Instructions
(Cat. No. 985-370-XX)
General
Procedures:
1. Chop or cut tissue into small pieces
(approximately 1mm in length) using a safety razor blade or scissors.
If your sample is already prefrozen and too large to be easily drawn up into the
tip of the probe, you may need to cryopulverize the sample (see
http://www.biospec.com/BioPulverizer.htm).
2. Place tissue in homogenizing vessel containing
3 to 10 volumes of homogenizing medium.
3. Lower the bottom one inch of the probe into tissue suspension, turn on the
Tissue-Tearor, and operate for 5 seconds to 2 minutes using an up-and-down
dabbing motion. Do not immerse the probe more than one-half way into the
homogenization solution. Use lower speeds for subcellular particle preparation and
the maximum motor speed for biochemical or macromolecule extractions. If desired, the
homogenizing vessel can be placed in an ice bath during homogenization. The
Tissue-Tearor can be stand-mounted using a tri-clamp and ring-stand. This
is convenient when processing numerous samples.
4. To avoid splashing, turn off the Tissue-Tearor before withdrawing
from the homogenizing vessel.
5.
Place the TT in the plastic stand provided when not
being used so that liquids can
drain out. Do not place it on its side.
Cleaning:
Routine cleaning of the Tissue-Tearor is
important. Many biological materials and extraction
media are surprisingly corrosive. If the biomaterial gets into the upper
part of the probe and into the motor, the lower motor bearing will be destroyed. Between repetitive samples, the unit can be superficially cleaned by
briefly operating the unit in a vessel containing water or detergent. At the end of
the day, unscrew the stainless steel stator
(the outer part). This exposes the rotor for thorough cleaning. [CAUTION,
never turn on the Tissue-Tearor with the stator removed]. Wash in
detergent, dry the parts and reassemble the unit. If necessary, the
stainless steel rotor and stator, including the bearings, can be autoclaved.
Maintenance:
The inert, fluorocarbon sleeve-bearing on
the rotor shaft should be replaced from time to time. This is usually indicated
by an observed increase in vibration and a noisy, buzzing sound during
operation. Spare bearings have been included with the Tissue-Tearor along
with the special wrench.
If you have replaced the fluorcarbon bearing
and the unit is still noisy then you may have a bent rotor, or the armature
and bearing assembly is rusted. Please call us for further information and
spare part numbers.
An online catalog is available on
the internet at http://www.biospec.com.
This includes full product descriptions, catalog numbers,
and prices.
