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Dear List,
after hours proved to be a very interesting discussion.
I have a question and a small suggestion/request.
The question:
how many hours should a new confocal user work in presence of an
instructor to be allowed to work e.g., after hours ?
I would consider two extreme cases:
a) a new user who routinely works with a microscope in his own lab
b) somebody for whom a a brand new confocal is the first microscope he
has ever seen in his life ?
It was great to find in Stephen Cody's message an instruction. Everybody
knows brief instructions are necessary, but one rarely finds them outside
core facilities. Of course, they are site-specific, but if we had more
instruction posted in the list, it would be a great help, one could sort of
"lego" his own one.
The text above makes it clear that I do not currently have any written
instruction (I work in a small lab) - sorry about that !
Boris Joffe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Cody" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 3:01 AM
Subject: Re: after-hours (and extended-hours) usage?
> Dear List,
>
> I had a nice long reply drafted, was interrupted by one of our confocal
users, and some how I've deleted the email! So here I go again.
>
> Like Guy, I really can't see that the lenses are at any greater risk on
weekends compared to business hours. The only lens we've had damaged was on
a conventional microscope during the week. I'm not going to have a
microscope expert stationed at every microscope to avoid this happening.
>
> Turning confocals on and off is really quite a simple task. I instruct all
users to put the arc lamp and laser on first. That's the only area where
they may cause damage (even that is remote with most Hg power supplies).
>
> All but the most infrequent users I'd be happy to use the confocal after
hours. I have a laminated sheet that sits beside the keyboard spelling out
the switch on and off procedures. But really how much trouble can they get
into turning it on or off? Beside all switches I have placed a bright
fluorescent, numbered sticker that corresponds to the instructions. This is
more a security blanket for the users than anything else. I instruct all
users to wind the focus right to the bottom, so that if the next user was to
spin the nosepiece around the lenses would be safe. The main benefit of this
policy is that it acts as a constant reminder to look after the lenses.
>
> Everyone is instructed to wipe the oil lens clean at the end and to put
away the water immersion lens. I check periodically after users have left to
see that people have complied, if not I give them a gentle reminder. It is
just as easy to check the lenses first thing Monday morning as it is 3pm
Wed. afternoon.
>
> During business hours, after initial instruction, I remove myself from the
confocal room, but make myself available if they have any questions. This
rapidly builds confidence and independence in the user. I always tell new
users that they are very unlikely to break anything as long as they don't
bash the lens. So I don't see why it should be any different on the weekend.
>
> For those interested I've cut and pasted the turn on and off instructions
below.
>
> Cheers
> Stephen H. Cody
>
> Microscopy Manager
> Central Resource for Advanced Microscopy
> Ludwig Institute For Cancer Research
> Post Office Royal Melbourne Hospital
> Parkville Victoria 3050
> Australia
> Tel: 61 3 9341 3155 Fax: 61 3 9341 3104
> email: [log in to unmask]
> www.ludwig.edu.au/labs/confocal.html
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Central Resource for Advanced Microscopy
> Bio-Rad MRC-1000/1024
> Confocal Microscope Switch On Procedure
> Safety Check! Check that there is a lens, cap, or alignment prism in every
position of the lens nosepiece.
> (1) Turn ON power (power point). Left-hand side of room.
> If you require conventional fluorescence
> (2) Turn on power switch of arc lamp power supply.
> (3) Press and HOLD ignition button of arc lamp power supply for
approximately 5 seconds (until your hear a second click).
> (4) Turn on power supply for laser. Turn key ¼ turn clockwise
> (5) Turn on System Control Unit (SCU, the large cream coloured box under
bench).
> (6) Turn on the computer. Push button in recess.
> (7) When computer has finished booting, double click left mouse button on
the “Acquisition” icon.
>
> Switch Off Procedure
> (1) Shutdown “Acquisition” Software. Click on the “ ” symbol, top
right corner.
> (2) Transfer files with FTP software.
> (3) Check files on Ludwig computer, to see if they’re intact. Check the
last image of Z or Time series files.
> (4) If all images have transferred safely, delete images from the confocal
computers local hard drive.
> (5) Shutdown FTP software. Click on the “ ” symbol, top right corner.
> (6) Close down computer. Click on “Shutdown” icon, near the bottom left
corner of screen.
> (7) Turn off SCU
> (8) Turn off laser power supply. Turn the key ¼ turn counter-clockwise.
> (9) Turn off arc lamp power supply
> (10) When the computer says it is safe: Turn off computer.
> (11) Turn off isolation switch on wall. Left side of room.
> (12) With a new, clean Kimwipe, wipe any oil from oil immersion objective
OR water from water immersion lens. Whilst cleaning lenses always use a
fresh part of the Kimwipe for each consecutive wiping action. If the water
immersion lens was used, please put it away, replacing another lens on the
nosepiece.
> (13) Clean top of microscope stage of any spilt liquids.
> (14) If focus lock was used. Check focus lock is disengaged. Check focus
torsion is set to approximately half.
> (15) Wind focus knobs so that the lenses are all the way down.
> (16) Safety Check! Check that there is a lens, cap, or alignment prism in
every position of the lens nosepiece.
> (17) Double check that the only instrument light on is ONE AMBER light on
the monitor.
> (18) Please leave the air-conditioning ON. Please don’t alter temperature
or other settings.
>
>
>
>
>
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