DESCRIPTION

The Aerospray AFB Stainer stains microscope slides smeared with materials containing acid-fast microorganisms such as culture materials, body fluids, or exudates. Wescor reagents are tailored to give superb results in our Acid-Fast Bacteria Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge. Never before has staining microorganisms been so easy, fast or economical. The Acid-Fast Bacteria Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge performs either carbol fuchsin or fluorescence procedures by exchanging reagents and selecting the appropriate program on the keyboard. Simply select from 6 different stain settings and start the staining cycle. That's all you have to do because the stainer takes over from there, precisely controlling all phases of the stain cycle with consistent reproducibility. The Acid-Fast Bacteria Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge is exceptionally sparing in reagent consumption, giving you versatile full or partial load programming options that significantly reduce reagent volumes and cost required for staining different sized loads. An optional 30-slide carousel brings high volume economy within reach of every laboratory. Every Aerospray is also a fully capable cytocentrifuge with the purchase of the optional Cytopro® rotor. With a cycle time as short as 4.5 minutes, the Acid-Fast Bacteria Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge can process more than 150 slides per hour (up to 360 slides with the optional 30-slide carousel). No more waiting for slides to dry-they're ready to view when the staining cycle ends. In all Aerospray stainers, fresh reagent is applied as an atomized spray on slides mounted in a rotating carousel. Specimens contact only fresh, precisely metered stain from separate spray nozzles. No cross contamination is possible. The Acid-Fast Bacteria Slide Stainer/Cytocentrifuge can be configured for Kinyoun, Ziehl-Neelsen, auramine or auramine/rhodamine staining methods. One of the greatest functions of the Wescor Aerospray stainers is their ability to be utilized as a cytocentrifugation instrument. For the cost of the optional Cytopro rotor, the Wescor Aerospray stainers becomes a full featured cytocentrifuge with an 8 slide capacity and keyboard programmability at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a stand-alone cytocentrifuge.[list] [/list] Aerospray stains microscope slides smeared with materials containing acid-fast microorganisms such as culture materials, body fluids, or exudates. Wescor reagents are tailored to give superb results in the Aerospray stainer. The Aerospray stainer provides a choice of staining cycles ranging from 1 to 6, allowing you to compensate for thick specimens, or other possible variables.  Specimens are fixed according to traditional procedures prior to staining in the Aerospray. At the beginning of the staining cycle, the slides are sprayed with the primary stain (carbol fuchsin or fluorochrome) that penetrates and stains the specimens. Excess stain is then spun off and washed away with deionized water to prevent precipitate formation.  Acid alcohol decolorizer is then applied to remove the primary stain from the non acid-fast bacteria and surrounding debris. The decolorization is stopped with a water wash and a short spin. [b]Counterstain[/b] The counterstain is then applied to stain the non acid-fast organisms. Excess counterstain is then removed with a water wash and a short spin. The slides are spun at about 950 RPM for 45 seconds. This draws air through the machine 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 and cost effective way to stain mycobacteria.