Journal de cytologie et d'histologie

A Novel Cold Boat (Cold Plate) Method to Overcome the Irregular Solidification of Paraffin Wax during the Time of Preparation of Blocks for Microtomy

Abstract

Santhoshkumar R , Santhosh R, Shibu B, Hareesh kumar H and Gayathri SS

Melted paraffin wax is widely used for the preparation block for anatomical sectioning. But very often the process encounters with irregular solidification. So the need for a modified procedure for block preparation in microtomy with an aim to control the irregular solidification of wax in a simple way is discussed here. For this purpose temperature controlling system was found to be successful. The temperature control system was developed based on a simple way, for this purpose a paper boat was prepared and a layer of paraffin wax was coated to the paper-boat. This help to control the entering of water to the paper-boat. Then the boat fixed in the tray with cold water. After this, the molted wax poured to the boat and it help to form the basal layer of the wax, following this, the material fixed in the basal layer and again added molted wax to the sample to create the upper layer. The cooling system helped to the solidification starts from the basal portion to the upper level at a controlled state.