Machinery Masters is a marketplace for new and used microtomes, the precision histology instruments that cut tissue and material specimens into sections thin enough to examine under a microscope. A microtome advances the specimen against a fixed blade in exact, repeatable increments, producing uniform slices typically only a few micrometres thick. Microtomy is the sectioning step at the heart of the histopathology workflow, and the accuracy of the cut determines the quality of every stained slide that follows. Buyers include histopathology laboratory managers in hospitals and reference labs, neuroscience and cell biology researchers, electron microscopy facilities, and academic and veterinary histology teams. Browse verified sellers to compare microtome type, section range, condition, and price before you buy.

Shop Microtomes by Type

Microtomes are available in several types suited to different specimens, section thicknesses, and whether the tissue is embedded in paraffin, frozen, or examined fresh. Selecting the correct type keeps the sectioning mechanism matched to your sample and the thinness you need to achieve. The main differences between configurations relate to how the specimen and blade move, the range of achievable section thickness, whether the unit is manual or motorised, and whether it sections at room temperature or in a refrigerated chamber.

Rotary Microtomes

Rotary microtomes are the standard instrument for sectioning paraffin-embedded tissue, advancing the block with a hand wheel or motor to cut uniform sections around three to five micrometres thick. Available in manual, semi-automated, and fully automated forms, they deliver the consistency and throughput that routine diagnostic histopathology depends on, which makes them the workhorse of most laboratories.

Cryostats

Cryostats are microtomes housed within a refrigerated chamber that section fresh or frozen tissue at low temperatures. They produce frozen sections for rapid intraoperative diagnosis while surgery is underway and for immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry that paraffin processing would compromise. Chamber temperature range and quick-freezing capability are the key considerations when selecting a cryostat.

Sledge and Sliding Microtomes

Sledge and sliding microtomes move the specimen or the blade on a horizontal track, giving the rigidity needed to section large blocks and hard or tough materials. They suit large-format tissue, whole-mount specimens, and industrial samples that a standard rotary instrument cannot accommodate.

Vibrating Microtomes (Vibratomes)

Vibrating microtomes cut fresh, unfixed, or lightly fixed tissue using a blade that oscillates sideways as it advances, avoiding the need for freezing or embedding. They are widely used in neuroscience to prepare live brain slices and in research where tissue must stay close to its native state for downstream physiology or imaging.

Ultramicrotomes

Ultramicrotomes section resin-embedded specimens into ultra-thin slices, often below 100 nanometres, using a glass or diamond knife for transmission electron microscopy. They deliver the extreme precision required to resolve subcellular structure and are essential instruments in electron microscopy and materials characterisation facilities.

Microtome Blades and Accessories

Blades, knife holders, specimen clamps, and section-handling accessories complete and maintain a microtome setup. Disposable and reusable blades, matched to the specimen and section thickness, are consumables that directly affect section quality, so many laboratories source them alongside the instrument.

Microtomes Brands on Machinery Masters

Machinery Masters lists microtomes from established histology and electron microscopy equipment manufacturers, so you can source a specific make and model or compare comparable units across sellers.

Leica Biosystems
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Sakura Finetek
Epredia
MEDITE
SLEE medical
Bright Instrument Company
Diapath
Histo-Line Laboratories
Boeckeler Instruments

Microtomes Applications and Uses

Microtomes are deployed across clinical, research, and industrial settings wherever specimens must be cut into thin, uniform sections for examination. Requirements depend on the specimen and how it is prepared, the section thickness needed, and the accreditation framework the laboratory works within.

Clinical Histopathology and Diagnostic Pathology

Hospital and reference histopathology laboratories use rotary microtomes to section paraffin blocks for cancer diagnosis and disease assessment. In accredited settings working to standards such as ISO 15189, consistent section thickness, blade management, and documented maintenance are standard requirements because sectioning quality directly affects diagnostic accuracy.

Intraoperative Frozen Section Diagnosis

Cryostats section frozen tissue during surgery so pathologists can give a rapid diagnosis while the patient is still in theatre. Fast freezing, reliable low-temperature control, and clean sectioning are essential where results guide surgical decisions in real time.

Neuroscience and Live Tissue Research

Neuroscience and physiology laboratories use vibrating microtomes to prepare fresh brain and tissue slices for electrophysiology, imaging, and functional studies. Gentle sectioning that keeps cells viable is the priority, making blade control and vibration performance the key selection criteria.

Electron Microscopy and Materials Science

Electron microscopy and materials laboratories use ultramicrotomes to cut ultra-thin resin sections for transmission electron microscopy and structural analysis. Nanometre-scale precision and stable, drift-free advancement are what make high-resolution imaging possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a microtome, and what is it used for?

A microtome is a precision instrument that cuts specimens into very thin, uniform sections for microscopic examination. In histology it slices paraffin-embedded or frozen tissue into sections only a few micrometres thick, which are then mounted on slides, stained, and examined. Microtomy is the sectioning stage of the histopathology workflow, and accurate, consistent sections are essential for reliable diagnosis and research.

What is the difference between a microtome and a cryostat?

A microtome sections paraffin-embedded fixed tissue at room temperature for routine histological staining. A cryostat is a microtome enclosed in a refrigerated chamber that sections fresh or frozen tissue, producing sections suited to rapid intraoperative diagnosis and to stains that paraffin processing would damage. In short, a cryostat is a microtome built for frozen sectioning inside a freezing chamber.

What are the main types of microtome?

The main types are the rotary microtome for paraffin sections, the cryostat for frozen sections, the sledge and sliding microtome for large or hard specimens, the vibrating microtome for fresh unfixed tissue, and the ultramicrotome for ultra-thin sections for electron microscopy. Each type matches a different specimen, preparation method, and section thickness, so the right choice depends on the tissue and the imaging that follows.

How thin can a microtome cut?

Section thickness depends on the microtome type and specimen. Routine rotary microtomes cut paraffin sections around three to five micrometres thick, cryostats typically produce frozen sections of five to ten micrometres, and ultramicrotomes cut resin sections below 100 nanometres for electron microscopy. Matching the instrument to the thickness you need is a key part of choosing a microtome.

What should I consider when buying a microtome?

Start with your specimen and preparation method, which determines whether you need a rotary microtome, a cryostat, a vibrating microtome, or an ultramicrotome, then match the section thickness range and choose between manual and motorised operation. Check the specimen clamp, blade holder, and advance mechanism, and confirm blade compatibility. For a used instrument, test the advance for smooth, backlash-free movement and even sectioning. Confirm the specification with the seller before you buy.

What is the difference between new and used microtomes?

New microtomes arrive with a manufacturer warranty, current mechanics, and full support. Used and refurbished microtomes offer significant savings and are a sound choice from reputable sellers with documented service history and clear provenance, which suits research, backup capacity, and budget-conscious laboratories. Before diagnostic use, check that the advance mechanism is precise and smooth and that the specimen and blade holders are secure and undamaged.

Where can I buy microtomes and cryostats on Machinery Masters?

Browse Machinery Masters for new and used rotary microtomes, cryostats, sliding and sledge microtomes, vibratomes, and ultramicrotomes from verified sellers worldwide. Use the search and filter tools to narrow by type, brand, and specification, then contact sellers directly to request service history, maintenance records, and pricing before you make a final decision.