Leica Biosystems PELORIS_PELORIS II - Manual (Page 43)

Running Protocols
Leica PELORIS™ User Manual Rev K © Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd 2011 43
3.2 Cleaning Protocols
Cleaning protocols clean the retorts and reagent lines. Always run a cleaning protocol as soon as
possible after processing runs; unless there are specific reasons not to, always select the Clean
now option when prompted at the end of a run. Also clean retorts after replacing reagent by
remote fill and drain, or if you filled the retorts using manual operations.
For most laboratories the pre-defined “Quick Clean” protocol should be the only cleaning protocol
required. Under normal conditions the protocol purges residue in the retort to the wax bath before
the first step (see Pre-cleaning Purges below). Then there are two reagent steps – cleaning solvent
(e.g. xylene) and cleaning alcohol. These are followed by a “dry step” that applies high
temperature, vacuum and air flow to evaporate all reagent residue. At the end of the dry step the
heaters turn off but air flow continues to cool the retorts before the next protocol.
Load and run cleaning protocols like other protocols, but never put tissue in the retort – the dry
step will damage it. This means cleaning protocols should never be used for reprocessing runs –
use a reprocessing protocol instead.
If required, copy the Quick Clean protocol and edit to create your own cleaning protocols. You can
add, delete and edit all the reagent steps as for other protocols, but the dry step cannot be deleted
or edited. Cleaning protocols do not require a water step and work well with conventional cleaning
reagents.
To completely remove xylene from your instrument, Leica Microsystems can supply Waxsol™, a
xylene-free cleaning solution (see 5.1.4 Recommended Reagents).
WARNING
Remove all tissue from the retort before running a cleaning protocol as the dry step will damage
the tissue.
WARNING
Do not use cleaning protocols for reprocessing as the dry step will damage the tissue.
CAUTION
Always run a cleaning protocol after wax has been in the retort.
CAUTION
Do not reuse contaminated dehydrants as cleaning alcohol. The contaminated dehydrants will
contain formalin (or other fixatives) and the “dry step” will cause salts to crystallize on the
retort’s internal surfaces.