ThinPrep
®
Integrated Imager Operator’s Manual
1.5
INTRODUCTION
SPECIMEN PREPARATION
Specimens for the ThinPrep
®
Pap Test cytology slide are collected by a clinician, then immersed and
rinsed in a PreservCyt
®
Solution sample vial. The sample is then capped, labeled, and sent to a
laboratory equipped with a ThinPrep Processor. After being processed, the slides are stained with
ThinPrep Stain and coverslipped with one of the following:
• glass coverslips, #1 thickness, 24 mm wide, 40–50 mm long
• Sakura Tissue-Tek
®
SCA
™
coverslipped film, 45 mm long, not covering any portion of the
frosted area (Sakura part number 4770)
• Klinipath KP-Tape, 45 mm long, not covering any portion of the frosted area (Klinipath part
number 3020)
Please refer to the operator’s manuals of these instruments for more information regarding
preparation and processing of ThinPrep slides.
Special Precautions
There are conditions that might result in a slide not being successfully imaged. Some conditions may
be prevented or corrected by following these guidelines.
• ThinPrep microscope slides with fiducial marks are being used. The fiducial marks should not
be scratched or marred.
• The coverslip media is dry (wet media could cause equipment malfunction).
• The slides are clean (no fingerprints, dust, debris, bubbles). Handle the slides by the edges.
• The coverslip and the label do not extend beyond the surface of the slide.
• The slide is labeled in one of the formats supported by the ThinPrep Integrated Imager.
Specimen Integrity
PreservCyt Solution with cytologic sample intended for ThinPrep Pap testing must be stored
between 15°C(59°F) and 30°C (86°F) and tested within 6 weeks of collection.
Slides processed by a ThinPrep Processor should be stained within 5 days.
Stained slides should be imaged by the Integrated Imager in a timely manner, according to normal
laboratory practices. Imaging performance has not been assessed beyond 4 months.
Specimen sample - the use of lubricants (e.g., KY Jelly) should be minimized prior to specimen
collection. Lubricants can adhere to the filter membrane and may cause poor cell transfer to the slide.
Stain - do not substitute solutions for the ThinPrep Stain solutions. Follow the stain protocols exactly
as they are written. Refer to the ThinPrep Stain User’s Manual.
Specimen Handling
The ThinPrep slides are stored, transported and handled the same as conventional cytology slides.
Please refer to your laboratory guidelines for specimen handling.
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