Abstract: A method of operating a tissue processor for processing tissue samples is provided. The tissue processor includes at least one retort for receiving tissue samples, at least one container for storing a reagent, and at least one sensor arranged for fluid communication with one or both of the at least one container and the at least one retort for measuring a measured purity level of a reagent. The method includes the steps of conducting reagent from the at least one container or the at least one retort to the at least one sensor, automatically measuring, by means of the at least one sensor, a measured purity level of the reagent, checking whether the measured purity level meets a predetermined purity level of the reagent associated with the at least one container, and automatically determining, based on a result of checking, whether the reagent is suitable for processing tissue samples in the tissue processor. A tissue processor for processing tissue samples is also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a tissue processor for processing tissue samples. The tissue processor includes at least one retort for receiving tissue samples, at least one container for storing a reagent, and at least one sensor arranged for fluid communication with one or both of the at least one container and the at least one retort for measuring a measured purity level of a reagent. The method includes conducting reagent from the at least one container or the at least one retort to the at least one sensor, automatically measuring a measured purity level of the reagent, checking whether the measured purity level meets a predetermined purity level of the reagent associated with the at least one container, and thereby automatically determining whether the reagent is suitable for processing tissue samples in the tissue processor. Also, a tissue processor for processing tissue samples and a container for storing tissue samples.

Abstract: A method of operating a tissue processor for processing tissue samples. The tissue processor includes at least one retort for receiving tissue samples, at least one container for storing a reagent, and at least one sensor arranged for fluid communication with one or both of the at least one container and the at least one retort for measuring a measured purity level of a reagent. The method includes conducting reagent from the at least one container or the at least one retort to the at least one sensor, automatically measuring a measured purity level of the reagent, checking whether the measured purity level meets a predetermined purity level of the reagent associated with the at least one container, and thereby automatically determining whether the reagent is suitable for processing tissue samples in the tissue processor. Also, a tissue processor for processing tissue samples and a container for storing tissue samples.

Abstract: A fluid transport system for an automated slide treatment apparatus having slide treatment modules is disclosed. The fluid transport system including a fluid dispensing robot configured by a controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to slides received in the slide treatment modules. The fluid dispensing robot includes pumping means configured by the controller to pump the reagents to be dispensed from a plurality of corresponding reagent containers; a probe having a body arranged to store one or more of the reagents pumped via the pumping means so as to prime the probe with said one or more of the reagents to be dispensed; and a well disposed on the body of the probe to store further of the reagents primed to be dispensed.

Abstract: An automated method and system for treating one or more tissue samples disposed on slides, the system comprising: a controller, a plurality of slide treatment modules arranged to receive ones of the slides; at least one fluid dispensing robot configured by the controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to said ones of the slides received in the slide treatment modules via an output nozzle disposed on the at least one fluid dispensing robot to treat said one or more tissue samples respectively; and at least one pumping means for pumping said reagents to the output nozzle of the at least one fluid dispensing robot from a plurality of reagent containers comprising said reagents, wherein the at least one fluid dispensing robot is configured by the controller to dispense said reagents in a predetermined sequence for each of the slide treatment modules to treat the one or more tissue samples disposed on each of the slides independently.

Abstract: A fluid transport system for an automated slide treatment apparatus having slide treatment modules is disclosed. The fluid transport system including a fluid dispensing robot configured by a controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to slides received in the slide treatment modules. The fluid dispensing robot includes pumping means configured by the controller to pump the reagents to be dispensed from a plurality of corresponding reagent containers; a probe having a body arranged to store one or more of the reagents pumped via the pumping means so as to prime the probe with said one or more of the reagents to be dispensed; and a well disposed on the body of the probe to store further of the reagents primed to be dispensed.

Abstract: An automated method and system for treating one or more tissue samples disposed on slides, the system comprising: a controller, a plurality of slide treatment modules arranged to receive ones of the slides; at least one fluid dispensing robot configured by the controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to said ones of the slides received in the slide treatment modules via an output nozzle disposed on the at least one fluid dispensing robot to treat said one or more tissue samples respectively; and at least one pumping means for pumping said reagents to the output nozzle of the at least one fluid dispensing robot from a plurality of reagent containers comprising said reagents, wherein the at least one fluid dispensing robot is configured by the controller to dispense said reagents in a predetermined sequence for each of the slide treatment modules to treat the one or more tissue samples disposed on each of the slides independently.

Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tissue processing, particularly, to the treatment of fluids used in tissue processing. In one embodiment the present invention provides for treating a tissue processing fluid comprising first processing fluid comprising a first processing fluid and a second contaminating fluid, by: gradually varying the pressure of the fluid from an initial pressure level to a first pressure level such that the fluid remains below a vaporizing point of the second contaminating fluid and, heating the fluid to at least a vaporizing temperature of the second contaminating fluid. In another embodiment, the present invention removes the second contaminating fluid from the fluid by varying at least one of the pressure and temperature of the fluid so as to allow the second contaminating fluid to vaporize. Alternatively, an embodiment of the present invention interleaves the step of removing with one or more tissue processing protocol steps.

Abstract: A tissue processor for processing tissue samples for histological analysis. The processor comprises two retorts, wax baths, reagent containers, a pump and valve. The vale distributes the reagent from one container to either retort. Separate reagent lines connect the wax baths to the retorts. A method of infiltrating a sample containing a reagent such as a dehydrating reagent like an alcohol, where the infiltrating material is heated to a temperature at or above the boiling point of the reagent, to boil off the reagent when the tissue sample is contacted by the infiltrating material. The pressure in the retort may be reduced to lower the boiling point of the reagent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tissue processing, particularly, to the treatment of fluids used in tissue processing. In one embodiment the present invention provides for treating a tissue processing fluid comprising first processing fluid comprising a first processing fluid and a second contaminating fluid, by: gradually varying the pressure of the fluid from an initial pressure level to a first pressure level such that the fluid remains below a vaporizing point of the second contaminating fluid and, heating the fluid to at least a vaporizing temperature of the second contaminating fluid. In another embodiment, the present invention removes the second contaminating fluid from the fluid by varying at least one of the pressure and temperature of the fluid so as to allow the second contaminating fluid to vaporize. Alternatively, an embodiment of the present invention interleaves the step of removing with one or more tissue processing protocol steps.

Abstract: A tissue processor for processing tissue samples for histological analysis. The processor comprises two retorts, wax baths, reagent containers, a pump and valve. The vale distributes the reagent from one container to either retort. Separate reagent lines connect the wax baths to the retorts. A method of infiltrating a sample containing a reagent such as a dehydrating reagent like an alcohol, where the infiltrating material is heated to a temperature at or above the boiling point of the reagent, to boil off the reagent when the tissue sample is contacted by the infiltrating material. The pressure in the retort may be reduced to lower the boiling point of the reagent.

Abstract: A method of melting material (1), for use in tissue processing, includes placing the material in solid form (1) into a bath (16, 18, 20), and applying heat. The material (1) has a total volume that substantially equates to a predetermined fill volume of the bath (16, 18, 20), sufficient to effect the required tissue processing. The bath (18) may include a heater spike (E) on which the material (1) is mounted for melting, and a weighted plate that forces the material downwardly into the bath. The material (1) may comprise rectangular blocks of paraffin wax that conform to the surface of the bath (16, 18, 20), for the infiltration and embedding of histological specimens.

Abstract: A tissue processor for processing tissue samples for histological analysis. The processor comprises two retorts, wax baths, reagent containers, a pump and valve. The vale distributes the reagent from one container to either retort. Separate reagent lines connect the wax baths to the retorts. A method of infiltrating a sample containing a reagent such as a dehydrating reagent like an alcohol, where the infiltrating material is heated to a temperature at or above the boiling point of the reagent, to boil off the reagent when the tissue sample is contacted by the infiltrating material. The pressure in the retort may be reduced to lower the boiling point of the reagent.