[Histonet] Re: Leica Bond III Opinions

[Roger Heyna]

Forwarding a message I received:
 
Hi Roger,
I've been using the Lieca Bonds for about 4 years now and I wouldn't trade for anything. The lab I am currently at changed everything from Ventana over to Bonds about a year and a half ago, and we have NO regrets!
Bonds are faster, more flexible with protocols, and have been producing higher quality staining. The test is also cheaper on Bonds than on Ventana. For me, I think the flexibility with protocols and the reliable, consistent, good staining is the real bonus.
Your questions:
Are you happy with the quality of the stains you're performing on the Bond III? - ABSOLUTELY, NO REGRETS

Are there antibodies that you were not able to run on the Bond III? - NONE SO FAR. I USE ANTIBODIES FROM VARIOUS SUPPLIERS, I DON'T LIMIT MYSELF TO JUST LEICA ANTIBODIES

Is the machine reliable, or does it break down often, requiring technical service? - RARELY NEEDS TECHNICAL SERVICE, I DO NOTE THAT KEEPING THE SLIDE ASSEMBLY PADS CLEAN (ESPECIALLY THE DRAIN HOLES) IS IMPORTANT FOR OPTIMAL STAINING. WE DO A GOOD CLEANING MONTHLY

How arduous is cleaning and managing the cover tiles? SIMPLE ENOUGH. USED TILES ARE SLID INTO A RACK SITTING IN DISTILLED WATER AFTER USE. WHEN THE RACK IS FILLED, WE ADD SOME BLEACH, LET SIT FOR 20 - 3O MINUTES, RINSE THE WHOLE RACK WELL IN DISTILLED, RINSE IN ABSOLUTE ALCOHOL, SIT OUT TO DRY
.
Are the three black slide drawers durable? I'VE NEVER HAD ONE BREAK OR WARP.
Anything else I can answer?
Beth Cox, HTL/SCT(ASCP)QIHC
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:15:35 -0600
From: "Roger Heyna" <rheyna <@t> lumc.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] Leica Bond III Opinions
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Message-ID: <511257770200002300049CAA <@t> gwgwia1.luhs.org>
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Could I get the opinions of any labs using the Leica Bond III for IHC staining? I'm especially
interested to hear from those that switched from Ventana to Leica, but any feedback is appreciated.
Few questions that come to mind:
Are you happy with the quality of the stains you're performing on the Bond III?
Are there antibodies that you were not able to run on the Bond III?
Is the machine reliable, or does it break down often, requiring technical service?
How arduous is cleaning and managing the cover tiles?
Are the three black slide drawers durable?

Thank you,
Roger Heyna
Maywood, IL