Tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue

Abstract

A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue, the tissue processing apparatus comprising:
 a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle;   wherein the tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus;   wherein the tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.   
     
     
         17 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the tissue processing apparatus is configured to:
 provide an indication to a user to connect an extraction device of the tissue processing apparatus to a reagent receptacle containing reagent of a specified type and concentration;   after the user has connected the extraction device to a reagent receptacle:
 using the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the extraction device; 
 determining, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle; and 
   if the determined concentration and/or type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle does not match the specified concentration and/or type, provide an indication to the user that the reagent contained in the reagent receptacle connected to the extraction device does not match the specified concentration and/or type.   
     
     
         18 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  2 , wherein the specified type and concentration of reagent is a dehydrant having a concentration of 90% or higher, or a hydrocarbon solvent having a concentration of 90% or higher. 
     
     
         19 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the tissue processing apparatus includes first and second measurement probes, wherein the first measurement probe is mounted to a first inlet tube of the tissue processing apparatus and configured to be inserted into a first reagent receptacle, wherein the second measurement probe is mounted to a second inlet tube of the tissue processing apparatus and configured to be inserted into a second reagent receptacle, wherein the tissue processing apparatus is configured to:
 provide an indication to a user to connect the first inlet tube of the tissue processing apparatus to a first reagent receptacle containing reagent of a first specified type and concentration;   after the user has inserted the first inlet tube into a first reagent receptacle:
 using the two measurement surfaces of the first measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the first reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the first reagent receptacle by the first inlet tube; 
 determining, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the first reagent receptacle; 
   if the determined concentration and/or type of reagent contained in the first reagent receptacle does not match the first specified concentration and/or type, provide an indication to the user that the reagent contained in the first reagent receptacle does not match the first specified concentration and/or type;   provide an indication to a user to connect the second inlet tube of the tissue processing apparatus to a second reagent receptacle containing reagent of a second specified type and concentration;   after the user has inserted the second inlet tube into a second reagent receptacle:
 using the two measurement surfaces of the second measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the second reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the second reagent receptacle by the second inlet tube; 
 determining, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the second reagent receptacle; 
   if the determined concentration and/or type of reagent contained in the second reagent receptacle does not match the second specified type and/or concentration, provide an indication to the user that the reagent contained in the second reagent receptacle does not match the second specified concentration and/or type.   
     
     
         20 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  4 , wherein:
 the first specified type and concentration of reagent is a dehydrant having a concentration of 90% or higher;   the second specified type and concentration of reagent is a hydrocarbon solvent having a concentration of 90% or higher.   
     
     
         21 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1  having an extraction device configured to take reagent out of the reagent receptacle, when connected to the reagent receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  6 , wherein the extraction device is an inlet tube configured to take reagent out of the reagent receptacle via a reagent opening in the inlet tube, when inserted into the reagent receptacle. 
     
     
         23 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  7 , wherein the measurement probe is mounted to the inlet tube. 
     
     
         24 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  8 , wherein the measurement probe is mounted to the inlet tube such that at least part of the measurement probe is located adjacent to the reagent opening in the inlet tube. 
     
     
         25 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  8 , wherein the inlet tube has one or more walls which define a compartment configured to house the measurement probe. 
     
     
         26 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  10 , wherein the one or more walls which define the compartment are formed integrally with the remainder of the inlet tube. 
     
     
         27 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the measurement probe has a sample chamber and wherein one of the two measurement surfaces includes at least one wall of the sample chamber. 
     
     
         28 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the tissue processing apparatus includes signal generating circuitry configured to generate an electrical test signal that is supplied to at least one of the two measurement surfaces, and signal processing circuitry configured to obtain the at least one electrical measurement by processing an electrical signal received from at least one of the two measurement surfaces in consequence of the electrical test signal having been supplied to at least one of the two measurement surfaces. 
     
     
         29 . A tissue processing apparatus according to claim  13 , wherein the signal processing circuitry includes circuitry housed in a cap for use with a reagent receptacle. 
     
     
         30 . A method of using a tissue processing apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the method includes:
 inserting the measurement probe into a reagent receptacle containing reagent so that the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle;   using the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus;   determining, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of the reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.