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Dry Dyes

Fertility

Histology

Introduction

VWR International has been involved at the forefront of chromatographic development since the introduction of Aluminum Oxide.

For more information on our chromatography products and applications please visit our specialist Advanced .

Dry Dyes

VWR International- the Synonym for Staining

Since the beginning of this century Merck has been a well known vendor of microscopic dyes. Scientists using dyes and stains in microscopy acknowledged the excellent quality of these products. However, Merck had to face the highly complicated technical problem of guaranteeing the reproducibility and good staining performance of dye samples which had to be available at a reasonable price. Merck – as an experienced supplier of dyes – had to overcome the remarkable problems of selling batches in standardised quality. The need for standardised dyes and stains was even more demanding when staining was performed for diagnostic work.

Merck has therefore always paid great attention to quality control procedures for its products. Any dye submitted to a detailed quality control protocol, which includes spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography and staining test, is sold only when it has proven satisfactory in these tests.

More than a decade before Merck started to intensify its efforts in quality control – the idea of Certistain® was born. The objective of Certistain® is to improve the quality of commercial biological dyes and biological staining in practice. The present Certistain® programme includes the most important 39 dyes which are currently widely used in routine microscopy.

If you would like more information about Certistain®, available from VWR International, please email sales@advtechind.com  

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Fertility

The Advanced Fifth Generation SQA - Sperm Quality Analyzer SQA IIC-P

The SQA IIC-P is a reliable and convenient stand alone tool for grading, classifying and screening semen samples as well as obtaining a full hard copy semen analysis report.

This compact, portable and rugged machine is extremely easy to use, has interactive screen instructions and displays fully automatic numerical readouts of separate, integrated and totalized semen parameters. All results are calculated and displayed in just 45 seconds and a built in printer provides a full hard copy semen analysis report.

Safe and convenient the SQA IIC-P uses disposable capillaries for natural non diluted specimens. An extra sensitive option can be used to test extremely poor specimens and efficacy validation of male contraception (vasectomy, etc).

Low cost, ease of use, safety and speed of results, make the device ideal for "on the spot" and "point of care" evaluations within the physicians practice. A typical application would be in small and medium sized clinics, labs and physicians offices as well as in countries where lab infrastructure is poor and many patients are denied access to testing facilities.

Extensively validated, licensed and approved the SQA IIC-P is self testing and self calibrating.

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Histology

BiTran Bags

The BiTran bag system is designed for transporting wet tissue from one place to another, and for the short to long-term storage of tissue. Choose from 6 sizes of bag, manufactured from a special barrier film with a unique double zip lock closure. The barrier film is impermeable to formalin vapour, preventing hazardous vapour polluting the laboratory once the bag is sealed. Air is expelled from the bag by squeezing prior to closure. The double zip lock seal provides a leak proof closure that can be easily opened and closed as many times as required allowing the specimen to be re-examined whenever necessary.

Bags containing specimens are more easily stored in an organised manner than conventional rigid glass or plastic containers and because of their flexibility less formalin is needed to totally immerse the specimen. Filled BiTran bags can be safely stored in boxes for long periods of time. The bag and specimen can be incinerated when no longer required, further reducing exposure to formalin vapour.

Empty bags are lightweight, occupy minimal space, and can be easily labelled before use. Laboratories using the BiTran system benefit from improved management and a reduction in the cost of wet tissue storage.

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BlocFile I

The BlocFile I system offers an economical solution to the problem of tissue block storage. Manufactured from high-density fibreboard for strength, rigidity and durability, each drawer interlocks for stacking and has six channels. Supplied flat packed or ready assembled.


BlocStor

The BlocStor range of tissue block storage products are manufactured from double wall, recycled fibreboard for strength and rigidity. Designed for maximum utilisation of storage space, BlocStor is available in a range of standard sizes or can be custom designed to meet individual laboratory requirements. Every BlocStor is supplied with a pre-printed archive label for clear identification and rapid retrieval. BlocStor boxes are also available flat packed for reduced transit costs and efficient use of space. Tissue blocks are stored vertically, with the exception of BlocStor 5H.


Tissue Preparation with Calci-Clear

Calci-Clear may be used to decalcify any tissue type. This solution of efficient chelating and sequestering agents removes and binds all calcium and other metal ions under treatment. Interference with subsequent staining is reduced while tissue distortion and structure loss is minimized. Calci-Clear Rapid is a high-speed decalcifier which permits the processing of tissue samples in considerably less time than with other decalcifiers. Tissue distortion and structure loss are minimized while excellent staining characteristics are maintained.
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DispoMoulds

DispoMoulds are manufactured in plastic and offer a low cost alternative to stainless steel. Available in a choice of five sizes and two depths they are ideal for unpredictable workloads. The standard pack size has one hundred strips with five moulds per strip.


EcoFile

EcoFile provides an economical alternative for filing report cards or similar documents. The internal dimensions of the box are 235 x 175 x 405cm, which will hold approximately 1800 cards (calculation based on the HMR single part cytology request/recall form). The additional height of the box allows the use of numbered dividers for easier retrieval of archived forms. EcoFile is manufactured in a higher grade of board than other archiving boxes to provide extra strength and allow the drawer to be opened even if other EcoFiles are stacked on top (recommended maximum 3). Available flat packed or ready assembled.

EcoSlide

EcoSlide provides an economical solution for the long term storage of microscope slides. Slides are stored in five rows separated by full height double thickness dividers. The box and integral hinged lid are manufactured from high strength double thickness board for rigidity and durability. EcoSlide is strong enough to enable 2 or 3 boxes to be stacked on top of each other. Contents can be marked on the end of each box. Available flat packed or ready assembled.


Edge-Rite Microtome Blades

Edge-Rite low profile Microtome blades from VWR International are manufactured from surgical grade steel and will fit any low profile blade holder.

The blade is 20% thicker than traditional blades, increasing knife edge stability and allowing for excellent ribboning and extending potential use to the cryostat. Specially coated to increase longevity and optimise section quality, the low profile blade is 5% longer than other blades (80mm) allowing for more sections per blade. All dispensers are translucent and include a used blade receptacle for safe disposal.

Tissue Section Adhesive

A tissue section adhesive is also available for use in the water bath to increase the affinity of the tissue for the slide. Pre-mixed and ready-to-use, the adhesive, which improves adhesion in techniques using heat, will not interfere with staining reactions and does not create background residue.
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E-ZLOAD™ HISTOSETTE®II- Cassettes for Labelling Instruments

This newly patented cassette stacking concept allows you to load the Micro Writer® and Shur/Mark® Cassette Labelling Instruments in one simple operation. Save time and money with these convenient stacks of 50 unique cassettes. No more manual insertion, one cassette at a time. Just load the stack in the magazine, cut and remove the holding tie and you are ready for printing.

These specially designed cassettes belong to the well known Histosette® II design. Moulded from a special high density polymer, these cassettes keep specimens safely submerged in liquid and are totally resistant to the chemical action of histological solvents. The efficient flow-through slots maximize fluid exchange and ensure proper drainage.

Available in 11 non-cytotoxic, non-metallic colours. Anterior printing area is at a 45° angle, offering an unobstructed view of the writing surface and making the cassette perfectly suitable to be used with cassette labelling instruments.

Two types of lids are available. The one-piece disposable plastic cover eliminates the need for reusable steel lids. It can be opened and closed as often as necessary and it always relocks securely without danger of specimen loss. But for those who prefer a reusable metal lid, please refer to the M481 model.

Cassettes are packaged in stacks of 50. Each case contains 2 boxes of 20 stacks. Order cassette bases and covers separately.
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Feather Microtome Blades

Feather Microtome blades are available in a range of options:

S35 - Standard blade for routine cutting with excellent cutting quality from the beginning. Very long blade life also suitable for bigger biopsies. Length 80mm cutting angle 35 degrees.

R35 - Specially hardened cutting edge. Very good for ribbon sectioning. Suitable for routine or hard tissue. Length 80mm cutting angle 35 degrees.

N35 - Longlasting and constant cutting quality. Very good for hard tissue. Long blade life. Length 80mm cutting angle 35 degrees.

C35 - For cryostat cutting only. Material carbon steel. Length 80 mm cutting angle 35 degrees.

S22 - For soft tissues/fabrics. Length 80mm cutting angle 22 degrees.


FiloSlide 10

The FiloSlide 10 System comprises 3 types of clear, plastic wallet:

1. FiloSlide 10 Wallet has 10 microscope slide pockets, 2 document pockets, (200 x 100mm) and 2 index pockets. Each pack of 10 wallets is supplied with 50 colour coded index cards 10 each red, green, blue, yellow and white.

2. Transparency wallet holds up to fifteen 35mm transparencies.

3. Document wallet can be used to store paper up to A4.

All 3 wallets can be filed in the FiloSlide 10 Ring Binder to create a comprehensive teaching/demonstration portfolio. A cost-saving project file is available comprising ring binder, 10 x 10 slide wallets, 2 x transparency wallets and 2 x document wallets.
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NeuroSlide 21

The NeuroSlide 21 slide organizer wallet has a unique design created following discussions with Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham. It enables different sizes of slide to be stored with space for nine 76 x 76 mm slides, six 50 x 76 mm slides and six 26 x 76 mm slides. The 76 x 76 mm pocket can also be used to hold 35 mm transparencies. Supplied with a suspension bar, it can be stored in any conventional suspension filing cabinet. Overall size is 260 x 380 mm.


Histo-Clear II Clearing Agent

Histo-Clear II, like its predecessor Histo-Clear, is a safer histological clearing agent that leads to the production of high-quality tissue slides. It is nontoxic and completely biodegradable, thus reducing disposal costs. Histo-Clear II has a greatly reduced citrus odor compared to other citrus-based histological clearing agents and may be substituted for toluene and xylene without any change in protocol.


Histosol

Histosol is the original high flash point (114°F TCC) histological clearing agent. It is intended to be used as a replacement for xylene where the hazards associated with aromatic hydrocarbon vapors are to be reduced. Production of museum-quality tissue slides can be prepared with Histosol without change in protocol or procedure. Manufactured from petrochemical products it is miscible in all proportions with ethanol, iso-propanol, t-butanol and all paraffin-based tissue embedding media and permanent mounting materials.
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IceBerg

The 'Iceberg' cold station is designed to replace water ice blocks, or chiller sprays frequently used to cool tissue blocks prior to sectioning. The 'Iceberg' comprises a moulded, insulated base and a removable rugged black aluminium cold plate. This cold plate is stored in a freezer compartment or cryostat when not in use, and is placed in the base whenever blocks need to be cooled prior to microtomy. The cold plate can be cooled to minus 20°C, and will chill blocks for periods of up to four hours at room temperature. Additional cold plates are available so that one is always ready for use at times of high workload or high ambient temperature. The large work area enables up to 28 blocks to be cooled at one time, essential in busy laboratories. The base collects condensate, so the bench and floor stay dry.


Black Diamond Macro Knives

'Black Diamond' disposable cut up knives provide a safe and cost effective alternative to re-sharpening autopsy knives. Available in a range of five sizes with a high quality Sheffield stainless steel double honed blade and moulded handle with finger guard for added safety. The pathologist can easily select the optimum size of knife for any purpose. Knives are supplied in packs of ten and are also available as an assorted pack, with two of each size. The box in which the knives are packed may also be used for archiving tissue cassette blocks.


MicroKnife

The MicroKnife is a unique handle specifically designed for use with most commonly used disposable microtome knife blades. Previously unused, or blades which are no longer suitable for sectioning tissue can be fitted into one of two positions using a single push-in peg. Once fixed the blade cannot be removed. The MicroKnife, therefore, extends the useful life of used microtome blades and helps reduce laboratory running costs. Precision moulded from polypropylene the MicroKnife incorporates a textured surface and finger grip to ensure precise cutting.
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Mirsky's Fixative

Mirsky's Fixative is a superior fixing agent for use in immunohistological and immunocytological staining protocols. Mirsky's Fixative does not contain formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Therefore, it has considerably reduced toxicity and virtually no odor. Mirsky's Fixative is supplied as a 10X concentrate, neutral, buffered, and isotonic (308 mOsmol) solution. Additionally, Mirsky's Fixative does not contain toxic or hazardous buffers such as cacodylate or barbital, and can be safely used for a wide variety of tissue samples. With Mirsky's Fixative, hardening or shrinkage of tissue is considerably reduced. Double reactive sites afford excellent crosslinking properties while maintaining sample enzyme activity. Therefore, samples processed in Mirsky's Fixative for light microscopy can subsequently be used in electron microscopy procedures. Special buffer systems may be used in place of the buffer provided.

Premixed

Mirsky's Fixative is also supplied as a premixed, non-formaldehyde ready-to-use fixative. It offers all the benefits of Mirsky's Concentrate in a convenient, no-mixing formula. Shelf Life: 30 days


Neutralin

Neutralin is a convenient, cost effective method for the disposal of hazardous formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and other aldehyde solutions. Neutralin converts hazardous aldehydes into a nonhazardous, noncorrosive, nontoxic polymer and water. The polymer produced is not a hazardous waste (as defined by United States Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 261.24(a)). Neutralin reduces disposal costs and contributes to a safer work environment. Simply pour used aldehyde solutions into the five gallon pail containing Neutralin and agitate. Neutralization occurs overnight without additional steps or decants. Supplied with a Trace Aldehyde Detection Kit, which enables testing of the waste solutions to ensure lack of residual aldehydes. Neutralin is pre-packed and ready to receive five gallons of 4% formaldehyde (10% formalin) solutions. Neutralizes formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and other aldehyde solutions providing convenient, safer disposal.


Panagio™ Ultra Violet Light Pen

The Panagio™ UV light pen is a truly compact instrument for use in many applications.

The UVA Flux is emitted into a beam, diverging at 20 degrees allowing clear illumination of UV markers at surprisingly great distances.

Applications include:

Criminology: Authentication of security printed documents. Currency examination. Forensic applications. Product/property identification.

Laboratory: Bacterial identification. Microscopy. Fluorochemistry and titration processes. DNA markers.

Medical: Diagnosis. Dermatology. Cosmetology.

Industrial: Non- destructive testing. Inspection. Detection.

Other uses: Examination of fine art. Archaeology. Entomology. Philately. Mineralogy.
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