HISTOLOGY



Cutting and thinning system for hard tissue and implant - prosthesis

The REMET system is characterized by an extreme simplicity of application and allows to obtain in a short time histological sections of hard tissues, metals and ceramics with a thickness of up to 10 microns without causing artefacts in the cutting and thinning phase.

Cutting system for hard tissue and implant - prosthesis

The MICROMET is a highly precise microsectioning machine that cuts by abrasion, allowing planar sections of hard tissues, metals and ceramics embedded in resin up to a thickness of 50 mm to be obtained, which would not otherwise be possible with traditional methods.

The use of corundum abrasive wheels and diamond wheels has the advantage of ensuring perfect control of the cutting direction thanks to the rigidity and resistance of the wheels themselves.

The reduced thickness of the cutting discs results in minimal tissue loss, making the MICROMET microsectioner particularly suitable for the preparation of small-sized samples. Furthermore, the control and display system for the descent speed of the sample-holder arm allows rapid adaptation to variations in the hardness of the sample to be sectioned.

Standard sample holder clamps

MICROMET offers a wide range of standard clamps to solve the most varied cases of fixing samples to be sectioned.

However, it is possible to create special equipment to meet specific needs.

The MICROMET, made of a steel structure with an anti-corrosive chemical nickel coating, is equipped with sophisticated cutting precision control technologies that allow for the automatic and perfectly reproducible sectioning of samples:

  • the grinding wheel speed is continuously adjustable from 0-3000 rpm and is displayed on the display;
  • the cutting thickness is programmable via a micrometric movement of the sample-holding arm;
  • the advancement of the sample is controlled by a highly sensitive electro-hydraulic system with display of the shear stress.

The MICROMET is also built in full compliance with safety standards according to EEC regulations (24V controls, micro switch to stop all functions when the lid is opened, emergency stop button).

Technical data

Max grinding wheel diameter (mm) Abrasive or diamond: 200
Max cuttable diameter (mm) 60
Engine power (HP) 0.25
Rotation speed (rpm) 0÷3000
Pump flow rate (l/min) 8
Tray capacity (litres) 5.5
Diet 220V Single Phase
Other power supplies on request
Weight (Kg) 45
Dimensions (mm) L:
P:
H:		 500
600
420



SYSTEM FOR THINNING

The thinning of the sample is obtained by means of the "LS2" lapping machine using abrasive discs with different grain sizes, followed by final polishing on cloths with alumina or diamond paste which determines the complete disappearance of lines, grooves and processing residues, creating a mirror-like surface.

The sample glued onto the histological slide is supported by a vacuum from a micrometric drum which, thanks to a counter-rotation movement on the working disk of the lapping machine, allows for the obtaining of flat and parallel sections of very low thickness (10-15 microns).

The thin section is then ready to be subjected to histological or histochemical staining, obtaining, when observed under the microscope, images free of artifacts.

The thinning system allows the creation of perfectly flat and parallel thin sections, protecting the sample and allowing the removal thickness to be dosed delicately and precisely. The system is composed of:

  • "LS2" variable speed cleaner (0-150 rpm);
  • drum with micrometric adjustment and histological slide gripping by vacuum;
  • vacuum bell for impregnation;
  • vacuum pump;
  • Diabase thousandth plane with comparator for checking the thickness of the sample.

The "LS2" cleaner also allows for manual processing, unassisted by the micrometric drum, when it is necessary to modify the morphology of the inclusion or to eliminate any excess resin.

SAMPLE PREPARATION TECHNIQUE

The sample preparation technique, according to the REMET method, is characterized by its particular simplicity and manageability. The main work phases are represented by cutting and subsequent thinning by abrasion. It is possible to proceed according to two methods: the rapid technique and the traditional classical technique.

QUICK TECHNIQUE

It is suitable for small samples included in special moulds. After an initial manual abrasion, to eliminate excess resin and expose the surface, the final specimen is glued onto the slide. The next stage involves cutting with the MICROMET necessary to separate a section of approximately 100-200 microns from the block. This section is then thinned to the desired thickness using the thinning system, equipped with fine-grained sandpaper. At the end of the thinning, polishing is performed with diamond pastes or alumina on special cloths. Colouring is carried out with traditional dyes without any treatment of the resin.

TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE

It is suitable for larger samples, included in unconventional moulds. The first phase of preparation consists in gluing the sample onto a first slide. The block, thus prepared, will be rectified using the LS2, mounting the sample onto the drum. Once the perfect plane-parallelism of the opposite surfaces has been achieved, the gluing onto the final slide can be performed. The subsequent phases are common to both techniques:

  • cutting with MICROMET in thicknesses of 100-200 microns;
  • abrasion to the desired thickness;
  • polishing;
  • coloring.

CONSUMABLES

REMET offers a complete range of products to be used for sample preparation:

  • inclusion resins;
  • Al2O3 and SiC abrasive wheels;
  • diamond wheels;
  • cutting oil for miter saws;
  • adhesive and non-adhesive sandpaper;
  • polishing cloths;
  • diamond sprays, pastes and suspensions for polishing;
  • alumina in suspension;
  • lapping lubricant.