Leica Biosystems PELORIS_PELORIS II - Manual (Page 44)

Running Protocols
Leica PELORIS™ User Manual Rev K © Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd 2011 44
Cleaning Laboratory Implements
You can clean metal laboratory implements such as cassette lids and metal molds during cleaning
runs, but it is important to set reagent purity thresholds that take this into account.
All the pre-defined cleaning reagents have “cycle” purity thresholds. Under these the reagents must
be replaced after ten or six cleaning runs (if they do not exceed a concentration threshold first). But
the thresholds are designed for cleaning runs with only cassette baskets in the retorts – any
additional material increases the rate that the cleaning reagents degenerate, requiring lower cycle
thresholds. If you clean implements other than baskets lower the cycle thresholds for the reagents
used, so the reagents are replaced more frequently (see 5.2.2 Editing Active Reagent Types).
Depending on the number of implements you typically place in the retorts you may need to reduce
the thresholds by half or more. Contact your technical support representative for advice if required.
Modifying Cleaning Protocols for Different Retort Residues
Always run a complete cleaning protocol as soon as possible if wax or clearing reagent are left in
the retorts.
For alcohol residue skip the first step of the protocol to start at the alcohol step (see 3.4.2 Editing
the Protocol for a Single Run).
A residue of clean formalin can be allowed to stay in a retort if the next processing protocol begins
with a formalin step. If you are left with formalin in a retort at the end of a protocol tap Clean
later when prompted, to continue without cleaning. If you need to clean a retort with formalin
residue in it, start the cleaning protocol with the alcohol step, as for alcohol residue.
Pre-cleaning Purges
Cleaning protocols are generally run to clean wax residue from the retorts, as wax is the final step
of processing protocols. To help maximize the useful life of the cleaning solvent, the instrument
usually purges any wax residue from the retort to the wax chamber it came from before the
cleaning protocol begins.
If you attempt to load a processing protocol to a retort with incompatible residue you are warned
with event 10011, “Incompatible reagent in retort. Clean retort or edit protocol.” A cleaning protocol
run after this warning will not have the normal purge to the wax chamber. This is in case fresh
cassettes were placed in the retort, contaminating the wax residue with formalin. A purge under
these conditions would contaminate the wax chamber with formalin.
If you ever place fresh cassettes into a dirty retort in preparation for processing, remove the
cassettes and then attempt to load a processing protocol before loading the cleaning protocol. The
10011 warning raised when you attempt to load the processing protocol causes the cleaning
protocol to skip the wax bath purge. The retort residue, now with formalin in it, will not go into the
wax bath but into the cleaning solvent.
After the cleaning protocol finishes replace the cleaning solvent, which will now be contaminated
with formalin.
CAUTION
If you clean laboratory utensils, metal cassette lids, metal molds etc. in cleaning runs lower the
cycle purity thresholds for the cleaning reagents used. Failure to do so can lead to overly
contaminated cleaning reagents and lower quality cleaning.