4. Routine Operation

Workflow

The normal workflow when using the TrakPod is as follows:

  • Run a quality-control (QC) test before first use, and on a weekly schedule between pH testing runs;
  • Before pH testing, set up and equilibrate the media sample and sensor allowing an overnight 10-24 hour period for equilibration;
  • Place the sensor into the fiber fixture and start the pH testing.  The instrument then reads the pH at either 30-minute or 1-minute intervals (which you can set using the CHANGE MEASUREMENT FREQUENCY setting);
  • After 7 days of 30-minute pH testing or 3 days of 1-minute pH testing with a single sensor, stop the testing by pressing the END TEST button.

The user interfaces for each Pod has the functions needed for running pH tests, performing QC tests and other functions relevant to the Pod (See Pod Page).

Pictured: TrakPod User Interface

Quality Control (QC) Testing

What is the QC Alignment Tool?

The quality-control (QC) alignment tool is an aluminum tube containing a small amount of fluorescent dye.  One QC alignment tool can be used on all the connected TrakPods individually.  When you read the alignment tool with the TrakStation and TrakPod, it gives a known and stable reading.  You use it to make sure the Pod is operating correctly.  It is recommended to take a QC measurement for each TrakPod on initial installation, once a week during use, and after cleaning or disinfecting the TrakPod components.

Keep the QC alignment tool protected in the provided bag when you are not using it.  If it develops scratches or collects dust, it will not give a true reading.  Replace the alignment tool when it reaches its expiration date (typically one year).

  CAUTION: Never try to open or repair the alignment tool.  If you believe your QC alignment tool has been damaged or require a replacement, please contact BCSI Technical Support by emailing support@safesens.com.

Weekly QC Testing

1. Put Y### control sensor on probe: Check the serial number of the qc2 alignment tool matches with the serial number listed on the TrakStation.  It can be helpful to apply some downward pressure to the qc2 for the test to ensure it is fully seated on the fiber optic fixture.

Pictured: Run QC Test From TrakPod Page

NOTE: The FIND FIBER button will cause the Pod to flash the LED several times and allow you to locate which fiber optic might be associated with the chosen Pod.

  CAUTION: DO NOT USE A SV2 SENSOR FOR A QC ALIGNMENT TEST- this will cause faulty pH readings.

If you attempt to use a sv2 sensor for the QC Alignment Test, you will not be able to successfully complete alignment.

Pictured: QC Test Failure From Sensor on Fixture

2. Clean Fiber Probe: use a lint-free tissue like a Kimwipe to remove any dust from the fiber optic surface.

 CAUTION: Don’t use liquids on the fiber optic surface.

Pictured: Cleaning Fixture With a Wipe

3. Regular weekly QC testing is performed like initial QC testing.  The QC test is run from the Pod menu or the Settings page.  After selecting the QC test use the following window to proceed through the test.  Make sure that the serialized qc2 Alignment Tool selected to run the QC Test on the TrakPod is the same control sensor you are using for QC Testing.

Pictured: QC Alignment Tool on Fixture

4. Press the CONTINUE button: The TrakPod will test the fluorescent signal and compare it to the assigned fluorescent levels.

5. The Screen will then display the result of the QC Test.

6. If the test failed, a message about the failure will be displayed with an attempt counter.

Pictured: QC Test Failure With Attempts Value

For a full list of potential failure cases, please see Section 7 Troubleshooting

7. Typically, you should rerun the QC test, paying careful attention to the cleanliness of the fiber, and the correct placement of the alignment tool in the fixture. Confirm that the correct TrakPod is being tested using the Find Fiber button.

8. Once confirming that the correct Trakpod is being tested, please repeat QC testing until all 3 attempts are completed.

9. After 3 failures, the TrakPod may be re-aligned. Re-align the TrakPod using the re-align TrakPod button. The TrakPod will then adjust the TrakPod to original alignment specifications.

Pictured: QC Test Success After Re-Alginment

10. If failures persist, contact BCSI Technical Support by emailing support@safesens.com.

Regular pH Testing

Before you begin testing a media sample for pH, prepare the sensor and the sample as described.  Preparation of a sensor is like the site standardization, but only requires one (1) sensor per TrakPod. Regular pH testing has a more flexible equilibration time range (> 10 hours) as the exact pH value for the first pH read is followed by continuous pH data for comparison, rather than used to create an offset value for the equipment.

  1. Remove the Sensor aseptically from the sterilization pouch in which it arrived.  A lot specific pHID is printed on the blue kit packaging (25050 in the example below).  Use the pHID on the kit packaging when setting up to read the pH.  The LOT and hour glass symbols refer to a lot number and the expiration date (prior to use) of the sensor, respectively.

    Pictured: Example Sensor Label

      CAUTION: The pHID 25050 is an example pHID used only for demonstration.

    Do not enter 25050 as your pHID for testing purposes.

  2. Prepare the sensor as follows:
     

    Pictured: Sensor Preparation

3. Media:
Use 100 µL of media.
Hold the sensor with the opening upward.  Carefully pipette media down the side of the sensor.  Avoid adding bubbles while doing this step.  It works best not to fully dispense the entire volume from the pipette tip.  Also avoid touching the pipette tip to the membrane. The media is not to be pre-equilibrated.

4. Oil:
Use 50 µL of oil for humidified incubators.  Use 150 µL of oil for dry incubators.
Using an oil intended for cell culture, pipette an oil overlay onto the media.  Avoid adding bubbles while doing so.  Again, it works best not to fully dispense the entire volume from the pipette tip.  The oil prevents the media from evaporating in the course of several days of pH monitoring. The oil must completely cover the media.  Increase the volume of oil if the oil layer looks too thin.  The oil volume does not interfere with the pH measurement.  The larger volume of oil for dry incubators helps to slow the media evaporation over the 7 day pH testing.   It will increase the time needed for equilibration, but not beyond the 10-24 hours we recommend below.

5. Place the sensor in the incubator that will be monitored, and allow the sensor and the media to equilibrate in the environment overnight (10 to 24 hours).  The following morning place the sensor in the fiber optic fixture and begin the pH monitoring.  A Sensor with a 30-minute pH reading frequency can be used for seven days.  Start a test from the TrakPod page with the NEW TEST button.

 

Pictured: New Test Screen

6. Enter a unique test ID and the pHID from the blue sensor package and press SAVE.  The TrakPod will then start reading pH with the desired frequency.  To take a reading at anytime, press the green refresh iconrefresh).

Additional Useful Guidelines:

  • Bubbles may appear in the sensor over time; this is only a problem when they are large and completely separate the membrane from the fluid in the sensor.  In this case, dislodge the bubble with a pipette tip.
  • The TrakPods have an automatically applied drift correction.  During use, the Sensor’s pH level slowly decreases but this change is accounted for with the drift correction.  The correction is based on the frequency of the reading and the amount of time a sensor has been on test.

  CAUTION: Be sure to end current tests and start new tests when a new sensor is used; otherwise, the old test’s drift corrections will impact the pH readings of the new sensor and the reading will be inaccurate.

Best practices for working with multiple Benchtop Incubators and TrakPods

  1. The day prior to ending pH tests prepare new sv2 sensors and begin their equilibration.
  2. At the end of 7 days (for the 30-minute test frequency), end all the pH tests and remove and discard the old sv2 sensors so none of the fixtures have sv2 sensors on them.
  3. Run the qc2 Alignment Tests for each of the chambers followed by cleaning and disinfecting the chambers.
  4. Place all the new sv2 sensors onto the fixtures.
  5. Start the new pH tests using the “Start Test on Multiple Pods” button of the “New Test” window.

Following these steps will prevent incorrectly running a QC Alignment Test on a chamber that still has an old sv2 sensor in it.

Shut Down and Storage

The TrakStation can be shut down by holding the power button down to power it off.  Then unplug the tablet and store it.  The TrakPod USB may be disconnected to shut it down and prepare it for storage.

Storage conditions for the electronics are 5 – 40°C (41 – 104°F) and 5 to 95% Humidity.

Disposal and Recycling

The TrakStation and TrakPod contain electronics and should be recycled.  Do not dispose of these items in normal waste.  Contact the original tablet manufacturer or your local resources for electronics recycling options.

Recyclable Components

Component Material
Housing (TrakStation and TrakPod) Plastic
Screen (TrakStation) Glass
Printed circuit boards (TrakStation and TrakPod) Enclosed electronic components mounted on PCB
Fiber optic cable (TrakPod) Plastic
Fixture (TrakPod) Aluminum

The qc2 Alignment Tool contains aluminum and may be recycled or it may be discarded in unregulated waste.

The sv2 Sensor may be discarded in normal unregulated waste or a waste method that is used for consumed media.

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