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position. Briefly pressing the ‘Work’ key will reverse the direction and move the micropipette
to the ‘Work’ position (In this way, a micropipette can be partially raised out of the injection
chamber and returned, without having to move all the way out to the ‘Home’ position – see
“Cleaning the Micropipette” below). Note that the micropipette tip moves out at
approximately 45°, no matter what its angle of incidence.
3.1.6
Cleaning the Micropipette
The ‘Work’ and ‘Home’ functions can be used together to clean material from the tip of the
micropipette. Record the ‘Work’ position as the center of the field of view, then activate the
‘Home’ function. As soon as the micropipette tip has passed out of the injection medium,
press ‘Home’ again briefly to stop the micropipette movement. By passing the micropipette
through the surface of the injecting medium, debris on the outside of the micropipette tip is
usually cleared. Press ‘Work’ briefly and the micropipette will return to the ‘Work’ position.
3.1.7
Changing the Working Range of Movement
The range of movement of the micropipette can be varied depending on the desired
movement characteristics and the magnifying power of the microscope. The range can be
changed by simply rotating the range control knob to the desired setting. The ranges
available are listed under Specifications.
3.1.7.1
Setting a ‘Z-Floor’
The ‘Z-floor’ is set in the following manner:
1.
Locate the tip of the micropipette in the field of view of the microscope.
2.
Slowly rotate the Z-axis control clockwise, lowering the micropipette towards the bottom
of the injection chamber, following the micropipette tip down with the microscope’s fine
focus. Use slower speeds (3 – 5) when close to the bottom of the dish.
3.
When the micropipette touches the bottom of the injection chamber it will appear to
move inward as it brushes the bottom of the dish. (
CAUTION: Sharp micropipettes, such
as cell injection micropipettes with high angles of approach, may break if they are pressed
too hard against the bottom of the injection chamber.
) Raise the micropipette up slightly
so that it just clears of the bottom of the chamber.
4.
Press and hold the ‘Z-floor’ key down for about three (3) seconds. A tone will be heard
indicating that it has been set and a green LED will light on the joystick base indicating
that the ‘Z-floor’ is active. The ‘Z-floor’ can be toggled on and off by pressing the key
briefly. When the ‘Z-floor’ is active, the Z-axis will not move any lower than the preset
position, protecting the micropipette from inadvertent crashes. If the micropipette is
moved below the ‘Z-floor’ position when it is inactive, and the ‘Z-floor’ is then activated,
the micropipette will only move upwards when the Z-axis control on the joystick is
rotated. When the ‘Z-floor’ position is reached, normal movement will resume. A new ‘Z-
floor’ can be set at any time to overwrite the previous setting. The ‘Z-floor’ setting is
erased when the micromanipulator is switched off.
CAUTION: If a ‘Work’ position is set below a ‘Z-floor’ limit, the micropipette will move
below the ‘Z-floor’ when the ‘Work’ key is pressed.
XENOWORKS MICROMANIPULATOR SYSTEM (TOUCHDECLUTCH) OPERATION MANUAL – REV.
