[Histonet] RE: Microwave processors

Tue Apr 10 21:48:54 CDT 2012

I use the Milestone Pathos Delta in my Dermpath lab and have had amazing results. As long as you follow their recommendations for processing times it works out perfectly. I am able to do small biopsies in as little as an hour and twenty minutes or big excisions in 3-4 hours with great results. Obviously I prefer Milestone over Pathos, but a couple of big reasons is because you are not limited to 3mm sections, you can process big and small tissue together using times for big tissue and it will not destroy your small biopsies, it's completely automated(no fixing and pre-process solution before loading on processor and you are not REQUIRED to use their proprietary reagents(although they are really good as well). 
This is just my personal opinion from using it in a Derm only practice. 
One last thing is that the customer service and attention they give to the customer is second to none. 

Hope this helps! Good luck!!

Carlos

On Apr 10, 2012, at 1:07 PM, joelle weaver <joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> I have used the Sakura and Milestone( original offerings from some time ago and  also later models). The variables are changed from conventional processing, and so you have to think about different things. When I have worked places that tried to transition to MW from conventional, the trouble starts when they try to design the programs like a conventional processor. My *theory*, which is based on some research over the last 5 years and as referenced by published literature on MW use in pathology, has to do with the polarity ( molecular composition) and the water content. The effect is more molecular than physical. You do have to customize for this with more detailed programs to get the best results in my experience. Dimensions and thickness are even more important than in conventional. Once you get over the change hurdle, it works ok and saves loads of time, decreases turn around and lets you move your staff in desirable ways. There is a revision of the CLSI MW guidelines that hopefully will get out there soon. I think when this is out it will help explain and help those wanting to use MW processors to improve TAT without tissue effects. In the meantime, I just did some basic literature searches and this really cleared up my understanding of the process and has helped me with programming these instruments.Joelle
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
>> Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:36:00 -0400
>> From: Caroline.Pratt <@t> uphs.upenn.edu
>> To: jqb7 <@t> cdc.gov; Erin.Martin <@t> ucsf.edu; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
>> CC: 
>> 
>> We cannot say the same, we had issues with shaves appearing "cooked".
>> We had specialists out several times and after many suggestions, nothing
>> resolved the issue.  It doesn't happen consistently but it definitely
>> happens and we even attempted to track by tech or shifts or when the
>> solutions were changed and no patterns could be found after several
>> years.  Sakura has a new vendor for reagents now and they are going to
>> come run some test slides but the VIP quality for derm keeps the
>> pathologists much happier based on our experience.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
>> Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 12:14 PM
>> To: Martin, Erin; histonet
>> Subject: [Histonet] RE: Microwave processors
>> 
>> Erin,
>> 
>> We have Sakura's Xpress and skins have always turned out just fine for
>> us. It is very easy to use and maintain. 
>> 
>> Jeanine H. Bartlett
>> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
>> Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
>> 404-639-3590
>> Jeanine.bartlett <@t> cdc.hhs.gov
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Martin,
>> Erin
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 10:38 AM
>> To: histonet
>> Subject: [Histonet] Microwave processors
>> 
>> Hi histonetters!
>> 
>> Our pathologists want to turn around skin biopsies same day and are
>> again looking at microwave processors.  Due to a bad past experience,
>> I'm not enthused but perhaps there is someone out there who loves their
>> microwave processor?  Even on derm?  Or has anyone worked out a good
>> rapid derm processing protocol on a conventional processor?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you so much!
>> 
>> Erin
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Erin Martin, Histology Supervisor
>> UCSF  Dermatopathology Service
>> 415-353-7248
>> 
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