FAQ Leica SM2010 R

There are five different knife holders and four specimen clamps available. Each one has been developed to suit the different types of specimens and to allow you a great varety of applications - whether for use in the histopathology or research lab or for sample preparation in the industrial quality assurance lab. Please refer to the chart by clicking on the below hyperlink.

Download the chart

1. Advantages in the application of disposable blades over conventional knives:
   - Substantial cost reduction
   - Consistent section reproducibility
   - Consistent section quality
   - Support of all common microtome systems
   - For all paraffin embedded samples
   - For all cryosectioning applications
   - Expensive resharpening no longer required
   - No longer dependent on quality of selected resharpening service
   - No downtime while knives are at the resharpening service
2. Standard re-usable steel knives and disposable blades in comparison with standard microtome blades: In typical histology laboratories, 50-100 blocks on average per day and person will be handled. Depending on the type of specimen and the way of trimming, up to 50 specimens and more can be worked on. Assuming the laboratory is handling all the different types of tissues that are typically processed in a histopathologyl lab, up to 20 blocks can be cut with high quality microtome blades retaining the same sectioning quality.


3. Conventional steel knife 16 cm c-profile: As a rule, no more than 80 to 100 blocks will be cut by a steel knife with consistent section quality. Thereafter, the steel knife has to be sharpened regularly to regain the required knife performance. Due to the design of microtome knife holders, only 70% to 80% of the total knife edge can be utilized for cutting. The remaining 20% to 30% are not accessible because of the clamping principle commonly used.

1. Check the specimen advance (micrometer) setting to be certain that it is set correctly.
2. Activate the coarse specimen advance to confirm that the specimen head is advancing.
3. Select trim setting (e.g. 20µm) and try sectioning.
4. Check that the knife holder is firmly clamped.
5. If all the above fail – call Technical Service.

1. Moisture on the underside of the disc may have caused the disc to freeze to the quick-freeze shelf or specimen head. Apply concentrated alcohol (>70%) around the disc, and carefully remove.
2. If the disc remains stuck, gentle tapping may be used. Do not use excessive force on the disc, especially if it is stuck in the specimen arm.
3. Once the disc is removed ensure that the specimen head and/or quick-freeze shelf is dry and wiped clean.