[Histonet] Microwave procedure for monitoringtemperature reproducibility

[Morken, Tim]

Phil wrote: "Page 11, section 4.7: "A qualified authority CERTIFIED IN
USING MICROWAVE LEAKAGE INSTRUMENTATION [my emphasis] should determine
microwave leakage..." The problem is, to our knowledge, NO SUCH
CERTIFICATION EXISTS! Furthermore, despite repeated requests, CLSI has
not been forthcoming with suggestions."

That's funny, but brings up an interesting question: Who does oversight
on a group like CLSI? If they went to the trouble of researching this
guideline, how is it that they never (apparently) realized there is no
such certification. What made them write such a requirement without
knowing if such a certification exisits? Did they just assume it
existed?  And, if they did any lab work with an actual microwave, how
could they have done so without first having it checked by a person
certified to do so? 

The final question. If CLSI can't figure that out, should we believe
them on anything else?  This is a private group that has set itself up
as the final word on laboratory standardization. They charge massive
amounts of money for rather average informational documents (most of
which, these days, anyone can find on the internet for free with a
little persistance) and then something like this makes them look like
fools. It seems the only possible oversight is to refuse to buy
defective documents.

Actually, it kinda reminds me of another body that dreams up fantasy
questions to torture lab managers with...

Tim Morken



-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Phil
McArdle
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 7:24 AM
To: Zummak Melissa
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Microwave procedure for monitoringtemperature
reproducibility

Hello everyone:

And now a vendor weighs in:

We have several calibration and "accreditation-related" articles
available on our website (www.ebsciences.com ,
http://www.ebsciences.com/papers/microwave_quality.htm ,
http://www.ebsciences.com/pdf/EBS_CAP_RECOMMEND.pdf  ).

In addition, we're happy to see that microwave use in the histology
laboratory is finally being given the scrutiny it deserves. Many of the
suggestions in CLSI's GP-28 guidelines (referenced in other postings)
are excellent, for example, troubleshooting, container placement, power
output determination, and overall, standardization of procedures and
elimination of variables. However, I feel there are some significant
problems with this publication; I have previously informed CLSI of my
primary concern:

Page 11, section 4.7: "A qualified authority CERTIFIED IN USING
MICROWAVE LEAKAGE INSTRUMENTATION [my emphasis] should determine
microwave leakage..." The problem is, to our knowledge, NO SUCH
CERTIFICATION EXISTS! Furthermore, despite repeated requests, CLSI has
not been forthcoming with suggestions. This is not to imply the absence
of extant legislation, Federal and otherwise, regulating the manufacture
and use of microwave devices; manufacturers have to comply with FDA and
other regulations regarding microwaves intended for in-vitro diagnostic
use. But as for leakage detection in the field, we have yet to come
across any relevant (or irrelevant, for that matter) Federal or State
certification. As you can imagine, for institutions deciding to adopt
the more stringent CLSI guidelines, this poses something of a
"Catch-22."

In addition, page 17 outlines the use of a neon bulb array, for those
who aspire to eliminate "hot spots" in the microwave chamber. However,
while this can be a "fun" way to indirectly observe microwave energy,
unless the microwave were horribly defective, it is a fairly useless
exercise. Any object (including the array itself) placed in the
microwave chamber affects the distribution of microwaves, a classic
example of attempted observation affecting the phenomenon observed.

I want to stress, however, that overall, publication GP-28A is an
outstanding effort to provide "recommendations for quality assurance and
safety procedures for microwave equipment use" in their words, and to
help troubleshoot and eliminate variability in results of microwave
usage.

Best regards,

Phil McArdle
--

Microwave Product Manager

Energy Beam Sciences, Inc.
29-B Kripes Rd.
East Granby, CT 06026

Tel:  800.992.9037 x 341
Fax: 860.653.0422

pmcardle <@t> ebsciences.com
www.ebsciences.com

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- Mahatma Gandhi

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Zummak Melissa wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> Does anyone know where I can find recommendations for 
> checking\monitoring temperature reproducibility for microwaves, I only

> use the microwave for certain special stains currently.
>
> Melissa Zummak
> Alverno Clinincal Lab
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>   


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