INFILTRATION – IMPREGNATION - EMBEDDING
Definition:
1. Step in tissue processing that involves removal of clearing agent from tissues so that it will be replaced by a
medium that will fill all cavities and tissue spaces
Purpose:
1. To remove clearing agents from tissues
2. To fill up cavities and tissue spaces – to give tissue a firm consistency in order to facilitate easy cutting
3 INFILTRATION/IMPREGNATION METHODS IN GENERAL
1. PARAFFIN WAX INFILTRATION METHOD
2. CELLOIDIN INFILTRATION METHOD
3. GELATIN INFILTRATION METHOD
PARAFFIN WAX INFILTRATION METHOD
Paraffin wax – medium that fills up cavities and tissue spaces
- Most commonly used infiltration agent
- Compatible with many stains
- Allows cutting of serial sections with ease
- As infiltrating agent: NOT suited for some spx like FATTY TISSUES because HEAT IS APPLIED IN THIS METHOD
so the fats will melt
Method that is usually carried out in the lab because the procedure is rapid
This step must be carried out adequately
Prolonged process may cause excessive shrinkage and tissue hardening
Inadequate process may cause retention of clearing agent
Many types of paraffin wax and each has their own melting point
Melting point of Paraffin wax used for routine work: 56degC
MANUAL Carried out using an OVEN which keeps the wax melted/liquid state (kase
kung solid ang paraffin wax, hindi yan makakafill up ng cavities & spaces)
Place the small tissues in a container like a dissecting pan and put a paraffin
wax, then place the entire preparation inside the oven.
Requires 4 changes of wax at 15 minutes interval (so it is completed in 1hr)
Or
to keep the wax melted, use oven that is 55-60 degC or the approximate is
2-5 degC higher than wax melting point NATATANONG TO SA BOARDS
AUTOMATIC Uses autotechnicon so this one is more RAPID (bcos there’s heat generated
and constant agitation) or processing time is shorter
2-3 changes of wax
VACUUM Under negative atmospheric pressure inside the oven.
THE MOST RAPID among the three because there is NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Recommended for spx with much air
Recommended for urgent biopsies, for spx like lungs, brain, eyes, spleen
and CNS
Definition:
1. Step in tissue processing that involves removal of clearing agent from tissues so that it will be replaced by a
medium that will fill all cavities and tissue spaces
Purpose:
1. To remove clearing agents from tissues
2. To fill up cavities and tissue spaces – to give tissue a firm consistency in order to facilitate easy cutting
3 INFILTRATION/IMPREGNATION METHODS IN GENERAL
1. PARAFFIN WAX INFILTRATION METHOD
2. CELLOIDIN INFILTRATION METHOD
3. GELATIN INFILTRATION METHOD
PARAFFIN WAX INFILTRATION METHOD
Paraffin wax – medium that fills up cavities and tissue spaces
- Most commonly used infiltration agent
- Compatible with many stains
- Allows cutting of serial sections with ease
- As infiltrating agent: NOT suited for some spx like FATTY TISSUES because HEAT IS APPLIED IN THIS METHOD
so the fats will melt
Method that is usually carried out in the lab because the procedure is rapid
This step must be carried out adequately
Prolonged process may cause excessive shrinkage and tissue hardening
Inadequate process may cause retention of clearing agent
Many types of paraffin wax and each has their own melting point
Melting point of Paraffin wax used for routine work: 56degC
MANUAL Carried out using an OVEN which keeps the wax melted/liquid state (kase
kung solid ang paraffin wax, hindi yan makakafill up ng cavities & spaces)
Place the small tissues in a container like a dissecting pan and put a paraffin
wax, then place the entire preparation inside the oven.
Requires 4 changes of wax at 15 minutes interval (so it is completed in 1hr)
Or
to keep the wax melted, use oven that is 55-60 degC or the approximate is
2-5 degC higher than wax melting point NATATANONG TO SA BOARDS
AUTOMATIC Uses autotechnicon so this one is more RAPID (bcos there’s heat generated
and constant agitation) or processing time is shorter
2-3 changes of wax
VACUUM Under negative atmospheric pressure inside the oven.
THE MOST RAPID among the three because there is NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Recommended for spx with much air
Recommended for urgent biopsies, for spx like lungs, brain, eyes, spleen
and CNS
