Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

Definition of terms

Equipment is fitted with tools or Devices used for a specific purpose in the Laboratory.

Instruments are measuring tools or devices used for precision laboratory work.

Limitation of instrument and equipment is a high-performance capacity of equipment function.

NOTE: Equipment and Instrument have the same function and purpose

List of  Laboratory Equipment and Instrument 

Microscopes, Centrifuges, Refrigerator, Wholesale scales, Water baths, Packaging, Oven, Sterilizers (Autoclave), Colorimeter (glassware and plastic wares) Flasks, Beakers, Glass Slide, Graduated Measuring cylinder.

The importance of instruments and equipment

  • Conduct well and accurate laboratory procedures
  • To reduce pollution, transmission in laboratories to staff and customers
  • Improving laboratory services for patients

Proper use and maintenance of each Instrument/equipment

Microscope:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions
  • Connect to a power supply, and replace the lights if you are using a light source telescope
  • Adjust the eyelid until both eyes are comfortable
  • Condenser station
  • Wash and dry under glass by wiping it with a cotton gauze
  • Rotate the nose piece so the lowest target is in position
  • Carefully place the slide on the stage
  • Adjust brightness
  • Focus the specimen by racking the stage carefully upward with x10 objective in position
  • After examination lower the stage or swing the lowest power objective into position before removing the slide
  • Wipe oil from x100 objective and microscope stage using a piece of cotton
  • Switch off the microscope and disconnect from the power source
  • Clean the lenses with lens tissue and not a cloth or ordinary paper. note Do not use Methanol
  • Use a mild soap solution to remove heavy contamination. Never use acetone
  • Cover the instrument after use
  • Place the microscope in a small cabinet or cupboard
  • Protect the microscope from power surges using a voltage stabilizer

Centrifuge Machine:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's guide
  • Close the centrifuge lid
  • Connect the centrifuge to the correct power supply
  • Start the motor and increase the speed by turning the speed control hub slowly until the required speed is reached
  • Stop the car after the required time, or the centrifuge automatically shuts off
  • Allow the centrifuge to slow down and slow down itself
  • Disconnect the equipment from the power source at the end of the day's work
  • Remove blood stains or other material spilled from a bowl with a suitable disinfectant 5% Lysol, 2% Glutaraldehyde, or 70% methanol
  • Cover the container after use
  • Protects centrifuge from electrical power using a voltage stabilizer

Refrigerator:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's guide
  • Keep the refrigerator off the wall so that air can pass through the front of the condenser back
  • The door must be fully closed to prevent hot air from entering the cold room
  • Set the correct temperature (2 - 8oC)
  • Open and close the door gently to avoid distortion
  • Do not open the door immediately after closing
  • Arrange different laboratory items and keep them aside
  • Clean the refrigerator regularly and reduce freezing each month
  • Wash the gasket (rubber placed on the door) with soap and water
  • Remove dirt and dust from the coil and condenser using a soft brush
  • If there has been a disinfect contamination of the refrigerator chamber with 70% methanol

General Balance:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's guide
  • Place a piece of filter paper in the pan, if the hybrid reagent uses a glass or plastic container
  • Slide the weight on the beam to keep the balance to the required chemical weight
  • Apply the chemicals to the filter paper using a spatula, add the chemicals slowly and carefully when the pointer reaches zero
  • Remove the chemical from the pan and place it in a container for reagent preparation
  • Turn on the hub to blow to zero
  • Clean any spilled chemicals with dry gauze
  • Keep the weight measure clean at all times, and cover when not in use
  • Check the weight scales each week using the known weight of the measurement to detect early slipperiness
  • Close the container in the cupboard

Water bath:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's guide
  • Make sure your water is on the heating pad
  • Connect the unit to the main power supply
  • Set the temperature control to the required temperature
  • Change the main switch
  • Mix open tubes (containers) in a water bath with the lid open to avoid contamination
  • Close the water bath lid when not in use
  • Always keep the temperature right
  • Use distilled water or rainwater in a water bath
  • Disconnect the water bath from the power supply
  • Change the water weekly to prevent bacterial growth

Incubator:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer's guide
  • The incubator must maintain a constant temperature of 35 - 37oC of different dimensions
  • Always keep the temperature right and close the door tightly when in use
  • Clean regularly
  • Lubricate the technical parts of the door locks every 3 months

Hot Air Oven: 

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s manual
  • Connect the instrument to the power supply
  • After the temperature has reached the pre-set value allow heating of items for the appropriate time
  • Switch off the power
  • Wait until the temperature falls to 40oC before opening the door to remove items
  • Do not use it to dry stained or unstained blood slides
  • Use the instrument to sterilize glassware made of Borosilicate (Pyrex)

Colorimeter:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s manual
  • Connect the instrument to the power supply and switch on
  • Allow a 15 minute to warm before use
  • Select the correct wavelength for the compound to be tested
  • Arrange all required solutions in test tubes rack
  • Clean a cuvette using soft tissue to avoid scratches
  • Transfer the blank solution into the cuvette and place it in the sample compartment with clear sides
  • Close the chamber and set the display to read zero
  • Remove the cuvette from the compartment, pour the blank solution back to the test tube, pour the standard solution into the cuvette and read the absorbance
  • Rinse the cuvette with distilled water, drain dry, wrap in soft material and store carefully in a small box.
  • Cover the instrument after use
  • Clean filters with a soft cloth or cotton gauze when required
  • Keep the cuvette  chamber closed when not in use

Autoclave:

Introduction of Basic Laboratory Instrumentation

  • Basic manual benchtop autoclaves or pressure cookers; are simple to operate and economical to maintain.
  • Large, fully automated autoclaves are available but are expensive to purchase and maintain
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s manual
  • Loosen the caps of the containers to be sterilized
  • Pour distilled water or rainwater into the autoclave
  • Place the basket in the autoclave
  • Close the lid and screw down the lid clamps
  • Open the air outlet valve
  • Turn on the heat source
  • When the air has expelled and the temperature gauge reads 140oC, close the air outlet valve, wait until the gauge reads 121oC, and reduce the heat.
  • After sterilization is complete, turn off the heat completely, wait until the gauge reads zero, open the outlet and open the lid
  • Do not mix infectious and noninfectious material in one load
  • Never open the autoclave until the internal pressure has returned to zero
  • Always use distilled water or rainwater
  • Clean it regularly using a swab moistened with distilled water
  • Lubricate autoclave clamps using high melting point grease 

Limitations of each instrument and equipment 

Microscope:

  • They only use daylight for those with mirrors and 
  •  They only use electricity for those with an inbuilt light source
  • Not used beyond the manufacturer’s instructions
  • In case of breakdown consult responsible personnel

Centrifuge Machines:

  • Some are operated manually
  • Some centrifuges use electricity
  • Use centrifuge tubes made of quality glassware, and should not be too long 
  • Do not attempt to slow down the centrifuge using your hands
  • In case of breakdown consult responsible personnel

Refrigerator:

  • Some  use kerosene
  • In case of breakdown consult responsible personnel
  • Some use electricity
  • Follow manufacturer’s manual
  • Blood bank refrigerator should not be mixed with other items

General balances:

  • Some are for weighing large quantities
  • In case of breakdown consult responsible personnel
  • Some are for weighing small quantities 
  • Follow the manufacturer’s manual 

Water bath:

  • The user should be medical Laboratory qualified
  • In case of breakdown consult responsible personnel 

Incubator / Hot air Oven:

  • The temperature Of a hot air oven should not exceed 180oC
  • Sterilize glassware made of borosilicate (Pyrex) in a hot air oven, never plasticware
  • The user should be medical Laboratory qualified
  • Must maintain a temperature of 35 – 37oC to Incubator 

Colorimeter

  • Always remember to disconnect the power source whenever in use.
  • Never use a broken cuvette or have a scratch.
  • Avoid touching the sides of the cuvette facing the light path
  • Use correct  filters to produce light of the desired wavelength selected to the color of the solution
  • The user should be medical laboratory qualified

Autoclave

  • Operate it in a well–ventilated area
  • Open the outlet and the lid after the gauge read zero
  • Do not tight the air outlet valve until the gauge reads 121oC