Izon EXOID User manual

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EXOID
USER MANUAL

Increased output with minimal intervention. Incorporating
the unparalleled accuracy of tunable resistive pulse
sensing (TRPS) into a semi-automated machine with
improved sensitivity and usability, the Exoid represents a
reliable method of measuring individual particles. At Izon
Science, we are committed to helping you get an accurate
measurement of your particles, here we will help guide
you through this process to get the best possible data
from your Izon Exoid.
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1 DEFINITIONS AND WRITING CONVENTIONS ...................................................4
2 SAFETY AND HAZARDS...........................................................................................6
Safe Use Requirements and Specifications.......................................................................... 6
Hazards..................................................................................................................................................6
3 INTRODUCTION TO THE EXOID.............................................................................8
Overview................................................................................................................................................8
Fluid Cell V2........................................................................................................................................ 10
Intended Use...................................................................................................................................... 10
Important Information ....................................................................................................................11
4 ASSEMBLY AND SETUP INSTRUCTIONS.......................................................... 12
Instrument power and general operation........................................................................... 12
General Operating Procedures................................................................................................. 12
Assembling and Installing the Exoid....................................................................................... 13
Connecting to a computer........................................................................................................... 13
5 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................ 15
Initial Connection ............................................................................................................................. 15
Investigation Details....................................................................................................................... 16
Nanopore Setup............................................................................................................................... 16
Sample analysis ............................................................................................................................... 18
Guide to real time data................................................................................................................. 19
Guide to real time system metrics........................................................................................... 21
Sample Changeover ...................................................................................................................... 21
Nanopore and System Cleaning.............................................................................................. 21
6 TYPES OF ANALYSIS ............................................................................................. 22
Concentration and size measurements............................................................................... 22
Size and zeta measurements ................................................................................................... 22
7 MANUALLY CONTROLLING SYSTEM PARAMETERS ................................... 25
Stretch................................................................................................................................................. 25
Applied Pressure ............................................................................................................................26
8 TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................................................................28
9 FURTHER SUPPORT............................................................................................... 33
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SYMBOL MEANING
This symbol indicates general advice on how to improve procedures or
recommends measures to take in specific situations.
This symbol indicates where special care should be taken.
24V DC/4.17A Direct Current (DC)
Voltage polarity of the jack
Crushing Hazard
Make sure to follow the precautionary statements presented in this guide. Safety
and other special notifications will appear in boxes and include the symbols
detailed in Table 1.
Table 1: Safety and Hazard Symbols
DEFINITIONS AND WRITING CONVENTIONS1 /
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Table 2: Terminology used in this manual
TERM DEFINITION
Baseline drift The amount of current (nA) that the current moves by over a period
of time.
Blockade duration A measurement of the velocity of the particle, critical for Zeta
analysis.
Blockade frequency Directly proportional to the particle concentration, higher
concentrations will have a higher particle rate.
Blockade magnitude Directly proportional to the particle size. The amount of current
that a particle blocks as it goes through the nanopore.
Calibration Aliquot of diluted calibration particles of a known size.
Exoid buttons The buttons near the top of the Exoid, to control the stretch.
Electrolyte A liquid which contains ions and can transmit a current when
voltage is applied.
Exoid Control Suite (ECS) The software used to operate the Exoid.
Exoid lighting Lighting halo located around the top of the Exoid.
Load position When the stretcher unit is at the position which enables a
nanopore to be clipped on to the teeth.
Measurement The complete sample analysis, made up of multiple recordings.
Nanopore Flexible polyurethane membrane with a nanoscale size hole in the
centre.
Nanopore type Nanopore size classification see section 3.
Recording One part of a whole measurement, particles (sample or calibration)
run at one set of parameters.
RMS noise Background electrical noise of the system.
Sample The unknown particles to be analysed using the Exoid system.
Shielding lid Hinge-able cap on the top face of the Exoid which opens to
reveal the fluid cell and nanopore working area. Closing this will
reduce noise from external sources such as large machinery and
fluorescent lighting.
Stretcher unit A set of jaws with teeth which the nanopore can clip on to.
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Safe Use Requirements and Specifications
Make sure to adhere to the safe use requirements as specified in the table
below. In the event that the equipment is used in a manner not specified, the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
SAFETY AND HAZARDS2 /
SAFE USE REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION
Operating
Temperature
Indoor Use Ambient temperature of 5-40 ˚C is safe for the
instrument, however Izon recommends operating at
5-25 ˚C.
Altitude Up to 2,000 meters above sea level
Relative Humidity 20-80% relative humidity
Power Consumption 80 W
Pollution Degree Rating 2
Ingress Protection Rating IP30 / Type 1 - UL50E
Power Supply Unit
(TRH100A240-21E11
+ CCCVI)
Input AC 100-240 V
1.5 A
47/63 Hz
Output DC 24 V nom
4.17 A max current
100.08 W max power
Hazards
The Exoid is a laboratory product, however if any biohazardous samples are
present then adhere to current good lab practices (cGLP) and comply with any
local guidelines specific to your laboratory and location.
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Fire or Electrical Hazard
The Exoid poses no uncommon electrical or fire hazard to operators if installed
and operated properly without physical modification and connected to a power
source of correct specification.
Chemical Hazards
The Exoid system contains no potentially hazardous chemical materials.
Mechanical Hazards
The Exoid stretcher unit contains automatically moving parts. Keep fingers
and loose clothing clear while automatic processes are in operation.
Transport
Before moving or shipping the Exoid, decontamination procedures must be
performed. Always move or ship the Exoid with the supplied packaging materials
which will protect the instrument from damage, and use appropriate heavy object
lifting techniques so as to avoid injury. If appropriate packing materials cannot be
obtained then contact your local Izon Science office.
Disposal
The Exoid system contains electrical or electrical materials; it should be disposed
of as unsorted waste and must be collected separately, according to the European
Union Directive: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The user is fully
responsible for ensuring that the obsolete Equipment and/or Consumables are
recycled or disposed of in accordance with this and/or any other relevant laws and
regulations in the countries where the instrument is being recycled or disposed of.
Contact your local Izon Science representative for more information.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE EXOID3 /
Overview
Characterisation of particles using Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing (TRPS) provides
a reliable and accurate method of measuring size, concentration, and surface
charge. It is the only technology that can deliver the concentration of particles in fluid
as a number per volume across a specified detectable size rage, as well as calculate
effective surface charge of individual nanoparticles. The Exoid eliminates many of
the inaccuracies associated with nanoparticle analysis with its advanced technology
and automated systems.
TRPS technology uses the Coulter particle counting principle on the nanoscale.
Voltage is applied across the fluid cell via the silver/silver chloride electrodes,
therefore creating a baseline current due to the flow of electrolytic ions. A temporary
decrease in current is detected as particles pass through the nanopore, which allows
for the sizing and counting of particles suspended in electrolyte.
Figure 1. A schematic representation of how TRPS works within the Izon system.
Nanopore
Lower fluid cell
Upper fluid cellParticle flow
Ag/AgCl Electrode
Ag/AgCl Electrode
Electrolyte
Cations
Anions
Electrolyte
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HALO COLOUR EXOID STATUS
White Connected, idle.
Red Disconnected, see troubleshooting.
Blue System requires user input.
Purple System performing an operation.
The Exoid uses automated systems to improve the speed and accuracy of the
system as a whole. The automatic stretcher unit (also referred to as Delta) can
stretch the nanopore cruciform up and down faster than mechanically winding by
hand, saving time in a high throughput environment. The buttons near the top of the
Exoid can control the stretcher unit in the event that access to the manual software
control is no longer available.
The Automatic Pressure System (APS) applies a pressure far more accurate
than that of the previous Variable Pressure Module (VPM) system as it can read
and adjust itself to the operator entered value without any further input from the
operator. The APS is also capable of applying pressures (positive and negative) 50%
greater than that of the VPM.
Visual indications of the state of the Exoid using the Exoid lighting allow the user to
immediately assess how the system is functioning.
Decrease Stretch No Function Increase Stretch
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Fluid Cell V2
The Exoid system comes with a new and improved fluid cell design. A dedicated
return path built into the electronics of the fluid cell and improved shielding mean
that the entire system is more resilient to external noise interference. This new
design is also less susceptible to the “short circuits” that plagued the original fluid cell,
making for easier troubleshooting.
The new design has two pogo pins on the lower fluid cell
which fit into sockets on the underneath of the upper fluid
cell when twisted into place correctly. To assist with this,
the upper fluid cell has two position indicators on each side
which, when installed correctly, will be half obscured by the
lower fluid cell.
Intended Use
The Exoid is used to automate nanoparticle analysis of samples, to give size,
concentration, and surface charge data. The instrument is intended to be used
in research laboratories by professional personnel. The Exoid is not intended for
diagnostic purposes and should not be used to make treatment decisions.
For verification of the entire system, it is recommended that Good Laboratory
Practices (GLP) be followed to ensure reliable analyses.
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