Bio-Rad PDS-1000 / He™ and Hepta™ Systems User Manual

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7. Loading the rupture disk

Unscrew the rupture disk retaining cap from the gas acceleration tube from within the

bombardment chamber (Figure 4.6) or unwrap cap from sterile wrapping.

Fig. 4.6. Removal/mounting of rupture disk retaining cap onto end of gas acceleration tube inside

bombardment chamber.

Select rupture disk of desired burst pressure. Handle all rupture disks with sterile forceps

or Disk-Vac (catalog number 165-2323). Grease, fingerprints, or even powder from plastic

gloves on the rupture disk may prevent a tight seal from forming within the retaining cap.

Fig. 4.7. Rupture disk insertion into recess of retaining cap.

Immediately before placing a rupture disk in the retaining cap, briefly wet the rupture

disk in isopropanol (do not soak the disk for an extended period of time or the disk may

delaminate). Loading the rupture disk while wet forms a liquid gasket when the cap is screwed

onto the gas acceleration tube, and thereby reduces the failure rate of the rupture disk. Place

the rupture disk in the recess of the rupture disk retaining cap (Figure 4.7).