automation in histopathology , automation in various procedurews of histopathological staining
- 1. AUTOMATION IN HISTOPATHOLOGY LAB SONA P SANTHOSH FOURTH YEAR BSC MLT
- 2. WHAT IS AUTOMATION Use of laboratory instruments and specimen processing equipment to perform clinical laboratory assays with only minimal involvement of technologist. • Automation in clinical laboratory is a process by which analytical instruments perform many tests with the least involvement of an analyst.
- 3. Purpose of automation in histopathology lab: 1. To provide high quality results. 2. To minimize manual work load. 3. To reduce TAT and errors. 4. To reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals. • 5. To provide clean, healthy and safer environment.
- 4. AUTOMATION IN HISTOPATHOLOGY LAB 1. Automation in specimen reception 2. Automation in grossing 3. Automated tissue processors 4. Tissue embedding system 5. Automated microtomes and cryostats 6. Automated knife sharpeners 7. Automatic slide stainers 8. Automatic cover slippers 9. Slide digitization 10. Automated IHC and ISH stainer 11. Automated quantitative pathology imaging system
- 5. 1.BARCODING • Optical, machine-readable, representation of data. • Nowadays, barcodes are used almost everywhere where there is a need to accurately identify and track an item, increase productivity, and reduce human error • Automatic barcoder is generally used for printing of tissue cassettes
- 6. 2.AUTOMATION IN GROSSING Automated grossing stations are provided with sink, ventilation, touch screen monitor, formalin dispenser system, digital camera and some advanced system includes HEPA filters and are shielded to provide enclosed environment. • Eg: eGross pro-X, GP-1500
- 8. 3.AUTOMATIC TISSUE PROCESSORS Automatically dehydrate, clear and infiltrate the tissue. Advantage: 1. Improved speed of processing. 2. Eliminates human errors and forgetfulness. 3. Reduces manpower. Disadvantage: 1. Expensive 2. Requires constant power supply. • Components: tissue baskets, reagent beakers, temperature controlled wax bath, tissue basket
- 9. Types: 1. Carousel type a) Open type b) Linear type 2. Closed type • 3. Microwave Histoprocessor
- 13. 4.VACCUM EMBEDDING OVEN Used for wax impregnation. Rapidly removes clearing agent and air trapped in specimen. • Reduces impregnation time to half.
- 14. 5..AUTOMATIC DECALCIFICATION ■ Microwave technique Decalcification within 48hrs (manual decalcification 4-5 days) • Eg: DecalMate for fixation and decalcification of bone tissues. Uses EDTA at Ph 7.2-7.4 for best results.
- 15. 6.TISSUE EMBEDDING SYSTEM Embedding using machine- tissue tek system of blocking. • It has a warm area,heating unit, cooling unit and forceps well . Uses paraform cassettes. • Fully automated embedding system • After processing, paraform cassettes is automatically pushed down into appropriate sized base mould by embedding system. • System takes 32 cassettes at a time.
- 17. 7.FULLY AUTOMATED MICROTOME ROTARY MICROTOME – STS MODEL(SECTION TRANSFER SYSTEM) Obtain thin section with excellent quality. Section is automatically transferred into water bath (continuous laminar water flow from knife edge to water bath). • Unwanted sections are collected in removable waste tray.
- 19. 8.CRYOSTAT Refrigerated cabinet with rotary microtome (-15°c to -30°c). • Bench top model/ standing models with height adjustment available.
- 20. 9.AUTOMATIC KNIFE SHARPENERS Saves time, labour and safe to operate. • Semiautomatic type: Permasharp/ H.I-76 model • Automatic type: Autosharp IV, HT automatic microtome sharpener, AO 925 automatic microtome sharpener, Lipshaw 775.
- 21. 10.AUTOMATIC SLIDE STAINER 2 models available circular type, linear type 1. Automated slide stainer (circular type): 4 programs 64 slides in one run Can skip stations. • Consistent results
- 22. 2. Automatic slide stainer (linear type)) Up to 70 slides/run 20 programs Fume hood facilities Continuous loading/ unloading Charcoal filter
- 23. 11.AUTOMATIC COVER SLIPPER AUTOMATIC COVERSLIPPER 3 different models are available. 1. Slide stainer-coverslipper compactible type 2. Robotic type 3. Cellophane type
- 25. 12.AUTOMATED BLOCK FILLING /ARCHIVING There are 2 approaches to automated archiving of blocks. In first, the block is scanned and the computer system identifies the next available position for storage. The block is stored in this position, either using robotic placer or manual placement. The second approach is to mount scanner above the block file tray and scan whole racks of barcoded blocks in file. The archive database software then stores the location of each block. ■ Advantages : 1. Reduce the space and time spent for sorting & organizing the archive. • 2. Avoid non-standardized block storge system that leads to errors & loss.