Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome

• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - this was invented by Paldwell Trefall in 1881, the simplest among the different types of microtomes.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - this consists of a heavy base and two arms the lower arm resting on pivots and a supporting column, and attached to the micrometer screw, at the base of which is found the ratchet wheel with feed mechanism.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - the upper arm, carrying the block holder on one end by means of a screw, is connected to a lever by a piece of nylon thread.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - when the lever is pulled forward, the pawl is brought in contact with the ratchet wheel to which the millhead micrometer screw is attached.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - the ratchet wheel is turned, rotating the micrometer screw.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - the lower arm is elevated, which in turn raises the upper arm at its fulcrum, thereby carrying the chuck or block holder forward, towards the knife.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - as the pressure on the operating handle or lever is released, the tension on the spring causes the upper arm to return to its normal position; in an arc of a circle.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - a section is thereby cut as the tissue passes to the knife edge in a slightly curved plane, in 10-12 u thickness.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - available in two sizes, has been used to cut small and large blocks of paraffin tissues.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - it is theoretically not recommended for serial sections since tissues are cut in slightly curved planes.
• Rocking (Cambridge) Microtome - it is not currently favored by most laboratories because of the restrictions in the size of the tissue block that can be cut, and the difficulty of reorienting the block.