Knowledge Base
What to Look for When Buying a Manual Microtome
Learn what to look for when buying a manual microtome, including precision, durability, safety features, and ease of use. Discover how the Rankin Manual Microtome helps histology labs achieve reliable, high-quality sectioning with dependable everyday performance.
The Anatomy of a Microtome Blade and the Physics of Sectioning
Learn how blade geometry, bevel design, and clearance angle affect section quality in microtomy. This guide explains why compression, chatter, ribboning issues, and thick-thin sections occur, and how understanding cutting geometry can help histotechnologists troubleshoot more effectively.
Peltier Cooling Systems in Embedding Centers and Cryostats: How They Work and Why They Fail
Using a Cryostat with a Battery Backup or Power Conditioner: Why It’s a Bad Idea
Using a battery backup or UPS with a cryostat can damage compressors and electronics. Learn why inductive loads like cryostats should not be connected to battery backup systems, even pure sine wave units.
What Persistent Chemical Odors in Your Histology Lab Really Mean
This blog explains why these odors occur, the effects of common histology vapors, the recommended exposure limits, and what you can do to eliminate the smell and create a safer lab environment.
I Hit My Blade Holder with My Cassette Clamp. Can I Fix It?
Accidents happen, even to the most experienced histotechs. You go to trim or reposition your block, and suddenly the cassette clamp makes contact with the blade holder.
Troubleshooting VIP 5 Errors? It Might Just Be Your Retort Gasket... And That’s Good News!
Unlike pump failures, valve malfunctions, or electrical issues, a bad gasket is a quick, low-cost fix that most lab professionals can handle in minutes.
You don’t need to wait days for a technician or run the risk lost samples. And best of all, you can get an OEM-compatible replacement gasket right now from a trusted source.
HOW TO: Uncrating Stand-Up Refurbished Equipment
How to uncrate/unpackage refurbished cryostats and tissue processors from Rankin Biomedical.
How the Can-Filter System Dramatically Reduced Formaldehyde Exposure in Pathology Labs
"[The Rankin Can-Filter Fume System] is absolutely better than what is out there right now,” Prince told our team during a recent review. “It’s powerful—and more importantly, it works.
Why Refurbished Histology Equipment Might Be Your Lab’s Smartest Move in 2025
Major brands manufacture much of their equipment in China and rely on key components from overseas. This means lab managers across the U.S. may now be facing longer lead times, higher prices, and fewer options.
LIS-Compatible Printers in the Histology Lab
Most LIS platforms are capable of generating output files—such as text or CSV
files—that contain the data needed for printing cassettes and slides. If your printer
software can monitor a shared folder and automatically process those files, integration
is not only possible, but seamless.
Histology Lab Fume Filtration with the Rankin Can-Filter Fume Filtration System
The Rankin Can-Filter Fume Filtration System is a stand-alone, whole-room carbon filter solution designed to remove hazardous fumes in histology labs, ensuring a cleaner and safer work environment. With no need for ventilation modifications, easy plug-and-play operation, and powerful chemical filtration, it’s the ideal addition to any lab’s safety measures.
