Patent ID: 6797928
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A method to decalcify a tissue specimen, said method comprising the steps of:suspending a fixated tissue specimen in a circulating fluid stream of a decalcification reagent; and placing the specimen in a microwave oven; irradiating the specimen with microwave radiation; supplying a reservoir for the fluid stream external to the microwave oven; controlling the temperature of the reservoir with a heating and cooling apparatus associated with the reservoir; operating the microwave oven in the range of about 450 watts or less power; and selecting the decalcification reagents from the group consisting of: EDTA, formic acid-based reagents, nitric acid-based reagents, hydrochloric acid-based reagents, sulphuric acid-based reagents, acetic acid-based reagents, DecalÂ®, Decal StatÂ®, Formical-2000Â®, and ImmunocalÂ®.