MICROSCOPE USE AND MEINTANANCE

 

Rules for Protection of the Microscope

Microscopes are very sophisticated instrument which is widely used in various laboratories of Bioscience and Medical science. Microscopes have come a long way since then—today's strongest compound microscopes have magnifying powers of 1,000 to 2,000X. Now a days compound microscopes are used in schools, colleges, universitities and clinical laboratories for various purposes. It is  relatively delicate and expensive instruments that should be handled with the greatest care. Some times microscopes are damaged permanently due to careless handling by students or lab technicians. Thus it is very important than any one before examine the microscope properly understand the instruction of laboratory instructor or senior researchers. The guideline of proper handling of microscope is explained below.

1. The laboratory instructor or guide or senior researchers will demonstrate the proper way to remove the microscope from the cabinet and how to return it.

2. Always carry the microscope in an upright position, with its arm grasped by one hand and its base resting on the other. The eyepiece may not be attached and might fall out if the microscope is turned upside down.

3.Eyepiece and objectives should be remain in dust free are.

4. Before you return the compound microscope to the cabinet, be certain that you have removed the last microslide that you observed and that the lowest-power objective lens is in place. Working temperatures are: 32° F-104° F (0°C-40°C). Max. relative humidity: 85%.

5. When using the compound microscope, first examine the material with a scanning (3.5x or 4x) or a low-power (lOx) objective, never with a high-power (40x, 43x, or 45x) objective. Your microscope may be parfocal; that is, once an object is in focus under a low-power lens, you should be able to switch to the next higher power (for example, from lOx to 45x) without changing focus and either find the object in focus or get it into focus with a very slight turn of the fine-adjustment knob.

6. Never use the coarse-adjustment knob to focus downward with the high-power objective in place. Avoid contanct of lense with slides. Care should also taken to avoid adhesive substances, stains etc.

7. Always cover moist, living, or preserved materials with a coverslip; also be sure to maintain a safe distance between the coverslip and the objective in order to avoid damage to the lenses.

8. Clean lenses only with lens paper, never with relatively coarse materials such as handkerchiefs, facial tissue, or cheesecloth, because they will scratch the lenses. If the lenses are very dirty, moisten the lens paper with distilled water. If that does not clean the lenses, ask the lab instructor for some lens cleaning solvent.

9.Mirror should also be cleaned with handkerchiefs, facial tissue, or cheesecloth. Dust should be cleaned off with pressurized air or with a soft brush.

10. Clean spots of stain, specimen remains, smudges, fingerprints, oils, etc from the lens with clean lens paper or a soft clean cloth moistened with a small amount of absolute alcohol-ether mixture. If an alcohol-ether mixture is unavailable, use isopropyl alcohol.

11. If neded clean the microscope body and stand using a moist, soft cloth with a small amount of detergent. Before doing this learn properly from an expart.

12. If you cannot obtain a clear focus or good lighting-if your microscope seems to be malfunctioning-immediately notify your instructor, as the instrument may require repair.