CA2413902A1 - Method and apparatus for preparing tissue samples for sectioning - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for preparing tissue samples for sectioning Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2413902A1 CA2413902A1 CA002413902A CA2413902A CA2413902A1 CA 2413902 A1 CA2413902 A1 CA 2413902A1 CA 002413902 A CA002413902 A CA 002413902A CA 2413902 A CA2413902 A CA 2413902A CA 2413902 A1 CA2413902 A1 CA 2413902A1
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- Prior art keywords
- cassette
- tissue
- tissue sample
- embedding
- side wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 239000012188 paraffin wax Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 229920000936 Agarose Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N phenol group Chemical group C1(=CC=CC=C1)O ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formaldehyde Chemical compound O=C WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- CTQNGGLPUBDAKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N O-Xylene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1C CTQNGGLPUBDAKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012805 post-processing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000008096 xylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010562 histological examination Methods 0.000 claims 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000000020 Nitrocellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000008273 gelatin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000011852 gelatine desserts Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001220 nitrocellulos Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- GAWIXWVDTYZWAW-UHFFFAOYSA-N C[CH]O Chemical group C[CH]O GAWIXWVDTYZWAW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001299 aldehydes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000001574 biopsy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- PKRPQASGRXWUOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L dipotassium;dichloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[K+].[K+] PKRPQASGRXWUOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N furo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,7-dione Chemical compound C1=CN=C2C(=O)OC(=O)C2=N1 AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229960002523 mercuric chloride Drugs 0.000 description 1
- LWJROJCJINYWOX-UHFFFAOYSA-L mercury dichloride Chemical compound Cl[Hg]Cl LWJROJCJINYWOX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910000489 osmium tetroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012285 osmium tetroxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- OXNIZHLAWKMVMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N picric acid Chemical compound OC1=C([N+]([O-])=O)C=C([N+]([O-])=O)C=C1[N+]([O-])=O OXNIZHLAWKMVMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/36—Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/30—Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
- G01N1/31—Apparatus therefor
- G01N2001/315—Basket-type carriers for tissues
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/36—Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
- G01N2001/366—Moulds; Demoulding
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10S436/807—Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
- Y10T436/2525—Stabilizing or preserving
Abstract
The present invention provides a more efficient and faster way to prepare tissue samples for sectioning. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, a tissue sample 22 is embedded in a porous embedding media 28 in a desired orientation, processed, and sectioned all while being held in the porous embedding media. The post-tissue processing step of manual embedding in paraffin is eliminated from the process.
Description
1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARI11~TG TISSUE SAMPLES FOR SECTIONING
2 The present invention relates to preparation of tissue samples for histological 3 examination. The invention has particular utility in preparing tissue samples for microtome 4 sectioning prior to microscopic examination, and will be described in connection with such S utility, although other utilities are contemplated.
6 Conventionally, tissue specimens are prepared for microtome sectioning in two 7 sequential stages. In the first stage the tissue specimen is preserved by chemical fixation and the 8 impregnation of paraffin. The specimen is typically held in a cassette to maintain control and 9 segregate it from other samples. The specimen is placed in a fixation solution, typically neutral buffered formalin, to preserve the chemical structure of the tissue. The specimen is then 11 subjected to a series of solvents, typically alcohols and xylene followed by molten paraffin. The 12 solvents remove the water content of the tissue, and provide a bridge to allow the molten paraffin 13 to penetrate the sample and structurally support it. At the end of the first stage the tissue 14 specimen is loose in the cassette, chemically fixed and impregnated with paraffin. In the second stage the tissue specimen is oriented and embedded in a paraffin block in preparation for 16 sectioning. The specimen is placed and oriented in the bottom of a mold and molten paraffin is 17 poured over the specimen. A jig or fixture for attachment to the microtome is placed in the top 18 of the mold and additional molten paraffin is poured to embed this fixture to the paraffin block.
19 The paraffin block is allowed to cool and solidify. The paraffin block is then removed from the mold, exposing the tissue specimen, and then mounted in the clamp of a microtome for 21 sectioning of the specimen.
1 It is important that the specimen is accurately positioned in the embedding mold prior to 2 the paraffin embedding step, so that sectioning of the specimen occurs along appropriate planes 3 to reveal the desired cell structure. Presently, accurate positioning of the specimen is achieved 4 by setting the specimen in a desired position in the embedding mold, and allowing a few drops of molten paraffin wax to fall on the specimen to set the specimen in the desired position.
6 Alternatively, a few drops of molten paraffin wax are placed in the bottom of the embedding 7 mold, and the specimen is set in desired position in the still molten paraffin wax. The molten 8 paraffin wax is allowed to cool and solidify. The solidified paraffin wax holds the specimen in 9 the required position through the second stage, after which more molten paraffin wax is added to the cassette or mold to fully embed the specimen. In place of paraffin wax, molten 11 nitrocellulose, gelatin, and various resins have been used to embed the specimen in a desired 12 orientation through the first stage.
13 Various attempts to improve the preparation of tissue samples for sectioning primarily 14 have involved modifications to the molds or cassettes. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos.
3,982,862; 4,557,903; 4,801,553; 5,080,869; and 6,017,476, which are exemplary.
16 The present invention provides a more efficient and faster way to prepare tissue samples 17 for sectioning. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, a tissue sample is 18 embedded in a porous embedding media in a desired orientation, processed, and sectioned all 19 while being held in the porous embedding media. The post-tissue processing step of manual embedding in paraffin is eliminated from the process.
1 Various features and advantages of the present invention will be seen from the following 2 detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like numerals 3 depict like parts, and wherein:
4 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic flow chart showing a first method for orienting and processing a tissue sample in accordance with the present invention;
6 Figs. 2-4 are views similar to Fig. 1, showing second and third method for orienting and 7 processing a tissue sample in accordance with the present invention;
8 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of an embedding cassette in accordance with 9 another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embedding cassette of Fig. 5;
11 Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the embedding cassette of Fig. S;
12 Fig. 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 5, of the embedding cassette of Fig. 5 after embedding 13 and processing, with the bottom portion of the cassette removed, and ready for sectioning.
14 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic flow chart showing a first method for orienting and processing a tissue sample for sectioning in accordance with the present invention. The 16 technician obtains a tissue sample 22 from the examining doctor, nurse, or specialist. The 17 technician typically will be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for 18 sectioning on a microtome or other cutting device. The technician orients the tissue sample 22 in 19 a modified cassette-mold combination 24, which is lined with a filter paper 26, or the like. The technician then embeds the tissue sample 22 in the cassette 24 by filling the cassette with molten 21 porous embedding media 28. The porous embedding media should be a material which is 22 normally solid at room temperature and at tissue processing temperatures, and should have a 1 melting point or liquidus point which is below the temperature at which the tissue sample would 2 become denatured or otherwise changed by heat. The porous embedding media also is a material 3 that is porous to treating solutions commonly used in processing and fixing tissues, e.g. acetic 4 acid, acetone, chromic or picric acid, alcohols, aldehydes, mercuric chloride, osmium tetroxide, S potassium dichloride, xylene, ete. Applicant has found that low melting point agarose, i.e.
6 agarose having a melting point in the range of about SS to 65°C, works particularly well as a 7 porous embedding media. Currently preferred is HistogelTM brand of hydroxyethyl agarose 8 available from Wayne Holland.
9 The technician fills the cassette/mold combination 24 with molten porous embedding media 28 until the specimen is completely covered . Generally, but not necessarily, the porous 11 embedding media is added to fill the cassette/mold combination to the top.
The cassette/mold 12 combination containing the tissue sample and the liquid embedding media may be cooled on a 13 cold plate 32 to solidify the porous embedding media, or simply left to cool to room temperature.
14 The cassette/mold combination containing the embedded tissue sample is then placed in a tissue processor 36 for conventional fixing and processing. The cassette/mold combination 16 must be oriented in the tissue processor as shown in Figure 1, with the tissue sample and filter 17 paper on the bottom.
18 During conventional automated processing the tissue sample as well as the porous 19 embedding media are infiltrated with paraffin then allowed to cool to room temperature. This forms the paraffin block that contains the tissue oriented in the position the technician originally 21 positioned it in.
1 After the tissue sample is processed, the bottom of the cassette 40 is removed, and the 2 filter paper stripped from the paraffin block, exposing the embedded tissue.
The cassette/mold 3 combination then is coupled to a microtome 42 for tissue sectioning.
4 A feature and advantage of the present invention that results from using a porous embedding media during fixing and pre-processing, is that the post-processing paraffin wax 6 embedding step is eliminated. In other words, one step in the process is eliminated, along with 7 the technician time, equipment, material, energy and environmental costs associated with the 8 paraffin wax embedding step. Moreover, tissue orientation is assured through the entire process, 9 which is extremely critical for small biopsy examination.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a second method of orienting and processing a 11 tissue sample for sectioning in accordance with the present invention. The technician obtains a 12 tissue sample 122 from the examining doctor, nurse or specialist. The technician typically will 13 be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for sectioning on a 14 microtome or other cutting device. The technician orients the tissue sample 122 on the bottom of a two-piece processing cassette 124 which includes a removable metal bottom dish 126. The 16 technician then embeds the tissue sample 122 in the cassette 124 by filling the cassette with 17 molten porous embedding media 128. As before, tlae porous embedding media should be a 18 material which is normally solid at room temperature and at tissue processing temperatures, and 19 should have a melting point or liquidus point below the temperature at which the tissue sample would become denatured or otherwise changed by heat. The porous embedding media also 21 should be a material that is porous to treating solutions commonly used in fixing and dehydrating 1 tissues. As before, agarose has been found to be a particularly preferred porous embedding 2 media.
3 The technician fills the cassette/mold combination 124 with molten porous embedding 4 media 128 until the specimen is completely covered. The cassette containing the tissue sample and Liquid porous embedding media may be cooled on a cold plate 132 to solidify the porous 6 embedding media. Thereafter, the plastic or metal bottom dish 126 is separated from the 7 remainder of the cassette to expose the embedded tissue sample, which is then passed to a tissue 8 processor 136 for conventional fixing and processing. After the tissue sample is processed, the 9 cassette then is coupled to a microtome 142 for tissue sectioning.
As before, by using a porous embedding media pre-processing and fixing, the post-11 processing paraffin wax embedding step is eliminated.
12 Fig. 3 shows yet another method of orienting and processing a tissue sample for 13 sectioning in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. I, in which, 14 however, in place of porous embedding media 28, a pre-formed porous embedding block 129 is employed. The embedding block 129 preferably comprises a phenolic foam which is 16 commercially available as a floral mounting block. A phenolic foam is preferred since it is inert 17 and resistant to the liquids typically employed in tissue fixing and processing, yet is porous to I8 the liquids, widely available, low cost, and easy to cut and shape. The pre-formed embedding 19 block 129 is cut or shaped to fit into the bottom of the cassette/mold combination 24 which is lined with filter paper 26 or the like. However, prior to placing the pre-formed embedding block 21 129 into the cassette/mold combination, the technician forms a hole or depression 127 in the 22 block 129, e.g. by cutting, drilling or punching a blind hole or slot, for accommodating the tissue 1 sample in the desired orientation. The tissue sample 122 is placed in the hole 127. Porous 2 embedding media 28 may be placed in the hole 127 and allowed to solidify to maintain the 3 orientation of the tissue sample 122. The pre-formed embedding block 129 carrying the tissue 4 sample 122 in desired orientation is then placed in the cassette. The cassette containing the embedded tissue sample is then passed to a tissue processor 36 for conventional fixing and 6 processing, as before, prior to sectioning.
7 Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the embedding block carrying the tissue sample may be 8 placed in a cassette and passed directly to a tissue processor for conventional fixing and 9 processing. After the tissue sample is processed, the sample and pre-formed embedding block may then be infiltrated and embedded in molten embedding media which may be a conventional 11 paraffin wax, agarose, nitrocellulose, gelatin, or a resin, and the molten embedding media 12 solidified by cooling, and the embedded sample then sectioned, as before.
13 While the embodiment of Fig. 4 doesn't have the advantages of the Figs. 1-3 I4 embodiments of eliminating the post-processing embedding step, the use of a pre-formed porous foam embedding media has advantages in that less paraffin wax or other embedding media is 16 used. Also, the pre-formed foam embedding media. may be supplied at the tissue grossing Iab so 17 that the Pathologist or assistant could precisely position the tissue sample in a desired I8 orientation, thus eliminating possible miscommunication with the technician.
19 Referring to Figs. 5-8, there is shown an improved cassette 48 for use in accordance with the present invention. It would be appreciated, however, that the cassette as described below, 21 advantageously may be employed in connection with a conventional paraffin wax impregnation 22 process.
1 Referring specifically to Fig. 5, the cassette 48 comprises a two-piece body including a 2 top portion 50 and a bottom portion 52. Top portion 50 has a perforated bottom wall 52, a front 3 wall 54, a back wall 56, and two side walls 58, 60. Preferably, the front wall 54 includes an 4 angled extension wall 64, which provides a writing surface 64 on which a sample identification label may be affixed. If desired, barcode indicia may be affixed to the underside surface 66 of 6 extension wall 64. Bottom portion 52 is snap or friction mounted to top portion 50, and 7 comprises a perforated bottom wall 78 and a bridging side wall 70 which spaces the bottom wall 8 78 from the top portion 50, and serves to contain molten porous embedding media. Bridging 9 side wall 70 includes a pair of tear lines or lines of weakness 72 and a pull tab 74. The cassette including the top and bottom portions 50, 52 are made of a suitable plastic material compatible 11 with the intended processing and fixing.
12 Use of the cassette 48 above described will now be discussed. Again refernng to Fig. 5, 13 the technician obtains a tissue sample 76 from the examining doctor, nurse, or specialist. The 14 technician will typically be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for sectioning on a microtome or other cutting device. The technician obtains a pre-formed 16 embedding block 78, and forms an opening in the block 78 for the tissue sample, e.g. by cutting, 17 drilling or punching a blind hole or slot. As before, the embedding block 78 preferably 18 comprises a phenolic foam such as a floral mounting block. As mentioned supra, a phenolic 19 foam mounting block is preferred since it is inert and resistant to the liquids typically employed in tissue processing and fixing, porous, widely available, low cost and easy to cut and shape.
21 The embedding block 78 is cut or shaped to fill, at least in part, the bottom portion 52 of cassette 22 48. The embedding block with the tissue sample mounted therein is placed into the bottom 1 portion 52 of cassette 48 with the tissue facing the outside of the cassette. The top portion 50 is 2 then snapped or fitted to the bottom portion 52.
3 The tissue sample may be automatically processed to remove water and fix the tissue 4 sample, etc. using known processing techniques, the last step being the paraffin infiltration step where the tissue sample and porous embedding media are infiltrated with paraffin and allowed to 6 solidify. Bridging side wall 70 is then peeled off the cassette along the line of weakness 72, and 7 the bottom wall 68 removed to expose the embedded tissue sample in the foam block (Fig. 8).
8 The sample may then be sectioned on a microtome.
9 Various changes may be made in the invention. For example, a tissue sample may be oriented in a pre-formed embedding block and then processed in a conventional cassette. Also, 11 the two-part cassette with a removable bridging side wall of Figs. 5-8 may be employed in a I2 conventional two-stage fixing and embedding process.
I3 It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail 14 herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as 16 defined in the following claim(s):
6 Conventionally, tissue specimens are prepared for microtome sectioning in two 7 sequential stages. In the first stage the tissue specimen is preserved by chemical fixation and the 8 impregnation of paraffin. The specimen is typically held in a cassette to maintain control and 9 segregate it from other samples. The specimen is placed in a fixation solution, typically neutral buffered formalin, to preserve the chemical structure of the tissue. The specimen is then 11 subjected to a series of solvents, typically alcohols and xylene followed by molten paraffin. The 12 solvents remove the water content of the tissue, and provide a bridge to allow the molten paraffin 13 to penetrate the sample and structurally support it. At the end of the first stage the tissue 14 specimen is loose in the cassette, chemically fixed and impregnated with paraffin. In the second stage the tissue specimen is oriented and embedded in a paraffin block in preparation for 16 sectioning. The specimen is placed and oriented in the bottom of a mold and molten paraffin is 17 poured over the specimen. A jig or fixture for attachment to the microtome is placed in the top 18 of the mold and additional molten paraffin is poured to embed this fixture to the paraffin block.
19 The paraffin block is allowed to cool and solidify. The paraffin block is then removed from the mold, exposing the tissue specimen, and then mounted in the clamp of a microtome for 21 sectioning of the specimen.
1 It is important that the specimen is accurately positioned in the embedding mold prior to 2 the paraffin embedding step, so that sectioning of the specimen occurs along appropriate planes 3 to reveal the desired cell structure. Presently, accurate positioning of the specimen is achieved 4 by setting the specimen in a desired position in the embedding mold, and allowing a few drops of molten paraffin wax to fall on the specimen to set the specimen in the desired position.
6 Alternatively, a few drops of molten paraffin wax are placed in the bottom of the embedding 7 mold, and the specimen is set in desired position in the still molten paraffin wax. The molten 8 paraffin wax is allowed to cool and solidify. The solidified paraffin wax holds the specimen in 9 the required position through the second stage, after which more molten paraffin wax is added to the cassette or mold to fully embed the specimen. In place of paraffin wax, molten 11 nitrocellulose, gelatin, and various resins have been used to embed the specimen in a desired 12 orientation through the first stage.
13 Various attempts to improve the preparation of tissue samples for sectioning primarily 14 have involved modifications to the molds or cassettes. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos.
3,982,862; 4,557,903; 4,801,553; 5,080,869; and 6,017,476, which are exemplary.
16 The present invention provides a more efficient and faster way to prepare tissue samples 17 for sectioning. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, a tissue sample is 18 embedded in a porous embedding media in a desired orientation, processed, and sectioned all 19 while being held in the porous embedding media. The post-tissue processing step of manual embedding in paraffin is eliminated from the process.
1 Various features and advantages of the present invention will be seen from the following 2 detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like numerals 3 depict like parts, and wherein:
4 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic flow chart showing a first method for orienting and processing a tissue sample in accordance with the present invention;
6 Figs. 2-4 are views similar to Fig. 1, showing second and third method for orienting and 7 processing a tissue sample in accordance with the present invention;
8 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of an embedding cassette in accordance with 9 another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embedding cassette of Fig. 5;
11 Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the embedding cassette of Fig. S;
12 Fig. 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 5, of the embedding cassette of Fig. 5 after embedding 13 and processing, with the bottom portion of the cassette removed, and ready for sectioning.
14 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic flow chart showing a first method for orienting and processing a tissue sample for sectioning in accordance with the present invention. The 16 technician obtains a tissue sample 22 from the examining doctor, nurse, or specialist. The 17 technician typically will be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for 18 sectioning on a microtome or other cutting device. The technician orients the tissue sample 22 in 19 a modified cassette-mold combination 24, which is lined with a filter paper 26, or the like. The technician then embeds the tissue sample 22 in the cassette 24 by filling the cassette with molten 21 porous embedding media 28. The porous embedding media should be a material which is 22 normally solid at room temperature and at tissue processing temperatures, and should have a 1 melting point or liquidus point which is below the temperature at which the tissue sample would 2 become denatured or otherwise changed by heat. The porous embedding media also is a material 3 that is porous to treating solutions commonly used in processing and fixing tissues, e.g. acetic 4 acid, acetone, chromic or picric acid, alcohols, aldehydes, mercuric chloride, osmium tetroxide, S potassium dichloride, xylene, ete. Applicant has found that low melting point agarose, i.e.
6 agarose having a melting point in the range of about SS to 65°C, works particularly well as a 7 porous embedding media. Currently preferred is HistogelTM brand of hydroxyethyl agarose 8 available from Wayne Holland.
9 The technician fills the cassette/mold combination 24 with molten porous embedding media 28 until the specimen is completely covered . Generally, but not necessarily, the porous 11 embedding media is added to fill the cassette/mold combination to the top.
The cassette/mold 12 combination containing the tissue sample and the liquid embedding media may be cooled on a 13 cold plate 32 to solidify the porous embedding media, or simply left to cool to room temperature.
14 The cassette/mold combination containing the embedded tissue sample is then placed in a tissue processor 36 for conventional fixing and processing. The cassette/mold combination 16 must be oriented in the tissue processor as shown in Figure 1, with the tissue sample and filter 17 paper on the bottom.
18 During conventional automated processing the tissue sample as well as the porous 19 embedding media are infiltrated with paraffin then allowed to cool to room temperature. This forms the paraffin block that contains the tissue oriented in the position the technician originally 21 positioned it in.
1 After the tissue sample is processed, the bottom of the cassette 40 is removed, and the 2 filter paper stripped from the paraffin block, exposing the embedded tissue.
The cassette/mold 3 combination then is coupled to a microtome 42 for tissue sectioning.
4 A feature and advantage of the present invention that results from using a porous embedding media during fixing and pre-processing, is that the post-processing paraffin wax 6 embedding step is eliminated. In other words, one step in the process is eliminated, along with 7 the technician time, equipment, material, energy and environmental costs associated with the 8 paraffin wax embedding step. Moreover, tissue orientation is assured through the entire process, 9 which is extremely critical for small biopsy examination.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a second method of orienting and processing a 11 tissue sample for sectioning in accordance with the present invention. The technician obtains a 12 tissue sample 122 from the examining doctor, nurse or specialist. The technician typically will 13 be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for sectioning on a 14 microtome or other cutting device. The technician orients the tissue sample 122 on the bottom of a two-piece processing cassette 124 which includes a removable metal bottom dish 126. The 16 technician then embeds the tissue sample 122 in the cassette 124 by filling the cassette with 17 molten porous embedding media 128. As before, tlae porous embedding media should be a 18 material which is normally solid at room temperature and at tissue processing temperatures, and 19 should have a melting point or liquidus point below the temperature at which the tissue sample would become denatured or otherwise changed by heat. The porous embedding media also 21 should be a material that is porous to treating solutions commonly used in fixing and dehydrating 1 tissues. As before, agarose has been found to be a particularly preferred porous embedding 2 media.
3 The technician fills the cassette/mold combination 124 with molten porous embedding 4 media 128 until the specimen is completely covered. The cassette containing the tissue sample and Liquid porous embedding media may be cooled on a cold plate 132 to solidify the porous 6 embedding media. Thereafter, the plastic or metal bottom dish 126 is separated from the 7 remainder of the cassette to expose the embedded tissue sample, which is then passed to a tissue 8 processor 136 for conventional fixing and processing. After the tissue sample is processed, the 9 cassette then is coupled to a microtome 142 for tissue sectioning.
As before, by using a porous embedding media pre-processing and fixing, the post-11 processing paraffin wax embedding step is eliminated.
12 Fig. 3 shows yet another method of orienting and processing a tissue sample for 13 sectioning in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. I, in which, 14 however, in place of porous embedding media 28, a pre-formed porous embedding block 129 is employed. The embedding block 129 preferably comprises a phenolic foam which is 16 commercially available as a floral mounting block. A phenolic foam is preferred since it is inert 17 and resistant to the liquids typically employed in tissue fixing and processing, yet is porous to I8 the liquids, widely available, low cost, and easy to cut and shape. The pre-formed embedding 19 block 129 is cut or shaped to fit into the bottom of the cassette/mold combination 24 which is lined with filter paper 26 or the like. However, prior to placing the pre-formed embedding block 21 129 into the cassette/mold combination, the technician forms a hole or depression 127 in the 22 block 129, e.g. by cutting, drilling or punching a blind hole or slot, for accommodating the tissue 1 sample in the desired orientation. The tissue sample 122 is placed in the hole 127. Porous 2 embedding media 28 may be placed in the hole 127 and allowed to solidify to maintain the 3 orientation of the tissue sample 122. The pre-formed embedding block 129 carrying the tissue 4 sample 122 in desired orientation is then placed in the cassette. The cassette containing the embedded tissue sample is then passed to a tissue processor 36 for conventional fixing and 6 processing, as before, prior to sectioning.
7 Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the embedding block carrying the tissue sample may be 8 placed in a cassette and passed directly to a tissue processor for conventional fixing and 9 processing. After the tissue sample is processed, the sample and pre-formed embedding block may then be infiltrated and embedded in molten embedding media which may be a conventional 11 paraffin wax, agarose, nitrocellulose, gelatin, or a resin, and the molten embedding media 12 solidified by cooling, and the embedded sample then sectioned, as before.
13 While the embodiment of Fig. 4 doesn't have the advantages of the Figs. 1-3 I4 embodiments of eliminating the post-processing embedding step, the use of a pre-formed porous foam embedding media has advantages in that less paraffin wax or other embedding media is 16 used. Also, the pre-formed foam embedding media. may be supplied at the tissue grossing Iab so 17 that the Pathologist or assistant could precisely position the tissue sample in a desired I8 orientation, thus eliminating possible miscommunication with the technician.
19 Referring to Figs. 5-8, there is shown an improved cassette 48 for use in accordance with the present invention. It would be appreciated, however, that the cassette as described below, 21 advantageously may be employed in connection with a conventional paraffin wax impregnation 22 process.
1 Referring specifically to Fig. 5, the cassette 48 comprises a two-piece body including a 2 top portion 50 and a bottom portion 52. Top portion 50 has a perforated bottom wall 52, a front 3 wall 54, a back wall 56, and two side walls 58, 60. Preferably, the front wall 54 includes an 4 angled extension wall 64, which provides a writing surface 64 on which a sample identification label may be affixed. If desired, barcode indicia may be affixed to the underside surface 66 of 6 extension wall 64. Bottom portion 52 is snap or friction mounted to top portion 50, and 7 comprises a perforated bottom wall 78 and a bridging side wall 70 which spaces the bottom wall 8 78 from the top portion 50, and serves to contain molten porous embedding media. Bridging 9 side wall 70 includes a pair of tear lines or lines of weakness 72 and a pull tab 74. The cassette including the top and bottom portions 50, 52 are made of a suitable plastic material compatible 11 with the intended processing and fixing.
12 Use of the cassette 48 above described will now be discussed. Again refernng to Fig. 5, 13 the technician obtains a tissue sample 76 from the examining doctor, nurse, or specialist. The 14 technician will typically be given instructions as to how the tissue sample should be oriented for sectioning on a microtome or other cutting device. The technician obtains a pre-formed 16 embedding block 78, and forms an opening in the block 78 for the tissue sample, e.g. by cutting, 17 drilling or punching a blind hole or slot. As before, the embedding block 78 preferably 18 comprises a phenolic foam such as a floral mounting block. As mentioned supra, a phenolic 19 foam mounting block is preferred since it is inert and resistant to the liquids typically employed in tissue processing and fixing, porous, widely available, low cost and easy to cut and shape.
21 The embedding block 78 is cut or shaped to fill, at least in part, the bottom portion 52 of cassette 22 48. The embedding block with the tissue sample mounted therein is placed into the bottom 1 portion 52 of cassette 48 with the tissue facing the outside of the cassette. The top portion 50 is 2 then snapped or fitted to the bottom portion 52.
3 The tissue sample may be automatically processed to remove water and fix the tissue 4 sample, etc. using known processing techniques, the last step being the paraffin infiltration step where the tissue sample and porous embedding media are infiltrated with paraffin and allowed to 6 solidify. Bridging side wall 70 is then peeled off the cassette along the line of weakness 72, and 7 the bottom wall 68 removed to expose the embedded tissue sample in the foam block (Fig. 8).
8 The sample may then be sectioned on a microtome.
9 Various changes may be made in the invention. For example, a tissue sample may be oriented in a pre-formed embedding block and then processed in a conventional cassette. Also, 11 the two-part cassette with a removable bridging side wall of Figs. 5-8 may be employed in a I2 conventional two-stage fixing and embedding process.
I3 It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail 14 herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as 16 defined in the following claim(s):
Claims (28)
1. A cassette having a hollow for receiving and retaining a tissue specimen for fluid treatment preparatory to histological examination, comprising a top portion and a bottom portion snap or friction mounted to the top portion, the bottom portion having a side wall removable along a tear line.
2. The cassette of claim 1, wherein said removable side wall bridges said top and bottom portions.
3. The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein said removable side wall includes a pair of tear lines.
4. The cassette of any of claims 1-3, wherein said removable side wall includes a projecting tab to facilitate removal of said wall.
5. The cassette of any of claims 1-4, wherein said top and bottom portions are molded of a synthetic plastic material.
6. The cassette of any of claims 1-5, further comprising a pre-formed foam block in said hollow.
7. The cassette of any of claims 1-6, further comprising agarose in said hollow.
8. The cassette of any of claims 1-7, further comprising both agarose and pre-formed foam block in said hollow.
9. The cassette of any of claims 1-8, further comprising filter paper positioned in said hollow to retard egress of molten paraffin.
10. A method for preparing a tissue sample for analysis, comprising the steps of-.
(a) orienting the tissue sample in the cassette of any of claims 1-9;
(b) embedding an oriented tissue sample in a porous embedding media; and (c) directly processing the embedded tissue sample with tissue processing reagents while maintaining the original orientation of the sample without a post-processing paraffin-embedding step.
(a) orienting the tissue sample in the cassette of any of claims 1-9;
(b) embedding an oriented tissue sample in a porous embedding media; and (c) directly processing the embedded tissue sample with tissue processing reagents while maintaining the original orientation of the sample without a post-processing paraffin-embedding step.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the porous embedding media comprises agarose.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the process embedded media comprises a pre-formed foam.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the tissue sample is oriented in an opening or depression formed in said pre-formed foam.
14. The method of claim 13, including the step of forming said opening or depression by cutting, drilling, punching or molding.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the tissue sample is embedded flush with or below an outer surface of the pre-formed foam.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pre-formed foam comprises a preformed block of phenolic foam.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein said agarose has a melting point in the range of about 55 to 65°C.
18. The method of any of claims 10-17, further including the step of sectioning the embedded tissue sample following processing.
19. The method of any of claims 10-18, wherein said tissue processing reagents are selected from the group consisting essentially of aqueous formalin, water, xylene, alcohol and paraffin.
20. A hollow cassette for receiving and retaining a tissue specimen for fluid treatment preparatory to histological examination, comprising a top portion and a bottom portion snap or friction mounted to the top portion, the bottom portion having a side wall removable along a tear line, the hollow being filled, at least in part, by a porous embedding medium.
21. The cassette of claim 20, wherein said porous embedding medium comprises agarose and/or a pre-formed foam.
22. The cassette of claim 20 or 21, wherein said removable side wall bridges said top and bottom portions.
23. The cassette of any of claims 20-22, wherein said removable side wall includes a pair of tear lines.
24. The cassette of any of claims 20-23, wherein said removable wall includes a projecting tab to facilitate removal of said wall.
25. The cassette of any of claims 20-24, wherein said top and bottom portions are molded of a synthetic plastic material.
26. The cassette of any of claims 20-25, and further comprising filter paper positioned within the cassette to retard egress of molten paraffin.
27. The cassette of claim 21, wherein the agarose has a melting point in the range of 55 to 65°C.
28. The cassette of claim 21, wherein the foam comprises a phenolic foam.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/029,658 US7005110B2 (en) | 2001-12-20 | 2001-12-20 | Method and apparatus for preparing tissue samples for sectioning |
| US10/029,658 | 2001-12-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2413902A1 true CA2413902A1 (en) | 2003-06-20 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002413902A Abandoned CA2413902A1 (en) | 2001-12-20 | 2002-12-10 | Method and apparatus for preparing tissue samples for sectioning |
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| US (1) | US7005110B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1321757B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2003215004A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE327502T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2002330521B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2413902A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60211637T2 (en) |
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| EP1545775B1 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2010-06-16 | BioPath Automation, L.L.C. | Cassette and embedding assembly, staging devices, and methods for handling tissue samples |
| EP1552266B1 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2015-10-28 | BioPath Automation, L.L.C. | Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples |
| US7179424B2 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2007-02-20 | Biopath Automation, L.L.C. | Cassette for handling and holding tissue samples during processing, embedding and microtome procedures, and methods therefor |
| US7541161B2 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2009-06-02 | University Of Massachusetts | Method and apparatus for preparing cells for microtome sectioning and archiving nucleic acids and proteins |
| US7648678B2 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2010-01-19 | Dako Denmark A/S | Method and system for pretreatment of tissue slides |
| KR200327028Y1 (en) | 2003-06-17 | 2003-09-19 | 장시창 | Tool for inspecting the tissue of human body |
| US7521021B2 (en) * | 2003-11-26 | 2009-04-21 | Leica Biosvstems St. Louis Llc | System for in situ processing of a tissue specimen |
| US8518348B2 (en) | 2003-11-26 | 2013-08-27 | Leica Biosystems Richmond, Inc. | Histological specimen retaining device |
| JP5308156B2 (en) * | 2005-09-06 | 2013-10-09 | レイカ バイオシステムズ メルボルン ピーティーワイ リミテッド | Tissue specimen processing method and processing apparatus |
| US20070116612A1 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2007-05-24 | Biopath Automation, L.L.C. | Prefix tissue cassette |
| US7975586B2 (en) | 2006-02-06 | 2011-07-12 | Leica Biosystems Richmond, Inc. | Microtome and method of reversibly altering a microtome |
| CA2665687C (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2016-07-05 | Biopath Automation, L.L.C. | Biopsy support with sectionable resilient cellular material |
| EP2102627B1 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2016-07-27 | Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd | Device and method for tissue handling and embedding |
| US7906076B2 (en) * | 2007-07-02 | 2011-03-15 | University Of Massachusetts | Method and apparatus for biopsy sample processing |
| US8118962B2 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2012-02-21 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for spacing cellular matter in a cell block |
| US8900857B2 (en) * | 2008-06-18 | 2014-12-02 | Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd | Devices and methods for tissue handling and embedding |
| CN102292030B (en) | 2009-01-22 | 2014-11-19 | 比欧帕斯自动化公司 | Microtome sectionable biopsy support for orienting tissue samples |
| JP5947794B2 (en) | 2010-08-02 | 2016-07-06 | マイクロスコピー イノベーションズ， エルエルシーＭｉｃｒｏｓｃｏｐｙ Ｉｎｎｏｖａｔｉｏｎｓ， Ｌｌｃ | Method and apparatus for specimen preparation for microscope |
| CN104583384B (en) | 2012-06-22 | 2020-03-17 | 莱卡生物系统努斯洛赫有限责任公司 | Biopsy tissue sample transport device and method of use thereof |
| WO2013192607A1 (en) | 2012-06-22 | 2013-12-27 | Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh | Tissue sample container and methods |
| US10794804B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2020-10-06 | Biopath Automation, Llc | Microtome sectionable gel support structure and methods |
| CA2845830C (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2020-10-27 | Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh | Tissue cassette with retractable member |
| US9052256B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2015-06-09 | Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh | Method for processing and embedding tissue |
| US9389154B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-07-12 | Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh | Tissue cassette with biasing element |
| WO2017136401A1 (en) * | 2016-02-01 | 2017-08-10 | Bioventures, Llc | Dual-purpose biopsy collection container and tissue processing cassette |
| EP3714250B1 (en) * | 2017-11-23 | 2021-08-04 | Sergio Cometto | Disposable process chamber for processing biologic material |
| DE102018121948B4 (en) * | 2018-09-08 | 2021-12-23 | JOMESA Meßsysteme GmbH | Method and means for fixing particles on a substrate |
| DE102018122173A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2020-03-12 | Thomas Märsch | Method of making a block and tissue block containing a tissue sample |
| TWI798731B (en) * | 2021-06-28 | 2023-04-11 | 華邦電子股份有限公司 | Holder system |
| DE102021118984A1 (en) * | 2021-07-22 | 2023-01-26 | Thomas Märsch | Base mold for biopsies and method for preparing a block of tissue using such a base mold |
| IT202100029357A1 (en) * | 2021-11-19 | 2023-05-19 | Expertmed S R L | EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR THE PROCESSING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES |
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2001
- 2001-12-20 US US10/029,658 patent/US7005110B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-12-10 CA CA002413902A patent/CA2413902A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2002-12-17 EP EP02028076A patent/EP1321757B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-12-17 AT AT02028076T patent/ATE327502T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-12-18 JP JP2002366530A patent/JP2003215004A/en active Pending
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| DE60211637D1 (en) | 2006-06-29 |
| DE60211637T2 (en) | 2007-04-26 |
| AU2002330521B2 (en) | 2007-06-07 |
| US7005110B2 (en) | 2006-02-28 |
| JP2003215004A (en) | 2003-07-30 |
| EP1321757A3 (en) | 2004-06-02 |
| EP1321757A2 (en) | 2003-06-25 |
| EP1321757B1 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
| US20030119200A1 (en) | 2003-06-26 |
| AU2002330521A1 (en) | 2003-08-28 |
| ATE327502T1 (en) | 2006-06-15 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |