STUDIES IN HISTOCHEMISTRY: XLIII. THE DESIGN AND USE OF IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION AND FREEZING-DRYING OF FRESH-FROZEN SECTIONS OF TISSUE

The design and use of three pieces of apparatus which facilitate and speed sampling of fresh frozen tissue, sectioning, and subsequent handling of sections for freezing-drying or other procedures were described. These are: A tissue borer that produces cylinders of tissue of an accurately determined diameter with minimum distortion, and provides a mounting support for microtoming that permits even thin samples to be sectioned without the contamination of a supporting medium. An alignment device that is used to set the borer with its tissue in the most suitable position in the head of the microtome. A section holder for freeze-drying and handling cut sections conveniently without damage to them. Tests have shown that the use of this equipment mechanizes the procedure to the point where subjective factors are largely reduced and accurate sectioning with little variability can be achieved with relative ease.