Histological specimen treatment apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A specimen processing method comprising:
- treating a specimen in a pressure and temperature controllable reaction container to remove solutes from the specimen and replace the solutes with preserving compound, comprising;
temperature and pressure conditioning a dissolving compound in a solvent vessel;
transferring the temperature and pressure conditioned dissolving compound from the solvent vessel to the reaction container, the dissolving compound flowing into the reaction container being in a heated and pressurized condition, the dissolving compound penetrating the specimen and diluting solutes therein, wherein pressure regulation is provided between the solvent vessel and the reaction container during the transferring;
introducing a preserving compound into the reaction container;
vaporizing the dissolving compound;
evacuating the dissolving compound and diluted solutes from the reaction container; and
reducing the temperature in the reaction container below the melting point of the preserving compound.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for processing tissue specimens against decomposition, putrefaction and autolysis which use a simple three step procedure in a single vessel or container. First, the specimens are saturated with a solvent mixture of a ketone and a hydrocarbon, e.g., an Acetone/Hexane or an Acetone/Xylene mixture, to dissolve lipids and other cellular solutes. The container is then flooded with melted Paraffin. In a last step, the solvent mixture is vaporized and evacuated from the container, allowing the melted Paraffin to replace the vaporized solvent and impregnate the specimens. Raw, i.e., non-processed and non-burred specimens up to 5 mm thick can be processed in about 60 minutes. A solvent regenerator distills the evacuated solvent; and converts vent waste gases into carbon dioxide and water through a thermocatalytic oxidizer.
81 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A specimen processing method comprising:
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treating a specimen in a pressure and temperature controllable reaction container to remove solutes from the specimen and replace the solutes with preserving compound, comprising; temperature and pressure conditioning a dissolving compound in a solvent vessel; transferring the temperature and pressure conditioned dissolving compound from the solvent vessel to the reaction container, the dissolving compound flowing into the reaction container being in a heated and pressurized condition, the dissolving compound penetrating the specimen and diluting solutes therein, wherein pressure regulation is provided between the solvent vessel and the reaction container during the transferring; introducing a preserving compound into the reaction container; vaporizing the dissolving compound; evacuating the dissolving compound and diluted solutes from the reaction container; and reducing the temperature in the reaction container below the melting point of the preserving compound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification