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Scissor N3

Scissor N3

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Keep your Pion equipment running at its best.

Our support plans provide dependable service, predictable costs, and expert care to protect your investment and maximize uptime. With factory-standard maintenance and responsive support from our experienced engineers, you can focus on your research while we ensure your instrumentation performs reliably every day.

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Service Plan

FAQs

Support
How can I clean my Scissor N3 electrodes?
How can I clean my Scissor N3 electrodes?

If your electrodes are covered in saline crystals or are not passingthe pH calibration criteria, please perform the following:

  • Ensure there are no crystals or air bubblesinside the electrode. Crystals can be dissolved with deionized water and theelectrodes can be emptied and re-filled with fresh filling solution (3M KCl).
  • Rinse the electrodes with deionized waterbefore placing them to soak for 5 minutes in 0.1M HCl.
  • Rinse the electrodes with deionized wateragain before placing them to soak for 5 minutes in 0.1M NaOH, followed byanother rinse with deionized water.
  • Place the electrodes back in fresh storagesolution and leave for at least 1 hour to soak.
  • Re-try a calibration with fresh standards.If the slope is still below 90% repeat steps 2 and 3 soaking for up to 1 hourin each solution before re-testing.
  • If the millivolt values and slope are stillnot within range within three consecutive attempts, please contact Pion.
  • If using proteins, a 5-minute soak in 1%pepsin in DI water can also be performed to clean the probes after an assay.

If your electrodes are covered in saline crystals or are not passingthe pH calibration criteria, please perform the following:

  • Ensure there are no crystals or air bubblesinside the electrode. Crystals can be dissolved with deionized water and theelectrodes can be emptied and re-filled with fresh filling solution (3M KCl).
  • Rinse the electrodes with deionized waterbefore placing them to soak for 5 minutes in 0.1M HCl.
  • Rinse the electrodes with deionized wateragain before placing them to soak for 5 minutes in 0.1M NaOH, followed byanother rinse with deionized water.
  • Place the electrodes back in fresh storagesolution and leave for at least 1 hour to soak.
  • Re-try a calibration with fresh standards.If the slope is still below 90% repeat steps 2 and 3 soaking for up to 1 hourin each solution before re-testing.
  • If the millivolt values and slope are stillnot within range within three consecutive attempts, please contact Pion.
  • If using proteins, a 5-minute soak in 1%pepsin in DI water can also be performed to clean the probes after an assay.
Support
How can I clean the Scissor N3?
How can I clean the Scissor N3?

TheIngress Protection rating of the Scissor is IP00.

WARNING – Do not spray the instrument with liquids.

To clean, complete the following steps:

1. Disconnect the main power cord.

2. Decontaminate the tubing by following steps insection 4.5.1 of this manual.

3. Wipe down the surfaces using water or other normalcleaning solution. If needed, a solution of 50% ethanol or less can be used toclean the surface.

 

The use of acetone, solvents outside of thoserecommended in this document, high concentrations of surfactants, oils, strongacids, and bases must be avoided.

If hazardous material has been spilled on theinstrument, it is the operator’s responsibility to apply a cleaning protocolthat is compatible with the hazardous substance. If there is any doubt on thecompatibility of the cleaning protocol with the instrument parts, then Pionpersonnel must be consulted.

CAUTION – The use of inappropriatesolvent or cleaning protocol might damage the instrument.

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TheIngress Protection rating of the Scissor is IP00.

WARNING – Do not spray the instrument with liquids.

To clean, complete the following steps:

1. Disconnect the main power cord.

2. Decontaminate the tubing by following steps insection 4.5.1 of this manual.

3. Wipe down the surfaces using water or other normalcleaning solution. If needed, a solution of 50% ethanol or less can be used toclean the surface.

 

The use of acetone, solvents outside of thoserecommended in this document, high concentrations of surfactants, oils, strongacids, and bases must be avoided.

If hazardous material has been spilled on theinstrument, it is the operator’s responsibility to apply a cleaning protocolthat is compatible with the hazardous substance. If there is any doubt on thecompatibility of the cleaning protocol with the instrument parts, then Pionpersonnel must be consulted.

CAUTION – The use of inappropriatesolvent or cleaning protocol might damage the instrument.

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Support
How can I calibrate my Scissor N3 electrodes?
How can I calibrate my Scissor N3 electrodes?

Before performing an experiment, a pH calibration needs to be performed for each electrode in use for that assay. If running all three chambers at once, all 6electrodes need to be calibrated. To calibrate the electrodes, complete the following steps.

1. Ensure each electrode is filled with the appropriate filling solution (3M KCl Provided by Pion) and that there are no air bubbles or crystals inside the electrodes.

2. Make sure that the electrodes are both plugged into the correct fixtures on the Scissor main panel.

3. Place the cartridge and chamber electrodes in the calibration position on the relevant chamber lid.

4. Remove the electrode solution cap, rinse them with deionized water, and put both electrodes in the pH 4 standard solution.

5. Open the ScissorN3 Control software andopen the chambers tab.

6. Go to the desired chamber tile and under the ‘calibrate’ section, check the box for which electrodes you would like to calibrate, along with the designated pH that the electrodes are currently submerged within (pH 4).

7. Upon completion of the calibration at pH4, removed the electrodes, rinse them with deionized water and move them intopH 10 standard solution.

8. Then click the pH 10 calibration buttonand the countdown for the calibration will begin again.

9. Upon completion, rinse the electrodeswith deionized water and replace them into electrode storage solution.

10. Once complete, view the calibrationresults by clicking ‘view calibration history’ on each chamber. This will opena new window with the results of the calibration.

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pH Calibration History

The pH calibration history can be accessed for each chamber via the ‘view pH calibration history’ button. This will show only calibrations for the electrodes associated with that chamber.

The two entries (cartridge and chamber) at the top of the list will be the most recent calibration information. This will be the information that the software uses in order to calculate pH for that chamber during an experiment.It is therefore important to ensure the same electrodes are placed in these positions when running the assay.

There is also an option in the pH calibration history to ‘show interim calibration results’. The table works by updating depending on the most recent pH calibration value obtained. In reality, the software calibrates the chamber and cartridge electrodes at pH 4, and then uses the most recent pH 10calibration in its history to estimate the slope of the electrode as an interim result until the new pH 10 data set is complete. When the electrode then has anew corresponding pH 10 value, a new entry for both electrodes will be made.This will be entered in the pH calibration history table as the 2 new calibration points visible at the top of the table.

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pH criteria

The electrodes are considered to have passed calibration if the most recent calibrations have a slope above 90% but no greater than 101%. The corresponding pH 4 mV should be 175 mV ± 35 mV and-175 mV ± 35 mV for pH 10.

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Before performing an experiment, a pH calibration needs to be performed for each electrode in use for that assay. If running all three chambers at once, all 6electrodes need to be calibrated. To calibrate the electrodes, complete the following steps.

1. Ensure each electrode is filled with the appropriate filling solution (3M KCl Provided by Pion) and that there are no air bubbles or crystals inside the electrodes.

2. Make sure that the electrodes are both plugged into the correct fixtures on the Scissor main panel.

3. Place the cartridge and chamber electrodes in the calibration position on the relevant chamber lid.

4. Remove the electrode solution cap, rinse them with deionized water, and put both electrodes in the pH 4 standard solution.

5. Open the ScissorN3 Control software andopen the chambers tab.

6. Go to the desired chamber tile and under the ‘calibrate’ section, check the box for which electrodes you would like to calibrate, along with the designated pH that the electrodes are currently submerged within (pH 4).

7. Upon completion of the calibration at pH4, removed the electrodes, rinse them with deionized water and move them intopH 10 standard solution.

8. Then click the pH 10 calibration buttonand the countdown for the calibration will begin again.

9. Upon completion, rinse the electrodeswith deionized water and replace them into electrode storage solution.

10. Once complete, view the calibrationresults by clicking ‘view calibration history’ on each chamber. This will opena new window with the results of the calibration.

‍

pH Calibration History

The pH calibration history can be accessed for each chamber via the ‘view pH calibration history’ button. This will show only calibrations for the electrodes associated with that chamber.

The two entries (cartridge and chamber) at the top of the list will be the most recent calibration information. This will be the information that the software uses in order to calculate pH for that chamber during an experiment.It is therefore important to ensure the same electrodes are placed in these positions when running the assay.

There is also an option in the pH calibration history to ‘show interim calibration results’. The table works by updating depending on the most recent pH calibration value obtained. In reality, the software calibrates the chamber and cartridge electrodes at pH 4, and then uses the most recent pH 10calibration in its history to estimate the slope of the electrode as an interim result until the new pH 10 data set is complete. When the electrode then has anew corresponding pH 10 value, a new entry for both electrodes will be made.This will be entered in the pH calibration history table as the 2 new calibration points visible at the top of the table.

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pH criteria

The electrodes are considered to have passed calibration if the most recent calibrations have a slope above 90% but no greater than 101%. The corresponding pH 4 mV should be 175 mV ± 35 mV and-175 mV ± 35 mV for pH 10.

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Support
What are the PC requirements for Scissor N3?
What are the PC requirements for Scissor N3?

Minimum recommended specifications of Intel i3, 3 GB Memory, 10 GB Available disk space, one freeUSB port, 1280 x 1024 screen resolution. A 500 GB drive is recommended for thePC. Windows 10 with IE9 or higher (64bit) and Microsoft Excel. Full admin rights are also required for software installation. We recommend that you have a dedicated PC for the Scissor instrument and relevant accessories.

If a Fraction collector is also being used, it is recommended that the computer meet the specifications above but the system will also require one additional free USB port.

§  If a RainbowR6 is also being used, it is recommended that the computer meet the specifications above but the system will also require one additional free USB port. A total of three free USB ports are required if usingScissor N3, fraction collector and RainbowR6 concurrently.

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Minimum recommended specifications of Intel i3, 3 GB Memory, 10 GB Available disk space, one freeUSB port, 1280 x 1024 screen resolution. A 500 GB drive is recommended for thePC. Windows 10 with IE9 or higher (64bit) and Microsoft Excel. Full admin rights are also required for software installation. We recommend that you have a dedicated PC for the Scissor instrument and relevant accessories.

If a Fraction collector is also being used, it is recommended that the computer meet the specifications above but the system will also require one additional free USB port.

§  If a RainbowR6 is also being used, it is recommended that the computer meet the specifications above but the system will also require one additional free USB port. A total of three free USB ports are required if usingScissor N3, fraction collector and RainbowR6 concurrently.

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Support
How do I prepare a SCISSOR N3 cartridge for an experiment?
How do I prepare a SCISSOR N3 cartridge for an experiment?

For standard cartridge packs, see this YouTube video. Skip to 12:09 minutes

 

For ECM-XR cartridge packs, see this YouTube video:

For standard cartridge packs, see this YouTube video. Skip to 12:09 minutes

 

For ECM-XR cartridge packs, see this YouTube video:

Support
How do I run a SCISSOR N3 experiment with Rainbow?
How do I run a SCISSOR N3 experiment with Rainbow?

SCISSOR N3 High LevelOperation overview:

  1. Turn SCISSOR instrument on followed by Rainbow.
  2. Open SCISSOR control software.
  3. Open Rainbow software (allow lamp 20 mins to warm up).
  4. Check CO2 is functional, and cameras are correctly assigned on SCISSOR.
  5. Decide assay parameters/Set-up based on sample.
  6. Complete calculations for Rainbow calibration curve required.
  7. Perform pH calibration on SCISSOR.
  8. Set-up SCISSOR hardware for experiment (Chamber, cartridge, electrodes).
  9. Create Time series required (imaging, Reading, Sampling).
  10. Create Method as required and configure for manual/automated sampling as needed.
  11. Start experiment per chamber using required method.
  12. SCISSOR experiment running and leave to equilibrate for ~30 mins.
  13. On the Rainbow, take100%T in DI water to check integration times and cleanliness.
  14. Re-take 100%T in the bicarbonate buffer for Calibrations.
  15. Create calibration curve for rainbow.
  16. Save and export theRainbow calibration curve.
  17. Close the Rainbow calibration file and open a new file (do not close software).
  18. Clean the FO probes with Di water and ethanol.
  19. Check probes are clean(100%T in DI water).
  20. Place probes into respective SCISSOR chambers and re-take 100%T on rainbow.
  21. On Rainbow, import calibration curve.
  22. Check your chambers are equilibrated on SCISSOR and click ‘next’ to confirm stability.
  23. On Rainbow re-take100%T if needed.
  24. Set an experiment running on Rainbow (autosave).
  25. Get injections ready and inject on SCISSOR.
  26. Click next once injected and leave assays to autocomplete.
  27. Once complete, lift chamber lids, expel fluid into chamber and discard cartridge.
  28. Remove the electrodes and store.
  29. Flush DI water through each chamber.
  30. Flush 50% IPA through each chamber.
  31. Flush DI water through each chamber.
  32. Flush Bicarbonate buffer through each chamber.
  33. Run the lines empty prior to using the system again.
  34. Export data from AuPro for Rainbow either directly to excel or to ‘SCISSOR CSV’ format.
  35. Within SCISSOR control, select ‘reports’ and import FO data as required.
  36. Export data from ‘reports’ to desired format.

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SCISSOR N3 High LevelOperation overview:

  1. Turn SCISSOR instrument on followed by Rainbow.
  2. Open SCISSOR control software.
  3. Open Rainbow software (allow lamp 20 mins to warm up).
  4. Check CO2 is functional, and cameras are correctly assigned on SCISSOR.
  5. Decide assay parameters/Set-up based on sample.
  6. Complete calculations for Rainbow calibration curve required.
  7. Perform pH calibration on SCISSOR.
  8. Set-up SCISSOR hardware for experiment (Chamber, cartridge, electrodes).
  9. Create Time series required (imaging, Reading, Sampling).
  10. Create Method as required and configure for manual/automated sampling as needed.
  11. Start experiment per chamber using required method.
  12. SCISSOR experiment running and leave to equilibrate for ~30 mins.
  13. On the Rainbow, take100%T in DI water to check integration times and cleanliness.
  14. Re-take 100%T in the bicarbonate buffer for Calibrations.
  15. Create calibration curve for rainbow.
  16. Save and export theRainbow calibration curve.
  17. Close the Rainbow calibration file and open a new file (do not close software).
  18. Clean the FO probes with Di water and ethanol.
  19. Check probes are clean(100%T in DI water).
  20. Place probes into respective SCISSOR chambers and re-take 100%T on rainbow.
  21. On Rainbow, import calibration curve.
  22. Check your chambers are equilibrated on SCISSOR and click ‘next’ to confirm stability.
  23. On Rainbow re-take100%T if needed.
  24. Set an experiment running on Rainbow (autosave).
  25. Get injections ready and inject on SCISSOR.
  26. Click next once injected and leave assays to autocomplete.
  27. Once complete, lift chamber lids, expel fluid into chamber and discard cartridge.
  28. Remove the electrodes and store.
  29. Flush DI water through each chamber.
  30. Flush 50% IPA through each chamber.
  31. Flush DI water through each chamber.
  32. Flush Bicarbonate buffer through each chamber.
  33. Run the lines empty prior to using the system again.
  34. Export data from AuPro for Rainbow either directly to excel or to ‘SCISSOR CSV’ format.
  35. Within SCISSOR control, select ‘reports’ and import FO data as required.
  36. Export data from ‘reports’ to desired format.

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Support
Is there a SCISSOR N3 demo video I can watch?
Is there a SCISSOR N3 demo video I can watch?

Yes! Follow this link to watch a demo on the SCISSOR N3. Skip to 7:35 mins to see the SCISSOR N3 andRainbow R6 hardware:

Yes! Follow this link to watch a demo on the SCISSOR N3. Skip to 7:35 mins to see the SCISSOR N3 andRainbow R6 hardware:

Support
My SCISSOR N3 Gen2 cartridge holder is overflowing, how do I stop this?
My SCISSOR N3 Gen2 cartridge holder is overflowing, how do I stop this?

With the 60ml chamber size, the volumes require a slightly different order of operation.

  1. When starting an assay with the Gen2 cartridge holders, fill the chamber with 60ml of bicarbonate buffer and place in the chamber position as usual,with the chamber lid floating above the chamber.
  2. Lower the chamber lid ~halfway into chamber and turn on the SCISSORpump.
  3. Wait 30 seconds – 1 minute for the liquid to circulate.
  4. The volume in the chamber should have reduced enough for the chamber lid to be lowered fully into position.
  5. Once the chamber lid is in place, turn the pump off and continue with the standard assay protocols.

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With the 60ml chamber size, the volumes require a slightly different order of operation.

  1. When starting an assay with the Gen2 cartridge holders, fill the chamber with 60ml of bicarbonate buffer and place in the chamber position as usual,with the chamber lid floating above the chamber.
  2. Lower the chamber lid ~halfway into chamber and turn on the SCISSORpump.
  3. Wait 30 seconds – 1 minute for the liquid to circulate.
  4. The volume in the chamber should have reduced enough for the chamber lid to be lowered fully into position.
  5. Once the chamber lid is in place, turn the pump off and continue with the standard assay protocols.

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Support
My camera focus & image quality could be improved, how can I calibrate the camera lens?
My camera focus & image quality could be improved, how can I calibrate the camera lens?
  • If the cartridge image is out of focus, the camera focus can be manually adjusted.
  • On the side of each camera is a small grub screw (image below).
  • Use the 0.9mm hex key to undo the grub screw on the right-hand side ofthe camera before gently twisting the lens on the front of the camera until theimages are in focus (image below).
  • Once in focus according to images taken, tighten the grub screw and re-check the image to confirm.
  • If the problem persists, please use this link to open a ticket - https://pionsupport.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket?departmentId=650662000000006907&layoutId=650662000001616771

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Electrode Calibration Issues

Cause Action
Air bubbles are present. Gently flick the electrodes to bring the bubbles to the top.
There is crystal build up. Use DI water to dissolve the crystal buildup. Then, remove the DI water and replace with fresh filling solution.
pH electrode slope <90% Ensure all solutions are kept fresh for calibration and that the covers are taken off for both experiments and calibrations. Ensure there are no air bubbles or crystals present. Electrodes are dirty (causing the mV readings to be inconsistent between calibrations). See section 5.1

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Exported data toExcel and half the data is not shown

Cause Action
There are too many data points in the run. The software only exports a certain number of data points. If a run was set to take many data points, this may not be updated upon opening the document.

To retrieve the data, select the appropriate column (e.g. Time, cartridge pH, transmission channels 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) and drag the bottom right hand corner of the column downwards. The hidden data displays and the graphs populate.

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Fraction collector does not take samples at expected timepoints

Cause Action
Fraction collector does not take samples at expected timepoints according to the reading frequency imposed. If running more than one chamber at once, the Fraction collector will have to work on a priority basis taking samples as soon as possible. If two sampling times conflict, it will work to prioritize sampling on a first-come-first-served basis for the first ‘missed’ sample from each chamber. This may mean that some sampling times are slightly before/after the expected time point, however, the time stamp in the results will be accurate for when the sample was taken. Note that if the sampling conflicts cause more than 1 sample to be ‘missed’ for each chamber, the sampler will not take that second or third missed sample, but will instead continue with the rest of the sampling times proposed.

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Result sets that stop taking data after a certain time point

Cause Action
A run time was chosen which was longer than the end time of the data point frequency. No data was taken for that period of time. Ensure the run time is set to end before the end of the reading time series/sampling time series in the method.

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Data exported from AuPRO and imported into SCISSOR is showing no/incorrect data.

Cause Action
The ‘time’ parameter that is set in AuPRO and SCISSOR software do not match. Open the relevant rainbow fiber optics file and click ‘view’ at the top of the page followed by ‘local settings’ and ensure ‘concentration of %Dissolved data’ is ticked to align the timeframes for SCISSOR and Rainbow data.

Local settings example

Re-export the data from AuPRO as a SCISSOR CSV file and import into SCISSOR and the data should appear correctly.

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No fluid is being pumped while the pump is on

Cause Action
This issue is most likely caused by a loose connection within the tubing circuit Ensure that all lines connected to the SCISSOR housing (image) and chamber lids (image) are securely tightened. Be careful not to overtighten, as you may loosen the Luer connection from the SCISSOR housing itself.

Demonstrating correct (green checks) and incorrect (red x) Luer lock seating on the SCISSOR housing

Demonstrating correct (green checks) and incorrect (red x) Luer lock seating chamber lid
If this does not resolve the problem, there may be a problem with the fluid lines connecting to the Luer lock’s barb. Ensure that the barb of the luer fitting is completely fitted onto the tubing.

Demonstrating an incorrect (red x) and correct (green check) seating of the tubing on the Luer lock barb
There may be a blockage in the tubing Try to flush the system with the correct solutions as seen in section 5 to remove any blockage.
The peristaltic pumps have worn out. If none of the above rectify the flow-rate, the peristaltic pumps inside the instrument may have worn out. There is one pump per chamber which is estimated to have 2000-3000 hours of use before they are recommended to be replaced. If this is the case, contact Pion or organize an early PM on the instrument to replace the pumps.

One LED channel is showing significantly different readings from the other three during ‘stability’

Cause Action
LED readings are not responding as expected (e.g. values during stability are ~0% or ~400%) Check the connection of the cartridge holder. Gently detach and re-attach the cartridge holder. Inspect the cartridge holder for any imperfections/cracks/breakages around the LED/Diode banks. Contact Pion.
One of the LEDs is dirty Clean with a tissue soaked with Methanol/Ethanol and then wipe down with a tissue soaked with DI water before wiping dry.
There is no response by one or more LEDs (cleaning has not resolved the issue). Contact Pion

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Images taken with cameras are saturated.

Cause Action
There is too much light for the cameras. Ensure that the lid of the SCISSOR is down when running an assay in future as extraneous lab light will effect the brightness of the images. For best images, the system should be in relative darkness. If this does not fix the issue, contact Pion to upgrade the software to revisions post 2.0.18 which will allow engineers to adjust individual camera settings via the registry settings as required.

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  • If the cartridge image is out of focus, the camera focus can be manually adjusted.
  • On the side of each camera is a small grub screw (image below).
  • Use the 0.9mm hex key to undo the grub screw on the right-hand side ofthe camera before gently twisting the lens on the front of the camera until theimages are in focus (image below).
  • Once in focus according to images taken, tighten the grub screw and re-check the image to confirm.
  • If the problem persists, please use this link to open a ticket - https://pionsupport.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket?departmentId=650662000000006907&layoutId=650662000001616771

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Electrode Calibration Issues

Cause Action
Air bubbles are present. Gently flick the electrodes to bring the bubbles to the top.
There is crystal build up. Use DI water to dissolve the crystal buildup. Then, remove the DI water and replace with fresh filling solution.
pH electrode slope <90% Ensure all solutions are kept fresh for calibration and that the covers are taken off for both experiments and calibrations. Ensure there are no air bubbles or crystals present. Electrodes are dirty (causing the mV readings to be inconsistent between calibrations). See section 5.1

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Exported data toExcel and half the data is not shown

Cause Action
There are too many data points in the run. The software only exports a certain number of data points. If a run was set to take many data points, this may not be updated upon opening the document.

To retrieve the data, select the appropriate column (e.g. Time, cartridge pH, transmission channels 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) and drag the bottom right hand corner of the column downwards. The hidden data displays and the graphs populate.

‍

Fraction collector does not take samples at expected timepoints

Cause Action
Fraction collector does not take samples at expected timepoints according to the reading frequency imposed. If running more than one chamber at once, the Fraction collector will have to work on a priority basis taking samples as soon as possible. If two sampling times conflict, it will work to prioritize sampling on a first-come-first-served basis for the first ‘missed’ sample from each chamber. This may mean that some sampling times are slightly before/after the expected time point, however, the time stamp in the results will be accurate for when the sample was taken. Note that if the sampling conflicts cause more than 1 sample to be ‘missed’ for each chamber, the sampler will not take that second or third missed sample, but will instead continue with the rest of the sampling times proposed.

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Result sets that stop taking data after a certain time point

Cause Action
A run time was chosen which was longer than the end time of the data point frequency. No data was taken for that period of time. Ensure the run time is set to end before the end of the reading time series/sampling time series in the method.

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Data exported from AuPRO and imported into SCISSOR is showing no/incorrect data.

Cause Action
The ‘time’ parameter that is set in AuPRO and SCISSOR software do not match. Open the relevant rainbow fiber optics file and click ‘view’ at the top of the page followed by ‘local settings’ and ensure ‘concentration of %Dissolved data’ is ticked to align the timeframes for SCISSOR and Rainbow data.

Local settings example

Re-export the data from AuPRO as a SCISSOR CSV file and import into SCISSOR and the data should appear correctly.

‍

No fluid is being pumped while the pump is on

Cause Action
This issue is most likely caused by a loose connection within the tubing circuit Ensure that all lines connected to the SCISSOR housing (image) and chamber lids (image) are securely tightened. Be careful not to overtighten, as you may loosen the Luer connection from the SCISSOR housing itself.

Demonstrating correct (green checks) and incorrect (red x) Luer lock seating on the SCISSOR housing

Demonstrating correct (green checks) and incorrect (red x) Luer lock seating chamber lid
If this does not resolve the problem, there may be a problem with the fluid lines connecting to the Luer lock’s barb. Ensure that the barb of the luer fitting is completely fitted onto the tubing.

Demonstrating an incorrect (red x) and correct (green check) seating of the tubing on the Luer lock barb
There may be a blockage in the tubing Try to flush the system with the correct solutions as seen in section 5 to remove any blockage.
The peristaltic pumps have worn out. If none of the above rectify the flow-rate, the peristaltic pumps inside the instrument may have worn out. There is one pump per chamber which is estimated to have 2000-3000 hours of use before they are recommended to be replaced. If this is the case, contact Pion or organize an early PM on the instrument to replace the pumps.

One LED channel is showing significantly different readings from the other three during ‘stability’

Cause Action
LED readings are not responding as expected (e.g. values during stability are ~0% or ~400%) Check the connection of the cartridge holder. Gently detach and re-attach the cartridge holder. Inspect the cartridge holder for any imperfections/cracks/breakages around the LED/Diode banks. Contact Pion.
One of the LEDs is dirty Clean with a tissue soaked with Methanol/Ethanol and then wipe down with a tissue soaked with DI water before wiping dry.
There is no response by one or more LEDs (cleaning has not resolved the issue). Contact Pion

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Images taken with cameras are saturated.

Cause Action
There is too much light for the cameras. Ensure that the lid of the SCISSOR is down when running an assay in future as extraneous lab light will effect the brightness of the images. For best images, the system should be in relative darkness. If this does not fix the issue, contact Pion to upgrade the software to revisions post 2.0.18 which will allow engineers to adjust individual camera settings via the registry settings as required.

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Resources and Videos

Get the most out of your Pion instruments with our customer-focused resources and videos. Designed to answer your frequently asked questions, guide you through routine maintenance, and troubleshoot common issues, these resources help keep your workflows running smoothly.

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Resources

Software Activation Code

Need to activate your Pion software or unlock additional features? Fill out the form with your information, and our team will provide your activation or unlock code promptly.

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Software Activation Code

Submit a Support Ticket

Encountering an instrument issue? Submit a support request and our technical team will provide expert guidance to get you back on track quickly.

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Submit a Support Ticket