=====SOP of EQUIPMENTS===== **BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE** - PURPOSE: Binocular microscope is used for viewing Differential count, PSCM, P/S for malarial parasite, Reticulocyte count etc.. - LOCATION: Hematology reporting room and Incharge room. - OPERATION: * The slide is placed on stage gently holding back the spring arm with the specimen side up and center of the smear to be examined as accurately as possible over the hole in the center of the stage. The spring arm mechanism can get easily damaged if the surface of the stage or the under surface of the slide is wet or has oil on it. * The lamp is switched on. The brightness control is turned on to about three quarters of its full power (final adjustment to be done later). * It is looked through the eye piece and the objective is slowly raised with the coarse adjustment until the specimen is in approximate focus. The specimen is brought to sharp focus with the fine adjustment. The position of condenser and diaphragm is adjusted keeping the iris in its 1/3 open position and the brightness is adjusted for minimum glare. * The objective is resolved carefully so the 10X objective stands vertically above the stage. It is made sure that there is no danger of the objective hitting the stage. * For examining specimen with 40X objective, the iris is opened more and the illumination increased. * For examining specimen with oil immersion, a drop of oil is placed on the specimen slide, the iris opened fully and the illumination increased.

  1. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE:

    1. Cleaning of optics and stage of microscope is done daily & after each use.

    2. Using a clean tissue paper, any dust and dirt is wiped from the stage, its controls, focusing knobs and other surfaces.

    3. Oil is removed from the oil immersion objective after its use. Lens paper or a separate piece of clean cotton cloth is used to clean the surfaces of lenses of objectives like 10X, 40X, the upper lenses of eye pieces, condenser lens and the illuminator lens.

    4. **Care when using the microscope-**

      1. No undue force is applied for any mechanism.

      2. It is made sure that the surface of the stage and the under surface of specimen slide is completely dry.

      3. The 100× objective is always moved to one side before inserting and removing the slides to prevent scratching of the front lens of the objective.

      **At the end of day-**

* The 100X objective and its surrounding mount are wiped with soft tissue paper again. Alcohol is not used to wipe any oil which is difficult to remove, instead a clean cloth /tissue dampened in small amount of xylene is used. * Any objective/eyepiece port is not left empty as it may cause accumulation of dust inside. * The stage is decontaminated with 70% alcohol if there is any soiling and the surface is allowed to dry. * The microscope is covered while not in use. * Staff is educated about the basic use of microscope. * A soft tissue paper or lens paper is kept in between the objective and stage to prevent damage to the lens.

  1. VALIDATION OF INSTRUMENTS: Whenever the instrument is received new/ after repair, all the objective lenses, lamp system, coarse and fine adjustments are checked for proper working condition.

  2. BACK UP PROCEDURE FOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE: In case of failure, Slides are screened in other microscopes.

  3. RESPONSIBILITY: Technical staff and doctors

  4. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Any operating or electrical problem should be recorded in c\records \file\12\records of Nonconformities and to be brought in notice of the laboratory In-charge. Service persons are informed regarding the problem as soon as possible to solve the problem.

  5. REVIEW, RECORDS, REMARKS & RECOMMENDATION: Break down /Service **Records are maintained** in c\records \file\23 \External maintenance records.

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