Biopsy Cassettes with Covers — Acetal (POM), Turquoise, 1.0 mm Holes, 500/Bag (258-4248-G90)
These turquoise Acetal (Polyoxymethylene, POM) biopsy cassettes feature 1.0 mm apertures specifically engineered to retain small tissue fragments — prostate needle cores, GI mucosal biopsies, endocervical specimens, and skin shave or punch biopsies — that are at risk of passing through standard 1.5–2.0 mm cassette holes during xylene clearing and paraffin infiltration. Supplied unassembled as 500 cassettes and 500 matching covers per bag, these non-sterile cassettes deliver the dimensional stability and superior xylene resistance that acetal polymer provides over polypropylene for demanding high-throughput small biopsy programs. The turquoise color enables straightforward color-coded specimen differentiation across multi-specimen processing batches.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 258-4248-G90 |
| Material | Acetal (Polyoxymethylene, POM) |
| Color | Turquoise |
| Hole Size | 1.0 mm (small biopsy fragment retention) |
| Assembly State | Unassembled — 500 cassettes + 500 covers per Bag |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 500/Bag |
| Xylene Resistance | Excellent — superior to PP cassettes |
| Paraffin Compatibility | Excellent — dimensional stability at 56–65°C |
| Formalin Compatibility | Excellent |
| BPA / Phthalates | BPA-free; no phthalate plasticizers |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Prostate needle core biopsy processing, where 1.0 mm apertures prevent small cores from escaping the cassette during aggressive tissue processor agitation
- Gastrointestinal mucosal and endoscopic biopsy specimens that require secure fragment retention through dehydration and xylene clearing steps
- Endocervical and other small gynecological biopsies where specimen dimensions are reduced during xylene exposure, increasing fragment mobility in larger-hole cassettes
- Skin shave and punch biopsy specimens in dermatopathology workflows
- High-throughput small biopsy programs using automated tissue processors (Leica, Thermo, Sakura) where dimensional cassette stability under rapid-cycle protocols is critical
- Color-coded multi-specimen batches where turquoise designates a specific biopsy site, tissue type, or procedural category
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Xylene (clearing agent) | Excellent — superior resistance compared to PP cassettes; aperture geometry maintained throughout service life |
| Formalin (fixative) | Excellent |
| Paraffin wax infiltration (56–65°C) | Excellent — acetal crystalline structure provides dimensional stability; no warping or hole deformation |
| Aqueous reagents / alcohols (dehydration series) | Excellent |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Caplugs® Evergreen biopsy cassettes are manufactured from BPA-free, phthalate-free acetal (POM) resin. Acetal's highly crystalline polymer structure eliminates the dimensional creep and subtle hole enlargement that PP cassettes can exhibit under repeated xylene exposure and thermal cycling — preserving the 1.0 mm aperture geometry throughout the cassette's service life and reducing pre-analytical fragment loss risk in small biopsy programs. LabSupplies.com is an authorized Caplugs® Evergreen dealer, stocking 258-4248-G90 in USA inventory for fast fulfillment, with volume pricing available for high-throughput histology labs, hospital pathology departments, and reference laboratories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose acetal (POM) over polypropylene for small biopsy cassettes?
Acetal's crystalline polymer structure provides superior xylene resistance and dimensional stability at paraffin infiltration temperatures (56–65°C) compared to polypropylene. PP cassettes can exhibit subtle hole enlargement and dimensional creep under repeated xylene exposure and thermal cycling — a failure mode that increases the risk of small fragment loss through the apertures. Acetal eliminates this degradation pathway, maintaining the 1.0 mm hole geometry throughout the cassette's service life.
What tissue specimens are these cassettes designed for?
The 1.0 mm hole size is specifically intended for small tissue fragments at risk of escaping standard 1.5–2.0 mm cassettes during xylene clearing. Common applications include prostate needle cores, GI mucosal and endoscopic biopsies, endocervical biopsies, and skin shave or punch specimens.
Do these cassettes come assembled?
No — each 500/Bag contains 500 cassettes and 500 covers supplied unassembled, allowing histology staff to load specimens before seating the cover, consistent with standard tissue accessioning workflows.
Are these cassettes compatible with automated tissue processors?
Yes. The acetal (POM) material provides the dimensional stability needed to withstand rapid-cycle tissue processor agitation on all standard platforms including Leica, Thermo, and Sakura processors, without warping or hole deformation at wax infiltration temperatures up to 65°C.