Thermo Scientific TDFTI User Manual
Thermo Scientific
TruDefender FT
TruDefender FTi
User Guide
110-00055-02
© 2011 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.
TruDefender and GRAMS are registered trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. in the United States.
SureFire is a registered trademark of SureFire, LLC.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides this document to its customers with a product purchase to use in the product
operation. This document is copyright protected and any reproduction of the whole or any part of this document is strictly
prohibited, except with the written authorization of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
The contents of this document are subject to change without notice. All technical information in this document is for
reference purposes only. System configurations and specifications in this document supersede all previous information
received by the purchaser.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. makes no representations that this document is complete, accurate or error-free and
assumes no responsibility and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, damage or loss that might result from any
use of this document, even if the information in the document is followed properly.
This document is not part of any sales contract between Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and a purchaser. This document shall
in no way govern or modify any Terms and Conditions of Sale, which Terms and Conditions of Sale shall govern all
conflicting information between the two documents.
Preface
P
The Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT instrument is
an FTIR spectrometer designed for use by first
responders, homeland security, military, law
enforcement, and forensic chemistry personnel.
Compact and lightweight, this instrument is intended
for rapid field identification of unknown solid and
liquid samples.
This guide describes how to perform a scan with the
TruDefender
save and export results, and maintain the instrument. If
you own a TruDefender FTi model, you can also
wirelessly send a scan as an email or an SMS message.
Contacting Us
Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific any time for information or assistance.
Telephone (USA) 1-800-374-1992
(International) +1-978-642-1100
Email support@chemid.thermofisher.com
Website www.thermoscientific.com/chemID-support
Mail 46 Jonspin Road, Wilmington, MA 01887
® FT instrument, interpret scan results,
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 1
Preface
Safety Notices
The TruDefender FT instrument is specifically designed to be used in an everyday environment in the field and is therefore considerably more rugged than a laboratory instrument.
Do not use the TruDefender FT instrument unless you have been trained in its use.
CAUTION
There are no user-adjustable components inside the instrument. The TruDefender FT battery
compartment door may be opened, but do not open the device or modify the electronics within. All
CAUTION
service operations must be performed by Thermo Fisher Scientific or an authorized service agent of
Thermo Fisher Scientific. Any attempt by the user to open the instrument will render the warranty
null and void.
Use of controls, adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein or those specified by Thermo Fisher Scientific personnel may result in a hazardous condition.
CAUTION
Follow your organization's procedure and regulations for the handling of unknown substances.
CAUTION
However, the user should recognize that this is a precision scientific instrument that should be treated with care. Abuse and mistreatment may lead to a degradation of performance or premature failure.
The TruDefender FT instrument is not certified to be intrinsically safe, and the user should take the necessary precautions when using the unit.
CAUTION
When wireless transmission is enabled, maintain a distance of 7.9 inches (20 cm) between the instrument and your head and body.
CAUTION
If there is a possibility that you may be sending messages wirelessly with the instrument, do not attach the instrument to your belt clip or hang it on a shoulder strap.
CAUTION
2 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
Getting Started
4 Instrument Front Diagram
4 Sample Crusher Diagram
5 Instrument Bottom Diagram
5 Carrying Case Contents
6 Powering the Instrument
6 Opening and Closing the Access Door
7 Changing the Rechargeable Battery
7 Inserting the Disposable Batteries
7 Using the Wall Plug Adapters
8 Using the Memory Card
8 Changing System Date or Time
8 Changing the System Language
1
Start
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 3
1 Getting Started
Instrument Front Diagram
Sampling tip
Nose
Display
Flips the display screen
Flip screen key
Escape key
Cancels a screen without
accepting any changes
made to it. Returns to the
previously displayed
screen. Press and hold to
return to the Main menu.
Sample Crusher Diagram
Quick scan key
Displays the scan screen or
initiates a scan
Arrow keys
Select menu items
Enter key
Enacts a menu selection or
accepts changes made to a screen
Wake/Sleep key
Turns instrument on or off
or puts it into sleep mode
Sampling platform
Latch
Boot
4 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
Instrument Bottom Diagram
1
Getting Started
Open access door
Memory card slot
Battery compartment
door
Carrying Case Contents
Battery
charger
Disposable
batteries
Power cable connector
Slide door in direction of arrow to open
Power cable
and adapters
Sample crusher
Memory card reader
Spare rechargeable battery
Memory card
Sampling sticks, pipettes,
spatulas, swabs, alcohol
wipes
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 5
1 Getting Started
Powering the Instrument
The TruDefender FT instrument can be powered by:
• A rechargeable battery (provides about 4 hours in
normal use)
• Connection to an electrical outlet (plug the AC
power cable into the power cable connector,
which is behind the access door)
• Three disposable SureFire
® batteries (provide
about 5 hours in normal use)
When the display illuminates, the instrument is fully powered and ready for operation.
The instrument has three power states: On, off, and a power-saving mode (“sleep mode”).
The instrument enters sleep mode if it remains
idle for several minutes while on battery power.
NOTE
Opening and Closing the Access Door
The access door is designed to securely seal the battery compartment, to protect it from contaminants.
When the access door on the bottom of the
instrument is open, the environmental seal is
CAUTION
broken, and the system is no longer waterand dust-resistant.
Use the SureFire disposable batteries when
operating below 32
NOTE
To turn on the instrument
°F (0°C).
Press and hold the Wake/Sleep key until the display backlight turns on, then release the key.
To put the instrument into sleep mode
Briefly press the Wake/Sleep key.
To turn off the instrument
Press the Wake/Sleep key for several seconds.
To open the access door
Place your thumbs on each side of the door bar and push in the direction of the arrows on the bar. The tabs on both ends of the bar will disengage from the slots on either side of the door.
To close the access door
Press the door into the opening to completely seat the door gasket into the bottom of the instrument. Push the door bar into the horizontal position. Make sure that both of the bar tabs are seated in their slots.
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Changing the Rechargeable Battery
1
Getting Started
Be sure to turn the instrument off before removing the rechargeable battery or the disposable batteries.
If you remove the rechargeable battery or the
disposable batteries when the instrument is
CAUTION
turned on, the instrument software is very
likely to be damaged. This damage can cause
the instrument to behave unpredictably or
even to fail to turn on. If the software is
damaged, you will need to return the
instrument for servicing.
Inserting the Disposable Batteries
Be sure to turn the instrument off before removing any batteries. See the caution notice above.
Follow the procedure for changing the rechargeable battery, but remove the rechargeable battery and insert three disposable batteries.
1
Turn off the instrument by pressing and holding the Wake/Sleep key for several seconds.
2 Open the access door.
3 Slide the battery compartment door to the right.
The door will spring open, and the battery will
slightly eject.
4 Remove the battery and insert a charged one. Make
sure that “This side up” is on top and the arrow on
the battery label is pointing toward the instrument.
5 Close the battery compartment door and slide it to
the left to latch it in place.
6 Close the access door.
Orient the battery poles in this order: positive, negative, positive. See the figure inside of the battery compartment door, which shows the correct orientation.
Using the Wall Plug Adapters
Your instrument comes with a set of international wall plug adapters. To install an adapter, press it into the recess in the power cord until the adapter clicks into place. To remove an adapter, slide the release latch down and pull the adapter out.
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 7
1 Getting Started
Using the Memory Card
When you export data, the instrument stores the data on a memory card, which may be placed in a memory card reader and connected to a computer.
When not in use, keep the memory card in the
carrying case.
TIP
Changing System Date or Time
You can change system date and time to synchronize with your local time.
By default, your instrument uses the mm/dd/yyyy date format. You can switch to the dd/mm/yyyy format.
To insert the memory card
Hold the card with the arrow pointing toward the instrument and the notched edge at the left (see the figure at the left) and insert it into the memory card slot. Press the card in until it catches in place.
To remove the memory card
Push the card in, then release. The card will eject slightly from the slot. Remove the card, using the fingernail groove on the top edge of the card to catch the card’s edge.
1 In the Main menu, select Tools > press the Enter
key.
2 Select Date/Time > press the Enter key.
3 Select Month, Day, Year, Hour, Minutes, Zone, or
Format, then press the right or left arrow key until
the value that you want to set appears. (Zone is the
time zone, in hours before or after Greenwich Mean
Time, GMT.)
4 Press the Escape key.
Changing the System Language
You can change the system language at any time.
To change to a translated library, you must install
the translated version of the software.
NOTE
8 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
1
In the Main menu, select Tools > press the Enter key.
2 Select Language > press the Enter key.
3 Select a language > press the Enter key.
Scanning
2
9 Follow Safe Scanning Practices
10 The Keys to Getting a Good Scan
10 Cleaning the Sampling Tip
11 Best Practices for Scanning
13 Performing a Scan
15 Reading the Activity Indicator Light
15 Speeding Scan Time by Restricting the Library Search
16 Using the Sample Crusher
17 Scanning a Volatile Liquid
17 Using the Keyboard
Follow Safe Scanning Practices
Follow these safety precautions when performing a scan of a material that may be shock- or friction-sensitive:
1 Scan the smallest possible amount of material
(<300 µL, 1 drop, or less than 300 mg).
2 Wear all necessary personal protective gear.
CAUTION
If you own a TruDefender FTi model, keep
the instrument at least 7.9 inches (20 cm)
from your head and body when the wireless
radio is enabled. For information on how to
determine if the radio is enabled, see
page 30.
Scan
Use caution when scanning shock- or frictionsensitive materials.
CAUTION
Shock- or friction-sensitive materials can pose a hazard
of explosion if mishandled during the scanning process.
Examples of materials known to be shock- and frictionsensitive include (but are not limited to) TATP,
gunpowder, nitroglycerine, and match tips.
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 9
2 Scanning
The Keys to Getting a Good Scan
The FTIR light beam emerges from the center of the sampling tip. Because the beam can only penetrate a few microns into a sample, to get a good scan you must ensure that sample materials are in very close contact with the sampling tip.
The keys to getting a good scan are:
1 When scanning powders or solids, use the sample
crusher or firmly press the instrument into the
material.
2 Center the sample material on the sampling tip. The
Best Practices table (see page 11) shows proper
positioning for the most common scanning
situations.
3 When possible, grind powders to a fine and even
consistency.
Cleaning the Sampling Tip
Before every background check, clean the sampling tip thoroughly.
Whenever possible, use the sample crusher to scan powders. The sample crusher exerts the firm and constant pressure that is necessary to ensure good contact.
TruDefender FT generally displays results in less than 30 seconds. Scans may be prolonged or may not finish if:
• The sample material is not in close contact with
the sampling tip.
• The sample material interacts little or not at all
with infrared light (for example, pure elements).
Dilute solutions will return a positive match for
water because water strongly interacts with
infrared light.
TIP
If the sampling tip is contaminated with an oily substance, scrub it with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
To clean the tip, scrub it with an alcohol wipe, then allow it to air dry, or wipe it with a clean paper towel or cloth. If the tip is visibly dirty, wipe off as much of the material as possible before scrubbing the tip with an alcohol wipe.
10 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
In very cold weather, liquid from the alcohol
wipe may freeze on the sampling tip and cause
inaccurate scan results. To prevent this, remove
TIP
any frozen residue by scrubbing the sampling tip
with a paper towel or cloth.
Best Practices for Scanning
For this situation Do these things
2
Scanning
Puddled liquid
At least 1/4 inch (6 mm) deep
Non-volatile liquid in a
container
Volatile liquid
Thinly spread film or
droplets of liquid
Immerse the sampling tip in the puddle. The instrument may touch the underlying surface.
Stand the instrument on its bottom.
Place a drop of liquid on the sampling tip.
See “Scanning a Volatile Liquid” on
page 17.
Saturate a swab with the liquid.
Press the swab firmly on the center of the sampling tip.
Thinly spread paste
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 11
Collect some of the paste on a swab.
Press the swab firmly on the center of the sampling tip.
2 Scanning
For this situation Do these things
Powders
Solids
If the powder is coarse, grind it to a fine and even texture.
For best results, use the sample crusher (see page 16).
If you cannot use the sample crusher, firmly press the sampling tip in contact with the powder.
If possible, grind a powder until
the granules are no larger than
grains of table salt.
TIP
If the material can be ground, grind it to a fine powder and scan it with the sample crusher (see page 16).
If the material cannot be ground, press the sampling tip firmly into the material.
To scan the inside of a coated
tablet, scrape off the coating,
NOTE
finely grind the remaining
material, and scan it with the
sample crusher.
To scan the coating, scrape it off
and scan separately.
12 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
Performing a Scan
If you own a TruDefender FTi model, you can
send scan results wirelessly via a cellular
NOTE
Step 1
Choose a scanning technique (see the Best Practices table on page 11). See page 16 for guidelines on using the sample crusher.
Press the Wake/Sleep key if the instrument is not powered up. The Main menu appears.
TIP
connection to an email or SMS address. For
details, see page 29.
If you are using the sample crusher or holding
the instrument upside down, press the Flip
Screen key.
2
Scanning
Step 2
Press the Quick Scan key. The Background Check
screen appears. Clean the sampling tip now (see
page 10).
Step 3
(Optional) Create a new session for the scan. Select Session > Create new session > press the Enter key. The New Session Name keyboard appears.
Enter a new name or accept the default name. (For help with the keyboard, see page 17.)
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 13
2 Scanning
Step 4
Select Go > press the Enter key. The instrument performs a background check. If the background has changed since the last scan, the instrument automatically performs a new background scan.
Do not put the instrument in the sample
crusher for the background check. During a
NOTE
background scan, the sampling tip must not be
in contact with any sample material.
Step 5
When the background check or the background scan finishes, the Position Unit screen appears.
Place the sampling tip in contact with the sample (see the Best Practices table on page 11). If you are using the sample crusher, place a small amount of the test substance on the sampling platform, then insert the instrument (see page 16).
Step 6
To start the scan, select Scan > press the Enter key. The Scan in progress screen appears. Hold the instrument steady during the scan.
To monitor the progress of the scan, observe the progress bar on the bottom of the scan screen and the signal strength meter. The progress bar displays the estimated time to scan completion.
When the scan finishes, the instrument displays a result (see page 19).
If the scan time is lengthy and the signal
strength meter shows only a few or no bars, the
TIP
14 TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide Thermo Scientific
sampling tip may not be in good contact with the
sample, or the sample may not be scannable by
FTIR.
Reading the Activity Indicator Light
2
Scanning
The activity indicator light on the bottom of the instrument also indicates scan status:
• Blinking yellow: The scan has just begun or the
instrument is receiving adequate signal from the
sample.
• Blinking green: The instrument is receiving
• Blinking red: The instrument is not receiving any
signal.
• Solid green: The scan has successfully completed.
• Solid red: The scan has stopped because of some
error, or you pushed the Escape key to halt the
scan.
strong signal from the sample.
Speeding Scan Time by Restricting the Library Search
During the analysis phase of a scan, the instrument normally searches the entire library to find the best match for the scan data.
You can constrain this search to only factory-added library items or only user-added library items.
Constraining the library search reduces scan time and is most useful when you are only interested in detecting the presence of particular user-added items.
For information on creating user-added library items, see page 35.
1 In the Main menu, select Tools > press the Enter
key.
2 Select Libraries > press the Enter key.
3 Select a display option > press the Enter key.
Thermo Scientific TruDefender FT and TruDefender FTi User Guide 15
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