Method and automatic machine for embedding a tissue sample into an embedding medium

A method for embedding a tissue sample (1) into an embedding medium, comprising:

• a. holding the tissue sample (1) in an intended orientation in a container (2) by means of a holding element (3) that presses the tissue sample (1) against a base (4) of the container (2);
• b. pouring into the container (2) a liquid embedding medium (5) that has a temperature above 64 degrees Celsius;
• c. cooling the base (4) of the container (2);
• d. executing a separating motion by way of which the tissue sample (1) and the holding element (3) move away from each other, the embedding medium (5) through which the holding element (3) moves during the separating motion having, during the separating motion, temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, and/or those portions of the embedding medium (5) which are directly adjacent to the holding element (3) having, during the separating motion, a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, wherein
• e. the separating motion begins immediately after expiration of a predefined or predefinable time period (t1) after the beginning of cooling;
• and/or
• f. the separating motion is automatically started immediately after expiration of a predefined or predefinable time period (t1) after the beginning of cooling.

A method for embedding a tissue sample (1) into an embedding medium, comprising:

• a. holding the tissue sample (1) in an intended orientation in a container (2) by means of a holding element (3) that presses the tissue sample (1) against a base (4) of the container (2);
• b. pouring into the container (2) a liquid embedding medium (5) that has a temperature above 64 degrees Celsius;
• c. cooling the base (4) of the container (2);
• d. executing a separating motion by way of which the tissue sample (1) and the holding element (3) move away from each other, the embedding medium (5) through which the holding element (3) moves during the separating motion having, during the separating motion, temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, and/or those portions of the embedding medium (5) which are directly adjacent to the holding element (3) having, during the separating motion, a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, wherein the separating motion ends while the holding element (3) is still located inside the embedding medium;
• and/or the holding element (3) is embedded together with the tissue sample (1).

A method for embedding a tissue sample (1) into an embedding medium, comprising:

• a. holding the tissue sample (1) in an intended orientation in a container (2) by means of a holding element (3) that presses the tissue sample (1) against a base (4) of the container (2), wherein the container (2) is part of a tissue cassette, and the tissue cassette comprises the holding element (3) that presses the tissue sample (1) against the base (4) of the container (2);
• b. pouring into the container (2) a liquid embedding medium (5) that has a temperature above 64 degrees Celsius;
• c. cooling the base (4) of the container (2);
• d. executing a separating motion by way of which the tissue sample (1) and the holding element (3) move away from each other, the embedding medium (5) through which the holding element (3) moves during the separating motion having, during the separating motion, temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, and/or those portions of the embedding medium (5) which are directly adjacent to the holding element (3) having, during the separating motion, a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius.

A method for processing a tissue sample (1), comprising:

• introducing the tissue sample (1) into a container (2);
• fixing the tissue sample (1) with at least one fixing agent, and/or infiltrating the tissue sample (1) with an infiltration medium while the tissue sample (1) is located in the container (2);
• keeping the tissue sample (1) in the container (2) after the fixing and/or infiltration;
• and
• block-embedding the tissue sample (1) into an embedding medium while the tissue sample (1) remains in the container (2) after the fixing and/or infiltration, wherein the block-embedding comprises:
• a. holding the tissue sample (1) in an intended orientation in a container (2) by means of a holding element (3) that presses the tissue sample (1) against a base (4) of the container (2);
• b. pouring into the container (2) a liquid embedding medium (5) that has a temperature above 64 degrees Celsius;
• c. cooling the base (4) of the container (2);
• and
• d. executing a separating motion by way of which the tissue sample(1) and the holding element (3) move away from each other, the embedding medium (5) through which the holding element (3) moves during the separating motion having, during the separating motion, temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, and/or those portions of the embedding medium (5) which are directly adjacent to the holding element (3) having, during the separating motion, a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius.