Hologic thinprep 2000 - Principles of Operation

INTRODUCTION
ThinPrep 2000 Processor Operator’s Manual 1.7
1
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The ThinPrep 2000 processor makes use of mechanical, pneumatic, and fluidic principles for cell
dispersion, collection, and transfer. A rotary drive mechanism gently disperses samples. A
pneumatic/fluidic system, controlled by a microprocessor, monitors cell collection.
Electrochemical principles, the pneumatic and fluidic systems, the natural binding qualities of
cells, and the qualities of the ThinPrep Pap test filter are responsible for cell transfer.
Each ThinPrep processor slide preparation processing sequence is optimized for the biological
characteristics of the various cytological specimens.
The ThinPrep processor slide preparation process can be divided into the following phases:
•
Sample preparation/instrument loading
• Start of cycle
• Fluid level detection
• Dispersion
• Filter wetting
• Cell collection
• Waste clearing
• Bubble point
• Cell transfer
• Slide ejection
• Completion of cycle
The following sections describe the principles of each of these phases in detail.
SECTION
B