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ThinPrep 2000 is a system of automatic cell coating to an even (thin) layer with the use of liquid-based cytology. The system has been approved by the U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to replace the conventional Pap test smear preparation.

― Process

The process starts with the sample collection. Then, it is transferred to a vial which contains a special solution for embedding and preserving cells (PreservCyt Solution). After the vial is capped, the patient’s information are written outside the vial and the sample is sent to the laboratory for testing.

In the cytology laboratory, the vial is placed into a ThinPrep 2000 Processor and a gentle dispersion first step automatically breaks up blood, mucus and debris from the diagnostic cells and thoroughly mixes and homogenizes the cell sample. The cells are then automatically collected to a TransCyt filter, which is specifically designed for collecting diagnostic cells. The processor constantly monitors the rate of flow through the test filter during the collection process in order to prevent the cellular presentation from being too scant or too dense. A thin layer of cells is then transferred to a glass slide in a 20-mm-diameter circle and the slide is automatically deposited into a vial filled with fixative solution (ethanol).

― ThinPrep 2000 Operation

The ThinPrep 2000 system operation principles are based on an evolutionary, automatized system, patented by Hologic Inc. It uses electromechanical principles, the pneumatic and fluidic systems, the natural binding qualities of cells and the qualities of the TransCyt filter, in order to optimize the morphological and biological characteristics of the specimen in every sample processing sequence.

― Automated Method

Thanks to the advanced automated method of ThinPrep, a system which s electronically controlled by the processor’s software, there is no case the filter supersaturates and, therefore, that the cells overlap. Moreover, the specific method preserves the substrate, which is necessary for the diagnosis (polymorphonuclears, lymphocytes, mucus segments smaller than 8μm, segments of necrobiotic material smaller than 8μm), and it is separated from the cells in order to avoid the risk to miss the accompanying characteristics that lead to the final correct diagnosis.
In this way, that appropriate number of polymorphonuclears and lymphocytes is preserved and all inflammation causes can be clearly identified (such as bacteria, granules, fungi, trichomoniasis, canderela vaginalis, vaginal bacteria etc.) Special staining processes are also possible. It is also possible to use molecular methods to detect and identify pathogenic microorganisms (HPV, detection of subtypes and their integrated or episomal form, chlamydia, mycoplasma, mycobacterium tuberculosis and their resistance to therapy, etc.

― Further characteristics

Liquid based cytology system ThinPrep 2000 can process gynecologic and non gynecologic material, such as FNA (fine needle aspiration) materials, superficial and deep organs, bronchoscopy material, gastroscopy material, lavage, fluids (peritonial, pleuritic, lavage of Douglas pouch etc.), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), etc. There is specific programme for every material. The main menu of the device includes 4 different options according to the material that is placed in the device. There a selection for 1. low cellularity samples, 2. fluids and FNAs, 3.mucus samples and 4. gyecologic samples.

ThinPrep 5000

ThinPrep 5000 is designed according to ThinPrep technology and it uses a developed automation for the preparation of cytology samples with great accuracy and effectiveness. It has been approved by thr U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Pap Test samples and Cytology samples.

― Automated Method

It is a system that allows less participation of the user because it reduces the necessary working time, but also minimizes the errors connected to the use of manual devices.

― Further characteristics

It allows the process of up to 20 samples in one batch, in approximately 45 minutes.  It allows the process of emergency samples just by interrupting its operation. It allows to identify the sample (vial) compared to the filter and the slide and therefore to monitor whether the process chain of the sample is ensured.