Immersion Oil Mess

[Ki Hng]

Hi

Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
objectives.  

Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
solution for messy objectives?  

Thanks!!
Ki

[Dan Mulvihill]

Charge offenders for the servicing of the lenses.

On 20 Jan 2010, at 15:27, Ki Hng wrote:

Hi

Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many

reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the

problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy

objectives.  

Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but

we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a

solution for messy objectives?  

Thanks!!

Ki

Dan Mulvihill

Lecturer in Cell & Molecular Biology

School of Biosciences

University of Kent

Canterbury

Kent

CT2 7NJ

 

Telephone: [phone]  (Office) / 827930  (Lab)

Fax: [phone]

 

Website:     http://www.kent.ac.uk/bio/mulvihill/ 

Kent Fungal Group: http://www.kent.ac.uk/bio/kfg

****************************************************

 

 

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[Xuejun Sun]

Hi, Ki,

This issue has been discussed before and it is a recurring problem in most
facilities.

Beside strict user training/education, there are a couple of things we did:

1) We inspect the lenses daily which make us easier to identify the offender
(one of the previous day users). Have a chat with him/her is much more
effective than a reminder by the scope/email.

2) Zeiss ring works well. Alternatively, you can just put a protective
"envelop" on the lenses. We just cut a finger off a latex glove (or use
finger glove) and cut open a small top hole. Replace it once a while.

Good luck,

xuejun



Xuejun SUN, Ph.D.
Dept. of Exp. Oncology
Cross Cancer Institute
11560 University Ave.
Edmonton Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada

Phone:   [phone] (office)
         [phone] (lab)
Fax:       [phone]
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf Of Ki Hng
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 8:28 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Immersion Oil Mess

Hi

Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
objectives.

Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
solution for messy objectives?

Thanks!!
Ki


This message and any attached documents are only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential and may contain privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, retransmission, or other disclosure is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and then delete the original message. Thank you.

[Neil Kad]

What I do is put an elastic material based scrunchy hair band on the shaft of the objective, any spillage is soaked up by this absorbent material.

If you find a repeat offender make them swallow the hair band.

Good luck.

> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:18:27 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: Immersion Oil Mess
> To: [hidden email]
>
> Hi, Ki,
>
> This issue has been discussed before and it is a recurring problem in most
> facilities.
>
> Beside strict user training/education, there are a couple of things we did:
>
> 1) We inspect the lenses daily which make us easier to identify the offender
> (one of the previous day users). Have a chat with him/her is much more
> effective than a reminder by the scope/email.
>
> 2) Zeiss ring works well. Alternatively, you can just put a protective
> "envelop" on the lenses. We just cut a finger off a latex glove (or use
> finger glove) and cut open a small top hole. Replace it once a while.
>
> Good luck,
>
> xuejun
>
>
>
> Xuejun SUN, Ph.D.
> Dept. of Exp. Oncology
> Cross Cancer Institute
> 11560 University Ave.
> Edmonton Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
>
> Phone: [phone] (office)
> [phone] (lab)
> Fax: [phone]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
> Behalf Of Ki Hng
> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 8:28 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Immersion Oil Mess
>
> Hi
>
> Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
> reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
> problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
> objectives.
>
> Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
> we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest. Does anyone have a
> solution for messy objectives?
>
> Thanks!!
> Ki
>
>
> This message and any attached documents are only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential and may contain privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, retransmission, or other disclosure is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and then delete the original message. Thank you.

---

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[Julian Smith III]

An idea borrowed from someone else on this list--brightly-colored
elastic hair-bands (Scunci brand here in the US).  They're around 4mm
diameter, and one goes around the objective about 3x.  They don't
interfere with retraction mechanisms, and they do a great job of
catching immersion oil.  I toss them out about once a month, and replace
them with fresh ones.
Julian

Ki Hng wrote:

> Hi
>
> Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
> reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
> problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
> objectives.  
>
> Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
> we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
> solution for messy objectives?  
>
> Thanks!!
> Ki
>  

--
Julian P.S. Smith III
Director, Winthrop Microscopy Facility
Dept. of Biology
Winthrop University
520 Cherry Rd.
Rock Hill, SC  29733

803-323-2111 x6427 (vox)
803-323-3448 (fax)
803-524-2347 (cell)

[EricMarino]

We put felt rings over our objective and that keeps all of the oil off the
nosepiece. If the diameter is similar to the Zeiss objectives I will send
you a couple.

Eric Marino
[hidden email]


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf Of Ki Hng
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 10:28 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Immersion Oil Mess

Hi

Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
objectives.  

Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
solution for messy objectives?  

Thanks!!
Ki


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.149/2630 - Release Date: 01/19/10
07:34:00

[Craig Brideau]

The women's hair band trick everyone has mentioned works great.
Another thing to enforce is proper clean-up discipline.  I personally
teach everyone the correct method for cleaning up after themselves and
enforce the 'clean up PROPERLY' when you are done rule.
Another good thing is to use thicker oils.  They run less.  Type B is
essential for inverted scopes as it is much thicker than type A.  I
have also used type 37 on heated lenses which is thicker still.  For
the Cargille brand it is possible to mix these three types together
with no chemical harm, although you will probably have some slight
degradation in optical performance of the oil if large amounts are
mixed together.

Craig

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 9:41 AM, Eric Marino <[hidden email]> wrote:

> We put felt rings over our objective and that keeps all of the oil off the
> nosepiece. If the diameter is similar to the Zeiss objectives I will send
> you a couple.
>
> Eric Marino
> [hidden email]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
> Behalf Of Ki Hng
> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 10:28 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Immersion Oil Mess
>
> Hi
>
> Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
> reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
> problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
> objectives.
>
> Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
> we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
> solution for messy objectives?
>
> Thanks!!
> Ki
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.149/2630 - Release Date: 01/19/10
> 07:34:00
>

[Haller, Edward]

Another suggestion is to remind users that they will be billed the assisted user fee for your time to clean the microscope up after they leave if they leave the lenses a mess. They probably don't want to pay a steeper fee to have you clean the lenses after they leave. It doesn't take but a moment for you to take a peek at the condition of the lenses between users. If they get charged for a half hour a few times, they will catch on quickly ;)

Edward Haller, Lab Manager
Integrative Biology Electron Microscopy Core
SCA 110
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
[phone]
[hidden email]

[leoncio vergara]

...you could charge a "clean up" fee, that would get their attention.

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 11:13 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Immersion Oil Mess

The women's hair band trick everyone has mentioned works great.
Another thing to enforce is proper clean-up discipline.  I personally teach everyone the correct method for cleaning up after themselves and enforce the 'clean up PROPERLY' when you are done rule.
Another good thing is to use thicker oils.  They run less.  Type B is essential for inverted scopes as it is much thicker than type A.  I have also used type 37 on heated lenses which is thicker still.  For the Cargille brand it is possible to mix these three types together with no chemical harm, although you will probably have some slight degradation in optical performance of the oil if large amounts are mixed together.

Craig

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 9:41 AM, Eric Marino <[hidden email]> wrote:

> We put felt rings over our objective and that keeps all of the oil off
> the nosepiece. If the diameter is similar to the Zeiss objectives I
> will send you a couple.
>
> Eric Marino
> [hidden email]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ki Hng
> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 10:28 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Immersion Oil Mess
>
> Hi
>
> Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how
> many reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't
> solved the problems of some users using too much immersion oil and
> causing very messy objectives.
>
> Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss,
> but we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does
> anyone have a solution for messy objectives?
>
> Thanks!!
> Ki
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.149/2630 - Release Date:
> 01/19/10 07:34:00
>

[leoncio vergara]

...read my mind

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Haller, Edward
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 11:19 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Immersion Oil Mess

Another suggestion is to remind users that they will be billed the assisted user fee for your time to clean the microscope up after they leave if they leave the lenses a mess. They probably don't want to pay a steeper fee to have you clean the lenses after they leave. It doesn't take but a moment for you to take a peek at the condition of the lenses between users. If they get charged for a half hour a few times, they will catch on quickly ;)

Edward Haller, Lab Manager
Integrative Biology Electron Microscopy Core SCA 110
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
[phone]
[hidden email]

[andywong]

Hi, all,

I need a book or some informations on "how to design an Imaging Facilty"  that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a couple of confocals,  a few other microscopes and some other ancillary equipment. Any information on the subect will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Kung

[Craig Brideau]

Four critical factors to consider:

Temperature Control - Maintain temperature to within 2 degrees C
Humidity Control - Maintain humidity between 20-40%
Vibration Control - Sufficient anti-vibration tables or platforms
Electrical Supply - Have circuits with the correct voltage and current
handling capacity available

Also, delivery access is important.  How easy will it be to get large
pieces of equipment into the facility?  Are there large cargo
elevators available?

Craig


On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM, andre wong
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi, all,
>
> I need a book or some informations on "how to design an Imaging Facilty"
> that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a couple of confocals,  a
> few other microscopes and some other ancillary equipment. Any information on
> the subect will be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Kung
>

[John Oreopoulos]

Andre, the only book I've ever encountered on this topic is this one:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/v445j1/?
p=074d4edb3e2b4a69ae0ca29b4294ca3c&pi=0

Imaging Cellular and Molecular Biological Functions
Book SeriesPrinciples and Practice
SubjectLife Sciences, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, general and  
Biological Microscopy
PublisherSpringer Berlin Heidelberg
DOI10.1007/978-3-540-71331-9
Copyright2007

The 4th chapter is all about how to run a facility:

Chapter4:
Design and Function of a Light-Microscopy Facility
Kurt Anderson, Jeremy Sanderson and Jan Peychl


John Oreopoulos, BSc,
PhD Candidate
University of Toronto
Institute For Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
Centre For Studies in Molecular Imaging

On 20-Jan-10, at 2:32 PM, andre wong wrote:

> Hi, all,
>
> I need a book or some informations on "how to design an Imaging  
> Facilty"  that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a couple  
> of confocals,  a few other microscopes and some other ancillary  
> equipment. Any information on the subect will be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Kung

[Nessler, Randy A]

We just got done with room renovations for an electron microscope where the manufacturer stated that temperature must be stable within 0.5C/hr. Thus, I think you might want to ask the different vendors what their room requirements in regards to temperature, fields, and vibrations are so that you won't jeopardize meeting manufacturers' resolution specs.

Most EM manufacturers have a pdf with these specs (minimum lab door sizes usually included).

Randy

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 1:40 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: book on "designing an Imaging Facility"

Four critical factors to consider:

Temperature Control - Maintain temperature to within 2 degrees C
Humidity Control - Maintain humidity between 20-40%
Vibration Control - Sufficient anti-vibration tables or platforms
Electrical Supply - Have circuits with the correct voltage and current
handling capacity available

Also, delivery access is important.  How easy will it be to get large
pieces of equipment into the facility?  Are there large cargo
elevators available?

Craig


On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM, andre wong
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi, all,
>
> I need a book or some informations on "how to design an Imaging Facilty"
> that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a couple of confocals,  a
> few other microscopes and some other ancillary equipment. Any information on
> the subect will be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Kung
>

[Jeremy Sanderson-3]

Hi,

You need to look at

1) For EM: articles by Judy Murphy in Microscopy Today

2) Design of the electron microscope laboratory (Practical methods in electron microscopy) by Ron Alderson - dated 1975 - ASIN: B0007AI2K8

3) Book chapter 4 in Imaging Cellular and Molecular Biological Functions (Principles and Practice) by Shorte & Frischknecht ISBN 9783540713302
 
4)Article in Wiley's Encylopeadia of Life Science PDF Light Microscopy Imaging Facilities a0022189.

regards,
Jeremy

Jeremy Sanderson

--- On Wed, 20/1/10, Nessler, Randy A <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Nessler, Randy A <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: book on "designing an Imaging Facility"
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Wednesday, 20 January, 2010, 19:48
> We just got done with room
> renovations for an electron microscope where the
> manufacturer stated that temperature must be stable within
> 0.5C/hr. Thus, I think you might want to ask the different
> vendors what their room requirements in regards to
> temperature, fields, and vibrations are so that you won't
> jeopardize meeting manufacturers' resolution specs.
>
> Most EM manufacturers have a pdf with these specs (minimum
> lab door sizes usually included).
>
> Randy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 1:40 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: book on "designing an Imaging Facility"
>
> Four critical factors to consider:
>
> Temperature Control - Maintain temperature to within 2
> degrees C
> Humidity Control - Maintain humidity between 20-40%
> Vibration Control - Sufficient anti-vibration tables or
> platforms
> Electrical Supply - Have circuits with the correct voltage
> and current
> handling capacity available
>
> Also, delivery access is important.  How easy will it
> be to get large
> pieces of equipment into the facility?  Are there
> large cargo
> elevators available?
>
> Craig
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM, andre wong
> <andywong@interchange..ubc.ca>
> wrote:
> > Hi, all,
> >
> > I need a book or some informations on "how to design
> an Imaging Facilty"
> > that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a
> couple of confocals,  a
> > few other microscopes and some other ancillary
> equipment. Any information on
> > the subect will be much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Kung
> >
>

[phil laissue]

Hi Kung,

confocal listserv has a fair deal of information. I also found the article by George McNamara and Carl Boswell very helpful. It can be found e.g. at
http://www.labmanager.com/articles.asp?ID=70
Though it's about light microscopy, charging, training etc. apply anyway.

Kind regards

Philippe

[Vaughn Bryant]

Have you tried using Anisol instead of immersion oil.  Anisol will evaporate
without leaving a mess but acts well as a substitute for immersion oil.

Dr. Vaughn M. Bryant,  Professor of Anthropology
Director, Palynology Laboratory
Department of Anthropology
Texas A&M University (TAMU 4352)
College Station, TX   77843-4352
phone [phone])  Fax [phone])
 
web site http://anthropology.tamu.edu/faculty/directory.php?ID=212

"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!"  Ben Franklin

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf Of Ki Hng
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 9:28 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Immersion Oil Mess

Hi

Our facility have a few confocals and wide-fields, and despite how many
reminders we send, or how many notices we put up, we haven't solved the
problems of some users using too much immersion oil and causing very messy
objectives.  

Zeiss sell "immersion suction rings" which are useful on our Zeiss, but
we've got two Leica SP5s, which tend to be the messiest.  Does anyone have a
solution for messy objectives?  

Thanks!!
Ki

[andywong]

Hi, thanks all for the replies,

I have now gathered quite a lot of valuable ideas and information regarding the above request and am again thanks for all the help.

Thanks

Kung




At 11:32 AM 20/01/2010, you wrote:

Hi, all,

I need a book or some informations on "how to design an Imaging Facilty"  that will accomodate a few electron microscopes, a couple of confocals,  a few other microscopes and some other ancillary equipment. Any information on the subect will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Kung