Cleaning The Optical Probes - Biotek Synergy HT Operator's Manual

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Chapter 5: Preventive Maintenance
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Cleaning the Optical Probes

The optical probes should be cleaned at least quarterly. They should also be cleaned
if reagent has spilled and/or if an unusually high background signal has been
flagged by the assay controls (typically blanks or negative controls).
Contaminated probes can lead to a loss of sensitivity (e.g., instead of being able to
meet the 10 pg/mL concentration detection limit, the instrument may only be able
to meet 20 pg/mL). Another indicator is the %CV in the Corners liquid test—it
may increase due to the "Noise" in the chamber from any spilled fluorescing
compounds.
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To access the optical probes, the first step is to unplug the reader and
remove its shroud (cover). If you haven't already done this, turn to page
106 now for instructions.
chamber and probes are not customer-accessible. Contact BioTek's
Technical Assistance Center with any questions about your particular
model.
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We recommend cleaning the internal tubes and injector heads along with
the optical probes. Instructions for removing and cleaning these
components are provided on pages 108 through 111.
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Before starting this procedure, gather some supplies:
Small container of isopropyl alcohol
Small container of deionized or distilled water
Lens-cleaning tissue
Cotton swabs
Note: For models without injectors, the internal
BioTek Instruments, Inc.