Coverslips; Label Issues - Leica Aperio AT2 DX User Manual

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Before scanning the slide, make sure it is very clean. Wipe it with a clean cotton rag (don't use chemical cleaners).

Make sure there is no glue around the edges of a slide that would cause it to stick or catch in the scanner stage area. This is

crucial for the AutoLoader.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SCAN DAMAGED SLIDES AS DOING SO MAY DAMAGE THE

APERIO AT2 DX SCANNER.

The tissue ideally should be located in the middle of the slide a distance from the edges

of the slide, the label and any other markings. For more details on slide specifications,

see "Aperio AT2 DX Hardware Specifications" on page 56.

It is helpful for the tissue to be placed consistently in the same location and orientation

on the slide. Some of the mechanical problems of a slide can be resolved by cleaning the

slide with a cotton tissue or trimming the sides with a razor blade. Permanent problems

with a slide may require the preparation of a new slide.

See "Coverslips" and"Label Issues" below for more information on slide preparation.

Coverslips

The quality of the scan is affected by the condition of the coverslip.

Keep the glue that attaches the coverslip to the slide to a minimum. Excess glue makes it hard for the tissue

finder to distinguish between actual tissue and the glue. If a focus point lands on the glue, slide focus will not be

accurate.

Make sure there are no air pockets under the coverslip.

For best results, there should not be markings or writing on the coverslip.

The coverslip must not hang over the side of the slide.

Improperly applied slide labels can cause slides to jam in the AutoLoader. Do not apply multiple labels to the same slide—

this can cause the slide to exceed the specification for slide thickness (see "AutoLoader Specifications" on page 56 for

slide specifications). Make sure that labels do not extend beyond the edges of the slide and that they do not cover any

tissue. Make sure that labels are firmly attached.

Do not apply labels to the bottom surface of the slide.

Below are examples of a slide on which multiple labels cause the slide to exceed the allowable maximum thickness and a

slide in which the label is peeling away from the slide:

Chapter 3: Preparing for Scanning

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