Harvard Bioscience BTX Tweezertrodes User manual

Tweezertrodes™
User Manual
IMPORTANT:Read all Instructions, Warnings and Precautions prior to use.
Safety Terms and Symbols: Terms that appear in this manual:
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any
products connected to it. To avoid potential hazard, use this product only as specified. Only
qualified BTX personnel should perform service procedures.
To Prevent Hazard or Injury:
•ARCING CAN OCCUR AT HIGH VOLTAGES
An unfavorable combination of parameters such as high voltage settings and a small
sample volume with a highly conductive medium might lead to flashover between the
electrodes (ARC) and/or explosive evaporation of the medium. Reduce voltage or pulse
length to avoid repeating this condition.
•DO NOT OPERATE WITH SUSPECTED FAILURES
If you suspect there is damage to the product, have it inspected by qualified BTX
service personnel.
•DO NOT CONTACT ELECTRODES
•TO AVOID FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, OBSERVE ALL RATINGS AND MARKINGS ON THE
PRODUCT OR IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE USING THE DEVICE.
•AVOID EXPOSURE TO CONTACT
•DO NOT INSERT FINGERS OR TRY TO REMOVE ELECTRODE OR SAMPLE DURING
PULSING SEQUENCE.
•WEAR PROPER EYE PROTECTION DURING ELECTROPORATION
•DO NOT OPERATE IN AN EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENT
•DO NOT OPERATE IN WET/DAMP CONDITIONS
INTRODUCTION
APPENDIX B: Replacement Parts
Order No.
Model
Description
45-0165
520KIT
Tweezertrode Kit, 7mm, includes cable
45-0118
520
Tweezertrode Electrode, 7 mm Diameter
45-0119
522
Tweezertrode Electrode, 10 mm Diameter
45-0166
522KIT
Tweezertrode Kit, 10 mm, includes cable
45-0204
524
Tweezertrode Connection Cable
45-0059
System
ENHANCER
3000SC
The Enhancer 3000® Monitoring
45-0486
Platinum Tweezertrode, 1 mm Diameter, includes cables
45-0487
Platinum Tweezertrode, 3 mm Diameter
45-0488
Platinum Tweezertrode, 7 mm Diameter
45-0489
Platinum Tweezertrode, 5 mm Diameter
45-0204
Tweezertrode Cables
APPENDIX C: Troubleshooting
Please contact BTX Technical Service at any of the numbers listed on page 2 in the event of any failure.

INTRODUCTION
The Tweezertrodes™ are reusable, tweezer style electrodes for in vivo, and in utero drug or gene
delivery. Tweezertrodes™ consist of a standard 12 cm tweezer that has been modified with
stainless steel or platinum circular electrodes at the tip. The gap between the electrode disks may
be adjusted from under 1 mm to over 2 cm. Tweezertrodes™ are available in two sizes for
stainless steel 10mm and 7mm diameters. Our Platinum Tweezertrodes™ are available in 7mm,
5mm, 3mm and 1mm diameters. Tweezertrodes™ may be cleaned with a mild detergent and
sterilized with ethanol or ethylene oxide. These electrodes are connected to an electroporator
with the Model 524 Connection Cable, and are compatible with the BTX ECM® 630, 830, Gemini,
2001+ and 200 LITE.
*Note: For compatibility with older models, call BTX Technical Support.
OPERATION: GETTING STARTED
WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE MAY CAUSE SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH
Make sure the BTX electroporator is switched off before continuing.
1. Attach the Model 524 Tweezertrodes™ Connection Cable to the electrode base of the
Tweezertrodes™ then plug the banana cable into the voltage output of the BTX electroporator.
If using the Enhancer 3000® attach the cables to the Enhancer and then attach the cables from the
Enhancer to the Generator. Refer to the Enhancer 3000® for instructions for use.
2. Following instructions for the BTX electroporator set the appropriate parameters on the
generator.
3. Prepare tissue and sample for electroporation. Grasp the tissue between the electrodes and
measure the
inter-electrode distance. Adjust generator settings if necessary. Inject the sample into the tissue.
4. Deliver the electroporation pulse(s) to the sample.
5. Remove the electrodes carefully and prepare for the next experiment.
CLEANING
The tweezertrode can be cleaned and disinfected using a solution of 70% isopropanol.
Technical & Customer Service
BTX® is the ultimate resource for technical information on the use of high voltage bacterial
transformation and general electroporation of molecules and drugs into tissue. We constantly
track and monitor scientific publications in this area. Our Technical Service group extracts and
enters pertinent information, such as results and parameters from these papers into a Protocol
database. This database is available via the BTX website. Please visit www.btxonline.com.
For technical assistance, additional information, or an inquiry/request for repair service, contact
BTX/Harvard Apparatus Technical Support/Customer Service Group at:
BTX®
A Division of Harvard Bioscience
84 October Hill Road
Holliston, MA 01746-1388 U.S.A.
Toll Free: 1-800-272-2775 (U.S. only)
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: www.btxonline.com
If outside the United States and Canada: call 1-508-893-8999 or contact your nearest BTX
Distributor. A complete list of distributors is on our website.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Warranty
BTX/Harvard Apparatus warranties this BTX Tweezertrodes™ for a period of 90 days from date of
purchase. At its option, BTX/Harvard Apparatus will repair or replace the item if it is found to be
defective as to workmanship or material. This warranty does not extend to damage resulting from
misuse, neglect, or abuse, normal wear and tear, or accident. This warranty extends only to the
original customer purchase.
IN NO EVENT SHALL HARVARD APPARATUS BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES. Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. THERE ARE NO IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, OR OF ANY OTHER
NATURE. Some states do not allow this limitation on an implied warranty, so the above limitation
may not apply to you. If a defect arises within the 90-day warranty period, promptly contact:
BTX/Harvard Apparatus, 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts
01746-1388 using our toll-free number 1-800-272-2775 (Outside the U.S. call 1-508-893-8999).
Goods will not be accepted for return unless an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) number
has been issued by our customer service department. The customer is responsible for shipping
charges. Please allow a reasonable period for completion of repairs or replacement and return.
If the unit is replaced, the replacement unit is covered only for the remainder of the original
warranty period dating from the purchase of the original device. This warranty gives you specific
rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. Note: BTX electrodes
are not recommended for use with power supplies or cables from other manufacturers. Such use
is completely at the customer’s own risk as it may result in damage, create unsafe conditions and
will immediately void the 90-day warranty.
APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS
Tweezertrodes™ Electrical & Technical Specifications Standard Capabilities*:
Voltage Range
0 to 200 VDC (Do not use AC current)
Pulse Length Range
1 µsec to 200 msec
Pulse Number Range
1 to 99 (depending on voltage)
Operating Temperature
5º to 40ºC
Intended Use
Indoor use only
Relative Humidity
20 to 80%
Maximum Altitude
2,000 m (6,562 ft)
Pollution Degree
II
Insulation Category
CAT I
Physical Characteristics:
Order No.
Electrode Length:
Electrode Diameter:
Electrode Materials:
45-0118
12 mm
7 mm
Stainless Steel
45-0119
12 mm
10 mm
Stainless Steel
Compatibility:
Generators
ECM® 630, 830 and 2001
Monitoring
The Enhancer 3000® Monitoring System recommended
*Depending on buffer composition and generator capability.