[Histonet] Sakura Rapid Tissue Processor

[Daniel Schneider]

Actually, that was perfect, wordy replies are what I had hoped for.

How is the automated embedding working out for you?  The way I see things,
automated embedding is the true killer feature of the Xpress -- that is, if
it works.

Why don't skins process well on the Xpress?  (When I first appreciated the
automated embedding feature, my first thought was "Great, no more
misembedded pigmented skin lesions!"  But if we can't do skins, well...)

Breasts cancers require at least 8 hours formalin fixation for reliable
Her2Neu FISH; presumably that's why you've been told not to do breasts on
the Xpress.  That said, is there a reason why we couldn't or shouldn't
process breast core Bx's on the Xpress provided they've been sitting
overnight in formalin?
Thanks!!!
Daniel Schneider
On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 7:20 AM, Jean Warren <jwarren23 <@t> cinci.rr.com> wrote:

> We have the Sakura rapid tissue processor at my hospital lab, which is a
> large private hospital. We have had it three years and it has been somewhat
> of a disappointment::
>
> We have been told that you should not process breasts in it, because you
> will not get reliable
> results for FISH.
>
> Its implementation has created schedule changes that have caused some good
> techs to leave.
>
> The scenario to get a case out the same day is rare.
> If a patient has surgery at 7 am and we receive it by 8 am, it is
> accessioned
> and grossed in.
> Except for biopsies, the specimen still will need 2 hours fixation in
> formalin. When
> we receive it in Histology at 1030 am, it must go in pre-processing
> solution
> for 30 minutes. At 1100, we process it for approx 1 hour.
> Then embed, cut and stain. Our docs would get it well after lunch and, if
> all is
> OK, they can get the report out.
> And, there are not many cases that meet that time criterion.
>
> One other drawback is that it is more labor intensive to handle 10 blocks
> ten times a day than to handle 100 at one time. Our lab processes from
> 400-750 blocks a day and less than 100 a day are processed on that
> processor. All we are handling on the instrument are bxs, bone marrows and
> cytology blocks. If too large a specimen is placed on it,  we usually have a
> problem. Endometrial bxs, skins and cones have not had favorable results.
>
> On the other hand, biopsies, especially livers, look and cut better. Our
> hematology expert wants all bone marrows done that way. We also rapid
> process most cytology that way, but bloody cases still need formalin
> fixation.
>
> It is much simpler to change the processor ( and more expensive ).
>
> We tried to do most specimens on it with terrible failure. If anyone gets
> it, I
> would recommend starting slowly with a few specimen types and gradually
> adding.
>
> Our hope is that it will be more useful in the future.
>
> I know, rather wordy answer!
>
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