8 - Maintenance

8.1 Parts to be cleaned

The following parts will be checked regularly (during yearly PM) in order to maintain systems functionality. But the user itself can also keep the system tidy with a little effort.

8.1.1 Needle

During the system usage the needles will be cleaned and washed regularly, but at the outer surface there could be buildup of salt-crusts.

Figure 8-1: Example of salt-crust at the outer part of an injection needle.

Note: Clean off the salt-crust using a lint-free tissue and ddH2O.

8.1.2 Syringes

While system usage the syringe pumps can become leaky, thus salt-crust could build up over time.

Figure 8-2: Potential error sources at the syringe pumps. Left: leaking Teflon plunger. Right: Salt- crust at the end of the glass syringe.

Note: Clean off the salt-crust using a lint-free tissue and ddH2O. Replace Teflon plunger, if needed.

8.1.3 Microfluidics, including tubing

While usage or if system is longer idle microbiologic growth could have been build up. Also protein residuals could have been adsorbed to tubing and microfluidics. In order to clean the whole system, cleaning routines like Desorb, Sanitize or Super Clean can be performed.

8.2 Cleaning routines

8.2.1 Desorb

  • Desorb solution Ⅰ: 0.5% SDS in ddH2O
  • Desorb solution ⅠⅠ: 50 mM Glycine, pH 9.5
  • Run Desorb at least every 2 weeks

8.2.2 Sanitize

  • Sanitize solution: 0.5-1% NaClO in ddH2O
  • Run Sanitize at least every 4 weeks

8.2.3 Super Clean

  • Desorb solution Ⅰ: 0.5% SDS in ddH2O
  • Desorb solution ⅠⅠ: 50 mM Glycine, pH 9.5
  • Sanitize solution: 0.5-1% NaClO in ddH2O
  • EDTA solution: 50 mM EDTA, pH 8
  • Acetic acid solution: 1% acetic acid
  • Run Super Clean on demand (e.g. if Desorb or Sanitize is not sufficient)

8.3 Functional Test

To proof systems functionality please run test injections after the cleaning to check systems functionality. Choose all spot-addressing to verify the functionality and run the injections in multiple repeats.