11
Default Settings
When the main power switch is turned on, the temperature for SP (Set Point) 1 is displayed. If you press the "Display Set" button
once, the time for SP1 is displayed. Press the "Display Set" button again and the temperature setting for SP2 displays. Pressing the
"Display Set" button at this point will cycle the indicator to show the SP2 time. The next time you press the "Display Set" button, it
will cycle to the SP Limit temperature (there is no SP Limit time setting). Press it again, and the actual temperature will display. This
is the last display in the cycle, if you press the "Display Set" button again, it will return to the SP1 temperature display.
As you cycle through the SP displays, notice that the “Set” light on the right hand side will light up, indicating that the SP mode you
are in can be reset by the user. (See page 16 for illustrations).
The default settings can be changed by the user. For optimal immunostaining, we recommend that you set the SP1 at 30 seconds;
however, always refer to the assay or analyte specification sheet for the specific antigen retrieval protocol as the times may vary.
The best temperature for Steam Monitor Strips to show quality control is 110 °C or above. It is at this temperature and relative
pressure that a dark brown to black color is achieved (Figure 6b). Lower temperature and pressure will produce a lighter strip, which
will remain consistent for runs of the same temperature and pressure, but it is easier to use the darker color that is achieved at higher
temperature and pressure as a quality control.
Start Program
• With the main power switch on, press the "Display Set" button until the SP1 LED light comes on.
• Press the Start/Stop button to start the program.
• Push the down arrow to display the actual temperature. Both the Heat On and the Actual Temperature lights will be on.
• When the programmed temperature is attained, the Heat On light will turn off and the timer will start counting down. The
instrument will typically overshoot the programmed temperature by about 2 °C to 4 °C, then settle down to the programmed
temperature. When the timer counts down to zero, an alarm will sound.
• At this point, record the temperature and pressure for quality control. The temperature may vary by ± 3 °C.
• After the alarm sounds, press the Start/Stop button and the SP2 LED light will come on. The instrument will cool down to SP2.
The amount of time required to reach the programmed temperature and pressure are variable, depending upon the volt-
age source and frequency, the number of slides in the chamber and the altitude at which the instrument is operated.
After Program
• When the programmed SP2 time and temperature is reached, another alarm will sound and all the indicator lights will flash.
Press the Start/Stop button to end the program. Before unlocking the lid, confirm that the pressure reads 0 (zero) on the
pressure gauge. Toggle the weight (petcock) to release pressure.
• Push down on the lid and rotate it counter clockwise to the OPEN position, making sure the steam is directed away from
yourself. Turn the main power switch off and lift off the hot lid. Let the slides cool for 10 minutes in the Decloaking Chamber.
• Check the Steam Monitor Strip for the proper dark brown to black color (Figure 6b).
• Decant half of the hot retrieval solution and add DI water. Rinse with five changes of DI Water.
• Place slides in buffer solution for five minutes.
• In order to maintain consistency between runs, the unit must be started at 37 °C or lower for each run. The user can cool the
unit by exchanging cool water to the pan to bring the temperature down to 37 °C.
