A HIGH QUALITY, CONTINUOUS THROUGHPUT, TISSUE FIXATION-DEHYDRATION-FAT REMOVAL-IMPREGNATION METHOD

摘要

Described is an apparatus for rapid processing of tissue specimens for histology with continuous throughput, the apparatus comprising: (a) a microwave unit which (1) fixes, dehydrates, and defats the tissue specimens with a non-aqueous solution In a first vessel; (II) agitates the tissue specimens and the non-aqueous solution In the first vessel; and (III) exposes the tissue specimens and the non-aqueous solution in the first vessel to microwave energy to produce fixed, dehydrated, and defatted tissue specimens; and a source for the nen-aqueous solution which is fluidly coupled to the first vessel; (b) an Impregnator unit which (I) Impregnates the fixed, dehydrated, and defatted tissue specimens with a wax solution In cut second vessel; (ii) agitates the fixed, dehydrated, and defatted tissue specimens and the wax solution In the second vessel; and (iii) exposes the fixed, dehydrated, and defatted tissue specimens and the wax solution to elevated temperature under a vacuum to produce fixed, dehydrated, defatted, and impregnated tissue specimens; and a source for the wax solution which Is fluidly coupled to the second vessel; and wherein tissue specimens are sequentially transferred into the first vessel and then into the second vessel.