OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

Automatic Tissue Processor

MTP

INS5500GB
2011-07-08

Instructions – MTP 1
Instructions – MTP 2
CONTENTS

1. INTENDED USE ............................................................... 4

2. SYMBOLS ............................................................... 4

3. SAFETY NOTES ............................................................... 4

4. COMPONENTS ............................................................... 5

5. SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................... 6

6. UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION ............................................................... 7

7. INITIAL OPERATION ............................................................... 7

8. OPERATION ............................................................... 16

9. MAINTENANCE ............................................................... 32

10. SERVICE ............................................................... 33

11. OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ............................................................... 34

12. WARRANTY ............................................................... 35

13. DISPOSAL ............................................................... 35

Instructions – MTP 3
1. INTENDED USE
The automatic tissue processor MTP is intended for automatic fixation, dehydration and
infiltration of histological tissue samples with fixatives, alcohol, solvents and paraffin
wax for professional use in routine and research laboratories in the fields of biology,
medicine and industry.

2. SYMBOLS

Dangers, warnings and cautions are marked by this symbol

i Special instructions regarding the operation of the

instrument are marked by this symbol

3. SAFETY NOTES
The SLEE carousel tissue processor MTP is provided with the following safety features:

Standard Optional Accessory

Instrument Safety Slide coupling

•
Process Safety Backup battery
•
User Safety Hood
•
Carbon filter
•
Electrical fan
•
The institution which owns the unit and the persons working with the unit, servicing or
repairing it have the responsibility for a hazard-free use.

Instructions – MTP 4
ELECTRICAL POWER CONNECTION
Do not use any extension lead.

Make sure that electric power is constant:

• This should be examined during installation of the unit by a

competent person
• Use a dedicated fuse for the unit
• Do not connect another unit to the same power circuit.
• Before turning on the instrument, check if the voltage of the mains
supply is identical with the name plate of the unit

4. COMPONENTS
The SLEE carousel tissue processor MTP is provided with the following standard
components:

MTP

Operation Manual •
10x glass beakers •
2x heated stainless steel paraffin beakers •
1x stainless steel transport basket
Capacity of 120 standard cassettes
•
Mains cable •

Instructions – MTP 5
5. SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions 850 mm x 850 mm x 570 mm

[width x depth x height]

Weight 80 kg
without accessories

Glass Beakers Material

Glass, holder, stop peg
Capacity
2.000 ml

Heated paraffin beakers Material

Stainless steel, double walled
Capacity
2.000 ml
Transport basket Material
Stainless steel
Capacity (Standard)
120 standard cassettes

Capacity (Twin basket; Art.No. 11000221)

240 standard cassettes

Programming 20 programs (Freely programmable)

Delayed Start time up to 99 hours

Electrical parameters Art.No. 11000200

100 - 240 V / 50/60 Hz

Vacuum function Pressure Difference

Art.No. 11000223 0,5 bar maximum (500 hPa)

Instructions – MTP 6
6. UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
6.1 UNPACKING THE INSTRUMENT
Remove the upper wooden cover.
Remove the upper supporting foams.
Lift the instrument out of the wooden transportation case.
For repacking use the original cases. Keep the packing material.
Place the instrument onto the selected bench.

6.2 INSTALLATION
The unit should be positioned onto a plane level surface.
Leave enough space around the machine to place beakers or reagents for preparation.
Leave enough space at the back of the instrument for optional connection of exhaust air
system.

7. INITIAL OPERATION

7.1 STARTUP
To switch on the instrument, use the main switch at the backside of the unit.
The display lights up and the instrument will ask for a reference drive.

Confirm by pressing .
The instrument will auto adjust the carousel. Start Reference Drive

The main menu is displayed.

To move further down in the main menu list,
press . To move up in the main menu list, ENTER = OK

press .

Instructions – MTP 7
7.2 STANDARD SETTINGS

----- MAIN MENU-----

Select SETUP by pressing or . QUICKSTART

PROGRAMS
Press to enter the settings menu
MANUAL
SETUP
23.11.09 15:30:10

Select Time by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the system time. Time 15:30:10

Date 23.11.09
Fan ON
Vacuum ----
Dryer ----

----- SETUP-----

Select Date by pressing or . Time 15:30:10

Date 23.11.09
Press to change the system date.
Fan ON
Vacuum ----
Dryer ----

----- SETUP-----

Select Fan by pressing or . Time 15:30:10

Date 23.11.09
Press to change the operation of the fan.
Fan ON
[only applicable to instruments equipped with ventilation fan]
Vacuum ----
Dryer ----

Instructions – MTP 8
Select Vacuum by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the operation of the vacuum Time 15:30:10

system. Date 23.11.09
[not applicable to MSM instruments] Fan ON
Vacuum ----
Dryer ----

Select Dryer by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the operation of the drying Dryer ON

unit. Def. End Mon 08:00
[only applicable to instruments equipped with a drying unit] Language English
Contrast 14
Fan speed (open) 7

Select Def. End by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the default time for the Dryer ----

program end. Def. End Mon 08:00
Language English
Contrast 14
Fan speed (open) 7

Select Language by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the system language. Dryer ----

Def. End Mon 08:00
Language English
Contrast 14
Fan speed (open) 7

Instructions – MTP 9
Select Contrast by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the contrast of the display. Dryer ----

[The contrast of the display can also be changed in the main menu by Def. End Mon 08:00
pressing and or ]
Language English
Contrast 14
Fan speed (open) 7

Select Fan speed (open) by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the fan speed when the Dryer ----

transport basket is lifted. Def. End Mon 08:00
Language English
Contrast 14
Fan speed (open) 7

Select Fan speed (closed) by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to change the fan speed when the Fan speed (open) 7
transport basket is lowered into the reagent Fan speed (closed) 2
beakers during incubation. Temperatures
Display System info
System Configuration

Select Temperatures by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to display the temperature of the Fan speed (open) 7

paraffin beakers. Fan speed (closed) 2
Temperatures
Display System info
System Configuration

Instructions – MTP 10
Select Display System info by pressing or . ----- SETUP-----

Press to display system info. Fan speed (open) 7

Fan speed (closed) 2
Temperatures
Display System info
System Configuration

----- SETUP-----

Select System Configuration by pressing or Fan speed (open) 7

. Fan speed (closed) 2

Temperatures
Press to enter system configuration menu.
Display System info
[only applicable to service technicians]
System Configuration

Instructions – MTP 11
7.3 PREPARATION AND LOADING
Preparation of reagent solutions
Position glass beakers and paraffin wax beakers outside the instrument onto a plane and
clean working bench.
Fill the glass beakers up to the filling mark on the inside. Fill the paraffin wax beakers up
to the filling mark with molten paraffin or paraffin wax pellets.

The heated wax baths are restricted to the use with paraffin.
Under no circumstances may they be filled with solvents. When solvents
heat, a highly explosive mixture builds up! Caution!
The heated paraffin beakers become very hot when the heating function
is activated! Do not touch the beaker except with the handle. Risk of
injury!
Caution when handling hot paraffin! Risk of injury!!

i Placement of filled glass beakers and paraffin wax beakers can be

performed by moving the respective carousel position to the front end of
the instrument (See MANUAL MODE)

Instructions – MTP 12
Loading of filled glass beakers and heated paraffin beakers
Load filled glass beakers into their
respective positions (1 to 10) onto
the carousel. If necessary, move the
turning table with the target
position to the front side of the
instrument.
Load filled paraffin wax beakers into
position 11 and 12 onto the
carousel. Ensure that the electrical
plug is locked in place to allow
heating function of the beaker.
Loading of heated paraffin wax beaker into position 11 or
12 (optionally also 10).

Locking of electrical plug of paraffin wax beaker.

Instructions – MTP 13
Loading of transport basket
To load the transport basket with
tissue cassettes, unlock the lid by 1. 2.
turning the lid counter clockwise
and then lifting the lid from the
basket.
To close the transport basket, push
the lid into the guidance and turn
the lid clockwise to lock the lid.
The transport basket can then be
loaded to the instrument by clipping
it into the holder on one arm of the Unlocking and lifting of lid for loading of basket with tissue
lifting unit. cassettes.

Check the correct positioning before

starting a run.
1. 2.

Closing of and locking of transport basket lid.

Instructions – MTP 14
 1.

Hanging loaded transport basket into the holder of

the lifting unit.

Correct positioning of transport basket in holder of

the lifting unit.

Instructions – MTP 15
8. OPERATION

8.1 MANUAL MODE

Select Manual operation by pressing or . ----- MAIN MENU-----

Press to enter the manual operation menu. QUICKSTART

PROGRAMS
MANUAL
SETUP
23.11.09 15:30:10

---- MANUAL ----

Select Next station by pressing or . Next station (02)

Previous station (12)
Press to start the command.
Turn to station no.
The carousel will move one position forward.
Move up
Move down

---- MANUAL ----

Select Previous station by pressing or . Next station (02)

Previous station (12)
Press to start the command.
Turn to station no.
The lifting unit will move one position back.
Move up
Move down

---- MANUAL ----

Select Turn to station no. by pressing or . Next station (02)

Previous station (12)
Press to select and select station no. by
Turn to station no.
pressing or . Press to start the
command. Move up
Move down
The carousel will move to the selected position.

Instructions – MTP 16
 ---- MANUAL ----

Select Move up by pressing or . Next station

Previous station
Press to start the command.
Turn to station no.
The lifting unit will move up.
Move up
Move down

---- MANUAL ----

Select Move down by pressing or . Next station

Previous station
Press to start the command.
Turn to station no.
The lifting unit will move down.
Move up
Move down

The counter clockwise movement (see Right Turn) from position 12 to 1 is

not possible and will be blocked by the system. To reach position 1, the

i turning table must be turned backwards (i.e. clockwise; left turn)

The movement of the turning table is not possible if the lifting unit is
lowered.

Instructions – MTP 17
8.2 QUICKSTART
In quickstart mode all incubation times are equal for all positions.
Step 1

Select Quickstart by pressing or . ---- MAIN MENU ----

Press to start the quick start menu. QUICKSTART

PROGRAMS
MANUAL
SETUP
23.11.09 15:30:10

Step 2

Select No. of baskets by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change the number of transport No. of baskets 1

baskets used in the run. Exposure 00:05:00

Changes are stored by pressing again. Drip off time 00:10

Temperature -- °C
Start

Step 3

Select Exposure by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change the incubation time in all No. of baskets 1

positions. Exposure 00:05:00

Changes are stored by pressing again. Drip off time 00:10

(e.g. 5 minutes in this example) Temperature -- °C

Start

Step 4

Select Drip off time by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change the dripping time above all No. of baskets 1

positions. Exposure 00:05:00

Changes are stored by pressing again. Drip off time 00:10

(e.g. 10 seconds in this example) Temperature -- °C

Start

Instructions – MTP 18
Step 5

Select Temperature by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change the temperature for the No. of baskets 1

paraffin beakers. Exposure 00:05:00

Changes are stored by pressing again. Drip off time 00:10

Temperature -- °C
Start

Step 6

Select Start by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to start the run immediately. No. of baskets 1

Exposure 00:05:00
Drip off time 00:10
Temperature -- °C
Start

Step 7

Select Delayed start by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change the end time of the run. Start

Delayed start
Changes are stored by pressing again.
Used / Failsafe 01 01
Used / Failsafe 02 02
Used / Failsafe 03 03

Instructions – MTP 19
Step 8

Select Used / Failsafe for each position by ---- QUICKSTART ----

pressing or . Start
Press to select those positions that shall be Delayed start
active and for each position the stop position if Used / Failsafe 01 01
the system fails to finish the run.
Used / Failsafe 02 02
Changes are stored by pressing again. Used / Failsafe 03 03

Step 9

Select Jump to start by pressing or . ---- QUICKSTART ----

Press to change to the start command. Used / Failsafe 21 21

Used / Failsafe 22 22
Press again to start the run.
Used / Failsafe 23 23
Used / Failsafe 24 24
Jump to start

For discontinuation of the run, please refer to section 8.6.

During incubation times, the instrument will automatically mix by moving

i
the basket holder up and down every 5 seconds.

At the end of the run, the basket will stay in incubation station 12 until the
user moves it out.

Instructions – MTP 20
8.3 SETTING AND STORAGE OF CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS
Step 1

Select Programs by pressing or . ---- Main Menu ----

Press to change to the Programs menu. Quickstart

Programs
Manual
Setup
23.11.09 15:30:10

Step 2

Select Edit program by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to change to editing mode for all Prog. 01 Routine

programs. Edit program
Start (01:04:50)
Delayed start

Step 3

Select Name by pressing or . ---- Edit program 01 ----

Press to change to editing mode for program Name Routine____

name. Each letter or number can be changed by No. of baskets 1
pressing or . Press to move to next Station 01 00:05:00
letter. Station 02 00:00:15
Station 03 00:01:00

Step 4

Select No. of baskets by pressing or . ---- Edit program 01 ----

Press to change the number of baskets used. Name Routine____

(only applicable for continuous loading option) No. of baskets 1

Station 01 00:05:00
Station 02 00:00:15
Station 03 00:01:00

Instructions – MTP 21
Step 5

Select Station 01 by pressing or . ---- Edit program 01 ----

Press to enter the editing mode for position Name Routine____

01. No. of baskets 1
Station 01 00:05:00
Station 02 00:00:15
Station 03 00:01:00

Step 6

Select Exposure by pressing or . ---- P01 STATION 01 ----

Press to change the incubation time for Exposure 01:00:00

position 01. Drip off time 00:05
Temperature ___ °C
Failsafe pos. 01
Save

Step 7

Select Drip off time by pressing or . ---- P01 STATION 01 ----

Press to change the drip off time between Exposure 01:00:00

movement from position 01 to the next position. Drip off time 00:05
Temperature ___ °C
Failsafe pos. 01
Save

Step 8

Select Failsafe pos. by pressing or . ---- P01 STATION 01 ----

Press to select those positions that shall be Exposure 01:00:00

active and for each position the stop position if Drip off time 00:05
the system fails to finish the run. Temperature ___ °C
Failsafe pos. 01
Save

Instructions – MTP 22
Step 9

Select Save by pressing or . ---- P01 STATION 01 ----

Press to save the entries for the selected Exposure 01:00:00

position. Drip off time 00:05
Temperature ___ °C
Failsafe pos. 01
Save

Step 10

Select Station 02 by pressing or . ---- Edit program 01 ----

Press to enter the editing mode for position Name Routine____

01. No. of baskets 1
(Repeat Step 5 to Step 9 for all 12 resp. 24 stations) Station 01 00:05:00
Station 02 00:00:15
Station 03 00:01:00

Step 11

Select Save (01) by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to save the entries in program 01. Station 22 00:05:00

Station 23 00:00:15
Station 24 00:01:00
Save (01)
Save at ...

Step 12

Select Save at by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to select a program number under Station 22 00:05:00

which you would like to store the afore changed Station 23 00:00:15
entries. Station 24 00:01:00
Save (01)
Save at ...

Instructions – MTP 23
8.4 RUNNING A PROGRAM
Step 1

Select Programs by pressing or . ---- Main Menu ----

Press to change to the Programs menu. Quickstart

Programs
Manual
Setup
23.11.09 15:30:10

Step 2

Select Prog. by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to select the program. Prog. 01 Routine

Edit program
Start (01:04:50)
Delayed start

Step 3

Select Start by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to start the selected program. Prog. 01 Routine

Edit program
Start (01:04:50)
Delayed start

Step 4

Load the basket to the lifting unit.

Press to start the run.

Load basket
Enter = OK

Instructions – MTP 24
 12:04:34
Prog. 01 Daily
01 Exposure 00:59:43

For discontinuation of the run, please refer to section 8.6.

During incubation times, the instrument will automatically mix by moving

i
the basket holder up and down every 5 seconds.

At the end of the run, the basket will stay in incubation station 12 until the
user moves it out.

Instructions – MTP 25
8.5 TIME DELAY
The instrument is equipped with a delay function that allows delaying the start of the
run by a defined time.

Step 1

Select Programs by pressing or . ---- Main Menu ----

Press to change to the Programs menu. Quickstart

Programs
Manual
Setup
23.11.09 15:30:10

Step 2

Select Delayed start by pressing or . ---- Programs ----

Press to activate the delayed start function. Prog. 01 Routine

Edit program
Start (01:04:50)
Delayed start

Step 3

Change required end time of the run by pressing

or .

Press to store the set time and progress with Set end time
the start of the run. Tue 10:00

Instructions – MTP 26
Step 4

Load the basket to the lifting unit.

Press to start the run.

Load basket
Enter = OK

Step 5

The display will show the starting time of the

run. Until start of the run the instrument will
remain in the first incubation position.
Starting program in
(e.g. 2 hours and 58 minutes in this example)
02:58:00

For discontinuation of the run, please refer to section 8.6.

After start of a run, the settings for time delay will be reset to 00:00:00.

i During incubation times, the instrument will automatically mix by moving

the slide holder up and down every 5 seconds.

Instructions – MTP 27
8.6 DISCONTINUATION OF A RUN

Press to discontinue or interrupt a run.

12:04:34
Prog. 01 Daily
01 Exposure 00:59:43

Step 1

Select Continue by pressing or .

Press to continue the run without

discontinuation.
12:04:34
Continue
Add specimen
Abort

Step 2

Select Add specimen by pressing or .

Press to lift the lifting unit temporarily to add

a specimen and thereafter continue the run.
12:04:34
Continue
The display will guide you through the process.
Add specimen
Abort

or

Select Abort by pressing or .

Press to discontinue the run.

12:04:34
Continue
Add specimen
Abort

Instructions – MTP 28
8.7 SHUT DOWN
To switch off the instrument, use the main switch at the backside of the unit.

8.8 TWIN BASKET OPTION [only applicable to instruments equipped with this feature]
In this case the instrument is equipped with 3 wax beakers and 9 glass reagent beakers.
A second basket is added to the upper lifting arm.
The software will display 3 temperatures of the respective beaker positions.
In the programming procedure, it is possible to work with 2 baskets. In this case the
program starts with 1 basket, which lowers into beaker 1. After the reaction time
elapsed, the basket moves up and the program ask the customer to place the 2nd
basket before basket 1 moves into beaker 2 and basket 2 into beaker 1.
Please note that the program stops when basket 1 is in beaker 12 and basket 2 is in
beaker 11.
Please also note that the basket 2 follows automatically basket 1 (this means that the
reaction times of basket 2 are not the same of those of basket 1). The programming is
always done for basket 1.

Instructions – MTP 29
8.9 HOOD [only applicable to instruments equipped with this feature]
This option contains the plastic
hood, a shield, some rollers and
washers. It is a good safety feature
and gives protection to customer
and samples.
Please mount the hood with
washers at the back of the
instrument. Screw in the rollers and
place the hood onto them.
During a run the opening can be
placed to the back (shield) and the
processor is closed, to refill baskets
or beakers the opening can
manually be turned towards the
front.
Carousel tissue processor MTP with closed hood.

The hood is mandatory for optional

fume extraction system (see section
8.10).

Carousel tissue processor MTP with opened hood for

loading and unloading of instrument.

Instructions – MTP 30
8.10 FAN / CARBON FILTER [only applicable to instruments equipped with this feature]
For more safety (especially to remove vapours) the instrument can be directly connected
to a central fume extraction system or be equipped with an optional fan (plus carbon
filter). The fan can be activated in the menu adjustments and runs continuously in two
separately programmable speeds for lifted or lowered lifting arm.
If the instrument is equipped with a carbon filter, the vapours are absorbed there. In
case of a tubing, the vapours can be blown into an already existing in-house system.

8.11 PARAFFIN VACCUUM FUNCTION

[only applicable to instruments equipped with this feature]

With the optional vacuum function

the infiltration of paraffin wax into
the tissue sample can be improved.
The vacuum is automatically
activated during a program run
when the basket moves into the
paraffin wax beaker positions.
Before lifting the basket out of the
heated paraffin wax beakers, a
magnetic valve normalises the
pressure automatically.
MTP with vacuum unit.

Instructions – MTP 31
9. MAINTENANCE
Besides regular cleaning, the instrument is basically maintenance-free. A yearly
inspection of the system is recommended (see 9.1 RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE
AND SERVICE SCHEDULE).
For cleaning the unit only use alcoholic media, not acetone or xylene. For the hood it is
best to use a commercially available cleaner for plastics. The hood should not come in
contact with alcoholic or other solvents.
Never spray or use cleaning medium directly onto the touch panels.
Please take note of the safety aspects of the instrument.
Wear protective clothing and disposable gloves according to Good Laboratory Practices.

9.1 RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE SCHEDULE

Yearly Complete Service (performed by authorized SLEE service technician)
• Cleaning of carbon filter, optionally replacement
• Check of battery alarm
Functional check by forced disconnection
• Check of mechanical parts
Functional check, Cleaning with a soft cloth, optionally lubrication

• Check of electrical parts

Functional check of turning motor, lifting motor, vacuum system,
exhaust fan
Visual check of connections

Every 4 Years • Replacement of backup batteries

Nominal life time for integrated batteries is four years. The batteries
must be disposed of according to existing local applicable regulations.

Instructions – MTP 32
10. SERVICE
Internal components should only be serviced by technicians authorized by SLEE.
If technical service or spare parts are necessary, please contact your local SLEE Medical
distributor. Please have the following information available:
• Complete contact details
• Type of instrument and serial number
• Place of instrument and name of user
• Purpose of service call
• Delivery date of the unit
If it is necessary to return the instrument, it must be cleaned and disinfected before
delivery. It must be returned in its original packing.
If the instrument or parts thereof are sent back in a dirty or non-disinfected condition,
SLEE reserves the right to return the parts to the debit of the customer.

Instructions – MTP 33
11. Optional accessories

MTP

Perspex hood
#11000220 •
Twin basket option
#11000221 •
Glass beaker (Specific gravure upon request)
#39500014 •
Heated stainless steel paraffin beaker
#39500019 •
Stainless steel transport basket
#39500027 •
Organizer tray (65 cassettes)
#39500120 •
Complete vacuum unit for paraffin beakers
#11000223 •
Exhaust fan
#11000210 •
Exhaust fan including carbon filter
#11000211 •
Exchange carbon filter
#39500011 •

Instructions – MTP 34
12. WARRANTY
SLEE Medical GmbH guarantees that the product delivered has been subjected to a
comprehensive quality control procedure, and that the product is faultless and complies
with all technical specifications and/or agreed characteristics warranted.
SLEE Medical GmbH guarantees that the instrument is manufactured under an ISO 9001
quality management system.
Unauthorized modification or repair by third party persons will void the warranty.
Only original SLEE spare parts must be used.
Guarantee claims can be put forward only if the instrument is used according to this
manual and for the purpose described.
Mistakes and errors which occur because of improper use cannot be accepted.

13. DISPOSAL
The instrument or parts of the instrument must be disposed of according to existing
local applicable regulations.

Instructions – MTP 35
 SLEE medical GmbH
P. O. Box 10 05 07
55136 Mainz / Germany
Carl-Zeiss-Str. 49
55129 Mainz / Germany
Tel. +(49) 61 31/9 58 71-0
Fax +(49) 61 31/9 58 71-722
mail@slee.de
http://www.slee.de

Instructions – MTP 36