JPH05149846A - Operating method for single vessel type embedding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the mixing of alcohol being fed into a washing vessel 1 with other chemicals being sent in for the subsequent embedding work in washing work for the removal of residual paraffin. CONSTITUTION:In washing work, firstly, paraffin is removed by xylene and then, the xylene is removed by alcohol. This ensures the discharge of xylene and alcohol thereby achieving a prevention thereof from being left in a washing vessel 1, pipe 5 and a rotary valve 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the method of operating a one-tank type embedding device according to the present invention, since biological tissue pieces are used as microscopic specimens for pathological examination, the biological tissue pieces are chemically treated and then molten paraffin is permeated and solidified. In the one-tank type embedding device, xylene or alcohol for removing paraffin remaining in the processing tank after the embedding processing is prevented from remaining in the processing tank and the pipe. ..

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For pathological examination, a piece of biological tissue cut from an affected area or the like (hereinafter referred to as a sample in the present specification) is dehydrated and defatted, and then solidified by permeating molten paraffin, It is performed by slicing with a microtome sword to make a microscope sample.

As described above, as an embedding device for embedding by solidifying with paraffin, a sample to be treated is placed in a single treatment tank capable of supplying and discharging a chemical solution, and a series of sequential treatments is carried out in this treatment tank. A tank for processing chemicals (for example, alcohol, formalin, etc.) and a tank for molten paraffin are connected to each other, and these chemicals and molten paraffin are sequentially fed into a processing tank according to a predetermined program to process a sample for a predetermined time. A tank-type embedding device is known.

Such a one-tank type embedding device is constructed as shown in FIG. An openable and airtight lid 2 is provided at the upper end opening of the processing tank 1, and a basket 3 containing a sample can be stored through the upper end opening. Reference numeral 4 is a rotary valve, which is a switching means for communicating the bottom of the processing tank 1 through the pipe 5.

The rotary valve 4 includes a valve seat 4a and a valve plate 4b.
It consists of and. The other ends of the pipes 8 and 9 each having one end inserted into each of the plurality of chemical liquid tanks 6 and 6 and the paraffin tanks 7 and 7 are connected to the valve seat 4a. By rotating the valve plate 4b by a motor 10, the passage of the rotary valve 4 is appropriately switched, and one of the tanks 6 and 7 and the processing tank 1 is connected to the pipe 5 and the pipes 8 and 8 or. Communicates with any of the pipes 9, 9.

Further, one end of the treatment tank 1 is connected to the suction port of the air pump 13, and the first three-way valve 11 is provided on the way.
The other end of the pipe 12 provided with is connected. The discharge port of the air pump 13 is a pipe in which one end is connected to the portion between the first three-way valve 11 and the processing tank 1 in the middle of the pipe 12 and the second three-way valve 15 is provided in the middle. The other end of 14 is connected. The other ports of the first and second three-way valves are connected to the other ends of the pipes 17 and 18, respectively, one end of which communicates with the atmosphere.

The suction port and the discharge port of the air pump 13 serve as pressure reducing means and pressurizing means, respectively. It is possible to communicate with either one of them.

That is, when decompressing the inside of the processing tank 1, the above-mentioned controller switches the first three-way valve 11 to a state in which the processing tank 1 and the suction port of the air pump 13 communicate with each other, and the second The three-way valve 15 is switched to a state in which the discharge port of the air pump 13 and the pipe 18 are in communication with each other. Further, when pressurizing the inside of the processing tank 1, the second three-way valve 15 is controlled by the above controller.
Is switched to a state in which the treatment tank 1 and the discharge port of the air pump 13 are communicated with each other, and the first three-way valve 11 is switched to a state in which the suction port of the air pump 13 and the pipe 17 are communicated with each other. In addition to the suction port and the discharge port of the air pump 13, for example, the suction port and the discharge port of the compressor may be used as the pressure reducing unit and the pressure increasing unit.

When the sample embedding process is performed by the one-tank type embedding device configured as described above, first, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are switched to process the process tank 1 and the air pump. A pipe 18 communicating with the suction port of 13 and with the atmosphere
And the discharge port of the air pump 13 are communicated with each other to reduce the pressure in the processing tank 1. As a result, the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank 6 is sucked into the processing tank 1 through any one of the pipe 8, the rotary valve 4, and the pipe 5, and the cage 3 in the processing tank 1 is dipped into the cage 3 Process the sample in.

After the processing for a predetermined time is completed, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are then switched to connect the processing tank 1 and the discharge port of the air pump 13 to the atmosphere and a pipe. 17 and the suction port of the air pump 13 are communicated with each other, and the pressurized air discharged by the air pump 13 is fed into the processing tank 1. As a result, the chemical liquid in the processing tank 1 flows down through the pipes 5 and 8 and is sent to the original chemical liquid tank 6 (or to the waste liquid tank via a pipe not shown by switching the rotary valve 4). Be done.

After that, the rotary valve 4 is further switched, the next chemical liquid tank 6 is communicated with the processing tank 1, and the sample is processed by the same operation as described above.

Finally, the molten paraffin is supplied from the paraffin tank 7 to the processing tank 1 in the same manner as the above-mentioned chemical solution, and embedded in paraffin.

Although not shown, the rotary valve 4 is not shown.
A heat insulating material or a heater is attached around the pipes 5, 9 and the like so that the molten paraffin fed into the processing tank 1 does not solidify on the way.

By the way, after the embedding process of the sample is completed by using the one-layer type embedding device configured and operating as described above, the sample remains in the process tank 1, the pipe 5, and further the rotary valve 4. It is necessary to remove the existing paraffin. For this reason, conventionally, a cleaning operation for removing the paraffin remaining in each of the members 1, 5, and 4 has been performed in the process shown in FIG.

That is, first, in the first step, the heater 16 for warming the treatment tank 1 is energized to warm the treatment tank 1. Further, if there is a heater for warming the pipe 5 and the rotary valve 4, the heater is also energized so that the pipe 5 and the rotary valve 4 are heated.
Warm up. By continuing to energize the heater for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) to sufficiently melt the paraffin remaining in each of the members 1, 4, and 5, the first step is completed, and Move to the second step.

In the second step, by switching the rotary valve 4, the chemical solution tank 6 storing xylene for cleaning and the processing tank 1 are made to communicate with each other. In this state, by switching the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 and operating the air pump 13, the work of feeding xylene into the treatment tank 1 and the work of discharging xylene from the treatment tank 1 are performed. , A plurality of times (for example, 9 times). As a result, the paraffin remaining in each of the members 1, 4, and 5 is washed away, so that the second step is completed with xylene being discharged from the processing tank 1, and the process proceeds to the next third step.

In the third step, by switching the rotary valve 4, another chemical liquid tank 6 storing alcohol for cleaning is communicated with the processing tank 1. In this state, by switching the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 and operating the air pump 13, the work of feeding alcohol into the treatment tank 1 and the work of discharging alcohol from the treatment tank 1 are performed. , A plurality of times (for example, 5 times). As a result, the alcohol remaining in each of the members 1, 4, and 5 is washed away, and thus the third step and the cleaning work consisting of these first to third steps are completed while the alcohol is discharged from the processing tank 1. To do.

[0018]

However, when the paraffin remaining in the cleaning tank 1, the rotary valve 4, and the pipe 5 is cleaned as described above, the above-mentioned members are not cleaned after the cleaning process. A small amount of alcohol remains inside 1, 4, and 5.

Thus, the alcohol remaining in each of the members 1, 4, and 5 is mixed with another drug (formalin, for example) in the next embedding process. Although the amount of the remaining alcohol is smaller than the amount of the other drug, it is considered that the function of the other drug may be slightly decreased, and it is not preferable for performing a good embedding process. Absent.

The method for operating the one-layer type embedding device of the present invention was invented in view of such circumstances.

[0021]

The method for operating a one-tank type embedding device of the present invention is to perform the first to eighth steps in sequence as shown in FIG. No chemicals including alcohol remain on the inside of any one of 1, the rotary valve 4 and the pipe 5.

First, in the first step, after the treatment with paraffin is completed, the molten paraffin fed into the treatment tank 1 is discharged into the paraffin tank 7, and then the heater 16 is energized, whereby the treatment tank 1 is predetermined. Time (eg 10 minutes)
Warm.

Next, in the second step, by switching the switching means such as the rotary valve 4, the processing tank 1 and the chemical liquid tank 6 storing xylene are communicated with each other. At the same time, by switching the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15, the processing tank 1 and either the suction port or the discharge port of the air pump 13 are alternately communicated at predetermined time intervals. .. Based on the operation of the air pump 13 in this state, the negative pressure state and the positive pressure state are alternately repeated in the processing tank 1. As a result, the feeding and discharging of xylene into the processing tank 1 are alternately repeated a plurality of times (for example, 9 times). The second step ends with xylene being discharged from the processing tank 1.

In the subsequent third step, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15, the treatment tank 1 and the discharge port of the air pump 13, and the suction port of the air pump 13 and the pipe 17 are connected. The air pump 13 is operated in this state by switching to a state in which they communicate with each other. As a result, pressurized air is sent into the processing tank 1, and a small amount of xylene remaining in the pipe 5 and the rotary valve 4 is discharged. By discharging this residual xylene, the degree of mixing of xylene with the alcohol used in the fourth step described below is reduced.

In the subsequent fourth step, by switching the switching means such as the rotary valve 4 and the like, the processing tank 1 and the other chemical liquid tank 6 storing alcohol are communicated with each other. At the same time, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are switched in the same manner as in the case of the second stroke. Further, similar to the second step, based on the operation of the air pump 13, the feeding and discharging of alcohol into the processing tank 1 are alternately repeated a plurality of times (for example, 5 times). This fourth step is
The process ends with the alcohol discharged from the processing tank 1.

In the subsequent fifth step, the processing tank 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) based on the energization of the heater 16. As a result, a small amount of alcohol remaining in the lower part of the processing tank 1 evaporates.

In the subsequent sixth stroke, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are switched to the same state as in the third stroke,
The air pump 13 is operated. This operation is performed a plurality of times (for example, 8 times) at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 30 seconds). As a result, pressurized air is sent into the processing tank 1, and a small amount of alcohol remaining in the pipe 5 and the rotary valve 4 is discharged.

In the subsequent seventh step, the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are connected to the processing tank 1 and the suction port of the air pump 13, and the discharge port of the air pump 13 and the pipe 18 are connected. Based on the operation of the air pump 13 in a state where they are communicated with each other, the work of setting the negative pressure in the processing tank 1 for a predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds) and the operation of the first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are performed. On the basis of switching or the like, the operation of introducing the outside air into the processing tank 1 to bring the inside of the processing tank 1 to the atmospheric pressure for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) is repeated a plurality of times. As a result, the alcohol vapor in the processing tank 1 is discharged. The seventh step ends with the inside of the processing tank 1 being returned to atmospheric pressure.

In the following eighth step, as in the third step above,
The first and second three-way valves 11 and 15 are switched to a state in which the treatment tank 1 and the discharge port of the air pump 13 are communicated with each other, and the suction port of the air pump 13 and the pipe 17 are communicated with each other. Then, the air pump 13 is operated. As a result, pressurized air is sent into the processing tank 1, and the trace amount of alcohol remaining in the processing tank 1, the pipe 5, and the rotary valve 4 is discharged. As a result, in each of the members 1, 5 and 4,
Almost no alcohol remains.

[0030]

In the operation method of the one-tank type embedding device of the present invention configured as described above, the processing tank 1, the pipe 5, and the rotary valve 4 are used.
After completion of the cleaning work for removing the paraffin remaining inside, the chemical liquid such as alcohol does not remain inside the above-mentioned members 1, 5 and 4.

As a result, the chemical liquid fed into each of the members 1, 5 and 4 in the cleaning operation and the chemical liquid fed into each of the members 1, 5 and 4 in the next embedding operation are separated. It never mixes up.

[0032]

The operation method of the one-tank type embedding device of the present invention is as follows:
Since it is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to perform embedding work under favorable conditions and obtain a high-quality microscope sample.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method for operating a one-layer type embedding device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an outline of a one-tank type embedding device to which the operating method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a conventional one-layer type embedding device.

[Explanation of sign]

 1 treatment tank 2 airtight lid 3 cage 4 rotary valve 4a valve seat 4b valve plate 5 tube 6 chemical liquid tank 7 paraffin tank 8 tube 9 tube 10 motor 11 first three-way valve 12 tube 13 air pump 14 tube 15 second three-way valve 16 heater 17 tube 18 tube

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A single processing tank is connected to any of a plurality of chemical liquid tanks and paraffin tanks through a switching means,
A method for operating a one-tank embedding device, in which a sample stored in the treatment tank is embedded by sequentially supplying and discharging a chemical solution and paraffin into the treatment tank, and the treatment with paraffin is completed. After the molten paraffin fed into the processing tank is discharged to the paraffin tank, the first step of heating the processing tank for a predetermined time, and the processing step by switching the switching means following the first step. And a chemical solution tank storing xylene are communicated with each other, and based on the operation of the pressure reducing means and the pressurizing means, the feeding and discharging of xylene into the processing tank are alternately repeated a plurality of times,
The second step, which ends when xylene is discharged from the treatment tank, the second step, which is followed by the third step of operating the pressurizing means, and the third step, which is followed by switching the switching means, While communicating the treatment tank and another chemical liquid tank storing alcohol, based on the operation of the pressure reducing means and the pressurizing means, the feeding and discharging of alcohol into the treatment tank are alternately repeated a plurality of times, A fourth step that ends in the state where alcohol is discharged from the processing tank, a fifth step that follows this fourth step and that warms the processing tank to a predetermined temperature, and a pressurizing means that follows the fifth step. 6th step of operating a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals, and following this 6th step, work to make the inside of the processing tank negative pressure for a predetermined time based on the operation of the pressure reducing means, and the outside air in this processing tank. Introduced this place And operation of the tank at a predetermined time atmospheric pressure, performed by repeating a plurality of times, a seventh step for ending in a state of returning the inside of the processing tank to atmospheric pressure, followed the seventh step,
A method of operating a one-tank type embedding device comprising the eighth step of operating the pressurizing means.