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Is there a life expectancy for the nozzles on the FACS Vantage (FACstar Plus)?
We have had our Vantage for about two years and have three 70um tip that I'm
unable to get tight CV's and short stream break off points for sorting. I'm
I not cleaning the nozzle good enough? or do the nozzles wear down where their
orfice is rough and produces turbulence.These nozzles are very expensive and
any response would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Davin Jutila
DAVIN JUTILA, DIRECTOR SIU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
FLOW CYTOMETRY FACILITY-1220 SPRINGFIELD, IL 62702
PHONE: (217)-524-5812 FAX: (217)-524-3227
EMAIL: SM0973%SPRINGB@SIUCVMB.SIU.EDU
I use nozzle tips until they actually break. Rarely will they get so
plugged up that I am unable to clean them out.
How to clean a nozzle tip:
1. Get a 20 mL syringe, luer tip. Cut off about 1/2" of sheath
tubing and jam it onto the end of the syringe. Fill the syringe with
your favorite cleaning solution (particle-free water, or 1:100
dilution of liquid detergent -- stay away from the powders, they have
particles which make the jammed tip worse, or 70% ethanol or
methanol). Fit the end of the tubing over the end of the nozzle tip
and plunge the liquid in the syringe backwards through the nozzle
orifice. Look for a thin, straight stream coming out the nozzle.
2. Use canned air to blow plugs and liquids out of the nozzle tip,
again backwards through the orifice.
3. Use a dissecting microscope (or regular scope on 10x or 20x
objective) to look at the orifice in the nozzle tip. This is the best
way to verify that the nozzle is *really* clean. Look for a perfectly
round orifice with no beads or other stuff hanging on inside the
orifice. Look for a chipped orifice. The hole should be perfectly
round. If it is chipped or not perfectly round, you will probably have
trouble with it.
Other hints on cleaning sorting tips?
Steve Micko
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