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Before Starting a Run
This chapter contains general guidelines for preparing samples and the intelliPATH prior to starting your run.
Tissue and Slide Preparation
1. Deparaffinize tissue sections and wash in DI water.
2. If applicable, ensure that the slides have been through the appropriate retrieval process.
3. Hydrate in DI water and solvate in buffer prior to loading on the
intelliPATH
.
4. To ensure accurate and reliable staining, quality control is recommended by any or all of the following:
Note: For optimal staining, use of HP-Barrier slide labels or a Super Pap Pen (PEN1111) is recommended.
Positive Tissue Control
Include a known positive tissue, preferably with variable levels of reactivity. Test result should indicate positive.
Positive Antibody Control
Absorb primary antibody with its antigen before staining and apply to known positive. Result should indicate positive.
Negative Process Control
Replace primary antibody with buffer or nonsense antibody. Test result should indicate negative with no background.
Negative Tissue Control
Include a known negative tissue and apply primary antibody. Test result should indicate negative with no background.
Positive Process Control:
Include more than one antibody and its control: If one is positive, the process worked.
Instrument Preparation
1. Make sure both waste carboys are empty and properly connected to the instrument.
2. Make sure Buffer and DI Water carboys are prepared and filled with appropriate water or reagent and properly
connected to the instrument.
3. Make sure there are no obstructions to the movement of the robotic arm.
4. Rinse the slide racks with DI water, and carefully brush away any residual deposits of dried buffer that may
be present. This will prevent contamination from previous runs.
5. Load the reagent rack with filled reagent vials in the correct orientation; the label “FRONT” must be
positioned toward the front of the intelliPATH.
6. Confirm that the slides are leveled. If the slides are not leveled, the instrument must be leveled.
7. If you will print labels, make sure the label printer is attached to the computer.
8. To use the closed run programming feature, affix the 2-D matrix labels to the slides and reagent vials.
9. Turn the instrument on using the main power switch located on the right side of the stainer.
10. Turn on the computer and open the intelliPATH application.
Important:
Be sure to turn on the instrument before logging into the intelliPATH software,
otherwise, software will automatically be opened as a demo mode and the run will not start.
