By Sue Dafnias
Dual retorts on the Peloris processor
There have been few changes in tissue processing automation over the past 20 years, and the changes that have occurred have generally been incremental. One notable exception is microwave technology, which has promised dramatically reduced turnaround times. Although tissue processing is faster with microwave, speed comes at a cost. Laboratory staff face the same dilemma with the use of microwaves in the laboratory as they do when cooking an evening meal at home; that is, whether to sacrifice quality and uniformity in order to save time. Moreover, laboratories must add extra safety guidelines to minimize risk when using microwaves, and many microwave processors require considerably more manual intervention or restrictive preparation steps prior to tissue processing.
Peloris Dual Retort Rapid Tissue Processor
Vision BioSystems has developed a solution that eliminates this apparent trade-off. The newly launched Peloris Dual Retort Rapid Tissue Processor offers rapid turnaround time without the attendant trade-offs associated with microwaves. Its sophisticated built-in protocol and heating efficiencies ensure high-quality results in dramatically reduced time. Faster turnaround times and greater throughput can maximize laboratory workflow and productivity. “Peloris has reduced protocol times by at least 40% and improved processing quality,” says Ingrid Johnson, histology manager, Ameripath South.
When its other benefits are considered, Peloris is recognized as a breakthrough in tissue processing technology.
Dual Retorts
Instrument capacity and throughput are becoming increasingly important issues as laboratory workloads and turnaround-time pressures intensify. By combining double cassette capacity, dual retorts, and faster processing, Peloris eliminates the bottleneck issue while providing capacity for further increases in laboratory testing. The independent dual retorts can be run simultaneously using the same protocol or with each retort using a different protocol. This also allows for stat samples to be processed urgently alongside longer protocols.
Evelyn Vasquez, director of Anatomical Pathology for Ameripath Orlando, says Peloris has streamlined the laboratory’s workflow.
Safety Considerations
Laboratories are always on the lookout for new systems that provide safer work practices. The Peloris tissue processor eliminates the need for processing with xylene, which is widely recognized as a potential carcinogen. This safety feature is unique to the Peloris instrument and proprietary to Vision BioSystems (patent pending).
Xylene-free processing on Peloris is an optional operating mode, which utilizes familiar laboratory protocols and produces equivalent if not superior staining results. The xylene-free processing mode uses isopropanol and completely eliminates xylene from tissue processing for a safer work environment.
“Xylene-free processing using the Peloris tissue processor provides a safer environment for laboratory staff, reduced reagent costs, and equivalent if not superior processing results,” says Johnson of Ameripath South.
Xylene and xylene-free processing have been extensively tested using both routine and immunohistochemistry staining, demonstrating high-quality results. Therefore the outcome of processing with Peloris is not only increased throughput, but also superior routine and immunohistochemistry staining.
Human prostate, xylene-free processing on the Peloris instrument
Decreasing Costs, Increasing Productivity
The Peloris instrument significantly reduces laboratory operating costs in both xylene and xylene-free modes. The ongoing consumable costs are minimized via the effective tracking of reagent quality and efficient wax cleans.
At the same time, Peloris’ innovative design allows for maximum instrument uptime. This is a critical factor when laboratory managers are evaluating new instrumentation. Increased productivity is achieved by providing significantly faster cleaning cycles over conventional processors and significantly reduced wax-melt times.
“Peloris has streamlined our laboratory workflow and provided faster processing, elimination of xylene, dual retorts, and a user-friendly instrument,” says Evelyn Vasquez, director of Anatomical Pathology for Ameripath Orlando. “For these reasons, I would definitely recommend this processor.”
Sue Dafnias is marketing manager, clinical, for Vision BioSystems.
