The ELITech Process

The ELITech Process for Gram Staining The Aerospray stainer stains microscope slides smeared with materials containing micro-organisms such as culture materials, body fluids, or exudates. ELITech gram reagents are tailored to give superb results in the Aerospray stainer. and stains them dark blue-to- black. The excess stain is then spun off and washed away with deionized water to prevent precipitate formation outside stained cells. stainer provides a choice of decolorizer cycles ranging from 1 to 9, allowing you to compensate for thick specimens, or other pos- sible variables. With the ELITech system, you can reproducibly differentiate sensitive organisms in normal smears. With its rapid staining cycle and high throughput capability, the Aerospray stainer is a convenient, cost effective way to increase gram staining capacity.

IODINE

Iodine reagent is then sprayed onto the slide. The iodine penetrates the cells and forms a precipitate (mordant) with the crystal violet dye. Excess iodine is spun off and rinsed from the slide with deionized water.

HOW IT WORKS

Reagents are applied from atomizing spray nozzles onto microscope slides containing the specimens. Staining is rapid and precise. Specimens contact only fresh stain, avoiding specimen cross-contamination or contact with contaminated reagents.

DRYING DECOLORIZING AND COUNTERSTAIN

Decolorizer is then applied to remove the crystal violet-iodine complex until only the gram-negative organisms are decolorized. Safranin or fuchsin (contained in the decolorizer) simultaneously counter-stains the gram-negative cells pink-to-red.

Decolorization is the critical step in proper gram differentiation and unless properly controlled can lead to errors. The Aerospray The slides are spun at about 950 RPM for 45 seconds. This draws air through the stainer and dries the slides. Slides emerge from the stainer dry and ready for the microscope. With its rapid staining cycle and high throughput capability, the Aerospray stainer is a convenient, cost effective way to stain gram specimens.

FIXATION

Specimens can be heat-fixed and stained directly, or the automatic fixation feature can be used to provide convenient and reproducible specimen fixation.

PRIMARY STAIN

Once slides are fixed, they are sprayed with crystal violet, a positively charged (basic) dye which rapidly penetrates microbial cells

OPTIONAL
CYTOCENTRIFUGE ROTOR

With the optional Cytopro rotor, the Aerospray stainer becomes a superb cytocentrifuge with eight-slide capacity and keyboard programmability at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a stand-alone cytocentrifuge.

Combines ease of use with
superb cell recovery.

Advanced design places
two samples on the same
slide for increased efficiency
and economy.

Allows for treatment of
large samples up to 6 mL.

RAPID PERFORMANCE

With a cycle time as short as 4.5 minutes, the Aerospray Gram stainer can process more than 150 slides per hour (up to 400 with the optional 30-slide carousel). No more waiting for slides to dry–they’re ready to view when the staining cycle ends.

NO CROSS-
CONTAMINATION

In all Aerospray stainers, fresh reagent is applied as an atomized spray on slides mounted in a rotating carousel. Specimens contact only fresh stain, precisely metered from separate spray nozzles. No cross-contamination occurs and accuracy is assured.

EASY TO USE

Simply select from 9 different decolorizer settings and start the stain cycle. The stainer takes over from there, precisely controlling all phases of the stain cycle with virtually perfect reproducibility.

ECONOMICAL

The Aerospray stainer is exceptionally sparing when it comes to reagent consumption. Programmability significantly reduces the volume of reagents required for staining partial loads and thereby significantly lowers reagent cost.

AUTOMATED REAGENT
LEVEL MONITORING

The stainer warns you when reagent levels are getting low.