Renal Care Products FAQs
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FAQs
pHoenix XL Meters
The pHoenix XL meter no longer uses level 1 or level 2 calibrations like the previous pHoenix meter. Instead, a daily pH verification (formerly level 1) and a monthly calibration (formerly level 2) are all that your meter will need. To perform a calibration if the meter is out of tolerances 14.0 mS +/- 0.10 and 7.00 pH +/- 0.1, we recommend following the steps below:
- Navigate to the Calibrate Screen
- At the Measure screen, press the MENU button, which will take you to Select Menu.
- Move the cursor to point to Calibrate (up and down buttons move the cursor). Press the SEL button, which will take you to Calibrate Menu.
- If you are using Mesa Labs Combination Solution, select Both (14-7). If you are using separate conductivity and pH solutions, select either Conductivity or pH.
- For Conductivity calibrations, the High selection includes 14.0 mS, 100 mS and 50 mS solutions. The Low selection includes 150 µS and 1000 µS solutions.
- Connect, Flush and Draw
- Connect the meter to the standard solution; do not over-tighten the connection.
- When introducing a different solution to the meter, be sure to use three rapid 3 to 5 mL flushes to purge remaining fluid and air bubbles from previous solutions.
- Remember when in calibration mode, you are not necessarily looking for a correct answer to be displayed (the exact number you see on the standard solution bottle). What you are looking for is a consistent, stable reading. A stable reading is identified as a reading that is no longer trending up or down, and is when the final digit of the reading has either stopped or is toggling between neighboring numbers. Stable readings can only be identified when pulling solution into the meter, not during the expel.
- Slowly draw solution in at about 1 mL per second. Speed is important; the meter responds best to a slow steady draw. Keep your eye on the display, looking for a stable reading. When you have reached the 10 mL mark, rapidly expel the solution. Repeat the 1 mL per second draw until you obtain a stable reading.
- Stabilize, Save and Verify
- When you have maintained a stable reading for 2-4 seconds, while still pulling the syringe steadily, press SEL to save your calibration value. Your meter will automatically adjust the numbers for you, so there is no need for a manual adjustment! Remember to only press SEL while pulling the syringe, not during the expel or after stopping.
- We recommend that you verify your meter against solution values after calibrating your meter.
If you are receiving an “out of range” warning, a few things might be happening.
- You have not reached a stable reading. Continue to slowly pull solution through your meter at 1 milliliter per second until the 10milliliter mark, rapidly expel solution, and repeat until you reach a stable reading.
- You may be using the wrong solution. Make sure that the solution you are using reflects the calibration mode you are currently in.
- You may have not fully flushed the meter with the solution you are using. Make sure to properly flush the meter before calibrating or verifying solution values.
Instead of sending your meter in every year for calibration, Mesa has engineered the pHoenix XL to offer a replacement measurement module that can be easily swapped in the field. Simply order a new, calibrated replacement module, exchange it, and you are all set!
Note: Measurement modules have an expiration date of 1 year after which they can be discarded and replaced with a new module.
Here are some tips for calibrating your meter successfully:
- Perform a factory reset – see page 29 of the manual linked below.
- Do a Neo-care 10 minute dwell cleaning – see page 31 of the manual linked below.
- Functions testing and error conditions – see page 14 of the manual linked below
- See user screens for further information on any specific errors in pages 9 and 10 of the manual linked below.
For additional calibration tips and tutorials please visit our informational video section or online documents and manuals section:
- Online Documents and Manuals
- Calibration Guides/ Videos:
Unlike the first generation pHoenix meter, the pHoenix XL meter should not be returned to Mesa for annual service. Ordering a replacement module (which connects to the pHoenix XL handle) each year will ensure that your pHoenix XL can be properly calibrated in the field. Modules have a one year lifespan as eventually the Potassium chloride solution is depleted, leaving the module without the ability to measure pH.
Any service required other than replacement of the battery, the measurement module, or the syringe must be referred to Mesa Labs. Mesa Labs offers full repair services at its corporate headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado.
The pHoenix XL meter does not use Level 1 and Level 2 calibrations. Instead, Mesa recommends that users verify meter values against NIST-traceable solutions daily, and calibrate as necessary. These calibrations (formerly Level 1 calibrations) are to be done at 14.0 mS, and 7.0 pH. Extended calibrations (formerly Level 2 calibrations) are used to verify and adjust high and low pH and conductivity values. Mesa recommends performing extended calibrations monthly at pH 4.0, pH 10.0, 100 mS, 1 mS, and 150 µS.
Yes, you can use either individual solutions or Mesa’s 14.0 mS/cm – 7.0pH combo solution. Find them in our online store today!
For storing meters overnight or long-term, follow these steps:
- Flush the meter with three rapid 3 to 5 mL flushes of NEO-CARE Cell Cleaning Solution.
- Disconnect the meter from the solution. Purge remaining fluid by rapidly pumping the syringe several times into a waste receptacle.
- Seal the Measurement Module with an Air-tight Luer Cap.
- The Measurement Module is to be damp only during storage, never full of fluid. Always seal the Measurement Module to prevent residual NEO-CARE in the cell and syringe from drying out.
- The Measurement Module can be stored in this condition up to six months at room temperature or two months at extreme temperatures
The Measurement Module should be stored like this, with the port capped to prevent residual NEO-CARE in the cell and syringe from drying out. The Measurement Module should not be stored in this condition for more than six months at room temperature, or two months at extreme temperatures. Please follow Mesa’s storage recommendations when shipping unit back to Mesa for repair or service.
Note: Do not leave solution in the meter for extended periods of time.
- Splash-resistant, rugged design protects the meter from falls and spills. Withstands bumps and drops that previously might have damaged your meter
- Auto-Ranging Feature Automatically selects proper conductivity range for measurement
- Ambidextrous design accommodates all users
- Push-button calibration is fast and easy
- Three instant readings in one easy step saves valuable time
- Hold feature freezes readings on the digital display for easy recording
- Ergonomic handle offers safe and comfortable operation
- Replacement module eliminates need to send in your meter for service
- Extended Battery Life with new, 3.6V Lithium Battery (PN 210427-001)
- Replaces RO water meter with extended measurement range
- Can calibrate multiple points at once using Mesa’s 14.0 mS/cm – 7.0pH combo solution (PN 02.0070)
Note: the luer can only be changed by Mesa Labs for the pHoenix XL. Otherwise, the warranty will be voided.
90XL Meters
Mesa does not ‘specify’ how often a Meter should be returned for service. The Meters are designed to be calibrated by the user in the field allowing the Meter to operate as desired until the next maintenance cycle. The pH reference has a known expected lifetime of approximately 18 months. Mesa does suggest that the Meter be returned for routine maintenance (once annually) to keep the Meter in good repair. During this time, Mesa will perform preventative maintenance on parts that have a known usage life and update any parts that may have been revised with improvements. Please follow your internal SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding Meter return policies.
Please click here to view the 90XL tech specs.
This message indicates that the internal clock has stopped working for some reason. Usually due to a dead battery. This function is used for inserting a time and date into the Temp/Condo Probe whenever it is calibrated either by Mesa or by the user. It has no effect on any other part or function of the Meter, nor does it affect the calibration of the Meter or Module. You can continue to safely use the Meter and chose to have the symptom addressed during the Meter’s next routine service, or you can return it to Mesa for repair.
Fill out a service order form which can be found here: Service Order Form
On the form include the following information: Ship To Address, Bill To Address, P.O. #, Contact Information, Return Shipping Instructions, and a detailed description of the symptoms you are experiencing, or the services requested. Pack the Meter well, include the completed form, and ship it to Mesa Labs, attn: Service Dept.
The measurement Modules for the 90XL operate independently from the Display. The Display is for displaying measurements only and does not store any calibration. Therefore, service is not typically necessary and the Display Module does not need to be returned to Mesa for service. If, however, you feel you have a malfunction in the display, or there is a listed software upgrade available, the display can be returned for service.
Yes, by simply pressing all 4 buttons on the display at once. This resets the micro-processor and turns the Display back on. If the Display does not turn on with this process, the battery may be dead. Plug the unit into the AC adapter. Wait 60 seconds and try the process again while the display is charging. If the display still does not come on or reset, return the display to Mesa for service.
No. All of the Modules are serviced and calibrated individually, apart from the display. This enables the user to be able to plug any Module into any port of any functional 90XL display and obtain accurate readings.
The Meter should be checked for accuracy daily prior to instrument use (typically before a shift) and calibrated as needed. A full calibration should be performed periodically (Mesa suggests that this be completed monthly, however this may be defined differently in your SOP) to ensure proper function of all parameters of the meter. It is important that you periodically perform a full calibration on the pH circuit (using the 4.0 and 10.0 pH buffer solutions) to ensure that the pH circuit functions properly. Some may check their meters using only the 7.0 pH buffer solution, but this is not recommended. The problem with this is that if the pH sensor is damaged (i.e. by dropping the meter) it may read only 7.0, no matter what it is exposed to. Exposing and calibrating it with the 4.0 and 10.0 buffers will ensure that the pH circuit functions properly.
Legacy Syringe-Style Meters
Mesa does not ‘specify’ how often a Meter should be returned for service. The Meters are designed to be calibrated by the user in the field allowing the Meter to operate as desired until the next maintenance cycle. The pH reference has a known expected lifetime of approximately 18 months. Mesa does suggest that the Meter be returned for routine maintenance (once annually) to keep the Meter in good repair. During this time, Mesa will perform preventative maintenance on parts that have a known usage life and update any parts that may have been revised with improvements. Please follow your internal SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding Meter return policies.
The Meter should be checked for accuracy daily prior to instrument use (typically before a shift) and calibrated as needed. A full calibration should be performed periodically (Mesa suggests that this be completed monthly, however this may be defined differently in your SOP) to ensure proper function of all parameters of the meter. It is important that you periodically perform a full calibration on the pH circuit (using the 4.0 and 10.0 pH buffer solutions) to ensure that the pH circuit functions properly. Some may check their meters using only the 7.0 pH buffer solution, but this is not recommended. The problem with this is that if the pH sensor is damaged (i.e. by dropping the meter) it may read only 7.0, no matter what it is exposed to. Exposing and calibrating it with the 4.0 and 10.0 buffers will ensure that the pH circuit functions properly.
There are a few things that can cause this symptom. The most common is that the Meter is ‘sucking air’, or has air bubbles in the measurement cell. The best way to dislodge air bubbles from the Meter is to give a hard, rapid pull on the syringe and then flush it back and forth rapidly a couple of times. If the symptom still persists, then air may be being draw into the Meter along with the sample. This could be from a cracked luer or a leaking check valve on the Tri-Station. Replace these parts if necessary.
If it has been determined that there is no air being drawn into the meter and the symptom still persists, then it is probable that the measurement cell is damaged. The meter will need to be sent in to Mesa for service/repair.
The ‘C1-C2’ (‘CAL’) that is shown on the screen during the calibration process has no meaning other than to indicate to the user that the new calibration information is being stored into the Meter’s memory. If you enter the calibration mode (either level 1 or level 2) and do not make any changes, (i.e. not ‘calibrating’ the Meter because it didn’t need it), the Meter will NOT display ‘C1-C2’ (‘CAL’) because there was no ‘new’ calibration information to be stored.
Fill out a service order form which can be found here: Service Order Form.
On the form include the following information: Ship To Address, Bill To Address, P.O. #, Contact Information, Return Shipping Instructions, and a detailed description of the symptoms you are experiencing, or the services requested. Pack the Meter well, include the completed form, and ship it to Mesa Labs, attn: Service Dept.
Per The Test Instrument User’s Guide, the meter should be rinsed after it is used. This can be interpreted many ways, and is at the discretion of your written SOP. It is not intended to mean, however, that the Meter needs to be rinsed after each and every time a measurement is taken. It simply means to rinse the Meter when you are done using it for a period of time, such as at the end of a shift, or when you are done checking the machines. At a minimum, it should be done at the end of a shift.
If the luer becomes visibly worn, damaged, or develops cracks or breaks, replace it. The luer(s) is a user replaceable part. It is important to expel all of the fluid from the Meter prior to removing the luer(s) to prevent fluid from getting into the Meter internally.
When the pH becomes unstable, or drifts significantly after calibrating the Meter, the pH reference is probably depleted and the Meter needs to be sent in for service/repair. The pH reference has a known expected life of approximately 18 months from the factory.
The Test Instrument User’s Guide states that the typical life of the syringe is 6-9 months, depending on use. This is just an estimate, not a guarantee. When the syringe becomes difficult to pull, or it starts leaking, it is time to replace it. The syringe can be replaced by the user. Please contact Mesa for replacement syringes, or visit our online store (part number 93-0015).
There are several references written to assist with this question. The most pertinent comes from the User’s Guide for Syringe Meters:
Test Instrument User Guide: Refer to page 7 of the cleaning instructions. Also, see the wall chart.
Please also see this Technical Note Regarding Cleaning & Storage.
If you would like to see a video regarding Meter cleaning, please watch this.
There are a couple references written to assist with this question. The most pertinent comes from the User’s Guide for syringe meters:
Test Instrument User Guide: Refer to page 7 of the cleaning instructions and storage recommendations. Also available on the wall chart.
Please also see this Technical Note Regarding Cleaning & Storage.
1. “My Meter just shows a dash.”
Many times this symptom can be ‘fixed’ simply by resetting the factory defaults. Because of the way the pH functions, it is possible to get it out of calibration such that it can’t be calibrated further. If this occurs, use the “Reset Factory Defaults” option from the display. Refer to the calibration guide for instructions on resetting the factory defaults.
*NOTE: The meter must be fully recalibrated (except for temperature) if the defaults are reset.
2. “My pH drifts, I calibrate it and go to take measurements and it has drifted (up or down).”
This is a typical symptom of a worn or defective pH reference. If it has been more than a year to 18 months since the last service date, then it is probably just a depleted reference. If it is a new build or was just in for service, then it may have a defective reference or another problem. In either case, please return the Meter for service.
3.“My pH reads 7.0 no matter what I do, and I can’t calibrate the 4.0 or 10.0.”
This is a typical symptom of a damaged or broken pH sensor. The Meter must be sent in for service/repair.
The physical size of the battery is smaller than many of the batteries available. The cover of the Meter was designed using this battery. Because of this, many other batteries with larger physical size (Duracell, for instance) will not fit properly and may interfere with the cover closing and sealing properly. There are other batteries available with similar dimensions to the Energizer 522. It is ok to use these as well. Mesa does not have a ‘list’ of acceptable batteries. You must compare the sizes of the batteries and use the alternate battery at your own risk.
This is generally caused from a problem with the temperature circuit. If the Temperature reading is out of the specified operating range, or if it reads ‘HI’ or ‘Lo’, the pH and conductivity readings will only show dashes. The Meter needs to be sent in for service/repair.
Note: If your Tri-Station is in a back room where the ambient room temp is very low, or if it is positioned next to an outside wall, this could cause the temperature of your standard solutions to be too cold and out of the specified range for the Meter. This happens mostly in the winter months. It is recommended to move your Tri-Station to a warmer location and allow the temperature to equalize and try again.
Mesa Labs suggests to prime the control syringe prior to installing them onto the syringe meter. Please follow the steps below to help seat the plunger tip and reduce the possibility of leaking.
- Hold a finger over the tip of the syringe and seal it completely.
- Push the plunger into the sealed syringe barrel several times to seat the blue plunger tip against the barrel.
- Prime the Control Syringe using the steps above right before it is installed onto the syringe meter. Due to the design of the syringe barrel, it is recommended that the syringe plunger tip not be pulled beyond the 10-ml mark on the syringe.The barrel diameter increases from the tip to the back.
Prime the Control Syringe using the steps above right before it is installed onto the syringe meter. Due to the design of the syringe barrel, it is recommended that the syringe plunger tip not be pulled beyond the 10-ml mark on the syringe. The barrel diameter increases from the tip to the back.
Solutions
For Conductivity Solutions, 18 months from date of manufacture (expiration date is indicated on the bottle).
For pH Buffer Solutions, 18 months from date of manufacture (expiration date is indicated on the bottle).
For Neo-Care, no expiration date.
SDS information can be found under the ‘Solutions’ tab here.
For Conductivity Solutions, 30 days from date of opening (as long as it is prior to the expiration date indicated on the bottle).
For pH Buffer Solutions, 90 days from date of opening (as long as it is prior to the expiration date indicated on the bottle).
For Neo-Care, no expiration date.
You can easily order new Solutions by ordering through our online store.
IBP Dialysis Meter Calibration
IBP Medical GmbH
Ikarusallee 15
30179 Hannover
Germany
No, we no longer calibrate obsolete devices such as NEO meters. We recommend you contact our team for replacement options.
To avoid high cost of transportation just send the HDU-Sensors including HDU-Interfaces.
Do not send the HDC-Device.
To avoid high cost of transportation please just send the following items:
- The meter
- Conductivity/Temperature probe
- If applicable the flow-sensor
If you want to get a security test of the battery charger, send it as well.
The calibration period is one year. We recommend to double check the conductivity once per month with a conductivity reference solution. If there is biological material growth inside the cell, it could interfere the accuracy of the conductivity measurement.
We are aware that some of our competitors do not recommend a monthly test of the conductivity measurement.
They even state that their meters do not require testing during the calibration period.
We have more than 30 years of experience in developing and selling dialysis meters and we can state that this is simply not true.
Yes, our Invoice Payment System allows both credit card and PayPal payments.