MMP 362

PRACTICALS IN LABORATORY
INSTRUMENTATION
(ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICALS; Part 1)
By

Dr. Emmanuel O. Ibeneme

Department of Medical Laboratory Science
(Medical Microbiology/Parasitology Unit)
University of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria
LABORATORY INCUBATORS
A Laboratory Incubator
 A constant temperature incubator

A CO2 incubator

A shaker incubator

Other designs of a Laboratory Incubator

Basic Design of a Laboratory Incubator
Interior Design of a Laboratory Incubator
Control Panel of a Laboratory Incubator
 Care of the Laboratory Incubator
Positioning the CO2 incubator
• Where you place the incubator can alter its performance.
Ventilation, air flow, room temperature, and direct sunlight can all
affect the temperature and humidity functions.
• When installing a CO2 incubator, be sure to lift only by the sides of
the bottom, never from front and back – and do not ever lift using
the door.
• Do not place any incubator directly on the floor. Instead, use a
support stand. If the incubator sits directly on the floor, the air
movement that is created each time the door is opened will
sweep dirt, dust and contaminants directly into the incubator
chamber.
• When stacking incubators, you should only stack similar brands. If
you stack dissimilar units, you risk the stack tipping over or the
top unit slipping off, since there is generally no mechanism to
secure incubators that don’t match.
Care of the Laboratory Incubator contd.
Positioning the CO2 incubator contd.
• Next, ensure there is adequate clearance on all sides of the
incubator. This allows for ventilation and access to power cords
and connectors including gas hookup.
• Try to place the incubator away from traffic areas, but avoid
damp, humid corners that may harbor fungal growth.
• Make sure the unit is sheltered from ventilation and other
airstreams, because these air currents can direct contamination-
carrying dirt and dust into the incubator.
• Do not position the incubator in direct sunlight, because
fluctuating temperatures outside can affect the anti-condensation
functions.
• Finally, ensure that the incubator is level – both front to back and
side to side – by adjusting the leveling feet or stand.
Maintenance of the Laboratory Incubator
• Regular cleaning of the incubator, while sometimes a chore, is a
necessity to help protect your cells from contamination and to keep the
incubator functioning properly.
• Carefully following these simple steps will keep your incubator clean,
help reduce chances of contamination becoming established, and help
keep your cells growing well.
1. Move all the cultures to a different incubator: Or if the cleaning will not
take very long, you can store them in a clean, disinfected plastic box that
will keep them warm. Then, turn off the incubator, including turning off
the gas supply.
2. Remove all the shelves, the shelf supports, and any brackets or air ducts
3. Clean all the internal surfaces, ducts, shelves, shelf supports, inner door,
fan and door gaskets with mild soapy water: A mild dish detergent
works well for this. Be sure to reach all the corners and crevices where
dirt, dust and germs can hide. An incubator with coved corners makes
this task easier.
Maintenance of the Laboratory Incubator
4. Rinse these surfaces and parts using distilled water and wipe them dry
again using a clean, lint free cloth
5. Wipe the interior surfaces and parts with a diluted quaternary
ammonium disinfectant: Follow this by wiping with 70% alcohol to
remove any remaining traces of the disinfectant. Again, be sure to reach
all the corners, and remember to treat the door gasket as well. Replace
the internal parts.
6. Now you can turn the incubator heat back on and allow the incubator
to dry completely: This should only take a moment or two, so do not
leave the door open – that would only reintroduce new dust and
contaminants!
7. If you have an automated decontamination cycle, you can run it now
8. Remember to clean the incubator exterior to eliminate dirt and
microorganisms that could find their way inside: If the top of your
incubator is very dusty, it’s likely that dust is passing into the incubator
when you open the door, so it’s important to clean the top as well.
Cleaning a Laboratory Incubator
LABORATORY WATER BATHS
A Laboratory water bath
Other designs of a Laboratory Water bath
Parts of a Laboratory Water bath
Operations of a Laboratory Water bath
 Care of the Laboratory Water bath
• In general baths should be cleaned with a mild household or
laboratory detergent using a sponge or soft cloth (Scouring
powders, steel wool or other abrasive pads should not be
used)
• Scale build up can be removed using a mild household descaler
and soft brush (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
correct use)
• Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and dry the bath (in some
cases, small spots may be visible in the bath which resemble
rust spots. In most cases these will be small ferrous particles
on the surface of the bath which have oxidised causing the
appearance of rust. These can usually be cleaned away using a
standard stainless steel cleaner and plastic scourer)
• Regular cleaning will ensure the bath is maintained in an
optimal condition and will continue to provide many years’
service.
 Maintenance of the Laboratory Water
bath
• For water-filled baths, it is recommended that the bath is
drained, cleaned and re-filled on a weekly basis to avoid
build up of salts and contamination
• Regularly adding fresh water will replenish the oxygen
which helps maintain the protective chromium oxide layer
on the stainless steel (this is especially important if the
water is stationary or has been boiled)
• Baths that are used for biological applications and heated
to physiological temperatures can become breeding
grounds for algae, fungi and harmful bacteria
• Regular heating to >60OC for 30 minutes can be used to
thermally disinfect the bath before cleaning (if this is not
possible, then a chemical biocide may be used)
 Maintenance of the Laboratory Water
bath contd.
• Check that the agent is suitable for use with stainless
steel [Do not use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or
other chlorine based solutions as a disinfectant]
• Make sure the bath contains sufficient liquid to cover
the heating element to avoid running the bath dry
(The Techne thermoregulators TE-10D, TU-20D and
TU-20HT all have low liquid cut-out mechanisms
which will turn off the thermoregulator should the
liquid level run too low
• Turn the bath off overnight and when not in use. If a
bath is not to be used for some time, it should be
emptied, cleaned and kept dry
LABORATORY OVENS
Parts of a Laboratory Oven
Parts of a Laboratory Oven contd.
Basic Design of a Laboratory Oven
Other Designs of a Laboratory Oven
A cross-section of a Laboratory Oven
A Thermostat
 Care of the Laboratory Oven
• Routine tests for functionality should be made by personnel who
are familiar with the equipment. It is usually better that
maintenance personnel from mechanical and electrical
departments check the equipment rather than regular oven
operators
• The user is responsible to ensure that the oven is used for the
purpose for which it was originally purchased and that the oven is
not modified.
• It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that flammable solvents
are not placed in the oven and the operating temperature does
not exceed the maximum design temperature
• Do not allow accumulation of combustible material on work
holders, drip pans or on floor of oven
 Care of the Laboratory Oven contd.
• It is important ovens be kept clean. If they are subjected to
a build-up of combustible deposits of dust or other
combustible debris they must be periodically cleaned. The
build-up of condensed vapors or combustible debris is a
major cause of fires.
• The user is responsible to determine that facility changes
in the vicinity of the oven do not create a hazardous
condition; specifically, the oven should be protected from
external heat, vibration, mechanical hazards and corrosive
environment
• Processes involving flammable liquids or creating explosive
vapor or combustible dust clouds must not be located near
the oven
• Portable fire extinguishers located in the vicinity of the
oven must be inspected periodically.
 Maintenance of the Laboratory Oven
• Inspect power cord and plug for damage; repair or replace as necessary.
• Periodically inspect contacts in open thermostats for foreign matter,
signs of wear, or sticking; clean or replace as necessary
• The exterior of the oven should be touched up with anti-corrosive
materials or paint whenever scratches occur to prevent rusting.
• Do not allow accumulation of combustible material or other foreign
matter in the work space, heat chamber (including heating elements)
ductwork, air inlets, vent outlets, control enclosures, door latches, and
door hinges.
• Care must be taken in cleaning any combustible build-up to avoid
creating a source of ignition (spark). Scraping with non-sparking tools is
suggested.
• Lint and dust should be removed by vacuum cleaning. Blowing with
compressed air or steam should be avoided if there is a possibility of
explosion from a combustible dust cloud
• Temperature control and excess temperature control sensing bulb or
bimetal must be inspected periodically for damage.
 Maintenance of the Laboratory Oven
• The oven doors should be inspected regularly to see that latches
are holding the door firmly and uniformly against the oven
providing a maximum sealing force
• The door should be inspected for damage which would allow
excessive leakage of hot air. The gasket should be replaced when
damaged or when an adequate seal cannot be maintained
• The door and associated spring loaded latches should be checked
periodically
• Run oven at pre-determined setting and compare temperature at
thermometer to previous tests. Significantly higher temperatures
could indicate temperature controller is failing
• Fire suppression system installed in the oven should be
periodically tested
• All sprinkler heads in oven or located in work area should be
periodically inspected and cleaned