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In the previous article How to Improve the Utilization Rate of Disposable Pathological Blades? (I), we discussed optimizing tissue processing steps to improve the utilization rate of pathological blades. This article will focus on slicing techniques and operational details to further enhance blade efficiency.
During slicing, blade wear varies depending on tissue type and slicing speed. Adjust the blade holder angle or specimen head angle (the former is more commonly used) to ensure optimal alignment between the blade and the tissue block.
-A suitable angle protects the blade edge, maintains sharpness longer, and improves slice quality.
-For harder tissues or faster slicing speeds, increase the blade holder angle.
Before slicing, ensure the specimen head, blade holder, and blade are tightly locked. Loose components cause vibrations, leading to:
-Poor slice quality (uneven thickness, skipping sections, discontinuous slices, or deformed sections).
-Accelerated blade wear (even exponentially increased damage).
For most tissue blocks, maintain a vertical alignment between the blade and the block. For special tissues, adjust angles carefully to avoid contact between the blade and non-target areas (e.g., the specimen clamp).
-Collisions with the blade edge (e.g., from the specimen clamp) can cause irreversible damage (e.g., curled or chipped edges, or even blade holder deformation).
Do not let the brush touch the blade edge during slicing. Contact can:
-Sever brush bristles.
-Create notches on the blade edge.
Recommended technique:
-After cutting a few sections, place the brush under the front edge of the first section and gently rotate to anchor the section.
-Continue slicing while keeping the brush away from the blade.
When clearing paraffin debris from the blade holder, brush upward from the bottom of the holder toward the blade edge.
-Avoid downward brushing, as this risks blade contact and damage.
Use different blade edges for trimming and slicing to extend blade life.
–Trimming (thicker cuts) causes more wear than slicing (thin sections). A blade edge worn from trimming may still be usable for slicing.
-Common practice: Designate one edge for trimming and another for slicing to balance quality and efficiency.
Expired blades can still be repurposed for:
-Tissue sampling during grossing.
-Wax block trimming.
Mastering slicing techniques and attention to detail not only ensures high-quality sections but also maximizes the utilization rate of disposable blades.
References
[1] Hu Suxian. *Tips for Using Disposable Pathological Blades*. *Journal of Oncology*, 2002(03):43.
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