Thermo Scientific Cryotome Manual

77210163GB Issue 3
STANDARD AND ELECTRONIC
OPERATOR
GUIDE
77210163
Standard & E
ENGLISH
Issue 3
Cryotome©

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Thermo Fisher Scientific makes every endeavour to ensure that the information contained in its support documentation is correct
and clearly stated but does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. The development of Thermo products and
services is continuous. Make sure that any published information that you use for reference is up to date and relates to the status
of the product. If necessary, check with Thermo or your local Thermo representative.
© 2009 Thermo Fisher Scientific. All rights reserved.
This manual may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or converted to any
electronic or machine readable form without prior written consent of Thermo
SYMBOLS
The following symbols and conventions are used throughout this manual and on the
instrument.
THIS SYMBOL IS USED ON THE EQUIPMENT, OR IN A DOCUMENT,TO WARN THAT
INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED FOR SAFE AND CORRECT OPERATION.
IF THIS SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT, ALWAYS REFER TO THIS
OPERATOR GUIDE.
THIS SYMBOL IS USED ON THE EQUIPMENT, OR IN A DOCUMENT,TO WARN THAT
A HAZARD MAY EXIST DUE TO AN EXTREME OF TEMPERATURE. IF THIS SYMBOL
APPEARS ONTHE INSTRUMENT, ALWAYS REFERTOTHIS OPERATOR GUIDE.
THIS SYMBOL IS USED ON THE EQUIPMENT, OR IN A DOCUMENT,TO WARN THAT
THERE MAY BE A BIOHAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTRUMENT. ALWAYS
ACT WITH COMMON SENSE AND BE AWARE OF THE SAMPLES USED. TAKE
SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS
THIS SYMBOL IS USED ON THE EQUIPMENT, OR IN A DOCUMENT, TO WARN
THAT HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE USED WITH THE INSTRUMENT. REFER TO THE
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR THE CHEMICALS USED. ALWAYS ACT
WITH COMMON SENSE AND BE AWARE OF LOCAL LABORATORY PROCEDURES.
TAKE SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS
A warning is given in the document if there is a danger of personal injury
or damage to samples or equipment
Note
1 Notes give more information about a job or instruction but do not form part of
the instruction
WARNING
The Cryotome range meets the following CE Mark requirements:
In Vitro Diagnostic Directive 98/79/EC
Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, as amended by 93/68/EEC.
®
C US

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LIST OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS This Page
WELCOME 4
Introduction; Safety
DESCRIPTION 7
Overview
CONTROLS 8
Description; Main Control Panel; Connections;
INSTALLATION AND SETTING UP 21
Introduction; To Unpack; To Set Up the Cryotome; Electrical Requirements;
OPERATION 40
Description, Safety Considerations, Precautions.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 47
Introduction; Routine Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions
TROUBLE SHOOTING 53
Introduction; Instrument Function; Sectioning Problem Solutions
SPECIFICATION AND ACCESSORIES 57
WARRANTY STATEMENT 60
Warranty Statement; Declaration of Conformity
INDEX 62
APPENDIX A - TRANSPORTATION INSTRUCTIONS 65
To Repackage the Instrument; Product Return Safety Declaration
APPENDIX B - APPROVED REAGENT LIST 69
APPENDIX C - EXAMPLES 70
Thermo Shandon Limited is an ISO 9001 and TickIT Accredited Company
Cryotome
®
, Cryomatrix™and Cryochrome™ are trade marks of Thermo Shandon Limited
Thermo Fisher Scientific is the trading name of Thermo Shandon Limited
All information contained in this manual is proprietary and confidential, and the exclusive property of Thermo
Fisher Scientific. This manual is protected by copyright and any reproduction is prohibited. This manual is for use
only by the individuals to which it has been made available by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

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WELCOME
1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Cryotome Electronic (E) and standard cryostats. The Cryotome series
of cryostats is designed for the routine sectioning of quick-frozen tissue specimens
embedded in a medium, for subsequent preparation and diagnosis by a pathologist. The
Cryotome series of cryostats are intended for use in Pathology Laboratories by appropri-
ately trained Medical Laboratory Technicians
.
Designed and made with care, the instrument is safe to use, simple to operate, and
easy to maintain. The Cryotome series of cryostats conforms with IEC1010-1 the safety
standard for laboratory instruments.
This Operator Guide gives instructions for the correct operation and use of the
Cryotome E and Cryotome
. Instructions and information that applies only to a particular
version of Cryotome are marked [E only] for Electronic Cryotomes, or [Std only] for
Standard Cryotomes.
2 SAFETY
THIS PARAGRAPH DETAILS IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. PLEASE
READTHIS SECTION CAREFULLY.
Thermo products are designed for convenient and reliable operation and to
accepted
standards of safety. The use of the Cryotome does not entail any hazard if operated in
accordance with the instructions given in this manual. However, incorrect actions by a
user may damage the equipment, or cause a hazard to health. It is important for you to
obey the following safety precautions:
i All users must read and understand the Operator Guide and only operate
the unit in accordance with the instructions. If the instructions are not
followed, then the protection provided by the instrument may be impaired.
ii Do not modify the instrument - if unauthorised modifications are carried
out, the instrument may be made unsafe and the warranty may be
invalidated.
iii Potentially lethal voltages above 110V a.c. or 50V d.c. are present inside the
instrument.

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`iv This instrument has a protective earth system and must be properly
connected to a good earth (Ground) via the mains input supply.
v Do not remove any panels or covers unless specifically instructed to
do so. Cryotome does not have any user serviceable parts inside the
instrument.
vi It is important that normal standards of safety and good laboratory
practices are employed. Always use common sense and the best known
practice when operating the instrument.
vii Sharp knives and blades are used in this instrument. Make sure you
understand the correct methods for their fixing and use.
viii The Centre of Gravity position for the Cryotome is shown below:
221 mm
508 mm
317 mm
WINDOW
BOOST
ix The Cryotome weighs approximately 120 kilograms (265 lbs) when empty;
get help to move it.
x If the instrument has been used with materials that are toxic or
contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms, follow your laboratory
guidelines and the fumigation and cleaning instructions given in Chapter
5 of this Operator Guide. The Product Return Certificate (in Appendix
A) must be completed if the instrument is to be returned to Thermo or
serviced by a Thermo trained engineer.

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xi The instrument should be regularly cleaned as described in Chapter 5 of
this Operator Guide. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets when dealing
with the reagents specified in Appendix B.
xii Do not use the Cryotome for general refrigeration purposes, such as
storage of specimens. Use a conventional freezer.
xiii Use only Thermo approved accessories or replacement parts with the
Cryotome.
xiv Correct maintenance procedures are essential to maintain safe operation
and for consistent performance. It is recommended that a Maintenance
Contract is taken out with your supplier.
xv The instrument must be serviced annually by a Thermo trained engineer
in accordance with the instructions contained in the Cryotome Service
Manual (77210166).
xvi Any problems and queries should be referred to your supplier.
xvii Refrigeration System
The Cryotome uses R404A refrigerant
THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM MUST ONLY BE WORKED ON BY
SUITABLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS
REFRIGERANTS ARE GREENHOUSE GASSES AND ALL PRECAUTIONS
MUST BE TAKEN TO RECOVER ANY GAS REMOVED FROM UNITS AND
TO PREVENT ITS RELEASE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE
ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT REFRIGERANT TO CHARGE THE
INSTRUMENT AND ALWAYS DISPOSE OF ANY USED REFRIGERANT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL REGULATIONS

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DESCRIPTION
1.1 CRYOTOME OVERVIEW
The Cryotome is designed for cutting frozen sections of fixed and unfixed specimens,
rapidly and accurately, for future examination by microscope. It operates by rapidly
freezing the sample in a temperature controlled environment, and provides means for
sectioning the frozen sample by conventional microtome.
The different components of the Cryotome are shown in the diagram.
a Micron Selector [E only]
b
S p e c i m e n Tra ve l Av a i l a bl e
Indicator
c Time Controls
d Chamber Controls
e Temperature Controls
f Keyswitch
g Handwheel
h Instrument Lowering Knobs
i Waste Bottle
j Advance/rewind controls [E only]
Micron Selector / Advance/rewind
controls [Std only]
For optimum performance, the microtome Specimen Head and Knife Holder are held
within the refrigerated chamber. The main body of the microtome is mounted outside
the chamber to give more space for working in, and for easier cleaning.
Principal factors for good sectioning of frozen specimens are:
i the temperature must be correct for the specimen being cut.
ii the microtome must be correctly adjusted and operated.
iii the cutting blade must be sharp and set at the correct angle.
iv the anti-roll plate must be correctly adjusted.
a
i
j
g
f
edcb
h

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CONTROLS
2.1 DESCRIPTION
This chapter describes the displays and the functions of all the controls on the
instrument.
2.2 MAIN CONTROL PANEL
The Main Control Panel is situated on the front of the
instrument (a). Operation of the buttons is confirmed
by an audible tone, a change in the display, or by an
integral pushbutton indicator. Display panels show
instrument status and error messages.
Note
1 There is no ‘feel’ when a switch operates.
The Main Control Panel is divided into five sections.
2.2.1 MICRON SELECTOR [E only]
The Micron Selector section of the Control Panel
displays the thickness in microns of the sections
being taken.
The number in the display is changed by pressing the [+] and [-]
buttons. Press [+] to increase the thickness by 1 (if the number is in
the range 0 - 19), or 5 (if the number is in the range 20 - 55). Press
[-] to decrease the thickness by the same amounts.
Note
1 A dot in the left hand side of the display (i) indicates that the Specimen Head
is moving in the REWIND direction. A dot to the left of the right hand digit in
the display (ii) indicates that the Specimen Head is moving in the ADVANCE
direction. iii
a
MICRON SELECTOR
+-

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2 The Micron Selector on the Standard Cryotome is a rotary knob which changes
the thickness in 1µm steps between 1 and 30µm (see section 2.3.1)
2.2.2 SPECIMEN TRAVEL
The vertical bar graph contains separate segments that light up sequentially as the
Specimen Head advances from its maximum available travel position. The proportion of
lit to unlit segments indicates the amount of travel still available at any time.
SPECIMEN TRAVEL
AVAILABLE
RESET
MAX
MIN
SPECIMEN TRAVEL
AVAILABLE
MAX
MIN
[E only] [Std only]
When the instrument is first powered up, the first segment flashes to indicate that the
Specimen Head is in its maximum available travel (MAX) position. As the Specimen
Head advances at the end of each cutting stroke, the segments of the display light one
by one until eventually all the segments are lit when no more travel is available. An
audible alarm operates when the end of travel is reached.
[E only]:
Press [RESET] to return the Specimen Head to its maximum available travel position. The
button LED will light and the display will flash during the reset and the segments will count
down until the Specimen Head reaches maximum travel.The first segment will flash.
Note
1 When the instrument is being reset, all other advance or rewind functions are
over-ridden. This occurs each time the instrument is switched on, or [RESET] is
pressed.
2.2.3 TIME CONTROLS
The Time Controls allow you to set the clock time,
defrost times and fumigate times. Real time is
displayed in 24 hour clock format, and a flashing
colon (:) shows that operation is normal.
CLOCK
TIME CONTROLS
DAY HOUR MINUTE
DEFROST
FUMIGATE

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2.2.3.1 TO SET THE CLOCK
Press and hold [CLOCK] and then press the relevant button detailed below. Release the
buttons when the correct information is displayed.
To Set the... Press and hold [CLOCK] then press: Display will show:
Day [DAY] 1 - 7
Note Keep Monday as
Day 1 to avoid confusion
Hours [HOURS] 0 - 23
Minutes [MINUTES] 1 - 59
2.2.3.2 TO SET DEFROST TIMES
Press and hold [DEFROST] and then press the relevant button detailed below. Release
the buttons when the correct information is displayed.
To Set the... Press and hold [DEFROST] then
press:
Display will show:
Day [DAY] 0 - 9 (see note 1 below)
Hours [HOURS] 0 - 23
Minutes [MINUTES] 1 - 59
Note:
1 Use the following settings for the days:
DAY 0 = prevents the programmed function.
DAY 1-7 = defrosting starts at the time set on the day shown (set
Monday as Day 1 to avoid confusion).
DAY 8 = defrosting starts at the set time every day
DAY 9 = STANDBY (PSAVE = power save)
2 Standby (PSAVE) allows the instrument to remain switched on in a defrosted
state for up to 24 hours until a pre-determined time. It then returns to its normal
operational state
To set Standby (PSAVE) mode,press and hold [DEFROST] then press [DAY] and
select day 9. Set the time that normal operation is required to resume. Release the
buttons.