
Chapter 3
Instrument operation
29
Osmo1
®
Single-Sample Micro-Osmometer User Guide
15.
Insert a clean, dry chamber cleaner into the sample
port until you feel a positive stop. Rotate four or five
times in one direction while applying forward
pressure (Figure 21).
Figure 21: Cleaning sample well with chamber cleaner
16.
Withdraw the cleaner and use the other end to clean
the probe again in the same manner.
Leave the cleaner in the sample port until the next
test.
NOTE:
If you want to confirm that you cleaned the
instrument correctly, remove the cleaner and
inspect it. Each end of the cleaner should have
a small puncture hole, indicating proper
cleaning. If you have finished testing samples
for the time being, insert the cleaner back into
the port after inspecting it.
17.
Test more samples or exit:
•
To test additional samples
, repeat this procedure
beginning with step 4 (page 26).
•
If you have no more samples to test
and
if you are
logged into the instrument, tap the
Login
button to
log out. Confirm that the Login button changes
from green to gray or orange.
3.6 Repeatability tips
•
Treat all samples, standards, and reference solutions
uniformly before the test.
•
Discard ampules after use. Do not store open ampules
with Parafilm
®
.
•
Keep sample containers closed when not in use.
Micro-samples are more susceptible to contamination
and evaporation than larger samples. Cold samples are
susceptible to condensation; warmer samples are
susceptible to evaporation.
•
Only use the sampler that was supplied with your
instrument or one that is listed in the parts and
accessories section of this User Guide. Each sampler
comes with specific operating instructions and
re-order information.
•
Cross-contamination from previous samples can affect
the result obtained from a subsequent test. To
minimize this effect when testing samples whose
expected range is appreciably different from that for
previous tests, run two or more replicates of the new
sample and disregard the first result. Also, be sure to
clean the cooling chamber and sampler properly after
each test.
•
If an occasional sample produces irregular results but
the instrument has been producing accurate readings,
discard the irregular readings and repeat the sample in
question.
•
For repeat runs, use additional samples from the same
source.
•
Proper cleaning of the cooling chamber between tests
is very important. Follow the procedure given in this
chapter. Never inject anything into the cooling
chamber.