6 cutting artifact, Cutting artifact – Leica Biosystems PELORIS_PELORIS II User Manual
Page 146

Troubleshooting
Leica PELORIS™ User Manual Rev K © Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd 2011
146
9.2.6 Cutting Artifact
Is the tissue
hard, brittle or
has chatter?
Are there
breaks in the
ribbon or
compression?
Does the
sections have
disruption, holes,
and tears?
Is it hard
to get the tissue
to flatten?
Are there
cracks
In the tissue
sections?
Over-dehydration
Cold plate too cold
Poor microtomy
Inadequate
processing
Incorrect size
mould
Poor microtomy
Block not cold
enough
Insufficient
dehydration
Aggressive
trimming or facing
of block
Poor microtomy
Poor wax
infiltration
Tissue related
Inadequate wax
infiltration
Tissue over-
processed
Rough trimming
Decrease time in dehydrant
Decrease time in xylene
Warm cold plate slightly or wet
face of block just prior to cutting
Check knife tilt and ensure proper
cutting techniques
Over-clearing
Check protocol and adjust times as
needed
Re-embed tissue in bigger mould
Check knife tilt and ensure proper
cutting techniques, replace blade
Allow block to cool longer on cold
plate
Increase step time in dehydration
Trim blocks at a smoother pace
and fine trim prior to cutting
Check knife tilt and ensure proper
cutting techniques
Increase step time in wax
Change or replace solutions in
reagent bottles
Nature of tissue - typically seen in
brain and bowel
Increase step time in wax
Decrease time in dehydrants/
xylenes also check the step
temperatures are appropriate
Trim blocks at a smoother pace
and fine trim prior to cutting
Cause
Suggestion for fix
Is the water bath at correct
temperature?