RE: DiVa nozzle salt volcano

Hi Frank,
I see that all the time on our Vantage, but I assumed that was normal (well, expected to happen).  I haven't had it happen during a sort, just while I'm running PBS through it to keep it de-bubbled.  I flip the switch to fill and back to standby a few times, and it seems to clear it out.  I also haven't seen it affect the stream.  I assumed it was probably a seepage out of the nozzle, although I haven't seen any......If you get any further info, please let me know,  I've just sort of lived with it.......
 
Julie Parmentier
Scientist, Cancer Biologics
AstraZeneca

-----Original Message-----
From: WEHICytometry [mailto:facs_copy@wehi.EDU.AU]
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 11:01 PM
To: cyto-inbox
Subject: DiVa nozzle salt volcano


In 31 years of flow cytometry I hadn't seen this before (although I don't get out much).  Lately we experience this phenomenon on our FACSVantageSEDiVa where, in the course of a few hours, the nozzle grows a salt volcano around the stream (I've attached a picture).  This does not affect the breakoff nor the sort streams nor even the acquired data until the volcano grows high enough to impinge on the first laser.  It can also be removed easily by a wipe with a wet swab (although that's really inconvenient if the need arises during a sort).	Note: we are talking about a 70 micron nozzle running PBS as sheath at 30 psi - nothing fancy.	 

The question is: what causes it?  We *see* no leaks outside the nozzle tip but I'm wondering if the orifice has eroded and that's causing seepage.  Is there anyone who has seen this and/or has an idea of the cause?

Frank Battye. 



    |	 |  << The Cytometry Laboratory
     \__/ <<<< The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
------!!<<<<<< 1G Royal Parade, Parkville
     /!!\ <<<< Victoria 3050, Australia
    o !! \  << ph: +61_3_9345 2540, fax: +61_3_9347 0852