Thermo Scientific Vitrobot Mk IV, User Manual

Page: 30 / 38

Chapter | Operating Instructions
Confidential, limited rights
PN 103261 | Revision D | 23-Oct-2019
User Manual
Page 30
3.10 Summary - Vitrification Control through UI
This table summarizes the instrument action in relation with the activated knobs and buttons
in the Vitrobot User Interface.
Console screen Instrument action
Humidity disabled/enabled Humidity will be brought to the set value when enabled
Place new grid Shutter opens and forceps are presented or can be placed. Make sure
the application side of the grid is at the right or left side (equal to the
application orientation), when the forceps number on the brass dovetail
is visible.
Continue Forceps enter the chamber, shutter closes (time for thermal
equilibration) and the ethane container is raised (optional). “Place new
grid” will still be active in case grid replacement is considered essential.
(Continue)
When “auto raise ethane lift” is switched off from the options page;
“continue” (or foot pedal) should be pressed again before the next step
can be activated.
Start process Specimen preparation and vitrification will proceed according to the
parameters set from the software (see guidelines above). Processing
ends by sample vitrification and lowering the vitrified sample in the
ethane for sample retrieval. The humidifier will be shut off automatically
at the end of the process to prevent excessive use of water.
Place new grid Once vitrification is completed processing of a new specimen can be
started. By activating “place new grid” the forceps is raised above the
ethane level to place a new grid (a closed loop in instrument operation).
At this stage varying of instrument parameters should be considered to
meet the requirements of the specimen.
At the end of the working day, the Vitrobot can be switched off. To do this, press the “Exit”
button in the interface. The following question appears:
After removal of the tweezers, the central axis is moving into its parking position (inside the
climate chamber), the LED is switched off and the user interface shuts down. The LCD will
light up brightly. The Vitrobot may be shutdown subsequently.