Multichannel Systems Roboocyte2 Manual - Manual (Page 17)

Setting Up Hardware and Software
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3.2 Setting up the Roboflow-System
The Roboflow-System has been especially designed to work with Roboocyte2. The system consists
of two peristaltic pumps and twelve pinch valves. The valve pump for the compounds on the
movable slide of the Roboflow manages the fluidic inflow; the waste pump installed on the right
side of the front panel is for aspiration of the fluids from the wells.
Assembling the Tubing
The measuring head of the Roboocyte2 carries an inlet and an outlet port for attaching the
perfusion tubing. The liquid is aspirated by the computer-controlled aspiration pump and then
collected in the waste bottle.
Important: Make sure that you do not place any AC voltage sources, that is, any electrical devices
or cables in the immediate vicinity of the Roboocyte2 (especially not near the amplifier or near
any parts belonging to the perfusion system, for example, the bath reservoir or the waste bottle),
as they can introduce a 50 Hz noise or other electrical interferences to your recordings. Move
electrical devices or cables a few inches away if you observe any problems.
The pinch valve system is easy to maintain because the liquid is only in contact with the tubing
material and not with the valves. Simply exchange the tubing in case of contamination. You
need silicone tubing (ID 1.2 mm, OD 2.0 mm) for the pinch valves. One set of preinstalled tubings
is already provided together with the manifold for a quick start.
Please note that materials other than silicone are not flexible enough to seal tightly. If you need
another material for your application though, you can use the silicone tubing for the short way
inside the valve only and connect it to your custom tubing. Use appropriate fittings, which fit
tightly. Also regard the tubing dimensions specified and do not use a thicker or thinner tubing,
otherwise the valves may not work properly or may even be damaged.
Attach the tubing carefully without bending the silicone. Please guide the tubes on there way
from the manifold to the valves through the plastic tube holder to secure the correct attachment.
Do not insert the tubes to close, they need scope for moving with the slide forward and backward.
Please control the provided manifold, specially the connections of the provided tubes to the
manifold.