CEFAS21-134 Tissue Processor

Tender description

The requirement is for a high specification automated tissue processor for paraffin infiltration of a wide range of marine and freshwater animal and plant tissues samples. The processor requires technical features that facilitate the operation of our ISO17025 accreditation, providing reliable and consistent high-quality processing with full traceability of processes and reagents. - Easy-to-use computerised user interface allowing for different modes of access e.g. operator and administrator level. - Ability to manually design and store user specific protocols including reverse processing. We will specifically be looking at Effective processing of agar double-embedded tissue samples as part of our evaluations. - Each chamber should be capable of processing a minimum of 200 tissue cassettes. - Must have features are pressure/vacuum cycle, stirring/mixing, fluid exchange, fluid carry over and heating. - Integral reagent management system for monitoring reagent quality/usage thresholds and rotations. Ideally to include monitoring of individual reagents. (The quality of individual reagents should not be inferred through the monitoring of a single reagent). Methods of thresholding and the method of rotation should be mentioned - The ability to change processor chemicals in a traditional manner e.g., maintaining alcohol gradients during chemical rotations by replenishing/loading with individual pre-prepared alcohols and solvents. (Due to the use of multiple fixatives and chemicals at Cefas prior to processing, water, and fixatives as a first step in the processor cannot be used to maintain alcohol gradients). - Reagent changes should be easily achieved by the operator with all reagents accessible in a way that allows easy, safe, and quick chemical changes. - Prevention of misloading or re-use of old reagents. - The equipment must have battery back-up system in case of power failure. Where this is a separate item, it should be included in the quotation. - Facility to view details of logged errors and faults, including information such as time/date occurred, chemical status and protocol used. Logs should be easy to copy and transfer electronically e.g., to service agents or technical support, and printable. This system must be able to operate without being networked or connected to the internet. - As safety features the equipment must be inherently spark proof and have safety features to prevent injury. E.g., cautionary statements on screen like 'hot chamber' and 'caution chemical vapours etc', Locks to prevent access to retort when containing hazardous chemicals, and Carbon filters or a similar mode of protecting the user from hazardous vapours. - All additional items, fixtures, and fittings necessary to ensure the equipment is fully operational for the purposes it is required for must be provided in the quoted package. https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/go/63978813017E2AA242E7