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1.0 OBJECTIVE : To lay down the procedure for operation, cleaning and maintenance of Compound Microscope.
2.0 SCOPE : This SOP is applicable for operation and cleaning of Leica Compound Microscope, Model No.: 1349522X.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 Each individual in the laboratory is responsible for carrying out the procedure.
3.2 Overall responsibility for training, implementation & follow-up with the QC Manager or his nominee.
4.0 ACCOUNTABILITY
4.1 Head of Quality.
5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Operation
5.1.1 Connect the microscope to the mains and turn on the microscope with the switch in back.
5.1.2 Rotate the illumination control knob on the button left side of the instrument. Set the illumination control knob to the lowest setting. The illumination control allows the adjustment of the intensity of light produced by the illumination system.
5.1.3 Fully open the aperture diaphragm of the condenser by sliding the control to the extreme left.
5.1.4 Using the sub-stage condenser focusing knob, raise the condenser to the top of its excursion.
5.1.5 Place a specimen slide in the slide holder on the stage and bring it in focus area of the stage.
5.1.6 Rotate the nosepiece to move the 4X objective into working position.
5.1.7 Raise the stage by rotating the coarse adjustment knob to its positive stop. Using the fine adjustment knob bring the specimen into sharp focus.
5.1.8 Adjust the eye-tubes for inter-pupillary distance (IPD) and eye difference, and then set the IPD number for both eyepiece tubes to match the IPD number on the binocular viewing body scale located between the eyepiece tubes. Both eyepiece tubes are focusable to compensate for refractive differences of the eyes. To correctly set the eye-tubes, rotate the 40X objective into place and focus on the specimen. Then rotate the 4X objective into place and focus each eye-tube separately using the focus ring on each eye-tube. Do not use the coarse or fine focus controls on the side of the instrument at this point.
5.1.9 Remove an eyepiece and view the back aperture of the objective. Close the condenser aperture diaphragm. To obtain the full resolving power of the microscope, reopen until the diaphragm leaves just disappear from view. Replace the eyepiece. The aperture diaphragm can be adjusted to enhance contrast and increase the depth of focus.
5.1.10 When changing objectives, the position of the aperture diaphragm must be reset. As magnification increases, the aperture diaphragm must be opened as required.
5.1.11 Select a suitable objective by rotating the objective holder and adjust the specimen to bring it into focus by means of the coarse & fine adjustment knob, while looking through the eyepiece.
5.1.12 For a microbial specimen slide, place a drop of immersion oil on the smear, adjust the 100X objective by touching it to the oil and observe through the eye piece to bring the specimen into focus by using the fine adjustment knob. The condenser may be adjusted for sharpness.
5.1.13 After completion of work, remove the slide from the slide holder, switch off the lamp, gently wipe the oil immersion lens with a lens paper and clean with lens tissue moistened with methanol.
5.2 Cleaning
5.2.1 Keeping all optical components clean is important for maintaining good optical performance. The microscope should always be covered with plastic dust cover.
5.2.2 Optical surfaces should be cleaned with a lint-free cloth, lens tissue or a cotton swab moistened with methanol or commercially available glass cleaner.
5.3 Maintenance
5.3.1 Report any discrepancy observed while operating the instrument to the Manager QC and notify the defect to Engineering department/Service Engineer to rectify the defect.
Affix an “UNDER MAINTENANCE” label on the instrument with date and sign of authorized personnel.
6.0 REFERENCES
6.1 Operation manual.
