The syringe quick coupling mechanism of the BioJector is designed to permit the syringe to be dropped straight into place in a vertical direction with ease. The body of the syringe is held by a Delrin® syringe holder, and the syringe plunger end piece is held captive by an “E” ring which fits into a slot in the syringe end coupler. All metal parts of the syringe are made from stainless steel or nickel-plated brass. Syringe barrels are precision honed for accuracy, and each syringe is quality-control tested. To prime the syringe, if necessary, loosen plunger cap to allow a longer stroke of the plunger and manually pump the plunger in and out to prime. Then retighten the plunger cap. Syringes are available in 0.1, 0.2, 0,25, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ml sizes. The same syringe service kit, consisting of 2 “O” rings, 2 tac valves or ball valves, 1 medium and 1 short spring, and 2 washers, will fit any of these syringes. The medium spring must be installed in the syringe tip.
Cleaning the Syringe #
- Immediately after use, run tap water through the syringe to rinse.
- Disassemble syringe.
- Rinse components in warm water
- Wash components thoroughly in mild detergent solution, being sure to clean intake and exhaust valve seats and port holes. The port holes may be cleaned readily using pipe cleaners or an electric shaver brush, but use care not to scratch the valve seats. Buffing with 0000 steel wool will polish the valve seat without damaging, if poor cleaning practices allow debris build-up. With proper maintenance, however, this should not become necessary. Use of solutions of high acid or alkali content will promote corrosion.
- Rinse components thoroughly in hot water and allow to air dry on clean cloth or paper towels.
- It is very important that the Plunger (the blue O-Ring) is sprinkled with oil before each use (after each cleaning and disinfecting).Without oil, significant problems can arise!
Reassembling the Syringe #
- Apply Haynes “spray lube” (available from our parts department) to “O” rings.
- Reassemble syringe, inspecting parts as you do so. Parts are interchangeable though we do recommend they be kept as a set.
- See that tac valves or ball valves are seated correctly and replace misshapen or crushed springs. Install the medium spring in the syringe tip, and the short spring in the input.
- Hand tighten all screw joints. Wrenches should not be necessary.
- Install completely new syringe kits approximately every 200,000 injections. Avoid replacing individual parts for best results.