58 | Preventive Maintenance
BioTek Instruments, Inc.
Overview
The level of the maintenance required to keep the MicroFlo performing as expected is
highly dependent on several factors, including the type of fluid dispensed, the
frequency of dispensing, and the work habits employed. For example, when
dispensing fluids that can crystallize or harden after use, maintenance activities are
required more frequently. Similarly, when using the 1µL cassette fluids should be
filtered to 50 microns to reduce the chance of tips clogging.
Daily maintenance includes purging the fluid at the end of a dispense run and flushing
the tubing with water (or buffered saline and then water). This is a good practice
whenever the dispenser will be idle for more than an hour, as well as at the end of the
day.
Another important daily requirement is keeping track of the number of plates
processed with a cassette. This is necessary to determine when the cassette has reached
its expected lifetime and is due for replacement or recalibration. Replacement Tubing
Kits, as well as new cassettes are available from BioTek Instruments.
Monthly maintenance requires overall cleaning of the dispenser and its accessories,
and verifying performance to determine if the cassette needs recalibration. Autoclaving
or decontaminating the cassette is also recommended.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Tasks Page Daily
Monthly As needed
Flush Tubing Cassette 59
√
Record The Approximate Number Of
Plates Processed
60
√
Clean Exterior Surfaces 61
√
Clean Prime Trough And Drain Tube 61
√
Verify Performance 62
√
Recalibrate Cassette 65
√
Unclog Dispense Tips 63
√
Replace Tubing 65
√
Decontaminate 66
Before shipping
or storage