Sigma 2-5, Operating Instruction

Page: 44 / 55

Operating Manual SIGMA 2-5, page 44 of 55
03/06
6.4 Glass Breakage
In case of glass breakage all glass particles must be carefully removed. Rubber
inserts have to be cleaned carefully and possibly be replaced. If a problem has
occured, the following has to be considered:
Glass particles in the rubber cushion will cause glass breakage again.
Glass particles in the rotor pins prevent buckets and carriers from swinging
evenly which will cause an imbalance.
Glass particles in the centrifuge chamber will cause metal abrasion due to the
strong air circulation. This dust will not only pollute the centrifuge chamber, the
rotor and the material to be centrifuged but also damage the surfaces of the
accessories, the rotors and the centrifuge chamber.
In order to totally remove the glass particles and the metal dust from the rotor
chamber, it is advisable to grease the upper part of the centrifuge chamber with
e.g. Vaseline. Then the rotor should rotate for some minutes at a moderate
speed. The glass and metal particles will now collect at the greased part and can
easily be removed with a cloth together with the grease. If necessary repeat this
procedure.
6.5 Sterilization and Disinfection of Rotor Chamber and
Accessories
All usual disinfectants like eg. Sagrotan, Buraton or Terralin (to obtain at
chemist’s shops) can be used. The centrifuges and the accessories consist of
different materials. A possible incompatibility must be considered. Before using
detergents or decontamination agents which had not been recommended by us,
the user has to contact us to make sure that such procedure would not damage
the centrifuge. For sterilization by steam resistance to temperature of the
individual material must be checked (refer to point 6.5.1 “Autoclaving“). Please
contact your laboratory safety officer regarding proper methods to use. If
dangerous materials are used, the centrifuge and the accessories must be
disinfected.
Principally we want to point out that for centrifuging of e.g. infectious material
certified and hermetically sealed accessories have to be used in order to avoid
that the centrifuge is contaminated.