An automatic tissue processing machine that fixes, dehydrates, clears, and infiltrates tissues thereby decreasing the time and labor needed during the processing of tissues resulting in a more rapid diagnosis with lesser technicality
Autotechnicon principle
1. Tissues pass through a sequence of solutions by means of a carriage raised by a drive mechanism operated by a clock-controlled timing disc
2. Timing disc may be notched to allow for variation and accuracy of timing
Autotechnicon
Only 2-3 changes of wax are required (infiltration) to remove the clearing agent and properly impregnate the specimen by constant agitation thus improving tissue penetration giving rise to more consistent results
Has 12 individual processing steps with 10 (1 L capacity) glass beakers and 2 thermostatically controlled wax baths used for paraffin wax impregnation
A safety device cut-out switch protects the wax against overheating
Electrical Clock controls the time needed for each processing step
Transfer Arm moves the tissues from one station to another and finishing all the 12 steps
Agitation of the fluid is accompanied by a continuous vertical movement or rotation of the specimen carrier by a mechanism connected to the transfer arm
Placing tissues in the autotechnicon
1. Tissues should be enclosed in small tissue receptacles which in turn are placed in a receptacle basket and attached to the carrying yoke
2. The receptacle basket is attached back one position from the first solution for processing