Last Updated: 2024-06-27

SkyScan 1272 Micro-CT Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Quick Start Guide - For detailed instructions, refer to the SkyScan 1272 User Manual.

PURPOSE

• Provide a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for scanning samples with SkyScan 1272.
• Guide and document all critical steps in this operation.
• Ensure that approved procedures are followed in compliance with Core Facility requirements.

SCOPE

• These procedures are followed in compliance with the Core facility requirements at all critical steps to ensure that safety and quality standards are met for the end-user, company, and the environment.

DEFINITIONS

• MicroCT – SkyScan 1272 by Bruker.

RESPONSIBILITY

• It is the responsibility of the Head of Quality or their designee to ensure that the SOP is read and followed by the end-user.
• It shall be the responsibility of the Head of Quality or their designee to review and reissue this SOP in time.
• The head of the lab shall approve any Standard Operating Procedure that may have legal or liability implications.

PROCEDURE

1. Sample Preparation

• Samples should be either dense or stained if biological and not dense.
• Mounting samples in the air rather than in a liquid environment is favorable. Moist/wet samples should be mounted within a vapor chamber to prevent drying during the scan.
• Place the sample on a mounting device or use the instrument's tubes for multiple scans.

2. Log into the System

• Log into Bookit with your credentials. The Skyscan software will open automatically.

3. Turn on the X-ray

• Turn the X-ray on for a 15-minute warm-up.

4. Choose Working Configurations

• Select working configurations according to your sample: Options => Configuration => Load => high/low kV => press the file to load.

5. Perform Flat Field Calibration

• After the warm-up is done, perform Flat Field calibration according to your scanning conditions:
  • Turn on the X-ray.
  • Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S (a beep sound should be heard).
  • Go to Options => Scanning modes and mark the fields for calibration according to the conditions.
  • Mark "Update flat-field for marked modes and modes with modified exposure."
  • If only the central camera position is needed, leave "use only central camera position" checked, otherwise uncheck it.
  • Uncheck "update only bright flat-field reference."
  • Check "adjust exposure automatically."
  • Uncheck "x-ray ON after updating."
  • Only if you update the flat-field with your sample in the machine (a small single sample that is out of the field of view during the flat-field update) can you leave the X-ray on after updating.

6. Insert Sample and Adjust Settings

• Insert your mounted sample into the machine and turn on the X-ray.
• Adjust the resolution, filter, and pixel size to your scanning conditions.

7. Create a Destination Folder

• Outside the Skyscan software, open a destination folder for every scan in your lab's folder.

8. Set Scanning Parameters

• Press the scan button and determine your scanning parameters (rotation step, averaging, random movement, and 360° scanning). Direct the scan to its designated folder and give it a name.
• If you scan multiple samples or large samples, press: Options => batch/oversize scanning => mark your scans with the mouse while pressing the Ctrl button. Add each scan by repeating this stage.

9. Start the Scan

• Press "scan" and ensure the machine starts to scan.

10. Shut Down

• When finished, close the X-ray and then the software. The machine will turn off.
• Log off your Bookit account.

REVISION

REVISION	REVISION DATE	REVISED BY	COMMENTS
0	January 8, 2023	Tally Kossovsky	Original
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