Non-modal interplate microwave heating system and method of heating
View Patent ↗A microwave heater and a method of heating are provided. The microwave heater includes a non-modal interplate microwave applicator and may include a nonresonant enclosure. The non-modal interplate microwave applicator is configured to receive therein a load to be heated by microwaves radiated from the non-modal interplate microwave applicator.
1. A method of processing a biological sample on a microscope slide, the method comprising:
positioning the biological sample between two plates of a non-modal interplate microwave applicator;
connecting a microwave source to the non-modal interplate microwave applicator;
generating an electromagnetic field between the two plates to apply to the biological sample on the microscope slide; and
heating the sample to perform at least one processing step.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring a characteristic of the biological sample; and
adjusting the electromagnetic field between the two plates in response at least in part to the monitoring.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein monitoring the characteristic of the sample comprises at least one of monitoring a temperature, a pressure, and a light scattering of the biological sample on the microscope slide.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing step is a pretreatment step chosen from baking, dewaxing, target retrieval, blocking, denaturation, enzymatic digestion, and any combination thereof.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing step is an incubation step chosen from histochemical incubation, immunohistochemical incubation, and in situ hybridization.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is processed for histochemical, immunohistochemical, or in situ hybridization analysis.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a strength of the electromagnetic field does not depend on standing wave modes in the electromagnetic field.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic field is a non-modal electromagnetic field.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-modal interplate microwave applicator comprises a closed-loop single-ended applicator or a balanced applicator.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-modal interplate microwave applicator comprises an impedance matched applicator.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two plates are applicator plates and a distance between the two plates is adjustable.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a space between the two plates is at least partially filled with a dielectric material other than the biological sample.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
positioning a nonresonant enclosure to at least partially enclose the non-modal interplate microwave applicator.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the nonresonant enclosure is made from at least one of a conducting material and a semiconducting material.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
positioning a supporting structure to engage the two plates of the non-modal interplate microwave applicator to secure the biological sample on the microscope slide, wherein the microscope slide is positioned between the two plates.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the supporting structure comprises at least one material chosen from a microwave transparent material and a partially microwave transparent material.