Ensure that the power supply to the instrument is switched OFF before cleaning. → De dust the equipment daily externally with a clean dry cloth. > Once in a week remove adhered dust by wet mopping using a detergent solution.
Afterward, wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth to remove traces of detergent. Precaution has to be taken to clean the instrument immediately with a dry cloth to remove the moisture.

OPERATING PROCEDURE

General handling

Place the microscope on your work area from the storage cubicle. Make sure that the microscope is level.
Plugin the microscope and turn on the light source. Open up the iris diaphragm to maximum aperture

Adjusting the oculars:

With the light on and the diaphragm closed halfway look. > Move the oculars to their outermost position; you will see one light spot depending on which eye is over the ocular.

Move the oculars in until you see 2 light points and continue moving the oculars inward until you only see one light source through both eyes (you can test this by alternatively closing one or the other eye, you should continue to see the same light.
Mounting the specimen slide. > On the nose piece move the objectives until the smallest objective is in the viewing position.
Adjust the working space to maximum, by moving the stage as far away from the low power objective using the course adjustment.
Open the mechanical slide holder by pressing the clips. Insert the slide and allow the spring to close the mechanical slide holder. Make sure that the slide is not on top or below the metal arms of the slide holder.

Lighting

Use the rheostat and set the light source to maximum output. Open the iris diaphragm on the condenser all the way. Use the condenser adjustment knob to ensure that the condenser is as close to the sample as possible.
It is recommended that when first using the microscope that the blue filter is taken out of the path of light. Once you are proficient at using the microscope then use the blue filter

Focusing

Using the course focus move the stage and the low power objective as close together as possible
Using the course focus again, focus on your sample. Once you have your image, find and center the items that you will magnify further in your field of view.
Move the nosepiece so that the next larger objective is in observing position. Focus your sample using the fine focus, again moving the fine focus back and forth a whole turn.
For oil, immersion places a drop of immersion oil on the slide before moving the objective over the sample. Slow movement reduces the possibility of introducing air bubbles.

Microscope Cleanup

Using lens paper cleans all the lenses using multiple layers of paper and the pad of your index finger. Never use hard items to clean the lens. > Remove all other materials by wiping with regular paper towels.

REFERENCES: Instrument Manual

Standard Operating Procedure- Projection Microscopes

SCOPE/PURPOSE:

RESPONSIBILITY:

ACCOUNTABILITY:

GENERAL PROCEDURE