106735829
Document type: SOP
Document code: TB 07-09
iLED MICROSCOPE USE AND
MAINTENANCE
Confidentiality: none
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
PURPOSE...................................................................................................................... 2
2.
SCOPE .......................................................................................................................... 2
3.
RESPONSIBILITIES ...................................................................................................... 2
4.
CROSS-REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 2
5.
PROCEDURES .............................................................................................................. 2
5.1. Safety ................................................................................................................................ 2
5.2. Set-up ............................................................................................................................... 3
5.3. Operation .......................................................................................................................... 3
5.3.1. Transmitted light (Brightfield) ............................................................................................... 3
5.3.2. Reflected light (Fluorescence)................................................................................................ 3
5.3.3. General operation.................................................................................................................. 4
5.3.4 Use of battery supply unit...................................................................................................... 4
5.4. Care and Cleaning ............................................................................................................... 5
5.5. Repair and servicing of the microscope ................................................................................ 5
6.
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 5
7.
CHANGE HISTORY ....................................................................................................... 5
This SOP template has been developed by FIND for adaption and use in TB laboratories
Release date: ddMMMyy
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1. PURPOSE
This SOP describes the use and maintenance of the __________________ iLED microscope. This
microscope can be used for both light and fluorescence microscopy, using the reflected light
fluorescence illuminator. The microscope can operate using mains power supply or the battery unit in
case of interrupted mains power.
2.
SCOPE
This SOP is to be applied in the _________________TB Laboratory.
3.
RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff members working in the _________________TB Laboratory are responsible for the
implementation of this operating procedure. Only trained staff members are permitted to operate the
iLED microscope. All users of this procedure who do not understand it or are unable to carry it out as
described are responsible for seeking advice from their supervisor.
4.
CROSS-REFERENCES
See:
Document Matrix_TB 01-01_V1.0.doc
Location:
Refer to SOPs listed under TB 02 (General Procedures), TB 03 (Specimen Handling) and TB 04
(Microscopy Methods).
5.
PROCEDURES
5.1. Safety
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Preventive maintenance procedures for the microscope must be carried out according to the
preventive maintenance section in this SOP.
Any problem or malfunction detected must be reported to the Head of the TB Laboratory, who
will contact the maintenance contractor to correct the problem/malfunction as soon as
possible.
Users are NOT to make any repairs. Repair and service of the microscope must be done by a
qualified service technician.
In the case of any problem or malfunction an Equipment Failure Notice must be placed on the
microscope indicating that it is not to be used until the problem has been diagnosed and
corrected.
An Equipment Failure Report must be issued.
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Use:
Equipment Failure Notice_form.doc
Equipment Failure Report_form.doc
Location:
5.2. Set-up
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A microscope must always be used with gentleness and care.
Place the microscope on a firm bench so that it does not vibrate.
Make sure it will not be exposed to direct sunlight because this would be unsuitable for
illumination, bad for the instrument and dangerously bright for the eyes.
Refer to the operating manual for instructions on start-up and operation of the microscope,
including adjustment to eyepieces and viewing height.
5.3. Operation
5.3.1. Transmitted light (Brightfield)
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Always turn the transmitted light/reflected light changeover switch first upward and then to
the desired position for reflected light (Fluorescence) or transmitted light position (Brightfield).
Turn the transmitted light / reflected light changeover switch upward to the transmitted light
position (Brightfield)
Note: The reflected light illuminator will be damaged if you use force to turn it downward!
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Switch on the transmitted light illuminator with the rotary knob and adjust the illuminator to the
desired intensity.
Place the specimen in the holder of the mechanical stage, making sure that the underside of
the slide is completely dry.
Push the slider with the yellow filter with its filter position into the light path.
Adjust the desired magnification by rotating the corresponding objective into the light path.
Set the control lever of the condenser aperture diaphragm to the required magnification (10x,
40x, 100x)
Focus on the specimen using the focusing drive.
Turn the rotary knob to adjust the illumination to a pleasant brightness for observation.
5.3.2. Reflected light (Fluorescence)
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Always turn the transmitted light/reflected light changeover switch first upward and then to
the desired position for reflected light (Fluorescence) or transmitted light position (Brightfield).
Turn the transmitted light / reflected light changeover switch upward to the transmitted light
position (Brightfield)
Note: The reflected light illuminator will be damaged if you use force to turn it downward!
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Switch on the transmitted light illuminator with the rotary knob and adjust the illuminator to the
desired intensity.
Place the specimen in the holder of the mechanical stage, making sure that the underside of
the slide is completely dry.
Push the slider with the yellow filter with its filter position into the light path.
Turn the nosepiece to position the objective for fluorescence in the light path (x40 objective).
Turn the transmitted light / reflected light changeover switch upward to the reflected light
position (Fluorescence) (FIRST TURN IT FULLY UPWARD).
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Switch on the transmitted light illuminator with the rotary knob and adjust the illuminator to the
desired intensity.
Switch on the reflected light LED using the rotary knob and adjust the illumination intensity to
a pleasant level for observation.
The pilot lamp at the front of the illuminator shows blue; the brightness of the lamp
corresponds to illumination intensity for reflected light.
Focus on the specimen using the focusing drive.
To avoid interfering fluorescences, push the blocking position of the slider into the light path.
5.3.3. General operation
1. Select the object to be used. It is usually better to begin examination with 10 x objective.
Once in focus, all the other objectives should also be nearly in focus.
2. Focus the objective. Rack the objective carefully downwards using the coarse focusing drive
and looking at it from the side until the lens is near the specimen but not touching it. Then
while looking through the eyepiece, rack the objective slowly upwards still with the coarse
adjustments until the image comes into view is sharply focused.
3. Focus on the condenser. Open fully the iris of the condenser and using the condenser
adjustment knob, focus the condenser on the details of the light source, such as the lettering
engraved on the bulb and then rack downwards until these details are just out of focus.
4. Adjust the aperture (opening) of the condenser iris according to the specimen being
examined. The wider the condenser aperture, the brighter will be the specimen and the
smaller will be the detail, which can be resolved. The smaller the aperture, the greater will be
the contrast.
5. Examine the specimen, moving it by the mechanical stage in the X and Y directions of the
stage using the stage knobs.
6. For higher magnification, swing the 40 x objective into place. Focus the 40 x objective, using
the fine adjustment. If for any reason the image is not visible, lower the objective (while
looking at it from the side) until it is nearly but not quite touching the specimen, then looking
through the eyepiece, focus upwards with the fine adjustment drive until the image comes into
view. Adjust the aperture of the condenser iris for this objective. The 40 x objective requires
the iris to be opened more widely that the 10x.
7. For higher magnification, add a drop of immersion oil to the specimen and swing the 100 x oil
immersion objective into place. Open the iris fully to fill the objective with light. Greater care
must be taken when moving and adjusting this lens than with the 40x, because it is in focus
when close to the specimen (AFB ZN smears are examined under oil immersion at 100 x).
5.3.4 Use of battery supply unit
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Switch the battery unit on by pressing the “POWER ON” button.
After switching on, the illuminator can be switched on at the microscope.
The battery unit does not need to be switched off, as it will switch off automatically when the
illuminators are switched off at the microscope.
Batteries are charged automatically when the battery unit is connected to the mains power. As
long as the battery unit is charging the “Chrg” lamp is lit and goes out as soon as charging is
completed.
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The microscope can be used while charging is taking place.
If power is interrupted the battery unit will automatically switch over to battery power.
The power on “Ready” light goes out.
5.4. Care and Cleaning
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A microscope is a delicate instrument both mechanically and optically; therefore it is
necessary to treat it with care and to handle it gently. The microscope should remain in a
fixed position in the laboratory and should only be moved when absolutely necessary. If it is
essential to move the microscope, always carry it with both hands.
When not in use the microscope should be kept covered by the dust cover, and the tubes
covered by the dust caps.
At the end of the each day’s work, the surface lenses of the objectives, eyepieces and
condenser, should be cleaned using lens tissue or a soft clean cloth.
Remove dust from visible optical surfaces with cleaning tissue or cotton cloth. Remove water
soluble dirt by blowing on it and subsequent wiping it off with a dust free cotton cloth or a cloth
moistened with water to which you may also add detergent.
Wipe off stubborn oily or fatty dirt (immersion oil, finger prints) with a cotton bud or a dust-free
cotton cloth or a cloth and the optics cleaning solution L.
Record in the Microscope Maintenance Logbook.
5.5. Repair and servicing of the microscope
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Except for obvious and simple measures, if a microscope becomes damaged optically or
mechanically the manufacturer or approved service representative should be contacted.
Do not attempt to repair the microscope yourself.
Records of the service must be kept in the Equipment Maintenance File
Use:
Equipment Maintenance File_form.doc
Location:
6.
REFERENCES
Training Manual for Fluorescence-based AFB Microscopy. Demonstration Project iLED. Foundation
for Innovative New Diagnostics. Version 1.0. 1 September 2008.
7.
CHANGE HISTORY
New version #
/ date
Old version #
/ date
No. of
changes
Description of changes
Source of
change request
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