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VanGuard Operators Manual

Introduction

Hamilton Bell's VanGuard Compact Centrifuge offers the protection needed in today's healthcare environment when operated in accordance with the instructions herein. The transparent polycarbonate protective cover permits visual inspection of tubes. When the cover is locked closed, the rotor is contained in a sealed compartment.

With the cover locked closed, the VanGuard provides integral aerosol and splash protection to minimize exposure to infectious disease. The VanGuard centrifuge should only be operated with the cover locked closed and with a balanced load.

Utility

Hamilton Bell VanGuard Centrifuge is designed specifically for use in physicians offices and clinical laboratories. The VanGuard performs separation procedures for blood, fecal, and high density sedimentation. The VanGuard is also at home in the biological, chemical, and industrial laboratory where fast separation of different densities is desirable.

VanGuard Centrifuge Models

All VanGuard centrifuges are available with either 10ml or 15ml hardened aluminum shields. Please indicate the shields you require when ordering.

• V6000 VanGuard Centrifuge - on / off switch, constant speed brushless induction motor, six place rotor
• V6500 VanGuard Centrifuge - 60 minute interval timer operation, constant speed brushless induction motor, six place rotor

NOTE: ALL VANGUARD CENTRIFUGE MODELS PERFORM AT 3400 RPMs,
FULLY LOADED, AND RELATIVE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE 1318  

Important

• To ensure product PROTECTION and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustments must be performed by Hamilton Bell Service Center or authorized service stations, always using Hamilton Bell replacement parts.
• Always save carton and foam packing material to be used for possible future shipment of storage of your VanGuard Centrifuge.

Installation

1- Place the VanGuard Centrifuge on a stable, smooth, flat surface.

2- Plug in the VanGuard Centrifuge unit power cord. One end plugs into the receptacle on the right side of the back of the centrifuge unit; the other end (with the 3-prong plug) plugs into your power source (115VAC, 60 Hz)

3- Remove plastic protective wrap from transparent polycarbonate cover.

Electrical Precautions

• Operate VanGuard Centrifuge only from an AC power source approved for the machine
• Plug power cord only into a grounded 3-wire receptacle.
• Never remove the grounding plug from the power plug.
• Immediately replace worn or damaged power cord or plug.
• Always unplug the power cord before cleaning or servicing the centrifuge.

Operation

1- Simultaneously depress both detente fasteners located at the top front of each side of the
centrifuge unit just below the transparent polycarbonate cover. The top cover will pop up enough to allow you to manually raise the cover to its upright resting position.

2- Load either 10 ml or 15 ml tubes (depending on how your VanGuard is configured - check the shipping carton to confirm). For your convenience, all 15 ml machines are now equipped with six 10 ml adapter cushions. Tubes and cushions must be loaded in a balanced manner.

3- Close the transparent polycarbonate cover being sure that both sides of the cover are locked closed by the detente fasteners.

V6000 on / off switch operation only:
4- Push the on / off switch on the lower left side of the front of the centrifuge unit. The on / off switch will be become illuminated and the centrifuge will start operating. To STOP the centrifuging process, push the on / off switch again.

V6500 60 minute timer operation only:
5- TIMED OPERATION: Rotate the timer knob on the lower right side of the centrifuge unit in a clockwise direction past the 10 minute mark. Then set the timer to the desired timing interval. The indicator light on the lower left side of the centrifuge unit will become illuminated and the centrifuge will start operating. The centrifugation will stop when the timer returns to the 0 (zero) position.

6- CONTINUOUS OPERATION: Rotate the timer knob counterclockwise to the HOLD mark. To stop the centrifugation process, rotate the knob clockwise to the 0 (zero) mark.

Operation Precautions

• Operate VanGuard Centrifuge only with transparent polycarbonate cover locked closed.
• Operate VanGuard Centrifuge only with a balanced load.
• Operate VanGuard Centrifuge only with rotor collar gasket properly installed.
• Immediately replace worn or damaged rotor collar gasket.
• Never unlock and/ or open transparent cover while centrifuge is operating. (Should you do so, power will automatically shut off.)
• Never unlock and/ or open transparent cover before rotor comes to a complete stop.
• Never unlock and/ or open transparent cover without visually inspecting tubes for leaks or breakage. Should leaks or breakage occur, take the required safety precautions relative to the situation before unlocking the transparent cover. Always wear appropriate protective gloves, surgical mask, clothing, etc.

Maintenance

Frequently clean aluminum shields, rotor, interior of the rotor collar, rotor collar gasket, transparent cover, and housing beneath transparent cover.

Rotor Collar Gasket is easily removable for cleaning. Always replace the rotor collar gasket.
NEVER OPERATE VANGUARD CENTRIFUGE WITHOUT ROTOR COLLAR GASKET PROPERLY INSTALLED. Immediately replace worn or damaged rotor collar gasket

Aluminum Shields are easily removable for cleaning.

Clean bowl area periodically. Remove aluminum shields, unscrew black and white knob counterclockwise, and carefully lift the rotor off the motor shaft. Wipe the interior area of the bowl with a cloth dampened with a suitable disinfectant.

Clean rotor with a solution of sodium hypochlorite in concentrations (of sodium hypochlorite) not to exceed 5%. Rinse with warm water then dry rotor. CAUTION: DO NOT AUTOCLAVE ROTOR.

Check rotor periodically for structural integrity. REPLACE ROTOR IF WORN OR CRACKS ARE VISIBLE. Replace with V7000 aluminum rotor only.

Maintenance Precautions

• Always unplug the power cord before cleaning or servicing the centrifuge.
• Always wear appropriate protective gloves, surgical mask, clothing, etc.
• Use a disinfectant capable of destroying, neutralizing, or inhibiting the growth of the type of pathogenic microorganism that may be present relative to the situation. Avoid the use of strong, abrasive cleaners.
• When replacing rotor, do not over-tighten black & white knob. Over-tightening may damage motorshaft pin.

Blood Separation

For optimum performance and efficiency, refer to tube manufacturer's technical information and instructions.

Vacutainer Brand SST Tubes contain a separative gel within the tube that separates the clot from the serum in whole blood specimens. Under centrifugation, the gel moves to create a barrier between clot and serum providing access to the serum specimen for various chemistry testing procedures. To ensure the highest quality serum specimen from a whole blood sample, Becton-Dickinson Vacutainer Systems recommends the following procedure when using SST Brand Tubes:

1- Collect specimen using standard venipuncture technique, exhausting the vacuum.

2- Gently invert the tubes 5 times to mix the clot activator with the blood.

3- Allow tube to clot 30 minutes in a vertical position.

4- Spin tube for 15 minutes (at 1000 to 1300 Gs); the barrier will form separating serum from clot.

5- Transport from client to lab or processing location.