Tissue processor

A tissue processor (1) is described, having a retort (2) for processing histological samples with different reagents, having multiple reagent reservoir vessels (3), and having a conduit system and a control device (5) for delivering reagents out of the reagent reservoir vessels (3) into the retort (2). A suction conduit (11) projects into each reagent reservoir vessel (3) through the vessel opening (7) for reagent withdrawal. A closure system (12) having an externally tapered and internally hollow closure plug (13) is provided for closing off the vessel opening (7). The suction conduit (11) is guided through a cavity (14) of the closure plug (13) for reagent withdrawal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of German patent application no. 10 2005 057 191.3 filed Nov. 29, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tissue processor of a type comprising a retort for processing histological samples with different reagents, the tissue processor including multiple reagent reservoir vessels that each have at least one vessel opening, a conduit system and a control device for delivering reagents out of the reagent reservoir vessels into the retort, and a suction conduit projecting into each reagent reservoir vessel through the vessel opening for reagent withdrawal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tissue processors are used for automatic processing of histological samples for subsequent section preparation with a microtome, followed by microscopic examination. The tissue of the sample must firstly, in multiple stages, be dewatered, purified, hardened, and then stabilized with paraffin. This is accomplished with various reagents to which the sample is exposed.

A tissue processor that permits large automatic processing of the samples is depicted and described in the Leica document “Leica ASP 300,” Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH, order no. 0704-2-1-103, April 2001.

The tissue processor comprises a retort as a processing station for the samples. The retort is connected via a tubing or piping system to multiple standardized reagent reservoir vessels for the different reagents. By way of a pump system and an electronic control system, the respective reagents can be automatically pumped from the reservoir vessels into the retort and back.

The reagent reservoir vessels arranged in the tissue processor must from time to time be emptied and replaced with unused reagents. The tissue processor comprises for that purpose a connector for an external tubing system through which each individual reagent reservoir vessel can be emptied and refilled. This procedure of course requires a plurality of external vessels that must be stored separately in the laboratory. There also exists a risk of confusion in the context of vessels having fresh and used reagents.

Simple and direct exchange of the reagent reservoir vessels is also thwarted by the different dimensions of the external refill reagent vessels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make possible direct changing of differently dimensioned reagent reservoir vessels.

This object is achieved, according to the present invention, by the features described in the present specification. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention is notable for the fact that a closure system having an externally tapered and internally hollow closure plug is provided for closing off the vessel opening. The suction conduit is guided through the cavity of the closure plug for reagent withdrawal. With the externally tapered closure plug, reagent reservoir vessels having different opening diameters can be connected with no need to provide additional adapters or other modifications on the tissue processor.

In a refinement of the invention, the diameter of the cavity in the closure plug is dimensioned to be larger than the outside diameter of the suction conduit. An annular opening is thereby formed between the two diameters in the closure plug.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the annular opening is connected to a gas conduit, so that the reagent reservoir vessel can be aerated and vented through the gas conduit and therefore no harmful vapors can emerge.

In a refinement of the invention, the closure plug is mounted or embodied resiliently, so that a secure frictional connection is created between the reagent reservoir vessel and the closure system.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure plug is joined to a bellows, so that different overall heights can also be compensated for in the context of the reagent reservoir vessels.

In a refinement of the invention, the gas conduit is connected to a filter device so that no harmful vapors can enter the environment upon venting of the reagent reservoir vessels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a view of a tissue processor1having a retort2for the processing of samples and having a control device5including a pump system (not shown separately). Tissue processor1is equipped with a drawer4that is joined via telescoping rails8to the housing of processor1. Drawer4comprises two plates17, arranged one above another, as supports for multiple reagent reservoir vessels3. Reagent reservoir vessels3are respectively connected, via a closure system12, to a conduit system through which the reagents are transported out of reagent reservoir vessels3into retort2and from there back out again. Also provided is a gas conduit (not depicted here) that is connected to a filter device19in tissue processor1and filters vapors emerging from reagent reservoir vessels3.

Closure system12comprises an externally tapered closure plug13having a suction line11that is guided in the interior of closure plug13and projects through vessel opening7into the interior of reagent reservoir vessel3. The outside diameter of closure plug13may change linearly such that the plug's outer surface is conically shaped, or it may change non-linearly such that the plug's outer surface is curved. Closure plug13is joined to a bellows18with which different overall heights of reagent reservoir vessels3can be compensated for. Preferably, at least an outer portion of the closure plug13is formed of a resilient material for snug frictional fit within vessel opening7.

Arranged on a front side of drawer4is a pivotable lever9that is mechanically joined to a locking bolt10in order to retain drawer4in the housing of tissue processor1. The lever simultaneously serves as a handle for moving drawer4.

FIG. 2is a detail view of closure system12with conduit system6and the resilient bellows18. Bellows18carries the tapered closure plug13, which is equipped with a cavity14. Suction conduit11, whose outside diameter is dimensioned to be smaller than cavity14, is guided in that cavity14. An annular opening15is thereby formed in closure plug13. This annular opening15is of cylindrical configuration, and is connected via bellows18to a gas conduit (FIG. 3) for aerating and venting the reagent reservoir vessels.

FIG. 3is a detail view of closure system12with conduit system6. Each closure system12is equipped with an individual suction conduit11and connected to a common gas conduit16. Gas conduit16is connected to filter device19(FIG. 1). Through suction conduits11, the retort is filled with reagents from the reagent reservoir vessels. After sample processing, the reagents are conveyed out of the retort, through suction conduits11, back into the reagent reservoir vessels. Vapors occurring in this context are delivered through gas conduit16to the filter device, or the reagent reservoir vessels are vented via gas conduit16.

PARTS LIST