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The STRIPPER® Hints & Troubleshooting

Flash Tutorial of O-Ring Replacement

Proper Dispensing of Tips

Stripper tips are packaged in double sealed containers. The package is designed to maintain sterility after opening. Dispensing of tips according to instructions shown below will help to maintain a sterile environment for the unused tips.

  1. Using aseptic technique, remove cap from outer vial.
  2. Do not remove inner vial from outer vial.
  3. Squeeze outer vial against inner vial and invert.
  4. Gently shake while inverted to allow one tip to be dispensed from inner cap.
  5. Recap unused tips.

Capillary Fill and O-ring Replacement

Observe the tip as you place it in a drop of media. If the tip begins to fill before you release the plunger, check the fit of the tip against the barrel. Retighten the collet. If the problem persists, even with other tips, then the O-rings may need replacing. In the original box in which THE STRIPPER was shipped, there is a small plastic vial with spare O-rings and spacers.

To replace the O-rings

  • Unscrew and remove the collet.
  • At the base of the stainless steel plunger, next to the barrel, you can see the O-rings. There are 2 black rings, one with a small hole and one with a slightly larger hole. In between the two is a white plastic spacer.
  • The order of replacement is important: The O-ring with the small hole against the barrel, then the white plastic spacer, and finally the O-ring with the larger hole.
  • Be sure the concave side of the "spacer" (the hole looks slightly larger) faces the collet.The concavity is designed to seat the tip and ensure a good seal.
  • Replace the collet and assemble the tip as described above.

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Retained Fluid in the Tip

If the collet has become loose after prolonged use or the Tip was not attached properly, media can be retained in the Tip that cannot be expelled by the plunger. If there are no cells in the fluid, then simply remove the Tip and blow out the fluid with a clean air supply. If a cell or cells are trapped in the fluid column, carefully remove the Tip, and, using a 25 gauge needle attached to a 1cc syringe filled with media, gently flush out the Tip by inserting the needle into the large end of the Tip, holding it firmly against the hub of the needle.

Plunger Replacement (Refer to above drawing) Reorder #MXL3-PLG

To replace plunger wire, unscrew spring housing from barrel by gripping barrel and turning spring housing counterclockwise until it is free from barrel. Next, holding finger pad and barrel, twist finger pad counterclockwise until barrel is free. Gently slide off barrel and spring to expose set screw collar. Using your Allen wrench, loosen both set screws and remove old wire. Set the new wire into the plunger assembly (wire must bottom in hole). Retighten screws. Slide spring and barrel back on, being careful not to bend new wire. Retighten both the barrel and the spring housing assembly. Caution: It is not necessary or advisable to remove finger pad or spring housing end cap.

Recommended Cleaning/Sterilization

Wipe with isopropyl alcohol or other appropriate sterilizing agent.

More Information:

STRIPPER®
STRIPPER® CC
STRIPPER® PGD
STRIPPER® Tips
STRIPPER® Hints & Troubleshooting
STRIPPER® Ordering Information
Download the STRIPPER® Info Sheet

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