Cleaning & Maintenance
Caring for the Microlab® 600
This page contains instructions on routine maintenance procedures for the Microlab 600, including the following topics:
Deciding when to clean the Microlab 600.
Cleaning the fluid path of the Microlab 600.
Cleaning syringes and tubing.
Cleaning the exterior of the Microlab 600.
Storing the Microlab 600.
Note: Call Hamilton Company's Technical/Customer Service Department if you have questions about maintaining your Microlab 600 system.
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Deciding When to Clean the Microlab 600.
How often you clean the Microlab 600 depends upon how you use the instrument and
what you use in it.
We recommend that, if you use the instrument daily, the tubing and syringes should
be purged and primed at the end of each experiment and each work shift. Clean the
system by flushing it with Hamilton Syringe Cleaner, ethanol, or a with a 10%
chlorine bleach and deionized water solution.
Avoid using caustic or acidic cleaning solutions.
*Important: Leave the syringes and tubing filled with deionized water overnight. This is important if you are using buffers or other salt solutions which could accumulate or crystallize in the system. If buffers or other salt solutions are left in the fluid path overnight, crystals
may form and damage the syringe plunger tip.
*See "Cleaning the Fluid Path of Microlab 600" for complete details on cleaning the fluid path. If you still have questions, contact Hamilton Company Technical Support Department.
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Cleaning the Fluid Path of the Microlab 600.
Clean the Microlab 600's fluid path before using it for the first time. Use Hamilton Syringe Cleaning Solution to clean the fluid path. Click here for information on ordering Hamilton Syringe Cleaner.
To clean the fluid path, follow these steps:
- Prepare a reservoir of cleaning fluid and place the fill tubing in the cleaning fluid reservoir. Use a tubing clip to secure the tubing to the side of the reservoir.
- Place the hand probe into the cleaning fluid reservoir.
- Press the Prime button to begin the prime cycle.
- Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is clean. The number of cycles needed to clean the fluid path will depend on the sizes of the syringe(s) and the level of contamination in the system. A good estimate is 5-10 cycles of the syringe or 5-10 times the internal volume of the fill and dispense tubing.
- When the fluid path is clean, press the Prime button to stop the priming cycle.
- Move the fill tubing from the cleaning fluid reservoir and replace it into a reservoir of deionized water.
- Press the Prime button to continue the priming cycle.
- Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is free of all cleaning fluid. Dispense the rinse fluid into a waste reservoir.
- The system is now clean and ready for use.
Note: If you have questions on cleaning the fluid path contact Hamilton Company Technical Support.
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Cleaning Syringes and Tubing.
Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the Microlab 600 system to handle hazardous
materials.
When tubing and syringes come in contact with contaminated or hazardous samples,
follow safe laboratory practices in selecting and using a cleaning fluid to flush out
the tubing and syringes. Purge, clean, and decontaminate the Microlab 600 by
thoroughly flushing out all portions of the tubing and syringes.
Use a cleaner that is compatible with the fluids previously run through the system.
Depending on the sample that is being run, you may want to use de-ionized water,
urea, ethanol, or a 10% chlorine bleach and deionized water solution as a cleaning
fluid.
If you still have questions, contact Hamilton Company's Technical/Customer
Service Department.
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Cleaning the Exterior of the Microlab 600.
Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the Microlab 600 system to handle hazardous
materials.
The Microlab 600 housing is moderately inert to chemical exposure. However,
some chemicals may discolor the surface of the unit.
If a spill occurs on the instrument's exterior, wipe the surface immediately. Wash
the surface using a damp cloth with water and soap. Then
dry the area. Take care that liquids do not enter the interior of the Microlab
600.
To disinfect the exterior surface, wipe it down with a 10% chlorine bleach and
deionized water solution. Then dry the area.
Note: The cleaning instructions presented here are meant as
a guide only. If your particular applications require different
cleaning solutions, contact Hamilton Company for more
information.
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Storing the Microlab 600.
For long-term storage, prime and purge the system with methanol to facilitate
drying. Remove the tubes and syringes. Cover the instrument to protect it from
damage. Store syringes in their original containers.
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Hamilton Company USA
4970 Energy Way
Reno, Nevada 89502
Tel: (800) 648-5950
Fax: (775) 856-7259
E-mail: sales@hamiltoncompany.com
http://www.hamiltoncompany.com
Sales/Support
1 (888) 525-2123
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