__ QUICKCHROME
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Foetal Karyotyping by so called "direct method" using cytotrophoblast spontaneus metaphases from first trimester chorionic villus samples is widley used in the routine work of many prenatal diagnosis laboratoires.

The use of direct procedure (with or withuot short incubation) is not free from technical incovenience due to the manual spreding of cells in setting up slides; metaphases are often broken with chromosome loss, the quality of banding is poor and the yield of suitable metaphases is low.

The overcome these problems we designed and built a new slide-making instrument that is able to enhance spreading and quality of chromosomes from cytotrophoblast metaphases. Quickchrome will increase the yield of analyzable metaphases and, in addition, will drastically reduce the time end the work-load. Because of its high efficency Quickchrome was introduced by many laboratories for routine chorionic villi chromosome preparation. We estimated that over 10.000 analysis of fetal karyotype have been already made on slides set up by Quickchrome

PERFORMANCES: temperature and speedy ranges

  • The temperature and the speed of the stage are electronically controlled: the temperature can be regulated from 25° C to 80° C; the speed of the moving stage can vary from 4.5 to 11 minutes to complete its run.
  • The temperature of 38-40° C is recommended for cytotrophoblast chromosome preparations.
  • The temperature of 60° C is useful to dry slides overnight for GTG banding.
  • The temperature of 75° C is used for FIS H technique (denaturation step).
  • The temperature of 80° C is used for Ag-NOR banding technique.

    PROGRAMMABILITY: the required values are entered on the flat membrane keyboard. The data are read uot on a disply and then can be stored and recalled.

    OPERATING CAPACITY: Quickcrome may accomodate 6 slides at once reducing the time in which the released cells are in contact with aqueous acetic-acid, so that its toxic effect on chromosome banding is reduced. The slides can be mounted and removed from the equipment using very simplke techniques: the slides are manually positioned on the hot plate; once the evaporation step is completed (this normally requires no more than 11 minutes), they are manually removed, leaving the plate available for the next sample. The equipment is therefore not limited by any type of work-load and its operating capacity is always compatible with the daily routine work.

    Technical features: Single-phase power supply 220 V - 80 W + GR OUND

    Plate temperature min. 30° C Max 80° C

    Plate speed Min 1 cycle=11 min Max 1 cycle=4.5 min.

    Dimens ion (mm) 410 x 360 x 160 (wxdxh)

    Weight 11 Kg