Universal system, method and solution for the acceleration of the process of fixing, dehydrating and clearing the structure of biological tissue
View Patent ↗Described herein are methods, compositions, kits and systems for fixing biological samples. In one aspect, the method includes contacting the tissue sample with a fixing composition comprising about 20 to about 80% v/v DMSO. The solutions of the dehydration and clearing steps also include DMSO. Tissues fixed according to the methods described herein (and using the compositions herein described) may be fixed at a more rapid rate as compared to conventional procedures, but with comparable results.
1. A method for fixing a tissue sample comprising:
(a) contacting the tissue sample with a fixing composition for about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, the fixing composition comprising about 40% v/v DMSO; about 10% v/v of formalin; and a buffering agent;
(b) dehydrating the tissue sample in a non-aqueous solution comprising DMSO and alcohol;
(c) clearing the tissue sample in a clearing solution comprising xylene and DMSO;
(d) infiltrating the tissue sample with paraffin, nitrocellulose, plastic or other suitable embedding agent; and
(e) embedding the tissue in the embedding agent.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dehydration step comprises multiple steps, each successive step comprising contacting the sample with a higher percentage of alcohol.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clearing step comprises multiple steps.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixing step is performed for about 1 minute.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixing step is performed for about 2.5 minutes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixing composition further comprises one or more of water, xylene, xylene substitute, or naphtha.