# Overview

Parhelia Omni-Stainer™ system utilizes capillary action to provide smooth laminar flow of tissue staining reagents for slide mounted ([Omni-Stainer S12](https://parheliabio.com/product/omni-stainer-s12-automation-bundle/?utm_source=gitbook\&utm_medium=gitbook)) and coverslip mounted ([Omni-Stainer C12](https://parheliabio.com/product/omni-stainer-s12-automation-bundle/?utm_source=gitbook\&utm_medium=gitbook)) samples, yielding reproducible results with huge reagent and time savings.

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[Parhelia Omni-Stainer™ ](https://parheliabio.com/)Promo Video
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## Capillary gap liquid exchange <img src="https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FXaAPwVBKNrjgZUVrLAsg%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b4f8f849-24c0-4a27-813a-b9d364208ebf" alt="" data-size="line">

<figure><img src="https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FmNkHHFJ9nziS36T7feqI%2Fomni%20gif%20try%203.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=afc45c74-e02b-43d4-ac39-b99d3be7b22d" alt=""><figcaption><p>Parhelia Omni-Stainer™ Capillary Action<br>100μl of blue dye dispensed into S12 flow cell via Opentrons OT-2</p></figcaption></figure>

With capillary gap staining, the sample rests within a staining chamber, incubating in a thin capillary layer of liquid, thus resulting in a uniform exposure of tissue to the reagents.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FWbF2qrG41MZ8C8o5uvfs%2F%10S12%20Flow%20Cell%20Profile%20corrrected.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6d610688-0d99-456f-9afb-ae5f13dbc6cb" alt=""><figcaption><p>Cross-Sectional View of Slide Mounted Sample with Parhelia Omni-Stainer™ Cover Pad</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FFuZeAhxfo59OEevmQ0yl%2FC12%20Flow%20Cell%20Profile.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fd3923de-1bb2-461b-ae2d-4daebf03ddab" alt=""><figcaption><p>Cross-Sectional View of Coverslip Mounted Sample with Parhelia Omni-Stainer™ Support Pad</p></figcaption></figure>

The liquid layer is held in place by the capillary force and won't spontaneously flow out of the chamber even if the sample is held vertically. However, the "magic" happens, when a new liquid is applied to the top edge of the staining chamber: the new liquid instantly displaces the one that is currently occupying the chamber.

<figure><img src="https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2F3etpA3Eiuic2q7r7kgLW%2Fcapillary%20laminar%20flow%20diagram.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ae509019-baf3-49f7-a1b4-9cbaa7b7cc1d" alt=""><figcaption><p>Capillary Action Figure</p></figcaption></figure>

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Questions?Try asking Lens (top right), a semantic search AI that scans this documentation and gives you a simple, semantic answer with clickable references if you want to dive deeper.

&#x20; ![](https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FI3hTIX6kiRsctyOAwTER%2FScreenshot%202023-05-18%20at%202.24.07%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=a8fea8b3-1904-44c1-b8f4-b8f5107f10de)
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{% hint style="info" %}
If you would prefer to ask a human your question, or share any comments, or concerns with your Parhelia products please email <info@parheliabio.com> for information, <sales@parheliabio.com> for sales, or <support@parheliabio.com> for product support for existing customers.
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