Automatic electron microscopy tissue processor method

Claim 1

The method of processing in a closed, automatic processor wherein a plurality of individual electron microscopy size particles of the character of having at least one dimension no greater than one millimeter are separately contained while being bathed simultaneously according to a predetermined program for varying lengths of time in successive selected aqueous and nonaqueous electron microscopy tissue processing solutions drawn from separate containers thereof so as to prepare the particles preparatory to embedding, comprising the steps of: a. separating the particles to be processed into groups; b. installing and physically isolating each group in a respective uniform tissue receptacle which is porous to the extent of having for each solution at least some porous portion permeable thereto; c. placing a plurality of such receptacles in an open top processing chamber having a removable top cover, an entrydischarge port in the bottom thereof and a vent hole proximate the top cover and replacing the cover; d. in a predetermined time sequence and for each solution cycle: 1. withdrawing from one of said solution containers into a controllable metering means located externally of said processing chamber a metered amount of said solution used in such cycle; 2. connecting said external metering means holding said metered solution to said port and with said port open forcing said metered amount of said solution from said external metering means into said chamber through said port and then closing said port; 3. retaining the said metered amount of solution for a predetermined amount of time in said chamber; 4. opening said port and while blocking return of the used solution to said external metering means allowing the used solution to drain from said chamber through said port; and 5. during each such sequence holding the receptacles successively submerged in each respective solution and in a depth of solution determined solely by said metered amount thereby allowing each of the selected solutions to be exchanged with each group of particles by penetration and drainage through said pores while maintaining said system closed, a fixed amount of solution in said chamber and each said group physically isolated from the other.

Claim 2

The method of processing in a closed, automatic processor wherein a plurality of individual electron microscopy size particles of the character of having at least one dimension no greater than one millimeter are separately contained while being bathed simultaneously according to a predetermined program for varying lengths of time in successive selected aqueous and nonaqueous electron microscopy tissue processing solutions drawn from separate containers thereof so as to prepare the particles preparatory to embedding, comprising the steps of: a. separating the particles to be processed into groups; b. installing and physically isolating each group in a respective uniform tissue receptacle which is porous to the extent of having for each solution at least some porous portion permeable thereto; c. placing a plurality of such receptacles in an open top processing chamber having a removable top cover, an entrydischarge port in the bottom thereof and a vent hole proximate the top cover and replacing the cover; d. in a predetermined time sequence and for each solution cycle: 1. withdrawing from one of said solution containers into a controllable metering means located externally of said processing chamber a metered amount of said solution used in such cycle; 2. connecting said external metering means holding said metered solution to said port and with said port open forcing said metered amount of said solution from said external metering means into said chamber through said port and then closing said port; 3. retaining the said metered amount of solution for a predetermined amount of time in said chamber; 4. opening said port and while blocking return of the used solution to said external metering means allowing the used solution to drain from said chamber through said port; and 5. during each such sequence holding the receptacles successively submerged in each respective solution and in a depth of solution determined solely by said metered amount thereby allowing each of the selected solutions to be exchanged with each group of particles by penetration and drainage through said pores while maintaining said system closed, a fixed amount of solution in said chamber and each said group physically isolated from the other.