Biological specimen heating device and quality control method for immunohistochemistry heat retrieval procedures

A quality controlled method for heating a laboratory biological specimen, comprising the steps of:

• placing a heat sensitive pH indicating retrieval solution in a pressure cooker with a temperature control, a timer control, a temperature display, and a pressure gauge, wherein said cooker is operable within a predetermined temperature range and a predetermined pressure range, and is arranged to display an actual temperature, wherein said pH indicating retrieval solution is arranged for changing color within said temperature range to indicate a pH change to a value within predetermined range of pH;
• placing said biological specimen in said pH indicating retrieval solution;
• setting a heating temperature with said temperature control;
• setting a timer period with said timer control;
• activating said cooker;
• recording an actual temperature shown on said temperature display and an actual pressure shown on said pressure gauge after said heating temperature is reached;
• opening said cooker after heating;
• checking said pH indicating retrieval solution for color change which indicates that said range of pH has been reached;
• and
• recording pH indicated by said pH indicating retrieval solution.

A quality controlled method for heating a laboratory biological specimen, comprising the steps of:

• placing a heat sensitive pH indicating retrieval solution in a pressure cooker with a temperature control, a timer control, a temperature display, and a pressure gauge, wherein said cooker is operable within a predetermined temperature range and a predetermined pressure range, and is arranged to display an actual temperature, wherein said pH indicating retrieval solution is arranged for changing color within said temperature range to indicate a pH change to a value within predetermined range of pH;
• placing said biological specimen in said pH indicating retrieval solution;
• placing a heat and pressure sensitive steam strip in said cooker, wherein said steam strip is arranged to change color within said temperature range and said pressure range for indicating temperature and pressure changes;
• setting a heating temperature with said temperature control;
• setting a timer period with said timer control;
• activating said cooker;
• recording an actual temperature shown on said temperature display and an actual pressure shown
• on said pressure gauge after said heating temperature is reached;
• opening said cooker after heating;
• checking said pH indicating retrieval solution for color change which indicates that said range of pH has been reached;
• recording pH indicated by said pH indicating retrieval solution;
• and
• checking said steam strip for color change which indicates that said temperature range and said pressure range have been reached, so as to back up reading of said temperature display and said pressure gauge for reliability and accuracy.

A quality controlled method for heating a laboratory biological specimen, comprising the steps of:

• placing a retrieval solution in a pressure cooker with a temperature control, a timer control, a temperature display, and a pressure gauge, wherein said cooker is operable within a predetermined temperature range and a predetermined pressure range, and is arranged to display an actual temperature;
• placing said biological specimen in said retrieval solution;
• setting a heating temperature with said temperature control;
• setting a timer period with said timer control;
• activating said cooker;
• recording an actual temperature shown on said temperature display and an actual pressure shown on said pressure gauge after said heating temperature is reached;
• opening said cooker after heating;
• placing a pH strip in said retrieval solution;
• comparing said pH strip to a heat adjusted color chart arranged for accurately reading said pH strip after said pH strip is heated by said retrieval solution;
• and
• recording pH indicated by said pH strip.

A quality controlled method for heating a laboratory biological specimen, comprising the steps of:

• placing a retrieval solution in a pressure cooker with a temperature control, a timer control, a temperature display, and a pressure gauge, wherein said cooker is operable within a predetermined temperature range and a predetermined pressure range, and is arranged to display an actual temperature;
• placing said biological specimen in said retrieval solution;
• placing a heat and pressure sensitive steam strip in said cooker, wherein said steam strip is arranged to change color within said temperature range and said pressure range for indicating temperature and pressure changes;
• setting a heating temperature with said temperature control;
• setting a timer period with said timer control;
• activating said cooker;
• recording an actual temperature shown on said temperature display and an actual pressure shown on said pressure gauge after said heating temperature is reached;
• opening said cooker after heating;
• placing a pH strip in said retrieval solution;
• comparing said pH strip to a heat adjusted color chart arranged for accurately reading said pH strip after said pH strip is heated by said retrieval solution;
• recording pH indicated by said pH strip;
• and
• checking said steam strip for color change which indicates that said temperature range and said pressure range have been reached, so as to back up reading of said temperature display and said pressure gauge for reliability and accuracy.