[Histonet] Special stains and microwave

Fri Aug 28 13:42:13 CDT 2009

You are correct, Bill was referring to using the microwave for special
stains, I just thought it may be easier to justify the cost of a lab
microwave if you looked at being able to use it as a processor also.  

A lab grade microwave is far better than your typical kitchen microwave,
which will produce hot and cold spots, and staining variability because
of them, they also lack the ability to have consistent, repeatable
results.   

A good lab microwave needs to have short magnetron cycle time, or better
yet a continuous power, and for any consistent results have a timer that
starts at temperature control.  It should also have both a temperature
probe and some sort of agitation, either a "bubbler wand" or other
method to move the solution around for consistent temperature.   Once
you have control over these issues, you can produce nicely stained,
consistent results with rapid TAT.  Having a processer that can process
biopsy's in 16 mins is a nice benefit also!   

Rosa Fields, HT (ASCP)

Gastroenterology Specialties

Histology Supervisor

4545 R Street

Lincoln, NE  68503

402-465-4545

rfields <@t> gidocs.net

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From: Akemi Allison-Tacha [mailto:akemiat3377 <@t> yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:27 PM
To: BillO'Donnell; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Rosa Fields
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Special stains and microwave

Hi Rosa,

Excuse me if I am wrong, but I think Bill is referring to using a
microwave for special stains, and you are referring to a Microwave
Tissue Processor.  

I have used an oven set at a higher temperature (85 -110 degrees C) for
staining the silver portion of the GMS, and it generally only takes
between 10-15 minutes.  That is if you place the silver solution in the
oven for approximately 10 minutes prior to use.  I also use the oven set
at 60-62 degrees C. for the bouins portion of the Trichrome stain.
Although using a water bath at 60 degrees C. is the preferred method.  

You have more control using a oven than using a microwave.  With a
microwave, results vary with the # of slides placed in the coplin jar,
as well as the placement in the microwave.  There are variations in
microwave intensities if you don't have a carousel.  You also may have
boil over of solutions.  Food for thought.

Akemi

Akemi Allison-Tacha BS, HT(ASCP)HTL
Histology Manager
APMG Laboratories
105A Cooper Court, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Contact: 800.848.2764
V/M: 408.884.2718
Fax: 408.884.2758
Cell: 408.335.9994
(W) E-Mail: aallison-tacha <@t> apmglab.com

(P) E-Mail: akemiat3377 <@t> yahoo.com

--- On Thu, 8/27/09, Rosa Fields <rfields <@t> gidocs.net> wrote:

From: Rosa Fields <rfields <@t> gidocs.net>
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Special stains and microwave
To: "O'Donnell, Bill" <billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net>,
histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 2:26 PM

Bill,
I can highly recommend the EBS processor microwave.  At a base price of
8,900 (last I checked) it is one of the lowest cost processors on the
market.  I don't know if having the flexibility to process in this new
microwave may help justify the price?  I purchased mine from Stat Lab,
and the customer service from the folks at EBS was outstanding; they
even had a prob and air agitator block style holder designed and built
for me when I suggested that it should come with one.  I really like our
model, and it offers great flexibility in our lab.  
Rosa Fields, HT (ASCP)
Gastroenterology Specialties
Histology Supervisor
4545 R Street
Lincoln, NE  68503
402-465-4545
rfields <@t> gidocs.net

The information contained in the message and the documents accompanying
this message contain information that is privileged and confidential and
is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the
employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution
or copying of this communication, other than its return to the sender,
is strictly prohibited.  

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
O'Donnell, Bill
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:09 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Special stains and microwave

Greetings Histonetters,

We have finally come to the point where we need to fish or cut bait in
relation to purchasing a laboratory approved microwave and venting it. 

While I think it would be "cool" to have one, I'm wondering if the cost
is justified to do a handful of special stains that could be done
(though more slowly) in a laboratory oven like the one we already have.

Anyone with the time or desire to opine, please chime in.

Those who have purchased such a microwave, I'll gladly take suggestions.

Thanks in advance

William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC 
Lead Histologist
Good Samaritan Hospital
10 East 31st Street
Kearney, NE 68847 

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