brittle and able to section without ripping out the internal organs.

Andi G.

From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of dr.ha...@gmx.net 
[dr.ha...@gmx.net]
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2014 4:09 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding of insects in historesin (Technovit 7100)

   Hallo,

   are  there  any experiences in embedding of insects in historesin (GMA
   or  Glycolmethacrylat  (Technovit 7100))? I have tried Technovit after
   fixing  in  Formaldehyd  with poor results. The specimen tends to fail
   out of the block. There is no connection between the cuticula  and the
   resin.  Therefore  it  is  not  possible, to stretch the ribbon on the
   surface  of water. And I believe there is some interaction between the
   chitin  and the resin which makes trouble. The chitin is brittle after
   embedding  in  resin.  I  have  tried different times in the embedding
   process, but without good results. Embedding single organs for example
   ovaries  is  without  any  difficulties  .  Obviously chitin makes the
   problem.

   Perhaps helps another fixing or some other pretreatment?

   Thanks for a little help !

   J�rgen
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding of insects in historesin (Technovit 7100)

[Dr . Harst]

   Hallo, Andi G.

   Thanks  for your reply. Normally I use paraffine for embedding insects
   after  dehydration and using N Butylalkohol with sucess. In my opinion
   it is absolutly necessary to avoid any rests of water and to cut cool.
   But  this  technique  is  limited  to sections of 3-4 � and heating is
   unavoidable.
   I  would  be very grateful for a reply of Damien Laudier or of someone
   else, who could help me in this matter.

   J�rgen
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue?

[Pirici Daniel]

Hi there,
 
1. Have you changed anything in the processing and embedding processes 
themselves (dehydration, clearing agents and times, etc)? Friable sections 
could also come from extended times in the clearing agent...
 
2. There is also a section transfer system with a waterfall. We have a 
microtome which has both systems to collect the ribbons (classical and with the 
waterfall). There is a huge difference between them, it is much easier to cut 
on the water-based system. We can cut even 100 seriate sections without losing 
even 1 section!!! And there are also Peltier-based cooling block clamps that 
help keeping your paraffin bloc cold during the cutting!!! There are many 
companies offering these options...
 
But since you are experiencing a sudden change in the quality of the ribbons 
with the same paraffin initially, I would seriously consider first some change 
in the embedding protocol...
 
I hope this might help!
 
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL HISTONETT-ERS!


 
Pirici Nicolae Daniel, MD, PhD 
Department of Histology
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova
Petru Rares Street 2, 200349
Craiova, Dolj
Romania
 


 From: Maria Mejia mbmph...@gmail.com
To: Tim Wheelock twheel...@mclean.harvard.edu 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Thursday, January 2, 2014 8:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue?
  

Hello,

I too have been experiencing the same difficulties cutting brain samples, I've 
tried 3 different
types of paraffins - all the the same rolling of sections, some lines  
tearing.  It's not my
microtome, because I've had it checked  it went through a recent general 
maintenance.
I've tried several angle changes, used different brands of low profile coated 
blades 
carefully watch the temperature of the tissue blocks.

I'm also feeling very frustrated for not being able to cut good brain sections. 
 Any assistance
anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Maria Mejia
UCSF 
Department of Neurology
San Francisco, CA


On Dec 31, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Tim Wheelock wrote:

 Hi Everyone:
 
 In November, there was a discussion concerning different types of embedding 
 paraffin.
 Do people find that a certain kind of wax is preferable for embedding brain 
 tissue, or doesn't it matter?
 
 I also use Surgipath EM-400, but have decided to try another brand.
 I have been using this paraffin for about 25 years.
 It used to cut like butter, with beautiful ribbons and no lines.
 I would put the blocks on ice, wait 2 hours, and then cut 7-8 cases (about 
 190 slides) per day easily.
 Now I am struggling to cut 4-5 cases.
 I am experiencing a lot of lines in my sections and some rolling and tearing 
 of parts of the sections.
 This is affecting my lab's productivity, the quality of my sections, and is a 
 source of constant frustration.
 
 I am cutting with Surgipath high profile Teflon coated blades.
 When I tried Thermo-Fisher HP-35 Ultra blades, at first they helped, but soon 
 I experienced rolling of the sections.
 I have tried changing the angle of the blade, to no avail.
 So, I thought that I would try a change in the embedding paraffin.
 
 Thanks for any suggestions that you may have,
 
 Tim Wheelock
 Harvard Brain Bank
 McLean Hospital
 Belmont, MA
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue?

[Maria Mejia]

Hello,

I too have been experiencing the same difficulties cutting brain samples, I've 
tried 3 different
types of paraffins - all the the same rolling of sections, some lines  
tearing.  It's not my
microtome, because I've had it checked  it went through a recent general 
maintenance.
I've tried several angle changes, used different brands of low profile coated 
blades 
carefully watch the temperature of the tissue blocks.

I'm also feeling very frustrated for not being able to cut good brain sections. 
 Any assistance
anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Maria Mejia
UCSF 
Department of Neurology
San Francisco, CA


On Dec 31, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Tim Wheelock wrote:

 Hi Everyone:
 
 In November, there was a discussion concerning different types of embedding 
 paraffin.
 Do people find that a certain kind of wax is preferable for embedding brain 
 tissue, or doesn't it matter?
 
 I also use Surgipath EM-400, but have decided to try another brand.
 I have been using this paraffin for about 25 years.
 It used to cut like butter, with beautiful ribbons and no lines.
 I would put the blocks on ice, wait 2 hours, and then cut 7-8 cases (about 
 190 slides) per day easily.
 Now I am struggling to cut 4-5 cases.
 I am experiencing a lot of lines in my sections and some rolling and tearing 
 of parts of the sections.
 This is affecting my lab's productivity, the quality of my sections, and is a 
 source of constant frustration.
 
 I am cutting with Surgipath high profile Teflon coated blades.
 When I tried Thermo-Fisher HP-35 Ultra blades, at first they helped, but soon 
 I experienced rolling of the sections.
 I have tried changing the angle of the blade, to no avail.
 So, I thought that I would try a change in the embedding paraffin.
 
 Thanks for any suggestions that you may have,
 
 Tim Wheelock
 Harvard Brain Bank
 McLean Hospital
 Belmont, MA
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding cells in Paraffin

[joelle weaver]

I spun down the cultured cells and then used a product called histogel. It kept 
them protected through the VIP, paraffin embedded like cell block buttons and 
was able to cut regular paraffin sections. I believe that I purchased the 
histogel from American Mastertech. 




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 
 From: mti...@trudeauinstitute.org
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2013 17:06:24 +
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding cells in Paraffin
 
 Has anyone tried to embed cells grown in tissue culture? I am trying to put 
 some tissue culture cells through same stress as tissue would go through. 
 Fixation, dehydration, and heat. Any ideas? I could re-suspend in OCT and 
 then fix for extended time with NBF but that doesn't quite seem fair.
 
 
 
 Thanks for any ideas!
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin

[Kim Donadio]

We use formulae R from Leica for both infiltrating and embedding with excellent 
results. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 12, 2013, at 10:02 AM, Matthew D. Roark mro...@sfmc.net wrote:

 What  paraffin does everyone like for embedding?  We are currently using 
 Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty!Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin 
 that they like?
 
 Thanks!
 
 
 Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM
 Histology Specialist
 Saint Francis Medical Center
 211 Saint Francis Drive
 Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
 573-331-3982
 mro...@sfmc.net
 http://www.sfmc.net
 
 
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin

[Pam Marcum]

We use Polyscientific RD Paraffin Prills and love it.  The price has been 
excellent and it is a very clean product.  



Too ma ny changes in other companies leading to base product issues I just did 
not have the time or patience for, so I went with the best I could find.  I 
used it at the UPENN Lar ge Animal Orthopedic Laboratory and then switched here 
when we started to have issues with the previous vendor. 

  

Pam Marcum 

UAMS 




- Original Message -
From: Matthew D. Roark mro...@sfmc.net 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 9:02:36 AM 
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin 

What  paraffin does everyone like for embedding?  We are currently using 
Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty!    Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin 
that they like? 

Thanks! 


Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM 
Histology Specialist 
Saint Francis Medical Center 
211 Saint Francis Drive 
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 
573-331-3982 
mro...@sfmc.net 
http://www.sfmc.net 



___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding problem

[Benjamin]

Plastic or metal molds?

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 1, 2013, at 11:26 AM, Tim Wheelock twheel...@mclean.harvard.edu wrote:

 Hi Everyone:
 
 When I paraffin embed brain tissue, I gentle push down on all regions 
 (especially the edges) of the specimen(s).
 It seems that all of the areas of the specimen (or each of several specimens) 
 lie flat on the bottom of the mold.
 This should ensure that I can quickly obtain a full face when trimming, with 
 a minimum loss of tissue.
 
 However, I have found that when I remove the solidified blocks from the mold, 
 parts of the specimen, especially the cortical edges of the tissue, have 
 lifted up from the bottom of the mold.
 I either have to re-embed the tissue, or trim through more tissue than I 
 would like to obtain a full face for sectioning.
 
 Has anyone had this problem?
 How do people avoid it?
 
 Thank you,
 
 Tim Wheelock
 Harvard Brain Bank
 McLean Hospital
 Belmont, MA
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding SOP

[joelle weaver]

How Sheehan  Hrapchak, and any gross dissection manual for inking/anatomical 
orientation guidelines? I put in diagrams and  tissue and biopsy site specific 
instructions, and I think this helps immensely in keeping blocks consistent and 
creating standardization.  




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2013 08:41:49 -0300
From: epchatfi...@ihis.org
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
CC: 
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding SOP

Hi Folks,
Happy Friday!  I'm about to take on the job of writing the procedure for 
embedding.  I'll be starting from scratch, it's a bit daunting to say the 
least.  
Does anyone have a good reference or 2 I can check out? It seems all of our 
textbooks and site I've looked at aren't as detailed as I'd like.
Thanks for the help!
Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Charlottetown, PE
 
-
 
Statement of Confidentiality
 
This message (including attachments) may contain confidential or privileged 
information intended for a specific individual or organization. If you have 
received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately. If 
you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to use, disclose, 
distribute, copy, print or rely on this email, and should promptly delete this 
email from your entire computer system.
 
 
 
 
 
 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet   
  ___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Contamination

[Rene J Buesa]

This how I always handled this issue:
1- document the contamination in your QC file trying to identify the tissue 
source;
2- train the embedding histotechs in the proper way of cleaning the embedding 
instruments and the forceps wells and document it also in the corresponding QC 
file;
3- save the slide marking the contaminating tissue fragment;
4- remove the contaminant and recut the block. Do not melt the block down, just 
remove the contaminant with a needle.
5- the slide to be filed with the case is the recut (step 4).
Probably other people handle this issue differently, but that is how I handled 
it
René J.

From: Roger Heyna rhe...@lumc.edu
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 11:05 AM
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Contamination


Hi Histonetters:

When a pathologist identifies extraneous tissue on a slide, and histology 
determines that the tissue contamination originates from embedding, what is 
your procedure for correcting the embedding? Do you remove the extraneous (or 
contamination) tissue from the block, recut the slide, and discard the original 
contaminated slide? Do you leave the extraneous tissue in the block and make a 
note in the report and/or on the slide? Do you keep track of these in a log 
somewhere?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Roger
Maywood, IL

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Contamination

[Jay Lundgren]

 Everyone jumps on the embedder in these situations, but the
contamination might be coming from the gross board or the  tissue processor
as well.  So be sure to train the appropriate docs/PA's/histotechs how to
avoid cross contamination when grossing/processing as well.  And stop
jumping on the embedder, 'cause the dirt from your shoes might be what's
causing the contamination in the first place.


  Sincerely,


Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)





On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 11:54 AM, Rene J Buesa rjbu...@yahoo.com wrote:

 This how I always handled this issue:
 1- document the contamination in your QC file trying to identify the
 tissue source;
 2- train the embedding histotechs in the proper way of cleaning the
 embedding instruments and the forceps wells and document it also in the
 corresponding QC file;
 3- save the slide marking the contaminating tissue fragment;
 4- remove the contaminant and recut the block. Do not melt the block down,
 just remove the contaminant with a needle.
 5- the slide to be filed with the case is the recut (step 4).
 Probably other people handle this issue differently, but that is how I
 handled it
 René J.

 From: Roger Heyna rhe...@lumc.edu
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 11:05 AM
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Contamination


 Hi Histonetters:

 When a pathologist identifies extraneous tissue on a slide, and histology
 determines that the tissue contamination originates from embedding, what is
 your procedure for correcting the embedding? Do you remove the extraneous
 (or contamination) tissue from the block, recut the slide, and discard the
 original contaminated slide? Do you leave the extraneous tissue in the
 block and make a note in the report and/or on the slide? Do you keep track
 of these in a log somewhere?

 Thanks in advance for your help.
 Roger
 Maywood, IL

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Centers

[Burton, Lynn]

Both animal disease labs in the state of Illinois have used the Sakura machines 
for the twenty years I have been here with great success. We also have aSakura 
processor that has been going for 25 years and a coverslipper that has only had 
3 service calls for minor problems in the past 15+ years. They make good 
products.
Lynn Burton
Animal Disease Lab
Galesburg, Il

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tim Wheelock
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 2:29 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Centers

Hi Everyone:

I am also in the market for a new paraffin embedding center.
I have demo-ed or site-visited the Sakura TEK5, the Leica EG1150, and the 
Thermo-Fisher HistoStar.
I was wondering if people could give me their critical opinion on these, or 
other machines.
What sorts of problems have you had with them.

I currently have a 25 year old Shandon Embedding Center. I like it a lot.
But I would like to find a machine with a specimen holding tank large enough to 
allow me to immerse 300 cassettes all at once.
This is because I infiltrate brain tissue with Tissue Path Paraplast but embed 
with Surgipath Embedding Media So I let the cassettes sit immersed in the 
Surgipath  for an hour or two before embedding.

(Until I can buy a new processor, The Shandon's holding tank also serves as a 
third processing station, since my Shandon Hypercenter has only 2 wax 
reservoirs) I also do not feel comfortable having the cassettes sitting dry in 
the holding tank

Thanks,


Tim Wheelock
Neuropathology Laboratory
Harvard Brain Bank
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Jennifer Campbell]

The identifier(whatever is using to distinguish who did the task) is not
embedded with the specimen.

It is put in the top portion of the cassette.

At least that is what we have always done here.

On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 1:17 PM, Amber McKenzie 
amber.mcken...@gastrodocs.net wrote:

 How do you not cut thru the bead when sectioning?  I'm intrigued by this
 process b/c I've never heard of this before.

 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly Boyd
 Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 3:20 PM
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding beads

 I started using the embedding beads several months ago as a quick way to
 track who embedded what cassette. Each tech is assigned a number according
 to the number on their microtome. I get the beads from Cancer Diagnostics.
 You can probably find something similar at a craft store.
 These come in small round plastic containers that fit easily any where on
 the embedding center. They place the bead in a bottom corner of the
 cassette when topping it off with paraffin.
 They have actually saved us time. Once the techs get used to it, it might
 add a few seconds to the embedding. Before, the techs had to write down
 which blocks they embedded. (Very time consuming and often not
 complete). If I needed to see who embedded a certain block, I had to go
 check that log book. Now I can see who embedded it just by looking at the
 block.

 Kelly
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




-- 
Jen Campbell, HT(ASCP)
Supervisor of Technical Services
Muhlbauer Dermatopathology Laboratory
61 Monroe Avenue, Ste B
Pittsford NY 14534
P: 585.586.5166
F: 585.586.3137


IMPORTANT NOTICE:  This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential
or sensitive information which is, or may be, legally privileged or
otherwise protected by law from further disclosure.  It is intended only
for the addressee.  If you received this in error or from someone who was
not authorized to send it to you, please do not distribute, copy or use it
or any attachments.  Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail
and delete this from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Alan Taylor]

Hi All

The embedding bead goes into the cassette tray, into one corner, not into 
the stainless steel embedding mould with the tissue. The plastic cassette is 
placed on top of the mould, as usual and filled with molten wax, the 
coloured bead is quickly dropped in and the embedding mould is placed on the 
chiller to solidify in preparation for microtomy. The bead has no contact 
with the blade at any time, remaining at the back of the cassette tray.


Hope this clarifies this easy process.

Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS.
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. EX1 3AJ. Devon. UK.

- Original Message - 
From: Amber McKenzie amber.mcken...@gastrodocs.net

To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 6:17 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


How do you not cut thru the bead when sectioning?  I'm intrigued by this 
process b/c I've never heard of this before.


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly Boyd

Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 3:20 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding beads

I started using the embedding beads several months ago as a quick way to 
track who embedded what cassette. Each tech is assigned a number according 
to the number on their microtome. I get the beads from Cancer Diagnostics. 
You can probably find something similar at a craft store.
These come in small round plastic containers that fit easily any where on 
the embedding center. They place the bead in a bottom corner of the cassette 
when topping it off with paraffin.
They have actually saved us time. Once the techs get used to it, it might 
add a few seconds to the embedding. Before, the techs had to write down 
which blocks they embedded. (Very time consuming and often not complete). If 
I needed to see who embedded a certain block, I had to go check that log 
book. Now I can see who embedded it just by looking at the block.


Kelly
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Jennifer Campbell]

We use squares of colored construction paper. Each tech is assigned a color
and they use those or their initials for all of the different jobs in the
lab.

There has to be accountability for every job.

Jen Campbell

On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 9:43 AM, Amber McKenzie 
amber.mcken...@gastrodocs.net wrote:

 Does this slow the embedder down any having to pick a bead up each time to
 embed along with the tissue?  I've never heard of this procedure before.
  The labs I've worked in have an embedding log and we initial each case we
 embed. What do you keep the beads in and are they set in a particular spot
 on the embedding station so they're easily assessable?

 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
 histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Taylor
 Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 5:15 PM
 To: Willis, Donna G.; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

 Hi All

 We use Hamma beads to identify individual embedders on a particular day.
 Hamma beads will be well known to parents and child carers as tiny tube
 like
 beads that can be made into many patterns and then ironed (by adults) to
 make colourful place mats etc for children.

 Hamma beads come in a very wide range of colours, in bulk bags from any
 good
 toy or handicraft store. They are very cheap and they are clearly visible
 when placed in the corner of an embedding cassette when filling with wax.

 We have a small staff in our lab so the colours we have chosen are readily
 identifiable to an individual who has embedded a particular block. I can
 strongly recommend them, we have used them for a number of years as a
 traceable guide to a particular block. Hope this is helpful to all of you
 who are embedding lots of blocks each day.

 Best wishes to you all

 Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS
 Microtechnical Services
 71 Sweetbrier Lane
 Heavitree
 Exeter. Devon. EX1 3AJ.UK

 - Original Message -
 From: Willis, Donna G. donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 3:58 PM
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


 Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get
 small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds.

 Thanks,

 Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP)
 Histology Lab Manager
 Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas
 ph. 214-820-2465 office
 ph. 214-725-6184 mobile
 donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu

 **
 This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This
 information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and
 entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient,
 further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are
 not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please
 notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized
 copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is
 strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and
 regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates
 hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information.
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




-- 
Jen Campbell, HT(ASCP)
Supervisor of Technical Services
Muhlbauer Dermatopathology Laboratory
61 Monroe Avenue, Ste B
Pittsford NY 14534
P: 585.586.5166
F: 585.586.3137


IMPORTANT NOTICE:  This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential
or sensitive information which is, or may be, legally privileged or
otherwise protected by law from further disclosure.  It is intended only
for the addressee.  If you received this in error or from someone who was
not authorized to send it to you, please do not distribute, copy or use it
or any attachments.  Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail
and delete this from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)]

I called on a lab in Las Vegas when I had my sales job that used sequins. Well, 
it was Vegas!



Andrea Grantham, HT (ASCP)
Senior Research Specialist
University of Arizona
Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Histology Service Laboratory
P.O.Box 245044
Tucson, AZ 85724

algra...@email.arizona.edumailto:algra...@email.arizona.edu
Tel: 520.626.4415 Fax: 520.626.2097

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Victor A. Tobias]

Another plus for barcoding and going paperless. Scanning the cassette logs who 
embedded the tissue and you can see what type of tissue it was, how many pieces 
should have been there and if there were any instructions such as on end or on 
edge.

Victor

Victor Tobias HT(ASCP)
Clinical Applications Analyst
Harborview Medical Center
Dept of Pathology Room NJB244
Seattle, WA 98104
vtob...@u.washington.edu
206-744-2735
206-744-8240 Fax
=
Privileged, confidential or patient identifiable information may be contained 
in this message. This information is meant only for the use of the intended 
recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, or if the message has been 
addressed to you in error, do not read, disclose, reproduce, distribute, 
disseminate or otherwise use this 
transmission. Instead, please notify the sender by reply e-mail, and then 
destroy all copies of the message and any attachments.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Grantham, 
Andrea L - (algranth)
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 8:14 AM
Cc: HISTONET
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

I called on a lab in Las Vegas when I had my sales job that used sequins. Well, 
it was Vegas!



Andrea Grantham, HT (ASCP)
Senior Research Specialist
University of Arizona
Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Histology Service Laboratory
P.O.Box 245044
Tucson, AZ 85724

algra...@email.arizona.edumailto:algra...@email.arizona.edu
Tel: 520.626.4415 Fax: 520.626.2097

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Alan Taylor]

Hi All

Thanks for the correction Dr Richmond. It is Hama Beads.

We keep ours in used rectangular cover slip boxes, which hold many beads of 
individual colours in each box. When in use each embedder has their allocated 
box at the back of the embedding centre, close to the dispensing spout, so that 
a bead can be quickly picked up with tweezers and dropped into the cassette 
tray when filling with wax.  

When not in use the boxes are kept in a small instrument tray at the side of 
the embedding centre. Each persons name is clearly written on the lid of each 
box. The stock bags are kept in a nearby drawer.  

Have never considered timing each embedding, but I am certain that there are 
very few additional seconds in reaching for a bead and dropping it into the 
molten wax.

Alan Taylor
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. EX1 3AJ Devon. UK. 
  - Original Message - 
  From: Jennifer Campbell 
  To: Amber McKenzie 
  Cc: Alan Taylor ; Willis, Donna G. ; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
  Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 2:51 PM
  Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads


  We use squares of colored construction paper. Each tech is assigned a color 
and they use those or their initials for all of the different jobs in the lab.

  There has to be accountability for every job.

  Jen Campbell


  On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 9:43 AM, Amber McKenzie 
amber.mcken...@gastrodocs.net wrote:

Does this slow the embedder down any having to pick a bead up each time to 
embed along with the tissue?  I've never heard of this procedure before.  The 
labs I've worked in have an embedding log and we initial each case we embed. 
What do you keep the beads in and are they set in a particular spot on the 
embedding station so they're easily assessable?

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Taylor
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 5:15 PM
To: Willis, Donna G.; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

Hi All

We use Hamma beads to identify individual embedders on a particular day.
Hamma beads will be well known to parents and child carers as tiny tube like
beads that can be made into many patterns and then ironed (by adults) to
make colourful place mats etc for children.

Hamma beads come in a very wide range of colours, in bulk bags from any good
toy or handicraft store. They are very cheap and they are clearly visible
when placed in the corner of an embedding cassette when filling with wax.

We have a small staff in our lab so the colours we have chosen are readily
identifiable to an individual who has embedded a particular block. I can
strongly recommend them, we have used them for a number of years as a
traceable guide to a particular block. Hope this is helpful to all of you
who are embedding lots of blocks each day.

Best wishes to you all

Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. Devon. EX1 3AJ.UK

- Original Message -
From: Willis, Donna G. donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 3:58 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get
small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds.

Thanks,

Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP)
Histology Lab Manager
Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas
ph. 214-820-2465 office
ph. 214-725-6184 mobile
donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu

**
This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This
information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and
entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient,
further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are
not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please
notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized
copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is
strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and
regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates
hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information.
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding beads

[Alan Taylor]

Hi All

We use Hamma beads to identify individual embedders on a particular day. 
Hamma beads will be well known to parents and child carers as tiny tube like 
beads that can be made into many patterns and then ironed (by adults) to 
make colourful place mats etc for children.


Hamma beads come in a very wide range of colours, in bulk bags from any good 
toy or handicraft store. They are very cheap and they are clearly visible 
when placed in the corner of an embedding cassette when filling with wax.


We have a small staff in our lab so the colours we have chosen are readily 
identifiable to an individual who has embedded a particular block. I can 
strongly recommend them, we have used them for a number of years as a 
traceable guide to a particular block. Hope this is helpful to all of you 
who are embedding lots of blocks each day.


Best wishes to you all

Alan Taylor BSc(Hons), FRMS
Microtechnical Services
71 Sweetbrier Lane
Heavitree
Exeter. Devon. EX1 3AJ.UK

- Original Message - 
From: Willis, Donna G. donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu

To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 3:58 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads


Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get 
small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds.


Thanks,

Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP)
Histology Lab Manager
Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas
ph. 214-820-2465 office
ph. 214-725-6184 mobile
donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu

**
This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This 
information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and 
entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, 
further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are 
not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please 
notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized 
copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is 
strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and 
regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates 
hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information.

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding

[Stephenson, Sheryl]

That was my initial thought,  check your paraffin.  I could be coming from the 
paraffin.. or whatever you are cleaning with make sure its dust free/debris 
free.

Sheryl Stephenson | Histology Technician 

   Main 908.947.1100 Fax908.947.1085
 Direct:  908.947.1624 sstephen...@lifecell.com
  www.lifecell.com  

LifeCell Corporation | One Millennium Way | Branchburg, NJ | 08876


 


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Amos Brooks
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2012 11:29 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding

Hi,
 Any chance it is from your reservoir? Sometimes the paraffin is not
filtered very well and there is some junk that collects in the chamber.
(Yes I'm looking at you Paraplast!) Also is the reservoir you keep your
cassettes in prior to embedding clean? Perhaps junk on your tampers?

Amos


On Sat, May 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM,
histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.eduwrote:

 Message: 1
 Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 13:02:29 -0400 (EDT)
 From: Ann Specian thisis...@aol.com
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Message-ID: 8cf08af4cf811bc-c74-9...@webmail-m025.sysops.aol.com
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii


 We are having a problem with floaters in our blocks which occur during
 embedding.  We have multiple forceps which are placed in heated wells and
 each cassette is embedded with a new forcep.  We also wipe with a gauze,
 but we are still getting floaters embedded in the cassette from time to
 time.

 Does anyone do anything else to prevent this?
 Thank you, Ann

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding

[Norton, Sally]

We make sure to clean the wells also.  Little flecks of tissue are almost 
always in there after embedding.

Sally Norton
Seattle Children's

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ann Specian
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 10:02 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding


We are having a problem with floaters in our blocks which occur during 
embedding.  We have multiple forceps which are placed in heated wells and each 
cassette is embedded with a new forcep.  We also wipe with a gauze, but we are 
still getting floaters embedded in the cassette from time to time.

Does anyone do anything else to prevent this?
Thank you, Ann
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for 
the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and 
privileged information protected by law.  Any unauthorized review, use, 
disclosure or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not the intended 
recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of 
the original message.



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding

[Ann Specian]

we clean them at the start of our shift, but not during embedding.  do you 
clean them during embedding too?



-Original Message-
From: Norton, Sally sally.nor...@seattlechildrens.org
To: 'Ann Specian' thisis...@aol.com; histonet 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Fri, May 25, 2012 1:12 pm
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding


We make sure to clean the wells also.  Little flecks of tissue are almost 
always 
n there after embedding.
Sally Norton
eattle Children's
-Original Message-
rom: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
n Behalf Of Ann Specian
ent: Friday, May 25, 2012 10:02 AM
o: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
ubject: [Histonet] Embedding

e are having a problem with floaters in our blocks which occur during 
mbedding.  We have multiple forceps which are placed in heated wells and each 
assette is embedded with a new forcep.  We also wipe with a gauze, but we are 
till getting floaters embedded in the cassette from time to time.
Does anyone do anything else to prevent this?
hank you, Ann
__
istonet mailing list
isto...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
ttp://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

ONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for 
he sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and 
rivileged information protected by law.  Any unauthorized review, use, 
isclosure or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not the intended 
ecipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of 
he original message.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding

[Rene J Buesa]

60
René J.

--- On Thu, 5/24/12, cindy dewar cindy38...@yahoo.com wrote:


From: cindy dewar cindy38...@yahoo.com
Subject: [Histonet] embedding
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 3:01 PM


On average, how many blocks should a tech with 6 years experience be able to 
embed in an hour? This is a dermpath lab, where the majority of our specimens 
are shave and punch biopsies. Thanks, Cindy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding

[McMahon, Loralee A]

If you are embedding skins and they all have to be on edge.  And some of them 
are bisected or tri-sected and you have to put two to three pieces of skin in 
one cassette all on edge.  I would say a good tech could do about 45-50  per 
hour. 
If they were all punches, then 60 would be about right. 

Loralee McMahon, HTL (ASCP)
Immunohistochemistry Supervisor
Strong Memorial Hospital
Department of Surgical Pathology
(585) 275-7210

From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa 
[rjbu...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 3:55 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; cindy dewar
Subject: Re: [Histonet] embedding

60
René J.

--- On Thu, 5/24/12, cindy dewar cindy38...@yahoo.com wrote:


From: cindy dewar cindy38...@yahoo.com
Subject: [Histonet] embedding
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012, 3:01 PM


On average, how many blocks should a tech with 6 years experience be able to 
embed in an hour? This is a dermpath lab, where the majority of our specimens 
are shave and punch biopsies. Thanks, Cindy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Sherwood, Margaret]

Ditto.  Sakura's Tissue-Tek 


Peggy Sherwood
Lab Associate, Photopathology
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214)
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
617-724-4839 (voice mail)
617-726-6983 (lab)
617-726-1206 (fax)
msherw...@partners.org

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Weaver,
Stephanie
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:36 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding centers

Hello histonetters!

I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent archives.
I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin embedding center.
They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one instrument that looks
much different from the others.  My primary concern is reliability and long
working life, but of course I would also like an instrument that is user
friendly, ergonomic and affordable.  Please let me know if you have a very good
experience with any embedding center or especially if anyone has had a
particularly bad experience and let me know any features that you find
spectacular or useless.  Thanks for the advice!

Stephanie Weaver
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Sean McBride]

Double ditto.  Sakura TEC 

~Sean McBride


Scientific Specialist
Bone Tissue Engineering Center
Carnegie Mellon Research Institute
Suite 4311
700 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3124

412-268-8275 (o)
412-915-1683 (m)
412-268-8275 (fax)
smcbr...@andrew.cmu.edu 






On Sep 13, 2011, at 9:40 AM, Sherwood, Margaret wrote:

 Ditto.  Sakura's Tissue-Tek 
 
 
 Peggy Sherwood
 Lab Associate, Photopathology
 Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214)
 Massachusetts General Hospital
 50 Blossom Street
 Boston, MA 02114-2696
 617-724-4839 (voice mail)
 617-726-6983 (lab)
 617-726-1206 (fax)
 msherw...@partners.org
 
 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Weaver,
 Stephanie
 Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:36 AM
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] embedding centers
 
 Hello histonetters!
 
 I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent 
 archives.
 I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin embedding 
 center.
 They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one instrument that looks
 much different from the others.  My primary concern is reliability and long
 working life, but of course I would also like an instrument that is user
 friendly, ergonomic and affordable.  Please let me know if you have a very 
 good
 experience with any embedding center or especially if anyone has had a
 particularly bad experience and let me know any features that you find
 spectacular or useless.  Thanks for the advice!
 
 Stephanie Weaver
 Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
 
 The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
 addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
 contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine 
 at
 http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in 
 error
 but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and 
 properly
 dispose of the e-mail.
 
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Rene J Buesa]

As you correctly point out, all are of similar configuration and foot-print. 
All use the same technology (a cooling area, a heating bath and a 
hot compartment).
As to reliability TissueTek if the best for me. There are some more than 25 
years old still providing a good and reliable service.
René J.

--- On Tue, 9/13/11, Weaver, Stephanie swea...@tvmdl.tamu.edu wrote:


From: Weaver, Stephanie swea...@tvmdl.tamu.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding centers
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 9:35 AM


Hello histonetters!

I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent 
archives.  I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin 
embedding center.  They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one 
instrument that looks much different from the others.  My primary concern is 
reliability and long working life, but of course I would also like an 
instrument that is user friendly, ergonomic and affordable.  Please let me know 
if you have a very good experience with any embedding center or especially if 
anyone has had a particularly bad experience and let me know any features that 
you find spectacular or useless.  Thanks for the advice!

Stephanie Weaver
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)]

Honestly, there are differences ergonomically.  We purchased one in the past 
before realizing that the way the cassette holding bath was situated you had to 
pull the cassettes across the cold plate to get them to the area you needed..  
It was very awkward.  This unit was also over-engineered with so many fuses 
that something was always blowing.  So pay attention to the layout

Jeanine Bartlett
Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
(404) 639-3590 
jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 10:05 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; StephanieWeaver
Subject: Re: [Histonet] embedding centers

As you correctly point out, all are of similar configuration and foot-print. 
All use the same technology (a cooling area, a heating bath and a 
hot compartment).
As to reliability TissueTek if the best for me. There are some more than 25 
years old still providing a good and reliable service.
René J.

--- On Tue, 9/13/11, Weaver, Stephanie swea...@tvmdl.tamu.edu wrote:


From: Weaver, Stephanie swea...@tvmdl.tamu.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding centers
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 9:35 AM


Hello histonetters!

I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent 
archives.  I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin 
embedding center.  They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one 
instrument that looks much different from the others.  My primary concern is 
reliability and long working life, but of course I would also like an 
instrument that is user friendly, ergonomic and affordable.  Please let me know 
if you have a very good experience with any embedding center or especially if 
anyone has had a particularly bad experience and let me know any features that 
you find spectacular or useless.  Thanks for the advice!

Stephanie Weaver
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Nicole Tatum]

Stephanie,

I prefur the Sakura Tissue-Teks. III being my fav, but it is becomming out
dated and hard to find parts for.  V is good to. The Leica brand is always
a winner. Lots of people have these, so there easy to get parts and have
maintenced. Make sure you check and see how many cassettes the warming
tray can hold. If you processor holds 200, and your embedding cneter only
hold 60 where do you put the rest of the blocks. Make sure the
warming/holding area is large enough to hold all ur blocks.  Good luck. If
you buy refurbished you can save lots of money and with some companies
still get a one year warrenty.

Nicole..



 Hello histonetters!

 I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent
 archives.  I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin
 embedding center.  They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one
 instrument that looks much different from the others.  My primary concern
 is reliability and long working life, but of course I would also like an
 instrument that is user friendly, ergonomic and affordable.  Please let me
 know if you have a very good experience with any embedding center or
 especially if anyone has had a particularly bad experience and let me know
 any features that you find spectacular or useless.  Thanks for the advice!

 Stephanie Weaver
 Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding centers

[Jill Cox]

I agree! We just sent our brand new Medite back to vendor because of problems. 
The cold spot was icing over and dispenser was dispensing paraffin when I 
wasn't even using it!  We just purchased the Sakura tec which has been my 
favorite since I've been a tech. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 13, 2011, at 12:12 PM, mad...@verizon.net wrote:

 
 
I  would  stay  away from Medite. THey are poorly designed and do not
   talk to each other. Temps are bad and service even under warranty does
   not  exist.   The embedding mold bin was at the highest temp and still
   could  not  mel  the paraffin.Tried to chat with a rep at a conference
   whohad  sold  me  the  unit to tell her what happened and she left the
   conference  early  rather  than  deal with the issue. Don't waste your
   time  and  money.  Lots  of  great  companies  out there with superior
   embedding centers.
   Nick(Rocky) Madary, HT/HTL(ASCP)QIHC
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Center Questions

[Rathborne, Toni]

A couple of places that come to mind are Belair (800-783-9424), Medical 
Equipment Source (www.medequipsource.com), and  Mayflower (800-287-9801). I 
know that they sell used equipment, you could inquire about a rental.
Good luck.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tim Wheelock
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 9:54 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Center Questions

Hi All:

My 23 year old Shandon Embedding Center may be ready to give up the ghost.
It has had two repairs of the coolant system for the freezing plate over the 
last year.
Now a thermo-resistor has burnt out, so that the wax reservoir with no long 
melt the wax.

Does anyone know of a company or companies that lease/rent histology equipment?
Are there companies who sell used equipment?
Also, what do people recommend as far as a new embedding center, in case we can 
afford it?
I am in the Boston area.

In the meantime, maybe I can jury-rig something, since it is only the wax 
reservoir that is down.
The cassette holding tank, hot plate, and freezing plate are OK for the moment.
Maybe I can melt a few jars of wax, and use a transfer pipet to fill the molds?
Any ideas?

Thanks,

Tim


Tim Wheelock
Assistant Director, Neuropathology
Instructor In Neuroanatomy
Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center
203 Mailman Research Center
McLean Hospital
Belmont MA 02478
Phone: 617-855-3592
Fax: 617-855-3199

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This message and any included attachments are from Somerset Medical Center
and are intended only for the addressee.  The information contained in this
message is confidential and may contain privileged, confidential,
proprietary and/or trade secret information entitled to protection and/or
exemption from disclosure under applicable law.  Unauthorized forwarding,
printing, copying, distribution, or use of such information is strictly
prohibited and may be unlawful.  If you are not the addressee, please
promptly delete this message and notify the sender of the delivery error
by e-mail or you may call Somerset Medical Center's computer Help Desk
at 908-685-2200, ext. 4050.

Be sure to visit Somerset Medical Center's Web site - 
www.somersetmedicalcenter.com - for the most up-to-date news, 
event listings, health information and more.

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

[Heath, Nancy L.]

This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the 
practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification!  

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:31 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; ShelleyD'Attilio
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

Shelley:
I fully understand your position and I am sure that you sometimes may have felt 
as a stranger in histology. I also understand that you have been able to do 
things that had benefit the histology work flow..
My general point is that I think that promotions, in all fields of the medical 
laboratory, should come from within as a reward for a good job. It is the 
same thing as if somebody from outside the ranks of the Chemical Laboratory is 
promoted to run it. The same thing has happen in your case when you became the 
manager for histology coming from outside histology.
You have pointed out to a key component of this whole equation: the salary 
differences and, more deep than that even, is the fact that histotechs are 
looked down from many members of the medical lab. There is still the 
perception, encouraged by many a pathologist, that even a monkey can make a 
tissue section.
The fact that histology is 80% still manual compared with the chemical lab that 
is almost 90% automated, projects an image that histology is a less than 
technical activity, when it is not.
This missperception and some disdain the histotechs are perceived, is the core 
cause why the promotions in histology usualy do not come from its ranks. And it 
is also why when that happens, like in your case, you find yourself at a miss 
about how those tasks wordy of a monkey are done.
I hope that now you understand why my first rant. This is my second rant.
Under separate cover I am sending you the competencies you need.
René J. 
 
 
 

--- On Wed, 8/24/11, D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org wrote:


From: D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
To: Rene J Buesa rjbu...@yahoo.com, histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 5:14 PM



Rene',
I agree with many of the points you make about a non-histotech managing a 
histology laboratory, especially since the decision could be seen to devalue 
the special training and knowledge of a histotech.  Every bit of knowledge I 
have gained along the way has been hard-fought, to say the least, and I'm quite 
sure that I have made mistakes.  
 
My experience in the clinical lab did give me an outside perspective on our 
procedures and processes in our Histology lab.  In my tenure, I have introduced 
slide and cassette labelers that are interfaced with our AP information system 
and rapid tissue processing technology.  In addition, I am a great proponent of 
specimen tracking systems, particularly as a way to improve patient safety.  I 
hope to implement a tracking system in the next 2-3 years.   So while I 
struggle with the many things that I do not know, I am proud of the changes I 
championed in our laboratory.
 
I think the original idea for my position (and I'm not the first to have this 
position) was as an administrative manager--budget, new equipment, personnel 
matters, etc. with the histotechs themselves functioning as a self-directed 
team for technical matters.  Because our volumes have grown and the technology 
become more complex, I was able to justify the addition of a bench-level 
supervisor.
 
And I agree with you that medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists 
could make excellent histotechs.  It is a shame that in many labs the rate of 
pay for the two positions is not equivalent.
 
It is very generous to offer your embedding competencies, and I humbly accept.  
 
Regards,

-Original Message-
From: Rene J Buesa [mailto:rjbu...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 2:18 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment






Shelley: 
Please do not miss-understand what I am going to write you but I still find 
extremely difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that somebody without 
practical knowledge of histology can become a manager of a histology 
laboratory. 
You will have a very hard time going about your tasks and you will probably 
make some judgment mistakes.
I have proposed many times that medical technologists are the answer to the 
shortage of histotechs, but because I think MT can be trained and add to their 
theoretical knowledge of the lab the skills to become good histotecha.
Your question is an example of the difficulties you are encountering because 
one of the responsibilities of the histology manager is to develop and write 
the competencies for each task based on his/her

RE: [Histonet] embedding

[joelle weaver]

I also like this reference- I like the quote. Quality embedding is key to me to 
the ultimate production for high quality, and sometimes discounted and 
overlooked in that regard.


Joelle Weaver MAOM, BA, (HTL) ASCP
 

 Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:29:17 -0700
 From: kdboydhi...@yahoo.com
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] embedding
 
  I have produced a very detailed guide for my techs. A little long, it is 
 about 8 pages including diagrams pertaining mostly to derms. I would be glad 
 to forward to anyone interested.
  I would also like to share a book. I met the author and she autographed my 
 book at a North Carolina meeting many, many years ago. It is Pearls, 
 Preventatives and Anecdotes in Histologic Technic, by Billy Swisher. I have 
 found it very useful over the years and I always have my trainees read it.
 One of her statements is an everyday quote in my lab. The finished cassette 
 should almost give the appearance of already been faced off when it is 
 removed from the mold. Orientation is most important,  but if the block does 
 not have the faced off appearance, it will be re-embeded until it does! 
 Sure makes cutting a breeze and the Docs love our slides!
 
 Kelly
 
 Kelly D. Boyd, BS, HTL (ASCP)
 Lab Manager
 Harris Histology Services
 2025 Eastgate Dr. Ste. F
 Greenville, NC 27858
 www.harrishisto.com 
 
 Tele (252)-830-6866
 (800)-284-0672
 Cell  (252)-943-9527
 Fax  (252)-830-0032
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding

[Garrison, Becky]

I would love to have a copy of your embedding guidelines. 


Becky Garrison
Pathology Supervisor
Shands Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL 32209
904-244-6237, phone
904-244-4290, fax
904-393-3194, pager
 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly Boyd
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:29 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding

 I have produced a very detailed guide for my techs. A little long, it is about 
8 pages including diagrams pertaining mostly to derms. I would be glad to 
forward to anyone interested.
 I would also like to share a book. I met the author and she autographed my 
book at a North Carolina meeting many, many years ago. It is Pearls, 
Preventatives and Anecdotes in Histologic Technic, by Billy Swisher. I have 
found it very useful over the years and I always have my trainees read it.
One of her statements is an everyday quote in my lab. The finished cassette 
should almost give the appearance of already been faced off when it is removed 
from the mold. Orientation is most important,  but if the block does not have 
the faced off appearance, it will be re-embeded until it does! Sure makes 
cutting a breeze and the Docs love our slides!

Kelly

Kelly D. Boyd, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Lab Manager
Harris Histology Services
2025 Eastgate Dr. Ste. F
Greenville, NC 27858
www.harrishisto.com 

Tele (252)-830-6866
(800)-284-0672
Cell  (252)-943-9527
Fax  (252)-830-0032
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

[joelle weaver]

Some time ago I did a NSH teleconference on process improvement, and chose to 
apply the methodology to the embedding task. I had a handout for measurement of 
embedding competency and also training information( skills needed and 
assessment ideas), with specific discussin on tissue orientation for different 
tissue types. I had circulated it to a few folks who seemed to find it helpful 
in the past. I believe that the information may still be available from the NSH 
website, where their link is to teleconferences. It might be particularly 
helpful for a supervisor/manager,  who does not directly do this task, and/or 
someone who wants a way to objectify and quantify competency and performance 
for the purposes of training, process improvement,standardization and use in 
annual competency or evaluations. This should be something that is pretty easy 
to do once you sit down to your procedures and processes and do the initial 
organization of your information.
-Joelle

Joelle Weaver MAOM, BA, (HTL) ASCP
 

 Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:55:27 -0500
 From: sdatt...@stormontvail.org
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
 
 Hi all,
 I'm looking on ways to assess competency on embedding skills. I am a medical 
 technologist managing histotechnologists, so I don't actually know how to 
 embed anything. Luckily, I have been able to promote a registered histotech 
 to a front-line supervisor position in the lab and improving our techs' 
 embedding skills, particularly on skins, is a process improvement project for 
 the coming year.
 
 I would love some tips on how you assess competency on this important skill. 
 Is direct observation the only way, or do you use other techniques in 
 conjunction with direct observation? Any good resources out there that has 
 lots of photos of actual specimens? Any ideas for measuring improvement?
 
 Thanks in advance for your help,
 
 Shelley D'Attilio MT(ASCP)
 Manager, Chemistry, Cytology and Histology
 Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
 Stormont-Vail HealthCare
 Topeka, Kansas
 
 
 
 
 NEED A DOCTOR? Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor 
 accepting new patients. Call (785) 354-5225.
 
 **
 
 The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards 
 are for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain 
 proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information. Any 
 unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these 
 communications is strictly prohibited. If this e-mail has been transmitted to 
 you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender 
 immediately at the above listed address. Thank you for your cooperation.
 
 **
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

[joelle weaver]

I do concur that assessing any task is certainly much more straightforward if 
you are starting from your personal knowledge base and experience, but maybe 
with the input of others?, could still be accomplished ( thinking positive, 
through a team approach)- 
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: Rene J Buesa rjbu...@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:17:59 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; sdatt...@stormontvail.org
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

Shelley: 
 Please do not miss-understand what I am going to write you but I still find 
extremely difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that somebody without 
practical knowledge of histology can become a manager of a histology 
laboratory. 
 You will have a very hard time going about your tasks and you will probably 
make some judgment mistakes.
 I have proposed many times that medical technologists are the answer to the 
shortage of histotechs, but because I think MT can be trained and add to their 
theoretical knowledge of the lab the skills to become good histotecha.
 Your question is an example of the difficulties you are encountering because 
one of the responsibilities of the histology manager is to develop and write 
the competencies for each task based on his/her experience. 
 Since you do not have such experience your only solution will be to rely on 
others and if your select the wrong one, you will end with soft competencies 
that will adversely affect the overall work flow of the lab.
 Excuse for this rant. Now, if you want, I can send you the embedding 
competencies I developed for my lab.
 René J.
 
 --- On Wed, 8/24/11, D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org wrote:
 
 
 From: D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 1:55 PM
 
 
 Hi all,
 I'm looking on ways to assess competency on embedding skills.  I am a medical 
technologist managing histotechnologists, so I don't actually know how to embed 
anything.  Luckily, I have been able to promote a registered histotech to a 
front-line supervisor position in the lab and improving our techs' embedding 
skills, particularly on skins, is a process improvement project for the coming 
year.
 
 I would love some tips on how you assess competency on this important skill.  
Is direct observation the only way, or do you use other techniques in 
conjunction with direct observation?  Any good resources out there that has 
lots of photos of actual specimens?  Any ideas for measuring improvement?
 
 Thanks in advance for your help,
 
 Shelley D'Attilio MT(ASCP)
 Manager, Chemistry, Cytology and Histology
 Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
 Stormont-Vail HealthCare
 Topeka, Kansas
 
 
 
 
 NEED A DOCTOR?  Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor 
accepting new patients.  Call (785) 354-5225.
 
 
**
 
 The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards are 
for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain 
proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information.  Any 
unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these 
communications is strictly prohibited.  If this e-mail has been transmitted to 
you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender 
immediately at the above listed address.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 
 
**
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

[D'Attilio, Shelley]

Rene',
I agree with many of the points you make about a non-histotech managing a 
histology laboratory, especially since the decision could be seen to devalue 
the special training and knowledge of a histotech.  Every bit of knowledge I 
have gained along the way has been hard-fought, to say the least, and I'm quite 
sure that I have made mistakes.  
 
My experience in the clinical lab did give me an outside perspective on our 
procedures and processes in our Histology lab.  In my tenure, I have introduced 
slide and cassette labelers that are interfaced with our AP information system 
and rapid tissue processing technology.  In addition, I am a great proponent of 
specimen tracking systems, particularly as a way to improve patient safety.  I 
hope to implement a tracking system in the next 2-3 years.   So while I 
struggle with the many things that I do not know, I am proud of the changes I 
championed in our laboratory.
 
I think the original idea for my position (and I'm not the first to have this 
position) was as an administrative manager--budget, new equipment, personnel 
matters, etc. with the histotechs themselves functioning as a self-directed 
team for technical matters.  Because our volumes have grown and the technology 
become more complex, I was able to justify the addition of a bench-level 
supervisor.
 
And I agree with you that medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists 
could make excellent histotechs.  It is a shame that in many labs the rate of 
pay for the two positions is not equivalent.
 
It is very generous to offer your embedding competencies, and I humbly accept.  
 
Regards,

-Original Message-
From: Rene J Buesa [mailto:rjbu...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 2:18 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment



Shelley: 
Please do not miss-understand what I am going to write you but I still find 
extremely difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that somebody without 
practical knowledge of histology can become a manager of a histology 
laboratory. 
You will have a very hard time going about your tasks and you will probably 
make some judgment mistakes.
I have proposed many times that medical technologists are the answer to the 
shortage of histotechs, but because I think MT can be trained and add to their 
theoretical knowledge of the lab the skills to become good histotecha.
Your question is an example of the difficulties you are encountering because 
one of the responsibilities of the histology manager is to develop and write 
the competencies for each task based on his/her experience. 
Since you do not have such experience your only solution will be to rely on 
others and if your select the wrong one, you will end with soft competencies 
that will adversely affect the overall work flow of the lab.
Excuse for this rant. Now, if you want, I can send you the embedding 
competencies I developed for my lab.
René J.

--- On Wed, 8/24/11, D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org wrote:



From: D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 1:55 PM


Hi all,
I'm looking on ways to assess competency on embedding skills.  I am a medical 
technologist managing histotechnologists, so I don't actually know how to embed 
anything.  Luckily, I have been able to promote a registered histotech to a 
front-line supervisor position in the lab and improving our techs' embedding 
skills, particularly on skins, is a process improvement project for the coming 
year.

I would love some tips on how you assess competency on this important skill.  
Is direct observation the only way, or do you use other techniques in 
conjunction with direct observation?  Any good resources out there that has 
lots of photos of actual specimens?  Any ideas for measuring improvement?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Shelley D'Attilio MT(ASCP)
Manager, Chemistry, Cytology and Histology
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Stormont-Vail HealthCare
Topeka, Kansas




NEED A DOCTOR?  Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor 
accepting new patients.  Call (785) 354-5225.

**

The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards are 
for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain 
proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information.  Any 
unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these 
communications is strictly prohibited.  If this e-mail has been transmitted to 
you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender 
immediately at the above listed address.  Thank you for your cooperation.

RE: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

[Bea DeBrosse-Serra]

I have to agree with René. I have worked under registered histologists and 
MT's. And under certain circumstances it is EXTREMELY hard to make a 
non-histologist to understand what our needs are. But at least it appears to 
me, that you want to learn and are open to understand the histology way. So 
kudos for that.

Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC
Isis Pharmaceuticals
Antisense Drug Discovery
1896 Rutherford Road
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-603-2371



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 12:18 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; ShelleyD'Attilio
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment

Shelley: 
Please do not miss-understand what I am going to write you but I still find 
extremely difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that somebody without 
practical knowledge of histology can become a manager of a histology 
laboratory. 
You will have a very hard time going about your tasks and you will probably 
make some judgment mistakes.
I have proposed many times that medical technologists are the answer to the 
shortage of histotechs, but because I think MT can be trained and add to their 
theoretical knowledge of the lab the skills to become good histotecha.
Your question is an example of the difficulties you are encountering because 
one of the responsibilities of the histology manager is to develop and write 
the competencies for each task based on his/her experience. 
Since you do not have such experience your only solution will be to rely on 
others and if your select the wrong one, you will end with soft competencies 
that will adversely affect the overall work flow of the lab.
Excuse for this rant. Now, if you want, I can send you the embedding 
competencies I developed for my lab.
René J.

--- On Wed, 8/24/11, D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org wrote:


From: D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 1:55 PM


Hi all,
I'm looking on ways to assess competency on embedding skills.  I am a medical 
technologist managing histotechnologists, so I don't actually know how to embed 
anything.  Luckily, I have been able to promote a registered histotech to a 
front-line supervisor position in the lab and improving our techs' embedding 
skills, particularly on skins, is a process improvement project for the coming 
year.

I would love some tips on how you assess competency on this important skill.  
Is direct observation the only way, or do you use other techniques in 
conjunction with direct observation?  Any good resources out there that has 
lots of photos of actual specimens?  Any ideas for measuring improvement?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Shelley D'Attilio MT(ASCP)
Manager, Chemistry, Cytology and Histology
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Stormont-Vail HealthCare
Topeka, Kansas




NEED A DOCTOR?  Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor 
accepting new patients.  Call (785) 354-5225.

**

The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards are 
for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain 
proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information.  Any 
unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these 
communications is strictly prohibited.  If this e-mail has been transmitted to 
you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender 
immediately at the above listed address.  Thank you for your cooperation.

**
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Media

[histot...@imagesbyhopper.com]

We use the infiltration  embedding paraffin from Surgipath/Leica and are very 
happy with it.

Michelle

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 8, 2011, at 12:44 PM, Paula Lucas plu...@biopath.org wrote:

 Hello,
 
 
 
 We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is
 because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue
 sections.  Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular.
 
 
 
 I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer.  Looking on
 line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that
 comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also
 hoping to get any feedback on that product.
 
 
 
 I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts.
 
 Thanks in advance,
 
 Paula
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin block

[sgoebel]

   How many are we talking about?  I embed 6 sections of mouse = bowel on
   end and it works?  Just fill the mold, put it on the cold spo= t for a
   second, then on some room temperature area, the paraffin will harde= n
   slowly enough that you should be able to embed them?

   Sarah Goebel, B.A., = HT (ASCP)

   Histotechnician

   = /div
   XBiotech USA Inc.
   8201 East Riverside Dr. Bldg 4 Suite 100
  Austin, T= exas  78744
   (512)386-5107
   = br

    Original Message 
   Subject: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin
   block
   From: [1]kgrob...@rci.rutgers.ed= u
   Date: Fri, July 16, 2010 8:23 am
   To: histonet [2]h= isto...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
   Is  there  a way to do this without one or more pieces falling over? I
   saw  in the archive the method for frozen sections-embed them on their
   sides in= br OCT, then cut on the end, but I don't think I'd be able
   to do that in
   paraffin. Would one of the tissue microarray methods work? (I've never
   done that before, so I have no idea.)
   Thanks in advance for all your help,
   Kathleen
   Principal Lab Technician
   Neurotoxicology Labs
   Molecular Pathology Facility Core
   Dept of Pharmacology  Toxicology
   Rutgers, the State University of NJ
   41 B Gordon Road
   Piscataway, NJ 08854
   (732) 445-6914
   ___
   Histonet mailing list
   [3]histo...@lists.utsou= thwestern.edu
   [4]http:= //lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


References

   1. 3Dmailto://kgrob...@rci.rutgers.edu/
   2. 3Dmailto://histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu/
   3. 3Dmailto://Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu/
   4. 3Dhttp://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet;
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin block

[Mike Pence]

I have techs that embed 10-15 pieces on end in one block. Just cool the
block slowly and move your pieces around quickly.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
kgrob...@rci.rutgers.edu
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 10:24 AM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin
block


Is there a way to do this without one or more pieces falling over?  I
saw in the archive the method for frozen sections-embed them on their
sides in OCT, then cut on the end, but I don't think I'd be able to do
that in paraffin.  Would one of the tissue microarray methods work?
(I've never done that before, so I have no idea.)

Thanks in advance for all your help,
Kathleen


Principal Lab Technician
Neurotoxicology Labs
Molecular Pathology Facility Core
Dept of Pharmacology  Toxicology
Rutgers, the State University of NJ
41 B Gordon Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 445-6914

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin block

[Drew Meyer]

We regularly embed 6-12 pieces on end in one block without any special
method.  You just have to be quick... and don't leave the block on the cold
plate very long... just touch the cold plate briefly while embedding the
individual piece, then lift the block off the plate until you grab the next
piece... repeat quickly and you'll run out of room in the mold before you'll
have to worry about it hardening too much.

Drew

On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 11:23, kgrob...@rci.rutgers.edu wrote:

 Is there a way to do this without one or more pieces falling over?  I saw
 in the archive the method for frozen sections-embed them on their sides in
 OCT, then cut on the end, but I don't think I'd be able to do that in
 paraffin.  Would one of the tissue microarray methods work?  (I've never
 done that before, so I have no idea.)

 Thanks in advance for all your help,
 Kathleen


 Principal Lab Technician
 Neurotoxicology Labs
 Molecular Pathology Facility Core
 Dept of Pharmacology  Toxicology
 Rutgers, the State University of NJ
 41 B Gordon Road
 Piscataway, NJ 08854
 (732) 445-6914

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin block

[kgrobert]

To all,

OK, looks like most of you are saying the same thing-work fast!  :o)  I've
printed out all of your replies and discussed them with the graduate
student who needs this done for her thesis, and she agrees with me-it's
just going to take practice.  I'll try the cool slowly/work fast
suggestions first and see how that goes, then see about the trick with the
cucumber (which sounds really cool!), slowly edging the mold onto the cold
plate as I go, and using sponges to help flip the samples on end (and not
necessarily in that order).  I don't want to try too many things at once,
lest I drive myself nuts.

The first batch of samples should be coming sometime next week.  Wish me
luck, and thanks for all your help!

Kathy



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin block

[R J VAZQUEZ]

Hello,

The way I used to embed GI specimens is to place them on end on a stack of 
specimen bags that have solidified, since they are already in place, then you 
can pick them up quickly. I did this with sectioned arterial artieries or vas 
deferens this worked like a dream.

 

Robyn Vazquez
 
 Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:00:01 -0500
 From: mpe...@grhs.net
 To: kgrob...@rci.rutgers.edu; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: RE: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin 
 block
 CC: 
 
 I have techs that embed 10-15 pieces on end in one block. Just cool the
 block slowly and move your pieces around quickly.
 
 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
 kgrob...@rci.rutgers.edu
 Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 10:24 AM
 To: histonet
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding multiple GI pieces on end in a paraffin
 block
 
 
 Is there a way to do this without one or more pieces falling over? I
 saw in the archive the method for frozen sections-embed them on their
 sides in OCT, then cut on the end, but I don't think I'd be able to do
 that in paraffin. Would one of the tissue microarray methods work?
 (I've never done that before, so I have no idea.)
 
 Thanks in advance for all your help,
 Kathleen
 
 
 Principal Lab Technician
 Neurotoxicology Labs
 Molecular Pathology Facility Core
 Dept of Pharmacology  Toxicology
 Rutgers, the State University of NJ
 41 B Gordon Road
 Piscataway, NJ 08854
 (732) 445-6914
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
 
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Beads

[WILLIAM DESALVO]

I suggest trying a less expensive and easy to use identifier, party confetti. 
You can purchase on the internet and buy individual packages in specific shapes 
and colors. We have over 50 individuals w/ an assined shape/color and it works 
great.

 

www.shindigz.com

www.chicoparty.com

www.confetti.com

William DeSalvo, B.S., HTL(ASCP)




 
 From: september.amspac...@bassett.org
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 15:24:08 -0400
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Beads
 
 Hello out there in Histoland- I am looking for embedding beads, if you happen 
 to know a place to buys them please let me know. Thanks. TGIF
 September Amspacher HT(ASCP)
 Technical Specialist - Histology Department
 Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer
 Bassett Medical Center
 Cooperstown, New York
 
 
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
_
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding method for DRGs

[John Kiernan]

Dear Carol Barone,
 
You are asking the wrong group (Histonet), and almost anonymously. 
 
Your email address indicates that you work for a BIG company. Your employer 
should send you on a course to learn how to do microdissection of fetal and 
neonatal mice. You may get some free advice from listservers, but how will you 
know if it's any good? The skills you ask about need expert hands-on teaching, 
such as a few months in a lab that does that kind of work.
 
John A. Kiernan MB, ChB, PhD, DSc
Professor, Dept of Anatomy  Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
LONDON,  Canada  N6A 5C1
  Phone: (519) 679-2111 x 86822
  FAX: (519) 661-3936
  http://biostain.com
  http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
  http://instruct.uwo.ca/anatomy/530/
= = =  
 - Original Message -
From: Barone, Carol  cbar...@nemours.org
Date: Friday, March 26, 2010 14:38
Subject: [Histonet] embedding method for DRGs
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

 Histonetters- Back to these DRGs again: 
  
 We are looking for a better way to embedd DRGs from neo-natal 
 mice, for
 cryotomy.. We normally...using a dissecting scope, remove the 
 DRG from
 the eppendorph tube with a small spatula from ...touch the drg 
 to some
 OCT (colored) and then touch the OCT to the bottom of a disposable
 embedding mold (peel-away)...the DRG releases and we fill the 
 mold and
 move on. 
  
 But many times we need to encourage these neo-natal DRGs off the
 spatula, with another spatula to get the DRG to release into the OCT.
 Though this technique works...it is a very time consuming method 
 - and
 we occassionally do lose one or two of these things, because 
 they are so
 very very small.  We are using marker dye to help us locate 
 after they
 are on the spatula and getting them from the tube to the spautla 
 AOK, it
 is getting them from spatula to OCT that is the killer. 
  
 We are currently drawling off the dye with the point of a 
 Kimwipe and
 touching the DRG to a frozen dot of OCT, using the cold to 
 capture and
 hold the DRG on the dot, before finishing the embedding process. 
 This is working slightly more efficiently, but
  
 Does anyone have a better technique to share? I am losing tech's 
 to DRG
 blindness!...It's like trying to embedd a speck of dust...and 
 everyonehates to do them. This is the only technique I have ever 
 usedbutalways on full term mice..No problem. It works great; 
 but on the
 neo-natal micewell you all get the picture. Too teeny
 tiny.frustrating, and takes a two man team to do! Ever so time
 consuming to do!
  
 PS: histo-gel doesn't not work, either.
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Forceps

[Harlem Kaputnik]

 Use the appropriate tool for the job needed... you don't want to damage the 
tissue.  For the pointy/sharp forceps, just use more of a delicate touch (this 
comes with practice)... they have the blunt tipped forceps that work great for 
skin.   
 Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:27:41 -0800
 From: arvidsonkris...@yahoo.com
 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Forceps
 
 Anyone use special forceps for embedding?  I have some recent concerns that 
 some of the forceps out there may be to pointy/sharp for delicate tissue (ie. 
 skin).  Any insight??
 
 
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  
_
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469230/direct/01/___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures

[Jo Dee Fish]

 
Hi Nick,
If you can, grow the cells on thermanox cover slips (NUNC).  Then process
them as normal for embedding in Eponate 12.  I use acetonitrile in place of
the propylene oxide to avoid damaging the coverslip.  When doing the final
embedding and polymerization, invert the coverslip over a drop of resin on a
square of ACLAR sheeting.  This forms a sandwich of your cell layer.
After polymerization you separte the resin layer from the ACLAR and the
coverslip (very easy!  No sawing!) and re-embed one or more layers on
their side in a resin block.  Now, section away.  You will get beautiful
sections of your cells at a nice 90 degree angle.  The best part of doing it
this way is that you can put the embedded cell layer in the light microscope
and select any area of interest before re-embedding and sectioning.
Good luck!
Jo Dee

~~Jo Dee Fish~~
Senior Research Technologist
The J. David Gladstone Institutes
Co-manager Histology and Microscopy Core
 
Telephone: (415) 734-2567
Fax: (415) 355-0824
E-mail: jf...@gladstone.ucsf.edu
 
Mailing address:
The J. David Gladstone Institutes
1650 Owens Street
San Francisco, CA  94158

Nicholas David Evans wrote:
 Dear all,

 I was hoping someone might be able to offer me some advice on embedding
and sectioning cell cultures.

 In short we are growing cells which form 3D dome-like structures on tissue
culture plastic. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer on
embedding the cultures in situ before sectioning? I have seen various
methods in the literature, which often use Epon to embed the material
followed by sawing away the plastic, but if anyone can offer some tips on
other possible (easier) ways of doing it, or can refer me to some useful
literature, I'd be very grateful.

 I would like to have simple 10um sections at 90 degrees to the substrate,
which I can use for IHC.

 Best wishes
 Nick

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures

[Geoff McAuliffe]

Hi Nick:

You can use the Epon substitutes such as EmBed 812. Fix, osmicate, 
dehydrate as usual, but omit the proplylene oxide as it will react with 
the plastic dish. Epon substitutes will mix with ethanol. I used 2:1 
then 1:1 then 1:2 ratios of absolute ethanol to Epon with catalyst 
added with agitation. Then several changes of pure Epon and polymerize. 
Yes, you will have to saw away the plastic, if you try to section the 
Epon-plastic combo the two will separate.

How much easier do you want it to be?

Geoff

Nicholas David Evans wrote:

Dear all,

I was hoping someone might be able to offer me some advice on embedding and 
sectioning cell cultures.

In short we are growing cells which form 3D dome-like structures on tissue 
culture plastic. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer on 
embedding the cultures in situ before sectioning? I have seen various methods 
in the literature, which often use Epon to embed the material followed by 
sawing away the plastic, but if anyone can offer some tips on other possible 
(easier) ways of doing it, or can refer me to some useful literature, I'd be 
very grateful.

I would like to have simple 10um sections at 90 degrees to the substrate, which 
I can use for IHC.

Best wishes
Nick

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


  



--
--
**
Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D.
Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
voice: (732)-235-4583 
mcaul...@umdnj.edu

**



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures

[Sherwood, Margaret]

Nick,

I am assuming that your 3D cells only grow on plastic.  They make plastic cover
slips which, if your cells attach to them and grow, might make the embedding
much easier.  You would follow the same method as stated, but then you could
invert the coverslips on a beem capsule and separate the coverslip from capsule
with liquid nitrogen.  However, I have never done it with plastic coverslips
(only glass), so not sure if they would easily separate from capsule with liquid
nitrogen. If anyone else has done so, please weigh in. 

Peggy   

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Geoff McAuliffe
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 3:20 PM
To: Nicholas David Evans
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures

Hi Nick:

You can use the Epon substitutes such as EmBed 812. Fix, osmicate, 
dehydrate as usual, but omit the proplylene oxide as it will react with 
the plastic dish. Epon substitutes will mix with ethanol. I used 2:1 
then 1:1 then 1:2 ratios of absolute ethanol to Epon with catalyst 
added with agitation. Then several changes of pure Epon and polymerize. 
Yes, you will have to saw away the plastic, if you try to section the 
Epon-plastic combo the two will separate.
How much easier do you want it to be?

Geoff

Nicholas David Evans wrote:
 Dear all,

 I was hoping someone might be able to offer me some advice on embedding and
sectioning cell cultures.

 In short we are growing cells which form 3D dome-like structures on tissue
culture plastic. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer on embedding
the cultures in situ before sectioning? I have seen various methods in the
literature, which often use Epon to embed the material followed by sawing away
the plastic, but if anyone can offer some tips on other possible (easier) ways
of doing it, or can refer me to some useful literature, I'd be very grateful.

 I would like to have simple 10um sections at 90 degrees to the substrate,
which I can use for IHC.

 Best wishes
 Nick

 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


   


-- 
--
**
Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D.
Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
voice: (732)-235-4583 
mcaul...@umdnj.edu
**



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures

[Peggy Bisher]

I have done just what you are talking about using Aclar. It is a plastic
embedding film (purchased from EMS). It works great for us.

Margaret E. Bisher
Electron Microscopy  Histology Core Facility Manager
Department of Molecular Biology
Princeton University
Moffett Laboratory, Room 113
Princeton, New Jersey
Office: (609) 258-7026
Fax: (609) 258-8468
mbis...@princeton.edu





On 1/27/10 3:39 PM, Sherwood, Margaret msherw...@partners.org wrote:

 Nick,
 
 I am assuming that your 3D cells only grow on plastic.  They make plastic
 cover
 slips which, if your cells attach to them and grow, might make the embedding
 much easier.  You would follow the same method as stated, but then you could
 invert the coverslips on a beem capsule and separate the coverslip from
 capsule
 with liquid nitrogen.  However, I have never done it with plastic coverslips
 (only glass), so not sure if they would easily separate from capsule with
 liquid
 nitrogen. If anyone else has done so, please weigh in.
 
 Peggy   
 
 -Original Message-
 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Geoff
 McAuliffe
 Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 3:20 PM
 To: Nicholas David Evans
 Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: Re: [HISTONET] embedding cell cultures
 
 Hi Nick:
 
 You can use the Epon substitutes such as EmBed 812. Fix, osmicate,
 dehydrate as usual, but omit the proplylene oxide as it will react with
 the plastic dish. Epon substitutes will mix with ethanol. I used 2:1
 then 1:1 then 1:2 ratios of absolute ethanol to Epon with catalyst
 added with agitation. Then several changes of pure Epon and polymerize.
 Yes, you will have to saw away the plastic, if you try to section the
 Epon-plastic combo the two will separate.
 How much easier do you want it to be?
 
 Geoff
 
 Nicholas David Evans wrote:
 Dear all,
 
 I was hoping someone might be able to offer me some advice on embedding and
 sectioning cell cultures.
 
 In short we are growing cells which form 3D dome-like structures on tissue
 culture plastic. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer on
 embedding
 the cultures in situ before sectioning? I have seen various methods in the
 literature, which often use Epon to embed the material followed by sawing away
 the plastic, but if anyone can offer some tips on other possible (easier) ways
 of doing it, or can refer me to some useful literature, I'd be very grateful.
 
 I would like to have simple 10um sections at 90 degrees to the substrate,
 which I can use for IHC.
 
 Best wishes
 Nick
 
 ___
 Histonet mailing list
 Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
 
   
 


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/CCID/NCZVED)]

It's called a tamper and I know Fisher sells them.search embedding
tamper on the web site. 


Jeanine Bartlett
Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
(404) 639-3590 
jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Yeonju
Shim
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:54 AM
To: histonet; histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Weems, Joyce]

They are called tampers and are available at Sakura - 1551 and 1552.
They are also available through Cardinal, but I'm not sure the item
numbers for Cardinal. 

Joyce 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Yeonju
Shim
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:54 AM
To: histonet; histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Confidentiality Notice:
This email, including any attachments is the 
property of Catholic Health East and is intended 
for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  
It may contain information that is privileged and 
confidential.  Any unauthorized review, use,
disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are 
not the intended recipient, please reply to the 
sender that you have received the message in 
error, then delete this message.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Rene J Buesa]

Some people call it a thumper (I do not like the name at all) and others call 
it a tissue pressing tool or a tissue flattening tool. Always made of 
aluminum with a T shape.
René J.

--- On Tue, 4/14/09, Yeonju Shim shimj...@gmail.com wrote:

From: Yeonju Shim shimj...@gmail.com
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???
To: histonet histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, 
histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 9:54 AM

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Pamela Marcum]

It is also called a tamper.  Pam Marcum 



- Original Message - 
From: Rene J Buesa rjbu...@yahoo.com 
To: histonet histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, 
histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, Yeonju Shim shimj...@gmail.com 
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 10:03:34 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp??? 

Some people call it a thumper (I do not like the name at all) and others call 
it a tissue pressing tool or a tissue flattening tool. Always made of 
aluminum with a T shape. 
René J. 

--- On Tue, 4/14/09, Yeonju Shim shimj...@gmail.com wrote: 

From: Yeonju Shim shimj...@gmail.com 
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp??? 
To: histonet histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, 
histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 9:54 AM 

Hi, 
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the 
bottom of the mold for embedding. 
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp. 
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order? 
Thank you, 
Judy 
___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 




___ 
Histonet mailing list 
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Martin, Gary]

Go to a Pipe shop and look into tobacco tampers. Very useful ... they
have a longer handle and don't seem quite as hot as the square Histo
tamper.
Gary

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Yeonju
Shim
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:54 AM
To: histonet; histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Bill B.]

Ack! You beat me to it ;-) We use pipe nails which come from a local pipe 
store and are very inexpensive. They work well for prostate and other core 
biopsies.

Bill B.

At 7:12 AM -0700 4/14/09, Martin, Gary wrote:
Go to a Pipe shop and look into tobacco tampers. Very useful ... they
have a longer handle and don't seem quite as hot as the square Histo
tamper.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[McCormick, James]

Histonet friends, 
Try using the hex head of a 3/8 inch diameter 1-2 1/2 long bolt. 
This works quite well and costs about 15 cents at the hardware store. 
J.B.McCormick, M.D.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Yeonju Shim
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:54 AM
To: histonet; histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

[Andrea Hooper]

Sakura used to sell items called Tissue Tampers just for this 
purpose in different sizes.





-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
Yeonju Shim

Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:54 AM
To: histonet; histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Stamp???

Hi,
I am trying to order a tool that I can flatten wavy tissues down at the
bottom of the mold for embedding.
It looks like a little metal square (kind of) stamp.
Do anyone know what it's called and where I can order?
Thank you,
Judy


--

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding cell pellets

[anh2006]

Histogel works well for this purpose too.

--Original Message--
From: Thomas Pier
Sender: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
To: louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu
Sent: Apr 2, 2009 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding cell pellets

Fix the cells, spin them down, decant, and resuspend in 1% agarose.  The agar 
plug can be processed and embedded like any other piece of tissue.

Tom Pier

 Hartson, Louise louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu 04/02/09 11:08 AM 

I am looking for a protocol for embedding cell pellets in paraffin.
Thanks,
Louise

Louise Hartson, BA
Senior Technical Associate
University of Rochester
louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] Embedding cell pellets

[Bernice Frederick]

Try histogel from Richard Allan- available from Fisher.Easier than making up
agarose!
Bernice


Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Northwestern University
Pathology Core Facility
ECOGPCO-RL 
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Thomas Pier
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:18 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding cell pellets

Fix the cells, spin them down, decant, and resuspend in 1% agarose.  The
agar plug can be processed and embedded like any other piece of tissue.

Tom Pier

 Hartson, Louise louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu 04/02/09 11:08 AM


I am looking for a protocol for embedding cell pellets in paraffin.
Thanks,
Louise

Louise Hartson, BA
Senior Technical Associate
University of Rochester
louise_hart...@urmc.rochester.edu
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin blocks

[Rene J Buesa]

Under separate cover I am forwarding data on the subject and, yes, there are 
differences between types of specimens and that is defined as the range of 
the averages in my article.
René J.

--- On Thu, 12/4/08, Jean Warren [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

From: Jean Warren [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin blocks
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 1:12 PM

Is there an average number of blocks that a tech should be able to embed in a
defined time period; such as so many blocks per hour? Also, would that number
vary if the tech was embedding biopsies, skin or cones versus large tissue
blocks, such as uterus? I have not seen this information, but I have heard
widely ranging numbers. Thanks

Jean in Cincinnati
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet




___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding

[Jackie M O'Connor]

2-3  hours.





KELLY BOYD [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
11/06/2008 12:25 PM
Please respond to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


To
histonet Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
cc

Subject
[Histonet] embedding






Just trying to get some feedback on how much time (estimated) it should 
take an average histotech with experience to embed 150 shave biopsies. Let 
us just say the majority have multiple pieces to be embeded on edge. Any 
clue?


Kelly D. Boyd, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Lab Manager
Harris Histology Services
2025 Eastgate Dr. Ste. F
Greenville, NC 27858
www.harrishisto.com 
 
Tele (252)-830-6866
Cell  (252)-943-9527
Fax  (252)-830-0032
 
 


 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

Re: [Histonet] embedding

[stephanie . d . rivera]

Hi Kelly,

I would say at least 2.5 - 3 hrs. Estimating embedding approx. 50 
blocks/hr. That is reasonable. That doesn't include scraping and 
organizing the blocks.




Stephanie D. Rivera, B.S., HT(ASCP)
Scientist
Safety Assessment Department
GlaxoSmithKline
709 Swedeland RD
King of Prussia, PA 19406
phone: 610-270-7340
fax: 610-270-7202



KELLY BOYD [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
06-Nov-2008 13:25
Please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED]

 
To
histonet Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
cc

Subject
[Histonet] embedding






Just trying to get some feedback on how much time (estimated) it should 
take an average histotech with experience to embed 150 shave biopsies. Let 
us just say the majority have multiple pieces to be embeded on edge. Any 
clue?


Kelly D. Boyd, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Lab Manager
Harris Histology Services
2025 Eastgate Dr. Ste. F
Greenville, NC 27858
www.harrishisto.com 
 
Tele (252)-830-6866
Cell  (252)-943-9527
Fax  (252)-830-0032
 
 


 
___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

RE: [Histonet] embedding

[Podawiltz, Thomas]

I would say 2 to 4 hours, depending on how they are submitted. Were biopsy bags 
or foam pads used?, size of pcs.


Tom Podawiltz, HT (ASCP)
Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer
LRGHealthcare
603-524-3211 ext: 3220

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of KELLY BOYD [EMAIL 
PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:25 PM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] embedding

Just trying to get some feedback on how much time (estimated) it should take an 
average histotech with experience to embed 150 shave biopsies. Let us just say 
the majority have multiple pieces to be embeded on edge. Any clue?


Kelly D. Boyd, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Lab Manager
Harris Histology Services
2025 Eastgate Dr. Ste. F
Greenville, NC 27858
www.harrishisto.com

Tele (252)-830-6866
Cell  (252)-943-9527
Fax  (252)-830-0032





___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.  
This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and confidential 
information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If you 
are not the intended recipient, you may not print,distribute, or copy this 
message or any attachments.  If you have received this communication in error, 
please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message and any 
attachments from your computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely 
those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare.


___
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet