In today’s high-throughput pathology laboratories, consistency, speed and reliability are essential to meeting clinical demands and supporting fast, accurate diagnosis. Delivering precisely on these needs, Solmedia is pleased to launch the Covertec Film Coverslipper — a high-performance automated system designed to transform coverslipping workflows across histology and cytology settings.
Fast, Reliable Coverslipping for Busy UK Labs
The new Covertec Film Coverslipper automates the time-intensive task of coverslipping stained slides, applying a clear, optical-grade coverslipping film to standard microscope slides in approximately three seconds per slide. With a maximum throughput of up to 1,200 slides per hour, it’s engineered to support demanding daily caseloads in NHS, private diagnostic and research facilities.
This level of performance helps laboratories to not only meet increasing workload expectations, but also to streamline staffing resource allocation — permitting highly skilled personnel to focus on core diagnostic tasks rather than manual slide handling.
3× Faster than a typical automated glass system.
Consistent Quality You Can Trust
One of the biggest challenges in pathology is maintaining consistent slide quality across large volumes of specimens. The Covertec system offers:
- Automated, uniform film application for every slide, reducing variation inherent in manual techniques.
- Outstanding optical clarity, ensuring excellent microscopic views for accurate interpretation.
- A robust system built for continuous use in busy laboratory environments.
By eliminating manual glass coverslipping, labs also significantly minimise the risk of slide breakage and sharps injuries — a key consideration in occupational safety.
Designed for Seamless Integration
The Covertec Film Coverslipper includes standard components such as slide baskets for up to 30 slides, xylene reservoirs, waste containment, film blades and activated carbon filtration — ensuring safe and efficient operation. The slide baskets are compatible with widely used Cromatec stainers, allowing pathologists to integrate staining and coverslipping into a streamlined workflow with minimal disruption.
This compatibility means that existing lab equipment investments can be leveraged further — enhancing productivity without requiring extensive new infrastructure.
Optimising Workflow, Enhancing Throughput
For pathology teams under pressure to accelerate turnaround times, the Covertec system represents a step forward in operational efficiency. By automating a once-manual bottleneck, laboratories can:
- Reduce hands-on time for routine slide processing.
- Improve throughput during peak demand periods.
- Maintain consistent high quality, from slide preparation to final diagnosis.
Whether your lab processes hundreds or thousands of specimens daily, this latest addition to Solmedia’s histology equipment range supports faster turnarounds, better resource management and improved quality assurance.
Why Film Coverslipping Outperforms Traditional Glass in Modern Pathology Laboratories
For high-throughput histopathology laboratories, film (tape) coverslipping offers clear operational advantages over traditional glass.
Film systems such as the Covertec apply a uniform, optical-grade layer in seconds, significantly increasing throughput while reducing manual handling. Unlike glass, film eliminates the risk of breakage and sharps injuries, improving laboratory safety and reducing slide loss. It also produces consistent thickness without air bubbles or excess mounting medium, supporting reliable microscopy and digital scanning. For busy UK labs facing rising caseloads and tighter turnaround times, film coverslipping delivers greater efficiency, safety and workflow standardisation than conventional glass methods.