Abstract: The method and device for cutting fresh tissue slices utilizes a vibrating microtome. The vibrating microtome uses a cutting blade that vibrates in a horizontal direction. The microtome has a base, a specimen holder attached to the base, and a diagonal slide carriage and support arm that are supported on the base for movement diagonally with respect to the specimen holder. A vibrating blade support is located on the support arm and moves horizontally with respect to the specimen holder. A cutting blade is mounted on the vibrating blade support and moves in a compound diagonal and vibrating motion with respect to the specimen holder.

Abstract: Fresh tissue slices can be cut from tissue specimens embedded in a low gel point agarose by the use of a vibrating, sliding-blade microtome. The microtome has a blade which vibrates in a generally horizontal direction and which is supported for movement in a generally diagonal, sliding direction with respect to the tissue specimen. The compound vibrating and sliding motion of the cutting blade of the microtome is very effective in cutting fresh tissue slices that have a slice viability, measured as a ratio of live to dead cells, which is much better than that which has been obtained using conventional vibrating microtomes.

Abstract: The sliding blade microtome is a tissue specimen cutting device including a specimen syringe and an adjustable cutting mechanism for diagonally slicing the specimen. The specimen syringe is a cylindrical shaft having a first end and a second end for holding and supporting a specimen. The first end has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the shaft, forming a compressed lip for applying pressure on the specimen prior to slicing by the blade. The pressure used to compress the gelatin and the specimen holds the gelatin and the specimen in a sturdy position to slice the specimen to precision without chatter marks. The specimen is pushed out of the first end of the specimen syringe by a motor mechanism or a manually adjustable micrometer drive.