Tissue processing apparatus

Claim 2

A tissue processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber for processing a tissue specimen; a plurality of reagent containers; a selector valve interconnected with said reagent containers and with said processing chamber for creating a fluid conduit between a selected reagent container and said processing chamber; a pump having a suction port and a pressure port and adaptable to provide both a vacuum and a compressed gas; and changeover valve means interconnected with said pump, with said processing chamber and with said reagent containers, said changeover valve means having first and second selectable operative conditions, said first selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said processing chamber and said pressure port of said pump with said reagent containers, and said second selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said reagent containers and said pressure port of said pump with said processing chamber, thereby in each said operative condition to establish a closed circuit comprising said pump, said processing chamber, said fluid conduit and said selected reagent container; whereby operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said first operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said selected reagent container through said fluid conduit to said processing chamber, whereas operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said second operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said processing chamber through said fluid conduit to said selected reagent container, and in each said operative condition without providing communication between the atmosphere external to said closed circuit and any one of said pump, said processing chamber or said reagent containers.

Claim 3

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 1 in which said changeover valve means is electrically-operated and is switchable between said selectable operative conditions.

Claim 4

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an isolation valve in a fluid transfer connection with said selector valve and said processing chamber.

Claim 5

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an accumulator connected to said closed circuit to accommodate volumetric changes in the circuit contents.

Claim 6

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 4, in which said accumulator comprises a compliant bag.

Claim 7

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure relief valve means for relieving excess pressure in said closed circuit.

Claim 8

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 6, in which said pressure relief valve means relieves both under-pressure and over-pressure in said closed circuit.

Claim 9

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 7, in which said pressure relief valve means comprises a pair of pressure relief valves, one connected to relieve over-pressure and the other connected to relieve under-pressure.

Claim 10

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a filter associated with said pressure relief valve means to filter gas passing said valve means.

Claim 11

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: pneumatically-powered means for operating said selector valve.

Claim 12

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 10, in which said pneumatically-powered means is actuated by air obtained from said pump.

Claim 13

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a valve controlling the connection of said pneumatically-powered means to said pump and isolating said pump from said closed circuit when said pump is connected to supply air to said pneumatically-powered means.

Claim 14

A tissue processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber for processing a tissue specimen; a plurality of reagent containers; a selector valve interconnected with said reagent containers and with said processing chamber for creating a fluid conduit between a selected reagent container and said processing chamber; a pump having a suction port and a pressure port and adaptable to provide both a vacuum and a compressed gas; changeover valve means interconnected with said pump, with said processing chamber and with said reagent containers, said changeover valve means having first and second selectable operative conditions, said first selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said processing chamber and said pressure port of said pump with said reagent containers, and said second selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said reagent containers and said pressure port of said pump with said processing chamber, thereby in each said operative condition to establish a closed circuit comprising said pump, said processing chamber, said fluid conduit and said selected reagent container; an accumulator connected to said closed circuit to accommodate volumetric changes in the circuit contents; whereby operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said first operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said selected reagent container through said fluid conduit to said processing chamber, whereas operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said second operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said processing chamber through said fluid conduit to said selected reagent container, and in each said operative condition without providing communication between the atmosphere external to said closed circuit and any one of said pump, said processing chamber or said reagent containers.

Claim 15

A tissue processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber for processing a tissue specimen; a plurality of reagent containers; a selector valve interconnected with said reagent containers and with said processing chamber for creating a fluid conduit between a selected reagent container and said processing chamber; a pump having a suction port and a pressure port and adaptable to provide both a vacuum and a compressed gas; changeover valve means interconnected with said pump, with said processing chamber and with said reagent containers, said changeover valve means having first and second selectable operative conditions, said first selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said processing chamber and said pressure port of said pump with said reagent containers, and said second selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said reagent containers and said pressure port of said pump with said processing chamber, thereby in each said operative condition to establish a closed circuit comprising said pump, said processing chamber, said fluid conduit and said selected reagent container; an accumulator connected to said closed circuit to accommodate volumetric changes in the circuit contents; whereby operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said first operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said selected reagent container through said fluid conduit to said processing chamber, whereas operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said second operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said processing chamber through said fluid conduit to said selected reagent container, and in each said operative condition without providing communication between the atmosphere external to said closed circuit and any one of said pump, said processing chamber or said reagent containers.

Claim 16

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said accumulator comprises a compliant bag.

Claim 17

A tissue processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber for processing a tissue specimen; a plurality of reagent containers; a selector valve interconnected with said reagent containers and with said processing chamber for creating a fluid conduit between a selected reagent container and said processing chamber; a pump having a suction port and a pressure port and adaptable to provide both a vacuum and a compressed gas; changeover valve means interconnected with said pump, with said processing chamber and with said reagent containers, said changeover valve means having first and second selectable operative conditions, said first selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said processing chamber and said pressure port of said pump with said reagent containers, and said second selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said reagent containers and said pressure port of said pump with said processing chamber, thereby in each said operative condition to establish a closed circuit comprising said pump, said processing chamber, said fluid conduit and said selected reagent container; a pressure relief valve means for relieving excess pressure in said closed circuit; whereby operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said first operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said selected reagent container through said fluid conduit to said processing chamber, whereas operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said second operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said processing chamber through said fluid conduit to said selected reagent container, and in each said operative condition without providing communication between the atmosphere external to said closed circuit and any one of said pump, said processing chamber or said reagent containers.

Claim 18

A tissue processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber for processing a tissue specimen; a plurality of reagent containers; a selector valve interconnected with said reagent containers and with said processing chamber for creating a fluid conduit between a selected reagent container and said processing chamber; a pump having a suction port and a pressure port and adaptable to provide both a vacuum and a compressed gas; changeover valve means interconnected with said pump, with said processing chamber and with said reagent containers, said changeover valve means having first and second selectable operative conditions, said first selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said processing chamber and said pressure port of said pump with said reagent containers, and said second selectable operative condition connecting said suction port of said pump with said reagent containers and said pressure port of said pump with said processing chamber, thereby in each said operative condition to establish a closed circuit comprising said pump, said processing chamber, said fluid conduit and said selected reagent container; a pressure relief valve means for relieving excess pressure in said closed circuit; whereby operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said first operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said selected reagent container through said fluid conduit to said processing chamber, whereas operation of said pump with said changeover valve means in said second operative condition enables transfer of reagent from said processing chamber through said fluid conduit to said selected reagent container, and in each said operative condition without providing communication between the atmosphere external to said closed circuit and any one of said pump, said processing chamber or said reagent containers.

Claim 19

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 15, in which said pressure relief valve means relieves both under-pressure and over-pressure in said closed circuit.

Claim 20

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 15, in which said pressure relief valve means comprises a pair of pressure relief valves, one connected to relieve over-pressure and the other connected to relieve under-pressure.

Claim 21

The tissue processing apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a filter associated with said pressure relief valve means to filter gas passing said valve means.