Microarray Air Jet Replacement Filter

Arrayit Microarray Air Jet Replacement Filter is the in-line replacement filter for MAJ and MAJ220V portable air jet instruments that provide a particle-free air stream for drying microarray printing pins, microarray printheads, microarray slides, microarray hybridization cassettes and other important laboratory items. Arrayit Microarray Air Jets can also be used to remove debris from the printing surfaces of microarray printing robots. Air Jets are compact, affordable and light weight, with an air speed of 6 m/sec, a flow rate of 450 cm3/sec, a standard operating pressure of 100 g/cm2, 99.9999% air filtration down to particles of 0.01 µm, low organic emission and cleanroom compatibility. Air Jets can be used for all applications in which contaminants from pressurized air canisters compromise downstream applications. Designed for research, life sciences and microarray manufacturing laboratories, fits both 110 Volt and 220 Volt Air Jet instruments, one replacement filter per order.

Microarray Instruments - Microarray Air Jets Providing Particle-Free Air Streams for Drying Microarray Pins, Printheads and other Life Sciences Applications that Require Pressurized Clean Air

Arrayit Microarray Air Jets provide a highly pressurized particle-free air stream for microarray printing pin and printhead drying as well as many other applications in the life sciences. These instruments are highly recommended for all microarray laboratories as a replacement for “house air” and air canisters, which are often contaminated with oils, organic compounds and particles that can contaminate pins and printheads and other implements requiring highly purified air. Air Jets also find use for removing glass shards and other particulate materials from the decks of microarrayers between microarray manufacturing runs. These valuable instruments are intended for life sciences, research and microarray testing laboratories.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Quality Control
Product Description
Technical Note
Short Protocol
Complete Protocol
Recommended Products
Troubleshooting Tips
Technical Support
Ordering Information
Warranty

Introduction
Congratulations on taking a big step towards improving the economies of scale, quality and speed of your microarray research. This booklet contains a complete set of illustrations and protocols outlining the steps and principles needed to use Arrayit Microarray Air Jets and Replacement Filters.

Quality Control
Arrayit assures the performance of this product line. The finest scientific research was used to development these products. Rigorous quality control monitoring of each instrument guarantees that our Microarray Air Jets conform to the highest scientific standards.

Product Description
Arrayit Microarray Air Jets provide the only portable air jets on the market, with an affordable price point and compact design. The particle-free air stream produced by these instruments can be used to remove water droplets, dust and other contaminants from microarray printers, scanners, pins, cover slips and other items.

Users will appreciate the following features of our Microarray Air Jets:

• High speed air stream of 6 m/sec (11 knots)
• High air flow rate of 450 cm^3/sec (0.9 cfm)
• Standard operating pressure of 100 g/cm^2 (2 psi)
• 99.999% air filtration (converts ambient air into class 1 rating!)
• Remove particles down to 0.01 µm diameter
• Sterile air stream for microbial applications
• Near zero organic contamination
• Cleanroom compatible
• Portability provides ease-of-use in any laboratory
• Durable, impact resistant casing
• Vibration dampener pad reduces vibration and assures stationary operation
• Remove glass shards and other tiny debris from microarray printer platens
• Remove dust and debris from scanners and microscopes
• Remove water droplets from microarray pins and hybridization cassettes
• Remove dust from glass cover slips
• Major improvement over unfiltered “house” air systems
• Built-in pressure meter to monitor filter back pressure
• Transparent hose allows contamination monitoring
• Air Jet Replacement Filters are inexpensive and easy to replace (Cat. MAJF)
• Non-scuffing rubber feet
• Affordable for any research laboratory
• 2 meter (6 ft) air hose and 2 meter (6 ft) electrical cord
• Lightweight at 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs)
• Uses standard 120 volt electrical outlets (MAJ)
• MAJ220 has an in-line voltage converter for 220 volt laboratories

Technical Note
Microarray Air Jets generate powerful pressurized air streams of 6 meters/sec, which may be dangerous if used incorrectly. Do not direct the air stream towards your eyes or face during operation, and do not place the air outlet directly against your skin at any time. This instrument generates considerable heat during use, and is intended for intermittent use only. Continuous operation should not exceed 30 second intervals. Wear safety glasses at all times and keep dry.

Figure 1. Microarray Air Jets for microarray pin drying. Air Jets can be used to rapidly propel water droplets out of the channels of microarray printing pins prior to microarray printing or storage. Make sure not to contact the microarray pin tip with the tip of the air jet filter at any time during use.

Figure 2. Microarray Air Jet drying a hybridization cassette. Air Jets can be used to rapidly propel water droplets out of hybridization cassettes prior to use.

Short Protocol (Steps 1-6):
1. Remove Microarray Air Jet from the shipping container.
2. Place the Air Jet on a stable laboratory bench or table.
3. Power the instrument “on” by pressing the toggle switch.
4. Direct the pressurized air stream using the air filter outlet nozzle.
5. Dry or decontaminate instruments or implements as needed.
6. Power the unit “off” by pressing the toggle switch.

Complete Protocol (Steps 1-6):
1. Remove Microarray Air Jet from the shipping container. Remove the instrument from the shipping box and discard the packaging material. For cleanroom use, topically decontaminate the instrument with forced air and 100% ethanol, transport the decontaminated instrument into the cleanroom vestibule or changing room, wear the appropriate cleanroom attire and gloves, and transport the Air Jet into the cleanroom.

2. Place the Air Jet on a stable laboratory bench or table. Place the Air Jet on a bench top, the laboratory floor or some other stable surface. Placing the instrument on the floor is sometimes convenient as the Air Jet generates some noise during use. The 2-meter (6 ft) air hose and 2-meter (6 ft) electrical cord allow the air stream to be directed to most bench top locations. The instrument may “walk” slightly on uneven surfaces, so make sure instrument is placed on a bench location to prevent any risk of toppling.

Figure 3. Microarray Air Jet pressure gauge. Air Jets (original version shown) contain a built-in air pressure gauge to monitor backpressure during use. A reading of 5 pounds per square inch (5 psi) or greater indicates that the in-line filter is clogged and needs replacing. The power toggle switch is in the “on” position in this photograph.

3. Power the instrument “on” by pressing the toggle switch. Plug the electrical cord into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet (or 220 volt electrical outlet for Cat. MAJ220) and power the instrument on by pressing the toggle switch on the instrument. Pressing the toggle switch in the opposite direction will power the Air Jet off.

Figure 4. Microarray Air Jet Replacement Filter installation. Air Jet Replacement Filters (Cat. MAJF) are removed from the air hose by pulling the silicone tubing off the replacement filter spindle as shown. The Replacement Filter has a directional orientation. Please re-install the air filter with the larger diameter facing outward and the smaller diameter connected to the silicone tubing.

4. Direct the pressurized air stream using the air filter outlet nozzle. Place the in-line air filter in your finger tips and use the tapered outlet to direct the air stream onto the microarray printer platen, scanner, microarray printing pins, cover slips, hybridization cassettes or any other implement that contains water droplets or debris that needs removing (Figs. 1 and 2). The pressure gauge should read “0 psi” during all normal operation, and a meter reading of 5 psi or greater suggests that the in-line filter needs replacing (see Figs. 4 and 5) or that the air stream is being blocked from exiting the outtake nozzle. Do not block the outtake nozzle at any time during use. The in-line filter can be changed by disconnecting the air hose from the filter unit, which is accomplished by pulling outward on the filter unit (Fig. 4). The air hose fits tightly, so a considerable pulling force is required to disconnect the filter. Insert the new filter unit by pressing the male fitting over the flexible air hose (Fig. 5). Please note that airflow through the filter unit is directional such that the narrower end of the filter unit should be connected to the silicone tubing and the air stream should exit out the nozzle on the wider end of the filter unit (Fig. 5). Inserting the filter unit backwards will reduce airflow and filtration considerably and should be avoided.

Figure 5. Microarray Air Jet filter replacement. The Air Jet filter is replaced by inserting a new filter (MAJF) onto the silicone air hose by pressing the tubing over the filter spindle on the narrower end of the filter unit.

5. Dry or decontaminate instruments or implements as needed. The force of the air stream can be adjusted by varying the distance between the nozzle and the surface that is being decontaminated. Glass shards, particulates, water droplets, dust, fibers, and many other types of surface contaminants can be removed from microarray printer platens, scanners, and any other laboratory instrument or implement that requires a high-pressure source of particle-free air. The Air Jet generates heat during use and should only be used continuously for 30 second intervals. The Air Jet is not designed for continuous use and may present an overheating or fire hazard if used in this manner. Never leave the Air Jet on for more than 30 consecutive seconds.

6. Power the unit “off” by pressing the toggle switch. Press the power button into the “off” position immediately after each use.

Figure 6. Microarray Air Jet (original version) in platen decontamination. Air Jets can be used to remove tiny glass shards and other particulates from microarray platens that accumulate during microarray manufacturing (Perkin Elmer SpotArray 24 shown).

Recommended Products
Arrayit Microarrayers
Arrayit Microarray Scanners
Super Microarray Slides Substrates
Microarray Cleanroom Wipes
BlockIt™ Microarray Blocking Buffer
PCR Purification Kits
ArrayIt® Green and Red Reactive Fluorescent Dyes
High-Throughput Wash Stations
Microarray Hybridization Cassettes

Troubleshooting Tips
Backpressure on pressure gauge:

• Filter requires changing (replace with Cat. MAJF)