15
X-Cite
®
exacte
User Guide
035-00283 rev 3
5.3 Tips to Prevent Premature Degradation of Light Guides
5.3.1 Liquid light guides have a typical useful life of 2-3 years in the X-Cite
®
exacte
when installed and handled properly. The formation of bubbles is one of the
most common reasons for a light guide to degrade prematurely and result in a
sudden reduction in illumination intensity. Bubbles form without warning, usually
due to overheating and/or mechanical stress to the light guide. Below are some
simple tips to avoid overheating and stressing the light guide.
5.3.2 The light guide has a minimum bend radius of 1.6 inches (40.0mm). Bending or
coiling the light guide tighter than this radius will result in permanent damage to
the light guide
.
5.3.3 Make sure the light guide is cooled properly during use, and prevent overheating:
a. Always fully insert the light guide in to the X-Cite
®
unit; this ensures contact
with a heat sink to conduct heat away from the light guide.
b. Never obstruct the air vents on the X-Cite
®
unit. Vents are located at the rear
and underside of the unit.
c. Do not remove the rubber feet on the X-Cite
®
unit or otherwise reduce/block
the space between the bottom of the unit and bench top. This may
compromise airflow through the unit.
d. Ensure that the air being used to ventilate the X-Cite
®
unit is approximately
“room temperature” (e.g. do not place the X-Cite
®
unit on top of another heat-
producing instrument).
e. If a heated environmental chamber is being used for live cell imaging, make
sure that the X-Cite
®
unit and the light guide are located outside of the
chamber.
5.3.4 Do not expose the light guide to extreme temperatures (above 35°C, below -5°C)
for extended periods of time during use, transport or storage; this may cause
degradation of the seals and allow air bubbles to form in the liquid.
5.3.5 Never kink, bend, crush, or stretch the light guide; this type of mechanical stress
may cause bubbles to form in the liquid and/or damage to the outer sheath
a. Always allow adequate clearance between the light guide port of the X-Cite
®
unit and other objects to prevent excessive bending.
b. Place the X-Cite
®
unit close enough to the microscope so that there is some
slack in the light guide and no sharp bends.
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