WPI EVOM3, Instruction Manual

Page: 30 / 52

26 World Precision Instruments
MAINTENANCE
Electrodes must be properly cleaned, sterilized and stored.
CAUTION : Do not flame electrodes. Doing so will cause them to melt.
Cleaning/Maintaining the STX2-PLUS Electrodes
IMPORTANT! With the use of DMEM, the electrode surface will become coated with
protein or other foreign materials. This build-up, or contamination, will degrade the
performance of the system. After every use, rinse the STX electrodes with distilled
water and store them dry. Periodically clean your STX electrodes with Tergazyme,
Enzol or Endozyme proteolytic detergents. (These detergents are manufactured by
Alconox, Johnson & Johnson, Ruhof.)
1. Before use, rechloride the STX2-PLUS electrode by immersing the electrode tips
in 3-6% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for 10-15 minutes. Chloriding needs to be
done every 2-3 days when used frequently. See "Rechloriding the Electrodes" on
page 27.
2. Rinse the electrode with sterile distilled water or buffer.
3. OPTIONAL. Quickly dip the electrode tips in alcohol followed by a quick dip in
distilled water or a buffer solution.
4. Make your experimental measurements.
5. Following electrode use, soak the electrode tips in 70% ethanol for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse with distilled water, and let them air dry. Store electrode dry and in a place
away from light or with minimal light.
NOTE : When the electrodes are used frequently, disinfect them every 2-3 days. Make
a 1% solution of Tergazyme according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Suspend the
tips of the electrodes in the Tergazyme solution, with the exposed electrode surfaces
fully immersed. During soaking, you can brush the surfaces of the electrodes with a
soft brush (like a toothbrush), if desired. Soak the electrode tips in 1% Tergazyme for
10-15 minutes. Then, rinse them with distilled water. Allow them to air dry and store
the electrodes dry away from exposure to sunlight.
Repeat this procedure each time you make measurements.
Disinfecting the STX2-PLUS Electrodes
The STX2-PLUS electrodes are resistant to most methods of low temperature
chemical disinfection. A solution of 5% sodium hypochlorite (undiluted household
bleach) is a good choice. Cidex OPA or Rapicide OPA, 30/70 ethanol or 30/70 isopropyl
alcohol are also acceptable.
Alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) can be used to disinfect the electrode. The electrode