The FinePointe RC system has some unique criteria that it uses to make sure the nebulizer settings are proper and can be achieved. The Unable to Initialize Nebulizer Settings error appears in the System Messages tab during FinePointe data acquisition. The effect of this error is that the nebulizer will use the last valid set of Volume/Duration values used.

Terminology:

• Efficiency: nebulizer head efficiency rate in ml/min, calculated during the nebulizer head calibration (see RC manual).
• Volume: volume in ml entered into the nebulizer head.
• Duration: duration to activate the head and nebulize the compound.

Criteria that will cause this error:

• Efficiency < 0.05 ml/min
• Efficiency > 1.0 ml/min
• Duration < 1sec
• Duration > 100mins
• Volume < 0.005ml
• Volume > 10ml
• Volume/Duration > 0.5 Rate

For example, putting in 0 for Volume or Duration will trigger the error message during collection, resulting in the system using the last valid set of Volume/Duration values entered. This may seem like an excessive number of criteria for a successful nebulization, but as long as you use “normal” nebulization values (.005-.010ml in 30-60sec) or anything close to that, you will not see this error.