Siemens Hematek, Operating Manual, Page: 69 / 98

Section 6: Minor Replacements and Adjustments, Page 6—15
Check and Correct Instrument Operation Prior to Pump Volume
Adjustment
Follow these steps to check and correct instrument operation when slides are not
satisfactory or pump volumes do not appear to be optimum. If any of these steps correct
the situation, you do not need to adjust the pump volumes.
1. Replace both sets of tubing.
Refer to Replacement of the Pump Tubing on page 6-7 and Replacement of the
Underplaten Tubing on page 6-11.
2. Clean the platen, including the front and back drain troughs, and make sure that there
is no residue in any mixing groove.
Refer to
Cleaning the Platen on page 5-3 for instructions to clean the platen and the
drain troughs.
3. Observe the circular bubble level to make sure the instrument is level to provide
optimal buffer mixing.
If leveling is required, follow the
Level the Instrument on page 2-4.
4. Make sure the Stain Pak has been vented.
Refer to Install the Stain Pak on page 2-9.
5. Check the adjustment of the sensing switch fingers.
6. Observe several slides as they move across the platen and visually ensure all of the
following events occur and they are activating the pumps at the proper time.
• The stain pump should be activated after approximately ½ of the slide width has
passed over the stain orifice.
• The buffer pump should be activated after about 1/8 inch of the slide has crossed
over the buffer orifice.
• The rinse pump should be activated just as the leading edge of the slide crosses over
the rinse orifice.
7. If the starting times for each phase are not correct, follow the procedure in this section.
Adjust the Stain, Buffer, and Rinse Volumes
Optimal staining results are achieved when the Hematek Slide Stainer is properly adjusted.
Normally, proper adjustment of the instrument can be determined by observation of the
amount of stain and buffer required to fill the capillary gap between the slide and the
surface of the platen. If the proper amounts of stain and buffer are being pumped, proper
mixing of the reagents will occur, resulting in uniform staining of blood smears. Use the
following procedure to adjust the pump volumes.
1. Locate the pump volume control knobs, which are located in the control panel on the
front-right corner of the instrument.
Each knob contains a centering catch on, which provides a central reference point.
The instrument is manufactured to give a stain-to-buffer ratio of approximately 1:2.5
and a rinse volume of approximately 1.0 mL/slide when each knob is at the centering
catch.