[Histonet] RE: Bubble problems

[Wolfe, Christina]

Hi Melissa,
We have intermittently had problems with our Leica Glass coverslipper over the years.  During troubleshooting with their tech support, we found our issue was most likely with the coverslips.  We use the VWR micro glass 24x50 mm cat# 48404-452 coverslips and the Tissue-Tek Glas mounting medium cat #6419.  There are a couple of settings on the instrument that control the amount of mounting medium flow onto the glass slide - you can call me if you want our settings that work well for us.  Also, the xylene in the 'holding area' on the coverslipper should be changed regularly and needs to be pretty full (there is a line on ours).  We have found if that xylene is too old and if the volume of xylene drops below the fill line - we start getting micro bubbles.  One last thing, it is important to also push the button to drop the mounting medium dispenser at the end of the day to be submerged in the little container of xylene and to make sure and clean the rubber stopper that picks up the glass coverslips with the brush before each day of use.  We have found that all of these elements affect air bubbles on the slides.  Feel free to give me a call if you like.
Christina Wolfe
Bristol Myers Squibb
812-307-2093

________________________________________
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu <histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu> on behalf of Melissa Ng <melissa.ng <@t> spdscientific.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 7:59 AM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Bubble problems!

Dear Histonet,



I am having a major problem with bubbles in my mounting media. I am currently using the Leica coverslipper and Cellpath mounting media (Phalate free). Micro-bubbles are observed on the slides after sometime of coverslipping. In fact, when I checked the media, I found lots of bubbles inside the bottle too! There were no bubbles in the bottle prior to placing the mounting media with the machine (I checked!). Also, we do not see any bubbles in the tubes that lead to the probe!



Previously, we were using the Leica mounting media (yellowish liquid) and there were no bubble issues. I have checked with other labs using the Cellpath mounting media (they use Leica coverslipper too) and no one seems to be having the same problem as us!





The Cellpath mounting media is way more viscous compared to that of the Leica media.



Has anyone here experienced a similar issue, and how have you resolved it?



Appreciate all the help I can get!



Best regards,

Melissa
Application Specialist
_______________________________________________
******

This message (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary, privileged and/or private information.  The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity designated above.  If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately, and delete the message and any attachments.  Any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this message or any attachments by an individual or entity other than the intended recipient is prohibited.