When the defat process is completed, the XT4 is cut up and placed in the IDF bag, where the XT4 bag fragments with sample are subject to the digestion process. Unfortunately, if the XT4 bag is cut into very small pieces, each piece of the XT4 can have sharp edges that can penetrate the clear polypropylene surface of the IDF bag, potentially causing leaks.

When cutting the XT4 into the IDF bag, it is important to cut the XT4 into about 12 long pieces from top to bottom.  This will ensure that the pieces of XT4 are flexible and not able to penetrate the IDF bag.