[Histonet] different types of processors

[Tony Henwood]

I have used both types and agree with the comments made by Charles. Some
further points:
1.    Closed systems process large blocks (eg brain) and fatty tissues
better than open systems due to the stronger pressure and vacuum that can be
applied.
2.    To obtain equivalent processing quality from an open system requires
at least double the processing time.
3.    Because open systems are more gentle on tissues, small endoscopics and
core biopsies process better than with closed systems.
4.    The choice? For large throughput, general path labs definitely
consider at least one closed system processor and for Children's Hospital
labs (smaller biopsies), open system processors are definitely wothwhile.
 
Tony Henwood JP, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC) 
Laboratory Manager 
The Children's Hospital at  Westmead, 
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145, AUSTRALIA. 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 

http://www.histosearch.com/homepages/TonyHenwood/default.html
<http://www.histosearch.com/homepages/TonyHenwood/default.html>  
http://us.geocities.com/tonyhenwoodau/index.html
<http://us.geocities.com/tonyhenwoodau/index.html>  

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles W. Scouten, Ph.D. [mailto:cwscouten <@t> myneurolab.com]
Sent: Friday, 21 November 2003 9:56 AM
To: JCarpenter764 <@t> aol.com; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] different types of processors



 

There are many real advantages to a dip and move system (OPEN)  when
compared to a sealed flush (CLOSED) system. The following points highlight
the operational differences 1) Time - the minimum cycle time for a flush
system is 2 hours. This is due to the heating phase for the paraffin and the
additional rinse cycles. For quick procedures such as biopsies, 2 hours is
an inconvenient cycle time when it can be done in 30 minutes with a TPC
system. A procedure that would take only 8 hours with the TPC will take 12
hours in a sealed system. 2) Artifacts - In order to introduce the paraffin
in a sealed system, the chamber must be heated. This heating process can
cause dead spots, shadows, or artifacts in your tissue. The TPC system does
not create such artifacts. 3) Maintenance - The TPC system does not rely on
pumps to complete the protocols. The sealed system requires pumps which can
fail. These can be costly and inconvenient to replace. 4) Contamination -
Although the sealed systems are thought to be contamination free, they do
require cleaning after every protocol. Proteins are routinely washed out of
sections during processing. These proteins will settle in the bottom of
flush storage tanks and will be present for future protocols. In order to
remove all contaminates, the system must be cleaned. 5) Cost - The TPC
system uses a much lower volume of reagents and chemicals. These add up over
the coarse of a year. Have you actually calculated your annual costs and
looked at the potential savings? 6) Tissue Shrinking - The TPC system does
not expose the tissue to a heating cycle and therefore does not cause the
tissue to shrink.

 

I am also attaching a detailed data sheet here. If you have any questions or
would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact me anytime. 

 

Charles W.  Scouten, Ph.D. 
myNeuroLab.com 
5918 Evergreen Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 63134 
Ph: 314 522 0300  
FAX  314 522 0377 
cwscouten <@t> myneurolab.com <mailto:cwscouten <@t> myneruolab.com>  
www.myneurolab.com 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: JCarpenter764 <@t> aol.com [mailto:JCarpenter764 <@t> aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 3:10 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] different types of processors

 

Would someone please explain the difference between an open processor and a
closed processor....



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