General System Information
It is recommended that the Vi-Cell instrument remains ON at all times. Do NOT turn off the
instrument.
At the end of a run, the sample cup is dumped into a bin inside the machine. The software will
alert you when the bin has become full. To empty the bin, open the side door, remove the metal
tray, and dispose of the cups in a
biohazard waste
container.
Also, all of the liquid waste is collected by the instrument. When the waste container inside the
instrument is full, the software will alert you. First add 50% bleach to the waste, and then you
should dispose of the waste in the proper
hazardous waste
container in the hood. If there is no
waste container please fill out a new waste disposal card by following the example that is taped
inside the door of the Vi-Cell. The waste percentages listed on the card should be the same for
all samples: 0.2% trypan blue + 1% sodium hypoch 15% isopropanol.
If you are
suspending your cells in a solution that is also hazardous, you need to write that information on
the waste card as well – every time you use the cell counter.
As for the instrument reagents, these will be ordered from Beckman Coulter by the lab manager
and stocked near the instrument.
Only the Beckman Coulter reagents are compatible with this
instrument. Do NOT use any other brand of trypan blue.
If we are running low on reagents, you
will need to place them on the order board in the lab. The instrument contains a reagent fuel
tank that displays the relative amount of reagents in the machine and also the remaining number
of runs at all times. When the reagents do run out, once again the software will give you an
alert.
Do NOT attempt to change the reagents on your own.
This is the most common
problem that occurs with the instrument so you will need to locate Catherine to change the
reagents for you. If Catherine is not around, then please see Christina, HD, or Lisa to change the
reagents.
The instrument will be decontaminated once a month by a 50% bleach cleaning and the person in
charge of the Vi-Cell will take care of this process.
