Cooling Plate

A Cooling Plate (or Cold Plate) is an essential accessory in histology used to rapidly solidify paraffin blocks after embedding. By rapidly chilling the block, it prevents the formation of large crystals and allows the technician to proceed to microtomy immediately. Micron's cooling plates are widely considered the best for reducing turnaround time in pathology labs.

The unit consists of a flat aluminum plate cooled by a sealed refrigeration system (compressor-based, Peltier-free). The surface is typically coated with Teflon to prevent paraffin from sticking and to make cleaning easy. Rated as top rated equipment for embedding centers, these plates eliminate waiting time for blocks to cool at room temperature. The digital controller maintains the set temperature precisely, typically ranging from ambient down to -20°C.

Micron cooling plates feature a large work surface that can accommodate multiple block trays. The high-quality CFC-free compressor provides rapid pull-down time, reaching operating temperature within 30 minutes. For labs processing large volumes of biopsies, this rapid cooling is the best feature to maintain workflow momentum. The automatic defrost cycle prevents ice buildup while maintaining temperature stability.

These plates are also used to chill paraffin-embedded blocks before sectioning, as cold wax cuts more smoothly and produces thinner, more consistent sections. Placing blocks on the cooling plate for 5-10 minutes before microtomy significantly improves section quality. That is why Micron is a top rated provider for labs specializing in renal biopsies and delicate neurological tissues. The low-profile design allows the plate to sit conveniently next to a microtome.

Investing in a Micron Cooling Plate enhances the quality of paraffin sections. It is the best addition to any embedding or microtomy workstation. By ensuring blocks are uniformly cold, it reduces chatter, compression, and tearing during sectioning, leading to faster, more accurate diagnoses.