GB2542757A

GB2542757A - A Method for Supplying Histology Reagents

Info

Publication number: GB2542757A
Application number: GB1514419.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clayson Edward
Original assignee: ACQUASCIENCE Ltd
Current assignee: ACQUASCIENCE Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-13
Filing date: 2015-08-13
Publication date: 2017-04-05
Also published as: GB201514419D0

Abstract

A reusable cartridge, for supplying histology reagents, comprises a body 2 having walls that define a chamber 3. Ideally the reagent cartridge or container comprises a handle 6 which is positioned between an inlet opening 7 for filling the chamber and a nozzle 15, 17 to provide an outlet from the chamber. The inlet opening is ideally sealed by a removable cap 9. Preferably the nozzle is defined by a quick fit connector. The body of the cartridge may comprise at least one rib which is provided by a concave ridge on the outer surface of the wall. A method for supplying a histology reagent for a tissue processor comprises the step of placing the reagent the re-usable cartridge remotely from the tissue processor wherein the cartridge is dimensioned to be inserted into a tissue processor. Once the reagent has been used the cartridge is removed and refilled.

Description

A METHOD FOR SUPPLYING HISTOLOGY REAGENTS

The present invention relates to a reusable cartridge for supply of histology reagents and a method for supplying histology reagents which comprises the step of placing the reagents In a re-usable cartridge.

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Histology laboratories use significant quantities of solvent tor example as chemical fixatives to preserve tissue from degradation.

Histology (compound of the Greek words: ίατός histos "tissue", and -λογία -logia "science") is the study of the microscopic anatomy of ceils and tissues of plants and animals. It is typically performed by examining cells and tissues under a light microscope or electron microscope, which have been sectionedir stained and mounted OR a microscope slide. Histological Studies may be conducted using tissue culture, where live human or animal cells are isolated and maintained in an atfifileiai environment for various research projects, The ability to visualize or differentially identify microscopic structures is frequently enhanced through the use of histological stains or solvents. Histology is an essential tool of biology and medicine.

Histology solvents are generally currently suppled in 5 litre containers, which am subsequently emptied by an operator by pouring the contents of the containers into reservoirs of tissue processors and staining instruments. Tissue processors and staining instruments generally have reservoirs, also known as solvent stations, made of plastics materials which are typically removed to insert fresh solvent, after any waste solvent has been discarded. This process is cumbersome and exposes the Operator to specific health and safety issues (namely solvent exposure).

In light gf these problems, various proposals have been made, but there remains a need for improved apparatus and methods which address one or more: of the problems presented by prior art arrangements.

Remarkably, the invention provides a new reusable cartridge for supply of histology reagents and a method for supplying histology reagents which comprises the step of placing the reagents in a re-usable cartridge. The cartridge slots into tissue processors once a removable cap las been removed. Once exhausted, the cartridge is removed, capped and collected prior to refiii. The cartridge can be replaced with a further cartridge

Summary Of tfte InmnMm

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a reusable cartridge fof supply of histol ogy reagents which comprises a body having walls that define a chamber.

Preferably, the body has a fop and a bottom and a handle is provided in the fop. Advantageously, the handle facilitates transportation of the cartridge.

Preferably, the handie is moulded into the top of the body. Advantageously, this avoids the need for separate attachment of the handle to the body and it eliminates a possible point of leakage from the chamber.

Preferably, an opening is defined in the top of the cartridge to provide an inlet to the chamber for filling the cartridge with solvent. Preferabiy, a removable cap is provided for sealing the opening. For example, the periphery of the opening has a threaded surface which corresponds to a threaded surface provided on the removable cap so that the cap can be screwed on to the threaded surface to seal the opening.

Preferably, the cap comprises a thread which mates with a corresponding thread on the body. Advantageously, this allows the cap to be removed by dnserewing the cap from the body. In addition, after removal, the cap can be placed back on the body if necessary by screwing the threads back together.

Preferably, the cartridge has a first end and a second end wherein the opening is defined in the hap of the cartridge adjacent the first end. In addition, preferably, the handle is located substantially equidistant from each end. Ibis provides the advantage of balancing the weight of the cartridge on each side of the handle.

Preferably, the bottom of the body is defined by a substantially flat wail. This provides the advantage that the cartridge remains stable when it is placed on a surface, for example in a tissue processor,

Preferably, a nozzle is provided adjacent She top of the body to provide an outlet from the chamber. Preferably, the nozzle is provided In the second end of the cartridge. In use, the cartridge is placed in a tissue processor and solvent from the cartridge passes through the nozzle from the cartridge to a tissue processor. Preferably, the nozzle is defined by a quick fit connector which is preferably separably connectable to a corresponding quick fit connector of a tissue processor. In an embodiment, the quick fit connector is a male connector which is separably connectable to a corresponding female quick fit connector of a tissue processor. Alternatively, the quick fit connector Is a female connector which is separably connectable to a corresponding male quick fit connector of a tissue processor.

Preferably, the cartridge has first and second sides which are located between the top and bottom and between the first arid second ends and at least one rib is provided in at least one of the sides. More preferably, each side has two ribs. Preferably, the ribs are provided by concave idges In the outer surface of the wails. Preferably* they are integrally moulded into the walls. Preferably* the ribs are substantiaiiy vertical and approximately from the top to the bottom of the body. Preferably, the ribs are located substantially equidisfopt from the ends of the body. Preferably, they are located between the handle and the ends of the body. This provides the advantage of strengthening the aides of the body.

Preferably, the cartridge is dimensioned to fit a standard tissue processor. Advantageously, the dimensions allow the cartridge to be inserted into a standard tissue processor.

Preferably, histology solvent is placed in the chamber.

Preferably, the histology solvent is substantially purified.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for supplying a histology reagent which comprises the step of placing the reagent in a re-usable cartridge described above distal to a tissue processor.

Preferably, the solvent in the cartridge is used in a tissue processor Preferably, when the cartridge is substantially empty it is removed from the tissue processor by an operator and replaced with a further cartridge having solvent therein.

Importantly, the operator is not required to refill any cartridge. The empty cartridge is eoiieeted and refilled remotely from the tissue processor before being resupplied with additional histology solvent therein.

This process reduces exposure of the operator to specie health and safety issues (namely solvent exposure).

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawing;? In which;

Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows an end view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention; and

Figure 4 shows a tissue processor having cartridges according to the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

It will be appreciated that aspects, embodiments and preferred features of the invention have been described herein in a way that allows the specification to be written in a clear and concise way; However, unless circumstances clearly dictate otherwise, aspects, embodiments and preferred features can be variousiy combined or separated in accordance with the inventions In a preferred embodiment a device in accordance with the invention comprises all aspects of the invention.

Within the context of this specification, the word "about" means preferably plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%.

Within the context of this specification, the word "comprises" means "includes, among other things" and should not be construed to mean "consists of only".

Within the context of this specification; the word "substantially" means preferably at least 90%, more preferably 95%, even more preferably 98%, most preferably 99%.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the invention provides a reusable cartridge (1) for supply of histology reagents which comprises a body (2) having walls that define a chamber (3).

Ihe body has a top (4) and a bottom (5) and a handle (6) is provided in the top (4|. The handle (6) is moulded into the top (4) of the body (2).

An opening (7) is defined in the top (4) of the cartridge (1) to provide an inlet to the chamber (3) for filling the cartridge (1) with solvent (8). A removable cap (9) is provided for sealing the opening (7). The periphery (10) of the opening (7) has a threaded surface (11) which corresponds to a threaded surface (12) provided on the removable cap (9) so that the cap (9) can be screwed on to the threaded surface (11) to sea! the opening (7).

The cartridge (1) has a first end (13) and a second end (14) wherein the opening (7) is defined in the top (4) of the cartridge (1) adjacent the first end (13). The handle (6) is located substantially equidistant from each end (13, 14).

The bottom (5) of the body (2) is defined by a substantially flat wall. A nozzle (15) is provided adjacent the top (4) of the body (2) to provide an outlet from the chamber. The nozzle (15) is provided in the second end (14) of the cartridge (1), In use, the cartridge (1) is placed in a tissue processor (IS) arid solvent (8) from the cartridge (1) passes through the nozzle (15) from the cartridge (1) to a issue processor (16). The nozzle (IS) is defined by a quick fit connector (17) which is preferably separably connectable to a corresponding quick fit eohneetof (18) of a issue processor (16). In ah embodiment, the quick fit connector (17) is a male connector (17) which is separably connectable to a corresponding female quick fit connector p|) of a tissue processor (16). Alternatively, the quick fit connector (17) is a female connector which is separably connectable to a corresponding male quick fit connector (18) of a tissue processor (16).

The cartridge (1) has first and second sides (19, 20) which are located between the top (4) and bottom (5) and between the first and second ends (13, 14). Each side (19, 20) has two ribs (21). The ribs (21) are provided by concave ridges in the outer surface of the walls. They are integrally moulded into the walls (19, 20). Hie ribs (21) are substantially vertical and appfokimateiy from the top (4) to the bottom (5) of the body (2). The ribs (21) are located substantiallyequidistant from the ends (13,14) of the body. They are located between the handle (6) arid the ends (13, 14) of the body (2).

The cartridge (1) is dimensioned toft a standard tissue processor (16). Advantageously, the dimensions allow the cartridge (1) to be inserted into a standard tissue processor (16).

Histology solvent (8) IS placed in the chamber (3). In an embodiment, the histology solvent (8) is substantially purified. A method for supplying a histology reagent (I) comprises the step of placing the reagent (8) in a re-usable cartridge (1) described above.

The method comprises the steps of using histology solvent (8) in a tissue processor (16), When the cartridge (1) is substanfialiy empty it is removed from the tissue processor (16) by an operator and replaced with a further cartridge (1) having solvent (8) therein. In Order to do this, the operator simply inserts the cartridge (1) in the tissue processor (16).

The empty cartridge (1) is collected and refilled remotely from the tissue processor (16) before being resupplied with additional histology solvent (8) therein.

The above described embodiments have been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention,

Claims

CLAIMS L A reusable cartridge for supply of histology reagents which comprises a body having walls that define a chamber.
2. A reusable cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the body has a top and a bottom and a handle is provided in the top.
3. A reusable cartridge according to claim 2 wherein the handle in moulded into the top of the body.
4. A reusable cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an opening is defined in the top of the cartridge to provide an inlet to the chamber for filling the cartridge with solvent.
5. A reusable cartridge according to claim 4 wherein a removable cap is provided for sealing the opening.
6. A reusable cartridge according to claim 5 wherein the periphery of the opening has a threaded surface which corresponds to a threaded surface provided on the removable cap so that the cap can be screwed on to the threaded surface to seal the opening. I, A reusable cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the cartridge has a first end and a second end Wherein the opening is defined in the top of the cartridge adjacent the first end.
8, A reusable cartridge according to claim 7 wherein the handle is located Substantially equidistant from each end; % A reusable cartridge according to any one Of claims 2 to 8 wherein the bottom of the body is defined by a substantially flat wall.
10, A reusable cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein a nozzle is provided adjacent the top of the body to provide an outlet from the chamber, 11; A reusable cartridge according to claim 10 wherein the nozzle is provided in the second end of the cartridge.
12. A reusable cartridge according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the nozzle is defined by a quick fit connector which is preferably separably connectable to a corresponding quip fit connector of a tipie processor.
13. A reusable cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cartridge has first and second sides which are located between the top and bottom and between the first and second ends and at least one rib is provided in at least one of the sides.
14, A reusable cartridge according to claim 13 Wherein two ribs are provided in each side,
15, A reusable cartridge according to claim 12 or daim 13 wherein each rib is provided by a concave ridge in the outer surface of the wail.
16. A reusable cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cartridge Is dimensioned to fit a standard tissue processor.
17. A reusable cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein histology solvent is placed in the chamber.
18. A reusable cartridge according to claim 17 wherein the histology solvent is substantially puried. ||i A method for Supplying a histology reagent which comprises the step of placing the reagent in a re-usabie cartridge according to any one of th| preceding claims.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the step of placing the reagent in a reusable cartridge is carried out distal to a tissue processor.
21. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 20 wherein the cartridge is placed in a tissue processor and the reagent is used by the tissue processor until the cartridge is substantially empty, the cartridge is removed from the tissue processor by an operator and replaced with a further cartridge having solvent therein.
22. A cartridge or method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.