Lab-Line 314, Operation Manual, Page: 36 / 49

36
OPERATION:
(Con’t)
HINTS ON USING THE FYRITE*:
The following information is intended to supplement that found in the
Fyrite manual and is based on experience working with users of our Incubators .
One of the most important aspects of using the Fyrite procedure
and one that is frequently overlooked is the condition of the fluid. The
Fyrite accepts a sample of the Incubator's environment into its own
chamber where it is absorbed by the Fyrite fluid to determine the CO
2
percentage or tension. Of special importance is keeping outside air from
the sample drawn from the Incubator. Any outside air contaminating the
sample is detrimental to an accurate reading, and, more importantly, to the
growth of your cells. Inspection of the fluid should be performed only with
the user wearing protective gloves, as the Fyrite fluid is slightly corrosive.
The inspection should
review the following:
•
THE DATE OF THE LAST FLUID CHANGE: Old fluid will not absorb as
much CO
2
and will produce a false reading. This may lead the user to
recalibrate the Incubator to higher CO
2
tensions that can prove lethal to
cell cultures. Fyrite fluid should be changed after approximately 350 uses.
This approximates a change of fluid once a year if the Fyrite procedure is
carried out on a daily basis. Keep track of the number of uses and if the
Fyrite is used with more than one Incubator. Experience shows that the
color of the fluid is not as important as the age of fluid.
•
CHECK THE CONTAINMENT VESSEL AND HOSES AT LEAST ONCE A
MONTH: Make sure that there are no cracks in the vessel or leakage of
fluid to the outside of the container. This can indicate a leaky seal or
internal crack. Hoses should be stretched slightly and inspected for
cracks or holes. This is critical as cracks and/or holes in the hoses can
draw in outside ambient air and produce a false reading.
•
CHECK THE FLUID DAILY AND ADJUST THE SLIDE GAUGE TO READ
ZERO: If you have adjusted the slide gauge all the way down and the fluid
level is still too low, place a couple of drops of distilled water into the
plunger on the top of the Fyrite. Depress the plunger and the water will
transfer into the Fyrite causing the fluid level to rise. Repeat this procedure
until the fluid level reads correctly.
CAUTION: A LITTLE WATER GOES A LONG WAY. USE ONLY A COUPLE
OF DROPS OF DISTILLED WATER AT A TIME.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE FYRITE FLUID TO ADJUST THE LEVEL OF FLUID
USE DISTILLED WATER ONLY. THE ONLY TIME TO USE FRESH FYRITE
FLUID IS WHEN YOU CHANGE IT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE FLUID.
*Trademark of Bacharach Instruments.