Symptoms:

a. System is not performing to specified parameters; i.e., not reaching maximum %elongation entered in regimen

b. Water trap is filling up with water quickly during use with incubator

Test to determine if this is the problem:

If you are experiencing symptom a, there could also be a leak elsewhere in the system. To narrow its location, run a regimen with the baseplate and take note of the max and min %elongations. Disconnect the quick disconnects from the baseplate and connect them together. Take note again of the max and min %elongations. They should change a little because of the decrease in system volume, but if you were originally having outputs that were significantly different from the inputs, it should go near (maybe somewhat above) your original inputs. The wave will also likely be somewhat choppy because of the low volume. If your outputs were originally only slightly lower or higher than your inputs, the problem is likely not a leak but calibration. Call Flexcell^® for calibration instructions. If the output max %elongation increases significantly when the quick disconnects are connected together, the leak is most likely in the baseplate. If not, check the vacuum connections at the back of the controller.

Remove the "sys" vacuum line at the back of the controller and check to be sure that there is vacuum coming through the line. Check the "vent" port at the back of the controller to see if air is moving in or out. If not, it is possible that the valves are locked or stopped up. Try applying positive pressure to the vent port to free the valves. If the "vent" port is breathing and the plates are flexing, the problem is likely with the computer and should be reported to Flexcell^®.

This problem could be due to water in the valves. Run the drying regimen with the drying filter (as described in the manual) a couple of times to dry out the system. If this does not solve the problem, there is likely too much water in the system or the computer hardware has malfunctioned. If so, contact Flexcell^®.

The software has a limit on the number of cycles that can be entered into any given step (65, 535; see page 12 of the manual). If you program a regimen with a frequency high enough to require more than 65,535 cycles to go for the amount of time that you wish to run it, the software will give you an "invalid entry" error. You will need to make an additional step to run the full regimen. This will not create any breaks in the regimen. Simply divide your total time in half (or as many times as is necessary) and make two steps with the same parameters. See page 12 of the manual for instructions on programming additional steps.

When vacuum is pulled to expand the silicone membranes at the bottom of the BioFlex^® wells, the volume of the well increases, pulling air into the well from the atmosphere. When the membranes contract, the air is pushed back out. Because of this cyclic airflow during any experiment, the evaporation rate in the BioFlex^® wells will increase. The only solution to this problem is to use more cell medium.

This problem is caused when a user name is entered into the software without any regimens listed under his/her name. If the assign function sees that a user has nothing to assign an error is displayed. Simply delete the user(s) without a regimen or make and save a regimen under the user(s) name(s).

This problem is likely due to a poor gasket seal on the BioFlex^® baseplate. See the solution to Problem 1 to correct this. Be sure to empty the water trap frequently if you are having this problem. Water accumulation in the controller can damage the valves. If the baseplate is sealed and the problem still continues, try placing another water trap inline for safety purposes and contact Flexcell^®.

Plate with a lower cell density-if the cells are not confluent, they will form a matrix with the collagen (or other matrix coating) attaching more securely to the growth surface.