Hi all,
We have received numerous complaints about oil objectives being left in poor conditions. You should all have been shown how to clean an objective and if you have not please ask FILM staff, who will go through the procedure below with you:
-
use a low-lint lens tissue produced especially for cleaning optics, or a cotton swab -
all FILM microscopes have the materials required adjacent to the microscopes.
-
if using lens tissue, fold the lens tissue to form a stiff corner, and then add 70% ethanol to the area
-
clean the objective from the centre outwards in a spiral motion, if you have put too much oil on and you have drenched the entire objective please ensure you clean this us as it is not fair to the next user.
The amount of oil required should not exceed more than double the size of the objective aperture.
-
Dispose of the lens tissue/swab and repeat until all oil residue is removed.
Unfortunately, if the objectives keep being left in these conditions we will begin charging cleaning fees. Cleaning the objectives should be part of the shut down procedure:
-
close software/shut down as you have been instructed
-
remove sample
-
clean objective
-
escape objective to lower z limit
-
change to lowest magnification objective
-
ensure condenser is enclosed and you have not left any mess
All in all, this takes minutes so please be considerate!
Best wishes
Maddy
Maddy Tisi
Advanced Microscopy Specialist
Facility of Light Imaging Microscopy (FILM)
National Heart and Lung Institute
____________________________________
Imperial College London
ICTEM Building
The Hammersmith Hospital,
Du Cane Road,
London W12 0NN
