Jim,

We have the Ventanna Renaissance Tissue Processor. We bought it well over a
year ago. The only problem that I have had is the Reagent Management System
not reading the concentration of the alcohols including running the quality
test after calibrating new solutions. Ventanna told me that this is a
software problem and instructed me on how to "reset" the software. It worked
a couple of times after doing this. But soon I started having the same
problem and the software would not reset. Ventanna told me that I would be
put on the list for a software upgrade when they fixed the problem. To date,
I have not gotten an upgrade. Other than this problem, I haven't had any
malfunctions so far. I really like the processor and it is serving us well.
I hope that you solve your problem soon.

Have A Great Histo Day,
Diane

Diane C. Gladney, HT(ASCP)
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
Dept. of Pathology, Histology Section
Ft. Jackson, SC 29207-5600



-----Original Message-----
From: Vickroy, Jim [mailto:Vickroy.Jim@mhsil.com]
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 2:20 PM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: Ventana Tissue Processor


Lately we have experienced something that I have not seen in 27 yrs of
histology experience.

We have a Ventana tissue processor (1 year old).  It has had numerous
software updates.  The other day we experienced a nightmare.  Our tissue
came out with a cooked appearance.  There were no alarms that went off and a
run report says no problems.
The tissue was barely salvageable but was very hard and when looking at it
under the scope appeared cooked.  I have discovered that another Ventana
user has had the same problem only their instrument has been doing this
three days in a row.  We have eliminated reagent problems, etc.  Has anyone
else experienced these problems with the Ventana Processor.

Before this occurrence the instrument ran fine except occasionally there was
some blocks that had fluid in the center of them instead of paraffin.   The
company is looking at other possible reasons and I want to see if anyone is
having the same problem.

Jim