Compact telescoping tissue processing, embedding microtome holder and storage receptacle

A composite histologic tissue structure useful for transporting a tissue specimen through processing fluids during processing, providing a mold for embedding the specimen, holding the embedded specimen during microtome cutting and covering the remaining embedded specimen following cutting, comprising:

• a. a rectangular open rigid mold and microtome block holding member formed by interconnecting smooth surfaced rectangular end and sidewalls with the interior wall surfaces thereof being formed with means for securement of a molded block thereon and the exterior wall surfaces thereof being formed to provide an indicia marking area to identify the specimen;
• b. a rectangular pan receptacle and storage cover member formed by a thin rectangular bottom wall and interconnecting rectangular end and sidewalls, said pan and mold members being dimensioned such that said pan member walls may rest within said mold member walls during processing through processing fluids, the wall edges on one open end of said mold member having means for being detachably secured to the top wall edges of said pan member during the molding of said block;
• and
• c. a top receptacle member formed by a central rectangular perforated wall and interconnecting rectangular sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the edges thereof, said top member sidewalls having means for detachably securing said mold member to said top member with said central wall covering said pan member while said pan member is resting within said mold member whereby said top member may combine with said mold and pan members to form a perforate receptacle having the depth of said pan section for purposes of processing through said liquids;
• said mold and pan members in combination with said top member providing a receptacle for transporting the tissue specimen through the processing fluids, said mold member in combination with said pan member providing an embedding unit for molding and housing a paraffin body of depth greater than that of said receptacle used in processing, said mold member providing an exterior surface for clamping said mold member and the specimen embedded therein between the opposing jaws of a microtome clamp for presenting the embedded specimen to a microtome blade for cutting, and said mold member in combination with said pan member providing a housing for protecting the remaining specimen following cutting.