Rapid clearing and imaging of Mohs and melanoma surgical margins using a low-cost tissue processor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Histology
• Pathology

Background:

• Tissue clearing methods enhance 3D visualization of biological structures but often involve complex, time-consuming procedures.
• Current protocols are not well-suited for standard histology workflows or rapid processing of human tissues.
• There is a need for efficient and accessible tissue clearing techniques in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, rapid tissue clearing protocol for human specimens.
• To present a low-cost, high-volume tissue processor compatible with standard histology workflows.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of the protocol in dermatological specimens, including melanoma.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new chemical-based tissue clearing protocol.
• Design and implementation of a low-cost, automated tissue processing system.
• Application of the protocol to human dermatological tissue samples (nonmelanoma and melanoma excisions).

Main Results:

• The novel protocol achieves rapid tissue clearing, significantly reducing processing time.
• The developed tissue processor enables high-volume processing suitable for clinical settings.
• Successful demonstration of rapid clearing in diverse dermatological specimens, preserving tissue morphology.

Conclusions:

• The presented rapid tissue clearing protocol and processor offer an efficient solution for standard histology.
• This approach facilitates the integration of advanced tissue clearing techniques into routine clinical practice.
• The method holds potential for improved diagnostic capabilities in dermatopathology and beyond.