Labnet FASTPETTE User manual

FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE
Labnet International, Inc.

FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE
1
CD
E
F
G
J
H
K
A
B
A- Aspiration button - ABS
B- Dispense button - ABS
C- Suction speed switch - PP
D- Dispense mode switch - PP
E- Low batter indicator
F- Nosepiece - PP
G- Pipette holder - SI
H- Membrane filter - PP / PTFE
J- Safet valve
K- Connector gasket - SI
NiMH batter
Casing - PP
4

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 - INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 2
2 - WORK SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................... 2
3 - LIMITATIONS OF USE ..................................................................................................... 2
4 - GETTING STARTED ......................................................................................................... 3
5 - ASPIRATING AND DISPENSING LIQUIDS ...................................................................... 3
6 - TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................................................................................... 4
7 - REPLACING THE FILTER AND CLEANING THE VALVES ............................................... 5
8 - CHARGING THE BATTERY .............................................................................................. 6
9 - MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................6
10 - COMPONENTS ................................................................................................................7
11 - ORDERING INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 7
12 - SPARE PARTS .................................................................................................................. 7
2
1 INTRODUCTION
The FASTPETTE pipette controller is designed for pipetting liquids with serological pipettes.
The device works with all t pes of glass and plastic serological pipettes in the range of 1 ml
to 100 ml.
The FASTPETTE is equipped with replaceable membrane filters that protect against cross
contamination. The filters also prevent contamination of the mechanism b reagent vapors.
The FASTPETTE features a two speed control s stem which enables ver fast dispensing
of large volumes and precise measuring of small volumes.
Fig. 1 shows the external parts of the pipette controller and a description of the materials
used in the construction.
2 WORK SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Before operating the FASTPETTE, all users should read these instructions carefull .
Using the pipette controller a manner inconsistent with the operating instructions ma result
in damage to the device.
An required repairs to the FASTPETTE should be performed at an authorized service center.
Repair elsewhere ma void the warrant .
•
While using the FASTPETTE, follow general laborator safet guidelines. Protective clothing,
goggles and gloves should be worn.
• The FASTPETTE shall be used for measuring liquids onl in the manner specified in this
manual. Liquids to be measured are limited b the chemical and mechanical resistance
of the device, as well as user safet .
•
The pipette controller should not be used in environments where there is a risk of explosion.
• Information and instructions provided b the reagent manufacturer must be observed.
• Use onl original spare parts and accessories.
• Onl the original charger, supplied b the manufacturer, should be used for charging the
batter and powering the device.
• If the pipette controller malfunctions, discontinue use immediatel . Clean the device in
accordance with the operating instructions and contact the manufacturer for repair.
• Avoid excessive force while using the pipette controller.
3 LIMITATIONS OF USE
• Substances that damage PP, SI, ABS, EPDM and POM should not be measured with the
FASTPETTE.
•
The pipette controller shall not be used in environments where a risk of explosion is present.
• Flammable liquids shall not be measured – in particular substances with a flash-point
below 0 °C (ie ether, acetone).
•
The pipette controller shall not be used for drawing acids with a concentration above 1 mol.
• The pipette controller shall not be used with substances with a temperature above 50°C.
• The ambient operating range of the pipette controller is +10 °C to +35 °C.
FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE

3
4 GETTING STARTED
Before operation be sure that the pipette controller batter is charged. To check the batter
charge, press the aspiration button (fig. 1A) and check the low batter indicator light. If the
indicator does not light, the pipette controller is read for use.
If the low batter indicator is lit, the pipette controller must be charged before use.
Alternativel , the charger can be connected and the FASTPETTE can be used while charging .
Onl the original charger should be used.
The line voltage must conform to the specification on the charger.
Follow the instructions in section 8 of this manual for charging the FASTPETTE.
5 ASPIRATING AND DISPENSING LIQUIDS
Attaching a pipette
Before attaching a pipette, check for damage. The pipette should be free of dents,
chips and sharp edges on the section that is held by the pipette controller. Be sure
that this section is dry.
Hold the pipette close to the end that is to be inserted in the pipette controller and push it
into the pipette holder until resistance is felt (fig. 2A). Do not appl excessive force as this
ma cause the pipette to break and injure the user. A pipette that is correctl seated in the
holder will not tilt to the side.
After seating the pipette, hold the pipette controller so that the pipette is in a vertical position,
pointing downward. It is possible to la the pipette controller on the bench stand with
a pipette attached. It is not recommended to leave a pipette attached to the device for an
extended period of time (ie overnight).
Do not lay the pipette controller on its side while there is liquid in the pipette.
Filling the pipette
Before aspiration is started, set the suction speed using the HIGH/LOW switch (fig. 1C).
• HIGH position – fast aspiration
• LOW position – slow aspiration
It is recommended to choose the LOW position for pipettes with a volume of up to 5 ml, and
the HIGH position for pipettes with a volume greater than 5 ml. Holding the pipette con-
troller so that the pipette is in a vertical position, immerse the pipette end in the liquid to be
drawn up (fig. 2B) and pres the aspiration button gentl . The filling speed depends on how
much pressure is applied to the aspirating button. The more pressure applied, the faster the
liquid is drawn up.
It is recommended to draw a slightl greater volume of liquid than is required. Adjust the
aspiration speed while filling as to not overfill the pipette.
Setting the volume
After filling the pipette, wipe the tip with absorbent paper to remove an liquid from the outside
surface of the pipette. The volume can then be precisel adjusted. Gentl press the dispensing
button (fig. 2C) until the meniscus of the liquid in the pipette aligns exactl with the required
volume mark. The speed of aspiration can be adjusted b var ing the pressure applied.
4
Emptying the pipette
Tilt the receiving vessel and place the pipette tip in contact with the vessel wall. Gentl press
the dispense button (fig. 2C). The speed of dispensing is adjusted b var ing the pressure
on the dispensing button. The greater the pressure applied, the faster the liquid flow.
The FASTPETTE has two dispensing modes. The modes are selected with the GRAV/BLOW
switch (fig. 1D).
• GRAV position – When the GRAV mode is selected, the liquid in the pipette is dispensed
b gravit flow onl . Flow rate is adjusted b the pressure applied to the dispense button.
Attention:
During gravimetrical dispensing the pipette is not completely emptied due to the
characteristics of pipettes used with the pipetting controller.
• BLOW position - the liquid in the pipette is dispensed in constrained mode - the liquid is
forced out of the pipette. The dispensing speed is regulated b the depth of pressing
applied to the dispense button. When the button is pressed to the end position the rapid
empt ing with the blow out is executed.
Attention:
Due to the characteristics of graduated pipettes, in order to diminish the splashing
of the liquid in the last stage of emptying the pipette, the speed of the dispensing
should be reduced.
6 TROUBLESHOOTING
If the pipette controller fails to function properl , refer to the troubleshooting table below to
isolate and remed the problem.
Take the pipette out of the holder.
Disassemble the pipette holder.
Take out the filter - check it for
impurities - if it is dirt , replace it
with a new one.
The filter is dirt (fig. 1H).The pump is working, but
the pipetting aid does not
draw liquid or draws liquid
ver slowl .
If the holder is damaged, replace
it with a new one.
The pipette holder is dam-
aged.
Take the pipette out of the holder.
Disassemble the pipette holder
and check for mechanical
damage.
Clean, wash and dr the pipette
holder.
The pipette holder is dirt
or wet (fig. 1G).
The pipette falls out (the
holding force of the pipette
is to small), or tilts to the
side too much.
ActionPossible causeProblem
FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE

5
If the problem cannot be remedied using the above guide, contact Labnet International
to obtain service.
Before returning the FASTPETTE for service, it should be cleaned and decontaminated.
A decontamination form and RA number must be obtained from Labnet before sending
for service.
7 REPLACING THE FILTER AND CLEANING THE VALVES
Follow the safet instructions in section 2 when disassembling the device.
If, over time, the drawing efficienc of the pipette controller deteriorates, the cause ma be
a dirt filter. If this is the case, the filter must be replaced following the directions below and
illustrated in figure 3.
• Remove the pipette.
• Unscrew the nosepiece (fig. 3A).
• Remove the membrane filter (fig. 3A) and the pipette holder (fig. 3B).
Check the pipette holder and the
connector gasket for mechanical
damage - if there is damage,
replace the damaged part with
a new one.
The pipette holder and/or
the connector gasket is
damaged (fig.1G, fig. 1K).
Check whether all parts are pre-
sent and correctl installed.
The pipette holder, the filter,
or the connector gasket
is installed incorrectl .
Check whether the pipette has
been correctl inserted in the
holder.
The pipette is inserted
incorrectl .
Check the pipette for damage
-
cracks, dents - if present, repla-
ce
the pipette with a new one.
The pipette is damaged.Liquid leaks from the
pipette (the aspiration
and the dispense buttons
are not pressed)
Check the pipette holder and the
connector gasket for mechanical
damage - if there is damage,
replace the damaged part with
a new one.
The pipette holder
and/or the connector gas-
ket is damaged (fig. 1K).
Check the valve for flooding.
If it is wet - rinse it and dr .
Check the valve for blockage
or displacement due to exces
sive
force during pipette instal
lation
- if it is blocked or displaced
tr
to set it in the right position.
The check valve is blocked
(fig. 1J).
6
• Rinse the holder with the safet valve using a wash bottle (fig. 3C).
•
Blow an remaining liquid out of the holder and allow it to dr completel before reassembling.
• Install new membrane filter (fig. 3D) and assemble the device in reverse order.
8 CHARGING THE BATTERY
The FASTPETTE has a low batter indicator. When the batter requires charging, the indicator
will light when the aspiration button is depressed.
Note:
The FASTPETTE should be charged only with the original charger. The line voltage
must
conform to the specification on the charger. Use of a charger other than that supplied
may damage the battery of the pipette controller.
A time circuit controls batter charging. When the batter is completel charged, the charging
circuit disconnects automaticall . When charging is complete, the control lamp (fig. 1E) will
shine continuousl .
Charging:
1. Ambient charging temperature 10° to 30°C.
2.
Charging is accomplished with the charger included with the FASTPETTE. During charging,
the lamp indicator will flash.
3. A full charge is accomplished in 11 – 14 hours.
4. When charging is complete, the indicator lamp will glow steadil .
The pipette controller has a NiMH batter with a capacit of 1700 mAh.
The service life of the batter is approximatel 1000 charging c cles. For optimum batter
life, the batter should be completel discharged before recharging. The time circuit of the
charger prevents overcharging of the batter .
Note:
Allow the battery to charge fully and do not interrupt the charging cycle. If the cycle
is interrupted, the battery should not be recharged until it is completely discharged.
9 MAINTENANCE
The FASTPETTE requires no routine maintenance. The external parts of the pipette controller
ma be cleaned b wiping down with isoprop l alcohol.
The nosepiece and pipette holder with check valve ma be autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min-
utes. The filters included in the set ma be sterilized b autoclaving at 121 °C for no more
than 15 minutes.
Attention: After autoclaving, allow the silicone pipette holder to cool and then bend and
squeeze it several times in the area of the safet valve.
Storage
Store the FASTPETTE in a dr place. The storage temperature should be between -20 °C
and +50 °C.
When not in use, the pipette controller should be placed in the bench stand included with
the unit or stored using the optional wall hanger.
Note: Do not store the FASTPETTE with a pipette attached.
FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE

FP/02/2005
7
10 COMPONENTS
The FASTPETTE pipette controller is supplied with the following components:
• Charger
• Bench stand
• Membrane filter 0.2 µm – 2 pieces
• Instruction manual
Then bench stand has 2 positions for storing the FASTPETTE (fig. 4).
11 ORDERING INFORMATION
The following versions differ with the t pes of included charger. The appropriate version
should be ordered depending upon the line voltage of the facilit :
Versions Voltage Catalog number
USA 120 V / 60 Hz P2000
EURO 220 V / 50 Hz P2000-220EU
UK/Ireland 230 V / 50 Hz P2000-230UK
Australia 240 V / 50 Hz P2000-240AU
12 SPARE PARTS
Item Description Catalog no.
in fig.1
FNosepiece P2022
GPipette holder P2021
HMembrane filter 0.2 µm P2023
Membrane filter 0.45 µm P2024
KConnector gasket P2025
LUSA 120V/60/Hz P2017
Power EURO 220V/50Hz P2015
suppl : UK/Ireland 230 V / 50 Hz P2016
Australia 240 V / 50 Hz P2018
MBench stand P2029
NWall hanger P2028
8
FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE

FFAASSTTPPEETTTTEE