The concept of adjustable immobilization to aid grossing and facilitate uniform biopsy slices

Abstract

Grossing, or ‘gross examination’, is the inspection and dissection of surgical specimens into slices, which are subsequently processed and sectioned for eventual microscopic analysis. The goal of grossing is to produce a uniform tissue slice to allow adequate tissue processing and sectioning. Accelerated microwave technology has made uniformity a necessity for quality tissue processing. However, the basic principle of slicing biopsies is that the thickness of the slice is sacrificed for the sake of providing the most representative sample, while maintaining the uniformity of serial slices. A Biopsy Uniform Section (BUS) device is proposed as a technical solution, allowing uniform slices and adjustable immobilization. The core of the design is based on three features: a specific horizontal sidebar for a target slice thickness (e.g. 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm), a vertical sideboard to immobilize the specimen, and a V-notched slot for the cutting blade. The thickness of the gross slice is adjusted, so that the visualized area of diagnostic interest is fully presented, while the specimen remains immobilized in the slot and against the vertical sideboard.