GE MicroCal iTC200 User manual

GE Healthcare
MicroCal™ iTC200 System
Operating Instructions
Original Instructions

MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA 3
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .............................................................................. 5
1.1 Important user information ................................................................................. 6
1.2 Regulatory information ......................................................................................... 7
1.3 Instrument ................................................................................................................ 10
1.4 Control software .................................................................................................... 13
2 Safety instructions................................................................. 15
2.1 Safety precautions ............................................................................................... 15
2.2 Labels .......................................................................................................................... 21
2.3 Recycling procedures .......................................................................................... 25
3 Installation .............................................................................. 27
3.1 Site requirements .................................................................................................. 27
3.2 Transport ...................................................................................................................29
3.3 Unpacking ................................................................................................................. 29
3.4 Set up .......................................................................................................................... 29
3.5 Validation ..................................................................................................................37
3.6 Configuring a MicroCal iTC200 controller for networking .................... 38
4 Operation ................................................................................ 39
4.1 Procedure before a run ...................................................................................... 39
4.2 Basics of performing a run ............................................................................... 39
4.3 Loading the syringe ............................................................................................. 39
4.4 Loading the cell ...................................................................................................... 40
4.5 Experimental design ............................................................................................ 42
4.6 Advanced experimental design ...................................................................... 43
4.7 Instrument controls .............................................................................................. 44
4.8 Real time plot .......................................................................................................... 46
4.9 Set up .......................................................................................................................... 46
4.10 Procedures after a run ........................................................................................ 47
5 Maintenance ........................................................................... 49
5.1 Cell cleaning ............................................................................................................ 49
5.2 Removing injection syringe .............................................................................. 49
5.3 Inserting a new syringe ...................................................................................... 50
5.4 Syringe cleaning .................................................................................................... 51
5.5 Removing pipette .................................................................................................. 52
5.6 Changing pipette tips .......................................................................................... 53
5.7 Pipette calibration ................................................................................................. 54
5.8 Y-axis calibration check ..................................................................................... 54
5.9 Replacement of fuses ......................................................................................... 56

Table of Contents
4MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA
6 Troubleshooting..................................................................... 57
6.1 How to get help ...................................................................................................... 57
7 Reference information.......................................................... 59
7.1 Instrument specifications .................................................................................. 59
7.2 Ordering information ........................................................................................... 60

MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA 5
Introduction 1
1 Introduction
Purpose of the Operating
Instructions
The Operating Instructions provide you with the instructions needed to handle the
MicroCal iTC200 in a safe way.
Prerequisites
In order to operate the MicroCal iTC200 safely and according to the intended purpose the
following prerequisites must be met:
• You should have a general understanding of the use of a personal computer.
running Microsoft™ Windows™ in the version provided with your product.
• You should be acquainted with the use of general laboratory equipment and with
handling of biological materials.
• You must read the Safety Instructions in Chapter 2 of these Operating Instructions.
• The system should be installed according to the instructions in Chapter 3 of these
Operating Instructions.
• You should understand the concepts of titration Calorimetry.
• You must read and understand these Operating Instructions.
In this chapter
This chapter contains important user information and a general description of the
MicroCal iTC200 and its intended use.

1 Introduction
1.1 Important user information
6MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA
1.1 Important user information
Read this before using the
MicroCal iTC200
All users must read the Safety Instructions in Chapter 2 of these Operating Instructions
before installing, using or maintaining the system.
Do not operate the MicroCal iTC200 in any other way than described in the user
documentation. If you do, you may be exposed to hazards that can lead to personal
injury and you may cause damage to the equipment.
Intended use
The MicroCal iTC200 is an Isothermal Titration Calorimeter system designed for bio-
molecular interaction studies in research applications.
The MicroCal iTC200 system is intended for research use only and shall not be used in any
clinical procedures or for diagnostic purposes.
Safety notices
These Operating Instructions contain WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTICES concerning
the use of the product, with meanings as defined below.
WARNING
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury. It is important not to proceed until all
stated conditions are met and clearly understood.
CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury. It is important not to proceed until all
stated conditions are met and clearly understood.
NOTICE
NOTICE indicates instructions that must be followed to avoid damage to
the product or other equipment.

MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA 7
Introduction 1
Regulatory information 1.2
Notes and tips
Note: A Note is used to indicate information that is important for trouble-free and
optimal use of the product.
Tip: A tip contains useful information that can improve or optimize your procedures.
Typographical conventions
Software texts and commands are identified by bold italic text. A colon is used to
separate menu levels (e.g. File:Open refers to the Open option in the File menu).
1.2 Regulatory information
This section lists the directives and standards that are fulfilled by MicroCal iTC200.
Manufacturing information
CE conformity
Requirement Content
Name and address of manufacturer GE Healthcare
MicroCal Products Group
22 Industrial Drive East
Northampton, Massachusetts
01060 USA
Place and date of declaration Northampton, Massachusetts,
USA, Jan. 2010
Identity of person authorized to sign
Declaration of Conformity
See EC Declaration of Conformity in
system documentation kit.
Date of manufacture and serial
number
The serial number contains the
code for the year of the
manufacture of the instrument.
(the serial number takes the form
of) xx.yy.zzz where
yy = year of manufacture.
Directive Title
2006/42/EC Machinery Directive (MD)
2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive (LVD)

1 Introduction
1.2 Regulatory information
8MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA
International standards
CE marking
The CE marking and the corresponding Declaration of Conformity is valid for the
instrument when it is:
• used as a stand-alone unit, or
• connected to other CE-marked instruments, or
• connected to other products recommended or described in the user
documentation, and
• used in the same state as it was delivered from GE Healthcare, except for
alterations described in the user documentation or explicitly authorized by GE
Healthcare.
2004/108/EC ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
Directive Title
Standard Description Notes
EN 61010-1,
IEC 61010-1,
CAN/CSA-C22.2
no. 61010-1
Safety requirements for electrical
equipment for measurement,
control and laboratory use
EN 61326-1
(CISPR Group 1,
Class A)
EMC emissions and immunity
requirements for measurement,
control and laboratory use
Harmonized with
2004/108/EC
EN-ISO 12100-1,
12100-2
Safety of machinery – Basic
concepts, general principles and
design
Harmonized with
2006/42/EC
EN-ISO 14121-1,
14121-2
Safety of machinery – Principles of
risk assessment
Harmonized with
2006/42/EC

MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA 9
Introduction 1
Regulatory information 1.2
Regulatory compliance of
connected equipment
Any equipment connected to the MicroCal iTC200 should meet the safety requirements
of EN 61010-1/IEC61010-1 or relevant harmonized standards. Within the European
Union, connected equipment must be CE-marked.

1 Introduction
1.3 Instrument
10 MicroCal iTC200 Operating Instructions 28-9639-77 AA
1.3 Instrument
The MicroCal iTC200 (Isothermal Titration Calorimeter, 200 µL cell) unit directly measures
heat evolved or absorbed in liquid samples as a result of mixing precise amounts of
reactants. A spinning syringe is utilized for injecting and mixing of reactants. Spin rates
are user selectable; the usual range is 500 to 1000 rpm. The normal temperature
operating range is 2°C to 80°C. Wetted cell surfaces are Hastalloy, which are resistant
to most solutions, however, strong acids should be avoided.
Sample and reference cells are accessible for filling and cleaning through the top of the
unit. The sample cell is on the left as one faces the front of the unit. A pair of identical
coin shaped cells is enclosed within two shields; the inner shield is referred to as the
jacket. Access stems travel from the top exterior of the instrument to the cells. Both the
coin shaped cells and the access stems are completely filled with liquid during
operation. This requires approximately 280 µL per cell even though the working volume
of the cell is only 200 µL.
Figure 1-1. Principle drawing of ITC.
Part Description Part Description
1Pipette 5Samplecell(withsyringe)
2 Plunger screw (dark blue) 6 Adiabatic jackets
3 Stirring motor 7 Reference cell
4 Syringe (light blue) 8 Outer shield