Histological specimen treatment apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A tissue processing method which comprises:
- providing a pressure and temperature controllable reaction container;
placing at least one fresh tissue specimen in said container;
treating said specimen in said container to remove solutes and replace said solutes with Paraffin, said step of treating consisting essentially of;
introducing a temperature and pressure conditioned dissolving compound into said container;
allowing time for said compound to penetrate said specimen and to dilute solutes therein;
flooding said container with liquid Paraffin;
vaporizing said compound and allowing a period for said Paraffin to impregnate said specimens;
evacuating said compound and diluted solutes from said container; and
reducing the temperature in said container below the melting point of Paraffin.
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Accused Products
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.
10 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A tissue processing method which comprises:
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providing a pressure and temperature controllable reaction container; placing at least one fresh tissue specimen in said container; treating said specimen in said container to remove solutes and replace said solutes with Paraffin, said step of treating consisting essentially of; introducing a temperature and pressure conditioned dissolving compound into said container; allowing time for said compound to penetrate said specimen and to dilute solutes therein; flooding said container with liquid Paraffin; vaporizing said compound and allowing a period for said Paraffin to impregnate said specimens; evacuating said compound and diluted solutes from said container; and reducing the temperature in said container below the melting point of Paraffin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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5. (canceled)
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19. A histoprocess which comprises:
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dissolving and removing cellular solutes in a tissue specimen using a single dissolving compound; and replacing said solutes with Paraffin; said process being performed in a continuous sequence of steps within a single vessel.
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20-31. -31. (canceled)
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32. An apparatus for processing tissue specimens against decomposition, putrefaction and autolysis which comprises:
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a hermetically sealable reaction container; means for controlling the temperature and pressure inside said container; a source of dissolving compound connectable to said container; a source of melted Paraffin connectable to said container; and means for evacuating gases from said container; wherein said dissolving compound comprises a mixture of a ketone and at least one low molecular weight hydrocarbon. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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33. (canceled)
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35-50. -50. (canceled)
Specification