[Histonet] RE: cryostat decontamination

[Wester, Martha]

Hi Issac-
Our cryostat decon/defrost procedure goes something like this:

Remove glass door to cryochamber by pulling up and gently sliding out of track.  Allow microtome and chamber to come to room temp.  Wipe down exposed surfaces of cryochamber and microtome with 1% bleach or bleach alternative.  Wipe dry with paper towels.  Spray exposed surfaces with water and wipe dry.
Remove cryostat accessories from cryochamber, spraying each (except the brushes) with 1% bleach, then rinsing under RO water.  Wipe accessories dry and place in chemical fume hood.  Spray thoroughly with absolute alcohol and allow to air dry completely.	Disassemble and remove microtome from cryochamber according to manufacturer's instructions found in the owner's manual.  Spray microtome and all disassembled parts with 1% bleach and wipe dry with paper towels.  Spray with reverse osmosis water and wipe dry with paper towels.  Repeat water spray and wipe dry.  Place microtome and parts in chemical fume hood.  Spray disassembled parts thoroughly with absolute alcohol and allow to air dry completely.
Repeat procedure with cryochamber:  wipe down with 1% bleach, wipe dry; spray with reverse osmosis water, wipe dry; spray thoroughly with absolute alcohol and allow to air dry completely.	Once both cryochamber and microtome are completely dry, reassemble unit according to manufacturer's instructions.  Turn main power switch of cryostat on and allow cryostat to reach optimal temperature before cutting sections.
If cryostat indicates it needs further drying, turn unit off, use hair dryer to eliminate any moisture and turn on again.

Each tech typically cleans up after their turn cutting, by disposing of any shaving, wiping (assembled) knife assembly specimen head, and the areas that collected shavings with 70%ethanol.  The external handle of the door and any external control areas used to operate the microtome (ie any areas that gloved hands may have touched) get wiped with a bleach alternative.

This is a procedure that our EHS people feel comfortable with given the nature of samples we handle on a daily basis. (and it also wins us points with the manufacturer's Field tech that does our yearly maintenance :) )

Best of luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martha Wester
Pathology/Lab Manager
MedImmune, LLC.
One MedImmune Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20878


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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:38:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Isaac O <o.isaac24 <@t> yahoo.com>
Subject: [Histonet] CRYOSTAT DECONTAMINATION
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID: <449670.69198.qm <@t> web111615.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1



Hi,
    I will appreciate it, if you guys could share your procedure for Cryostat Decontamination with me. Thanking you all for your anticipated cooperation.

 Isaac.


      

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