Pressure-assisted molecular recovery (PAMR) of biomolecules, pressure-assisted antigen retrieval (PAAR), and pressure-assisted tissue histology (PATH)

US8288122B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS · US
• The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Defense, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology · US
• American Registry of Pathology · US

Inventors

• Timothy J. O'Leary · White Bear Lake, US
• Jeffrey T. Mason · Escondido, US
• Carol B. Fowler · Rockville, US
• Robert E. Cunningham · Stamford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 16, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N1/30
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.