Tissue Processor

Abstract

A tissue processor includes first and second retorts; a reagent bottle fluidly connected to the first and second retorts; an infiltration tank fluidly connected to the first and second retorts; a pressure generating assembly that provides positive or negative pressure in at least one of the first and second retorts to draw reagents or infiltration materials into or out of the corresponding retort; and a rotary valve that fluidly connects the first and second retorts to the reagent bottle and selectively connects one of the reagent bottles to the first and second retorts. The tissue processor also includes first and second capture bottles, the first capture bottle fluidly connected between the first retort and the pressure generating assembly, the second capture bottle fluidly connected between the second retort and the pressure generating assembly, and the first and second capture bottles condense reagent vapor or infiltration material vapor from the first and second retorts, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of tissue processing, and more particularly, to a tissue processor. Background Art

[0002] Histology tissue specimen preparation is a physical process involving the reaction of chemical solutions with biological specimens. Typically, specimens such as tissue samples from biopsies and autopsies require processing. The end result of this processing is a specimen that has been preserved and infiltrated with paraffin. Once the tissue is embedded in paraffin, it is stable and can then be subsequently embedded and then sectioned on a microtome.

[0003] This treatment usually includes four different sub-processes: fixation, dehydration, clarification and infiltration.

[0004] Fixation is a process that stabilizes cellular proteins, usually performed using a chemical solution. A good fixative is usually a liquid that neither shrinks nor swells the tissue, and especially does not dissolve its component parts, but kills bacteria and inactivates enzymes. The most commonly used chemical solution is formalin.

[0005] Because the ultimate goal of tissue specimen processing is to infiltrate the tissue sample in paraffin, and because water and paraffin are immiscible, the sample must be dehydrated after the fixation step. This is usually achieved by exposing the tissue sample to increasing concentrations of alcohol.

[0006] After dehydration, the tissue sample still cannot accept paraffin, because paraffin and alcohol are immiscible. Choose a chemical solution that is miscible with both alcohol and paraffin to purify the alcohol in the sample. The most commonly used chemical solution is xylene.

[0007] The fourth and final step in tissue sample processing is infiltration of the sample, usually using paraffin wax. In this step, the cleaned tissue sample is placed in paraffin wax that has been heated to a few degrees above its melting temperature. It may be necessary to change the paraffin wax several times to remove any residual xylene and allow the tissue to be fully infiltrated with the melted paraffin wax.

[0008] During tissue processing, reagent vapor or permeating material vapor may appear in the retort of the tissue processor and enter the air system of the tissue processor, which may cause blockage of the air system and cross contamination of different residual reagents. These may lead to low tissue processing quality. Summary of the invention

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one problem existing in the related art, at least to some extent.

[0010] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tissue processor. The tissue processor includes: a first curved neck retort; a second curved neck retort; a plurality of reagent bottles connected to the first curved neck retort and the second curved neck retort fluid; a plurality of infiltration tanks connected to the first curved neck retort and the second curved neck retort fluid; a pressure generating assembly connected to the first curved neck retort, the second curved neck retort, the plurality of reagent bottles and the plurality of infiltration tanks fluid, the pressure generating assembly providing positive pressure or negative pressure in at least one of the first curved neck retort and the second curved neck retort to draw reagents or infiltration materials into or out of the corresponding curved neck retort; and a rotary valve, which rotates the first and second curved neck retorts. The two curved neck retorts are fluidly connected to a plurality of reagent bottles, and one of the plurality of reagent bottles is selectively connected to the first curved neck retort and the second curved neck retort. The tissue processor also includes a first capture bottle and a second capture bottle. The first capture bottle fluid is connected between the first curved neck retort and the pressure generating component, and the second capture bottle fluid is connected between the second curved neck retort and the pressure generating component. The first capture bottle condenses the reagent vapor or the permeate material vapor from the first curved neck retort, and the second capture bottle condenses the reagent vapor or the permeate material vapor from the second curved neck retort.

[0011] In a tissue processor, by providing a first capture bottle and a second capture bottle that are fluidly connected between a pressure generating assembly and a first retort and a second retort, reagent vapor or permeate material vapor from the first and second retorts can be condensed by the first and second capture bottles to prevent reagent vapor or permeate material vapor from entering an air pipe that is fluidly connected between the pressure generating assembly and the first retort and the second retort. Therefore, cross contamination of the air system by different residual reagents can be prevented, thereby improving the quality of tissue processing. In addition, the tissue processor also has a simple structure and low cost.

[0012] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a condensation bottle that is fluidly coupled to the first capture bottle and the second capture bottle and captures condensate from the first capture bottle and the second capture bottle. When the condensation bottle is full, it can be simply removed from the tissue processor and replaced with another empty condensation bottle without affecting the operation of the first capture bottle and the second capture bottle.

[0013] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further includes a first condensate valve and a second condensate valve, wherein the first condensate valve is fluidically connected between the first capture bottle and the condensate bottle, and selectively connects the first capture bottle with the condensate bottle; the second condensate valve is fluidically connected between the second capture bottle and the condensate bottle, and selectively connects the second capture bottle with the condensate bottle. Therefore, the condensate in the first and second capture bottles can be controlled to be discharged into the condensate bottle according to actual needs without affecting the normal operation of the tissue processor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a third capture bottle, the third capture bottle being fluidly coupled between the plurality of infiltration tanks and the pressure generating assembly, and the third capture bottle condensing the infiltration material vapor from the plurality of infiltration tanks. Thus, the infiltration material vapor from the plurality of infiltration tanks can be condensed by the third capture bottle to prevent the infiltration material vapor from entering the air tube coupled between the pressure generating assembly and the plurality of infiltration tanks.

[0015] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a third condensate valve, which is fluidically connected between the third capture bottle and the condensate bottle and selectively connects the third capture bottle to the condensate bottle. Therefore, the condensate in the third capture bottle can be controlled to be discharged into the condensate bottle as needed without affecting the normal operation of the tissue processor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises an air main pipe, which is in fluid communication with the environment and fluidly connected to the pressure generating assembly, and a plurality of reagent bottles, a plurality of infiltration tanks and a condensation bottle are fluidly connected to the air main pipe; the air main pipe is inclined, the highest port of the air main pipe is connected to the environment, and the lowest port of the air main pipe is connected to the condensation bottle. Therefore, the air main pipe can be used as a condenser, and condensate from the air can flow to the lower part of the air main pipe and be captured in the condensation bottle.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a valve manifold that couples the first and second retorts to the rotary valve fluid and selectively connects one of a plurality of reagent bottles selected by the rotary valve to one of the first and second retorts. That is, the rotary valve and the valve manifold cooperatively connect one of the plurality of reagent bottles to one of the first and second retorts.

[0018] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a cleaning valve, which is fluidically connected between the valve manifold and the pressure generating assembly and selectively connects the valve manifold to the pressure generating assembly. Therefore, compressed air can be introduced from the pressure generating assembly to flush and clean the valve manifold and the air tube connected between the valve manifold and the rotary valve to prevent cross contamination of different residual reagents.

[0019] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a cleaning valve integrated on the valve manifold. Therefore, the structure of the tissue processor can be simplified.

[0020] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a scavenging buffer, and the scavenging buffer fluid is connected between the cleaning valve and the valve manifold, and extracts scavenging reagents from a plurality of reagent bottles or discharges scavenging reagents into a plurality of reagent bottles under the positive pressure or negative pressure provided by the pressure generating assembly. Therefore, the scavenging agent can be repeatedly introduced to rinse and clean the valve manifold and the air pipe connected between the valve manifold and the rotary valve to prevent cross contamination of different residual reagents.

[0021] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a first densitometer and a second densitometer, wherein the first densitometer is fluidically connected between the valve manifold and the first retort, and the second densitometer is fluidically connected between the valve manifold and the second retort; the first and second densitometers detect the density of the reagent transferred to the first and second retorts, respectively. Therefore, it can be determined whether the reagent transferred to the first and second retorts is appropriate.

[0022] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further includes a first pressure sensor, a first pressure reducing valve, a second pressure sensor, and a second pressure reducing valve, wherein the first pressure sensor and the first pressure reducing valve are arranged between the pressure generating assembly and the first retort, the first pressure sensor detects a first pressure in a first air pipe connected between the pressure generating assembly and the first retort, and when the detected pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the first pressure reducing valve opens to release the pressure; the second pressure sensor and the second pressure reducing valve are arranged between the pressure generating assembly and the second retort, the second pressure sensor detects a second pressure in a second air pipe connected between the pressure generating assembly and the second retort, and when the detected second pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the second pressure reducing valve opens to release the pressure. Therefore, the safety of the tissue processor can be ensured.

[0023] In some embodiments, the tissue processor also includes a remote connector, the remote connector fluid is connected to the rotary valve, and the remote connector is configured to connect a remote container, to extract reagents from the remote container, or discharge reagents to the remote container. The first and second retorts can be connected to the remote container, so the operator does not need to frequently replace multiple reagent bottles to reduce labor intensity.

[0024] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a drain connector, the drain connector being fluidically coupled to the plurality of infiltration slots, and the drain connector being configured to couple to a remote container to drain the infiltrated material to the remote container. Thus, the infiltrated material can be conveniently discharged into the remote container.

[0025] In some embodiments, the tissue processor further comprises a carbon filter, the pressure generating assembly is fluidly coupled to the environment through the carbon filter, and the carbon filter filters out the reagent fumes.Therefore, the reagent fumes can be easily filtered out.

[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the following description, or may be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1is a perspective view of a tissue processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an organization processor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an organization processor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and are used to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Throughout the specification, identical or similar elements and elements having identical or similar functions are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0032] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tissue processor 1000 includes: a first curved neck retort 10; a second curved neck retort 20; a plurality of reagent bottles 30 fluidly connected to the first curved neck retort 10 and the second curved neck retort 20; a plurality of infiltration grooves 40 fluidly connected to the first curved neck retort 10 and the second curved neck retort 20; a pressure generating component 50, which is fluidly connected to the first curved neck retort 10, the second curved neck retort 20, the plurality of reagent bottles 30 and the plurality of infiltration grooves 40, the pressure generating component 50 provides positive pressure or negative pressure in at least one of the first curved neck retort 10 and the second curved neck retort 20 to draw reagents or infiltration materials into or out of the corresponding curved neck retort; and a rotary valve 60, which fluidly connects the first and second curved neck retorts 10, 20 to the plurality of reagent bottles 30, and selectively connects one of the plurality of reagent bottles 30 to the first and second curved neck retorts 10, 20.

[0033] For example, the pressure generating assembly 50 can set the pressures of 45 kPa and -70 kPa in the first and second retorts 10, 20. Reagents can be transferred between the reagent bottle 30 and the first and second retorts 10, 20, or infiltration materials can be transferred between the first and second retorts 10, 20 and the plurality of infiltration slots 40 to achieve four sub-processes of tissue treatment.

[0034] It is understood that the plurality of reagent bottles 30 may contain different reagents for fixation, dehydration, and purification; and the plurality of permeation cells 40 may contain permeation materials, such as paraffin, for permeation.

[0035] like Figure 2As shown, the tissue processor 1000 also includes a first capture bottle 110 and a second capture bottle 150. The first capture bottle 110 is fluidly connected between the first curved neck retort 10 and the pressure generating assembly 50, and the second capture bottle 150 is fluidly connected between the second curved neck retort 20 and the pressure generating assembly 50. The first capture bottle 110 condenses the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from the first curved neck retort 10, and the second capture bottle 150 condenses the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from the second curved neck retort 20.

[0036] In the tissue processor 1000, by providing the first and second capture bottles 110, 150 fluidly connected between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the first and second retorts 10, 20, the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from the first and second retorts 10, 20 can be condensed by the first and second capture bottles 110, 150 to prevent the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from entering the air pipe connected between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the first and second retorts 10, 20. Therefore, the air system can be prevented from being cross-contaminated by different residual reagents, thereby improving the quality of tissue processing. In addition, the tissue processor 1000 also has a simple structure and low cost.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a condensation bottle 120, which is fluidly coupled to the first and second capture bottles 110, 150 and captures condensate from the first and second capture bottles 110, 150. When the condensation bottle 120 is full, it can be simply removed from the tissue processor 1000 and replaced with another empty condensation bottle 120 without affecting the operation of the first and second capture bottles 110, 150.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a first condensate valve and a second condensate valve, wherein the first condensate valve is fluidly connected between the first capture bottle 110 and the condensate bottle 120, and selectively connects the first capture bottle 110 with the condensate bottle 120; the second condensate valve is fluidly connected between the second capture bottle 150 and the condensate bottle 120, and selectively connects the second capture bottle 150 with the condensate bottle 120. Therefore, the condensate in the first and second capture bottles 110, 150 can be controlled to be discharged into the condensate bottle 120 as needed without affecting the normal operation of the tissue processing.

[0039] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a third capture bottle 200, which is fluidically coupled between the plurality of infiltration slots 40 and the pressure generating assembly 50, and the third capture bottle 200 condenses the infiltration material vapor from the plurality of infiltration slots 40. Therefore, the infiltration material vapor from the plurality of infiltration slots 40 can be condensed by the third capture bottle 200 to prevent the infiltration material vapor from entering the air tube coupled between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the plurality of infiltration slots 40. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third capture bottles 110, 150, 200 can be stainless steel bottles, which have strong heat dissipation capabilities to condense reagent vapor or infiltration material vapor, and can capture condensate.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a third condensate valve, which is fluidically connected between the third capture bottle 200 and the condensate bottle 120, and selectively connects the third capture bottle 200 with the condensate bottle 120. Therefore, the condensate in the third capture bottle 200 can be controlled to be discharged into the condensate bottle 120 according to actual needs without affecting the normal operation of the tissue processing.

[0041] For example, the pressure generating assembly 50 may set a pressure cycle of −40 kPa in the plurality of permeation tanks 40 (40 seconds for one cycle), and then may open the third condensate valve to allow the third capture bottle 200 to discharge the condensate to the condensate bottle 120 .

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes an air main pipe 180, the air main pipe 180 is in communication with the environment, and the pressure generating assembly 50, a plurality of reagent bottles 30, a plurality of infiltration tanks 40 and a condensation bottle 120 are fluidly connected to the air main pipe 180; the air main pipe 180 is inclined, the highest port of the air main pipe 180 is connected to the environment, and the lowest port of the air main pipe 180 is connected to the condensation bottle 120. Therefore, the air main pipe 180 can be used as a condenser, and the condensate from the air can flow to the lower part of the air main pipe 180 and be captured in the condensation bottle 120.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a valve manifold 70, which fluidically couples the first and second retorts 10, 20 with the rotary valve 60, and selectively connects one of the plurality of reagent bottles 30 selected by the rotary valve 60 to one of the first and second retorts 10, 20. That is, the rotary valve 60 and the valve manifold 70 cooperatively connect one of the plurality of reagent bottles 30 to one of the first retort 10 and the second retort 20.

[0044] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a cleaning valve, which is fluidically connected between the valve manifold 70 and the pressure generating assembly 50 and selectively connects the valve manifold 70 to the pressure generating assembly 50. Therefore, compressed air can be introduced from the pressure generating assembly 50 to flush and clean the valve manifold 70 and the air tube connected between the valve manifold 70 and the rotary valve 60 to prevent cross contamination of different residual reagents.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a cleaning valve integrated on the valve manifold 70. Therefore, the structure of the tissue processor 1000 can be simplified.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 also includes a clearing buffer 900, which is fluidically connected between the cleaning valve and the valve manifold 70, and extracts clearing reagents from multiple reagent bottles or discharges clearing reagents into multiple reagent bottles under the positive pressure or negative pressure provided by the pressure generating assembly 50. Therefore, the scavenger can be repeatedly introduced to rinse and clean the valve manifold 70 and the air pipe connected between the valve manifold 70 and the rotary valve 60 to prevent cross contamination of different residual reagents. In some embodiments, the clearing buffer 900 can be another retort.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a first densitometer 260 and a second densitometer 270, wherein the first densitometer 260 is fluidically connected between the valve manifold 70 and the first retort 10, and the second densitometer 270 is fluidically connected between the valve manifold 70 and the second retort 20; the first and second densitometers 260 and 270 respectively detect the density of the reagent transferred to the first and second retorts 10 and 20. Therefore, it can be determined whether the reagent transferred to the first and second retorts 10 and 20 is appropriate.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a first pressure sensor 220, a first pressure reducing valve 230, a second pressure sensor 240, and a second pressure reducing valve 250. The first pressure sensor 220 and the first pressure reducing valve 230 are arranged between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the first retort 10. The first pressure sensor 220 detects a first pressure in a first air pipe 501 connected between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the first retort 10, and when the detected pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the first pressure reducing valve 230 is opened to release the pressure. The second pressure sensor 240 and the second pressure reducing valve 250 are arranged between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the second retort 20. The second pressure sensor 240 detects a second pressure in a second air pipe 502 connected between the pressure generating assembly 50 and the second retort 20, and when the detected second pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the second pressure reducing valve 250 is opened to release the pressure. Therefore, the safety of the tissue processor 1000 can be ensured.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 also includes a remote connector 80, the remote connector 80 fluid is connected to the rotary valve 60, and the remote connector 80 is configured to connect a remote container to extract reagents from the remote container or discharge reagents to the remote container. The first and second retorts 10, 20 can be connected to the remote container, so the operator does not need to frequently replace multiple reagent bottles 30 to reduce labor intensity.

[0050] For example, the rotary valve 60 may select the remote connector 80, and then the pressure generating assembly 50 may set a pressure of 45 kPa or -70 kPa in the retort 10, 20 to achieve the remote filling / draining function.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a discharge connector 90, which is fluidically coupled to the plurality of infiltration slots 40, and the discharge connector 90 is configured to be coupled to a second remote container to discharge the infiltration material to the second remote container. Therefore, the infiltration material can be conveniently discharged into the second remote container.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the tissue processor 1000 further includes a carbon filter 290, through which the pressure generating assembly 50 is fluidically coupled to the environment, and the carbon filter 290 filters out the reagent fumes. Therefore, the reagent fumes can be easily filtered out.

[0053] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the tissue processor 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0054] The tissue processor 1000 according to the present disclosure includes first and second retorts 10 and 20, seventeen reagent bottles 30 and four permeation tanks 40, and a pressure generating assembly 50. The first and second retorts 10 and 20 are in fluid communication with the seventeen reagent bottles 30, the four permeation tanks 40, and the pressure generating assembly 50.

[0055] The tissue processor 1000 also includes a rotary valve 60. The rotary valve 60 has eighteen positions. The first and second retorts 10, 20 are in fluid communication with seventeen reagent bottles 30 or remote connectors 80 through the rotary valve 60. The rotary valve 60 selectively connects one of the seventeen reagent bottles 30 or the remote connector 80 to the first and second retorts 10, 20. The remote connector 80 can be connected to a remote container fluid to suck a reagent from the remote container into the first and second retorts 10, 20, or discharge a reagent in the first and second retorts 10, 20 into a remote container.

[0056] The tissue processor 1000 further includes a valve manifold 70. The first and second retorts 10, 20 are in fluid communication with the rotary valve 60 via the valve manifold 70. The valve manifold 70 selectively connects one of the seventeen reagent bottles 30 selected by the rotary valve 60 or the remote connector 80 to one of the first and second retorts 10, 20.

[0057] The first retort 10 is fluidically connected to the valve manifold 70 via the first liquid pipe 301, the valve manifold 70 is fluidically connected to the rotary valve 60 via the second liquid pipe 302, and the rotary valve 60 is fluidically connected to the seventeen reagent bottles 30 via the seventeen third liquid pipes 303 (for ease of understanding, in Figure 2 Only one third liquid pipe 303 is shown in the figure, and the rotary valve 60 is fluidically connected to the remote connector 80 via the fourth pipe 304.

[0058] The first retort 10 is provided with a first liquid valve 12 which is in fluid communication with the interior of the first retort 10 and the first liquid pipe 301. The first liquid valve 12 selectively opens or closes the first retort 10 to allow reagents to enter or leave the first retort 10 through the first liquid pipe 301.

[0059] The first retort 10 is in fluid communication with the four permeation tanks 40 via the first heating pipe 401. A second liquid valve 14 is provided on the first retort 10, which is in fluid communication with the interior of the first retort 10 and the first heating liquid pipe 401. The second liquid valve 12 selectively opens or closes the first retort 10 to allow the permeating material to enter or leave the first retort 10 through the first heating liquid pipe 401.

[0060] The second retort 20 is fluidly connected to the valve manifold 70 via the fifth liquid pipe 305. The second retort 20 is provided with a third liquid valve 22, which is in fluid communication with the interior of the second retort 20 and the fifth liquid pipe 305. The third liquid valve 22 selectively opens or closes the second retort 20 to allow the reagent to enter or leave the second retort 20 through the fifth liquid pipe 305.

[0061] The second retort 20 is in fluid communication with the four permeation tanks 40 via the second heating pipe 402. A fourth liquid valve 24 is provided on the second retort 20, which is in fluid communication with the interior of the second retort 20 and the second heating liquid pipe 402. The fourth liquid valve 24 selectively opens or closes the second retort 20 to allow the permeating material to enter or leave the second retort 20 through the second heating liquid pipe 402.

[0062] The four permeation tanks 40 are respectively provided with four liquid valves, namely, a fifth liquid valve 42, a sixth liquid valve 44, a seventh liquid valve 46 and an eighth liquid valve 48. Each of the fifth liquid valve 42, the sixth liquid valve 44, the seventh liquid valve 46 and the eighth liquid valve 48 is in fluid communication with the respective permeation tanks 40 and the interior of the first and second retorts 10, 20, and selectively opens or closes the respective permeation tanks 40 to allow the permeation material to enter or leave the first and second retorts 20 through the first and second heating liquid pipes 401, 402.

[0063] The four permeate tanks 40 are fluidly coupled to the drain connector 90 via the third heated liquid pipe 403. The drain connector 90 may be fluidly coupled to a second remote container to drain the permeate materials in the four permeate tanks 40 to the second remote container.

[0064] The four permeate tanks 40 are provided with a ninth liquid valve 49 which is in fluid communication with the interior of the four permeate tanks 40 and the discharge connector 90 and selectively opens or closes the four permeate tanks 40 to allow the permeated materials to be discharged from the four permeate tanks 40 to the second remote container.

[0065] The valve manifold 70 is provided with a tenth liquid valve 72 and an eleventh liquid valve 74. The first retort 10 is fluidly connected to the rotary valve 60 through the tenth liquid valve 72, and the tenth liquid valve 72 selectively connects the first retort 10 to the rotary valve 60. The second retort 20 is fluidly connected to the rotary valve 60 through the eleventh liquid valve 74, and the eleventh liquid valve 74 selectively connects the second retort 20 to the rotary valve 60. That is, the valve manifold 70 can selectively connect one of the first and second retorts 10, 20 to one of the seventeen reagent bottles 30 and the remote connector 80 selected by the rotary valve 60.

[0066] The pressure generating assembly 50 includes a pump 52 , a compensator 54 , a first air valve 56 , and a second air valve 58 .

[0067] The pump 52 has an input end 522 and an output end 524. The first air valve 56 has a first normally open port 562, a first normally closed port 564, and a first common port 566; the second air valve 58 has a second normally open port 582, a second normally closed port 584, and a second common port 586. The first normally open port 562 and the second normally open port 582 are fluidly coupled to the input end 522 of the pump 52, and the first normally closed port 564 and the second normally closed port 584 are fluidly coupled to the output end 524 of the pump 52.

[0068] The second common port 586 is fluidly connected to the first retort 10, the second retort 20, the four permeation tanks 40, and the valve manifold 70. The second common port 586 is fluidly connected to the first retort 10 via the first air pipe 501, the second common port 586 is fluidly connected to the second retort 20 via the second air pipe 502, the second common port 586 is fluidly connected to the four permeation tanks 40 via the third air pipe 503, and the second common port 586 is fluidly connected to the valve manifold 70 via the fourth air pipe 504.

[0069] The third air valve 100 is provided in the first air pipe 501 , and selectively couples the second common port 586 and the first retort 10 .

[0070] The tissue processor 1000 further includes a first capture bottle 110. The first capture bottle 110 is disposed in the first air pipe 501 between the third air valve 100 and the first retort 10. The first capture bottle 110 separates the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from the air and condenses it to prevent the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from entering the first air pipe 501. The first capture bottle 110 may be disposed near the first retort 10. In addition, a first cooling portion may be disposed at the first capture bottle 110 to facilitate condensation of the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor.

[0071] The first catch bottle 110 is fluidly coupled to the condensation bottle 120 via a first condensation tube 601 .

[0072] The fourth air valve 130 (as an example of a first condensate valve) is provided in the first condensation pipe 601, and selectively connects the first collection bottle 110 with the condensate bottle 120. That is, when the fourth air valve 130 is opened, the condensate in the first collection bottle 110 can be discharged into the condensate bottle 120 via the first condensation pipe 601. It can be understood that if the pressure generating assembly 50 provides a positive pressure in the first collection bottle 110 through the first air pipe 501, the condensate can be quickly discharged into the condensate bottle 120.

[0073] The fifth air valve 140 is disposed in the second air pipe 502 , and selectively communicates the second common port 586 with the second retort 20 .

[0074] The second catch bottle 150 is disposed in the second air pipe 502 between the fifth air valve 140 and the second retort 20. The second catch bottle 150 separates the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from the air and condenses it to prevent the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor from entering the second air pipe 502. A second cooling portion may be disposed at the second catch bottle 150 to facilitate condensing the reagent vapor or the permeating material vapor.

[0075] The second catch bottle 150 is fluidly coupled to the condensation bottle 120 via the second condensation pipe 602. The sixth air valve 160 (as an example of a second condensate valve) is disposed in the second condensation pipe 602, and selectively connects the second catch bottle 150 with the condensation bottle 120. That is, when the sixth air valve 150 is opened, the condensate in the second catch bottle 150 can be discharged into the condensation bottle 120 via the second condensation pipe 602. It can be understood that if the pressure generating assembly 50 provides a positive pressure in the second catch bottle 150 through the second air pipe 502, the condensate can be quickly discharged into the condensation bottle 120.

[0076] The twelfth liquid valve 170 (as an example of a cleaning valve) is provided in the fourth air tube 504. The twelfth liquid valve 170 selectively connects the second air valve 58 with the valve manifold 70. The twelfth liquid valve 170 can be integrated on the valve manifold 70 to simplify the structure of the tissue processor 1000. The valve manifold 70 can be vertically arranged, and the twelfth liquid valve 170 can be arranged on one end of the valve manifold 70 away from the rotary valve 60.

[0077] The first common port 566 is fluidly coupled to the air manifold 180 via the fifth air tube 505 .

[0078] The air main 180 is fluidly connected to the environment via a sixth air tube 506, and a fan 280 is disposed in the sixth air tube 506 to help quickly extract or exhaust air from the environment or quickly exhaust air back into the environment; and a carbon filter 290 can be disposed in the sixth air tube 506 to help filter the air, for example, to filter out reagent fumes.

[0079] The air main 180 passes through seventeen seventh air pipes 507 ( Figure 2 Only one seventh air tube 507 is shown) fluidically connected to seventeen reagent bottles 30.

[0080] The air main 180 is fluidly coupled to the four infiltration tanks 40 via an eighth air pipe 508 .

[0081] It can be understood that the first common port 566 , the seventeen reagent bottles 30 and the four permeation tanks 40 are connected to the environment through the air main pipe 180 .

[0082] The air main pipe 180 is fluidly coupled to the condensation bottle 120 via the third condensation pipe 603. The air main pipe 180 is inclined. The sixth air pipe 506 is fluidly coupled to the highest port of the air main pipe 180, and the third condensation pipe 603 is fluidly coupled to the lowest port of the air main pipe 180. The air main pipe 180 can be used as a condenser, and condensate from the air can flow to the lower part of the air main pipe 180 and be captured in the condensation bottle 120.

[0083] The seventh air valve 190 is disposed between the third and eighth air pipes 503, 508 and the four infiltration tanks 40. The seventh air valve 190 selectively connects one of the third and eighth air pipes 503, 508 to the four infiltration tanks 40.

[0084] The seventh air valve 190 has a first port 192, a second port 194, and a third port 196. The first port 192 is in communication with the four infiltration slots 40 via the ninth air pipe 509, the second port 194 is in communication with the environment via the eighth air pipe 508 and the air main pipe 180, and the third port 196 is in communication with the second air valve 56 via the third air pipe 503. The first port 192 can be selectively in communication with one of the second and third ports 194 and 196. When the first port 192 is in communication with the interior of the second port 194, the four infiltration slots 40 are in communication with the environment; when the first port 192 is in communication with the interior of the third port 196, the four infiltration slots 40 are in communication with the second air valve 58.

[0085] The third catch bottle 200 is disposed in the ninth air pipe 509 between the seventh air valve 190 and the four permeate tanks 40. The third catch bottle 200 separates the permeate material vapor from the air and condenses it to prevent the permeate material vapor from entering the ninth air pipe 509. A third cooling part may be disposed at the third catch bottle 200 to facilitate condensing the permeate material vapor.

[0086] The first, second, and third cooling portions may be condensing coils that may be fluidly coupled between the first catch bottle 110 and the first retort 10 , between the second catch bottle 150 and the second retort 20 , and between the third catch bottle 200 and the four permeate tanks 40 .

[0087] The third catch bottle 200 is fluidly coupled to the condensation bottle 120 via the fourth condensation pipe 604. The eighth air valve 210 (as an example of a third condensation valve) is provided in the fourth condensation pipe 604, and selectively connects the third catch bottle 200 with the condensation bottle 120. That is, when the eighth air valve 210 is opened, the condensation in the third catch bottle 200 can be discharged into the condensation bottle 120 via the fourth condensation pipe 604. It can be understood that if the pressure generating assembly 50 provides a positive pressure in the third catch bottle 200 through the ninth air pipe 509, the condensation can be quickly discharged into the condensation bottle 120.

[0088] The first pressure sensor 220 and the first pressure reducing valve 230 are disposed on the first air pipe 501. The first pressure sensor 220 detects the pressure in the first air pipe 501. When the detected pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the first pressure reducing valve 230 may be opened to release the pressure, thereby ensuring the safety of the air system. For example, the safety threshold may be 50 kPa.

[0089] The second pressure sensor 240 and the second pressure reducing valve 250 are disposed on the second air pipe 502. The second pressure sensor 240 detects the pressure in the second air pipe 502. When the detected pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the second pressure reducing valve 250 may open to release the pressure, thereby ensuring the safety of the air system.

[0090] The first densitometer 260 is disposed in the first liquid tube 301. The first densitometer 260 can detect the density of the reagent in the first liquid tube 301 to determine whether the selected reagent is appropriate.

[0091] The second densitometer 270 is disposed in the fifth liquid tube 305. The second densitometer 270 can detect the density of the reagent in the fifth liquid tube 305 to determine whether the selected reagent is appropriate.

[0092] When in the first operating state of the pressure generating assembly 50, the first normally open port 562 and the second normally open port 582 are opened, ambient air is input to the pump through the first air valve 56, and compressed air is output to the first curved neck retort 10, the second curved neck retort 20 and the four infiltration grooves 40 to provide positive pressure in the first curved neck retort 10, the second curved neck retort 20 and the four infiltration grooves 40.

[0093] When in the second operating state of the pressure generating component 50, the second normally closed port and the second normally closed port are opened, air is input into the pump from the first curved neck retort 10, the second curved neck retort 20 and the four infiltration grooves 40 through the second air valve 58, and compressed air is output to the environment to provide positive pressure in the first curved neck retort 10, the second curved neck retort 20 and the four infiltration grooves 40.

[0094] like Figure 3As shown, a tissue processor 1000 ′ according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0095] The tissue processor 1000' comprises a first retort 10' and a second retort 20', seventeen reagent bottles 30' and four permeation tanks 40', and a pressure generating assembly 50'. The first and second retorts 10', 20' are in fluid communication with the seventeen reagent bottles 30', four permeation tanks 40' and the pressure generating assembly 50'.

[0096] The tissue processor 1000 ′ has substantially the same structure as the tissue processor 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, except that the tissue processor 1000 ′ further includes a clear buffer 900 .

[0097] The purge buffer 900 fluid is connected between the valve manifold 70' and the twelfth liquid valve 170' separated from the valve manifold 70'. Negative pressure is provided in the purge buffer 900, and the purge reagent can be sucked into the purge buffer 900 from one of the seventeen reagent bottles 30' or from the remote connector 80'. Then a positive pressure is provided in the purge buffer 900, and the purge reagent can be pushed back from the purge buffer 900 to one of the seventeen reagent bottles 30' or the remote connector 80'. The purge reagent can rinse and purge different residual reagents in the valve manifold 70' and the second liquid pipe 302' to prevent cross contamination of different reagents.

[0098] It should be noted that the clearing agent may be alcohol, since alcohol is miscible with other reagents and helps to flush and remove residual reagents.

[0099] Pumps, compensators, rotary valves, valve manifolds, air manifolds, air valves, liquid valves, etc. are commonly used in the art and can be purchased on the market.

[0100] Other structures and principles of the tissue processor may be known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0101] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for descriptive purposes and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance, or to imply the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" and "second" may include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the term "plurality" means two or more than two, unless otherwise specified.

[0102] Throughout the specification, references to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “another example,” “an example,” “a specific example,” or “some examples” mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of phrases such as “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in another example,” “in an example,” “in a specific example,” or “in some examples” in various places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0103] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure and that changes, substitutions and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit, principle and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Organize the processor, including: The first curved neck steamer; The second curved neck steamer; a plurality of reagent bottles fluidly coupled to the first retort and the second retort; a plurality of permeate slots fluidly coupled to the first retort and the second retort; a pressure generating assembly fluidly coupled to the first retort, the second retort, the plurality of reagent bottles, and the plurality of permeate tanks, the pressure generating assembly providing positive or negative pressure in at least one of the first retort and the second retort to draw reagent or permeate material into or out of the corresponding retort; as well as a rotary valve fluidly coupling the first and second retorts to a plurality of reagent bottles and selectively connecting one of the plurality of reagent bottles to the first retort and the second retort, The tissue processor further comprises a first capture bottle and a second capture bottle, wherein the first capture bottle fluid is connected between the first curved neck retort and the pressure generating assembly, the second capture bottle fluid is connected between the second curved neck retort and the pressure generating assembly, the first capture bottle condenses the reagent vapor or the permeate material vapor from the first curved neck retort, and the second capture bottle condenses the reagent vapor or the permeate material vapor from the second curved neck retort.

2. The tissue processor according to claim 1 further comprises a condensation bottle, wherein the condensation bottle is fluidly connected to the first and second capture bottles and captures condensate from the first and second capture bottles.

3. The tissue processor according to claim 2 further includes a first condensate valve and a second condensate valve, wherein the first condensate valve fluid is connected between the first capture bottle and the condensation bottle, and selectively connects the first capture bottle and the condensation bottle; the second condensate valve fluid is connected between the second capture bottle and the condensation bottle, and selectively connects the second capture bottle with the condensation bottle.

4. The tissue processor according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a third capture bottle, wherein the third capture bottle is fluidly connected between the plurality of infiltration slots and the pressure generating assembly, and the third capture bottle condenses the infiltration material vapor from the plurality of infiltration slots.

5. The tissue processor according to claim 4 further comprises a third condensate valve, wherein the third condensate valve is fluidly connected between the third capture bottle and the condensate bottle, and selectively connects the third capture bottle to the condensate bottle.

6. The tissue processor according to any one of claims 1-3 further comprises an air main, wherein the air main is connected to the surrounding fluid, and the pressure generating assembly, a plurality of reagent bottles, a plurality of infiltration tanks and a condensation bottle are fluidly connected to the air main; the air main is inclined, the highest port of the air main is connected to the environment, and the lowest port of the air main is connected to the condensation bottle.

7. The tissue processor according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a valve manifold, wherein the valve manifold connects the first and second retorts to the rotary valve fluid and selectively connects one of a plurality of reagent bottles selected by the rotary valve to one of the first and second retorts.

8. The tissue processor of claim 7, further comprising a purge valve, wherein the purge valve is fluidly coupled between the valve manifold and the pressure generating assembly and selectively connects the valve manifold to the pressure generating assembly.

9. The tissue processor of claim 8, wherein the purge valve is integrated on the valve manifold.

10. The tissue processor according to claim 8 further includes a purge buffer, wherein the purge buffer fluid is connected between the purge valve and the valve manifold, and draws purge reagents from a plurality of reagent bottles or discharges purge reagents into a plurality of reagent bottles under positive pressure or negative pressure provided by the pressure generating component.

11. The tissue processor according to claim 7 further includes a first densitometer and a second densitometer, wherein the first densitometer is fluidly connected between the valve manifold and the first curved neck retort, and the second densitometer is fluidly connected between the valve manifold and the second curved neck retort; the first and second densitometers respectively detect the density of the reagent transferred to the first and second curved neck retorts.

12. The tissue processor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first pressure sensor, a first pressure reducing valve, a second pressure sensor and a second pressure reducing valve, wherein the first pressure sensor and the first pressure reducing valve are arranged between the pressure generating assembly and the first retort, the first pressure sensor detects a first pressure in a first air pipe connected between the pressure generating assembly and the first retort, and when the detected pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the first pressure reducing valve opens to release the pressure; The second pressure sensor and the second pressure reducing valve are arranged between the pressure generating assembly and the second curved neck retort, the second pressure sensor detects the second pressure in the second air pipe connected between the pressure generating assembly and the second curved neck retort, and when the detected second pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the second pressure reducing valve opens to release the pressure.

13. The tissue processor according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a remote connector, wherein the remote connector fluid is connected to the rotary valve, and the remote connector is configured to connect to a remote container to extract reagents from the remote container or discharge reagents to the remote container.

14. The tissue processor of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a drain connector, wherein the drain connector is fluidly coupled to the plurality of permeate slots, the drain connector being configured to couple to a remote container to drain the permeate material to the remote container.

15. The tissue processor of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a carbon filter, wherein the pressure generating assembly is fluidly coupled to the environment through the carbon filter, and the carbon filter filters out reagent fumes.

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