Cutting and Grinding Methods for Hard-Tissue Histology

Abstract

A necessary step in the development of a new biomaterial, and an important step in evaluating the efficacy of an existing biomaterial, is to histologically evaluate the interface between the material and host tissue. Although many sophisticated and expensive techniques have emerged in recent years, conventional light microscopy has proven to be an extremely valuable and cost-effective tool that provides important information about biocompatibility and host response. However, the histologic evaluation of ossified specimens, especially those containing synthetic biomaterials, is a difficult technical challenge. Whether the sample is from a prospective experimental study involving laboratory animals or a human device retrieved at autopsy or after clinical failure, the specimens are often relatively large, and usually contain materials of different hardness, making the preparation of adequate microscope slides difficult. Many methods have been developed to meet this challenge, and some of these are described elsewhere in this volume. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how our laboratory prepares microscope slides of biomaterials, mostly those intended for use in orthopedic applications.