Microwave and digital imaging technology reduce turnaround times for diagnostic electron microscopy
Richard T Giberson1, Ronald L Austin, Jon Charlesworth
1Ted Pella, Inc., Redding, California 96003, USA. rick.giberson@tedpella.com
Ultrastructural Pathology
|May 31, 2003
Summary
Microwave methods and digital imaging significantly reduce diagnostic electron microscopy processing times. This combined approach achieved results in 4 hours or less, enhancing diagnostic efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Electron Microscopy
- Digital Pathology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Diagnostic electron microscopy (DEM) turnaround times are critical for clinical competitiveness.
- Immunohistochemistry and other ancillary techniques offer faster results.
- Advances in microwave processing and digital imaging present opportunities for DEM improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the combined impact of microwave-assisted processing and digital imaging on DEM turnaround times.
- To determine if these technologies can make DEM competitive with other diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of over 2,000 diagnostic cases utilizing microwave-assisted processing.
- Implementation and evaluation of a digital image administration system for result acquisition and dissemination.
Main Results:
- The integration of microwave methods and digital imaging drastically reduced processing and evaluation times.
- Turnaround times for diagnostic electron microscopy were consistently reduced to 4 hours or less.
Conclusions:
- Combined microwave processing and digital imaging offer a realistic solution to reduce DEM turnaround times.
- This technological integration enhances the efficiency and competitiveness of diagnostic electron microscopy.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Overview of Electron Microscopy
13.6K
The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
13.6K
01:07Scanning Electron Microscopy
5.4K
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
5.4K
01:15Transmission Electron Microscopy
6.9K
In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400...
6.9K
01:20Immunogold Electron Microscopy
5.4K
Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.
5.4K
01:28Cryo-electron Microscopy
4.2K
Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
4.2K
01:20Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy
6.9K
To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
6.9K