Marilyn,

Routine Histology in my lab has an automated coverslipper (the manufacturers
name shall remain unsaid to avoid possible trouble) and I think it's a joke.
On the off change that it is actually putting coverslips on rather that
breaking them or alarming that it is jammed, I still see them chasing
bubbles and wiping off excess permount.  For the amount of time the techs
spend cleaning the slides up or trouble shooting the machine, I believe they
should go back to hand coverslipping.  From what I've heard about the film
coverslippers, they aren't much better: not as durable as glass, different
angle of refraction, a big pain if you need to remove them, etc...

Hope This Helps,

Glen Dawson  BS, HT & IHC (ASCP)
Lead IHC Technologist
Milwaukee, WI

-----Original Message-----
From: marilyn.johnson@gov.ab.ca [mailto:marilyn.johnson@gov.ab.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 9:00 AM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Automated Coverslippers


Hi Histonetters,
I am requesting any Labs using automated coverslippers, mainly for
Immunohistochemistry and H&E staining, to give me their comments and
advantages/disadvantages. I need this feedback by the end of this week, if
possible, for our future purchase.
Thanks in advance.

Marilyn Johnson
Alberta Agriculture
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada