Sakura Tissue-Tek Xpress x120 User manual

Tissue Processing
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Sakura Finetek Europe B.V. | Flemingweg 10a, 2408 AV Alphen a/d Rijn | NL
Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | [e-mail] | www.sakura.eu
Start Up
The x120 can be programmed to automatically
initiate a four-hour system warm up so it is ready
for operation when the workday begins.
If the PPS On-Board function software is used make
sure the User Guide x120 On-Board PPS Timer
function is used as leading for System Operation.
Loading station filled with Pre-
Processing Solution or
Molecular Fixative.
Basket, holds up to 40
cassettes
Run preparation for processing
Pre-Start Checks
1. Loading Station is filled with Pre-Processing
Solution and replaced every 4 hours, or filled
with Molecular Fixative and refreshed daily
depending on the software version.
2. No baskets are loaded in the instrument.
3. Transfer arm is free for moving.
4. All retort lids are closed.
5. The basket holds up to 40 cassettes but should
not exceed the maximum limit rim.
6. Do not use cassettes that contain any metal
which can interfere with microwave; it can
cause small burning artifacts in the tissue, and
can as well damage the microwave oven.
Access permitted Icon and loading indicator is illuminated

Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Tissue Processing
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
page 2 | 10 QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10
System Operation
System operation is comprised of three phases:
Loading Tissue Specimens (phase 1):
1. Verify if the Access Permitted Icon and the
Loading Indicator are illuminated.
2. Log on to the instrument.
3. Open the loading station door and remove the
lid from the loading station container. Ensure
that the loading station container handle is
placed toward the left side (not interfering with
the basket-detector-sensor).
4. Place the basket directly into the Pre-
Processing Solution or Molecular Fixative onto
the holder of the Loading Station. Close the
door.
5. Enter the number of cassettes to be processed
in the cassette count data entry dialog display
(if Reagent Control is set to cassettes).
6. Select the sender from the select item menu (if
user defined file is enabled).
7. Place the next basket into Loading Station
when empty.
System Operation
Process Monitoring (phase 2):
A graphical display provides the status of each
basket being processed.
1. Illustrated is the basket-, transfer-, loading
station-, retort- (ready, emptying, filling and
processing) and unloading-icon (empty and
complete).
2. Additional information is provided such as start
and end time, status, time left, temperature
and number of cassettes.
Basket loading
Basket Transfer
Filling Station
Processing
Load a basket Into the x120
Enter the number of cassettes to be processed

Tissue Processing
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10 page 3 | 10
Pre-Processing Timer function
With this function the customer will be able to
handle the Pre-Processing step inside the Tissue-
Tek®Xpress®x120. Handling of the Pre-Processing
Solution will be automated and standardized.
Sakura Finetek Europe B.V. recommended protocol:
all tissue types are immersed for 15 minutes in
Pre-Processing Solution (PPS) in the loading
station. After 4 hours the PPS expires and needs to
be replaced with fresh PPS.
When the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120 is fully
occupied with four baskets the first basket should
be unloaded before a new basket can be loaded.
Pre-Processing Timer Function enabled and ready to load.
System Operation
Unloading Processed Specimen (phase 3):
1. Verify if the Access Permitted Icon, the
Unloading Indicator are illuminated and an
audible alarm sounds briefly.
2. Press the unloading indicator to open the lid of
the unloading station.
3. Open the door and remove the basket.
4. Close the door so the lid can close
automatically.
Additional information
cassette information
ready and shutdown time
last reagent check
Date and time, name of laboratory and log-on information
Program selection
Processing monitor status, end time and time left

Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Tissue Processing
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
page 4 | 10 QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10
Loading Station Icon & Solution
Expiration Message
If the countdown reaches the SOLUTION
EXPIRATION TIME set in PREPROCESSING
SETTINGS, the message window in the bottom
right screenshot is displayed. (The above
statement is also true even when the unit is in
Stand-by after completing warm-up.)
The conditions for the Loading Station Icon Colors
are as follows:
Blue –Set Solution Expiration Time has not
expired.
Yellow –Set Solution Expiration Time has expired
and needs to be replaced.
White –Solution Expiration Time function is not
used.
Set Solution Expiration Time has not expired
Set Solution Expiration Time has expired
Items
Description
LATER
Touch LATER to continue without replacing the preprocessing solution. The
Loading Station icon color will still be yellow. The message window will
display every 10 mins. (snooze function) until REPLACED is selected.
REPLACED
Touch REPLACED after replacing the preprocessing solution. The Loading
Station icon color will change back to blue. The message window will not
be displayed until the SOLUTION EXPIRATION TIME is met.
Display during Pre-processing in the
Loading Station
The following statuses are displayed after a basket
is loaded in the Loading Station. Once a basket is
accepted into the Loading Station, the
Preprocessing TIME LEFT will begin counting down
and the robotic arm will conduct the “Basket
Dipping” operation into the preprocessing solution
in order to reduce the amount of air bubbles in the
cassettes and to efficiently mix the reagents with
the specimens. However, if there are preceding
baskets being transferred, the Loading Station
“Basket Dipping” operation will not be initiated until
the transfer of preceding baskets is complete. If the
basket is removed from the Loading Station during
Preprocessing, Preprocessing is automatically
aborted
Counting down the Pre-Processing Time
Items
Description
START TIME
Denotes the time to start transfer to Station 1. Because the pump out time
in Station 1 is taken in to consideration, the time displayed is several
seconds earlier than the actual start time of the basket transfer.
TIME LEFT
Denotes the time remaining before starting transfer to Station 1. It also
includes the pump out time required for Station 1. The time required for
pump out is included in the set PREPROCESSING TIME.

Tissue Processing
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10 page 5 | 10
Loading Door Icon & TIME LEFT
A basket is transferred to Station #1. It is possible to load a
basket, but the basket will stay in the Loading Station longer than
the set pre-processing time.
When the Loading Station is empty and if the program can satisfy
the set preprocessing time, the “Green OK” icon will be displayed.
When additional baskets are loaded in
the Loading Station
When four baskets have occupied the processing
stations in the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120 the
process scheduling will not commence even if a
basket is placed into the Loading Station. During
this time, Loading Door Icon will display the “yellow
OK icon” and the TIME LEFT for the Loading Station
will display “--:--“ in red. It is possible to load a
basket into the Loading Station but the
Preprocessing Time will not be scheduled until a
processed basket is removed from the Unloading
Station for the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120. This
feature is included to prevent tissue specimens
ending up in a microwave retort when the samples
are not collected from the unloading stations and
four baskets with specimens are running.
Pre-processing will not commence until a basket is removed from
the unloading station
Loading Door Icon
Explanation of Icon (when the Preprocessing Settings are enabled)
Green OK icon
When the Loading Station is empty and if the program can satisfy the
set preprocessing time, the “Green OK”icon will be displayed.
The “Green OK” icon changes to the “Yellow OK” icon when the set
pre-processing time cannot be satisfied.
Yellow OK icon
It is possible to load a basket, but the basket will stay in the Loading
Station longer than the set preprocessing time.
The total time (set preprocessing time plus the additional wait time)
will be displayed and counted down in the TIME LEFT display.
If a basket is not in the Loading Station, the time in TIME LEFT
counts down. When this time counts down to the set preprocessing
time, the “Yellow OK”icon changes to the “Green OK”icon. When
the “Green OK”icon is displayed, the TIME LEFT does not count down
and displays the set preprocessing time.

Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Tissue Processing
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
page 6 | 10 QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10
Time left display when the PRE-
PROCESSING SETTINGS are disabled
The time displayed in TIME LEFT for the Loading
Station indicates the waiting time required until the
basket can be transferred to Station 1 after setting
a basket into the Loading Station (in other words,
the detention time of the basket in the Loading
Station). This time will vary depending on the
condition of the preceding basket.
In the image above, if a basket is placed into the Loading Station,
it will take 23 seconds until the basket will be ready to be
transferred from the Loading Station to Station #1.
New Workflow
Working with the Pre-Processing Timer Software
will need adaption of the workflow within the
laboratory. When continuous loading of basket’s is
done the unloading will become more important
while the system will not start with a new basket
when four baskets are occupying the retorts.
Therefor unloading the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120
(when occupied with four baskets) needs to be
done before a new basket can be loaded on the
Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120. Make sure excessive
formalin is drained prior to loading the basket on
the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120.
Steps in using the PPS timer software
Log on to the Tissue-Tek®Xpress®x120
Fill the loading station with Pre-Processing Solution
(Item code 7115)
Press replaced on the touchscreen
Load basket in the loading station, drain excessive
formalin prior to loading, preferably rinse with
Pre-Processing Solution or Alcohol 70%.
Reload with a new basket when the Loading Door
Icon has turned Green, drain excessive formalin
prior to loading, preferably rinse with Pre-
Processing Solution or Alcohol 70%.
When four baskets are occupying the Tissue-Tek®
Xpress®x120, first unload a basket before
loading new basket.
When the Pre-Processing Solution has expired two
options are available:
a. When loading station is not occupied with a
basket, the loading station can be removed
when Loading Door Icon is stated OK. Pre-
Processing Solution can be discarded to
local regulations and the loading station can
be filled with PPS again. When placed back,
REPLACED can be selected on the touch
screen message.
b. When the loading station is occupied with a
basket, LATER can be selected on the touch
screen message. When the basket transfers
to the first microwave retort the previous
step (7a) can be performed.
At the end of the day discard the Pre-Processing
Solution to local regulations.

Tissue Processing
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10 page 7 | 10
Maintenance
After every run
1. Basket, magazines, lids and handles must
be cleaned once unloaded from the
instrument. Paraffin residues clog the
tubing.
a. With the use of an industrial dish
washer (temperatures ≤100°C).
b. Cleaning cycle of an overnight
processor as VIP-series.
c. In the oven >65°C ≤100°C for 15
min. afterwards, rinse in xylene or
xylene substitute and ethanol.
Drip tray
Pipette
Daily
1. Exterior cleaning.
2. Retort cleaning.
3. Exchange drip tray liner.
4. Refill Loading station with Pre-Processing
Solution when indicated or Molecular Fixative.
5. Clean magazines or baskets as described
Locking lever replace reagents
Replace processing reagent
Weekly
40 Working hours or after 1500 cassettes
(whichever comes first )
1. Reagent set change, reagent and paraffin need
to be replaced as a set.
2. Invert reagent bottles 5 times before use, as
stated on the label.
3. Retort mesh filter cleaning (retort 1 + 2).
4. Paraffin oven mesh filter cleaning.
5. Microwave Station Retort Sight Tube Cleaning
Empty paraffin oven
Replace paraffin
Cleaning sight tube with brush
Emptying sight tube with
pipette

Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Tissue Processing
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
page 8 | 10 QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10
Monthly
1. Fume control system, filter replacement when
x120 is not connected to an external hose
system.
Fume control system
Replace carbon filters
Service maintenance
1. Overflow bottles: once a year during
service maintenance.
Overflow bottles
Reprocessing of Tissue
Tissue-Tek Xpress x120-processed tissue may be reprocessed, if necessary, without adverse
effects on the tissue. Tissue that has been trimmed too thick for proper processing can be
reprocessed using the following reprocessing procedure.
Procedure:
1. Place tissue cassette in a 60° C oven or in the Tissue Embedding Center and allow the block
to melt down.
2. Remove tissue and place in a cassette identified with the proper accession number.
3. It is important to note the thickness of the residual tissue.
4. Place the labeled cassette in solvent (xylene or xylene substitute) for 30 minutes (two
changes).
5. Place the cassette with tissue in a beaker containing absolute alcohol for 30 minutes (two
changes).
6. Remove the cassettes from the alcohol.
7. If necessary, re-trim the tissue to the correct thickness.
8. Place the tissue in Pre-Processing solution for 15 minutes.
9. Remove the cassettes from the Pre-Processing solution and place in a processing basket.
10. Depending on the thickness of the residual tissue, select the appropriate immersion program
(2mm or 3mm).
11. Place the processing basket in the Loading Station.
12. Enter the number of cassettes loaded, as required.
13. At the completion of the processing program, remove the processing basket.

Tissue Processing
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10 page 9 | 10
Recovery process
(section 5, Operating Manual)
The recovery procedure enables the operator to
abort and restart any basket that may have been
suspended in station 3 and/or 4.
1. Write down the displayed message.
2. Note the time left for the basket in station 3
and/or 4.
3. Two options can be selected.
4. If “RESUME” is selected the instrument can
immediately recover. The error is cleared and
the Xpress x120 process resumes where it left
off.
5. If “ABORT” is selected a confirmation screen
displays. Press yes to continue.
6. All baskets must be removed from the system.
7. Again two options can be selected.
8. Choose “shutdown“ when service is required
9. Choose “Go to standby “ for reprocessing
10. If conditions causing the error are recovered,
the system is ready for reprocessing.
11. Select “recovery button” in utility menu.
NOTE: The PROCESS RECOVERY button is
enabled only during the WARMING UP SYSTEM
cycle.
12. Touch the station 3 (and/or 4) button as
appropriate.
13. The process time dialog displays.
14. Set time that remained when processing was
aborted.
15. The lid for the station opens.
16. Insert the magazines or baskets and close the
door.
Error message occurs
Abort run
Option “Shutdown” or “Go to standby”
Recovery process
1. There are no special recovery methods for
those specimens that may have been
suspended in Station 1 and 2.
2. These specimens can be reprocessed right
away.
3. Place them back in the loading station
and start the x120 again.
4. If reprocessing is not possible tissues can
be stored in MF until reprocessing is
possible.
Open recovery screen and start processing again

Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
Tissue Processing
Quick Reference Guide
Tissue-Tek® Xpress® x120
page 10 | 10 QRG | x120 | 2010 | V-10
Do’s and Don’ts
DO NOT use blue sponges for tissue processing.
DO use embedding bags or biopsy cassettes (no mesh cassettes)
DO NOT use metal lids on cassettes for processing
DO run RNA tissue after the processor is cleaned
DO NOT process tissue thicker than 2 mm on the Standard program.
DO process tissue that is trimmed to 3 mm thick using the Extended program.
DO NOT allow the faced tissue blocks to soak in water.
DO face the block and allow the block to cool on ice.
DO use plastic lids and remove metal staples and sutures from tissue prior to placement in the
cassette.
DO NOT top up reagents or rotate reagents. Reagents to be replaced as a set.
DO change the reagents and solution after 1500 cassettes / 35 runs (Reagent Control) or every
40 hours of operation, whichever occurs first. Invert reagent bottles 5 times before use as stated
on the label.
DO follow maintenance and record (initial) on the checklist provided