Techniques

Abstract

To make a loop with which to pick up semithin sections to be transferred to glass microscope slides, carefully bend a 3-cm-long piece of 26-gauge or thinner nichrome wire over an applicator stick. Make the bend about 0.5 cm from the middle of the wire (Fig. 101A). Hold the two ends of the nichrome wire with needle-nose pliers and tum the applicator stick lengthwise to twist the wire ends together (Fig. 101B). This will provide a nichrome wire loop with an inside diameter of approximately 2 mm with a shank of twisted wire culminating in a Single wire about 0.5 cm long. Next, prepare an applicator stick, as follows: heat dissecting needle tip to red hot with a Bunsen burner and very carefully burn a small Channel in the tip of the applicator stick (Fig. 101C). Next, insert the end of the nichrome wire into the burned Channel and secure it by applying a small drop of 5-min epoxy to the assembly (Fig. 101D).