ULTRA-RAPID MICROWAVE VARIABLE PRESSURE-INDUCED HISTOPROCESSING - DESCRIPTION OF A NEW TISSUE PROCESSOR

We describe a new method of ultra-rapid histoprocessing that reduces t he processing times for needle and endoscopic biopsies to 30 min and t hat of other surgical biopsy tissue blocks of up to 4 mm thick to 120 min. The MicroMED U R M Histoprocessor, which combines microwave irrad iation with precise computer control of power, time, temperature, vacu um, and pressure, when used with a 1-step dehydrating/clearing reagent , consistently produces rapidly processed tissues with optimal cytomor phology and improved tissue sectioning properties. Staining properties are excellent with no deleterious effects on routine staining, histoc hemistry, or immunohistochemistry. This new processing technique repre sents a major change from conventional tissue processing and eliminate s the use of hazardous reagents such as xylene. The ease of applicatio n and speed of this technique can significantly reduce turnaround time s in diagnostic laboratories.