Dako Autostainer - Manual (Page 24)

Additional Protocol Elements
Rinse Buffer
A buffer rinse step consists of a buffer wash and air blow cycle and should be
programmed between each protocol template step. Each buffer rinse is displayed as
a blue droplet in the programming grid with a droplet icon in each programmed row.
The buffer icon appears on the Programming Grid printout as a filled-in droplet.
Rinse Water
A water rinse step consists of a water wash and air blow cycle. Each water rinse is
displayed as a white droplet in the programming grid with a droplet icon in each
programmed row. The water icon appears on the Programming Grid printout as a
white droplet.
Standard Rinse Replacement
The standard rinse cycle can be replaced by a blow only step (reagent is blown off
the slide but no buffer is applied) by right-clicking on the droplet icon in the
programming grid. The droplet icon is replaced by a wind symbol.
Substrate-Batch
This step splits the staining run into two distinct operations. The first includes all
steps prior to the application of the substrate, and the second groups all steps
starting with the substrate application. This feature allows you to use unstable
substrates that need to be prepared immediately prior to application. The Autostainer
stops after the steps in the first operation (non-substrate) are completed. An audible
signal indicates when the substrate should be loaded and the screen displays where
it should be placed (typically in position D8 of reagent rack a).
Note: The Substrate-batch step can only be used once in a Protocol Template.
Switch (*Switch)
This step programs the switching of waste disposal from one container to another for
the separation of hazardous from non-hazardous waste. The Switch step is
displayed in the Programming Grid as a skull-and-crossbones icon in each
programmed row. The Switch step can be used multiple times in any Protocol
Template. When programming successive switch steps, the skull-and-crossbones
icon alternates with a flower icon to indicate switching from hazardous to non-
hazardous waste.
Note: The switch step must be preceded by a rinse step in the protocol template.
The first switch step in any protocol template is a switch to hazardous waste.
Creating and Editing a Protocol Template
Note: Template names must contain eight or fewer alpha-numeric characters, and no
symbols or spaces should be used.
1. Select the Protocol Template button on the Programming Grid. The Protocol
Template Design screen appears with the default protocol template displayed in the
Protocol Outline column.
2. Select the New Template button. The default protocol template is replaced by the
default first step (rinse buffer) of the new template.
16 Autostainer Handbook