euromex Blue Line Series Microscopes Holland User Manual

euromex Blue Line Series Microscopes Holland

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Euromex MicroBlue
The Euromex MicroBlue type microscopes are developed for use at schools and laboratories. Specific attention to production methods resulted also in an excellent price/performance ratio
Please read this manual carefully before using this product to ensure correct and safe usage

• The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice
• The appearance of the actual product can differ from the models described in this manual
• Not all equipment mentioned in this manual has to be part of the set you have purchased
• All optics are anti-fungus treated and anti-reflection coated for maximum light throughput

General safety instructions

Intended use: a non-medical device
This microscope is intended for general observation of cells and tissues, with transmitted/reflected illumination and with the specimen fixed on a slide

Dangers associated with the operation

• Improper use could result in injury, malfunction or damage to property. It must be ensured that the operator informs every user of existing hazards
• Danger of electrocution. Disconnect the power to the entire lighting system before installing, adding or changing any component
• Not to be used in corrosive or explosive environments
• Avoid direct exposure of eyes to the collimated light beam or direct light from the light guides or fibres
• To avoid a hazard to children, account for all parts and keep all packing materials in a safe place

Photobiological safety LED, important safety instructions

• Avoid direct eye exposure to any LED light source while switched on
• Before looking through the eyepieces of the microscope, lower the intensity of the LED illumination
• Avoid long and high-intensity exposure to LED light because this may cause acute damage to the retina of the eye

Prevention of biological and infectious hazards
Infectious, bacterial or viral biohazard substances under observation may be a risk to the health of humans and other living organisms. Special precautions should be taken during in vitro medical procedures:

• Biological hazards: keep a logbook of all the biological substances or pathogenic microorganisms that were under observation with the microscope and show it to everybody before they use the microscope or before they do some maintenance work on the microscope! Agents can be bacterial, spores, enveloped or non­enveloped virus particles, fungi or protozoa

• Contamination hazard:

• A sample that is properly enclosed with a cover glass never comes in direct contact with the microscope parts. In that case prevention of contamination lies in the handling of the slides; as long as the slides
  are decontaminated before use and are undamaged and treated normally, there is virtually zero risk of contamination

• A sample that is mounted on a slide without cover glass, can come in contact with components of the microscope and may be a hazard to humans and/or the environment. Therefore, check the microscope and accessories on

• possible contaminations. Clean the microscope surfaces and its components as thoroughly as possible. Should you identify a possible contamination, inform the local responsible person in your organisation

• Microscope operators could be contaminated from other activities and cross-contaminate components
  of the microscope. Therefore, check the microscope and accessories on possible contaminations. Clean the microscope surfaces and its components as thoroughly as possible. Should you identify a possible contamination, inform the local responsible person in your organisation. it is recommended to wear sterile gloves when preparing the slides and handling the microscope in order to reduce contamination by the operator

• Infection hazard: direct contact with the focusing knobs, stage adjustments, stage and eyepieces/tubes of the microscope can be a potential source of bacterial and/or viral infections. The risk can be limited by using personal eyeshades or eyepieces. You can also use personal protections such as operation gloves and/or safety goggles, which should be changed frequently to minimize the risk

• Disinfectant hazards: before cleaning or disinfecting, check if the room is adequately ventilated. If not, wear respiratory protective gear. Exposure to chemicals and aerosols can harm human eyes, skin and respiratory system. Do not inhale vapours. During disinfection, do not eat, drink or smoke. Used disinfectants must be disposed of according to local or national regulations for health and safety

Disinfection and decontamination:
• Exterior casing and mechanical surfaces must be wiped with a clean cloth, dampened with a disinfectant
• Soft plastic parts and rubber surfaces can be cleaned by gently wiping a clean cloth, dampened with a disinfectant. Discoloration can occur if alcohol is used
• The front lens of eyepieces and objectives are sensitive to chemicals. We recommend not to use aggressive disinfectants but to use lens paper or a soft fibre-free tissue, damped in cleaning solution. Cotton swabs may also be used. We recommend you use personal eyepieces without eyeshades in order to minimize risk
• Never immerse or dip the eyepiece or objective into a disinfectant liquid! This will damage the component
• Never use abrasive compounds or cleaners that may damage and scratch optical coatings
• Properly clean and disinfect all possible contaminated surfaces of the microscope or contaminated accessories before storing for future use. Disinfection procedures must be effective and appropriate
• Leave the disinfectant on the surface for the required exposure time, as specified by the manufacturer. If the disinfectant evaporates before the full exposure time, reapply disinfectant on the surface
• For disinfection against bacteria, use a 70% aqueous solution of isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) and apply for at least 30 seconds. Against viruses, we recommend to refer to specific alcohol or non-alcohol based disinfection products for laboratories Before returning a microscope for repair or maintenance through a Euromex dealer, an RMA (return authorization form) together with a decontamination statement must be filled in! This document – available from Euromex for any reseller- must be shipped together with the microscope at all times Reference documents:
World Health Organisation:
https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/biosafety-video-series/en/
Robert Koch lnstitut:
https:/ /link. springer.co m/content/pdf/10.100 7 /sOO 103-013-1863-6.pdf
US Centre for Disease Control and prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html
Handle with care

• This product is a high-quality optical instrument Delicate handling is required
• Avoid subjecting it to sudden shocks and impacts
• Impacts, even small ones, can affect the precision of the instrument Handling the LED

Note: Always disconnect the power cord from your microscope before handling the LED bulb and power unit and allow the system to cool down for approximately 35 minutes to avoid burns

• Never touch the LED with your bare hands
• Dirt or fingerprints will reduce the life span and can result in uneven illumination, lowering the optical performance
• Use only original Euromex replacement LEDs
• The use of other products may cause malfunctions and will void the warranty
• During use of the microscope the power unit will get hot; never touch it while in operation and allow the system to cool down for approximately 35 minutes to avoid burns

Dirt on the lenses

• Dirt on or inside the optical components, such as eyepieces, lenses, etc., affects the image quality of your system negatively
• Always try to prevent your microscope from getting dirty by using the dust cover, prevent leaving fingerprints on the lenses and clean the outer surface of the lens regularly
• Cleaning optical components is a delicate matter. Please, read the cleaning instructions further on in this manual

Model with rechargeable batteries

• Always disconnect the power cord from the microscope before you replace the rechargeable batteries
• The rechargeable batteries must not be thrown away as regular trash but should be taken to special waste collection sites, according your local or national regulations
• Risk of explosion: when removing the rechargeable batteries, do not throw the batteries into fire or any other heat source
• Do not replace the rechargeable batteries with non-rechargeable batteries
• Avoid extreme environmental conditions and temperatures which could affect the rechargeable batteries and lead to fire, explosion or leakage of hazardous substances
• If the rechargeable batteries have leaked, avoid contact of the chemicals with skin, eyes and mucous membranes
• When in contact with the chemicals, flush the affected areas immediately with plenty of fresh water and seek medical attention

Environment, storage and use

• This product is a precision instrument and it should be used in a proper environment for optimal use
• Install your product indoors on a stable, vibration-free and level surface in order to prevent this instrument to fall thereby harming the operator
• Do not place the product in direct sunlight
• The ambient temperature should be between S to +40°C and humidity should be within 80% and 50%
• Although the system is anti-mold treated, installing this product in a hot, humid location may still result in the formation of mold or condensation on lenses, impairing performance or causing malfunctions
• Never turn the right and left focus knobs in opposite directions at the same time or turn the coarse focus knob past its farthest point as this will damage this product
• Never use undue force when turning the knobs
• Make sure that the microscope system can dissipate its heat (fire hazard)
• Keep the microscope away from walls and obstructions for at least approximately 15 cm
• Never turn the microscope on when the dust cover is in place or when items are placed on the microscope
• Keep flammable fluids, fabric, etc. well out of the way

Disconnect power
Always disconnect your microscope from power before doing any maintenance, cleaning, assembling or replacing LEDs to prevent electric shocks
Prevent contact with water and other fluids
Never allow water or other fluids to come in contact with your microscope, this can cause short circuiting your device, causing malfunction and damage to your system

Moving and assembling

• This microscope is a relatively heavy system, consider this when moving and installing the system
• Always lift the microscope by holding the main body and base of the microscope
• Never lift or move the microscope by its focusing knobs, stage or head
• When needed, move the microscope with two persons instead of one

Models

The MicroBlue range microscopes are standard equipped with 1 or 2 widefield eyepieces WF10x (H) and Achromatic­objectives, as mentioned below table
Please note: On www.euromex.com you can find the latest updates about Micro Blue models and accessories

The S40x, S60x and S100x objectives are equipped with a spring mount, to prevent damage to the front lens and the slide. The Numeric Aperture – N.A. – of the objective is an indication for the resolving power of the objective. The total magnification can be calculated by multiplying the magnification of the eyepiece with the magnification of the objective. The magnifications are displayed in the table below:

Components of the microscope

The names of the several parts are listed below and are indicated in the picture below:

Preparing the MicroBlue microscope for use

Carefully remove the items from its packaging and place them on a flat, firm surface. Please do not expose the microscope to direct sunlight, high temperatures, damp, dust or acute shake. Make sure the table or surface is flat and horizontal
When moving the microscope, use the left hand to hold the transport handle and hold the base of the microscope with the right hand

Hold the microscope at the top of the stand arm when it needs be moved. Holding the microscope by its stage or focusing knob will damage the microscope
Caution! If the bacterial solution or water splatters over the stage, objective or head, please pull out the power cord immediately and dry the microscope

Assembling Steps
Euromex Microscopes BV always tries to keep the number of assembly steps as low as possible for their customers but in some cases there are some steps to be taken. The steps mentioned below are often not necessary but nonetheless described for your convenience

Mounting the objectives

1. Rotate the coarse focusing knob to lower the stage to its lowest position
2. Install the objectives into the objective nosepiece from the lowest magnification to the highest in a clockwise direction from the rear side of the microscope. When using the microscope, start using the low magnification objective (4x or 10x) to find the specimen and focus, then continue with a higher magnification objective to observe in more detail

Placing the eyepieces
The 360° rotatable heads are equipped with WF10x eyepiece(s) (HJ. The monocular head version is equipped with a WF10x eyepiece (with pointer) which can be rotated and is locked with a screw. Please remove the screw before taking out the eyepiece to prevent damage

1. Remove the cover(s) of the eyepiece tube(s)
2. Insert the eyepiece(s) into the eyepiece tube(s)
3. lock the eyepiece(s) with a hexagon screw

locking the eyepieces
To lock the eyepieces in binocular models please find the screw as indicated in picture (A). Please note that location can be slightly rotated from model to model. For monocular models please find the right position of screw as indicated in pie tu re (B)

The eyeshades (optional)
The eyepieces can be equipped with optional rubber eyeshades. They prevent damage to the eyepiece and prevent stray light. The eyeshade can simply be slipped over the eyepiece

Connecting the power adapter
The Micro Blue series supports a wide range of operating voltages: from 100 to 240V. Please use a grounded power connection

1. Make sure the power switch is off before connecting
2. Insert the connector of power cord into the MicroBlue power socket, and make sure it connects well
3. Insert the other connector of the adapter into the mains socket, and make sure it connects well Do not bend ortwistthepowercord, it will be damaged. Use the power cord that is supplied by Euromex. lf it is lost or damaged, choose one with the same specifications

Operation

Setting up the illumination:
For optimal contrast and resolution one should follow the procedure below:

A. Place a specimen on the object stage and focus, using the 4x objective, with a fully opened iris diaphragm
B. Turn light intensity to lowest position, then look through the eyepiece(s) and turn up to the comfortable light intensity level
C. Turn the condenser in the highest position
D. Close the iris diaphragm, until it is just visible on the edge of the field of view
The microscope is properly set for use with the 4x objective. For each other magnification in bright field use, this procedure should be repeated to ensure the best balance between contrast and resolution

Caution:
The maximum light intensity when using the 4x and lOx can damage the eyes!

Place the specimen slide
On the MB.1001 the slide is placed beneath the object clips. On the other models into the clamp of the mechanical stage and can be carefully moved into X- and Y- directions (Ml

1. Push the arm of the specimen holder backwards
2. Release the arm slowly clamping the slide with the cover glass facing up
3. Rotating the X and Y-axis knob will move the specimen to the center for alignment with the center of the objective

Focusing and slide protection

1. Select the 4x objective and make sure that it is placed correctly in the optical path
2. Rotate the coarse adjustment knob to top, observe the right eyepiece with your right eye. Rotate the coarse focusing knob until the image appears
3. Rotate the fine focusing knob to sharpen the image
4. When you perform focusing with a SlOOx objective, you need to lock the slide protection screw (D). The slide protection screw protects the slide by limiting the travel range of the mechanical stage. This way the objectives will not touch or break your slides. In case a standard version is purchased, including a SlOOx objective, this is pre-set at the factory

Eyepieces
A binocular (or trinocular) tube is less tiring for the eyes compared to a monocular tube. In order to obtain a smooth “compound” image, we recommend you to go through the steps below

1. The interpupillary distance
   The correct interpupillary distance is reached when one round image is seen in the field of view (see image below). This distance can be set by either moving the tubes towards each other or moving them away from each other. This distance is different for each observer and thus should be set individually. When more users are working with the microscope it is recommended to remember your interpupillary distance for a quick set-up during new microscopy sessions

2. The correct eye point
   The eye point is the distance from the eyepiece to the user’s pupil. To obtain the correct eye point, move the eyes towards the eyepieces until a sharp image is reached at a full field of view

3. Adjusting the diopter
   This chapter is only applicable for bino and trino’s

   • Set diopter adjustment ring to zero (I)
   • Close the left eye and focus the right tube by adjusting the coarse-and line adjustment knobs (0)
   • Close the right eye and focus the left tube with the diopter adjustment ring
     This procedure should be followed by each individual user. When more users are working on the same microscope it is recommended to remember your own diopter setting for a quick set-up during new microscopy sessions

Abbe condenser
Beneath the object stage an Abbe condenser N.A. 1.25 is mounted (on all models except the MB.1001 and MB.1005-X models, which have a fixed 0.65 condenser). The condenser can be adjusted in height by moving the lever beneath the (mechanical) stage (N). By adjusting the condenser you can focus the light on the specimen for an optimized contrast The condenser is factory pre-centered. If needed, the following procedure can be followed to center the condenser

1. Move the condenser to its highest position
2. Select the 4x objective and place it into the light path and focus the specimen
3. Slide the lever to adjust the diaphragm to the smallest position
4. Adjust the condenser height to the point where the image is the sharpest
5. Adjust the center adjustment screws using an alien key and move the image of the condenser ring to the center of the field of view
6. Open the diaphragm gradually
7. The condenser is centered correctly if the image remains in the center when you open the diaphragm

Use of the S1 OOx oil-immersion objective
Some Euromex MicroBlue microscopes are equipped with an S100x N.A. 1.25 oil immersion objective. Please follow the instructions below on how to use this objective:

1. Remove the dust protection cap from the revolving nosepiece to mount the S100x objective (the objective can be premounted)
2. Focus the image with the S40x objective
3.  Turn the revolving nosepiece so the S100x objective almost reaches the click-stop
4.  Put a small drop of immersion oil on the center of the slide (always use Euromex Immersion oil)
5. Now turn the S100x objective so that you feel the click stop
6. The front lens is in contact with the immersion oil
7. Look through the eyepiece and focus the image with the fine adjustment knobs
8. The distance between the lens of the objective and the slide is very small!
9. In case there are small bubbles visible, turn the S100x objective a couple of times from left to right so that the front of the objective moves in the oil and the bubbles will disappear
10. After using the S100x objective, loosen the slide protection handle and turn the table with the course adjustment knobs downwards until the front lens doesn’t touch the oil any longer. Clean the front lens of the S 100x  bjective
11. Always clean the front lens of the S100x objective with a piece of lens paper that is moistened with a drop of isopropanol. We recommend using Euromex lens paper and isopropanol
12. Clean the slide after use as well

Caution

• Never put a drop of xylol or alcohol directly on the lens of the objective. It could enter the objective and dissolve the glue that holds the lenses!
• Avoid oil contact with any of the other objectives!

Safety device

To prevent damage to the objective lens, or breaking the slide, all types are equipped with a pre-fixed safety device It is recommended to use slides of 1.0- 1.2 mm thickness (product numbers: PB.5150, PB.5155, PB.5160) in combination with cover glasses of 0.13 mm or 0.17 mm thickness (product numbers: PB.5165, PB.5168)

llumination MicroBlue serie
The LED illumination of the MicroBlue is equipped with rechargeable batteries. The length of use after charging is about 48 hours. The full charging time is about 10 hours. At first use the batteries will have to be fully charged. Connect the external power supply unit to the power inlet socket. For all models with batteries, it is highly recommended to use the microscope with the power supply disconnected to keep the batteries in good working condition and recharge after batteries run empty

The illumination has the following specifications:

• LED/NeoLED : lW, 300 mA (monocular)
• lW NeoLED : 1W, 300mA equipped with Fresnel lens (for binocular and trinocular models)
• External Charger : Primary AC 85 – 100-240V Volt-50/60Hz 0.3A.
• Batteries : 3 NiMh, AA type, 1.2 Volt 1600-2000 mA.

Maintenance and cleaning

Always place the dust cover over your MicroBlue microscope after use. Always keep the eyepiece and objectives mounted on the microscope
to avoid dust entering the instrument

Cleaning the optics
When the lens of the eyepiece or the front lens of the S40x, S60x or SlOOx objective is dirty, they can be cleaned by wiping a piece of lens paper over the surface (circular movements). When this does not help put a drop of alcohol n the lens paper and wipe it. Never put xylol or alcohol directly on the lens! Please note that Euromex offers a special microscope cleaning kit: PB.5275 It is not necessary and not recommended -to clean the lens surfaces at the inner side of the objectives. Sometimes dust can be removed with high pressured air. There will never be dust in the objectives if the objectives are not removed from the revolving nosepiece

Caution
Cleaning cloths containing plastic fibers can damage the coating of the lenses !

Maintenance of the stand
Dust can be removed with a brush. In case the stand or table is really dirty then you can clean the surface with a non­aggressive cleaning product
Moving parts, like a mechanical stage, contain ball bearings that are not dust sensitive. With a drop of sewing machine oil you can lubricate the bearing
Changing the batteries of the MicroBlue
Caution:
Always remove the power cable from the mains supply!

• Open the small lid at of the bottom cover of the microscope by unscrewing the chrome screw
• Open battery compartment with small Philips screwdriver
• (Re)place the batteries and put the lid back into its place

Digital models and cameras

Digital models are equipped with a build in digital camera. Connect the supplied USB cable to camera and follow the dedicated software manual for use. The LED wich is placed beside the USB port will start to blink when activated in the software
Digital cameras are designed to be used on the photo port of the microscope head. It is also possible to use the digital camera in combination with a monocular or binocular head. Simply remove the eyepiece and place the camera with mounted c-mount adapter into the eyepiece tube (see image below}. Focus the digital image with the coarse and fine controls of the microscope
For trinocular models, slide the camera with mounted c-mount adapter into the 23,2mm tube of the photo tu bus. For focussing; loosen the ring (A) and slowly unscrew the tube (B) you will be able to match parfocality of the camera with the view through the eyepieces. Adjustment can be made by raising/lowering the height of the camera (C}. Take an easy-to-view specimen and focus the image through the microscope’s eyepieces (with dioptre adjustment set on “O”}. Afterwards, perform this height adjustment procedure while watching the image on the computer screen. In this case, once you have obtained parfocality in the device, screw the ring (A} back (see image below}
Follow the manual that comes with the camera for camera operation
I (Jerome)

Accessories and spare parts

For current accessories and spares, please check our website www.euromex.com

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