Troubleshooting of errors in

histotechnology techniques.

Prepared by
Honorable GAKWAYA
1: TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE FOR
ARTISAN LINK SPECIAL STAINING SYSTEM

Artisan link is all about troubleshooting both

histology procedure and special stains chemistry.
This go in hand with software check up
There are two main ways of troubleshooting
which are manual and automated one
Manuel troubleshooting basic factors

Store reagents at correct temperature;

Filter reagents before use.
Use clean slides Use clean slides
Clean glassware in soap and hot water
Rinse in deionized water and air dry
Automated instrument troubleshooting

User must follow instruction of instrument as

manufacturer provided it
The user must follow maintenance procedure (daily,
monthly and annually)
 The most common staining issues on artisanlink

Staining artifacts
Background staining
Inconsistent staining
2: DIFFICULT BLOCKS HANDLING

Self question:
What To Do When Your Block Won’t
Section?
Part1 : initial assessment

 You can initial assess yourself by finding the

reason why is my block difficult or impossible to
cut?
 root causes

Initial assessment con’t

 You have to find more information on what is

causing problems
 You have to find examples of typical problems
and their causes
 Examples of typical problems

1. Crisp, crunchy or brittle tissue.

2. Shrunken tissue.
3. “Cooked” tissue.
4. Sludgy, mushy or greasy tissue.
5. Dry and powdery tissue.
Typical problems con’t

6. Tissue smells of clearing agent.

7. Soft and compressible tissue.
8. Tissue contains hard fragments.
9. Unsatisfactory tissue and unsanctioned center.
10. Poor consistency of tissues.
Typical problems con’t

11. Sections “sweat” while floating.

12. Sections disintegrate rapidly while floating out.
13. Outer rim of tissue is brittle outer rim of tissue
14. Discrete areas of specimen that will not section,
15. Shrinkage of the specimen.
16. supported and sections Tissue at the center.
Part 3: detailed solutions for problem blocks

Find out good technique to use while sectioning

difficult block
chill the block after exposing the tissue surface
Soaking and softening of tissue
Solution con’t

Non-standard flotation of tissue

Tape-transfer
Surface decalcification
Specimens that have not been in wax
Solution con’t

For more solutions on these problems

concern on difficult blocks, article
number four.
The causes of poor processing

The tissue was not properly fixed before processing

Poor morphology
Calcium deposits
Short or too long schedule
The causes of poor processing con’t

Unsatisfactory reagents quality.

Processor malfunction
Excessive heat
Part 4: the root cause of processing problems
and their prevention

It is crucial to find out the root cause of problem

and then find out the solution.

The causes of poor processing con’t

 Unsatisfactory reagents quality.

 Processor malfunction

 Excessive heat
The effect of poor processing

Macro effects

Difficult section preparation

Difficult flotation and mounting

Block deteriorates on storage

The effect of poor processing con’t

Micro effects

Poor physical quality of sections

Poor morphology (tissue preservation)

Part 5: how reprocessing method is validated)
Choosing different types of the test.
Good processing schedule.
Substantial in the process.
Respecting standard operating procedures.
Different range methods of stains.
References

 Geoffrey.O.R. ( …). Difficult Blocks and Reprocessing. Scientia

Leica Microsystems’ Education Series.
 Debra Cobb, HT, MBA. Troubleshooting Procedure for Artisan
Link Special Staining System. Chapter 32.
Final!!