This guide gives a quick overview of using the Aperio FL slide scanner. For detailed information on
operation and maintenance, see the Aperio FL Users Guide.
LCD status
Green start button
Slide tray
access
The main power switch is on the back of the scanner. Your scanner number is also located on the back (for example,
SS6301). The magnification changer control is inside the access door on the left of the unit.
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
Because of the special characteristics of fluorescence scanning, you must not use automatic scanning.
Manually step through the scanning steps using the Aperio FL Console. After setting scanning
parameters in the Console, you can then use the Console One Touch button or the scanner automatic
scan button to complete the scan. If automatically selecting focus points (by using the Console Focus
Points tab Auto Select button) does not provide satisfactory results, use the Console tools to manually
add focus points.
3. If a filter is already in that position, place your finger in the notch behind the filter and your thumb on the front rim
of the filter and pull it toward you to remove it. Do NOT touch the glass portion of the filter, but only its rim!
4. To insert a filter, hold it by the rim only and push it into the filter receptacle on the wheel. Note that it must be
inserted in the proper orientation. (The arrow on the filter rim must point in the same direction as the light path.)
If you happen to touch the glass surface of the filter, it is very important that you clean it immediately. See the Aperio FL
Users Guide for details.
It is a good idea to wear lint-free gloves when handling filters to protect the filter surface.
After you close the access door, the scanner will automatically move the filter wheel back to its home position.
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
4. To remove a filter cube, add a filter cube to an empty position, or change a filter cube in the scanner, you must move
the appropriate cube position in the turret to the loading position. To do this, select the filter cube position number
in the Move the filter number into load position drop-down list or double-click it on the cube turret map shown
on this tab. (The scanner LCD tells you that it is Loading cube x.)
5. When the filter cube position has been moved to the access position, open the side access door on the left of
the scanner. The filter cube you want to change (or the empty position in which you want to insert a filter cube) is
directly in front of you.
6. If a filter cube is in this position, slide it down the dovetail fitting to remove it.
7. Insert the new filter cube by sliding it up the dovetail fitting. The arrow on the numbered label points to the dovetail
for that turret position.
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
4. Click the Filter Wheel tab to see what filters are defined for your filter wheel and to change them:
You can use this tab to delete filters, remove them from the wheel, or to move filters on the wheel. Make sure this
configuration matches the physical installation of filters in the filter wheel!
5. Click the Cube Turret tab to see what filter cubes are defined for the filter cube turret and to change filter cubes:
You can use this tab to define new filter cubes, remove filter cubes from the turret, and move filter cubes on the
turret. Make sure this configuration matches the physical installation of filter cubes in the cube turret!
For details on using these configuration tools, see Configuration Options in the Aperio FL Console Users Guide.
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
Loading Slides
Glass slides should be clean and labels must not hang over the edges before loading in the slide tray.
When loading a slide, remove the slide tray from the scanner and position the slide in the tray with the cover slip facing up
and the slide label oriented to the left.
Re-insert the slide tray into the scanner, ensuring it is seated properly.
Here are the color codes that can appear on the Start tab tray graphic:
Category
Snapshots
Slide State
Color Code
Light blue
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
Category
Scanning
Rack Contents
Slide State
Color Code
Green
Orange
Red
White
The scanning status colors displayed on the Console Start tab graphic indicate how well the scanner was able to focus the
tissue on the slide. Although a well-focused slide is likely to result in a better image than a poorly-focused slide, status
colors should not be interpreted as an absolute indicator of image quality.
Instead, they should be used as a diagnostic tool alerting you to possible problems with a scan. Regardless of the scan
status color displayed by the Console, all slides should be reviewed for acceptable image quality.
For more information on using the Console, on judging scan quality, and on snapshots, refer to the Aperio FL Console Users
Guide.
Starting Scanning
Make sure the scanner side door is closed and that there is at least one slide on the tray.
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
5. Position the calibration point to an area that does not contain tissue or cells.
6. Select the channels and define what fluorochromes (dyes) were used on the specimen and what filters and filter
cubes to use for the slide.
7. Determine exposure times for each channel.
8. Place focus points on the specimen.
9. Perform calibration.
Click Start Scan to start the scan.
Organizing eSlides
After a slide is scanned, the image is automatically added to the eSlide Manager default data group. To view your eSlides:
1. Open an Internet browser.
2. Access eSlide Manager by typing the appropriate host name or IP address in the URL address box of the browser. If
you are not sure what address to enter, contact your network administrator for help.
3. On the login screen, enter your user name and password and click User Login.
4. On the main eSlide Manager page, click List All eSlides to see all scanned slides.
Troubleshooting
If scanning stops unexpectedly, try these steps:
`` Restart the scanner Controllerclick on the Aperio Service Manager icon
Restart Services, and then select Restart Controller Service.
`` If that does not restart the scanning, turn off power to the scanner; wait five seconds and turn power back on.
Restart the Controller.
`` If that does not restart the scanning, reboot the Windows workstation.
If an error occurs, please send an email message to TechServices@LeicaBiosystems.com noting the following:
`` Scanner serial number (for example, SS6031)
`` Approximate time of the error or when it was noticed
`` Brief description of what you saw and what action you took
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
To learn about...
Using your Aperio FL instrument
Refer to...
Aperio FL Users Guide
In addition to operation information, this guide also contains
important maintenance information and specifications.
Safety instructions
Viewing eSlides
Analyzing eSlides
Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013
Copyright Notice
Copyright 2006-2013 Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. All rights reserved.
Customer Resources
For the latest information on Leica Biosystems Aperio ePathology products and services, please visit www.LeicaBiosystems.com/ePathology.
Disclaimers
Use normal care in maintaining and using the eSlide Manager servers. Interrupting network connections or turning off the eSlide Manager and
DSR servers while they are processing data (such as when they are analyzing eSlides or generating an audit report) can result in data loss.
This manual is not a substitute for the detailed operator training provided by Leica Biosystems Imaging or for other advanced instruction. Leica
Biosystems Imaging Field Representatives should be contacted immediately for assistance in the event of any instrument malfunction. Installation
of hardware should only be performed by a certified Leica Biosystems Imaging Service Engineer.
ImageServer is intended for use with the SVS file format (the native format for eSlides created by scanning glass slides with the scanner).
Educators will use Aperio ePathology software to view and modify eSlides in Composite WebSlide (CWS) format.
Aperio ePathology products are protected by U.S. Patents: 6,711,283; 6,917,696; 7,035,478; 7,116,440; 7,257,268; 7,428,324; 7,457,446; 7,463,761;
7,502,519; 7,518,652; 7.602.524, 7,646,496; 7,738,688 and licensed under one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 6,101,265; 6,272,235;
6,522,774; 6,775,402; 6,396,941; 6,674,881; 6,226,392; 6,404,906; 6,674,884; and 6,466,690.
Customer Support
General Information
US/Canada/Worldwide Email:
TechServices@LeicaBiosystems.com
Email: ePathology@LeicaBiosystems.com
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Aperio FL Quick Start Guide, Revision B Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc. 2013