MUHWA 50-Place Microscope Slide Box — Secure Storage and Organization for Standard Glass Slides
MUHWA 50-place microscope slide box provides robust, organized storage for up to fifty standard 25 × 75 mm (1 × 3 inch) microscope slides. Each of the 50 numbered slots features individual molded grooves that hold slides securely in an upright, separated position — preventing glass-to-glass contact that can cause scratching, sticking, or breakage during retrieval. The rigid polypropylene (PP) body with a hinged, snap-lock lid protects slide-mounted specimens from dust accumulation, ambient moisture, and accidental damage during shelf storage, cabinet archiving, or transport between laboratories. The bright white interior and clear numbering (1–50) enables rapid visual inventory checks — identify missing or mis-filed slides at a glance without removing the lid. Stackable design with interlocking base and lid features allows multiple boxes to be securely stacked in refrigerators (4°C), freezers (-20°C), or slide cabinets without toppling. Essential for histology, pathology, cytology, and research laboratories that maintain permanent or long-term slide collections.
Key Features
- 50 Individually Numbered Slots (1–50) — Each slot has an engraved or embossed number for systematic slide cataloging. Compatible with laboratory information systems (LIS) and slide archive databases — log slides by box number and slot number for rapid retrieval.
- Molded Groove Slot Design — Each slide rests in its own grooved channel, keeping adjacent slides separated. Prevents emulsion-to-glass contact, reduces friction during insertion/removal, and protects fragile coverslipped specimens.
- Durable Polypropylene Construction — Impact-resistant PP body withstands daily lab handling, resists cracking from accidental drops, and does not degrade when stored long-term at 4°C or -20°C.
- Hinged Lid with Snap-Lock Closure — Secure closure keeps dust and airborne contaminants out. The lid cannot be accidentally dislodged when boxes are stacked or transported. Opens fully to 180° for unobstructed slide access.
- Stackable and Interlocking — Base and lid feature interlocking ridges so multiple boxes stack securely — no sliding, toppling, or avalanche risk when accessing boxes on crowded shelves.
- Bright White Interior — High-contrast white plastic makes slide labels and specimen colors immediately visible when the box is opened. Slides with faded or handwritten labels are easier to identify against the white background.
- Compact Footprint — Efficiently stores 50 slides in minimal cabinet, refrigerator, or freezer space. External dimensions approximately 215 × 180 × 40 mm — fits standard histology slide cabinet drawers.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Slide Capacity | 50 slides |
| Compatible Slide Size | Standard 25 × 75 mm (1 × 3 inch), 1.0–1.2 mm thick |
| Slot Identification | Numbered 1–50 (engraved/embossed) |
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Lid Type | Hinged, snap-lock closure, 180° opening |
| Stackable | Yes (interlocking ribs) |
| External Dimensions (approx.) | 215 × 180 × 40 mm |
| Temperature Tolerance | -20°C to +60°C |
| Chemical Resistance | Resistant to water, alcohols, dilute acids/bases |
| Color | White (interior and exterior) |
Compatible Slide Types
- Standard Glass Microscope Slides — Plain, frosted-end, and charged (poly-L-lysine, silane) slides, 25 × 75 × 1.0 mm.
- H&E-Stained Histology Slides — Coverslipped permanent tissue sections from biopsy, surgical pathology, and autopsy specimens.
- Cytology Slides — Pap smears, fine-needle aspirates (FNA), fluid cytology preparations, and cell block sections.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Slides — DAB- or AP-stained slides with coverslipped mounting medium; protect from light if fluorophore-labeled.
- Frozen Section Slides — Slides stored at -20°C for intraoperative consultation archives or research tissue banks.
- Research Histology Slides — Experimental tissue sections from animal models, plant histology, and materials science.
- Whole-Mount Specimens — Thick (up to ~2 mm) whole-mount preparations on 1.2 mm slides — verify slot clearance for extra-thick slides.
Applications
- Surgical Pathology Archives — Permanent storage of diagnostic H&E and special-stain slides. Numbered slots link directly to surgical pathology report numbers for medico-legal traceability.
- Cytology Slide Libraries — Organize Pap smear and non-gynecological cytology slides by accession number. Compact footprint fits standard cytology filing cabinets.
- Research Sample Banks — Catalog experimental tissue sections by treatment group, time point, and animal ID. Stack multiple boxes in -20°C or -80°C freezers for long-term biobanking.
- Teaching Slide Collections — Build organized teaching sets for histology, pathology, and microbiology practical courses. Numbered slots correspond to course syllabus topics for easy student access.
- Quality Control (QC) Slide Storage — Maintain positive and negative control slides for IHC, ISH, and special stain validation in an organized, protected format.
- Veterinary Pathology — Archive animal tissue slides from diagnostic, research, and teaching caseloads with the same organized system used in human pathology.
- Forensic and Reference Collections — Secure, documented storage for forensic histology slides, reference tissue sets, and rare or irreplaceable slide preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will 25 × 75 mm slides fit securely or will they rattle?
A: 25 × 75 mm slides fit securely in the molded grooves. There is a small engineered clearance (approximately 1–2 mm at each end) to allow easy insertion and removal without forcing. Slides will not rattle under normal handling, but for transport in a vehicle or pneumatic tube system, we recommend securing the box in a secondary container.
Q: Can I store this box in a -80°C freezer?
A: Polypropylene becomes increasingly brittle at temperatures below -20°C. While the box will physically fit in a -80°C freezer, the lid hinges and snap-lock may fracture if opened while frozen. For -80°C storage, we recommend cardboard or coated-paper freezer boxes specifically rated for ultra-low temperatures.
Q: Are the numbers permanent or will they rub off?
A: The numbers 1–50 are molded/engraved into the plastic during manufacturing — they are not printed or painted on. They will not rub off, fade, or dissolve in alcohol or xylene during normal use. The numbering is permanent for the life of the box.
Q: Can I autoclave this box?
A: Standard autoclave cycles (121°C, 15 psi, 20 min) may warp polypropylene slide boxes. For sterile storage, consider ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization or surface decontamination with 70% ethanol. If slides themselves require autoclaving, autoclave them in a metal slide rack, then transfer to the box after cooling.
Q: Is this box suitable for mailing or shipping slides?
A: This box is designed for stationary storage, not for mailing. The snap-lock lid may open under the vibration and impact of postal or courier handling. For shipping slides, place the box inside a padded slide mailer or wrap it securely, then place in a rigid outer shipping carton with cushioning material.
