18
Processing Conventional Slides on the
BD FocalPoint™ Slide Profiler
18.1
Introduction
This section details the specifics for processing and reporting conventional slides on the
BD FocalPoint™ Slide Profiler.
This section also provides information on slide and coverslip specifications and adhesive
specifications for conventionally prepared Pap smear slides that can be processed on the
BD FocalPoint™ Slide Profiler.
18.2
Types of Slide Preparations Allowed
Both conventionally prepared Pap smears and BD SurePath™ slides can be processed on the
BD FocalPoint™ Slide Profiler. General standards for conventional slides are given below. See
Section 13 for information on required dimensional, mounting, and optical standards for
BD SurePath™ slides.
18.2.1
Conventionally Prepared Pap Smears
Conventionally prepared Pap smears that meet the physical requirements described in this
section can be successfully processed on the BD FocalPoint™ instrument.
18.2.2
Slide and Coverslip Standards
The following subsections present various standards and specifications for slide and coverslip
optical properties, slide and coverslip dimensions, barcode labels, and adhesives.
Become familiar with these standards in order to quickly identify slides not suitable for machine
processing.
To avoid optical interference with the edges of the coverslip, the
system does not analyze cellular material outside of a defined
scanned area. The scanned area begins 1.3 mm inside each
coverslip edge. Cellular material that does not fall within the
scanned area is not analyzed and will not affect the determination of
Review. Each specimen should be positioned as much as possible
Label area
>12.8
Microscope Slide
mm
74.7 - 76.5 mm
Figure 18-1 – Slide and coverslip dimensions
under the central area of the coverslip.
21.5 - 26.5 mm
38.7 - 61.3 mm (Conventional)
NOTE
165