Operating The Instrument; The Control Panel - Leica Autostainer XL Instructions For Use Manual

5

Operating the Instrument

5. Operating the Instrument
Introduction
This chapter describes how to operate Leica Autostainer XL (ST5010). It includes information on how
to use the function keys and displays in the control panel. It also describes how to create and edit
programs as well as how to stain specimen slides.
Leica Autostainer XL (ST5010) offers many features not found in other stainers. In particular, the
specimen slide holders are loaded and unloaded not by opening the cover, but by means of drawers.
Once the instrument is able to accept a new specimen slide holder, the LED by the load drawer lights
up. After a specimen slide holder has been loaded, the LOAD key must be pressed for the instrument
to begin the staining run. Similarly, if the staining run for a specimen slide holder has finished, the LED
by the exit drawer lights up. After the specimen slide holder has been removed, the EXIT key must
be pressed so that the instrument knows this has been done. Programs can be ended at any station.
However, if the exit drawer is not the program's last step, then the LCD will display which station to
unload the holder from. In this case, the instrument's cover will have to be opened to remove the holder.
The Leica Autostainer XL (ST5010) can accept a new specimen slide holder as soon as the LOAD
LED on the load drawer lights up. This makes it possible to process up to 11 specimen slide holders
simultaneously.
Each specimen slide holder can be processed according to any of the 15 programs, provided that the
corresponding reagents are available and the program chosen is compatible (no conflicting sequence)
with the programs already being used.
Operation
The Leica Autostainer XL (ST5010) is operated using the control panel, the LOAD and UNLOAD keys and
corresponding LEDs, and audible signals.
5.1

The control panel

The control panel consists of an LCD, the keypad and four LEDs.
Fig. 5
24 Version 3.0, Revision I