What Are The Steps Done At The Histology Tissue Processor?

***Overview of histology tissue processors***

At its core, the function of a tissue processor is to systematically and efficiently prepare tissue samples for embedding in paraffin or other media, which preserves the samples and allows for thin sectioning. The basic workflow of a histology tissue processor involves a series of steps, including fixation, dehydration, clearing, and infiltration. Each of these steps is crucial and must be meticulously executed to ensure the integrity and quality of the tissue samples.

1. **Fixation**: The first step of tissue processing involves fixation, which is the preservation of the tissue in a stable state. Fixatives, commonly formalin or other chemical agents, are used to halt cellular processes and prevent degradation. The tissue processor facilitates this step by allowing tissues to be immersed in fixative for the appropriate amount of time, preserving the structure and cellular details.

2. **Dehydration**: After fixation, the next step is dehydration, which prepares the tissues for embedding in a medium like paraffin. This phase involves progressively removing water from the tissue samples using alcohol solutions of increasing concentrations (typically from 70% to 100% ethanol). A tissue processor automates this process, ensuring consistent dehydration while preventing over-dehydration that could damage delicate cellular structures.

3. **Clearing**: Following dehydration, the tissue must undergo a ‘clearing’ step to remove the alcohol from the samples. This is vital because embedding media, such as paraffin, is not miscible with water or alcohol. Clearing agents, such as xylene or toluene, are used to replace the dehydrating agents, thereby making the tissues adequately receptive to the embedding medium. The tissue processor orchestrates this transition, maintaining optimal conditions for processing.

4. **Infiltration**: The final preparatory step is infiltration, where the cleared tissue is impregnated with molten paraffin. This step is essential as it provides the necessary support to the tissues, facilitating thin sectioning without causing damage. A tissue processor controls the temperature and timing during this process, allowing the paraffin to penetrate the tissue thoroughly.

5. **Embedding**: Though not performed within the tissue processor itself, embedding follows the infiltration process. Once embedded in paraffin blocks, the tissues can then be sectioned using a microtome for further analysis under a microscope.

These steps are necessary to take human tissue from fixation to the state where it is completely infiltrated with a suitable histological wax and can be embedded, ready for section cutting on a microtome.

We have various automated tissue processors for the paraffin infiltration of tissue in routine clinical and research histopathology applications. Carousel tissue processor or benchtop tissue processor. Reliable quality, quick delivery, factory prices!

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