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Microwaves have been used to significantly accelerate and enhance cell fixation to slides and tissue preparation for embedding in histology since the very early 1990's. Microwaves can also enhance post-sectioning processes such as immunolabelling, immunohistochemistry, antigen retrieval and cell staining. While many histologists, imagers and pathologists use commercial or consumer microwave ovens, they are not allowed for use in a laboratory setting by US OSHA requirements. Laboratory microwave tissue processors have a level of power control superior to that of microwave ovens. Microwave ovens adjust power by cycling the power on and off at full power. Although the timing varies from oven models, half power generally means the microwave is on at full power for 6 seconds and then off for 6 seconds. Often the tissue sample become overheated and thus is damaged with this type of power control. Our True-To-Power™ power control system allows the user to set the power without the damaging high power cycles. In fact, our minimum power setting is at 20 watts or about 2% of maximum power with an infinite number of settings.
Microwave ovens are generally not designed for use in laboratory environments and tend to last only for a short period of time. Since the microwave oven is designed for heating food, the consistency between oven and oven is poor. This means that there is a learning curve for new settings each time a new oven is used. This can damage or destroy samples as well.
All of our product offering meets the October 2005 College of American Pathologists (CAP) checklist concerning proper venting of microwaves when properly installed and connected to the laboratory air handling/exhaust system. The microwaves have been developed specifically for researchers, imagers, histology and pathology laboratories. They offer all the features needed to produce exceptional cell preservations and images.
The BP-111 and the BP-111-RS were developed in collaboration with the personnel at the CNR Biological Imaging Facility at the University of California, Berkeley. We worked with Steve Ruzin, PhD who is the director of the facility and Denise Schmines, PhD who is on staff at the facility as a Molecular Geneticist. You may see images produced with our BP-111-RS microwave tissue processor at their website http://microscopy.berkeley.edu/ along with the protocols for both plant and animal tissue processing.
We used our experience to develop the BP-111 & BP-111-RS to give superior tissue preservations. Our True-To-Power™ power control system allows an infinite number of power settings from just a few watts to full power. This power control system truly allows you to set the power level simply and repeatedly. It does not pulse the microwaves on and off like many other tissue processors or does it need water loads to cool or adsorb power so the tissue samples do not over heat.
These tissue processors have a thermal probe that is easy to replace in the field. You may set the desired temperature for tissue processing and insert the thermal probe into your sample. The tissue processor will adjust the microwave power or turn off the microwave power to maintain the desired temperature.
The features of the BP-111 or BP-111-RS allow the researcher or technician to perform other work while the tissues are being processed. The features also provide variety and flexibility that is not offered in other tissue processors.
These tissue processors are compact and will fit under almost any cabinet. Using standard 110 volt (or 230 volt for 50 Hz operation) and no other utilities, they are simple to install requiring standard 3” flexible ducting to a fume hood if desired. It is possible to be operating 10 minutes after you take the tissue processor out of the box.
The BP-125 is a lower cost laboratory microwave that allows the user to program the temperature profile for the sample. The sample temperature is monitored and the microwave controller simply turns the microwave on and off to maintain the sample temperature. This method of control eliminate much of the variation found in time and power control microwaves such as the one found in household microwave ovens. Process or protocol consistency is the largest complaint when using a household microwave oven.
The BP-110 is a low cost laboratory grade microwave intended to replace the household microwave oven. This microwave is a heavy duty workhorse that operates just like your household microwave oven. You set the power level and time from your protocol. The maximum power is 1,000 watts – just like most household microwave ovens produced today. This means your should be able to use your protocol developed for the household microwave, but meets the October 2005 College of American Pathologists (CAP) checklist for microwave venting when installed properly. You can store 10 of your most used protocols using the touch pad. Suggested uses (per CLSI standard GP-28-A microwave with “minimal control required) includes drying slides, melting agar, enzyme/antigen retrieval, and staining.
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