Troubleshooting, 1 preliminary questions, Preliminary questions – Leica Biosystems PELORIS_PELORIS II User Manual
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Leica PELORIS™ User Manual Rev K © Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd 2011
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9
Troubleshooting
If you have processing problems, review this chapter to try to identify the cause.
9.3 Reprocessing Recommendations
9.1 Preliminary Questions
When faced with blocks that are difficult to section first collect as much information as possible to
assist in analyzing the problem. Some questions to ask are:
1. Did the instrument software indicate an error in the run? Instrument warnings and alarms will
be displayed on screen and in the event log.
2. Was there anything different about the run that produced the problem specimens compared to
previous successful runs, e.g. a recently changed reagent bottle?
3. Is there a possibility that an error was made when replacing reagents on the processor? Do a
visual check of reagent bottles – is the correct reagent in each bottle?
4. The Reagent stations screen records reagent concentrations and how many cassettes and
cycles have been put through a reagent. Check to see if these are correct.
5. Are any reagents over their recommended purity thresholds?
6. Was the intended processing protocol actually used? For example, is it possible that specimens
intended for a longer processing protocol were placed on a shorter processing protocol?
7.
Were the specimens processed using the usual protocol for specimens of this size and type,
and that generally produces good results? If so, the problem is probably not in the protocol
parameters.
8. Were the specimens at the very top of the retort? Is the instrument set up for a two-basket
level when three baskets were processed? Were the baskets placed in the retort correctly?
9. Were all the specimens in the batch affected, or just some of them? Were all the specimens of
a similar type? Were they all from the same source? Answers to these questions may indicate a
problem prior to tissue processing.
10. Was normal fixation applied to the problem specimens?