leikkauskryostaatit

Leikkauskryostaatit, also known as cryostats for sectioning, are specialized pieces of equipment used in histology and pathology laboratories. Their primary function is to freeze biological tissue samples to a very low temperature, typically between -15°C and -30°C, allowing them to be cut into extremely thin slices. This process is essential for preparing samples for microscopic examination.

The core component of a leikkauskryostaatti is a freezing chamber, often cooled by a refrigeration system. Within this chamber, a microtome, a precision instrument for slicing, is housed. The tissue sample is embedded in a freezing medium, such as OCT compound (Optimal Cutting Temperature compound), which solidifies upon freezing, providing support for the delicate tissue. As the microtome blade moves, it precisely cuts the frozen tissue into sections as thin as a few micrometers.

These thin sections are then mounted onto glass slides. The low temperature achieved in the leikkauskryostaatti preserves the morphological integrity of the tissue and its cellular components, preventing damage that might occur during other preparation methods. This technique is particularly valuable for rapid diagnosis, such as during surgery, where frozen sections can be examined almost immediately to determine the nature of a tumor or to check for the presence of disease. It is also used for immunohistochemistry and other specialized staining techniques that require fresh, unfixed tissue.