Products

AZF Fixative

AZF Fixative

(use: Excellent replacement for Mercury based fixative.) Working Solution. MERCURY FREE!

      • Shelf Life is 2 years from date of manufacture.

Product Options:

Part # 1009A 1 L $25.50
Part # 1009B 1 gal $81.00
Part # 1009C 20 L cube $115.00

SOLUTION: 

1 Liter 1 Gallon 20 Liter Cube
AZF Fixative Part 1009A Part 1009B Part 1009C
30 ml vial, 15 ml fill (100/cs)
AZF Fixative Vial Part 10091B

 

For storage requirements and expiration date refer to individual bottle labels.

 

APPLICATION:

Newcomer Supply AZF (Acetic Acid-Zinc-Formalin) Fixative is a ready-to-use fixative recommended for bone marrow clots and cores, lymph nodes, endoscopic biopsies and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies.

AZF Fixative Vials are available in 30 ml vials prefilled with 15 ml of AZF Fixative for ease of use, storage and transport.

 

METHOD:

Fixation:

    • Bone Marrow Clots: Minimum of 2 hours.
    • Bone Marrow Biopsy: Minimum of 3 hours.
    • Lymph Nodes and Small Biopsies: Minimum of 4 hours.
    • Small nodes (5 mm or less) should be halved.
    • Larger nodes, dissected with no piece thicker than 3 mm.
    • To facilitate grossing, place in AZF Fixative for 1 hour to firm; trim to 2-3 mm.

Solutions:  All solutions are manufactured by Newcomer Supply, Inc.

 

FIXATION PROCEDURE:

    1. Place fresh tissue in AZF Fixative after surgical excision.
        1. See Procedure Note #1.
    2. Hold tissue in AZF Fixative for processing or maximum of 72 hours.
        1. See Procedure Note #2.
    3. Wash AZF fixed tissue in tap water a minimum of 10 minutes to remove residual zinc.
    4. Decalcify bone marrow specimen as needed.
        1. See Procedure Notes #3 & #4.
    5. Place on tissue processor in Formalin 10%, Phosphate Buffered (Part 1090) fixation step.

 

PROCEDURE NOTES:

    1. If received in Formalin 10%, Phosphate Buffered, rinse tissue thoroughly in tap water prior to placing in AZF Fixative.
    2. Extended storage in AZF Fixative is not recommended.
        1. After maximum fixation, wash tissue in running tap water a minimum of 10 minutes.
        2. Transfer AZF fixed tissue to Formalin 10%, Phosphate Buffered for long-term storage purposes.
    3. Nitric acid is not recommended as a decalcification agent following AZF fixation.
    4. Acetic acid in the AZF Fixative may pre-start decalcification process, decreasing overall decalcification time.
    5. Zinc chloride is corrosive, do not discard AZF Fixative solution down the drain.
    6. Neutralize AZF Fixative with sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate to precipitate zinc at pH 7.0-8.0.
        1. Approximately 100 grams of sodium bicarbonate will neutralize/precipitate zinc from 1 liter of AZF Fixative.

 

REFERENCES:

    1. Bonds, Lian A., Pat Barnes, Kathryn Foucar and Cordelia E. Sever. “Acetic Acid-Zinc-Formalin: A Safe Alternative to B-5 Fixative.” American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 124 (2005): 205-11.
    2. Dapson, Janet Crookham and Richard Dapson. Hazardous Materials in the Histopathology Laboratory: Regulations, Risks, Handling, and Disposal. 4th ed. Battle Creek, MI: Anatech, 2005. 148, 279.
    3. Naresh, K N, I. Lampert and R. Hasserjian. “Optimal Processing of Bone Marrow Trephine Biopsy: The Hammersmith Protocol.” Journal of Clinical Pathology 59 (2006): 903-11.
    4. Modifications developed by Newcomer Supply Laboratory.