A simple device to aid tissue processing of large numbers of blocks for light or electron microscopy

A simple device is described that aids the processing of large numbers of tissue blocks for light or electron microscopy. The device has a numbers of compartments into which different tissue blocks can be placed. Each compartment has a fine mesh floor, allowing the free exchange of the reagents used in tissue processing, and a gentle flow of the reagents is promoted by a magnetic stirring bar, or a rotary mixer. All the materials used are resistant to solvents such as propylene oxide. The device is labor-saving in that many blocks can be processed as easily as a single block. The device may also be of value in quantitative microscopy, since it ensures that all tissue blocks examined experience an identical processing history.