Operation Manual Maintenance
10-2
Tip Care
The probe tip may be sterilized either by immersing in boiling water, autoclaving, or in a detergent
bactericide and a disinfectant. DO NOT AUTOCLAVE OR IMMERSE CONVERTOR AT ANY TIME.
Before each procedure place the probe tip in water or alcohol and turn the power on for a few seconds
to remove residue. The tip also can be sterilized using alcohol with the power on. Alcohol is a volatile
compound and proper handling precautions must be taken while sterilizing with alcohol.
The sides and end of the tip must NEVER be allowed to come in contact with anything but the solution.
When using a microtip, the stress resulting at the point of contact with the vessel could cause the
microtip to fracture. Standard probes may not fracture if they come in contact with the vessel, but can
damage the vessel.
Touching the vessel wall with the tip will release tiny glass and titanium particles into the sample that
may gray the solution. The particles will form a thin dark gray layer on centrifuging but usually have an
insignificant effect chemically.
Proper care of the probe is essential for dependable service. The intense cavitation will, after a
prolonged period, cause the tip to erode, and decrease the efficiency of the sonication process without
showing up on the power monitor. The smoother and more polished the tip, the more power will be
transmitted into the liquid. Any erosion of the probe tip will increase the rate of future erosion. For that
reason, it is recommended that after every 5 or 6 hours of use, the tip be examined, and if necessary,
polished with a fine emery cloth. Since the probe and tip are tuned to vibrate at a specific frequency, it
is important that only the contaminated surface be removed. If tip or horn is excessively eroded,
replace the tip or horn as in instructions on 6-4. When changing the tip, check for wear in all mating
surfaces. If the horn itself is worn or damaged, replace the horn as well.
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