MWP-800 Microm Microwave Tissue Processor

The Thermo / Microm MWP-800 Microwave Tissue Processor is a valuable asset in a wide variety of applications, including transmission electron microscopy, histochemical staining, rapid immunoperoxidase staining of labile lymphocyte antigens, rapid fixation of large biopsy specimens, processing of renal biopsy specimens, microwave-stimulated fixation of reagents for cryostat sections, and acceleration of decalcification and immunohistochemical staining. One of its most valuable applications has been in the area of diagnostic surgical pathology where it is used to reduce turnaround times. A waiting period of up to 1 day for diagnoses is customary in most surgical pathology laboratories. If the specimen is complex, requiring special diagnostic studies such as immunohistochemical analysis, diagnoses may take even longer. Use of microwave methods considerably reduces the processing time with 1-step dehydration and 1-step clearing before paraffin infiltration. Microwave-assisted tissue processing, therefore, can reduce turnaround time to 2 to 6 hours, depending on the method used. This reduction in turnaround time has a potential for considerable clinical impact by reducing the time to diagnosis, time to initiation of treatment, patient anxiety, and potentially costs associated with length of hospital stay.