Polymer Block Cleaning Kit For Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers Protocol April 29, 2003 11:17 am, Title.fm
Copyright 2003, Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. NOTICE TO PURCHASER: REFER TO THE APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS 3730/3730XL DNA ANALYZER USER GUIDE AND THE REAGENT PACKAGE INSERTS FOR LIMITED LABEL LICENSE OR DISCLAIMER INFORMATION. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Applied Biosystems assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. This document is believed to be complete and accurate at the time of publication. In no event shall Applied Biosystems be liable for incidental, special, multiple, or consequential damages in connection with or arising from the use of this document. TRADEMARKS: ABI PRISM and its design and Applied Biosystems are registered trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and certain other countries. AB (Design) and Applera are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Part Number 4335731 Rev. B 04/2003 April 29, 2003 11:17 am, Title.fm
Contents About This Kit.............................................. 1 Safety.................................................... 2 Polymer Block Care......................................... 2 Cleaning the Upper Polymer Block.............................. 3 Cleaning the Lower Polymer Block.............................. 6 Reinstalling the Upper and Lower Polymer Blocks.................. 8 Obtaining Technical Support.................................. 11 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers April 29, 2003 11:17 am, PolyBlockCleanTOC.fm iii
Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers April 29, 2003 11:17 am, PolyBlockCleanTOC.fm iv
About This Kit About This Kit Purpose When to Use The Polymer Block Cleaning Kit (P/N 4335860) allows you to clean the upper and lower polymer block assemblies of Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers. Clean the upper and lower polymer block assemblies when you: Install a syringe onto the polymer block Remove or replace a capillary array Perform a shut down Have polymer in the syringe or blocks at room temperature for more than 1 week Kit Contents The Polymer Block Cleaning Kit contains the following items: Item Part Number Syringe, 20-mL, silicone-free 4324463 Syringe adaptor, 6-mm, 2 each, black 4322928 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 1
Safety Warnings POP-7 Polymer Heed the following warning while preforming the procedures in this protocol. CHEMICAL HAZARD. POP-7 polymer causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Read the MSDS, and follow the handling instructions. Wear appropriate protective eyewear, clothing, and gloves. Polymer Block Care Avoiding Damage to the Blocks The upper and lower polymer blocks can be irreversibly damaged if: Polymer dries in the polymer channels of the upper or lower polymer block The inside of the channel surface is scratched The block is exposed to organic solvent The block is exposed to temperatures greater than 70 C IMPORTANT! Use clean, powder-free, silicone-free latex gloves whenever you handle the polymer block or any item in the polymer path to minimize background fluorescence. 2 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers
Cleaning the Upper Polymer Block Cleaning the Upper Polymer Block Installed Polymer Blocks The polymer blocks as they appear when correctly installed on the instrument are shown in Fig. 1. 0.1 0.2 500-µL glass syringe Upper polymer block SST check valve Polymer cap tube assembly Polymer bottle Buffer valve pin Polymer block interconnect tubing Lower polymer block Anode Buffer jar GR2213 Figure 1 Installed polymer blocks Upper Polymer Block The upper polymer block with the plastic cleaning syringe and syringe adaptor attached is shown in Fig 2. GR2208 Upper polymer block SST check valve 6-mm syringe luer adaptor 20-mL silicone-free plastic syringe Interconnecting polymer PEEK tubing Figure 2 Upper polymer block cleaning setup Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 3
Removing the Upper Block Cleaning the Upper Polymer Block To remove the upper polymer block: 1. Remove the 500-µL glass syringe from the upper polymer block. 2. Remove the capillary array from the upper polymer block. IMPORTANT! Do not remove the stainless steel (SST) check valve from the bottom of the upper polymer block. 3. Disconnect the polymer tubing from the lower polymer block. 4. Remove the polymer cap tubing from the SST check valve (finger tight). To clean the upper polymer block: 1. Fill the 20-mL silicone-free plastic syringe (P/N 4324463) with warm deionized water. IMPORTANT! Do not use water above 70 C. 2. Fit the 6-mm luer plastic syringe adaptor (P/N 4322928) onto the plastic 20-mL syringe. IMPORTANT! Do not use the 500-µL glass syringe to force air or water through the channels. This action damages the syringe plunger and causes the syringe to leak. 3. Thread the 6-mm luer plastic syringe adaptor into the stainless steel check valve. IMPORTANT! To clean out the check valve, attach the luer fitting as shown in figure 2. Water must flow freely only from the plastic syringe to the upper polymer block. If the plastic syringe is able to aspirate water, the check valve is clogged and requires more rinsing. 4. Force at least 3 plastic syringe volumes of warm deionized water (70 C or below) through each channel in turn by sealing their openings with your fingers. 5. Force deionized water through the polymer block tubing. 4 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers
Cleaning the Upper Polymer Block 6. Inspect the channels for dried polymer, visible as white residue. Wash partially obstructed channels with warm deionized water until the dried polymer is removed. IMPORTANT! It may take a while for the warm water to clear the obstruction. Do not use any pointed or sharp objects to clear the channel, even if the channel is completely obstructed with dried polymer. 7. After washing, rinse the upper polymer block and all the fittings thoroughly with deionized water. 8. After rinsing, follow the procedures described below: If you... Are placing the upper polymer block on the instrument for immediate use directly after cleaning Are not placing the upper polymer block on the instrument for immediate use directly after cleaning Then... Shake the water out of the channels and install the upper polymer block on the instrument. During the bubble purge wizard procedure, any remaining deionized water is flushed out with fresh polymer. Leave the upper polymer block in a beaker of deionized water until you are ready to use it. Note: Make sure that the check valve is completely submerged. IMPORTANT! Do not use canned compressed air to dry polymer blocks. Do not use the 500-µL glass syringe to force air or water through the channels. This action damages the syringe plunger and causes the syringe to leak. Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 5
Cleaning the Lower Polymer Block Lower Polymer Block The lower polymer block with the syringe and syringe adaptor attached is shown in Fig. 3. Buffer valve pin 20-mL silicone-free syringe 6-mm syringe luer adaptor (black) Lower polymer block GR2191 Figure 3 Lower polymer block cleaning setup Removing the Lower Block To remove the lower polymer block: 1. Make sure that the buffer valve is open (in the up position). 2. Remove the interconnect PEEK tube and fitting from the lower polymer block. 3. Remove the lower polymer block from the instrument. 6 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers
Cleaning the Lower Polymer Block Cleaning the Lower Block To clean the lower polymer block: 1. Rinse all the fittings with warm deionized water. Soak any fittings that are covered with polymer. IMPORTANT! Do not use water above 70 C to rinse the fittings or the polymer block. 2. With the lower polymer block in warm water (70 C or below), move the buffer valve in and out to ensure any encrusted polymer is removed from the guide channel. IMPORTANT! Do not remove any of the components from the lower polymer block. 3. Fill the 20-mL silicone-free plastic syringe (P/N 4324463) with warm water (70 C or below). IMPORTANT! Do not use the 500-µL glass syringe to force air or water through the channels. This action damages the syringe plunger and causes the syringe to leak. 4. Fit the 6-mm plastic syringe adaptor (P/N 4322928) onto the 20-mL silicone-free plastic syringe. 5. Thread the 6-mm plastic syringe adaptor into the polymer block where the polymer fitting was originally located. 6. Force several plastic syringe volumes of warm water (70 C or below) through the channel. 7. Visually inspect the channels for dried polymer, which appears as white residue. Wash partially obstructed channels with warm water (70 C or below) until the dried polymer is removed. IMPORTANT! It may take a while for the warm water to clear the obstruction. Do not use any pointed or sharp objects to clear the channel, even if the channel is completely obstructed with dried polymer. 8. Rinse the lower polymer block and all the fittings thoroughly using deionized water. IMPORTANT! Do not leave the lower polymer block soaking in warm deionized water because the O-ring will crack over time. 9. Shake excess deionized water from the lower polymer block, then store it until needed. Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 7
Reinstalling the Upper and Lower Polymer Blocks Reinstalling the Polymer Blocks To reinstall the polymer blocks on the instrument: 1. Connect the tubing between the two blocks before attaching the blocks to the instrument: a. Insert a ferrule, at one of the tubing, into the upper polymer block and then rotate until finger tight. Do not over tighten. Note: The end of the interconnect PEEK tube must press against the end of the hole. This ensures that no bubbles are trapped during Bubble Purge wizard procedure. Also, make sure the interconnect PEEK tubing is not crimped. b. Insert a ferrule, at the other end of the tubing, into the lower polymer block and then rotate until finger tight. Do not over tighten. IMPORTANT! An air gap between the interconnect PEEK tubing and the stop may cause arcing. IMPORTANT! To ensure that you correctly attach the upper polymer block to the instrument, make sure that the check valve on the bottom of the block faces down (as shown below). Check valve at bottom of the upper block, facing down toward the lower block. Figure 4 Check valve on upper block 8 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers
Reinstalling the Upper and Lower Polymer Blocks 2. Simultaneously push the upper polymer block and the lower polymer block onto their respective guide pins (as shown below). Then, simultaneously push both blocks to a point about halfway onto the guide pins (toward the instrument wall). Upper block guide pins IMPORTANT! Be sure not to kink the interconnect PEEK tube (tube between the upper and lower polymer block). A kink causes a restriction in the tube which can result in softening during electrophoresis requiring the tube to be replaced. Lower block guide pins Figure 5 Reinstalling the polymer blocks I Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 9
3. Finish by pushing each block individually until they are flush against the instrument wall (as shown below). Push one......and then the other Yoke IMPORTANT! Be sure to align the yoke and the pin before the final push to the wall of the instrument. Any misalignment may cause pin damage Pin Figure 6 Reinstalling the polymer blocks II 0.1 0.2 500-µL glass syringe Upper polymer block SST check valve Polymer cap tube assembly Polymer bottle Buffer valve pin Polymer block interconnect tubing Lower polymer block Anode Buffer jar GR2213 4. Install a clean drip tray. 5. Install the capillary array using the Install Capillary Array wizard in the 3730/3730xl Data Collection software. 6. Install remaining components on the block assembly. 10 Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers
Obtaining Technical Support Obtaining Technical Support Service and Support A services and support page is available on the Applied Biosystems Web site: http://www.appliedbiosystems.com At the services and support page, you can: Search through frequently asked questions (FAQs) Submit a question directly to Technical Support Order Applied Biosystems user documents, MSDSs, certificates of analysis, and other related documents Download PDF documents Obtain information about customer training Download software updates and patches In addition, the services and support page provides worldwide telephone and fax numbers to contact Applied Biosystems Technical Support and Sales facilities. Polymer Block Cleaning Kit for 3730/3730xl DNA Analyzers 11
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