Skip to main content
Skip table of contents

NSnappy Hygi

Introduction

NSnappy Hygi is a portable luminometer for ATP sampling surface hygiene measurements. It integrates into the NSnappy cloud service seamlessly. The device is compatible with Hygiena UltraSnap ATP sampling swabs. Analysis with Hygi is fast, it processes the sample in less than 60 seconds including the self-calibration time. This enables quick feedback on the effectiveness of any cleaning work.

Installation

No installation is needed as these are portable instruments. Upon shipping, they are automatically registered to the NSnappy service and are ready for use.

Connections

Hygi uses the LoRaWAN wireless connection standard on the European 868 MHz radio frequency band to send the data to the cloud-based NSnappy service. There is a fixed radio antenna inside the enclosure of the device. Before using the 868 MHz radio, make sure it is legal in your country.

For the LoRaWAN radio reception to work, an NSnappy Hub-4G-LWEU gateway device needs to be installed on all sites where these instruments will be used. Please refer to the manual of the hub device for its installation instructions.

Usage

Please refer to the NSnappy user manual for complete instructions on preparing and using the NSnappy service for measuring with Hygi devices.

In short, follow these steps to take a measurement with a Hygi device and NSnappy service:

  1. Log in to your NSnappy service account.

  2. Navigate to the Tasks view.

  3. Either select Enter new measurement or start performing a task that contains entering a measurement result.

  4. Perform the sampling and analysis, see chapters Sampling and Analyzing for detailed step-by-step instructions.

  5. Enter possible additional information and signature to the NSnappy service and save the measurement / execute the task.

  6. The measurement is ready and data is saved to the NSnappy service.

Sampling

  1. Take the required number of UltraSnap swabs from the cold storage into room temperature, and let them temper at least 15 minutes. The swab must be room temperature when used.

  2. Pull the swab out of its protective tube. Be careful not to touch the swab with your fingers.

  3. Collect the sample by wiping the surface thoroughly with the swab over an area of about 10 x 10 cm. Keep the swab almost parallel with the surface when wiping. Rotate the swab in your fingers when wiping to evenly deposit the swab with the sample. Always repeat this phase as identically as possible.

  4. Immediately insert the swab back into the protective tube. Do not break the reagent container’s seal just yet. The sample can be stored in this state for 4 hours.

Analyzing

  1. Press the power button.

  2. After power up, the device verifies that it has a connection with the gateway. While the verification is ongoing, the display will show either “!”, “Ln” or “Jo” indicating the stage of the verification process. If there is a problem with the connection and the verification takes too long, the user can skip the verification by pressing the power button. The device starts the analysis process and continues the verification on the background. Note that, the results are not transferred to the cloud while the verification is not complete.

  3. The device performs self-calibration for 10-20 seconds.

  4. Meanwhile, break the reagent container’s seal by twisting the valve back and forth.

  5. Squeeze the reagent container 2-3 times to force all the liquid down to the protective tube.

  6. Gently shake the swab for 5-10 seconds to properly soak the sample with the reagent.

  7. The sample has now been activated and you have no more than 60 seconds to analyze it.

  8. Open the lid by grabbing the device as illustrated and snap it open with your thumb.

  9. Insert the swab all the way.

  10. Hold the device upright and close the lid. Analysis starts immediately.

  11. Wait for 10-20 seconds for the analysis to complete. The display shows the progress.

  12. The result is shown on the display. The same result is also displayed in the cloud service, if used.

  13. Open the lid and remove the swab. It can be disposed of in normal household waste.

  14. Close the lid.

Presentation of the result

Hygi has a two-digit LED display that limits the presentation of the result value. The numbers are presented as shown in the table. Note that the actual result value is always sent to the cloud service with full resolution.

Actual result

Displayed value

1-99

Value as it is.

100-999

The left digit shows the hundreds and the right digit shows a horizontal line in the bottom segment.

1000-9999

The left digit shows the thousands and the right digit shows a horizontal line in the middle segment.

10000-99999

The left digit shows the tens of thousands and the right digit shows a horizontal line in the top segment.

Interpreting the result

The result is a pure number, but the unit RLU (Relative Light Unit) is often used. This number is proportional to the total amount of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) contained in the collected sample. Result of 0 RLU means that the amount of ATP in the collected sample is lower than what can be detected with this method. The sample could still contain traces of ATP. Result of 1 RLU means the smallest detectable amount of ATP. Result of 10 RLU means there is 10 times as much ATP and so on.

The following table gives guideline limits for different surfaces and purposes. Final acceptance limits must always be determined according to the specific surface and purpose.

Surface / purpose

Good hygiene

Acceptable hygiene

Unacceptable hygiene

Clean glazed tile or metal surfaces in sanitary spaces

<40 RLU

40-60 RLU

>60 RLU

Clean patient and instrument spaces in hospitals. Washed worktops, lines, conveyors and pipes in industry. Washed chopping boards and kitchen equipment.

<20 RLU

20-40 RLU

>40 RLU

Clean hospital instruments and equipment. Dish washing machines and hospital washing machines. Critical points and equipment in the industry, such as nozzles and valves that come into contact with the product.

<10 RLU

10-20 RLU

>20 RLU

Maintenance

The Hygi is a delicate measuring instrument that must be handled with care. It must not get wet, be hit hard or be dropped. Even though the enclosure is very durable, the delicate internal electronics can still be damaged upon impact. If there’s reason to suspect that the device has been damaged, it should be sent to the manufacturer for inspection and verification of proper operation.

Storage

The device must be kept clean and stored protected from dust, dirt and direct sunlight. Store the device in steady room temperature, protected from temperature extremes and excessive humidity.

Cleaning

Water must not be used for cleaning Hygi. Regularly clean the outer surfaces of the device by wiping it with a soft, dry lint-free cloth. We recommend the NHygiene fiber towels.

Avoid strong chemicals and never use abrasive substances or utensils for cleaning.

Replacing the battery

The device is powered with a special 3.6 V Lithium Thionyl Chloride battery pack. The battery is not user replaceable. If the battery needs to be replaced, send the device to service. The display shows error code E.1 when the battery runs low. NSure service and calibration subscription services are available for this device and these services include a periodic calibration and battery replacement. Under normal use and conditions, the battery will last for at least three years.

Service

There are no user serviceable parts in these devices. If the device needs service, contact your NSnappy service partner for more instructions.

NSure service and calibration subscription services are available for this device and these services include a periodic calibration and battery replacement.

Troubleshooting

Code

Reason

Corrective action

E.1

Battery voltage low

Send the device to service.

E.2

Memory error

Restart the device. If the error persists, send the device to service.

E.3

Wrong temperature

Measurements must be made in steady room temperature (20…30°C). Avoid warming the device with your hand or in the pocket prior to use.

E.4

Zero error

Check that the lid closes seamlessly. Try to measure in a place with lower ambient light level. Move away from large or powerful electrical appliances. If the device has accumulated moisture, let it dry in a well ventilated space with the lid open. If this error still persistently repeats, send the device to service.

E.5

Wrong orientation

Hold the device steady and upright during the measurement.

E.6

Unstable

See E.4

E.7

Over range

See E.4

E.8

Interrupted

Do not open the lid or press the power button during analysis, unless you want to interrupt it. If this error repeats without proper cause, send the device to service.

E.9

Network error

The link to the gateway is lost and the device failed to reconnect. Try moving to a location where the device could get a better signal from the gateway, i.e. closer to the gateway and away from obstacles and large metal structures.

Configuring the device

There is no need to configure the device since the settings are already at their best defaults.

However, the settings can be changed using the MekuWin program and a DCS772 (USB-POL converter). You can download the required MekuWin configuration program from Nokeval’s website for free.

Connection settings

Communication settings for configuration:

  • baud rate 9600

  • protocol SCL

  • address 0

Conf menu

Setting

Value

Notes

Beeper

On / Off

Mute the beeper.

AutoOff

Decimal

Seconds. Device switches off after idling.

Arrows

Cup / Line

Style of the display cursor.

Quality

Unconfirmed / Confirmed

Radio Tx quality. If confirmed is used the device expects an acknowledgement from the gateway for each transmission.

Mode

OTAA / ABP

LoRaWAN activation mode.

AppEUI

Hex

Application identifier.

AppKey

Hex

Application key.

DevAddr

Hex

Device address.

NwkSKey

Hex

Network session key.

AppSKey

Hex

Application session key.

Specifications

Environment

Storage conditions

+5…+40 °C, relative humidity 5-95%, non-condensing

Operating conditions

+20...+30 °C, relative humidity 5-95%, non-condensing

Protection class

IP20

Enclosure material

PC+ABS plastic

Dimensions

Dimensions

199 x 48 x 28 mm

NSnappy Hygi-LWxx.PNG

Weight

Approx. 190 g, not including swab

Measuring method

Description

ATP luminometry based on a photodiode

Measuring time

Approx. 15 s

Measurement unit

RLU (Relative Light Unit, where 1 RLU is roughly equivalent to 1 fmol ATP)

Measuring range

0…99999 RLU

Display resolution

1 RLU

Measuring noise

±5 RLU

Measuring accuracy

±20% ± 5 RLU

Sampling method

Single-use swab

Hygiena® UltraSnap® ATP surface hygiene sampling swab

User interface

Display

Two-digit 7-segment-LED display

Power button

Tactile silicone rubber switch

Radio connection

Description

LoRaWAN standard, EU 868 MHz frequency range

Transmitter module

Murata ABZ-093 LoRaWAN modem

Antenna

Internal

Compatibility

Nokeval NSnappy Hubs and Cloud Service

Frequency

863-870 MHz (LoRaWAN 1.0.2 EU band)

Power

Max +14 dBm E.R.P.

Range

Depends on environment, indoors: in good conditions up to hundreds of meters, outdoors: line-of-sight up to 10 km

Power supply

Type

3.6 V Lithium thionyl chloride battery pack (1 x AA size)

Battery life

3 years in normal use (approx. 100 operating hours)

Declaration of Conformity

Warnings

This product contains a license-free ISM band (868 MHz) SRD radio transceiver. Observe local regulations concerning the use of such radio transmitters. Never start or use this device near explosion hazard areas or in areas where the use of radio transmitters has been limited, such as in airplanes, near medical instruments, near flammable liquids or chemicals or near explosion work sites.

Do not leave the product in direct sunlight or any other place, like in a parked car, where the temperature can rise to over +50°C. The battery may overheat and cause a fire or explosion hazard.

Read this manual carefully before using the product. Misuse may damage the product or cause other harm. Nokeval assumes no responsibility for any damages caused by inappropriate use or handling of the product.

Only Nokeval authorized services may repair or modify the product. The product contains no user serviceable parts.

The product must not be disposed of in household waste. Observe local regulations concerning the disposal of electrical waste. The device may contain a battery.

Trademarks

All trademarks mentioned and any logos reproduced in this documentation are the legal property of their respective owners. Nokeval and NSnappy are registered trademarks of Nokeval Oy.

Manufacturer

Nokeval Oy
Rounionkatu 107
FI-37150 Nokia, Finland

Phone: +358 3 342 4810
WWW: https://www.nokeval.com
Email: support@nokeval.com

Business ID: 2852422-8

JavaScript errors detected

Please note, these errors can depend on your browser setup.

If this problem persists, please contact our support.