The MTP carousel tissue processor guarantees gentle and highly reliable specimen processing in conjunction with state of the art control features. The specimen throughput can be doubled to 240 cassettes per run with a second transport basket. For faster and substantially improved processing of tissue, the instrument can optionally be equipped with vacuum units for all paraffin beakers or all positions including reagent beakers. An integrated battery ensures highest process safety even in environments with frequent power failures. Hazardous fumes are efficiently eliminated by a fume extraction system thereby increasing user safety.