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Ventana’s Molecular Discovery Systems
Discovery® XT System - Question and Answers

What is the Discovery XT system?

The Discovery XT system is Ventana’s newest instrument for the research laboratory. This system is the latest extension of the Discovery series of advanced staining systems based on Baking Through Staining (BTS®) technology, which provides full walk-away automation. This instrument combines our core strength of product innovation with a powerful combination of operational ingenuity and ease of use. The Discovery XT system continues to set the standard in productivity and quality for research laboratories with maximized flexibility and throughput to perform IHC, ISH, FISH, and microarray* testing.

What components make up the Discovery® XT system?

The Discovery XT system is a single fully integrated module which includes the advanced staining subassembly, integrated bulk fluids subassembly, and a waste management system. This is controlled via Ventana’s NexES software loaded on the System Control Center, which includes the following:
  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • EBAR™ – Electronic Barcode Labeling System

What's new with the Discovery XT system?

The Discovery XT system offers exceptional throughput, capacity, and flexibility. The 30 slide capacity per module alows up to 90 IHC slides per day, space for 35 reagents on the new 5-tray carousel system, and increased bulk fluid capacity. Increased flexibility includes new protocol options as well as the ability to perform IHC and ISH protocols on the same run.

How many Discovery XT system modules can be connected to one System Control Center?

A total of eight instruments in any combination of Discovery Series, BenchMark® Series, NexES IHC and/or NexES Special Stains may be connected to one System Control Center

What is the ThermoFlex System?

The ThermoFlex system technology of Ventana’s instruments is an engineering breakthrough that maximizes assay performance through precise temperature management of each individual ThermoPad. The ThermoPads offer individually controlled heating units that provides a direct application of heat onto the slides that maximizes assay kinetics. This is the key to BTS technology, providing exceptional automated baking through staining performance.

Discovery XT system ThermoFlex platform with its 30 individual ThermoPads.





What holds the slides on the ThermoPad?

Each corner of the ThermoPad has a guide post that properly positions the slide.

How do you add liquids to the Automated Fluidics Subassembly (AFS)?

All liquids for the AFS are shipped as either a concentrate or prediluted solution. There are a number of fluids for the AFS including:
  • EZ Prep™ – concentrate for deparaffinization
  • LCS – prediluted Liquid Coverslip™
  • RiboWash™ – concentrate for ISH stringency steps
  • Reaction Buffer – prediluted wash buffer for IHC
  • Cell Conditioning 1 – prediluted for cell conditioning most routine PABs – (high pH)
  • RiboCC™ – prediluted specifically for ISH and IHC applications – (low pH)

Pre-dilutes are directly added into the corresponding AFS reagent containers. Concentrates are diluted in a 20 liter container (provided) and added into the corresponding AFS reagent containers. These on-board and bulk refill containers are both numbered and color coded to provide easy refill applications.


What are the volumes of the reagent containers within the AFS?
  • EZ Prep - 6-liter bottle
  • Liquid Coverslip™ - 6-liter bottle
  • RiboWash™ - 6-liter bottle
  • Reaction Buffer - two 6-liter bottles
  • CC1 - 3 liter bottle
  • RiboCC™ - 3-liter bottle
  • Option - 6-liter bottle

Does the system know when it is running out of bulk fluid reagents?

The AFS includes level sensing technology that ensures the user can always complete a 30-slide run, guarantees the instrument will never perform an assay without fluids, and alerts the user via the System Control Center of fluidics status.

Where is the waste stored?

The waste is stored within the integrated cabinet located in the lower front portion of the system. The operator gains access to the waste system through the two easy-access doors. Behind these doors are two independent waste bottles. The waste is discarded via these two custom designed carboys. The waste level sensors alert the operator when to empty the waste preventing any unnecessary spills.