Histology Equipment and Supplies

Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of cells and tissues. There are various techniques and methods for preparing tissues for examination by microscope.

For microscopic study, staining is used as an inspection technique to highlight important features of the tissue, but no single inspection technique will display all the cells of a tissue equally. More commonly, sections of a tissue sample are prepared to be examined by several types of microscopes.

Choosing the right histology equipment and supplies is quite important. When analysis is at the forefront of your lab practices, you need the best histology equipment to do cutting-edge research and medical testing. If you are having trouble deciding on the right supplies for your lab, let Avantor assist you. Our professional guidance is here to point you in the right direction.

View Avantor’s selection of histology equipment and histology supplies which can be used to prepare, preserve, and process tissues, and cut and stain sections.

Product Selection

Cover Glasses and Film

Thin sheets of glass or plastic called cover glasses and films are used to cover specimens in microscopic slides. Browse our selection of cover glasses and films that are required for tissue preparation and examination.

Coverslippers

Cover slippers are tiny glass squares used to cover the specimen on a microscope slide. We offer cover slippers that are compatible with a variety of strainers to accommodate any lab setting.

Embedding Tools

Embedding is a good method for preserving tissues or specimens samples during long periods of time. A number of embedding substances, including paraffin and epoxy and acrylic resins, are available for performing embedding techniques.

IgGy - Antibody Selector

IgGy Antibody Selector, an online directory of primary and secondary antibodies, allows you to quickly select the criteria for your antibody. In a matter of seconds and a few clicks, you can identify the products to meet your specific needs.

Histology Laboratory Consumable

Select from a wide variety of essential equipment required for histology. Avantor’s product line from leading manufacturers can help you -- from specimen collection to finished slides that are ready for examination.

Stains

There are many different stains and staining procedures used in histology. Avantor offers a wide selection of hematology stains, histology stains, and microbiology stains manufactured to ensure a high level of quality.

Specimen Collection Tools

Various tools, available from Avantor, are needed for a proper specimen collection in histology—including scissors, forceps and needles. Avantor has economical, disposable choices or reusable types for repeated procedural use.

Tissue Processing Chemicals

VWR offers a variety of reagents specifically designed to help you safely and effectively prepare tissues for histological study...

Thermo Scientific Anatomical Pathologies

A complete line of Thermo Scientific™ anatomical pathology equipment and consumables, from specimen collection to diagnosis.

Embedding Tools

The technique of enclosing tissues or specimens in a mass of embedding media using a mold is known as embedding. During embedding, substances in liquid state are infiltrated through the sample and, after a period of cooling, the embedding substance, and therefore the sample, gets solid without altering the molecular features of tissues.

In addition, embedding is a good method for preserving samples during long periods of time. Several embedding substances are available to get specific section thickness and for performing techniques. For light microscopy studies, paraffin is the most common embedding substance. For electron microscopy, epoxy and acrylic resins are the most used embedding medium. There are other embedding substances, such as celloidin, nitrocellulose, polyethylene glycol and wax polyester.

View our vast range of premium freezer section compounds, dyes and media complemented with the most up-to-date tools, such as Microtome blades, for the process.

Stains

Staining is a technique that can be used to better visualize cells and cell components under a microscope. By using different stains, one can preferentially stain certain cell components, such as a nucleus or a cell wall, or the entire cell.

The most basic reason that cells are stained is to enhance visualization of the cell or certain cellular components under a microscope. Cells may also be stained to highlight metabolic processes or to differentiate between live and dead cells in a sample.

There are many different stains and staining procedures used in histology. Some involve a single stain and just a few steps, while others use multiple stains and a more complicated procedure.

Avantor offers a selection of hematology stains, histology stains, and microbiology stains that are manufactured in accordance with standard specifications to ensure a high level of quality.
 

Specimen Collection tools

Effectively analyzing a material begins with using the right tools to collect a sample, whether it’s from the body to aid in medical diagnosis, from the environment to identify potentially harmful pathogens, or from a crime scene to aid in an investigation. Various tools, available from Avantor, are required for a proper specimen collection in histology.

• Scissors - Used for cutting tissue, suture, or for dissection. Scissors can be straight or curved, and may be used for cutting heavy or finer structures.
• Forceps - Used for grasping tissue or objects. Can be toothed (serrated) or non-toothed at the tip.
• Needles - Needles come in many shapes and cutting edges for blood collection, biopsies and various other lab applications.
• Scalpel - Used for initial incision and cutting tissue. Consists of a blade and a handle. Surgeons often refer to the instrument by its blade number.

You can choose tools based on your demands from the variety of materials we offer. Avantor has economical, disposable choices or reusable types for repeated procedural use.