VELOPEX PROCESSORS The processor should be placed: Away from any strong light source i.e. daylight from windows or fluorescent lighting In a cool, well-ventilated area max temp 27c for the Intra X26c for MK5 On a stable surface, preferably not on a portable trolley Close to washing facilities for changing chemicals Away from other chemicals, or anaesthetic gases. Commencing use Before filling the machine with chemicals, and at each change of chemicals, you should run the processor filled with clean cold water to help remove any dust, residual old chemistry, and any crystals which may be deposited on the rollers or tank sides. Always ensure processor is switched off prior to changing chemicals. Never switch on the processor without first checking there is adequate water or appropriate chemicals within each of the tanks. Daily Processing Checks + Qa Exposure to patients must never be increased due to exhausted or low level of chemicals. At Start Up Each Day: Prior to switching on the processor you must check the developer and fixer levels within each of the tanks to ensure they are at the correct level. Where the level within either tank is below the mid height of the sight glass, or the marker level on the tank side the levels must be topped up to the mid point (or correct line level) - with the appropriate chemical.
The developer or fixer tanks must never be topped up with water to bring them to the correct level as this will dilute the chemicals and radiographs will require to be repeated. The water tank and wash transport system must be cleaned thoroughly, rinsed, and tank filled with fresh clean water at the start of each day, or your processor will produce non diagnostic radiographs which may require the patient receiving more radiation than required. Each morning, once the processor has reached its working temperature (generally 10-15 minutes), and prior to any patients films being processed the temperature of developer and fixer should be checked and recorded, and a test film must be processed. Test Films The daily test film should be exposed under identical conditions each day, with the spacer cone of the x-ray tube placed directly on top of test object, and intraoral film directly below test object. The exposure setting should be that used for a premolar bitewing, always use the same X ray unit and the same exposure. Once the test film is processed: it should be checked against the 1 st test film taken on the day the chemicals were freshly made up. If film shows it is thinner or paler than the original test film - remove an amount of developer and top up with fresh developer, (replenishment). If the test film appears cloudy, slightly tacky or yellow, remove an amount of fixer and replenish with fresh fixer solution. Slightly Tacky could be a dryer problem. Especially with the Extra-X where one of the double dryer elements can go down and can be difficult to detect by the untrained. A second test film should then be processed and the results will only be acceptable when it is as good as 1 st step wedge test on day of chemical change. The above procedure will only take a few minutes and the results will ensure consistency in radiographic quality. The daily test film should be mounted on clear plastic/film, dated and signed by the dental nurse checking the quality of the processing facility. It would be advisable at this point to show the resultant film to the dentist to confirm that it is satisfactory.
At Close Of Service Each Day: The water tank should be emptied and rinsed thoroughly at the end of each working day. The water tank should then be filled with fresh water and washed transport system should be placed back into tank to prevent formation of algae, and to aid cleaning of transport mesh. The processor should be switched off at the end of each session or the end of the day, at both processor and mains plug. The lid should be left slightly off to dissipate condensation from the processor. Condensation has been as much a problem on Intra-X as it has on Extra-X MK5. As a minimum you should always leave the loader lid up during downtimes and always dry the beak (entry ledge) before use. Preparing To Change Chemicals Within The Velopex Intra-X Radiographic chemistry should be CHANGED as per manufacturer s instructions or more according to throughput of films. and REPLENISHED on possibly as much as a daily basis according to results of daily test film. CARE MUST ALWAYS BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THE TANKS GENTLY AND SLOWLY, AS FAST MOVEMENTS MAY CAUSE CHEMICAL SPILLS OR CONTAMINATION OF DEVELOPER BY FIXER WHICH WILL RESULT IN PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA FUMES Changing Chemicals Within The Velopex Intra- X Processor 1) Remove lid gently by holding the protruding grip. 2) Remove the side panel by sliding it upward on its runners, and place gently aside. 3) Remove the dryer module first by sliding it gently to the side. 4) Remove the water tank, empty tank, clean thoroughly and leave aside to dry. The transport modules should be rinsed and the cog mechanism cleaned of any particles of debris etc. Try to avoid scrubbing under the mesh as this is the biggest cause of damage to modules. Especially if you use the large washing up brush provided be the manufacturers! It should be stressed that regular cleaning should mean there is never a build up of debris
5) Remove fixer tank slide sideways until it is completely clear of its immersion heater. Over sink area remove fixer roller system, immerse fully in warm water and sing a soft brush gently scrub all cogs, rollers plus covering mesh; use the special tool provided or even better use your fingers to rotate all gears and belts gently to ensure thorough cleaning, rinse thoroughly and leave to drain. 6) Using a funnel, empty old chemicals into an empty waste fixer container, for collection by a registered waste chemical disposal company, as waste chemicals should not be put down drains. 7) Wash and clean fixer tank, rinse well and leave to drain. 8) At this stage check the fixer and wash transport systems for any loose/worn/damaged cogs, and change them as required. 9) Rinse sink area well prior to removing the developer tank from the processor. 10)Repeat steps 6-10 for the developer tank/system. 11) While the processor is empty the base and walls should be cleaned with warm water to remove any chemical splashes/residue prior to replacing the tanks. 12)Silicone lubricant should be used in accordance with the yellow sticker situated above the heater elements. Never-ever-ever put any form of lubricant on the cogs. The will any solid debris that does come into contact with the cogs will be held in place and create wear. Cogs are made of a softer plastic that is basically self lubricating. The black spring loaded receptors that the drive dogs fit into should be lubricated but generally if good in-house maintenance is adhered to then lubrication during the annual service should suffice. Bleaching Of Transporters The transport mesh of each roller system will become stained/dirty if they are cleaned with warm water only. The transporters therefore have to be bleached on a regular basis to eliminate stains being transmitted onto resultant radiographs Bleaching should be carried out every chemical change if needed. NOT after every 2 nd or 3 rd replenishment ie. Not every few days!...at change of chemistry not replenishment of chemistry. After cleaning of transporters place them back into the processor with a dilute bleach solution filling the tanks. Bleaching tablets can be purchased from Velopex manufacturer, (Milton, Steradent tablets, or equivalent disinfecting solution can be used in an emergency situation only as they will not combat algae formation in the wash tank). Turn on processor and run for approximately 2 cycles 16 minutes should suffice, then carefully remove and thoroughly CLEAN and RINSE tanks and transporter mesh systems. This will reduce marks that are often left on the film that could partly obscure your diagnostic image.
Replacing Chemicals Within The Velopex Processor 1) Fill the developer tank with. fresh developer, and gently replace roller system. 2) Replace developer section into processor. 3) Fill the fixer tank with. fresh fixer, and gently replace fixer roller system. 4) Gently replace fixer tank into processor great care must be taken not to splash any fixer into the developer tank as contamination will occur, and the change process may have to be fully repeated. 5) Refill the water tank with fresh water and gently replace wash rollers. 6) Replace wash tank into processor. 7) Check the levels in the above 3 tanks and ensure level is at mid sight level on window, or marked level on side of tanks: where any level is below the correct level top up this tank with the appropriate chemical or water for the wash tank. 8) Check immersion heaters are correctly located. 9) Replace dryer section. 10) Ensure for each system that the drive pins are fully engaged within the drive dog or the unit will fail to operate. 11) Replace side panel by sliding down gently on runners. 12) Press Micro Switch and watch the mechanisms on the transporters move. If there are any worn cogs, Worn cogs usually make the machine jam and create a rocking motion through the drive motor 13) Replace lid, and ensure film interrupt slide on lid is in the UP position. Switch unit on and allow to warm up. Wait for the READY light to go off. When ready for use - place unexposed film into system and wait for it to come through to check the transport system is working correctly, and to remove any dried on deposits from the transport system. After thorough cleaning it may be necessary to process up to three unexposed films to collect any loose particles from the mesh transporter system this process is very worthwhile, and will greatly enhance quality of patients images. Problems Associated With the Different Transporters DEVELOPER The transporter mesh if unbleached will become very discoloured and transmit mesh markings onto the developing films partially obscuring some or all of the
image The main problem with crystals is usually on the developer module. These brown crystals (if allowed to build up) can be dissolved under a fairly hot water tap. Then the residue can be remover by brush. FIXER Fixer crystals build up over a much longer period and tend to form on non moving surfaces. This is caused by salting out Normally use of wrong type of chemical is the cause. Velopex chemical (if stored and used at the right temperature) takes a long time for this to occur and is indicative of a lack of cleaning. This can also cause the mesh to go hard and tighten. This will cause damage to films. The fixer module stays white because of the acid content in fixer. WASH The transporter mesh will become discoloured due to an algae growth in the water. Daily washing of the rollers in fresh, running water is essential as is daily complete water change even if the wash tank is plumbed in to a fresh cold water source. Regular water changes and/or other steps to prevent algae would mean the water module needs no more attention than any other module Qa Checking Of Processor Once the unexposed film has completed the processing cycle and it is completely clear and free from particles, process a test film. Mount the test film on cellumat or clear film and label to include the date and processor identity. The nurse in charge of checking the quality of the test films should sign her/his name. The test film should be kept in your department within a processing QA folder, for future reference with daily film quality tests. The temperature of the developer, and fixer should be checked daily at the time of running your test film. The temperature of the developer and fixer should be recorded on a chart for routine comparison.
Ongoing Maintenance Of Unit A senior nurse should be allocated to ensure good operation of the processing facility, and they should be the person contacted in the first instance if any problems arise, as several staff members all being involved usually results in confusion as to what has been done to rectify any problems, and to whom any fault has been reported. Where any problems arise with your processor, that cannot be rectified with ease by changing chemicals and thorough cleaning of the processor, a suitable maintenance engineer should be contacted as soon as possible Most problems can be resolved over the phone as long as the engineer is motivated to do so and as long as the operative has a small amount of knowledge of the machine Any faults with processing facilities generally have a detrimental effect on image quality, which may result in your patients requiring a higher dose of radiation than is necessary. This contravenes legislation in relation to protection of patients undergoing radiographic examinations. FREE INDEPENDENT INFORMATION ON MAINTAINANCE OF YOUR PROCESSOR STEVE DAVISON 07875848778 steve@davison2000.fsnet.co.uk