3M Your Guide to Attest Auto Reader for Care and Troubleshooting

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CARE AND CLEANING

CAUTION: Always unplug the 3M™ Attest™ Auto‑reader 490 and allow to cool before cleaning.

Do not spill liquid onto or into the instrument. Do not immerse the unit in liquid.

Clean external surfaces using only the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

The instrument must be returned to the manufacturer for repair.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Clean the exterior surface of the 3M™ Attest™ Auto‑reader 490 by wiping it with a damp cloth moistened with a mild detergent. Do not attempt to clean interior components. If additional cleaning of the wells is required, call for repair or replacement.

Note: The 3M™ Attest™ Auto‑reader 490 does not contain any user serviceable parts or require any routine maintenance. Any malfunctions will be indicated by an error code. Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide section for error code explanations.

In the event of an error code, unplug the 3M™ Attest™ Auto‑reader 490 and plug it back in to initiate the self‑diagnostic test. If error code re‑occurs, call for repair or replacement.

The LCD Display panel will indicate detected malfunctions by displaying a caution or error code under affected BI wells. The audible alarm, if active, sounds and the LCD Display backlight flashes to alert the user to all caution (except C1) and error codes. The alarm and backlight can be silenced and extinguished, respectively, by pressing the Buzzer Alarm OFF

button . Note that disabling the audible alarm does not disable the flashing LCD Display backlight. Refer to the following:

Code	Problem	Solution
C1	Unit Warm-up Caution	Allow a 30 minute warm-up after 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 is plugged in. (Note: 3M™ Attest™
	Incubation block not at temperature.	Super Rapid Readout BI readings are disabled until incubator block reaches 56.5ºC +/-2ºC).
C2	BI Removed from Well Caution	Replace 3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Readout BI in proper well within 10 seconds to prevent loss of
	3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Readout BI has been removed	collected data.
	before incubation is complete.
C4	Ambient Light Caution	Move 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 to reduced ambient light conditions.
E1	Temperature Control Error	Cycle power to clear error.
	This error will occur if system is no longer able to control the	If error doesn’t clear, call for repair or replacement.
	temperature of the incubator block (56.5ºC +/-2ºC).
E3	Memory Error	Cycle power to clear error.
	3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 unable to save/read data	If error doesn’t clear, call for repair or replacement.
	from memory.
E7	Communications Error	Call for repair or replacement.
	This error will occur if internal communications have failed.
E8	LED Error	Cycle power to clear error.
	This error occurs for a specific well if the system detects that a	If error doesn’t clear, call for repair or replacement. Do not use affected incubation well.
	UV LED or Optics Detection circuit is not working.
E11	BI Inserted Incorrectly Error	Remove BI and inspect to verify cap is closed, glass ampoule is crushed, and growth media is in
	Incubation time remaining will not display and fluorescent	growth chamber. If necessary, repeat CLOSE, CRUSH, VERIFY, AND FLICK steps to properly activate BI
	readings are not taken.	and return BI to well, ensuring it is seated properly.
E12	Power Failure Error	Ensure power supply connection to Auto-reader is secure.
	Power to Auto-reader was off for too long to provide valid result
	for affected BI(s).
E14	Ambient Light Error (occupied well)	Rely on optional visual pH color change result for BI in affected well. Move 3M™ Attest™
	Fluorescent result will not display.	Auto‑reader 490 to reduced ambient light conditions to avoid future occurrences.
Other	Unwanted alarm sounds when positive BI detected.	Disable alarm, refer to 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 Configuration section for instructions.
Other	Alarm Sounds	Replace 3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Readout Biological Indicator in incubation/reader well within
	3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Readout Biological Indicator has	10 seconds to prevent loss of data collected.
	been removed from incubation/reader well prematurely.
Other	LCD Panel does not display properly.	Cycle power. If problem persists call for repair or replacement.
Other	Negative Control Vial	Ensure BI cap is closed and glass ampoule is crushed.
	BI not properly activated. Media did not contact spore carrier.	Flick BI until media flows to spore chamber at bottom of BI.
	Control vial was sterilized.	Use a non-sterilized vial as a control.
		Check process indicator on BI cap.
Other	Unexplained Positive BI	Do not place tape or labels on vial.
	Adhesive residue on vial.	Place the vial so it does not come in direct contact with chemical indicators or tape.
	Test vial is absorbing fluorescent residue from a chemical
	indicator or tape.
Other	3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 will not enter Configuration	On 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 Web App Configuration Page, go to Pushbutton Configuration and
	mode. Pushbutton Configuration may be disabled on	select the Enable radio button. Save changes to begin using new setting.
	3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 Web App.
Other	3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 LCD display flashes and	Move 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader 490 away from sunlight or sources of incandescent light.
	asterisks (***) and/or E11 and/or C4 codes appear on display
	below unoccupied incubation wells.
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