Penn-Century IA-1B-R for Rat - Manual (Page 9)

9
• To minimize clogging, solutions should be filtered before spraying. In addition,
reasonable care should be taken to avoid dust and dirt which can foul the sprayer tip. For
instance, when placing the assembled system or individual components on a surface, it is best
to avoid surfaces from which the device might pick up dirt or lint. A large, clean Petri dish
works well for this purpose.
• ALWAYS clean and fully flush the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer after use with very hot
distilled or filtered water. You may also use any organic solvent, such as ethanol, xylene or
acetone to dissolve any materials that may be inside. The following are also safe for cleaning
and disinfecting the device: Cidex®, Cidex Plus®, Cidex OPA®, Enzol® Solutions. If you
wish, you can soak the devices in any of these as well, to soften any material that has
become hardened in it, and then flush it out with the same solution using the syringe. You
may fill the syringe with solvent and spray it into an enclosed container. (ALWAYS USE
CAUTION WHEN SPRAYING ANY SOLVENT OR HAZARDOUS CLEANING AGENT TO FOLLOW
SAFETY INFORMATION PROVIDED AND AVOID CONTACT OF THE SPRAYE WITH EYES, FACE
OR SKIN. The MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer may also be cleaned with ultrasound (sonicated) or
autoclaved at standard sterilization temperatures.
Is best to avoid cleaning the device with
undiluted acid or base solutions, or bleach (Clorox™/Clidox™), as these can be corrosive .
• ALWAYS test the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer with water after cleaning it and
before storing it to observe that it continues to deliver a full, uniform plume of spray that is
as good as its operation when new.
• ALWAYS blow air through the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer fully before storing to
eliminate remaining liquid inside. Direct a small stream of compressed air into the threaded
sprayer hub of the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer until all fluid remaining in the sprayer tip is
expelled. Products such as “DUST-OFF” or similar for cleaning computer keyboards are also
suitable. Do not blow compressed air through the device without testing it first with water.
If it is partly clogged, drying it with air will may further harden any material in the tip.
• ALWAYS clean the protective plastic end cap that came with the MicroSprayer®
Aerosolizer and screw it back on before storing it to remove any dust or grit that has gotten on
it Always store the MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer and FMJ-250 Syringe in the original boxes in
which they were shipped to prevent it from getting dropped or bent.
What to do if MicroSprayer® Aerosolizer becomes blocked or clogged
If the sprayer tip starts to clog, you will notice an increase in the force required to depress the
syringe plunger. In general, it does not help at this point to increase the force on the plunger as this
may only serve to further drive the offending material into the small passages of the sprayer tip. If this
occurs:
1. Place the assembled sprayer tip in very hot distilled or filtered water, or soak in organic solvent
and draw back on the syringe plunger, holding it in the fully retracted position for 15 seconds.
Then unscrew the MicroSprayer® from the syringe, eject the contents of the syringe and flush
it thoroughly with water. Repeat.
2. Ultrasound combined with an organic solvent, or an enzymatic cleaner such as Enzol® may also
help break apart clogged particulates in the tip.