With this angled tip, the brush meets the tissue flat like a broom because the brush is held at an angle. You can buy and 1/4 inch #2 flat or bright brushes from an art supply store for about $3 and cut them at an angle. I have found Chinese boar bristles to be the stiffest and work the best for me. For this reason I use a brush with stiff bristles and a fairly wide gripping surface. The unless you have perfect temperature, a cold section will by nature trying to curl up and pull away from the brush. The purpose of the brush is to hold on to and maneuver the section across the stage. I consider starting a student on the anti-roll devise like putting a child on crutches before they learn to walk. I believe everyone must first learn to be good with a brush. I am hoping you learn to use the brush as an articulate fine instrument, capable of the delicately maneuvering of a microscopically thin snowflake of tissue while in flight!Why would you want to do this hunched over with you neck hyper extended? This position is fine if you are bending over to look in a hole in fear of an animal jumping out at you! But for cutting a frozen section you want to be relaxed and comfortable so that you will have maximum control in your left hand. If you cut yourself on a blade that has been used for days, it is like sleeping with numerous partners.without the fun! In this day and age of doing FNA's with ridiculously flexible long safety needles and using annoying safety scalpels, we can justify using a sharp blade for safety reasons.and get the benefit of awesome frozens every time! Sitting or standing Safety Tip If you cut yourself on a blade used on only one patient, you will have minimized your risk of transmittable disease. If I'm having trouble getting a good section with a new blade on occasion I have changed to a second new blade and easily prepared a quality section. Some tissues such as tough collagenous tissues or calcified tissues will quickly dull the blade.

I will change it as soon as my section quality begins to fall. In my practice I treat every patient to a new section of blade. Yet some will risk quality by trying to get '20 shaves' out of a disposableblade. We are conserving pennies on what may be the most important decision impacting on the procedure. Hundreds of dollars are spent on disposables including lap pads, gloves, sponges, drapes, cautery, needles, needle magnets, BP cuff, IV tubing, ……. Your patients surgery is costing thousands of dollars. I think some of the places we try to save money in medicine are a bit 'pound foolish'.

Links to this page may be made without permission.I find that I always get my best quality section with a new sharp blade. All material on this page © 1996-2021 Stephen Chrisomalis. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me. I hope you have found this site to be useful. Fear of itching or of insects causing itchingįear of peanut butter sticking to roof of mouthįear of heights or being close to tall buildingsįear of performing fear of certain places

Pathological fear of needles