Method for Histological Preparation of Bone Sections Containing Titanium Implants

Abstract
A thin sectioning technique involving hand grinding has been developed to produce 20-40-.mu.m-thick sections of bone-titanium implant sites. Components include: 1) surface staining of sections prior to mounting on slides so bone labels (oxytetracycline-HCl and 2,4-bis(N,N-dicarbomethyl)aminomethylfluorescein (DCAF)) can be seen in sections viewed with transmitted light, 2) a pneumatic sample press for bonding sections to slides with a thin, uniform glue line and without trapped air bubbles, and 3) bonding methyl methyacrylate embedded sections to clear acrylic slides with methyl methacrylate monomer to provide enhanced bond strength and grinding properties compared to those obtainable with glass slides. Sample cracking and distortion is minimized and the tissue-implant interface can be kept intact. The expense of start-up equipment for this technique is minimal.