ThinPrep® 2000 Processor

The ThinPrep 2000 Processor is an automated slide preparation unit used with the ThinPrep Pap Test for cervical cancer screening. With software modifications, the ThinPrep 2000 can also be used for non-gynecological specimens such as for the diagnosis of cancers of the lung, bladder, and gastrointestinal tract, and in the preparation of fine needle aspiration of thyroid and breast.

At the laboratory, the sample vial is placed into the ThinPrep 2000. Under the control of the instrument's microprocessor, the following steps are automatically performed: First, a gentle dispersion step breaks up blood, mucus, non-diagnostic debris, and then thoroughly mixes the sample. A series of negative pressure pulses are generated which draw fluid though a ThinPrep filter to collect a thin, even layer of diagnostic cellular material. The ThinPrep 2000 constantly monitors the rate of flow through the ThinPrep filter during this process to collect an appropriate amount of material. The cellular material is then transferred to a glass slide using computer controlled mechanical positioning and positive air pressure. The slide is then ejected into a cell fixative bath, ready for staining and evaluation.

This highly precise process is controlled by a microprocessor based system developed by Cytyc software, electrical and mechanical engineers, which allows real-time process control. The ThinPrep 2000 is a complex electro-mechanical instrument, which consists of four major components:

1. The precision mechanism that is responsible for holding and moving the sample vial, the ThinPrep filter and the microscope slide through the complete process.
2. A pneumatic system responsible for generating precisely controlled positive and negative pressures.
3. Electronics which power the instrument and provide the means for the system microprocessor to control the various motors, valves and sensors in the mechanical and pneumatic systems.
4. Software that runs on the microprocessor to orchestrate the entire slide preparation process. The operator simply loads a sample, slide and filter and pushes "Start"; the software takes over and signals when the slide is ready. The design of the ThinPrep 2000 allows field upgradeability by sending software updates on PCMCIA cards. With the flexibility of a software based system, advances in technology can be quickly integrated into existing systems.

SPECIFICATIONS
Throughput:
Approximately 25 samples per hour. Up to 50,000 samples per year with a single 8-hour shift.
Dimensions:
18" wide x 15" deep x 19.5" high
46 cm x 38 cm x 50 cm
approximately 41 lb/18.6 kg
Power Requirements:
Voltage Autoranging between 100/120 and 220/240 VAC +/- 10%.