  |
| |
|
VanGuard Operating Manual | <- BACK to VanGuard Centrifuge page Introduction Hamilton Bell's VanGuard Compact Centrifuge offers the protection needed in today's healthcare environment when operated in accordance with the instructions herein. The transparent polycarbonate protective cover permits visual inspection of tubes. When the cover is locked closed, the rotor is contained in a sealed compartment. With the cover locked closed, the VanGuard provides integral aerosol and splash protection to minimize exposure to infectious disease. The VanGuard centrifuge should only be operated with the cover locked closed and with a balanced load. Utility Hamilton Bell VanGuard Centrifuge is designed specifically for use in physicians offices and clinical laboratories. The VanGuard performs separation procedures for blood, fecal, and high density sedimentation. The VanGuard is also at home in the biological, chemical, and industrial laboratory where fast separation of different densities is desirable. VanGuard Centrifuge Models All VanGuard centrifuges are available with either 10ml or 15ml hardened aluminum shields. Please indicate the shields you require when ordering.
Important
Installation 1- Place the VanGuard Centrifuge on a stable, smooth, flat surface. 2- Plug in the VanGuard Centrifuge unit power cord. One end plugs into the receptacle on the right side of the back of the centrifuge unit; the other end (with the 3-prong plug) plugs into your power source (115VAC, 60 Hz) 3- Remove plastic protective wrap from transparent polycarbonate cover. Electrical Precautions
Operation 1- Simultaneously depress both detente fasteners located at the top front of each side of the centrifuge unit just below the transparent polycarbonate cover. The top cover will pop up enough to allow you to manually raise the cover to its upright resting position. 2- Load either 10 ml or 15 ml tubes (depending on how your VanGuard is configured - check the shipping carton to confirm). For your convenience, all 15 ml machines are now equipped with six 10 ml adapter cushions. Tubes and cushions must be loaded in a balanced manner. 3- Close the transparent polycarbonate cover being sure that both sides of the cover are locked closed by the detente fasteners. V6000 on / off switch operation only: 4- Push the on / off switch on the lower left side of the front of the centrifuge unit. The on / off switch will be become illuminated and the centrifuge will start operating. To STOP the centrifuging process, push the on / off switch again. V6500 60 minute timer operation only: 5- TIMED OPERATION: Rotate the timer knob on the lower right side of the centrifuge unit in a clockwise direction past the 10 minute mark. Then set the timer to the desired timing interval. The indicator light on the lower left side of the centrifuge unit will become illuminated and the centrifuge will start operating. The centrifugation will stop when the timer returns to the 0 (zero) position. 6- CONTINUOUS OPERATION: Rotate the timer knob counterclockwise to the HOLD mark. To stop the centrifugation process, rotate the knob clockwise to the 0 (zero) mark. Operation Precautions
Maintenance Frequently clean aluminum shields, rotor, interior of the rotor collar, rotor collar gasket, transparent cover, and housing beneath transparent cover. Rotor Collar Gasket is easily removable for cleaning. Always replace the rotor collar gasket. NEVER OPERATE VANGUARD CENTRIFUGE WITHOUT ROTOR COLLAR GASKET PROPERLY INSTALLED. Immediately replace worn or damaged rotor collar gasket Aluminum Shields are easily removable for cleaning. Clean bowl area periodically. Remove aluminum shields, unscrew black and white knob counterclockwise, and carefully lift the rotor off the motor shaft. Wipe the interior area of the bowl with a cloth dampened with a suitable disinfectant. Clean rotor with a solution of sodium hypochlorite in concentrations (of sodium hypochlorite) not to exceed 5%. Rinse with warm water then dry rotor. CAUTION: DO NOT AUTOCLAVE ROTOR. Check rotor periodically for structural integrity. REPLACE ROTOR IF WORN OR CRACKS ARE VISIBLE. Replace with V7000 aluminum rotor only. Maintenance Precautions
Blood Separation For optimum performance and efficiency, refer to tube manufacturer's technical information and instructions. Vacutainer Brand SST Tubes contain a separative gel within the tube that separates the clot from the serum in whole blood specimens. Under centrifugation, the gel moves to create a barrier between clot and serum providing access to the serum specimen for various chemistry testing procedures. To ensure the highest quality serum specimen from a whole blood sample, Becton-Dickinson Vacutainer Systems recommends the following procedure when using SST Brand Tubes: 1- Collect specimen using standard venipuncture technique, exhausting the vacuum. 2- Gently invert the tubes 5 times to mix the clot activator with the blood. 3- Allow tube to clot 30 minutes in a vertical position. 4- Spin tube for 15 minutes (at 1000 to 1300 Gs); the barrier will form separating serum from clot. 5- Transport from client to lab or processing location. |