[Histonet] Automatic Immuno Stainers

[Stapf, Ross]

Customer service really depends on your local Rep.  My Rep in DC for
DAKO was great.  My DAKO Rep here leaves a bit to be desired lets say.

As for which machine is best, it depends on your needs and what
antibodies you are running.  It also depends on how knowledgable your
immuno techs are.  On average I would say for a lab with less
experienced immuno techs where tech time is the biggest problem and most
of the immuno's that are run are pretty standard then the Ventana
Benchmark XT is best.  If you do more obscure immuno stains and have
experienced techs who have time to do the pretreatment themselves then
on average Dako is better.

That is not to say that obscure antibodies can't be done on the Ventana,
they just often take more patience and persistance than with the Dako
stainer in my experience.

If you have the time to work with a brand new instrument then I would
look at the Bond from Vision Biosystems.  The Bond seems to take the
best of Dako and the best of Ventana and put it together in one
instrument.  I just wish they had the Insitu and de-paraffinization
available for me to evaluate now.  The basic version of the machine
seems to work great so far.

We currently use the Ventana ES, but we are evaluating all three
stainers right now.  I wish we could get more than one because they all
have their strengths and weaknesses.  It is just a matter of deciding
which strengths are most important and which weaknesses you can live
with.

Ross M Stapf
Histopathology Manager
Baylor University Medical Center
3500 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246
214-820-2465 
214-820-4110 fax
RossS <@t> baylorhealth.edu



-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
GUTIERREZ, JUAN
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 8:57 AM
To: Joanne Mauger; Mplhisto <@t> aol.com; wayneholland1959 <@t> msn.com;
histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Automatic Immuno Stainers


Interesting!  We have quite the opposite situation here in Texas.  I
have yet to meet my DAKO rep, even though I have one immunostainer and
continue to use some of their primaries.  My Ventana rep is always in
contact with me and comes by at least once a month to check up on us.
We are also able to run any reagent we want on the Benchmarks, so I
don't know where you get the idea about being locked up into their
reagents.  Open your mind and explore the possibilities.  I did and I
think I'm better off for it.  Like you I used to put Ventana down and
praise DAKO, not anymore.  DAKO fell asleep a couple of years back and
the guys from Tucson knew what to do and how to do it well.  (They don't
pay me either).
 
Good luck,
Juan C. Gutierrez, HT(ASCP)

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: Joanne Mauger [mailto:MAUGER <@t> email.chop.edu] 
	Sent: Wed 1/21/2004 7:12 AM 
	To: Mplhisto <@t> aol.com; wayneholland1959 <@t> msn.com;
histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu 
	Cc: 
	Subject: RE: [Histonet] Automatic Immuno Stainers
	
	

	No way to Ventana. They are not customer oriented at all. They
do not provide good support, and keep you locked in to their reagent
use.
	Dako is a very supportive company,and their autostainer is
totally open,so you can use their reagents,or any other you may choose.
They have a special stainer -Artisan- which is very easy to use with
great results. I have been using Dako's autostainer for immuno for ten
years,and have always been happy with results,service, and support.(They
don"t pay me!!)
	Jo M.
	
	>>> "Wayne Holland" <wayneholland1959 <@t> msn.com> 01/21/04 07:01AM
>>>
	I also am looking, however after an exhaustive search and
comparisons. My
	choice is Ventana.
	
	
	>From: Mplhisto <@t> aol.com
	>To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu (histonet)
	>Subject: [Histonet] Automatic Immuno Stainers
	>Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 21:41:38 EST
	>
	>   Our lab will be looking for an automatic Special/ Immuno
stainer this
	>year.
	>I was curious to see which stainers you would recommend. We do
a large
	>volume
	>of Immunos and specials and we are currently using the
Cytologix. Any
	>feedback positive or negative would be greatly appreciated.
	>
	>Thanks,
	>Meredith Hale HT ( ASCP)
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	>Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
	>http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
	
	
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