ALPHELYS is a worldwide recognized expert in tissue array technology. ALPHELYS brings innovative solutions since 2002 when Spot Browser, one of the first tissue array analyzers was introduced onto the market and is now widely used. With years of efforts and customer collaboration ALPHELYS has developed a strong knowledge of tissue arrays and a deep understanding of users requirements, resulting in a fully integrated solution, the Tissue Array Platform. MiniCore® is part of this Platform.
Automation
MiniCore® automates all of the steps that are not requiring user's expertise and quality control. This includes X-Y moves over donor and recipient blocks, carousel rotation for changing recipient blocks when making copies and rotation of the punches while extracting cores. Donor core extraction and transfer to recipient block are very critical steps and are left to user's full control for optimal quality of the tissue array block without compromising throughput.
Technology
MiniCore® design is based on a new punching mechanism employing the technology of coaxial punches where donor punch, recipient punch and stylet are concentric. This approach simplifies automation and eliminates the risk for misalignment between punches. ALPHELYS’ coaxial punches design is protected by a patent issued in Europe and in the USA.
Ergonomics is central to MiniCore design. A simple 1/4 turn with an easy to handle selector is enough to automatically adjust punches. Punching is easily obtained by pushing the punch head down, pressing the red button and releasing the punch head up. Donor core transfer is as easy and quick. You are fully guided by the machine and while you push the punch head down, the core is transferred automatically at the right position and height in the recipient block without specific care. Working position at MiniCore® is comfortable and effortless.
Efficiency
8-position carousel allows up to 8 copy blocks of tissue arrays. More tissue array copy blocks produce more tissue array slides. Constructing all copy blocks at the same time is a tremendous time saving.
ALPHELYS not only provides a unique solution for building your tissue arrays. MiniCore® is delivered with TMADesigner®, software that automates tissue array map design. TMADesigner® imports an Excel list of specimens ID to generate ready to use maps. This list can be the result of a query into CRESALYS®, ALPHELYS’ biobank management software. Parameters such as punch size, spot to spot spacing, grid size, tissue types, replicate number, copy number and filling mode (sorted or random) can be customized. Design takes no more than a minute to complete. TMADesigner® automatically generates coordinates and details that will be used specifically by MiniCore® for the construction. MiniCore® is an integral solution for tissue array construction.
Easy & simple
Designing and building tissue arrays has never been so fast and easy. MCS MiniCore® Control Software includes a wizard that guides you step by step to guarantee optimal results with minimal effort while eliminating errors. Minimal loss of time is guaranteed each time you will need to make a new tissue array block even if it is once every 3 months. MiniCore® is well adapted for labs where staff changes frequently. A well-trained user can build a 400 core-tissue array in less than 3 hours.
Building tissue arrays from hundreds of specimens may generate errors. To minimise this risk, MCS MiniCore® Control Software displays in real time the grid and spot position on the map. Alongside these are the patient block ID, and the tissue type that must be selected. Tissue array can now be made error-free with MiniCore®.
Quality control
As tissue type, paraffin quality and room temperature may severely change paraffin behaviour and coring performances, permanent quality control is crucial to guarantee the quality and completion of your tissue arrays. Built-in color camera produces an image of the donor block to select regions to core in real time. This camera produces also an image of the recipient block when donor core is transferred for immediate control. MiniCore® guarantees quality and efficiency in your tissue array project.
Core positions are selected on screen on specimen image. New positions can be added in real time.
MiniCore® displays also image of transferred donor core for immediate quality control.
Because your time is limited and your agenda dictated by priorities, MiniCore® allows you to build your tissue arrays in one or several sessions. You can also add new specimens to an existing tissue array block. This allows you to generate a tissue array that enlarges as specimens arrive. Useful with rare pathologies for example.
The Tissue Array Platform
Is a unique solution fully dedicated to tissue array. It provides a complete and integrated solution for rapidly and efficiently achieving tissue arrays based research projects, from tissue specimens’ identification, to tissue array data processing through design, construction, slide scanning and image analysis. The Tissue Array Platform guarantees complete tracking and efficient data management while reducing human resources needs.
