Histology Hacks: Best practices for cassette success! - StatLab

Match the cassette to the tissue for the perfect fit. 
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to cassettes. Standard cassettes come with various pore sizes, from embedding cassettes with larger pores all the way down to microbiopsy and biomesh screen cassettes with the tiniest openings.  For larger tissues like breast or spleen, cassettes with wider holes – or even SupaMega cassettes for extra-large samples – are the way to go for proper infiltration and fixation. Tiny tissue fragments or biopsies are safest in cassettes with smaller pores to keep them secure.  

Click here to get more.

Don’t have any microbiopsy cassettes on hand or want to make sure that tiny sample stays secure? Try using biopsy bags or sponges to keep tissue fragments protected during processing. 

Slice smart for perfect processing.
Think “nickel-thin” when grossing. Keep tissue section no thicker than 3-4 mm. This not only ensures adequate processing but also guarantees the lid will snap shut securely.

Lock it like a pro: Step-by-step lid closing 
Follow these simple steps to ensure all cassettes have a secure fit and minimize the risk of damage:

Front tab orientation  
- Slide the rear tab of the lid into the slot at the back of the cassette base. 
- Gently press the front of the lid to guide to the catch position. 
- Ensure the lid catch lines up perfectly with the slot on the base. 
- Apply light pressure to the front of the lid until it clicks securely into place. 
 
Rear tab orientation
- Slide the front tab of the lid into the slot at the front of the cassette base. 
- Gently press the rear of the lid to guide to the catch position. 
- Ensure the lid catch lines up perfectly with the slot on the base. 
- Apply light pressure to the rear of the lid until it clicks securely into place. 
 
DO NOT apply pressure to the middle of the lid. Doing so may cause the lid catch to pop out of alignment in some cassettes and forcing it back in may lead to the lid catch to fracture.  

Watch this video to see correct closure in action.  

Products are for professional/laboratory use only.

Fa-Tech VEGA – new options

Fa-Tech VEGA laser cassette printer (with 6 hoppers) now comes with the optional Sorter and DUO automated cassette collection device. The Sorter and DUO can be easily integrated to existing VEGA printers .

• The Sorter is positioned at the base of the VEGA and does not require any extra bench space
•  Up to 25 cassettes can be pre-printed and sequentially released in the collector
• For urgent needs, cassettes can be prioritised over the printing queue
• Fa-Tech VEGA Sorter is the perfect solution designed for labs working in batch mode

• The DUO comprises two trays which can be used with one or two trays setup – one tray can be removed and the cassettes will be delivered only in one direction of your choosing
• Up to 18 cassettes can be pre-printed and sequentially released in the trays
• Each tray can be shared between scientists making the DUO the perfect solution to share between two grossing stations
• The Fa-Tech VEGA DUO is designed for labs working both in a batch and on-demand mode

Fa-Tech NOVA – Added hoppers

The NOVA now comes with three additional hoppers, allowing the user to easily swap between different cassette colours.

• Fa-Tech NOVA is a small and easy to use laser cassette printer that will fit into any workbench in your lab
• It provides convenient cassette printing with speed of five seconds per cassette

Click below to read on Trung Nguyen (Scientist in-charge) of the Anatomical Pathology at Cabrini Health share his feedback and his experience in using the NOVA cassette printer

Benefits of Fa-Tech laser cassette printers

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Aps Nesswell.

• Fast on-demand/batch indelible high density 600dpi laser printing
• High productivity (10-12 cassettes per minute including four text fields and datamatrix)
• No ribbons, No ink
• Fast barcode identification (regardless of cassette colour)
• Quiet laser printing
• Wide range of colours available
• One hopper can hold up to 60 cassettes with the optional 80 cassette hopper size
• Connectivity USS/Ethernet/Serial and ability to integrate with LIS

Example of high resolution data matrix laser printing (up to 100 data matrix points)  on VEGA and NOVA cartridges

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For more histology cassette printerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.