Sutter Instrument BV-10 User manual

One Digital Drive
Novato, CA 94949
Voice: 415-883-0128 Web: www.sutter.com
Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
BV-10
Micropipette Beveler
Operation Manual
Rev. 3.00 ( 20180423)

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
2
Copyright © 2018 Sutter Instrument Company. All Rights Reserved.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
3
DISCLAIMER
The Model BV-10 Micropipette Beveler is designed for the specific use of creating
micropipettes and no other use is recommended.
This instrument creates items that should only be used in a laboratory environment for
use on animal tissues. It is not intended, nor should be used in human experimentation
or applied to humans in any way. This is not a medical device.
Do not open or attempt to repair the instrument without expressed and explicit
instructions from Sutter Instrument Company. High voltages are present and could cause
i n j u r y.
Do not allow unauthorized and or untrained operatives to use this device.
Any misuse will be the sole responsibility of the user/owner and Sutter Instruments
assumes no implied or inferred liability for direct or consequential damages from this
instrument if it is operated or used in any way other than for which it is designed.
SAFETY WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Electrical
Operate the BV-10 using 110-120 V AC, 60 Hz, or 220-240 V AC., 50 Hz line voltage. This
instrument is designed for connection to a standard laboratory power outlet (Overvoltage
Category II).
Fuse Replacement: Replace only with the same type and rating: Miniature Fuse, 5 x
20 mm, IEC 60127-2, 250VAC, Time-Lag T, Low Breaking Capacity (Glass Tube):
At 110 - 120 VAC:
Rating: 0.2A (200mA)
Examples: Schurter 0034.3110
At 220 - 240 VAC:
Rating: 0.1A (100mA)
Examples: Schurter 0034.3107
A spare fuse is located in the power input module. Please refer to the fuse-replacement
appendix for more details on fuse ratings and for instructions on how to change the fuse.
Avoiding Electrical Shock and Fire-related Injury
Always use the grounded power supply cord set provided to connect the system to a
grounded outlet (3-prong). This is required to protect you from injury in the event that
an electrical hazard occurs.
Do not disassemble the system. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
To prevent fire or shock hazard do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
4
Operational
Failure to comply with any of the following precautions may damage this device.
Operate this unit using the indicated line voltage.
This unit is designed for operation in a laboratory environment (Pollution Degree I).
This unit is designed for connection to a standard laboratory power outlet (overvoltage
Category II) with main supply voltage fluctuations not to exceed ± 10% of the normal
voltage.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER .......................................................................................................................................3
SAFETY WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS....................................................................................3
Electrical ..................................................................................................................................................3
Avoiding Electrical Shock and Fire-related Injury..............................................................................3
Operational ..............................................................................................................................................4
1. GENERAL.........................................................................................................................................7
1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................7
1.2 Features .............................................................................................................................................8
1.3 Models ................................................................................................................................................8
1.4 Technical Support.............................................................................................................................8
1.5 Description and Function of Components ..................................................................................... 8
1.5.1 Motorbase....................................................................................................................................8
1.5.2 Manipulator ................................................................................................................................9
1.5.3 Pedestal/Grinding Assembly...................................................................................................10
1.5.4 BVM-CE Electrode Impedance Meter (Optional).................................................................11
1.5.5 Optical Attachment (Optional)...............................................................................................12
2. INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................................13
2.1 Description of Package Contents ..................................................................................................13
2.2 Set-Up and Assembly Instructions ...............................................................................................14
3. OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................17
3.1 Grinding Procedure ........................................................................................................................17
3.1.1 General Information ................................................................................................................17
3.1.2 Control of Beveling by Measuring Electrical Resistance.....................................................18
3.1.3 Control of Beveling by Monitoring Bubble Size....................................................................18
3.2 Using the Resistance Meter...........................................................................................................19
3.2.1 Operation ..................................................................................................................................20
3.2.2 Ohms Law – Theory of Operation..........................................................................................20
3.2.3 Accuracy ....................................................................................................................................20
4. MAINTENANCE............................................................................................................................23
4.1 Cleaning the Grinding Place..........................................................................................................23
5. TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................................................................................25
5.1 Grinding Plate Won't Turn............................................................................................................25
5.2 Jerky Plate.......................................................................................................................................25
5.3 Beveling Takes a Long Time .........................................................................................................25
5.4 No Beveling Occurs.........................................................................................................................25
5.5 Meter Does Not Work.....................................................................................................................25
5.6 Pipettes Break During Beveling....................................................................................................25
APPENDIX A. LIMITED WARRANTY............................................................................................27
APPENDIX B. ACCESSORIES .........................................................................................................29
Accessories .............................................................................................................................................29
Replacement Parts................................................................................................................................29

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
6
APPENDIX C. Fuse Replacement .....................................................................................................31
APPENDIX D. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ...........................................................................33
INDEX .................................................................................................................................................35
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1. Manipulator............................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 1-2. Pedestal/Grinding Assembly................................................................................................ 10
Figure 1-3. BVM-CE Electrode Resistance Meter................................................................................. 11
Figure 2-1. BV-10 beveler component layout. ....................................................................................... 13
Figure 2-2. Pedestal/grinding plate assembly........................................................................................ 15
Figure 2-3. Components of optical attachment..................................................................................... 16
Figure 3-1. Top view of grinding plate. .................................................................................................. 17
Figure C-1. Power entry module............................................................................................................. 31
Figure C-2. Fuse holder............................................................................................................................ 31

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
7
1. GENERAL
1.1 Introduction
The difficulty of penetrating a cell membrane or any other
type of tissue with a micropipette increases with tip size.
Beveling is a technique that significantly reduces the
resistance to pipette penetration by forming an almost
straight cutting edge on the end of a pipette. For
intracellular recording, beveling facilitates penetrating and
holding very small or difficult cells. Microinjection needles
also benefit from beveling by promoting entry into cells
with minimal damage and at the same time enhancing flow
of material through the needle.
The BV-10 beveler design provides a flat, wobble-free
abrasive surface for beveling intracellular electrodes, microinjection needles, etc. The BV-10
is suitable for beveling micropipettes with tip diameters between 0.1 and 50.0 microns (µ) or
micrometers (µm), depending on the grinding plate installed. The grinding plate rotates on a
stationary, optically flat pedestal by virtue of a magnetic coupling with a rotating drive ring.
Rotational speed is approximately 60 rpm. Pipette positioning relative to the grinding plate is
controlled with the micromanipulator, which provides both course and fine position control
and an adjustment for bevel angle.
For applications that involve micropipettes filled with an electrolyte, measuring the
resistance of the pipette during beveling is a useful technique for monitoring the progress of
beveling. The BV-10M resistance meter is designed for this purpose.
The relation between electrode resistance and tip
diameter for a series of beveled electrodes is shown for
measured tip diameters of 0.06 to 0.54 microns in the
graph to the right. The form of this function is of
interest because many applications require that either
tip diameter or electrode resistance be minimized. The
graph shows that when either tip diameter or
electrode resistance has been reduced to a given low
value, further decreases can be obtained only at the
expense of a very marked and undesirable increase in
the other variable.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
8
1.2 Features
Beveling surface is vibration-free and magnetically coupled.
Abrasive surface is optically flat to a half wave (250nm).
Rotation rate stabilized by a synchronous clock motor.
A heavy baseplate (7 lbs (3.2 kg)) provides additional dampening.
Integrated LED lamp.
Bevel angle and advancement is controlled by robust micromanipulator.
Now equipped with a 40X stereo microscope (Models BV-10-D and BV-10-E) for improved
location and adjustment of field of view around microelectrode tips while maintaining
good magnification.
1.3 Models
The BV-10 Microelectrode Beveler is available in the following models:
BV-10-B
Micropipette beveler basic system1
BV-10-C
BV-10-B with BVM-CE Electrode Impedance Meter.
BV-10-D
BV-10-B with BV-10S 40X2Stereo Microscope.
BV-10-E
BV-10-B with BVM-CE Electrode Impedance Meter and BV-10S 40X
Stereo Microscope.
1.4 Technical Support
Unlimited technical support is provided by Sutter Instrument Company at no charge to our customers.
Our technical support staff is available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Pacific Standard
Time) at [phone]. You may also E-mail your queries to [e-mail].
1.5 Description and Function of Components
1.5.1 Motorbase
The motor base assembly consists of the base plate, DC drive motor and drive belt, motor
housing, halogen lamp, meter receptacle and power cord.
1Includes micromanipulator, reference wick, reference wick holder, pedestal oil, degreaser, manual, and two abrasive plates of your choice.
2Previous versions of the BV-10-D and BV-10-E were equipped with an 80X stereomicroscope. The replacement 40X magnification provides
improved location and adjustment for the field of view around micropipette tips while maintaining good magnification. If an 80X is preferred
over the 40X, please contact Sutter Instrument for information.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
9
1.5.2 Manipulator
The manipulator is used for advancing a pipette to the grinding surface. It consists of an
angle plate used to clamp the pipette and adjust the bevel angle; a coarse control knob used
to position the pipette just above the grinding plate surface; a fine control knob (micrometer)
used to control the actual beveling of pipettes. The sensitivity of the fine control can be
varied by moving the pointer near the back of the manipulator. It is factory pre-set to 1 (mid-
point on the scale) for average beveling. Moving the pointer towards 0 will reduce the
micrometer advance rate.
Figure 1-1. Manipulator.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
10
1.5.3 Pedestal/Grinding Assembly
The pedestal assembly includes a stationary pedestal with an optically flat quartz surface, a
magnetic drive ring that rotates around the pedestal, and upper and lower retaining rings
which hold the grinding plate. The grinding plate rotates wobble-free on the flat quartz
surface by virtue of an oil film bearing and a magnetic coupling between the retaining ring
assembly and the drive ring.
Figure 1-2. Pedestal/Grinding Assembly.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
11
1.5.4 BVM-CE Electrode Impedance Meter (Optional)
The BVM-CE is an electrode resistance meter designed to complement the BV-10 electrode
beveler. Resistance is indicated by a precision analog meter, which allows the user to easily
identify changes in microelectrode resistance while beveling.
Each meter is calibrated using the active lead that is shipped with the meter. Use of another
cable, even if it is from another BVM-CE, may require recalibration to produce an accurate
reading.
Figure 1-3. BVM-CE Electrode Resistance Meter.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
12
1.5.5 Optical Attachment (Optional)
To aid viewing the beveling process, an optical attachment is available. The unit consists of a
40x stereomicroscope and mounting hardware. For large diameter tips (>1 µm) the
attachment allows the user to bevel using an optically based beveling technique described in
subsequent text.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
13
2. INSTALLATION
2.1 Description of Package Contents
Figure 2-1. BV-10 beveler component layout.
NOTE: The BV-10 Impedance Meter (BV-10M or BVM-CE), if used, sits on top of the main
BV-10 control unit.
Box 1:
1. Beveler motor base with motor housing, halogen lamp and pedestal assembly
2. Reference wick
3. Reference wick holder
4. Pedestal oil
5. Degreaser
6. Operating Manual
7. Abrasive grinding plates (2) and retaining ring set
8. BVM-CE Electrode Impedance Meter (if ordered (Models C and E)); with
active and reference resistance measuring leads
9. Optical attachment (stereoscopic microscope, if ordered (Models D and E))
Box 2
(inside Box 1):
Micromanipulator

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
14
2.2 Set-Up and Assembly Instructions
1. Remove micromanipulator from Box 2.
2. Remove the foam insert containing the meter (if ordered) and accessories from Box 1.
3. Remove motor base assembly and place on table.
4. Place micromanipulator on motor base, as shown in Figure 2-1.
5. If meter is included with shipment, place meter on top of motor unit and plug into the
A.C. outlet on the back of the motor housing. Plug the BNC connector from the active
lead (on manipulator) into the receptacle protruding from the side of the meter. Attach
the small platinum wire to the end of the active lead using the connector provided. Plug
the mini-banana plug from the reference lead (on wick assembly) into the reference
connector on the back of the meter.
6. Assemble grinding plate system as described below. See Figure 2-2.
Two grinding plates are supplied with the BV-10. The plates are made by embedding the
abrasive particles on a film of plastic. With care, these plates can bevel thousands of
pipettes. Unless otherwise specified, the plates supplied are a 0.05 µm alumina abrasive
plate for pipette tips in the 0.05 to .1 µm, and a 0.3 µm alumina abrasive plate for
beveling pipette tips in the 0.5 to 1 µm range. Diamond coated plates are available for
beveling larger tips and can be ordered from Sutter Instrument Co.
a. Unscrew the three screws holding the upper retaining ring to the lower retaining
ring.
b. Identify the abrasive surface on the grinding plate. The top abrasive surface has a
speckled finish -- it is marked with a part number. Place grinding plate between the
two retaining rings with abrasive surface facing the top retaining ring as per Figure
1-2. Secure in place by screwing upper retaining ring to lower retaining ring. Tighten
screws down until you feel a slight resistance and then turn them another 1/8 turn.
c. Place ~1 to 2 drops of pedestal oil onto the optical flat surface of the pedestal.
d. Place grinding plate assembly onto pedestal. The magnets (embedded in the rotating
base and the lower retaining ring) will attract each other and squeeze out the excess
oil between the two glass surfaces to form a parallel oil bearing. After several hours,
this oil will be forced out and the optical flat must be re-oiled. Indication of
insufficient oil is a jerky movement of the abrasive plate or failure of the plate to turn.
Do not allow the beveler to be operated under these conditions, or damage to the
optical flat surface may occur.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
15
pedest al
Figure 2-2. Pedestal/grinding plate assembly.
For cleaning instructions of the Grinding Plate, please refer to the Maintenance chapter.
7. Assemble optical attachment if supplied. — See Figure 2-2.
a. Screw the vertical mounting post into the threaded hole in the BV-10 base plate. The
Allen head bolt fits through the center of the mounting post and is used to screw the
post onto the base plate.
b. Place the washer over the vertical mounting post such that it is resting on the base
plate.
c. Place the black anodized mounting block onto the vertical mounting post. One of the
thumbscrews is used to clamp the block to the post; the other thumbscrew is used to
clamp the horizontal mounting bar to the block. The block should extend over the
front edge of the BV-10 base plate.
d. Place the steel horizontal mounting bar through the horizontally oriented hole in the
mounting block. The end of the bar with the threaded hole and flat face is directed to
the left. The end of the bar with the setscrew is directed to the right. Orient the bar
such that the flat face is facing up, and clamp in place with the thumbscrew.
e. Screw the chrome post onto the flat face of the horizontal bar with the Allen head
screw provided. Remove the cap screw from the top of the chrome post.
Note: The
chrome post/ horizontal bar may have been shipped as one assembly. If so, then just
install the horizontal bar as in (4) with the chrome post oriented to the left of the
mounting block.
f. Place the microscope-focusing block onto the chrome post. If you have trouble
pushing it onto the post, there is a retaining ring on the inside of the focusing block
hole which will need to be rotated slightly such that the slit in the retaining ring is
aligned with a small pin that protrudes from the retaining ring channel.
g. Once the scope is in place, install the cap screw onto the chrome post. Course focusing
is performed by loosening the thumbscrew on the back of the focusing block and

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
16
adjusting the height of the scope relative to the beveler plate. Fine focusing is
achieved by using the focusing block.
The position of the scope can be easily adjusted by loosening the thumbscrews on the
mounting block and repositioning the scope, then tightening the thumbscrews. To swing the
scope out of the way of the beveler plate, loosen the thumbscrew that clamps the mounting
block to the vertical mounting post and rotate the scope counter clockwise relative to the
vertical post. To adjust the angle of the scope relative to the beveler plate, hold the scope
with one hand while loosening the thumbscrew that clamps the steel horizontal bar to the
mounting block. Then rotate the scope to the appropriate angle and clamp the bar back in
place with the thumbscrew.
Figure 2-3. Components of optical attachment.
Optical attachment component list:
1 40X microscope
1 chrome microscope post with threaded cap screw
1 steel horizontal mounting bar
1 vertical mounting post with Allen head bolt
1 washer
1 black mounting block with 2 thumb screws
This completes the instructions for beveler assembly.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
17
3. OPERATION
3.1 Grinding Procedure
3.1.1 General Information
Place the micropipette or microelectrode you wish to bevel in the pipette clamp located on
the manipulator. The clamp consists of a black nylon block with a V-groove cut in it, and a
screw down nylon washer. The angle of the pipette can be adjusted by loosening the knurled
knob on the backside of the angle plate and positioning the plate at the desired angle
(typically 25 to 30 degrees). The manipulator should be placed such that the tip of the pipette
can be lowered onto the beveling surface about two-thirds out from the center of rotation.
Beveling on the outer edge or the center of the grinding plate should be avoided.
Figure 3-1. Top view of grinding plate.
Precision beveling a micropipette requires detecting when the tip contacts the abrasive
surface and then monitoring the progress of beveling until a predetermined criterion is met.
In cases where the tips are so fine that they cannot be viewed with a microscope, monitoring
the micropipette resistance is very useful. The BV-10M meter was developed for this purpose.
For applications requiring larger diameter tips (>1.0 micron), "bubble" beveling is a useful
technique. Both techniques are described below.
Wet beveling is recommended for most applications. A wick assembly is included to keep an
even distribution of fluid across the grinding plate surface. Adjust the plastic wick holder so
the cotton wick is touching the surface of the grinding plate in the position shown in Figure
3-1. For resistance beveling the wick should be soaked with the saline solution given below.
For bubble-beveling, distilled water, containing Photo-Flo (a 1% solution) is sufficient. The
Photo-Flo is important for keeping the film of water as thin as possible and, by reducing
surface tension, minimizing the tendency of the water to 'drag' the pipette tip.

BV-10 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.00 (20180423)
18
3.1.2 Control of Beveling by Measuring Electrical Resistance
The BV-10M resistance meter is used for continuous monitoring of micropipette resistance
during the beveling process. The meter is supplied with a reference lead that plugs into the
back of the meter, and an active lead that plugs into a BNC receptacle on the side of the
meter. To use the BV-10M meter, insert the active lead into the back of the microelectrode
that has been filled with an electrolyte. The active lead is a small plug-in platinum wire
located on the angle plate of the manipulator. The reference lead is located underneath a
holding washer on the holder end of the wick.
With the wick in place on the grinding plate, turn on the motor and place a few drops of
saline onto the wick. The wick must be saturated at the top, underneath the holding washer,
so the saline will contact the reference wire. A 1-centimeter ring of saline will form across the
grinding plate surface. It is of considerable advantage to have the saline layer on the plate as
thin as possible, in order to reduce the time spent advancing the electrode through the saline
down to the grinding surface.
The meter has four positions on its range switch: Standby, X0.1 for 0-10 megohms, X1 for 0-
100 megohms, and X5 for 0-500 megohms. Depending on the impedance of the unbeveled
electrode, switch the meter to an appropriate measurement range. It is not necessary to
switch to the standby position between beveling electrodes.
Slowly advance the electrode towards the grinding surface while monitoring the meter. The
electrode will first make contact with the saline ring and then with the grinding plate. As
soon as the first change in resistance is noted, stop advancing the electrode. If the resistance
remains steady, it means the electrode has only made contact with the saline, and therefore
must be further advanced to the grinding plate. If the resistance continues to change, the
electrode is in contact with the grinding surface and is being beveled. On contact with the
grinding plate, the electrode resistance should begin to go down as the tip is beveled back. In
general, a 5 to 10% change from the initial resistance reading gives the smallest possible tip
and will produce a good bevel. Since this small change can take place in a few seconds, you
must be ready to quickly back off the manipulator in order to lift the electrode from the
grinding surface.
It is uncommon for there to be minor increases of electrical resistance during beveling –
these increases are probably the result of slight plugging of the tip by fine particles of glass
making the tip abrasive. This problem can be minimized by reducing the angle of beveling.
The danger here is that as the angle to the plate gets smaller, the bevel will become longer
and the tip more fragile. Thus, a compromise must be reached, which in most cases is to
grind at around a 25-degree angle and to accept the fact that some electrodes will go up in
value.
3.1.3 Control of Beveling by Monitoring Bubble Size
Bubble beveling is a technique in which a gas (compressed air, nitrogen) is passed through
the pipette to be beveled while the tip of the pipette is immersed in a thin film of water
Saline Solution for wick:
Per 100 ml water:
0.9 grams of sodium chloride (NaCl)
1.0 ml Kodak Photo-Flo (available at photo stores) to reduce surface tension.