Instrumedics Frozen Section Process Overview; Freezing Process; Cryojane Process - Leica CryoJane User Manual

Instrumedics Frozen Section Process Overview

Freezing Process

In the conventional freezing method, the tissue is typically frozen at about -30°C. During
this relatively slow freezing process, the ice crystals that form are usually large compared
to cellular dimensions. These crystals can cause considerable displacement and structural
damage to the tissue.
The Gentle Jane device is designed to snap-freeze the tissue in approximately 8 - 10
seconds. The freezing agent can be liquid nitrogen, LN
thermoelectric cooler (Peltier device). The temperature at which the tissue is frozen
should be - 60°C or colder.
NOTE: Gentle Jane Snap-Freezing methods are described in a separate Snap-
Freezing User Manual.

CryoJane Process

The CryoJane process is built around three special methodologies:
1. The capture of an undistorted, thin, snap-frozen section on a special cold adhesive
tape.
2. The lamination of the captured section onto a cold glass microscope slide coated with
an ultraviolet light curable pressure sensitive adhesive.
3. The curing of the adhesive on the slide with an 8 millisecond ultraviolet flash, and the
subsequent removal of the adhesive tape, leaving a still frozen section firmly adhered
to the microscope slide.
The CryoJane system is designed to permit the facile application of these methodologies,
and can be adapted to virtually all model cryostats.
- Conventional Freezing vs. Snap Freezing
chilled isopentane, dry ice or a
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