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Overview of the flushing procedure
All flow cells should be flushed. If the flow cells have not been used, please run the Flow Cell Check and then carry out the flushing protocol.
Flushing involves pipetting deionised water into the flow cell via the priming port. For this procedure, the MinION Mk1B may be disconnected from the computer and the flow cell must be lifted out.
Return both the flow cell and the light shield to Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
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Place sufficient absorbent material on the bench to take up approximately 4000 µl of flush waste, applied in 1000 µl aliquots.
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Remove the flow cell light shield by carefully sliding or lifting off the light shield.
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Replace the SpotON port cover, ensuring the bung enters the SpotON port. Then open the priming port cover.
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Place the flow cell onto the absorbent material at 45° angle. The reservoir end of the flow cell should be in contact with the absorbent material, which will capture any overflow of buffer/sample leaving the flow cell.
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Using a pipette, slowly load enough 4 ml water via the priming port so that there is liquid to fill the reservoir all the way to the outlet vent port.
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Once flushing is complete, close the priming port cover.
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Using the pipette, remove the liquid from the waste reservoir via the waste port. Take care to leave sufficient liquid in the sensor chip area and neighbouring channels to ensure the sensor array remains submerged during the return to Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
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Dispose of the absorbent material as biological waste, as detailed in local guidelines.
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Wipe the bench surface with a suitable disinfectant. Do not use any strong acids or alkalis.