Physical testing
Osmometer
Measures the osmolality of a solution, the total concentration of dissolved particles, usually by how much the solution's freezing point is lowered. Used for injections, eye drops and infusion fluids.
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Clinical laboratories
- Food & beverage
- Academic research
TROUBLESHOOTING
Common problems, causes and fixes
Sample freezes too early (pre-freeze)
Likely causes
- • Dirty probe or tube
- • Particles or ice crystals in the sample
- • Cooling bath too cold
What to do
- • Clean the probe and use a new tube
- • Filter or centrifuge the sample if the method allows
- • Check the cooling system
Sample does not freeze
Likely causes
- • Freeze-induction wire not working
- • Sample volume wrong
What to do
- • Check and adjust the wire
- • Pipette the correct volume
Reference solution reads out of limit
Likely causes
- • Standard contaminated or evaporated
- • Probe dirty
- • Calibration drift
What to do
- • Use a fresh ampoule of standard
- • Clean the probe
- • Recalibrate with certified standards
Poor repeatability
Likely causes
- • Inconsistent sample volume
- • Bubbles in the sample
- • Carry-over between samples
What to do
- • Check the pipette
- • Pipette slowly to avoid bubbles
- • Clean and dry the probe between samples
Results drift upwards when sample tubes stand open
Likely causes
- • Evaporation of water from the sample
What to do
- • Measure immediately after pipetting; keep tubes covered
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management
Keep every Osmometer in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.