Microtome

 MICROTOME

A microtome is a specialized precision-cutting instrument that accurately and repeatedly slices sections from a block of embedded tissue. 

parts of the microtome  

base - the bottom part of the microtome that provides stability and support.

sample holder- a platform or clamp that holds the material being sliced in place.

cutting mechanism - a system that moves a blade or knife across the material being sliced to create thin sections.

types of the microtome

1. Rotary microtome - It is a manually operated cutting device for all types of work with paraffin and hard cutting.

2. Ultramicrotomy - It is an instrument used to cut biological specimens into transparent thin sections for the TEM analysis.

3. sledge microtome - it is a device where the sample is placed into a fixed holder, which then moves backward and forwards across a knife.

4. Cryostat- It is a device used to maintain low cryogenic temperatures of samples or devices mounted within the cryostat.

5. Rocking microtome- It is an extremely reliable instrument comprising of three moving parts.

6. Base sledge microtome - the specimen is held stationary and the knife slides across the top of the specimen during sectioning.

8. Freezing microtome- It is designed to freeze a specimen so that it can be hard enough to be accurately sliced by the microtome without destroying it.