What is the most common automatic processing machine used in histopathology?

The most common automatic processing machine used in histopathology is the autotechnicon. This device plays a crucial role in the tissue processing workflow. It automates the infiltration of tissues with paraffin, allowing for consistent and reproducible results. The autotechnicon efficiently handles the various steps necessary for preparing biological specimens, including dehydration, clearing, and infiltration, which are essential for embedding tissues in paraffin wax.

Using an autotechnicon enhances the speed and accuracy of the histological preparation process compared to manual methods. It minimizes human error and increases throughput in a busy laboratory setting. By automating the processing stages, the autotechnicon ensures that tissue samples are prepared uniformly, which is vital for producing high-quality slides for microscopic examination.

Other options, while important in the field of histopathology, do not hold the same level of prevalence in tissue processing routines. For example, flash freezing units are typically used for rapid freezing of fresh tissues to preserve cellular morphology and are not involved in routine processing. Embedding stations are essential for embedding tissues once they have been processed, and slide staining machines are used later in the process to stain the mounted sections. However, the autotechnicon specifically addresses the most critical aspect of tissue processing, making it the most