Simplified tissue processing
First Claim
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1. A method for tissue processing of one or more tissue specimens using only two different chemical compositions and an apparatus comprising:
- a microwave unit comprised of (i) a first reaction chamber with an interior geometry comprised of a whispering gallery to achieve uniform distribution of microwave energy and heating of the interior, (ii) a single non-aqueous admixture which is optionally contained within the first reaction chamber, (iii) a source of microwave energy which is transmitted into the first reaction chamber to heat the non-aqueous admixture, and (iv) an agitator within the first reaction chamber to promote chemical exchange between the non-aqueous admixture and the tissue specimen anda vacuum unit comprised of (i) a second reaction chamber, (ii) a single wax solution which is optionally contained within the second reaction chamber, (iii) a source of radiant energy which is transmitted into the second reaction chamber to heat the wax solution, and (iv) a vacuum pump connected to the second reaction chamber;
the method comprising;
(a) initially impregnating a tissue specimen with the single non-aqueous admixture comprised of (i) fixing, (ii) dehydrating, and (iii) clearing functions which is agitated and heated; and
then(b) substantially impregnating the tissue specimen with the single wax solution which is heated and also under less than atmospheric pressure.
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Abstract
Improved systems and methods for tissue processing are described here. The chemical process and the construction of the apparatus are simplified by using only two different solutions in two separate reaction modules. They are compatible with processing of tissue specimens for genetic analysis, histology, in situ antibody binding and hybridization, archival preservation of morphology and nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for tissue processing of one or more tissue specimens using only two different chemical compositions and an apparatus comprising:
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a microwave unit comprised of (i) a first reaction chamber with an interior geometry comprised of a whispering gallery to achieve uniform distribution of microwave energy and heating of the interior, (ii) a single non-aqueous admixture which is optionally contained within the first reaction chamber, (iii) a source of microwave energy which is transmitted into the first reaction chamber to heat the non-aqueous admixture, and (iv) an agitator within the first reaction chamber to promote chemical exchange between the non-aqueous admixture and the tissue specimen and a vacuum unit comprised of (i) a second reaction chamber, (ii) a single wax solution which is optionally contained within the second reaction chamber, (iii) a source of radiant energy which is transmitted into the second reaction chamber to heat the wax solution, and (iv) a vacuum pump connected to the second reaction chamber; the method comprising; (a) initially impregnating a tissue specimen with the single non-aqueous admixture comprised of (i) fixing, (ii) dehydrating, and (iii) clearing functions which is agitated and heated; and
then(b) substantially impregnating the tissue specimen with the single wax solution which is heated and also under less than atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for tissue processing of one or more tissue specimens using only two different chemical compositions and an apparatus comprising:
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a first module comprising (i) a first reaction chamber with an interior geometry comprised of a whispering gallery to achieve uniform distribution of microwave energy and heating of the interior, (ii) a single non-aqueous admixture which is optionally contained within the first reaction chamber, (iii) a source of microwave energy which is transmitted into the first reaction chamber to heat the non-aqueous admixture, and (iv) an agitator within the first reaction chamber to promote chemical exchange between the non-aqueous admixture and the tissue specimen and a second module comprising (i) a second reaction chamber, (ii) a single wax solution which is optionally contained within the second reaction chamber, (iii) a source of radiant energy which is transmitted into the second reaction chamber to heat the wax solution, and (iv) a vacuum pump connected to the second reaction chamber; the method comprising; (a) initially impregnating a tissue specimen in the first module with the single non-aqueous admixture comprised of (i) at least one ketone, (ii) at least one alcohol, and (iii) mineral oil while being agitated and heated then (b) substantially impregnating the tissue specimen in the second module with the single wax solution while being under vacuum and heated. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification