1235-924-03

August 2001

AutoDELFIAÔ
Maintenance manual
For AutoDELFIA workstation software versions 1.4 & 1.5

Wallac Oy, P.O. Box 10, FIN-20101 Turku, Finland. Tel: 358-2-2678 111. Fax: 358-2-2678 357
Website: www.perkinelmer.com/lifesciences
 Contents

Washer cleaning 26
Contents Other 30
Introduction 3 Aspirate 30
Using this manual 3 Counter signal level test 30
Registering maintenance 3 Dual label calibration 31
Names 3 Fill 33
Scheduling maintenance 3 Prewash 33
History 4 Probe changing 34
Daily maintenance 6 Reagent dispenser accuracy test 38
Washer test 6 Wash 39
Waste tray 6 Waste pumping 40
Sample processor tubing 6 Appendix 1 41
Rinse 7 Hamilton syringe replacement 41
Temperature 8 Cavro syringe replacement 42
Weekly maintenance 9 Appendix 2 43
Instrument cleaning 9 Changing probes 43
Enhancement Solution outlet 12 Index 46
Sample processor bottles 12
Maintenance every two weeks 13
Sample processor 13
Plate processor 13
Bottles 14
Monthly maintenance 15
Bottles 15
Sample processor tubing 15
Cleaning the covers, racks and mirrors15
Disk Remover maintenance 15
Maintenance every three months 18
Pipetting precision check 18
Accuracy test 20
Carry-over check of the probes 23
Maintenance twice a year 24 Trademarks
Maintenance as needed 25 AutoDELFIA is a trademark and DELFIA
Probe crash 25 and MultiCalc are registered trademarks of
Spillage 25 Wallac Oy.
Serum spillage 25 MS-DOS, Microsoft and Windows are
Incubator 25 registered trademarks of Microsoft
Enhancement Solution flush 25 corporation
Sample processor probes 25

1
2
 Introduction

Introduction
Using this manual
This manual describes the maintenance which should be performed by the user. Most of these
operations are in the Maintenance command line menu, but some are also in other menus.
The title of the command line menu in which the operation can be found is included in
parentheses after the subject title. In addition there are operations which do not directly make
use of software commands e.g. wiping, cleaning etc. For information about normal operation
of AutoDELFIA see the User Manual. This manual assumes you have read that manual and
are familiar with normal operation.

We strongly advise that you wear latex gloves when carrying out any maintenance procedure
on the AutoDELFIA system.

Registering maintenance
Maintenance is registered in a database, see History on page 4. The name of the person who
performed the maintenance is included in the database so you should register your name (see
below) before you start to perform any maintenance operations.

Names
(Settings menu)
You can enter your name here so that it
will be written on the result printout
and with maintenance that is registered.
The system serial number will appear
and you can give a name for the
system.

Scheduling maintenance
The software also prompts you when scheduled maintenance is due but before it can do this
you must specify what maintenance is to be performed. This is done using the History
command described on the next page.

3
History

History
(Maintenance menu)
You can get information about the
maintenance schedule for the instrument
by clicking this item. The first dialogue
tells you the current situation and when the
next maintenance is due.

Clicking the Settings button leads to a

dialogue where you can specify which
buttons should be active in the Register
dialogue, see below. Mark the checkboxes to
show which buttons you want activated.

You can also select one of three reporting

systems. Off means that no reporting will
occur. Overdues only will cause information
about overdue maintenance to appear at the
top of results printouts and also on the screen
whenever you start Create list operation. All
means that all the most recent maintenance
will be listed at the start of results printout.

If you click the Register button a dialogue

appears which allows you to register
maintenance. Click the button which corresponds
to the type of maintenance you want to register.

4
 History

The name of the user currently logged in

and the data will automatically be taken
to the registry, you do not have to enter
any information yourself. Just click OK
to accept the registration.

5
Daily maintenance

Daily maintenance
Washer test
(Maintenance/Plate processor menu)
This command allows you to check the
function of the washer. Click OK to
perform the test or Cancel to cancel it.

Load an empty plate into the plate carrier

and press the IN/OUT button. The plate
will be taken in, strips checked and filled
and then returned to the loading position.
Check visually that each well has been
completely filled, then put the plate back and press the IN/OUT button to cause the plate to be
aspirated.

After being returned to the loading position, check that the plate has been properly aspirated.
Press the IN/OUT button to repeat the test or Close to end it.

If some wells are not filled/emptied properly then clean the washer manifold according to the
instructions in Washer cleaning on page 25.

If most wells are overfilled and/or a lot of liquid is left after aspiration, check for bent,
squeezed or leaking tubing. If nothing is found, a service engineer has to check the washer.

Waste tray
Empty the waste tray of tips, rinse it with water and dry it.

Sample processor tubing

Check the sample processor tubing for air bubbles during the filling - small air bubbles are no
problem, but if there are large air bubbles, flush the system using the Maintenance / Sample
processor / Rinse command described on the next page. If there are a lot of large air bubbles
that are not removed or drops on the end of the probes, check and tighten the tubing
connections in the peristaltic pump and four valves as shown in the figure on the next page.

6
 Daily maintenance

There maybe an occasional

small bubble in the syringes
and this is no problem, but
if there are large air bubbles
that seem to be moving and
are not removed by gently
tapping the syringes or
tightening the tubing, then Peristaltic pump
the syringes should be
changed as described in
Appendix 1.

Note: there are two types of

syringes, follow the
instructions appropriate to
the type you have installed.

Rinse
(Maintenance/Sample processor menu)
This tells the sample processor to
rinse the probes with water and to
leave them in water.

Rinsing is done automatically

during a run after the last sample
has been pipetted. It is not
necessary to perform it a second time.

7
Daily maintenance

Temperature
(Options/Show temperature)
Check the temperature. It should
be 25 +/-2oC under the following
conditions:
- room temperature 15 - 30oC
- the plate processor cover closed
- at least two hours being allowed
for the temperature to stabilise
after start up.

If the temperature is not within the

range specified above, contact
your service engineer.

8
 Weekly maintenance

Weekly maintenance
Instrument cleaning
(Maintenance menu)
The Instrument cleaning command
allows you to select which parts of the
system you want disinfected or washed;
check the appropriate boxes. It also tells
you the time the selected processes will
take.

Note: if you are running neo-natal

screening assays, FT4 or FT3, you
should disinfect the disk remover. This
operation can only be performed together
with the plate washer disinfection.

Note: in the example shown here, all parts have been selected to be cleaned. The dialogues
that appear differ slightly depending on the selection you make.

Before sample processor washing and

disinfection begins you can remove
other sample racks.

Note: If you are using hypochlorite for the

plate processor, empty the waste bottle
before and after disinfection, because of the
Enhancement Solution which may give the
waste solution a low pH and thus liberate
chlorine from the hypochlorite. When you
have emptied the waste bottle, click OK.

9
Weekly maintenance

Load a buffer bottle containing

50 mL of 0.2% hypochlorite
solution (about 2000 ppm Cl) or
70 - 80% ethanol, into a reagent
cassette and place it in the
leftmost position. Put two tips
into the reagent rack starting
from position 1.

Load a plate and click OK or

press the IN/OUT button. The
processor will take the plate in
and begin the disinfection
process. The dispenser adds
about 300 mL disinfectant from
the bottle to the whole plate. The
washer aspirates strips C to H
and then moves to strips A and B
and stays in them for ten minutes, then the washer tips are rinsed with water.

If you also chose to disinfect the disk remover, the dispenser adds disinfectant from the same
bottle as earlier to half of the plate. The disk remover then aspirates all other wells than the
first well and returns there to stay in it for ten minutes.

After disinfection the washer fills two strips with water and the disk remover is rinsed.

When the process is completed the plate will be returned to the loading position for you to
remove it. The dialogue prompting you to do this appears after the sample processor cleaning
operations, see the top of page 12.

10
 Weekly maintenance

For the probe washing you will then

be told to load a rack with 8 tubes
each containing wash solution. For
washing use the DELFIA Wash
Solution at a 1:20 dilution.

Tubes with an inner diameter of

9-14 mm and not conical at the
bottom should be used with no
adapter.

Next give a rack number.

The system suggests a
suitable one.

For probe disinfection you will be

told to load a sample rack
containing eight tubes with
disinfectant liquid and four with
water. The tubes should contain
3-5 mL liquid. Use 70 - 80%
ethanol as disinfectant.

Note: do not use hypochlorite,

acetone containing denatured alcohol, Deconex, nor other disinfecting solutions as they may
damage the probes.

Give the rack number. The

system suggests a suitable
number i.e. the next free
number.

When you have done this

click OK.

11
Weekly maintenance

If probe washing was selected, it will be done before probe disinfection. Wash solution is
used for probe washing. For probe disinfection, disinfectant is first used (in two stages), then
the probes are rinsed with water.

When disinfection is completed

you should remove the plate
and empty the waste bottle as
instructed in the dialogue. You
should also remove the two
racks used for the washing and
disinfection.

A dialogue will appear asking if you

want to record this maintenance
procedure. Answer Yes or No. If
you answer Yes then register the
maintenance as described in History
on page 4.

When you have finished Instrument

cleaning, remove the racks from the
conveyor using the Unload sample racks command.

Enhancement Solution outlet

Check the Enhancement Solution outlet for precipitate. If there is a build-up of solids, wipe it
with a cotton swab that has been moistened with Enhancement Solution.

Sample processor bottles

Empty and refill the Wash and Rinse
bottles and empty the waste bottles of
the sample processor. Use the Load
system liquids command in the
Loading menu to enable you to do this.
The dialogue shown here will appear.

12
 Maintenance every two weeks

Maintenance every two weeks

Sample processor
Switch off the sample processor. When you do this, support the black probe holders with your
fingers, and then gently lower the probes onto a clean paper on the standard box. This is to
avoid the probes dropping suddenly and being damaged when power is switched off.

Clean the sample processor ratchet mechanism by wiping it with a lint-free cloth (e.g.
antiseptic wipe) moistened with 70 - 80% ethanol.

Sample processor version number 1297-004

After cleaning oil the mechanism lightly by putting a small drop of Sik-Sak oil on a lint free
cloth and applying it to the ratchet mechanism. Do not use too much oil and do not use any
other oil!

Sample processor version number 1297-014

Do not use any lubricant for the ratchet mechanism.

Probe wash wells

If the sampler probe wash wells are dirty, empty them using a Pasteur pipette and then clean
them using a small brush (not the same brush as used for the washer). In addition, you could
pour 70 - 80% ethanol into them and leave it there for at least 10 min. The wash wells will be
rinsed when running the wash program.

Plate processor
Switch off the plate processor and exit Windows (close all applications before exiting).
Switch off the PC.

Switch on the system, first the sample processor then the plate processor, and start Windows.

13
Maintenance every two weeks

Bottles
Empty and refill the Wash and Rinse bottles and empty the waste bottles of both the sample
processor and plate processor. Use the Load system liquids command in the Loading menu
to enable you to do this. The following dialogue will appear.

Click OK when you are ready.

Wash and rinse bottles should not be
opened without selecting Load
system liquids.

14
 Monthly maintenance

Monthly maintenance
Bottles
Empty both the sample processor and the plate processor wash solution bottles and wash
them. Empty the waste bottles and disinfect them with hypochlorite if needed - put about 1 L
of a 0.1-0.5% hypochlorite solution (1000 -5000 ppm active Cl) into each bottle, swirl, and let
stand at least 30 min. with occasional swirling. Rinse well with water. Clean the waste bottle
liquid sensors and bottle caps by wiping them with a damp cloth if there is build-up of crust.

Note: Handle the waste bottles and liquid sensors as if they were infectious!

Sample processor tubing

Rinse the tubing of the sample processor first with a strong wash solution (DELFIA Wash
Concentrate at 1:20), then with distilled water and then with 70 - 80 % alcohol (not denatured
with acetone). This is achieved by putting the two sets of tubing into a bottle with the solution
in question and using the Rinse command (see page 7). Then put the tubing back in the wash
and rinse bottles and use the Rinse command five times to flush with distilled water.

Cleaning the covers, racks and mirrors

Wipe the plastic cover over the plate conveyor in the plate processor and the sample processor
cover with 70 - 80% ethanol.

Wash the standard tray covers (black and white cover) with tap water and distilled water, then
dry. Also wash the black caps, the reagent rack and the sample racks. Note: the reagent rack
must not be soaked; dry it immediately after rinsing.

If the parts of the reagent dispensers which fit into the pipette tips (these parts are white) have
any red precipitate on them, wipe them with moist paper.

Clean the reagent rack conveyor rods by wiping them with lint free cloth moistened with 70 -
80% ethanol.

Clean the mirrors on the plate holders. The plate holders can be brought out from the
incubator by using the Unload plates command.

Disk Remover maintenance

1. Turn the plate processor off.
2. Open the Perspex lid.

15
Monthly maintenance

3. Remove both Enhancement Solution (ES) bottles.

4. Remove the left plastic cover from the X-conveyor.
5. Pull the disk remover remover outwards.
6. On the right side of the disk remover
plunger (silver piston) is a setscrew.
With the 1.5 mm Allen key turn the
screw approximately ¼ of a turn anti-
clockwise. You do not need to remove
the screw.
7. The setscrew holds a silver pin that
connects the plunger to an “L” shaped
bracket. Remove the pin, pull down the
plunger and remove it.

16
 Monthly maintenance

8. Using a lint free wiper, clean the plunger

and the black plastic housing. Use 70%-
80% ethanol for the cleaning.
9. Wipe Sik-Sak / ondina oil (supplied with
the instrument) on all sides of the plunger
and the plastic housing that the plunger
sits in. (do not use too much oil)
10. Replace the plunger (the hole facing the
back of the instrument) in the plastic
housing. Replace the pin and tighten the
setscrew.
11. Replace the left plastic cover on the X-
conveyor.
12. Clean the two Enhancement Solution(ES)
tubes using ES. Note: Pour the ES onto a
lint free wiper, then clean the tubes.
13. Put the ES bottles back.
14. Reboot AutoDELFIA

17
Maintenance every three months

Maintenance every three months

Pipetting precision check
Pipette 400 - 600 mL (depending on which volume(s) you are testing) of 1 nmol/L Eu solution
into forty-eight 9 mm tubes.

From Create List and the analytes selection called User made, select Sampler 25, Sampler
50 or Sampler 100, for 25, 50 or 100 mL, respectively. The program will suggest a run ID,
which you can accept, except if you are doing several of these tests, in which case each needs
its own run ID. Enter 1..48 in the Sample code box, uncheck the barcode box, accept and load
the 48 tubes.

Place a 50 mL bottle of Enhancement Solution into a small reagent cassette and load the
cassette and 2 tips into the leftmost position of the reagent rack. If you are doing more than
one test, load an additional cassette and 2 tips for each test to be run.

When you click OK for the reagent

loading the software will detect that
the reagent cassette has no barcode
and will present the error message
shown here.

Click Ignore.

A new dialogue will appear. Enter the kit lot

number e.g. 111111 and the plate lot number
e.g. 1.

18
 Maintenance every three months

Next the plate loading dialogue will appear. Load a clean plate without a barcode and click
OK.

The following warning will

appear.

Click Ignore.

Give the plate lot number e.g. 1. The plate

serial number can be left as zero.

MultiCalc has a protocol called "Probe" that

will calculate the mean and % CV from the
whole plate as well as for each probe. The
within-probe CV should be <2% ,and the total
CV should be <3% (this includes 1% CV from
the plate fluorometer). If the precision is worse
(CV higher), check the printout for any
deviating wells. Occasionally one or two wells may be much higher or lower for unspecified
reasons, in which case the check should be repeated.

After the check, run Instrument cleaning (see page 9) and select Disinfect sample
processor probes. Put Enhancement Solution in tubes 1 to 8 and water in tubes 9 to 12.
Finally, run the Instrument cleaning again and select Wash sample processor probes; use
the normal procedure.

19
Maintenance every three months

Accuracy test
(Maintenance / Sample processor
menu)
This test allows you to check the
accuracy of the sample processor
by weighing the pipetted volumes.

The volume to be checked is

selected from options shown in the
dialogue that appears. Click OK.

Weigh four empty standard vials of

the sort used in the kits. Enter the
values in the next dialogue, four
digits can be entered.

20
 Maintenance every three months

The next stage is to put four tubes in

a rack each containing the amount of
Diluent II specified in the message
box. Also the four standard vials that
you weighed should be put into the
special holder provided and the
combination should be put on the
plate processor loading position
where plates are usually placed.
Click OK when you have done this.

Give the ID of the rack where these

tubes are. Click OK to continue. The
rack will then be moved to the
pipetting position and repeated
aliquots taken according to the
volume you selected. These will be
pipetted to the standard vials.

When the pipetting has finished you

will be prompted to remove from
the plate loading position the special
holder containing the standard vials.
Click OK when you have done this.

21
Maintenance every three months

Immediately weigh each of the vials and

enter the weight into the dialogue that
appears next. If they are not weighed
immediately, evaporation will take place
and give too low results.

You will then be informed if the result is

within acceptable limits. The accuracy
of the sampling should be +/- 3% +/- 1
mL whichever is greater.

When you exit from this dialogue you

are given the option of continuing the
accuracy test with a new volume or
stopping it.

22
 Maintenance every three months

Carry-over check of the probes

The carry-over check should be done with the AutoDELFIA Carry-over kit C562-101.

The AutoDELFIA Carry-over test is run as a normal assay and can be included in a normal
AutoDELFIA load.

The AutoDELFIA Carry-over kit checks the probes of the sample processor by first
pipetting a high sample with all four probes and then a blank sample. The assay is run with
two standards, and the carry-over is calculated as a percentage of the concentration from the
high sample into the blank sample.

The carry-over is given as a mean of three different measurements. Individual carry-over

values are calculated for each probe. The results together with the acceptance limits are
presented in the result printout. Detailed instructions on how to run the Carry-over test are
given in the kit insert for the Carry-over kit.

The carry-over test should also be done if the probes have crashed or been damaged in
some other way. If the carry-over test is not within the acceptance limits the probes should
be changed. See Probe changing on page 33.

23
Maintenance every three months

Maintenance twice a year

This maintenance is performed twice a year by a service engineer and is described in the
engineer's Service manual.

24
 Maintenance as needed

Maintenance as needed
Probe crash
Do the precision and carry-over test. If the result is not acceptable, change the probes as
described on page 33.

Spillage
In case of spillage anywhere in the instrument, always wipe it clean.

Serum spillage
If there has been serum spillage in the sample processor, then the conveyor should be washed
using a cloth with detergent, followed by water and then it should be wiped with 70 - 80%
ethanol. Note: handle as if infectious.

Incubator
If the incubator has been contaminated with serum or reagents, a service engineer needs to
clean it.

Enhancement Solution flush

(Maintenance / Plate processor menu)
This command allows you to flush the
tubing of the Enhancement Solution
bottles. If AutoDELFIA is not in use for
some time, flush the Enhancement
Solution system using this command. If
the time is more than one week, the
Enhancement Solution should be changed to distilled water and flushed through using the
same flush command. When you take the system into use again, remember to put back the
Enhancement Solution bottles and again flush the tubing.

Sample processor probes

Sample processor probes should not be allowed to dry, so if you switch off the system,
support the probes and move them to a diluent trough filled with distilled water - put the
probe holder in place to support the probes. When starting the system remember to remove
the probe holder.

25
Maintenance as needed

Washer cleaning
(Maintenance/Plate processor)
This procedure is to allow you to remove the washer manifold for cleaning.

Note: You should only attempt this operation if you have had training, otherwise you may
cause damage to the washer manifold. Detailed instructions and thorough training will be
supplied by Wallac.

Click OK to proceed with the

operation.

It takes a few seconds to empty the washer

and a message appears asking you to wait
while this is happening.

The washer manifold is now moved to a position where it is more convenient for you to
remove it for cleaning.

Warning: switch off power

to the plate processor
before proceeding.
Open the lid at the front of the
plate processor. You can also
remove the flat grey rubber cover
on top to get more light into the
plate processor if that helps you.

26
 Maintenance as needed

Note: It is best to leave the Enhancement Solution bottles in position while you remove the
manifold, but if you find it too difficult to access it behind the bottles, you can remove them
but be careful not to touch the Enhancement Solution tubing because you may contaminate it.

Remove the manifold from the support by lifting it up

and moving it to the left (see the fig.). Take care not to
put any pressure on the support bracket. The manifold
rests freely on the bracket and is not secured to it.

Note: remove the manifold with care as the dispensing

and aspiration needles are easily damaged.

Before disconnecting tubing from the manifold, put a

paper towel on the X-conveyor so that liquid which may
possibly be in the tubing, does not drop inside.

Carefully disconnect the tubing from the manifold. Try

not to stretch the small diameter tube unduly.

The rubber top seal should be removed and all walls of

the aspiration cavity cleaned.

The aspiration needles should be cleaned using the pin

with the corresponding diameter supplied in the washer
maintenance kit (part of the AutoDELFIA installation kit 10859781).

The dispensing needles should be cleaned with the pin with the corresponding diameter
supplied in the maintenance kit.

The four silicon caps sealing the dispensing cavity (two at each end) can be removed as
described below (the fifth cap on the side should not be removed). Take care not to damage
the edges of the four holes as they are relied on for good sealing.

27
Maintenance as needed

1. Using a small pin remove two of the caps from one end only.

2. Place a clean tissue/hand towel on the bench. Push the cleaning brush supplied in the
maintenance kit through the cavity pushing the remaining cap out, then continue through until
the brush head is clear of the manifold.

3. Check the brush for any foreign matter and if evident clean it off with the tissue before
drawing the brush back through the manifold.

4. Repeat 2 and 3 for the other cavity.

5. Using the appropriate pin, clean all the dispensing needles again and pass the brush through
once again. Do not use this brush for anything else otherwise you might contaminate it and
hence the manifold.

The whole unit should be flushed with distilled water.

Both dispensing and aspiration cavities should have excess water shaken out and the whole
manifold either allowed to dry or wiped dry with lint free paper. Take care not to leave
fragments of paper on the needles.

Reinstall the rubber top seal ensuring it is properly positioned.

Install new silicon caps (found in the maintenance kit) ensuring that:
a) the cavity access holes are dry.
b) all caps are inserted and positioned properly so that the top of the cap is slightly below the
outer wall of the manifold.

Check that all needles are straight and correctly positioned.

Reconnect the tubing and then position the manifold back in its support, checking that it can
move freely up and down.

28
 Maintenance as needed

The dialogue shown here will have been

on the screen all the time while this
procedure has been going on. Now click
OK.

The following dialogue will appear.

Click OK once again to
confirm that the manifold has
been properly installed.

The following dialogue will then appear.

For information about the

Washer test see page 6.

29
Other

Other
Aspirate
(Run menu)
Use this command if you just want
to aspirate a plate. This additional
question box appears to give you
chance to cancel the operation.

Note: Aspiration should not be

done if assays involving pre-treatment have been run.

Load the plate at the plate loading

position and press the IN/OUT
button. When aspiration is
completed, click Close.

Counter signal level test

(Maintenance/Plate processor)
You must select the plate type and label.

30
 Other

Next you will be instructed to load

the reagent rack with a 50 mL
bottle filled with fresh calibration
solution of the type you chose to
use (1 nM Eu solution B119-100 or
10 nM Sm solution B115-100).
Remove the cap from the bottle and
place one reagent dispenser tip in
the rack.

Next you should load a clean plate

of the type you selected.

The dispenser will pipette 200 mL

of the solution to all the wells of
the plate. The plate and the
background will be measured. The
results will be received by the
workstation and forwarded to MultiCalc for reporting.

The results should be within +/- 20% of the value given for the 1 nmol//L solution.

You will also be asked if you want to

have this maintenance procedure
recorded in the maintenance history
of your instrument, see History on
page 4 for more details.

Dual label calibration

(Maintenance menu/Plate processor)
Dual label measurement involves the measurement of europium and samarium in their
respective windows. However, the europium label contributes to the measured result in the
samarium window; this is called spillover. To allow pure samarium results to be obtained, the
europium spillover has to be calculated so that it can be subtracted; this is the purpose of the
dual label calibration function. For this you need the Wallac dual label calibration kit, No.
C555-102. For detailed instructions see the kit insert; briefly the procedure is as follows.

31
Other

When you select dual label

calibration from the menu, the
program asks you to select the plate
type for which the calibration is to be
done. There are two types as shown
here. Select the one you want.

Note that this dialogue also shows the

current values for the spillover
correction blank and factor for the
selected plate. If no calibration has
been done since installation then no
value will be available here. If you
just want to see the current values but
do not want to do a dual label
calibration, just click Cancel.

If you click OK, the program

instructs you to load two
reagent cassettes with a 50 mL
buffer bottle. The first should
have 1 nmol/L europium in it
and the other should be filled
with plate processor wash
solution (1:25). You should
load two pipette tips in the first
two positions, beginning from position number 1. You should also load a clean uncoated plate
of the selected type with at least three strips in it.

When the plate has been loaded and OK clicked, the plate will be taken in and europium
solution will be dispensed to strip (A), strip (B) will be left empty, and wash solution will be
dispensed to strip (C). The plate will then be taken in for measurement. From this
measurement the spillover will be calculated.

The new results and the previously stored results for the "Eu-Sm spillover correction factor"
and the "Eu-Sm spillover correction blank" will be displayed.

32
 Other

For plate type Nunc AFP/bhCG the blank

value will be typically less than 140 and
for plate type Nunc low background
PSADual, typically less than 10. The ratio
should be in the range 0.4 to 0.6 If you
accept the new spillover results, click OK
to save these results for use in dual label
counting; these results will then replace the
previous ones. Clicking Cancel means
these results are not saved.

Note that if no calibration has been done,

no dual label tests will be available in the
Analytes samples dialogue.

Fill
(Maintenance/Sample processor menu)
When you select this, the tubing
in the sample processor will be
filled with Wash Solution. This is
done automatically when starting
a run.

Prewash
(Run menu)
Use this command to prewash
one plate as a separate function.
Confirm that you want to
continue with this operation by
clicking OK.

33
Other

Load the plate at the plate loading

position and press the IN/OUT
button. Click Close when finished
or to cancel. The plate will be
checked for the number of strips
before being washed.

Probe changing
(Maintenance/Sample processor menu)
This item leads to a series of
message boxes which guide you
through the procedure for
changing and aligning probes.

Note: You should only attempt this

operation if you have had training,
otherwise you may cause damage to the probes. Detailed instructions and thorough training
will be supplied by Wallac.

First you must decide if you want to check

the alignment of the probes before
replacing them. If you select this, then you
will be guided through this procedure, as
follows:

Remove the standard drawer lid.

34
 Other

The probes will then spread out and be

moved above the standard tray. The
dialogue shown here allows you to
move the probes up and down so that
you can check the alignment. Each time
you click on the Down or Up buttons
the probes will move 1 mm in the
direction indicated. When you are
satisfied with the alignment you can
proceed by clicking OK. If the alignment is not satisfactory, do not proceed but contact your
Wallac service engineer.

This dialogue is the same as the one that

will appear if you did not choose the
alignment option above. If you have
already removed the standard drawer lid
then just remove the drawer itself,
otherwise remove both.

You can then remove the probes

(starting with probe 4). Move the probe
to the free end of the slot in the holder,
then pull it down. Make sure to support
the holders and not to put strain on the
arm supporting the probes. See
Appendix 2 "Changing probes" for
figures to help with this process.

A dialogue like the one shown here will

appear for each probe in turn in the order
4, 3, 2, 1. Each time you remove a probe
and click OK the probe holder will be
driven up (to get it out of the way).
When all four probes have been
removed, holders 2, 3 and 4 will be up
and holder 1 down.

35
Other

Now you can mount new probes beginning

with probe 1. Each time you have mounted
a probe and clicked OK the next holder will
be driven down.

When all the probes have been mounted,

you will be prompted to replace the standard
drawer but not the lid. The probes will then
move over the standard drawer.

Check the probe alignment over the

standard drawer. If probes are not
correctly aligned, you may bend
them carefully until they are. When
you are satisfied with the alignment,
click OK.

The next dialogue that

appears, shown here,
allows you to check the
alignment in other places
than just above the
standard drawer. These
places are at the beginning
and end of the microtube
tray and above the washing position.

36
 Other

Note: make sure that you do not leave anything on top of the conveyor covers while this
alignment procedure is occurring in case it gets in the way of the probes.

If you select Yes, as shown

here, the following dialogue
will appear. For sample
processor version 1297-004
click No and for 1297-014
click Yes.

The probes will them move to

the next position where you can
visually check the alignment
and a dialogue like this will
appear until alignment has been
checked at each position.

If the probes are not correctly

aligned in any of these other
positions it is an indication that
the coordinates need to be
reset, in this case contact your local Wallac service engineer.

When all the alignment

positions have been checked,
the dialogue shown here will
appear telling you to replace the
lid of the standard drawer and
that the procedure is over.

37
Other

Reagent dispenser accuracy test

(Maintenance/Plate processor menu)
Choose which dispenser, right or
left, you want this test done for.
Click OK to confirm that you want
to do the test.

Then weigh the dilution vessel into

which the dispensing will take place
and enter the value in the dialogue as
shown here.

Load the reagent rack with a dilution

vessel, 10 reagent dispenser tips and
a 50 mL buffer bottle filled with first
class purified water at room
temperature. These should be in the
leftmost position of the reagent rack.
Click OK to start the test.

When the test is completed,

immediately weigh the vessel into
which the water has been dispensed
and type the value into the dialogue
shown here. If not weighed
immediately evaporation will take
place and give too low results.

38
 Other

A dialogue will then appear

showing the average dose and the
acceptable range as well as telling
whether or not the results are within
these limits.

Wash
(Run menu)
Use this command to wash a plate 1 to
6 times. First click OK to confirm that
you want to continue the operation.

Next enter the number of wash times

and click OK.

Then load the plate and press the

IN/OUT button or click Close to
cancel. The plate will be checked for
the number of strips before being
washed.

39
Other

Waste pumping
(Maintenance/Plate processor)
You can use this instruction to
completely empty the Waste
bottle. The pump will start and run
for about 14 mins. to empty the
bottle.

Note: to use the waste pump you must have the waste pump option installed and have selected
Automatic waste pumping from the System settings dialogue in the System menu.

40
 Appendix 1

Appendix 1
Hamilton syringe replacement
Removal
1. Switch the sample processor OFF. 1 2

2. Loosen the plunger locking ring on

the syringe pump module to release the Valve
syringe plunger. Push the plunger drive
slowly down to its lowest position (fig.
Syringe barrel
1).

3. Remove the syringe by unscrewing it Plunger

Plunger locking ring
from the valve (fig. 2). Plunger drive

Replacement
1. Carefully screw the syringe into the valve 3 4
(fig. 3).

2. Slowly move the plunger drive manually

upwards until the plunger fits the lowest recess
of the locking ring (fig. 4).

3. Tighten the plunger locking ring to lock the

syringe plunger in place.

4. Check to verify that the syringe is mounted

securely by manually moving the plunger drive
up and down.

41
Appendix 1

Cavro syringe replacement

Lower the syringe drive approximately to the half way of its travel using the "Probe
changing" procedure.

Remove the screw at the plunger drive. Place the plunger over the plunger drive shaft.

Line up the barrel with the syringe fitting in the valve. Screw the barrel onto the fitting while
pushing upward slightly. You must assist by pushing upward, otherwise the threads may
become stripped.

Replace the plunger screw at the plunger drive shaft.

1 2 3

Syringe barrel

Plunger

Plunger screw

42
 Appendix 2

Appendix 2
Changing probes
Sample processor 1297-004
1. Install a 19 mm long connection tube to the probe.

2. Push the probe firmly into the connection tube.

3. Install the probe to the holder as shown in steps 3 and 4.

4. Tighten the screw.

Note: the figure here shows tube installation, for removal reverse the order.

1
4

1 2 3 4

43
Appendix 2

Sample processor 1297-014

1. Pull the tube about 10 cm out from the Z-rack and install a probe.

2. Push the probe firmly into the tube.

3. Install the probe to the holder and tighten the screw.

The figure here shows tube installation, for removal, reverse the order.

1 3

2 3
1

44
 Appendix 2

45
Index

Index
A Calibration, 30

Accuracy test
Reagent dispenser, 37
E
Sample processor, 19 Enhancement Solution, 24
Adapters, 11 Cleaning tubes, 16
All, 4 Flush, 24
Aspirate, 29 Outlet, 12
Aspiration
Cavity, 26
Needles, 26 F
Factor, 31
B Fill, 32
Blank, 31
Bottles, 14, 15 H
Enhancement solution, 26
History, 4
Plate processor, 15
Sample processor, 12
Bubbles, 7 I
Incubator cleaning, 24
C Instrument cleaning, 9
Calibrate dual labelling, 30
Carry-over check, 22 L
Cavro syringe, 41
Cleaning, 15 Load system liquids, 12, 14
Conveyor rods - cleaning, 15
Counter signal level test, 29
Counts file, 29
M
Covers - cleaning, 15 Maintenance
As needed, 24
D Daily, 6
Kit, 27
Disk remover cleaning, 15 Monthly, 15
Dispensing Registering, 3, 12
Cavity, 26 Scheduling, 3
Needles, 26 Three monthly, 17
Dispensing cavity, 26 Twice a year, 23
Dispensing needles, 26 Two weekly, 13
Dual label Weekly, 9

46
 Index

Manifold, 25, 26, 27 Reagent dispensers

Mirrors - cleaning, 15 Cleaning, 15
Register, 4
Registering maintenance, 3
N Replacement of syringe
Names, 3 Cavro, 41
Needles, 26 Hamilton, 40
Neo-natal screening, 9 Rinse, 7, 15

O S
Overdues only, 4 Sample processor, 38
Ratchet mechanism cleaning, 13
Switching off, 13
P Sample racks, 38
Pasteur pipette, 13 Sensors, 15
Peristaltic pump, 6 Serial number, 3
Pipettes Settings, 4
Precision check, 17 Show
Plate holders - cleaning, 15 History, 38
Plate processor, 13 Plate list, 38
Plate type, 31 Plate maps, 38
Plate types, 32 Standard map, 38
Plates, 32 Temperature, 38
Precision check for pipettes, 17 Spillage, 24
Pre-treatment assays, 29 Spillover correction, 31
Prewash, 32 Standard drawer, 38
Probe crash, 24 Status bar, 38
Probe holder, 24 Stop run, 38
Probe protocol, 18 Syringes, 7
Probe wash wells, 13 System, 38
Probes, 24 System info., 38
Alignment, 35, 36
Carry-over check, 22 T
Changing, 33, 41, 42
Disinfection, 11 Temperature, 8
Washing, 11 Tube barcodes, 38
Tubing, 6, 24, 26
Sample processor cleaning, 15
R
Racks - cleaning, 15
Reagent dispenser accuracy test, 37

47
Index

U W
Unload Wash
Plates, 38 Plate processor, 38
Washer cleaning, 25
Washer test, 6
Waste bottle, 15
Waste pump, 39
Waste tray, 6

48