Abstract: A link assembly for a track comprises a first side plate, and a second side plate coupled with the first side plate such that proximal surfaces of the first and second side plates are disposed in abutment with one another. The link assembly further includes a wear plate assembly that is coupled to a top face of the first side plate and a top face of the second side plate. The wear plate assembly is formed from a material having a wear resistance greater than a wear resistance of the first and second side plates.

Abstract: A microtome includes a suction system that is integral with a knife carrier, which opposes the rolling up of tissue sections upon themselves and ensures evacuation of waste sections immediately after their appearance in the region of the sectioning blade of the knife carrier. The knife carrier has a suction cavity that is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the sectioning blade and is connected to a source of vacuum or reduced pressure. A cover is pivotably mounted on the body of the knife carrier. The cover has a u-shaped cross section, opened downwards, and profiled to cover the suction cavity and partially cover the sectioning blade. The cover defines a narrow free space in a form of a channel extending parallel to the upper face of the body of the knife carrier to guide a flow of suctioning air exerted on the sections. A valve has a closed position and an opened position for regulating the flow of suctioning air through the narrow free space.