Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (110 Volt) is handheld professional particle counter that uses Mie scattering to detect seven different particles sizes simultaneously including 0.3 µm, 0.5 µm, 0.7 µm, 1 µm, 2.5 µm, 5 µm, and 10 µm to benchmark class 1-10,000 cleanrooms for microarray testing, life sciences, laboratory, hospital and government cleanroom applications. Arrayit particle counters are ISO 21501 certified and include a calibration certificate, pre-calibration at the factory, 10 cm (4”) large display to ease of viewing, 2,000,000 record storage capacity, data export by USB flash drive or RS-232 port, power cord, AC adapter, carrying case, 110 volt instrument.
Cleanroom Technology - Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counters for Handheld Benchmarking of Class 1-10,000 for Cleanrooms for Microarray, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Hospital Applications
Arrayit offers professional handheld particle counters to benchmark class 1-10,000 cleanrooms for microarray and life sciences applications. Arrayit particle counters use Mie scattering to detect 0.3 µm, 0.5 µm, 0.7 µm, 1 µm, 2.5 µm, 5 µm, and 10 µm particle sizes simultaneously. Arrayit particle counters are ISO 21501 certified and include a calibration certificate, pre-calibration, 10 cm (4”) large display to ease of viewing, 2,000,000 record storage capacity, data export by USB flash drive or RS-232 port, power cord, AC adapter and carrying case for customer convenience.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Quality Control
- Product Description
- Technical Notes
- Short Protocol
- Complete Protocol
- Recommended Equipment
- Troubleshooting Tips
- Scientific Publications
- Ordering Information
- Warranty
Introduction
Congratulations on taking a big step towards improving the economies of scale, quality and speed of your microarray cleanroom research. This booklet contains a complete set of illustrations and protocols describing the steps and principles needed to use Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counters (Cat. MCPC and MCPC220).
Quality Control
Arrayit assures the performance of this product line. The finest scientific research went into the testing and selection of this product line. Rigorous quality control monitoring and in-house programming and calibration guarantee that these handheld instruments function according to the highest cleanroom industry standards.
Product Description
Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counters (Cat. MCPC and MCPC220) provide advance, professional, hand-held cleanroom particle counters at an affordable price. Every particle counter is programmed, calibrated and tested in a class 10 cleanroom prior to shipping. Cleanroom testing eliminates variability and uncertainty and saves time.
Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter offer users the following features:
- Professional particle counters for ultimate performance
- Laser particle measuring technology
- Based on the Mie scattering light principle
- Automated optical system
- 1 minute read times
- Rapid flow rate of 2.8 liters per minute
- Detects 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 µm particles
- Wide range of ambient operating temperatures of 15-30°C
- Hand-held, portable operation for ease-of-use
- A/C operation for convenience
- Available in 110 volt or 220 volt versions
- Arrives programmed, calibrated and tested
- Arrives free of biological and particulate contaminants
- Large 10 cm (4") display for ease of viewing
- 7 operating buttons for ease of use
- Ultra-low emission of volatile organics
- Compact handheld size (11 x 5 x 18 cm) and weight (0.8 kg)
- USB flash drive and RS-232 ports for easy data transfer
- Digital readout simplifies use
- Based on years of intensive microarray cleanroom R&D
- Anti-static packaging eliminates electrostatic contamination
- Can also be used to count particles in traditional research laboratories
- ISO 21501 certified
Technical Notes
Federal Cleanroom Standard 209E defines and evaluates cleanrooms based on the number of particles of 0.5 µm diameter or larger present per cubic foot of cleanroom air, and those same standards are used to benchmark Arrayit microarray cleanrooms and cleanroom products. Class 1, 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 cleanrooms contain fewer than 1, 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 0.5 µm particles per cubit foot, respectively. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counters are calibrated, tested and packaged in class 10 cleanrooms. The ambient air in a traditional research laboratory contains up to 1,000,000 particles per cubic foot depending on the facility.
Care should be taken never to expose the inlet tube or sensor to extremes in humidity or to solvents of any kind, and never operate the particle counter with the inlet tube obstructed or blocked. If the particle counter is used to monitor high particle count environments such as a standard research laboratory, it may take several counting cycles to return to the counter to “equilibrium” when reading a low particle count environment (e.g. class 10,000 or lower). Never submerge this electrical device. The particle counter contains sensitive and optical components and should never be opened or operated with the cover open.
Figure 1. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC) in use. Shown is laboratory technician operating the Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter in a class 100 cleanroom. Digital, automatic, hand-held operation allows rapid testing of any location within the cleanroom environment. Note that newer models will differ in appearance from the unit shown.
Short Protocol (Steps 1-6):
1. Decontaminate the particle counter packaging envelope.
2. Transport the particle counter into the cleanroom.
3. Connect the AC adapter.
4. Follow the simple, 4-step counting procedure (see Figs. 1-4).
5. Re-check the particle count several times.
6. Save and download data.
Figure 2. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC) in operation. Shown is the first step of the 4-step procedure used for particle counting. The AC adaptor (power cord) is inserted into the Particle Counter, and power is provided to the instrument by pressing the red button. Note that newer models have a power button on the instrument face and will differ in appearance from the unit shown.
Figure 3. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC) in operation. Shown is the second step of the 4-step procedure used for particle counting. The counting process is initiated by pressing the “Run” button, which is button number 1 on the control panel. Note that newer models operate slightly differently and will differ in appearance from the unit shown.
Figure 4. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC) in operation. Shown is the third step of the 4-step procedure used for particle counting. After the 60 second counting cycle, the particle count data are obtained by pressing the retrieve (Ret) button, which is button number 4 on the control panel. Note that newer models operate slightly differently and will differ in appearance from the unit shown.
Figure 5. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC) in operation. Shown is the fourth step of the 4-step procedure used for particle counting. The particle counts are shown for particles of 0.5 µm (80 particles/ft3) and 0.7 µm (42 particles/ft3) diameter. The 4-step counting procedure can be repeated by pressing down on the “Run” button, waiting 60 seconds for the counting cycle, and pressing down on the “Ret” button. Note that newer models operate slightly differently and will differ in appearance from the unit shown.
Complete Protocol (Steps 1-6)
1. Decontaminate the particle counter packaging envelope. Remove the silver-colored anti-static bag containing the Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC or MCPC220) from the shipping box. The anti-static bag prevents electrostatic and particle contamination of the particle counter. Do not open the anti-static bag until inside the changing room of the cleanroom. Cover your hands with Microarray Cleanroom Gloves, wet several Microarray Cleanroom Wipes liberally with 100% ethanol, and wipe the outside of the silver anti-static package to remove particulates and other forms of debris. The anti-static packaging material should also be decontaminated with particle-free forced air for use in Class 1, 10, 100 and 1,000 cleanrooms. Forced air removes additional contaminating particles prior to entering the cleanroom facility. Make certain to wear Microarray Cleanroom Gloves at all times when handling the decontaminated anti-static packaging material or the particle counter. Failure to wear suitable hand protection will introduce hand oils, ribonucleases, and other contaminants into the microarray cleanroom. The particle counter can also be used to monitor non-cleanroom environments, and in this case may be removed from the anti-static envelope and used directly.
2. Transport the particle counter into the cleanroom. Transport the de-contaminated silver packaging material containing the Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counter (Cat. MCPC or MCPC220) into the cleanroom changing area. Make certain to remove shoes, sweaters, and other non-essential clothing prior to entering the cleanroom changing area. Microarray Cleanroom Gloves or equivalent hand coverings should also be worn at all times when inside a cleanroom. Step into a Microarray Cleanroom Suit, making sure that the appropriate cleansuit size (S, M, L, XL, 2XL or 3XL) has been selected. Close the cleansuit by zipping the front completely, and make certain that the elastic wrist and ankle bands are positioned properly. Face shields and other respiratory devices can also be worn to provide additional containment against contamination. Remove the particle counter and accessories from the packaging envelope and discard the anti-static envelope and the “bubble wrap”. Transport the particle counter, AC adaptor, and other components into the cleanroom. The Operating Guide and Maintenance Information manuals are made of paper and should be used into the changing room.
3. Connect the AC adapter. Insert the AC adaptor into a standard 110-volt (Cat. MCPC) or 220-volt (Cat. MCPC220) electrical wall outlet and connect the other end of the adaptor to the particle counter. The AC adapter connects to the particle counter on the underside, at the DC port labeled “DC PWR IN” next to the “On/Off” switch (see Fig. 2). For researchers with the 220-volt version, use the 220-volt AC adaptor provided with the 220-volt version of the particle counter (Cat. MCPC220). Note that newer models will operate slightly differently than the units shown.
4. Follow the simple, 4-step counting procedure (see Figs. 1-4). Turn the power switch into the “on” position by pressing the right side of the red power switch, as required for step 1 (see Fig. 2). Initiate the counting process by pressing the “Run” button, which is button number 1 on the control panel, as required in step 2 (see Fig. 3). After the 60 second counting cycle, retrieve the particle count data by pressing the retrieve (Ret) button, which is button number 4 on the control panel, as required for step 3. Record the data for the 0.5 µm reading, which provides a measure of the number of particles of 0.5 µm diameter per cubic foot of cleanroom air, as required for step 4. Note that newer models will operate slightly differently than the units shown.
5. Re-check the particle count several times. A total of 3-5 cycles should be used to obtain statistically accurate particle count data. If multiple counts give similar readings, the data can be deemed reliable. The portable counter can be moved to different locations within the cleanroom, to test the uniformity of the air in the cleanroom facility. Cleanroom locations that give elevated readings may contain contaminated equipment, faulty filtration devices, and other sources of particle contamination. The particle counter can be used to identify and remedy these sources of contamination.
6. Save and download data. Arrayit Microarray Cleanroom Particle Counters (Cat. MCPC and MCPC220) include additional components and functions. A myriad of counting mode parameters can be changed using the instructions in the Operating Guide manual. The particle counter allows data download using a USB memory stick or RS-232 port.
Recommended Equipment
Microarray Cleanroom Suits
Microarray Cleanroom Wipes
Microarray Printing Technology
SpotBot® 4 Personal Microarrayers
Microarray Substrate Slides
High Throughput Wash Stations
Microarray High-Speed Centrifuges
Microarray Hybridization Cassettes
Troubleshooting Tips
Anomalously high particle counts:
- Take multiple readings to ensure that the counter is at equilibrium
- Make sure the sensing probe is free of obstructions
Variable counts in cleanroom:
- Counts near filters and air intakes may be lower than in other locations
- Equipment can emit particles. Check devices for particle output
Counts exceed cleanroom class specification:
- Particle counts can vary as a function of usage, equipment, personnel and other factors. Heavy usage typically elevates particle counts above “resting” counts