Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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Hygiena does not typically accept returns due to the perishable nature of our products. Exceptions will be made in cases of Hygiena error. Approved returns may be subject to a maximum 25% restocking fee and do not include shipping costs. Please contact Customer Service if you believe an exception is warranted.
ATP Products
UltraSnap™, SuperSnap™, AquaSnap™ Total and Free
Bioluminescence is the result of a biochemical reaction and is the science behind Hygiena ATP detection tests. The reaction includes the following elements:
- Luciferase enzyme- naturally occurring in fireflies, or synthetically manufactured
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy molecule of all living organisms
- Oxygen- a catalyst
- Luciferin- a molecule that undergoes a chemical charge when affixed by an enzyme
ATP + Luciferin + Luciferase + O2 → Light output
The reaction occurs in two steps: The substrate combines with ATP and oxygen, which is controlled by the enzyme. The chemical energy in step 1 excites a specific molecule (the combination of Luciferin and Luciferase). The result is decay which is manifested as photon emission, or light production. The light is simply a by-product of the chemical reaction and does not depend on light.
ATP monitoring is a rapid testing method used by food and beverage processors to quickly assess the cleanliness of surfaces or liquid samples from such places as CIP systems. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is present in all organic material and is the universal unit of energy used in all living cells. ATP is produced and/or broken down in metabolic processes in all living systems. Processes such as photosynthesis in plants, muscle contraction in humans, respiration in fungi, and fermentation in yeast are all driven by ATP. Therefore, most foods and microbial cells will contain some level of naturally occurring ATP.
Hygiena™ luminometers (in conjunction with ATP swabs) use bioluminescence to detect residual ATP as an indicator of surface cleanliness. The presence of ATP on a surface indicates improper cleaning and the presence of contamination, including food residue, allergens and/or bacteria. This implies a potential for the surface to harbor and support bacterial growth.
ATP monitoring is used in food and beverage facilities to confirm that ATP presence is eliminated or minimized by effective sanitation procedures. ATP monitoring measures cross-contamination, ensures product integrity and shelf life and protects brand reputation.
Hygiena™ ATP testing devices contain a natural enzyme found in fireflies. This enzyme produces a simple bioluminescenct (light-producing) reaction when it comes into contact with ATP. Using bioluminescence technology, the SystemSURE™ Plus, EnSURE™ or EnSURE™ Touch luminometers can measure extremely low levels of ATP collected with testing devices. Measuring the amount of bioluminescence from an ATP reaction provides an excellent indication of surface cleanliness because the quantity of light generated by the reaction is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present in the sample. The bioluminescence reaction is immediate so results can be processed at the testing site in seconds. Results are expressed numerically on the luminometer screen in Relative Light Units (RLU).
Bioluminescence is the result of a biochemical reaction and is the science behind Hygiena™ ATP detection tests. The reaction includes the following elements:
- Luciferin /Luciferase -naturally occurring in fireflies
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy molecule of all living organisms
- Oxygen- a catalyst
Luciferin /Luciferase + ATP + O2 → Light output
The reaction occurs in two steps:
- The substrate combines with ATP and oxygen, which is controlled by the enzyme.
- The chemical energy in step 1 excites a specific molecule (the combination of Luciferin and Luciferase). The result is decay which is manifested as photon emission, or light production. The light is simply a byproduct of the chemical reaction and does not depend on light.
Nearly all food and beverage companies that process food with any water activity or can sustain organisms do ATP testing. Companies with highly processed materials like oil or companies dealing with products with no water activity like dry grains, sometimes will not do ATP testing. ATP testing is used around the globe and is a recognized tool by auditors for validating cleaning processes and complies with government and HACCP regulations.
A majority of US hospitals are measuring cleanliness with ATP monitoring systems. ATP systems are also prevalent in the UK and parts of Europe. The proportion of hospitals using ATP monitoring is growing and is expected to continue rising as hospitals continue to battle growing healthcare associated infection (HAI) rates and increasing demand for cleaner facilities.
Because ATP is present in all organic matter, all foods contain ATP at varying levels. This is why testing for ATP presence is the preferred way to measure the cleanliness of surfaces and water samples. Highly processes foods such as oil will have very little to no ATP.
Many manufacturers offer seemingly scientific research supporting their own ATP systems. All are based on proprietary formulations that differ markedly in performance. Their systems are also dependent on instrumentation and electronics. Therefore, RLU values are not a standard of measurement across suppliers. This means that customers need to understand that only objective studies conducted by independent laboratories should be accepted as scientific evidence of product performance. We suggest customers refer to our AOAC certification that also included peer-review data. Silliker Laboratories, the leading international food testing and safety laboratory, conducted an independent study comparing five commercial ATP systems, including ours. This third-party study found that Hygiena™ ATP testing and monitoring products offer superior linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, and accuracy. Request a copy here!
RLU stands for Relative Light Unit and is the unit of measure used in bioluminescence. When a test swab is activated, a bioluminescent reaction occurs, generating light output. Luminometers measure and quantify that light as an RLU output. Because manufacturers use different sensor technologies and algorithms for adding up the photons, RLU measurements will vary from system to system. However, because the ATP bioluminescence reaction is linear, the more ATP present means the more light will be present. This makes comparing systems easy. (Comparing RLU values is like comparing Fahrenheit and Celsius; they are two different scales for the same temperature).
The relationship between the amount of ATP in the sample and the RLU result reading on the luminometer is simple:
High contamination (improper cleaning) = Large amount of ATP = More light produced in reaction= High RLU reading on SystemSURE™ Plus, EnSURE™ or EnSURE™ Touch.
The RLU reading is directly proportional to the amount of ATP collected from the sample. A high RLU reading indicates a large amount of ATP at the test location. This in turn indicates improper cleaning and the presence of contaminants.
Cleaning properly results in less ATP at the location. Less ATP results in less light output during the bioluminescent reaction and consequently, a lower RLU reading.
Sterility is a term relating to a true microbiology test i.e., the complete absence of microorganisms including bacteria, fungus, and their spores. An ATP test detects all sources of ATP but cannot differentiate ATP from food or bacteria, thus a zero RLU result cannot be equated with sterility.
The limit of detection depends on the test device and luminometer used:
- UltraSnap & SystemSURE Plus : 1 femtomole of ATP
- SuperSnap & SystemSURE Plus : <0.20 femtomoles of ATP
- SuperSnap & EnSURE : <0.10 femtomoles of ATP
- UltraSnap & EnSURE Touch: < 1.0 femtomoles of ATP
All systems come preset with generic limits that can usually be applied to most processing facilities. These thresholds have been established over the years by companies doing ATP testing and supported by scientific research papers. These thresholds are typically a good starting point for companies new to ATP testing.
Yes. Pass/Fail limits are 100% customizable to fit your facility and program needs. To adjust limits for specific locations, simply edit location information in the SureTrend software.
ATP systems with standard ATP test swabs detect the presence of ATP and cannot distinguish microbial ATP from other organic ATP left behind after cleaning. RLU results could potentially be microbial cells, organic ATP from product residue, or both. This makes comparing RLU to CFU difficult. Studies have shown that there is anywhere between 60-90% correlation between RLU and CFU readings depending on the environment in which the system is used.
The presence of ATP on the surface indicates that it has not been adequately cleaned. The primary purpose of cleaning is to remove product residue from product contact surfaces. Effective cleaning simultaneously removes the material capable of supporting microbial survival and growth, as well as many of the microbes themselves. The technology behind ATP systems has been changing quite rapidly over the past few years and now there are ATP systems that can run tests for specific microorganisms (i.e. MicroSnap and InSite systems).
A biofilm is formed when microorganisms find a receptive environment where they are exposed to food and moisture. The microorganisms work together as a population and secrete a sticky polymer to form a solid matrix attached to a surface. Once a biofilm is established, it is very difficult to eliminate because the microbes are reinforced and protected by the matrix, making them very resistant to sanitizers. Biofilms are often responsible for poor product quality and/or lost product due to contamination, causing costly damage to both product and equipment. The threat of a biofilm can be reduced by effective sanitation procedure and ATP hygiene monitoring, allowing early detection and removal of food residue – thus eliminating the food source for possible biofilm-forming microbes.
ATP testing should ideally be done after cleaning, but before sanitization. Because sanitizers are less effective when product residues are on the surface, it’s best to eliminate all ATP before the sanitization step. In some facilities, testing after cleaning is not possible. In these scenarios testing after sanitization is acceptable. Most sanitizers will not affect Hygiena’s ATP test devices and if the proper concentration and dwell time is followed there should be no interference from sanitizers.
Cleaning is the removal of organic matter and the reduction of risk from material which is a potential contaminant, or material which could support the survival and growth of microbes.
Disinfection is the reduction of microbiological hazards to a minimal level but not necessarily complete inactivation of all microbiological hazards.
Sterilization is the complete destruction and inactivation of all microbial hazard.
Food contact areas (direct and indirect) and hard-to-clean areas should be the main focus of your swabbing program. Direct contact areas are surfaces where the presence of any contaminant will taint the final product. Indirect contact areas are those where splashed product, dust, or liquid has the potential to be dropped, drained, or transferred onto the product. Hard-to-clean areas may include filler heads, O-rings, nozzles, and areas with irregularly-shaped surfaces, corners, grooves and cracks.
You should swab an area that is about 4 by 4 square inches (10 x 10 cm) – or in the case of a hard-to-clean area, as much of the surface as possible. Do not let the swab come into contact with anything other than the test area to avoid contamination. Apply pressure to the swab to pick up surface residue and penetrate any biofilm that may be present. After collecting the sample, place the swab back in the swab collection tube. Once the device has been activated, it should be read as soon as possible.
| Correct | Incorrect |
 |
 |
| Sufficient pressure to create flex in the swab shaft
Do not touch the swab shaft. Rotate to collect sample on all sides |
Only lightly swabbing the surface.
Touching the swab shaft with a finger. Only collecting sample on one side of the |
Yes, our ATP test devices can be stored at room temperature (21-25 °C) for up to 4 weeks as long as within the indicated expiry date on the label.
Longer times between sample swabbing and luminometer testing resulted in significant reductions in RLUs, and raise the risk of false-negative results. We recommend the activation of test devices be conducted as soon as possible and no longer than 30 minutes after sample collection.
Surfaces do not have to be dry to perform a swab test. However, for consistent readings, surfaces should be swabbed in the same conditions (always wet or always dry). Hygiena swabs come pre-moistened for maximum sample recovery on dry surfaces.
Hygiena™ ATP test swabs are pre-moistened with a mild extraction solution that aids in sample collection and ATP extraction. The solution is non-toxic and is not a growth media, so it is completely safe. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet for the product for further information about safety.
Hygiena ATP test devices are made of 100% recyclable, non-toxic plastic and may be discarded with plastic recyclables.(Recycling Code 7:Other).
Hygiena ATP test devices are made of 100% recyclable, non-toxic plastic and may be discarded with plastic recyclables.(Recycling Code 7:Other).
Several sanitizers commonly used in the food and beverage industry have been tested at normal working strength and found to have no significant effect on either Snapshot or UltraSnap performance. Only acid-based sanitizer, if used at higher than normal concentrations, have been found to have an effect on performance. If you are unsure about the chemical nature of your sanitizers, consult your sanitizer manufacturer or Hygiena technical support.
Yes. Tests activated and measured in direct sunlight will distort results, increasing the RLU output. If a test must be collected outside, the swab device should be activated and measured out of the direct sunlight.
If reagents are cold, then the reaction will be slower and the RLU result for a given amount of ATP will be lower.
Temperature does not affect light measurement of the instrument provided that the instrument has equilibrated to the environmental conditions. The instrument will sense an environmental temperature change of 5°C and it will automatically initiate a 15 second re-calibration sequence.
The user can also initiate a manual re-calibration at any time by pressing and holding the OK button down for 3 seconds.
The system can be used in cold environments (e.g. 5°C) if the instrument is equilibrated for 10 – 15 minutes before use and that the reagent swab devices are kept warm e.g. by storage in an internal pocket close to body heat.
Why do I get a different RLU result when I re-measure the same test device again in the luminometer?
You will always get a different reading when trying to re-read the same test device more than once. The meter is reading a light given off by the reagent. This light peaks and then begins to die off. Always measure your test device in the time recommended in the product instructions. Any result you receive after the first reading may be misleading because that light will continue to die out until eventually no light is emitted.
Incorporating high-sensitivity ATP testing, high-sensitivity protein testing, and specific surface allergen tests into your environmental monitoring program is a proactive and holistic way to prevent allergen contamination and validate and verify cleaning procedures.
Visual inspection is no longer a sufficient measure of cleanliness in healthcare facilities. In order to measure the cleanliness of surfaces and medical tools after cleaning, healthcare professionals around the globe are turning to ATP testing. The old way of cleaning verification required a supervisor to visit a room after a patient has been discharged to mark surfaces with a fluorescent gel pen. Then after environmental services staff completed cleaning, the supervisor would need to return to the room to perform a visual inspection of surfaces. This inspection was subjective, not measurable, required a supervisor to waste valuable time, and held up room turnover. With ATP testing, supervisors only need to visit a room once. Test swabs take only 15 seconds and can objectively quantify the cleanliness of a room. This allows rooms to be turned over faster, enables supervisors to get more work done, and holds cleaning staff accountable for proper cleaning with actual, quantifiable data.
One misconception of ATP monitoring systems is that pre-cleaning and post-cleaning measurements need to be taken to measure cleaning effectiveness. ATP swabs should never be used on surfaces that are known to be soiled or dirty, as they will always result in a Fail test result. Sanitation companies and chemical suppliers will often use pre-clean and post-clean ATP tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning products, but this demonstration should not be confused with regular use in an ATP monitoring program. ATP monitoring should only be done after cleaning and not before and after cleaning. This is a key advantage of ATP monitoring over fluorescent marking systems that require multiple room visits as described above. Hospitals also do not need to monitor every single location available, but only a statistically representative sample in order to gather sufficient data for reporting and results in interpretation. To estimate testing frequency for your hospital, and to calculate the ROI on cleaning performance, use the Testing Frequency. and ROI Calculator found here.
Not specifically. The only way to identify MRSA or C. diff is with microbiological testing methods that can take several days for results. ATP systems only detect the presence of organic materials on a surface and cannot detect specific strains of bacteria. Properly cleaned surfaces absent of ATP will not have the organic material required to facilitate harborage and growth of bacteria.
Can an ATP system be used to verify cleanliness of reusable items like endoscopes or surgical tools?
Yes. Hygiena™ provides high-sensitivity ATP detection device that are suitable for the sensitivity required by sterile services. To verify the cleanliness of endoscopes, the EndoSwab can be used in conjunction with ATP test devices.
Bacterially lethal applications of UV, Ozone or HPV kill any bacteria on surfaces. Surface ATP tests don’t discern live or dead cells, so taking an ATP test immediately after sterilization of an unclean surface will always result in ATP presence. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use ATP testing if you also use UV, Ozone, or HPV room sterilization! Instructions for all of these technologies recommend thorough cleaning before application, so to ensure your sterilization is most effective, you should validate cleaning thoroughness before sterilization. ATP testing should be used before terminal sterilization to ensure cleaning has thoroughly prepared the room for effective sterilization with UV, Ozone, or HPV.
Hygiena provides industry-standardized recommendations for broad risk categories such as near-patient areas, public areas, etc. You may also set your own Pass/Fail RLU limits by collecting samples from test locations.
Below is an image of the luminometer screen:
Several sanitizers commonly used in hospitals have been tested at normal working strength and found to have no significant effect on either SnapShot or UltraSnap performance. Only acid-based sanitizer, if used at higher than manufacturer-recommended concentrations has been found to have an effect on performance. If you are unsure about the chemical nature of your sanitizer, consult your sanitizer manufacturer or Hygiena™ technical support.
Cleaning is the removal of organic matter and the reduction of risk from material which is a potential contaminant, or material which could support the survival and growth of microbes.
Disinfection is the reduction of microbiological hazards to a minimal level but not necessarily complete inactivation of all microbiological hazards.
Sterilization is the complete destruction and inactivation of all microbial hazard.
Critical (high-risk) test sites should be swabbed on a daily basis, after each cleaning or after terminal cleaning. If a failure is measured, immediate corrective action should be taken with re-cleaning and re-testing until a passing result can be measured. Regular (lower-risk) control points may not need to be tested as frequently.
You should swab an area that is about 4 by 4 square inches (10 x 10 cm) – or in the case of a hard-to-clean area, as much of the surface as possible. Do not let the swab come into contact with anything other than the test area to avoid contamination. Apply pressure to the swab to pick up surface residue and penetrate any biofilm that may be present. After collecting the sample, place the swab back in swab tube. Once the device has been activated, it should be read a soon as possible.
Hygiena strives to create easier-to-use, more cost-effective products for its clients. By partnering with leading manufacturing companies and using state-of-the-art automated manufacturing processes in-house, Hygiena™ is able to create superior cost-effective products. A perfect example of this is our ATP bioluminescence product line. It incorporates patented and environmentally-friendly Snap-Valve™ technology, which allows us to create an easy-to-use sample test device that uses less plastic than our competition and has superior performance. Combining this with our unique liquid-stable reagents allows us to have a complete all-in-one sample testing device that has better performance and costs a lot less. See Superior ATP Performance.
Hygiena™ products are available worldwide. We have a direct sales staff in the USA, UK and parts of Europe, and Asia. Hygiena™ also has a network of dedicated distributors and agents across the globe, covering over 80 countries.
Ambient temperature of 20–22°C (70–72°F) is the temperature that provides optimal performance. The only time ambient temperatures can affect results is if reagents are at a low temperature. This can happen if testing is done immediately after taking the tests out of the refrigerator. If testing in cold environments the instrument will self-adjust to external temperature but the luciferase reagents needs to be at 20–22°C (70–72°F) to function best.
If reagents are cold, then the reaction will be slower and the RLU result for a given amount of ATP will be lower.
Temperature does not affect light measurement of the instrument provided that the instrument has equilibrated to the environmental conditions. The instrument will sense an environmental temperature change of 5°C and it will automatically initiate a 15 second recalibration sequence.
The user can also initiate a manual recalibration at any time by depressing and holding the OK button down for 3 seconds.
The system can be used in cold environments (e.g. 5°C) if the instrument is equilibrated for 10 – 15 minutes before use and that the reagent swab devices are kept warm e.g. by storage in an internal pocket close to body heat.
Why do I get a different RLU result when I re-measure the same test device again in the luminometer?
You will always get a different reading when trying to re-read the same test device more than once. The meter is reading a light given off by the reagent. This light peaks and then begins to die off. Always measure your test device in the time recommended in the product instructions. Any result you receive after the first reading may be misleading because that light will continue to die out until eventually no light is emitted.
Incorporating high-sensitivity ATP testing, high-sensitivity protein testing, and specific surface allergen tests into your environmental monitoring program is a proactive and holistic way to prevent allergen contamination and validate and verify cleaning procedures. Learn more about our allergen detection solutions.
One misconception of ATP monitoring systems is that pre-cleaning and post-cleaning measurements need to be taken to measure cleaning effectiveness. ATP swabs should never be used on surfaces that are known to be soiled or dirty, as they will always result in a Fail test result. Sanitation companies and chemical suppliers will often use pre-clean and post-clean ATP tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning products, but this demonstration should not be confused with regular use in an ATP monitoring program. ATP monitoring should only be done after cleaning and not before and after cleaning. This is a key advantage of ATP monitoring over fluorescent marking systems that require multiple location visits as described above. Facilities also do not need to monitor every single location available, but only a statistically representative sample.
Not specifically. The only way to identify MRSA or C. diff is with microbiological testing methods that can take several days for results. ATP systems only detect the presence of organic materials on a surface and cannot detect specific strains of bacteria.
The SystemSURE Plus luminometer detects ATP presence and cannot distinguish microbial cells from other organic materials left behind after cleaning. Because RLU count could potentially be a representation of microbial cells as well as other organic materials, RLU’s cannot be equated to a CFU plate count. However studies have shown about an 80% correlation between ATP and microbial cells. The presence of ATP on the surface indicates that it has not been adequately cleaned. The primary purpose of cleaning is to remove germs and bacteria from environmental surfaces. Effective cleaning simultaneously removes the material capable of supporting microbial survival and growth, as well as many of the microbes themselves.
Monitoring Systems
EnSURE™ Touch, EnSURE™, SystemSURE™ Plus
Hygiena™ ATP systems self-calibrate at start up to ensure accurate readings. To further verify calibration, we offer a calibration control kit. Though the kit is not necessary for the performance of the system, a documented calibration process shows due diligence to auditors. With advanced technology, Hygiena™ systems will stay in calibration for the life of the device. If you require a manufacturer’s calibration as part of your quality program, you can request a quote for calibration here.
In addition to surface and water ATP testing, Hygiena’s EnSURE™ measures test swabs for:
- If you are using SureTrend™ software, simply plug connect your luminometer to your computer, click “Synchronize” in SureTrend™, upload results, and click “Yes” when asked if you would like to erase test results memory.
- If you want to erase the results without syncing to SureTrend™, select the * button on the meter, then use the arrows to navigate to the Memory menu. Press “OK” to select, and then press and hold down the * button for 2 seconds. This will display the total number of stored results to be erased. To accept and start the erase function, press and hold down the “OK” button for 1 second. To cancel, press any other button.
The pre-programmed limits for food and beverage facilities are based on years of data, experience, and third part studies. Hygiena™ recommends that users validate these recommendations and adjust them to meet each facility’s unique needs. To see the data or learn more, download this ATP Thresholds Technical Document.
- Results are relatively unaffected by the majority of sanitizers evaluated, which includes sanitizers incorporating a wide variety of active ingredients. Under certain conditions, some sanitizers may give a slight increase in readings. Read full Technical Document
- You may need to adjust your thresholds to the type of surface or environment that you are testing. Certain environments can offer higher than average results. Read full Technical Document
- If these tips do not resolve the problem, contact technical support.
Almost all unexpected results can be resolved by asking yourself these questions:
- Have my swabs been stored at the correct temperatures and are within the expiration date? Swabs that have been stored incorrectly for prolonged periods of time may not perform as expected.
- Am I holding the meter upright when taking measurements? Holding the meter upright ensures that the sensor at the bottom of the machine can see and quantify the light reaction accurately.
- Am I overloading the swab? Swabbing too large of an area, or a physically soiled surface may result in picking up physical debris. This debris will inhibit the light reaction, giving lower than expected results.
- Is the read chamber dirty? A dirty read chamber could also block light from reaching the sensor. To check your read chamber, open the lid of your system, and use the vertical plastic tab to pull the read chamber out of the meter. (You may also find that pushing your finger into the chamber then lifting it out works easier for you.) If you see any water spots or debris on the clear plastic tip of the read chamber, you may wash the read chamber with warm water and a very mild detergent and then let it air dry. Ensure the chamber is completely dry before replacing it in the meter. If the read chamber has physical damage like cracks or scratches on the clear plastic tip, contact customer service to order a replacement read chamber.
If these tips do not resolve the problem, contact technical support.
Though very rare, there are a few conditions under which Hygiena™ luminometers can occasionally measure very low RLU levels. Most commonly, this is due to debris on the swab or in the read chamber, or when swabs or controls are exposed to bright light for extended periods of time just prior to use. The read chamber can be removed and hand-washed and you can refer to product instructions for proper swab storage. Another uncommon scenario that may cause an unexpected RLU reading on negative samples is when there is a static charge on the swab device before insertion in the luminometer. If you experience unexpected RLU measurements, contact a technical representative for help troubleshooting.
One of the great features of Hygiena’s EnSURE™ and SystemSURE™ Plus is the removable read chamber that can be hand washed in the event of situations like these. To remove the read chamber, open the lid of the system, and insert your finger into the read chamber, and pull it out. The read chamber can be washed with warm soapy water and allowed to air dry. Once completely dry, the read chamber may be replaced in the system.
Hygiena™ products are available worldwide. We have a direct sales staff in the USA, UK and parts of Europe, and Asia. Go to the contact form on any product page or go to the contact page here, or call us at the phone number at the top right of this web page. Hygiena™ also has a network of dedicated distributors and agents across the globe, covering over 80 countries. Hygiena’s sales team and distributors have specific skills and experience in providing products in the food processing market, particularly ATP bioluminescence and its applications. To find a distributor in a particular part of the world, click here.
SureTrend™ Software
Find details here: SureTrend Software Download Information
SureTrend™ Version 4.0 uses Microsoft® SQL Server to store its data. By default SureTrend™ will install and use the Microsoft® SQL Compact 3.5 edition for single and multi-user installations. You can upgrade the database to SQL Server Express and above, and then configure the SureTrend™ client to use your SQL server.
For SureTrend™ 3, follow the instructions in this document: How to Install SureTrend on a Network . For newer versions, see specifications here: SureTrend Software Download Information. If you run into any trouble, chat with us via live chat, or contact tech support by going to this page.
Newer models of EnSURE™ or SystemSURE™ Plus (with a V2 next to the serial number) are not compatible with SureTrend™ versions 2.03 or earlier. The expanded storage capacity of V2 luminometer models prevents earlier versions of SureTrend™ from syncing correctly with the luminometer. All you have to do is upgrade your version of SureTrend™! Follow this easy step-by-step guide: Upgrading to SureTrend Version 3.01. Please feel free to contact Hygiena technical support for assistance.
See specifications here: SureTrend Software Download Information
IMPORTANT: Windows® RT tablets are not supported.
No, SureTrend™ was designed for Windows®, but you can run SureTrend™ on a Mac using software like Parallels or other virtualization software. The important requirement for the virtual machine is USB support. Some older versions of Parallels, VMWare, Microsoft® Virtual PC do not support USB, so it is important to have a current version. If SureTrend™ is installed on a terminal server or if the user is remoting to the virtual machine, there may be issues with USB redirection.
SureTrend™ can run on a Windows® Terminal Server (RDS), Citrix®, or other VNC software that will remote the COM port from the server to the desktop. Since SureTrend™ is running on the server, but the unit is connected to the desktop COM port, communication to the Unit is directed over the network. If your network latency is too high you may get COM port communication failures that require you to repeat the synchronization process with the Unit. Also, the SureTrend™ feature that automatically detects the COM port will not work and the user must know the COM port used on the desktop.
SureTrend™ will run on a virtualized version of Windows® supported by SureTrend™ as long as the virtualization software supports COM ports or USB. Some users are running Windows® 7 or 8 on their desktop computer, but spend most of their time in a Windows® XP mode session to support other legacy applications in their organization. Having SureTrend™ run in the Windows® XP mode helps the user stay in the Windows® XP mode and not have to switch to the native desktop just to run SureTrend™.
Process Efficiency Tests
CrossCheck
CrossCheck uses a unique liquid-stable reagent that eliminates the need to reconstitute a lyophilized pellet, giving more accurate results with less variation. CrossCheck devices are designed for superior efficiency, using less materials in the swab design for maximum sample recovery and consistent results.
Why do I get a different RLU result when I re-measure the same test device again in the luminometer?
ZymoSnap ALP
Yes, ZymoSnap ALP may be used with any type of animal’s milk. The test can be used for milks, creams, and flavored milk products.
Because the read time in the EnSURE™ luminometer is only 15 seconds, ZymoSnap ALP test devices have a higher hourly throughput than other alkaline phosphatase tests on the market. Accounting for time to move the test device in and out of the machine and navigate the menu to initiate tests, more than 30 ZymoSnap ALP test devices can be measured in one hour using only one EnSURE luminometer.
Why do I get a different RLU result when I re-measure the same test device again in the luminometer?
You will always get a different reading when trying to re-read the same test device more than once. The meter is reading a light given off by the reagent. This light peaks and then begins to die off. Always measure your test device in the time recommended in the product instructions. Any result you receive after the first reading may be misleading because that light will continue to die out until eventually no light is emitted.
Incubators
Hygiena™ Incubators can be distinguished by size, the number of heating blocks, and the model number listed on the rear of the incubator.
- The Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2)
- Is larger, and has the capacity for two heating blocks labeled A and B.
- Incubator 007 – clear background
- The Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR)
- Is much smaller and only has the capacity for 1 heating block
- Incubator 002 – clear background
If you set the timers to 00:00 and press start, the temperature you set will hold as long as the incubator is on. If the timer is set to any length of time the temperature will reach its set point and then the timer will count down. As soon as the time set is reached the temperature will then come back down to room temperature.
| Incbubator | Heating Block Catalog Number | Hole Diameter | Volumetric Capacity |
| INCUBATOR2 (Lab Format) | IB001 | 9.1 mm | 1.5 mL |
| INCUBATOR2 (Lab Format) | IB002 | 17 mm | 10 mL |
| INCUBATOR (Small Format) | IB003 | 9.1 mm | 1.5 mL |
| INCUBATOR (Small Format) | IB004 | 4.2 mm |
Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR):
- Once the first program is completed and the time reaches 00:00, the incubator will automatically begin running the second program.
- Once the second program is completed and the time reaches 00:00, the second temperature will be maintained.
Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2):
- No, the temperature will remain at the set temperature and the display with read “OVER”, indicating that the timer has ended.
Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2):
- To change from minutes to hours, press and hold either the p or q and the time will jump at increments of 10 minutes until the desired time in hours is set.
Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR):
- The timer unit of time can be set to either minutes or seconds. To set the unit of time press the[ key to enter the setting interface, release, then hold the [ key for two seconds. Press the p or q to select minutes or seconds then press the [ key to confirm.
Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2):
The Lab Format Incubator has two separate heating blocks that are controlled by two separate sets of controls. Each heating block and respective controls are labeled accordingly.
- Control A will control Heating Block A
- Control B will control Heating Block B
Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR):
- Press the “Prog.” key to select various programs, from P1 to P9. For example, select P8, then press the [ key to move the cursor, press the p or qkeys to set a new value.
- Users can set two temperatures and times for each program. The single ■ symbol is the first temperature and time, the double ■ ■ symbol is the second temperature and time.
- Press the [ key to navigate all the way to the right end of the display screen to toggle between first and second temperature and time.
- In eight seconds, the cursor will disappear, exiting the setting interface.
- Both the Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR) and the Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2) have digital screens that display both temperature and time. Once the incubator(s) reach the desired temperature, the temperature value on the digital display should match the temperature set. If Incubator temperature calibaration is needed, follow the steps in the respective operation manual to calibrate the incubator temperature.
- The Small Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR) also has a buzzer that will go off once the second programmed time has ended. The digital display screen will also read “PROGRAM END”.
Lab Format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR2):
The temperature of the instrument has been calibrated at the factory. If there is a deviation between the actual temperature and the displayed temperature, there are two methods of temperature calibration:
- Temperature calibration can be checked by using a thermometer.
- Consult Section 3.1 of the User Manual for temperature calibration using a thermometer.
- Temperature calibration can be checked by using an external sensor
- NOTE: The external sensor is an optional piece that is ordered separately.
- Consult Section 3.2 of the User Manual for temperature calibration using the external sensor.
Small format Incubator (Model Number: INCUBATOR):
The temperature of the instrument has been calibrated at the factory. If there is a deviation between the actual temperature and the displayed temperature, please follow the calibration steps in Section 4.5 of the User Manual.
The P1 through P9 refer to the programs available to run on the Small Format Incubator. Each program can run two separate temperatures and times, one after the other in consecutive order.
- Press the “Prog.” key to select various programs, from P1 to P9. For example, Select P8, the press the [ key to move the cursor, press the p or q keys to set a new value.
- Users can set two temperatures and times for each program. The single ■ symbol, is the first temperature and time, the double ■ ■ symbol is the second temperature and time.
- Press the [key to repeatedly to navigate all the way to the right of the display screen to toggle between the first and second temperature and time.
- In eight seconds, the cursor will dissapear, exiting the setting interface.
- See example diagram below:
