This is an example of a fatty/brain processing protocol with a closed-system processor, using standard processing reagents and also using pressure/vacuum. The tissue has been mostly fixed prior to processing. Notice how much more time fatty tissue and brain tissue requires in each reagent. Typically, fatty tissue and brain tissue requires approximately 4 or 5 hours MORE processing time than routine surgicals largely due to the inreased water content of these tissue types. Fatty tissue that is processed on a routine processing protocol may need to be reprocessed if the tissue is found to be mushy or greasy. Brain tissue that is processed on a routine processing protocol may not section properly and might have sections that explode on the waterbath.
10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) | 90 |
10% NBF | 90 |
70% alcohol | 60 |
95% alcohol | 90 |
95% alcohol | 90 |
100% alcohol | 100 |
100% alcohol | 100 |
100% alcohol | 120 |
Xylene | 100 |
Xylene | 120 |
Paraffin | 90 |
Paraffin | 90 |
Paraffin | 90 |
Paraffin | 90 |