[Histonet] Microwaves VENDOR RESPONSE

Wed Sep 5 15:00:47 CDT 2007

Hi Joe:

Obviously, a microwave vendor hates to hear microwave horror stories, so 
again, no argument - even though I'm not privy to details of the fried 
biopsies in question or what type/vintage of microwave, anyone who's 
experienced a malfunction involving patient samples doesn't want a 
repeat performance. And pathology is, must be, risk averse.

That said, again, any mechanical or electronic equipment can fail, or 
user error can contribute; just look at the "hang-up" problems with 
older tissue processors that are now ancient history. It's up to 
manufacturers to minimize the possibilities of failure, since patient 
care is at stake. Improvement is therefore a continual, ongoing process. 
For example, while for years EBS microwave processors incorporated 
safety shutdown modes in the event of vent failure, probe failure (open 
and closed) and many other component-related issues, about two years ago 
we determined that the microwave did not have a comprehensive set of 
safeguards to deal with user errors, for example, temperature overshoots 
caused by too small a container for a given power setting, or failure to 
place the temperature probe in solution. So we developed multiple safety 
mechanisms to head off user errors of this sort.

PMM
-- 
Phil McArdle
Microwave Product Manager

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

Tel:  800.992.9037 x 341
Mobile: 860.597.6796
Fax: 860.653.0422

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

Joe Nocito wrote:
> are you sure it's the willies and not the johnnies?
> Since the magnetron or whatever it was that fried my tissue, I'd wait 
> for the traditional processing. Call me a dinosaur, but I really don't 
> like doing special stains in the microwave. The only thing I use a 
> microwave for at my house is to defrost and reheat stuff (technical 
> term). I'm sure there are people out there who can cook a 6 course 
> gourmet meal. My best friend can process all types of tissue from 
> biopsies to uterus.
>    As a matter of fact, he was there grossing when something went wrong 
> and told me that he's never seen tissue like that before.
> 
> JTT
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil McArdle" <PMcArdle <@t> ebsciences.com>
> To: "Joe Nocito" <jnocito <@t> satx.rr.com>
> Cc: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 11:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Microwaves VENDOR RESPONSE
> 
> 
>> Hi Joe:
>>
>> No argument there. I'm painfully aware of both a mindset of "a 
>> microwave 'should' cost less than $100," and of a dearth of funding 
>> for pathology in general (popular shows like CSI to the contrary). :-) 
>> I'd still suggest that $1749 is a heck of a lot better (and a lot less 
>> laughable) than the $18,000 or $30,000 that's widely quoted and 
>> posted, and it's the exact reason we brought an under-$2000 lab 
>> microwave to market in the first place.
>>
>> One could argue just as convincingly against all kinds of specialized 
>> equipment or reagents on the basis of cost, not just microwaves. We 
>> all know of everything from saliva to cheap rice steamers being used 
>> in histo labs, and while they may actually be perfectly serviceable, 
>> from the standpoint of repeatability or liability, this kind of thing 
>> gives me the willies (and that's a technical term). My yardstick is 
>> always "what would I be comfortable with if my kid's diagnosis hung in 
>> the balance?"
>>
>> Healthy debate is good!
>>
>> Phil
>> -- 
>> Phil McArdle
>> Microwave Product Manager
>>
>> Energy Beam Sciences, Inc.
>> 29-B Kripes Rd.
>> East Granby, CT 06026
>>
>> Tel:  800.992.9037 x 341
>> Mobile: 860.597.6796
>> Fax: 860.653.0422
>>
>> pmcardle <@t> ebsciences.com
>> www.ebsciences.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe Nocito wrote:
>>> ok, but with the budgets today, many people can't afford a $1749 
>>> microwave when they can buy one at Walmart, K-Mart, or somewhere else 
>>> for $79.
>>>    Not to make you angry or anything, but I'm wondering how long has 
>>> it been since you worked in a lab? Histo's budget is the first one 
>>> cut in the lab because we are not essential.
>>> I can't count how many times I fought and fought for my budgets.
>>>    If I tried to justify a $1749 microwave for special stains, HIER 
>>> or whatever, I would have been laughed out the manager's office.
>>>    Just my 4 cents.
>>>
>>> JTT
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil McArdle" 
>>> <PMcArdle <@t> ebsciences.com>
>>> To: "Kathleen Boozer" <BoozerKA <@t> ah.org>
>>> Cc: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 9:07 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Microwaves VENDOR RESPONSE
>>>
>>>
>>>> Again, a microwave vendor weighs in (so far I haven't received any 
>>>> flames), so read at your own risk. :-)
>>>>
>>>> At the risk of sounding overly and overtly commercial, after reading 
>>>> post after post of $30,000+ and $18,000 and similarly high figures 
>>>> for lab microwaves, I really feel the need to set the record 
>>>> straight. Depending on the usage requirements, we have laboratory 
>>>> microwaves as low as $1749 for a "bare bones" model for simple 
>>>> operations, to mid-priced units, to under $11,000 for a vacuum 
>>>> equipped microwave processor capable of the +/- 0.5 degree C 
>>>> temperature control necessary for tissue processing.
>>>>
>>>> (I can feel the heat already!)
>>>>
>>>> There are many compelling reasons to replace a kitchen microwave 
>>>> with a lab model; feel free to download, read, and even share with 
>>>> colleagues our Microwave Companion at
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ebsciences.com/pdf/EBS_MW_COMPANION.pdf
>>>>
>>>> Best regards, and see you at NSH,
>>>>
>>>> Phil McArdle
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> Phil McArdle
>>>> Microwave Product Manager
>>>>
>>>> Energy Beam Sciences, Inc.
>>>> 29-B Kripes Rd.
>>>> East Granby, CT 06026
>>>>
>>>> Tel:  800.992.9037 x 341
>>>> Mobile: 860.597.6796
>>>> Fax: 860.653.0422
>>>>
>>>> pmcardle <@t> ebsciences.com
>>>> www.ebsciences.com
>>>>
>>>> Kathleen Boozer wrote:
>>>>> What is the best microwave for a small lab using it only for 
>>>>> heating Bouin's and Silver Nitrate for special stains?  I just 
>>>>> can't believe I would have to spend $30,000+ or slow down and use a 
>>>>> waterbath.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Histonet mailing list
>>>>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>>>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it's been.
>>>> - Wayne Gretsky
>>>>
>>>> You must be the change you want to see in the world.
>>>> - Mahatma Gandhi
>>>>
>>>> NOTE: This message, together with any attachments, is intended only 
>>>> for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and 
>>>> may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential and 
>>>> exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, 
>>>> however, there's not a lot I can do about it, and it was probably my 
>>>> mistake anyway. So please do the right thing and make this e-mail go 
>>>> away. Thank you.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Histonet mailing list
>>>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Histonet mailing list
>>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Phil McArdle
>> Microwave Product Manager
>>
>> Energy Beam Sciences, Inc.
>> 29-B Kripes Rd.
>> East Granby, CT 06026
>>
>> Tel:  800.992.9037 x 341
>> Mobile: 860.597.6796
>> Fax: 860.653.0422
>>
>> pmcardle <@t> ebsciences.com
>> www.ebsciences.com
>>
>> I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it's been.
>> - Wayne Gretsky
>>
>> You must be the change you want to see in the world.
>> - Mahatma Gandhi
>>
>> NOTE: This message, together with any attachments, is intended only 
>> for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and 
>> may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential and 
>> exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, 
>> however, there's not a lot I can do about it, and it was probably my 
>> mistake anyway. So please do the right thing and make this e-mail go 
>> away. Thank you. 
> 

I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it's been.
- Wayne Gretsky

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
- Mahatma Gandhi

NOTE: This message, together with any attachments, is intended only for 
the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may 
contain information that is legally privileged, confidential and exempt 
from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, however, there's 
not a lot I can do about it, and it was probably my mistake anyway. So 
please do the right thing and make this e-mail go away. Thank you.