89
D.2 Stain Program Settings
The following is an explanation of the user-adjustable staining parameters and how staining can be
affected by adjusting these parameters. Each step has 9 possible settings and 0, which turns the step off.
General Settings
Carbowax is a highly alcohol and water-soluble component of spray fixatives that must be removed before
staining can successfully occur. Because the aqueous hematoxylin reagent used in the ELITechGroup
staining process is sufficient to remove the carbowax under most conditions. This is the default setting of
the instrument.
Prewash Alcohol
This setting adds a series of alcohol applications to remove the carbowax fixative.
Stain Setting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Spray Applications
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
7
9
Wait Applications
0
2
0
2
3
0
3
6
9
Prewash Bluing
This setting adds a series of bluing applications (which are aqueous based) to remove the carbowax
fixative. Since it is aqueous based it can be used on bloody samples to help create a lysing affect.
Stain Setting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Spray Applications
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
7
9
Wait Applications
0
2
2
2
3
0
3
6
9
End Spin
Excessive drying can cause artifacts. Default setting of 1 is recommended to remove excess fluid from the
carousel to avoid dripping, but limits the drying.
Stain Setting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Seconds
X
2
4
10
10
20
30
60
90
RPM
X
600
600
600
950
950
950
950
950
X = Shake to remove excess fluid from the carousel.
Appendix D: Stain Modes and Programming Options
