GLOSSARY
Revised 5/19/2010 A.1
AutoTEC
®
A reliable, high-quality automated precision instrument that embeds diagnostic tissue
specimens continuously, forming sectionable paraffin blocks.
Base Molds Molds contained in the base mold assembly that are used to hold, heat, embed, and cool
standard, biopsy, or orientation specimens in cassettes.
Cassettes Paraform components that are sectionable and hold tissue specimens during the embedding
process. These cassettes are available in standard, biopsy, orientation, core biopsy, shaved
biopsy, and 13 X 13 biopsy versions.
Cool Down The AutoTEC program mode where the system is not operating and is cooling to room
temperature. The paraffin is cooling or in a solid form during this time.
Embedding The process of surrounding tissue specimens in paraffin blocks.
Embedding Medium See Paraffin.
Frame Paraform component into which a cassette is inserted; used by robot to handle cassettes and
embedded blocks. Frames are color-coded and have a slanted front surface to write or imprint
specimen identification.
Gripper Solenoid-actuated device mounted on the Y axis that transports each frame/cassette assembly
through the system.
Grossing The process of examining, describing, and trimming tissue specimens to proper size, then
loading the specimens into cassettes.
Input Magazines 32-cassette and 20-cassette magazines that hold Paraform cassette assemblies for loading in
the AutoTEC.
Magazines See Input Magazines.
Magazine Warm up Time 15-minute period required to bring Input Magazines to temperature before embedding can
begin.
Main Door When closed, covers input and output doors; when open, provides work-space for magazines
and output doors.
Output Doors Interlocked doors, each equipped with a spring-loaded matrix that firmly holds cassettes in
place after processing, yet enables easy access and removal of cassettes. Output doors are
removable and can be used as transport trays for embedded cassettes.
Paraffin The embedding medium used by the AutoTEC. Only Tissue-Tek Paraform Processing/
Embedding Medium, Formula 3 (product code 7052) should be used.
Paraffin Trough A disposable paper trough which is placed directly under the input door to collect the melted
paraffin which is present on the magazines and Paraform Cassettes from the tissue processor.
Paraffin Reservoir A reservoir located on the top right-side panel of the AutoTEC that stores and heats up to 5.38
liters of paraffin, sufficient to embed at least 960 samples.
Recovery Chute Hinged door on left side panel of the AutoTEC, permitting the retrieval of improperly gripped
frames and cassettes. Paraform Cassettes retrieval does not interrupt processing.
Sectionable A characteristic of a cassette that enables paraffin-blocked tissue to be sectioned using a
microtome, ready for placement on slides.
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