Stabilized powdered formaldehyde

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, a polymerized form of formaldehyde is available in granular form containing a polymerized form of formaldehyde, such as paraformaldehyde, a buffer, such as sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, and a stabilizer, such as hydroxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. When added to an aqueous solvent, the paraformaldehyde can dissolve in alkaline solution, and depolymerizes into a formaldehyde solution containing a stabilizer. Optionally a second member of the buffer pair or another buffer or pH adjuster can be used The stabilized depolymerized formaldehyde solution is then ready for use, or can be modified by addition of other substances, such as sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate. Additionally, an additional buffer may be included in the granular mixture to increase the rate at which the solid dissolves and depolymerizes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is related to powdered formalin for uses in the fields of histology, particularly fixatives used in clinical and histology laboratories, and of chemistry, including the production of plastics and polymerized forms of aldehydes, and more particularly to powdered forms, and to methods for their manufacture and use.BACKGROUNDAldehyde solutions are produced and used for a wide variety of purposes. For example, formaldehyde (CH2O) is a widely manufactured and transported chemical for use as a fixative in clinical and histology laboratories. Formaldehyde may be purchased and delivered as a 37% liquid solution with approximately 12% to approximately 15% methanol added. This product may then be diluted, often in water, to an approximately 3.7% solution for fixation purposes, such as fixation of tissue. Typically, a fixative is used to preserve biological specimens such as biopsy or tissue specimens, for medical diagnosis.Additionally, formaldehyde...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a way to prepare solid forms of fixatives, such as aldehydes, in a convenient and easy way. These fixatives can be dissolved in a solvent to create a solution that can be used without further modification. The invention also allows for the creation of stabilized solutions of fixatives, which can be stored for longer periods of time without losing their effectiveness. The invention can be applied to a variety of fixatives, making it a useful tool for researchers and chemical professionals.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, there are several other disadvantages to the process of diluting and storing formaldehyde in liquid form.

Processes for making formaldehyde solutions are hazardous and difficult to perform.

Processes for making formaldehyde solutions often require specialized equipment which is often not available to clinical or histology laboratories.

Additionally, 37% formaldehyde solutions must be stored at no lower than room temperature conditions, otherwise the solutions can lose effectiveness and become unstable if stored for an extended period of time.

Processes of producing and storing other aldehyde solutions often exhibit similar difficulties and disadvantages.

There are also several other disadvantages to the process of heating formaldehyde polymers to generate formaldehyde solutions.

Processes for producing and storing aldehyde solutions are hazardous and difficult to perform.

Processes for producing and storing aldehyde solutions often require specialized equipment which is often not readily available.

As a result of the above disadvantages, currently liquid aldehyde solutions are frequently produced at a manufacturing facility and then transported to an end user.

However, transporting liquid aldehyde solutions is expensive and dangerous.

Containers are large, heavy and may rupture during transport thereby exposing other individuals to the dangerous solution.

Images