Erasmus MC makes a statement in reducing use of toxic solvents
Tissue processing is required to prepare tissue for microscopic diagnosis by a pathologist. Traditionally, this process uses toxic solvents. The Dutch company Tispa Medical is the only producer in the world offering a method that reduces the use of solvents to just alcohol. Tispa Medical has developed a safe, clean and fast processor, based on an invention of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the CO2 application specialists of Feyecon in Weesp, NL. “CO2, especially under supercritical conditions, offers fantastic opportunities to eliminate organic solvents, making the process more efficient and ecologically acceptable. We’re only at the beginning”, says Geert Woerlee PhD, Feyecon’s CEO. “You know, the CO2 for these kind of applications is not produced, but are by-products of other processes and do therefore not contribute to global warming”, he adds.
Ms Nelly van der Leeden MSc, unit leader of the laboratories at Erasmus MC: “We’ve been following the development of the Tispa Processor from the beginning. Reducing the number and amount of chemicals we use will result in more safety and a cleaner environment. These are important targets for our department”. The Erasmus MC will operate the Tispa Processor next to the existing conventional machines, to show that the safe and clean Tispa process produces at least the same quality results and will enhance the efficiency thanks to the shorter cycle times. “Our first generation tissue processor has immediately turned out to be a robust and dependable machine with which we will enter this cooperation with the Erasmus MC in full confidence”, says Paul Stoffels, managing director of Tispa Medical.
For more information:
Tispa Medical BV
Paul Stoffels, Managing Director
Paul.stoffels@tispamedical.com
+31 294 457 974
Erasmus MC
Nelly van der Leeden MSc., Unit leader Laboratories Dep. Pathology
+31 10 704 4396
www.erasmusmc.nl