Cleaning of scanning electron microscope specimens by puncture perfusion

Area of Science:

• Microscopy
• Histology
• Sample Preparation

Background:

• Traditional methods for preparing specimens for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be challenging for small or delicate samples.
• Effective removal of endogenous fluids like blood and tissue fluid is crucial for high-resolution SEM imaging.
• Vascular cannulation, a common perfusion technique, is often unsuitable for small human biopsy samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a new puncture perfusion method for SEM specimen preparation.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of puncture perfusion in clearing blood and tissue fluid from specimens.
• To highlight the advantages of puncture perfusion for processing small and difficult-to-access samples.

Main Methods:

• A detailed description of the puncture perfusion technique for SEM specimen preparation.
• Application of the method to various small biological samples, including human biopsies.
• Comparative assessment of cleaning efficiency against traditional methods (implied).

Main Results:

• The puncture perfusion method successfully eliminated blood and tissue fluid from SEM specimens.
• The technique proved effective in cleaning small samples, overcoming limitations of vascular cannulation.
• Human biopsy samples, previously difficult to wash, were effectively cleaned using puncture perfusion.

Conclusions:

• Puncture perfusion is a valuable and effective method for preparing SEM specimens.
• This technique offers significant advantages for processing small biological samples, especially human biopsies.
• The method enhances the quality of SEM imaging by ensuring thorough removal of interfering biological fluids.