Chip Maintenance

For your safety, please follow the warnings below before handling the chips, especially when you are cleaning the µPULSE filtration chip.

WARNING!

AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH EYES OR SKIN.

Chips are stored in a 0.05 % sodium azide solution. Sodium azide can be fatal if swallowed or if it makes contact with skin and can cause damage to neurological organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.

 

DISPOSE OF ACCORDING TO NATIONAL, REGIONAL, OR LOCAL STANDARDS.

Contents are toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects and accumulation in copper pipes over time can result in an explosion. Make certain to check national, regional, and/or local standards before disposing of the sodium azide.

Warning! The µPULSE system and filter chips are not compatible with all chemical solutions. Use of solutions that are not recommended could damage samples, chips, or the µPULSE instrument. Damage resulting from improper solution use may void the device warranty.

Ratings for this table were made on the following basis:

• R = Recommended. The solution is recommended for continuous use with the µPULSE system.

• LTD = Limited Usability. Not for continuous use, further testing recommended.

• NR = Not Recommended. The solution is not recommended and may cause damage to the instrument.

• ND = No available data.

 

Chemical Solution Type/Name	Rating Status
Acetic Acid (Diluted-5%)	R
Acetic Acid (Med. conc-25%)	LTD
Acetic Acid (Glacial)	NR
Acetone	NR
Acetonitrile	NR
Ammonium Hydroxide (10%)	R
Ammonium Hydroxide (50%)	LTD
Amyl Acetate	NR
Amyl Alcohol	NR
Aniline	NR
Benzene	NR
Benzyl Alcohol	NR
Boric Acid	R
Brine	R
Bromoform	NR
Butyl Acetate	NR
Butyl Alcohol	ND
Butyl Cellosolve	NR
Butyraldehyde	NR
Carbon Tetrachloride	NR
Cellosolve	ND
Chloroacetic Acid	NR
Chloroform	NR
Chromic Acid	NR
Citric Acid (2%)	R
Cresol	NR
Cyclohexane	NR
Cyclohexanone	NR
Diacetone Alcohol	NR
Dichloromethane	NR
Dimethyl Formamide	NR
Dimethylsulfoxide (50%)	NR
1,4 Dioxane	NR
Ethers	NR
Ethyl Acetate	NR
Ethyl Alcohol	NR
Ethyl Alcohol (15%)	LTD
Ethylene Dichloride	NR
Ethylene Glycol	R
Ethylene Oxide	NR
Formaldehyde (10%)	NR
Formic Acid (50%)	NR
Glycerine / Glycerol	R
Hexane	NR
Hexanol	NR
Hydrochloric Acid (Diluted-5%)	R
Hydrochloric Acid (10-30%)	NR
Hydrofluoric Acid (4%)	LTD
Hydrofluoric Acid (48%)	NR
Hydrogen Peroxide (30%)	LTD
Iodine Solutions	NR
Isobutyl Alcohol	R
Isopropanol	LTD
Isopropyl Acetate	NR
Isopropyl Ether	NR
Lactic Acid (100%)	LTD
Methyl Acetate	NR
Methyl Alcohol	R
Methyl Alcohol (98%)	LTD
Methyl Chloride	NR
Methyl Ethyl Ketone	NR
Methyl Formate	NR
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone	NR
Methylene Chloride	NR
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone	NR
Mineral Spirits	ND
Monochlorobenzene	NR
Nitric Acid (Diluted-10%)	LTD
Nitric Acid (Med. conc-25%)	NR
Nitric Acid (Conc-70%)	NR
Nitrobenzene	NR
Nitropropane	NR
Oils, Mineral	R
Pentane	NR
Perchloric Acid (25%)	NR
Perchloroethylene	NR
Phenol (0.5%)	NR
Phosphoric Acid (25%)	LTD
Potassium Hydroxide (25%)	R
Potassium Hydroxide (50%)	LTD
Propanol	R
Pyridine	NR
Silicone Oil	NR
Sodium Hydroxide (0.1M)	R
Sodium Hydroxide (Diluted-5%)	R
Sodium Hydroxide (25%)	R
Sodium Hydroxide (Conc-50%)	R
Sodium Hydroxide (Conc)	R
Sodium Hypochlorite	R
Sulfuric Acid (Diluted-5%)	R
Sulfuric Acid (Med. Conc-25%)	NR
Sulfuric Acid (conc)	LTD
Tetrahydrofuran	NR
Toluene	NR
Trichloroacetic Acid (25%)	ND
Trichlorobenzene	NR
Trichloroethane	NR
Trichloroethylene	NR
Triethylamine	NR
Turpentine	NR
Urea	R
Urea 8M	R
Water	R
Xylene	NR

 

Please note the following:

• These recommendations assume pure solutions at room temperature and pressure without applied stresses.

• These recommendations assume that each polymer category has a uniform chemistry, molecular weight distribution, and thermomechanical history.

• The definition of solvent compatibility for our products differs from that used in determining the ratings given in published compatibility tables.

• This table does not consider solvent safety issues.

   

It is important to clean the transfer tubing and filter chip after it is used in order to prevent any cross-contamination, dried reagent buildup, and loss of efficiency. You can use the CLEANING WIZARD in the µPULSE software to clean your transfer tubing and filter chips, as shown in the following procedure.

 

Cleaning the Filtration Chip

 

Tools

• 50 mL of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide cleaning solution

• Water or buffer of your preference for rinsing

• Distilled Water

• Clean wipes

• A pair of rubber gloves

• Safety glasses or goggles

• Lab coat

 

Prerequisites

• Prepare a wipe soaked with some sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH). Then, gently clean the outside tube and the inside top area of the transfer tubing. To rinse off the sodium hydroxide, wipe the area with distilled water. For more information, see .

  Important : Use gloves to prevent personal injuries due to direct contact with harsh chemicals.

• You have inserted the permeate collector into its slot over the transfer tubing mount.

• You have inserted the permeate bottle into its position.

• You have turned on the instrument and opened the CLEANING WIZARD menu.

 

 

To clean the transfer tubing and filter chip:

1. Fill the sample and buffer tube with 25 mL of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide.

2. Insert the tubes and put the transfer tubing into position.

3. Attach the filtration chip and close the chip cover.

4. On the CLEANING WIZARD menu, fill in the Membrane Cut Off Size and the Cleaning Duration. Then, click RUN.

5. When the cleaning process is finished, remove the tubes and dispose of the NaOH. To store the chip properly, jump to Storing the Filtration Chip section.

6. Then, fill the tubes with water or buffer solution.

7. Attach the tubes back to the instrument.

8. Tap the RINSE button. The system will automatically set the cleaning duration for two minutes.

   

   The Cleaning Cycle

9. OPTIONAL: To repeat the process, click the REPEAT button.

   

   Repeat the Rinsing Cycle

10. Make sure to rinse the outside of the transfer tubing with distilled water or buffer solution to remove traces of the cleaning solution before using the chip and transfer tubing again. For more information, see Liquid Compatibility.

    Important: If you are planning to leave your chips unused for a few days or more, follow the instructions in the Storing the Filtration Chip section below.

 

Storing the Filtration Chip

The µPULSE Filtration Chips are rated for 300 mL of trans-membrane flow. Over-use of the chips can result in a loss of sample or damage to the device. For reuse, chips must be stored in a sealed vessel with a bacteriostatic solution. Follow the instructions below to clean and store the chips properly.

Tools:

• A sealable storage vessel

• 0.05 % sodium azide & 20% glycerol solution

Prerequisites

• You have prepared all of the tools above.

To store the filter chip:

1. When the cleaning cycle has finished, take the sample and buffer tubes out and dispose of the cleaning solution in a safe container.

2. Fill the sample and buffer tubes with 0.05% of sodium azide + 20% of glycerol or your preferred buffer solution + 0.05% sodium azide.

3. Follow the on screen instructions to repeat the rinsing cycle. See the steps above.

4. When the quick rinse cycle has finished, take the filtration chip out of the chip cover.

5. Put the chip inside the storage vessel to avoid solution leakage.

   Important : Leave the filter membranes wet and make sure the chips do not dry out. Otherwise, they will not function properly.

6. Seal and store the vessel at a temperature between 4°C and room temperature.

7. Label the stored chip with the total volume permeated, note this volume for your chip lifetime records. Dispose of the chip if the total volume permeated exceeds 300 mL, functionality of the chip beyond this can not be guaranteed.