BioCare Medical intelliPATH FLX, Руководство пользователя

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Description of Parts
Parts Description
Slide racks The intelliPATH automated slide stainer includes five removable slide racks, each with a 10
slide capacity. They secure the slides firmly in a horizontal position at all times during the
staining run. The slide racks can be removed from the instrument for loading slides, and then
reinserted. There is a sensor which engages when the slide racks are properly inserted. The
LED indicator light is green when the slide rack is correctly inserted. The LED indicator light
is red when the slide rack is removed or incorrectly inserted.
System door The intelliPATH system door operates with a hydraulic lift system which allows access to the work
surface. The system door locks in the beginning of a run. It must be closed during the operation
of the instrument. The system door status can be viewed in the Stainer Application Module.
Cold spot The intelliPATH cold spot is capable of holding two vials of heat labile reagents at 4°C during
the staining process.
Mixing vials The intelliPATH has 18 mixing vial positions. The mixing vials have a 6 ml reagent capacity.
The instrument will mix designated reagents before use. The software calculates a 300 μl
dead volume for all mixing vial reagents.
Reagent racks
and reagent vials The instrument has one reagent rack that holds 48 reagent vials. The reagent vials have a 20
ml capacity with a screw cap. Vials can be filled with the volume specified by the selected
program or with excess volume in preparation for use of the same reagent in a subsequent
run. All reagent vials have a 300 μl dead volume.
Z-head The Z-head is mounted on the Y-arm that moves along the horizontal X-axis inside the main
frame of the instrument. The following are components of the Z-head:
Reagent Probe: The instrument uses a Teflon coated stainless steel probe. The probe is
washed inside and out before each new reagent is applied. There is no need for disposable
pipette tips.
Liquid Level Sensor: The ultrasonic level sensor detects the reagent volume level and sends
a signal to the software without contacting the reagent. The system will provide visual and
audible alarms if there is insufficient reagent to complete the run. The run will not start if
reagent volumes are insufficient for the programmed protocols.
Air Nozzle / Wash Nozzle: The wash nozzle applies buffer or DI water to the slides at each
rinse step and also at preset intervals to keep slides moist during the holding time before the
start of a run. The air nozzle applies an air nozzle step used to remove excess liquid from a
slide before applying reagents.
2-D Matrix scanner: An electrical device used for reading 2-D matrix codes on slide and
reagent labels. Consists of a laser beam light source that integrates the unique 2-D matrix
code into the intelliPATH software.
Buffer and
distilled/
deionized water
storage The buffer and water carboy assemblies have liquid level sensors. If there is insufficient
buffer or water in the carboy assemblies the instrument will not start the staining process.
The intelliPATH uses 20 liter storage containers (carboys) to hold the buffer and 10 liter
carboy for distilled or deionized water. Check the buffer and water levels before each run,
and replenish and reset if indicated by the software during the staining process. The required
volumes for each run are calculated by the software and displayed during the programming
process. Buffer is also required for the idle rinse application before the actual start of a
delayed run. Water or buffer is used as determined by the last step in the protocol template.
Waste Storage A separate 20 liter carboy is provided for non-hazardous waste, and a 10 liter carboy is
provided for hazardous waste. The actual amount of waste volume will depend on the number
of reagents used, the number of wash cycles and the number of washes per cycle.