M.I. P/N 004-2163 Rev. C
22
K Factor
The K factor is a calibration value that is specific to your system. While all of the parts of
your MPVS
Ultra
system are made with precision, slight variations are inherent in the
design. The K factor is used to reduce the error in the resistivity reading. Your system is
delivered with a K factor. The K factor is entered when you create a new entry in the
Millar Cuvette Selection table. It cannot be changed from the main interface shown
above. The software will not accept a K factor value below 0.100.
Create New Cuvette
Use this feature to create an entry in the Millar Cuvette Selection table. This will allow
you to use the K factor that is specific to your system. Before clicking the Create New
Cuvette button, be sure that the gain in the Gain-Conductance Range field is correct.
(Unless a need arises to do otherwise, use a gain of x1.) After clicking the Create New
Cuvette button, enter a name for the cuvette configuration (for example, you may choose to
use the lot number written on the cable). Enter the K factor for your system. (The gain
cannot be changed in this view.) Click OK, then click on the new entry in the Millar
Cuvette Selection table.
Delete Highlighted Cuvette Entry
Unwanted entries can be deleted from the table if desired. The catalog model entry cannot
be deleted.
Gain Conductance Range
The MPVS
Ultra
provides seven gain settings which serve to optimize the accuracy of the
resistivity reading for a particular fluid. Fluids used in most experiments will be best
measured with a gain of
x
2.
Export
Click the
Export
button to place the displayed resistivity value into the
Blood Resistivity
field on the Catheter Configuration tab. This will automatically unlock the catheter
configuration.
Millar recommends saving the file with a descriptive name to ease later identification.
Measuring the resistivity of a blood sample
1.
Connect the cuvette (shown below) to the MPVS
Ultra
‘s Cuvette input. Warm the
cuvette to body temperature in order to minimize errors due to the change in the blood’s
temperature. The cuvette can be placed under the animal or a warming mat or it can be
submerged in warm water. Do not submerge the cable and connector.
Detailed Operation
