Histological tissue specimen processing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12399191-B2
Application number	US-202217872953-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2022
Priority date	Aug 22, 2017
Publication date	Aug 26, 2025
Grant date	Aug 26, 2025

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. A container is also provided for storing tissue samples for processing in a tissue processor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tissue processor, comprising:
at least one retort in which the tissue processor is configured to process tissue samples with a process fluid; and
a container for storing the tissue samples to be processed in the retort of the tissue processor, the container being configured and sized to be accommodated in the at least one retort of the tissue processor and comprising:
a receptacle having a central recess which includes a longitudinal slot, and
a retractable handle configured to be retracted into an interior of the container, such that arms of the handle are received into respective distal ends of the longitudinal slot in the retracted position, the handle being retractable to facilitate stacking of a plurality of the containers;
wherein the container has a netted structure providing fluid access to the tissue samples stored in the container when the container is accommodated in the at least one retort of the tissue processor.

2. The tissue processor according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle of the container includes a base portion, and the longitudinal slot is formed in the base portion, the longitudinal slot being configured for receiving at least part of a handle of a corresponding container.

3. The tissue processor according to claim 1 , wherein the handle of the container is attached to the receptacle.

4. The tissue processor according to claim 3 , wherein the receptacle of the container includes a base portion, and the longitudinal slot is formed in the base portion, the longitudinal slot being configured for receiving at least part of a handle of a corresponding container.

5. The tissue processor according to claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:
a lid attached to and covering an opening of the container,
wherein the lid comprises a slot that is aligned with the handle, and
wherein the handle is configured to be retracted into the container through the slot of the lid.

6. The tissue processor according to claim 5 ,
wherein the handle of the container is configured to be protruded through the slot of the lid while remaining attached to the container and while the lid is attached to and covering the opening of the container.

7. The tissue processor according to claim 1 , wherein side portions of the container are formed of a non-reflective or opaque material.

8. A tissue processor, comprising:
at least one retort in which the tissue processor is configured to process tissue samples with a process fluid; and
a container for storing the tissue samples to be processed in the retort of the tissue processor, the container being configured and sized to be accommodated in the at least one retort of the tissue processor and comprising:
a receptacle having a central recess which includes a longitudinal slot; and
a retractable handle configured to be retracted into an interior of the container, such that arms of the handle are received into respective distal ends of the longitudinal slot in the retracted position, the handle being retractable to facilitate stacking of a plurality of the containers,
wherein the container is a basket that provides fluid access to the tissue samples stored in the container when the container is accommodated in the at least one retort of the tissue processor.

9. The tissue processor according to claim 8 , wherein the receptacle of the container includes a base portion, and the longitudinal slot is formed in the base portion, the longitudinal slot being configured for receiving at least part of a handle of a corresponding container.

10. The tissue processor according to claim 8 , wherein the handle of the container is attached to the receptacle.

11. The tissue processor according to claim 10 , wherein the receptacle of the container includes a base portion, and the longitudinal slot is formed in the base portion, the longitudinal slot being configured for receiving at least part of a handle of a corresponding container.

12. The tissue processor according to claim 9 , wherein the container further comprises:
a lid attached to and covering an opening of the container,
wherein the lid comprises a slot that is aligned with the handle, and
wherein the handle is configured to be retracted into the container through the slot of the lid.

13. The tissue processor according to claim 12 ,
wherein the handle of the container is configured to be protruded through the slot of the lid while remaining attached to the container and while the lid is attached to and covering the opening of the container.

14. The tissue processor according to claim 8 , wherein side portions of the container are formed of a non-reflective or opaque material.

Assignees

• Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty

Inventors

• Sears Gordon
• Drummond Michael Houston
• Oh-Ainle Donnchadh

Classifications

• G01N2035/00673

  of reagents · CPC title

• G01N2001/315

  Basket-type carriers for tissues · CPC title

• G01N1/31 Primary

  Apparatus therefor · CPC title

• G01N35/00663 Primary

  of consumables · CPC title

• B01L3/16

  Retorts · CPC title