There is no true set time for decalfication in a microwave because bone type
and section thickness and decal solutions vary.  We have used Milestone,
Energy Beam and TBS units with the same results.  I prefer using a gentle
formic acid solution because of IHC.  The tissue must be fixed properly
first then decal at 40C to 50C for 10 min. then check the sample.  Bone
Marrow Biopsies that are 1mm thick often don't need any longer than this.
We have found that using a gentle formaic acid solution at 40C "usually"
takes about 10 minutes for each mm of section thickness.  Test it an see.
The solution may need to be changed during the process if you are doing
several cassettes or large tissues not in a cassette.

Donna Willis
Histology Lab Manager
Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Tx  

-----Original Message-----
From: Chan Wai Kam [mailto:doscwk@nus.edu.sg]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 9:02 PM
To: Mary Reeves
Cc: HistoNet Server
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave Tissue Processors


Hi Mary,

I was about to post a question to Histonet about the use of microwave
for processing of tissues when I came across your message below. I hope
to get some advice.

I'm from Orthopaedics (research) and I process bone and cartilage
specimens the usual way through fixation in formalin, then
decalcification and so on.  I'm just wondering whether I can use the
microwave to speed up the processing without affecting the quality of
the specimens. Our usual processing for bone takes around 3 weeks until
embedding so it would be great if we could have something that can speed
up the process without sacrifing quality.  

Would appreciate any advice out there.

Thanks
Julee Chan
Orthopaedic Surgery
National University of Singapore

   

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Reeves [mailto:REEVEML@shands.ufl.edu] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 11:38 PM
To: ASelf@gmhsc.com
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Katherine Raker
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave Tissue Processors


Amy,
Do you currently have a microwave tissue processor?  We use the
Hacker/Milestone RHS-1 Microwave to process our fatty tissue. The times
that you see only represent the time at temperature, they do not include
the "ramp" up time (the time needed to bring the solution to the
appropriate processing temperature).  

Fixation - We fix the tissue cassettes overnight (6pm - 3am) in
Alcoholic  Zinc Formalin Ethanol - 10 minutes at 65 C JFC - Produced by
Hacker. Isopropanol can be used instead, however, you may need to extend
the time at temperature. - 1 hour and 37 minutes at 68 C 
Vaporization (Vacuum Drying) -Pressure at 500 mbar
Paraffin - 48 minutes at 65 C and pressure at 100 mbar

This program takes approximately 4 hours to run, it replaces our 16 hour
overnight program that we previously used to process fatty tissue.  The
only fatty tissue we do not process in the microwave is lipoma. 

Mary Reeves
Technical Specialist
Histology
1-352-265-0680 ext 7-2113

>>> Amy Self  10/28/03 01:58PM >>>

	Mary,

	Could you share with me your procedure for processing fatty
tissue in the microwave.  

	Thanks,
	Amy Self

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Reeves [mailto:REEVEML@shands.ufl.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 1:38 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; thallada@noch.org 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave Tissue Processors


We microwave process all of our biopsy specimens and our fatty tissue
(except lipoma).   

Mary Reeves
Technical Specialist
Histology
1-352-265-0680 ext 7-2113

>>> "Hallada, Teri"  10/28/03 11:42AM >>>
I was wondering if anyone out there is using a microwave tissue
processor for routine hospital tissues. Are there any regulations
applicable to instituting one, ie FDA approval? Teri Hallada BS MT CT
(ASCP) thallada@noch.org 
 



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