At 10:19 2/11/97 -0600, Jim Zanghi wrote: >I was wondering about what types of solutions can be run through a flow >cytometer without causing damage or corrosion. Is pure ethanol okay? On >the advise of others, I have run 50% hot bleach to clear up clogs, but I >was very weary about doing this since bleach corrodes stainless steel. >I've always followed with a 5 minute water rinse, but this concentration of >bleach seems a bit extreme (we routinely use 10% bleach at room temp). >If 0.1% triton or 70% ethanol is as effective as 50% hot bleach, than this >seems to be the way to go. Any thoughts about this? What do >manufacturers recommend? I have the company recommendation for small quantities of bleach to be taken through the sample tubing (as if it was a sample). Then, I have used 1% SDS 3 mls or so and then DDH20, where if the machine allows, I turn it off with DDH20 in place (Calibur). For an Elite, I had a technician who also applied Jet-Dry to the sample tubing and nozzle and I never once doubted her in the claim of keeping salts from developing on the nozzle. (She used, bleach, jet-dry, and DDH20 in that order prior to shut-down.) As long a filters are by-passed, EtOH should be OK in pure analytical machines. It is not recommended for any model of sorter. Despite any sort of checklists, charged flow plates will often be left on and EtOH is the *last* thing you want between charged plates as it a major fire hazzard. As far a clogs go mid-run, I always keep that tube of 1-2% SDS handy. David ============================= David L. Haviland, Ph.D. Asst. Prof. Immunology University of Texas - Houston, H.S.C. Institute of Molecular Medicine 2121 W. Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030 Internet:"dhavilan@imm2.imm.uth.tmc.edu" Voice: 713.500.2413 FAX: 713.500.2424 ------------------------------------------------------ " Sometimes you're the windsheild, sometimes you're the bug." =============================
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