I have a couple of questions about the Sorvall Cell Washer 2.  I have recently been given the task of overseeing its maintenance. Keep in mind that this cell washer is about 20 years old.

1.  Can anyone suggest a gentle soap/detergent for soaking the Rotor Bowl Assembly, Collecting Ring Assembly, and Tubing? Anything else that needs an occasional bath?

2.  The Rotor Bowl assembly has not previously been soaked in a soap bath, and I'm wondering if the cannulas could be dirty with accumulated salt, inhibiting even tube filling. The tube filling test has failed miserably several times, tubes filled unevenly. Hopefully future soaks will help, but here's my question: Can I use a small wire to put up the cannulas to clean them?  Right now I'm not allowing the autowash function to be used , manual washing only. That's okay, because we're a low volume lab and we use the Gel method for Ab screens, Crossmatches, Weak D, DAT.  The cell washer is used for ABORh and backup. We don't do anything further, such as Ab Identification.

I hope someone see's this communication.  Thanks for any help given!

Linda    

Running a 10%  bleach solution through the system is part of manufacturer's suggested maintenance. We do this weekly (high volume testing lab). The carrier should have hot water run through from the top for a few minutes to remove encrusted salts. You can use a pipe cleaner for any outlet that is still appears blocked.  After running bleach through the system (let sit for 10 minutes), run 4 cycle wash with distilled water, and follow with a 4 cycle wash with saline to ensure no bleach solution remains.