Eppendorf epBlue with MultiCon User Manual

ualh MultiCon

N)manual

epBlue™ with MultiCon

Software manual

Software-Version 40.1

2013 Eppendorf AG, Hamburg. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior

permission of the copyright owner.

Trademarks

Eppendorf

Excel

, the Eppendorf logo, epMotion®, and epT.I.P.S.® are registered trademarks of Eppendorf AG.

and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other

countries.

Registered trademarks are not marked in all cases with

or ™ in this manual.

The software of the device (firmware) contains open source software. License information is available on request from Eppendorf AG.

Only for epMotion M5073 and 5075m: Limited Use Label License NOTICE TO PURCHASER; LIMITED LICENSE FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.

This product and its use may be covered by one or more patents owned by Gen-Probe Incorporated. The purchase price for this product includes only limited, nontransferable rights under certain claims of certain patents owned by Gen-Probe Incorporated to use this product for research purposes only. No other rights are conveyed. Purchaser is not granted any rights under patents of Gen-Probe Incorporated to use this product for any commercial use. Further information regarding purchasing a license under patents of Gen-Probe Incorporated to use this product for any other purposes, including, without limitation, for commercial use, may be obtained by contacting Gen-Probe Incorporated, Attn: Business Development Department, 10210 Genetic Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121-4362, U.S.A.

5075 900.866-01/122013

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

Table of contents

1 Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.1 Using this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.2 Danger symbols and danger levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.2.1 Danger symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.2.2 Danger levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.3 Symbols used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1.4 Abbreviations used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.5 Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2 Product description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1.1 epBlue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1.2 Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3 Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1 Starting and exiting epBlue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1.1 Starting epBlue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1.2 Starting epBlue for the first time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1.3 Logging in as User. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.1.4 Logging off as a user. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3.1.5 Exiting epBlue and switching off MultiCon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.2 Initial steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.2.1 Using the touch screen and mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.2.2 Using the screen key pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.2.3 File menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3.2.4 Status area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4 epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.1 Opening an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.2 Preparing the application run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.2.1 Selecting the device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.2.2 Entering the sample quantity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.2.3 Setting the HEPA air filter and the UV lamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.2.4 Placing the labware on the epMotion worktable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

4.2.5 Setting the run parameters for the optical sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

4.2.6 Setting the ID tracking parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

4.2.7 Entering the filling level of the labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

4.3 Starting the application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.4 Controlling the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.5 Ending the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

5 epBlue LogViewer - Managing logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

5.1 Displaying protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

5.2 Saving the protocol as a PDF file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

6 epBlue Application Editor - Creating and editing applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

6.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

6.2 Creating an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

6.2.1 Menu bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

6.2.2 Creating an empty application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

6.2.3 Copying applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

6.2.4 Saving an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

6.2.5 Positioning labware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

6.2.6 Defining the application parameters of the labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

6.2.7 Activating ID tracking of the labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

6.2.8 Defining procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

6.2.9 Checking an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

6.3 Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

6.3.1 Sample transfer command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

6.3.2 Reagent transfer command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

6.3.3 Dilute command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

6.3.4 Pool command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

6.3.5 Pool one destination command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

6.3.6 Comment command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

6.3.7 Exchange command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

6.3.8 Magnetic separation command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

6.3.9 Mix command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

6.3.10 Number of samples command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

6.3.11 Temperature command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

6.3.12 Thermomixer command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

6.3.13 Vacuum command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

6.3.14 Transport command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

6.3.15 User intervention command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

6.3.16 Wait command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

6.3.17 Importing commands from a CSV file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

6.4 Pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

6.4.1 Menu bar in the Edit Pattern window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

6.4.2 Defining regular patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

6.4.3 Defining irregular patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

6.5 Optical sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

6.5.1 Detect volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

6.5.2 Detect tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

6.5.3 Check labware placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

7 epBlue Application Editor - Managing applications and folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

7.1 Menu bar and start screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

7.2 Copying and deleting applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

7.2.1 Copying applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

7.2.2 Deleting an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

7.3 Changing the labware properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

7.4 Importing and exporting applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

7.4.1 Importing applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

7.4.2 Exporting applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

7.5 Saving an application as a PDF file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

8 epBlue Labware Editor - Creating and managing labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

8.1 Overview of labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

8.2 Managing labware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

8.2.1 Menu bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

8.2.2 Deactivating and activating labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

8.2.3 Delete labware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

8.2.4 Import labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

8.2.5 Export labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

8.2.6 Viewing the properties of the labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

8.2.7 Setting the bottom tolerance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

8.3 Creating labware combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

8.3.1 Creating a labware combination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

8.3.2 Creating a labware combination based on existing labware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

8.3.3 Equipping the racks, thermoracks and Reservoir Rack modules with individual

vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

8.3.4 Equipping the Reservoir Rack with reservoirs and Reservoir Rack modules . . . . . . . 103

8.4 Labware library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

8.4.1 Loading labware definitions from the Eppendorf webpage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

8.4.2 Requesting labware definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.4.3 Adding a labware definition to the labware library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.5 Labware types in epBlue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.5.1 Reaction vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.5.2 epT.I.P.S. Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.5.3 MTP plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

8.5.4 PCR plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.5 Filter plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.6 Racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.7 Rack 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.8 Rack LC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.9 ReservoirRack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8.5.10 Reservoir Rack Module TC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

8.5.11 Thermoracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

8.5.12 Tip Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

8.5.13 Thermoadapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

8.5.14 Thermoblocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

9 epBlue simulation - Simulating applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

9.1 Simulating the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

9.1.1 Starting a simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

9.1.2 Controlling the simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

10 epBlue ID - Working with ID tracking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

10.1 ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

10.1.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

10.1.2 Input lists and result lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

10.2 Commands for working with IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

10.3 Reading IDs into epBlue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

10.4 Managing ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

10.4.1 Displaying ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

10.4.2 Filtering and sorting ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

10.4.3 Import ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

10.4.4 Export ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

10.4.5 Delete ID lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

10.5 Making the basic settings for the epBlue ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

10.5.1 Making the basic settings for the epBlue ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

11 epBlue settings - Checking components and making the basic settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

11.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

11.2 Levelsensor options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

11.3 Tool interlock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

11.3.1 Lock the tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

11.3.2 Unlocking the tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

11.4 Dosing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

11.4.1 Reading out the tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

11.5 Gripper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

11.5.1 Moving the gripper arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

11.6 Temperature control unit X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

11.7 Thermomixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

11.7.1 Checking the mixing function of the thermomixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

11.7.2 Checking the temperature control of the thermomixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

11.8 Magnetic separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

11.9 UV lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

11.9.1 Decontaminating the worktable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

11.10 HEPA air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

11.10.1 Switching on the HEPA air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

11.10.2 Switching off the HEPA air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

11.11 Setting the barcode reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

12 epBlue settings - Creating and managing users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

12.1 Managing the user accounts as an administrator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

12.1.1 Logging in as administrator in epBlue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

12.1.2 epBlue user groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

12.1.3 User accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

12.1.4 Assigning a new password for a user account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

12.2 Managing your own user account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

12.2.1 Signing into and out of the user account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

12.2.2 Changing the password of your own user account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

13 epBlue Settings - Saving data and creating print templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

13.1 Data backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

13.1.1 Securing the database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

13.1.2 Creating an automatic backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

13.1.3 Restoring the database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

13.2 Changing the device name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

13.3 Print templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

13.3.1 Create print templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

13.3.2 Saving print templates as default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

13.3.3 Delete print templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

14 epBlue - Software error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

15 Ordering information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

15.1 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Table of contents

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

1 Operating instructions

1.1 Using this manual

Your epMotion operating manual consists of hardware instructions and software instructions. Short instructions are available for optional software enhancements.

The operating manual is part of the product.

The current version of the operating manual can be found on our webpage:

 Read the operating manual in full before using the device.

 Store the operating manual at an easily accessible location.

 The device may only be transferred with the operating manual.

 If the operating manual is lost, replace it immediately. Please contact Eppendorf AG for further details.

www.eppendorf.com.

1.2 Danger symbols and danger levels

The safety precautions in these instructions have the following danger symbols and danger levels:

1.2.1 Danger symbols

Biohazard Explosion

Strong magnetic field UV radiation

Electric shock Heavy loads

Cuts Hot surface

Hazard point Material damage

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

1.2.2 Danger levels

DANGER Will lead to severe injuries or death.

WARNING Can lead to severe injuries or death.

CAUTION May lead to light to moderate injuries.

NOTICE May lead to material damage.

1.3 Symbols used

Depiction Meaning

 Actions without a specified order

• List

Text Display text or software text

Actions in the specified order

Additional information

1.4 Abbreviations used

BCR

Bar code reader

CSV

Comma Separated Value

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid

DWP

Deepwell plate

epT.I.P.S. eppendorf Totally Integrated Pipetting System

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

HEPA

High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter)

Liquid Handling

LIMS

Laboratory Information Management System

MTP

Microplate

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction

PDF

Portable Document Format

TMX

Thermomixer

USB

Universal serial bus

Ultraviolet radiation

VAC

Vacuum unit

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

1.5 Glossary

Administrator

User who has the rights to administrate epBlue.

Application

Program for a specific application. An application includes the procedure and the equipping of the worktable.

Bar code reader

Device for scanning a barcode.

Blow-out

Movement of the piston. The liquid in the pipette tip will be dispensed after the pipetting step.

CleanCap

Optional epMotion equipment. The CleanCap includes a HEPA air filter and at least one UV lamp.

Command

A step in a procedure. Various parameters can be set for commands. Each command triggers an action, e.g., the transport of liquids.

CSV file

Text file for exchanging structured information.

Destination labware

Rack or plate with destination positions.

Destination location

Labware that liquid is dispensed into exclusively during the application.

Dispensing tool

Tool that aspirates and dispenses liquid. Single-channel dispensing tools and eight-channel dispensing tools are available for various volume ranges.

Entry list

ID list assigned to a labware at the start of the application. The ID list contains the name of the labware, IDs for the positions of the labware and descriptions. epBlue imports and exports the IDs of the labware by means of entry lists. epBlue can process entry lists in the formats CSV and XML.

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

epBlue

Software for creating and administering applications and labware. The epMotion is controlled using the software. The software includes a user administration system. Modular extension of epBlue is possible. With the epBlue ID module you can track samples during the application. The labware is labeled with IDs for this purpose. The sample tracking is documented automatically.

epT.I.P.S. Motion

epMotion pipette tips. Only epT.I.P.S.® Motion can be used on the epMotion. epT.I.P.S.® Motions are available with or without a filter.

Filling volume

Maximum liquid volume of a labware. The epMotion uses the gripper to transport the labware up to the filling volume. The epMotion aspirates liquid from the labware up to the filling volume. The filling volume is higher than the working volume.

Gripper

Tool that transports labware.

Height adapter

Adapter for low labware. The height differences among the labware will be offset to decrease the tool holder paths, thereby decreasing the run time of the application as well.

HEPA air filter

Air filter. The air filter prevents particles such as dust and germs from the environment entering the epMotion work room.

Character string which is used by the epBlue ID module to identify the labware.

Input list

ID list with information on source labware. The input list contains the IDs of the source positions. epBlue creates an input list for each source labware for which ID tracking is active.

Intermediate labware

Rack or plate with intermediate positions.

Intermediate location

Position in the labware that is both source and destination of liquid transfers.

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

Lab administrator

User who has the rights to administrate applications and labware.

Labware

Racks, plates, tips, etc. which are placed on the worktable.

Location

Area where labware is placed on the worktable.

MagSep

System consisting of the magnetic finger module, thermomixer and PrepRack and reagents for nucleic acid preparation with the epMotion.

MultiCon

epMotion operator panel. You can control your epMotion using the control unit and the epBlue software.

Pattern

Pattern in which liquid is aspirated and dispensed. Patterns are defined in a transfer command. Patterns are defined as regular patterns and irregular patterns. Patterns are independent in x-direction and y-direction.

Procedure

Sequence of commands that are executed one after the other. Part of an application.

Rack

Mount for tubes or pipette tips.

Remaining volume

Volume that cannot be aspirated from a vessel. The distance from the pipette tip to the vessel base, defined in the software, and the defined immersion depth of the pipette tip in the liquid, must be observed. Therefore, the pipette tip cannot aspirate the volume. The remaining volume depends on the vessel geometry.

Reservoir

Reservoirs are used to hold reagents. Reservoirs are hung in a ReservoirRack or placed directly on the worktable.

Result list

ID list with information on destination labware and intermediate labware. The result list contains the IDs of destination positions and intermediate positions. epBlue creates a result list for each destination labware and intermediate labware for which ID tracking is active.

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

SafeRack

Rack with ep.T.I.P.S. Motion pipette tips. The SafeRack features a partition that prevents the contamination of adjacent tips. Use the SafeRacks if you would like to use tips several times.

Source labware

Rack or plate with source positions.

Source location

Position in the labware that liquid is aspirated from exclusively during the application.

Thermal module

Thermal module for labware that is integrated in the worktable.

Thermoadapter

Heat-conductive adapter for holding plates.

Thermoblock

Thermoadapter that is permanently connected to a PCR plate or PCR vessel.

Thermorack

Temperable rack for smaller vessels, e.g., Safe-Lock tubes for 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL or 2 mL.

Vacuum unit

The vacuum unit uses a vacuum to suck liquid from a filter plate. The vacuum unit consists of a vacuum manifold, vacuum pump and Vac Frame.

Vessel

Tube or single well of a plate.

Working volume

Liquid volume for a labware. The epMotion fills a vessel with low levels of contamination up to the working volume. The working volume is less than the filling volume.

Worktable

epMotion work surface where labware and tools are placed. In the software, the epMotion worktable is shown as the epBlue worktable.

Operating instructions

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

Product description

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

2 Product description

2.1 Features

The epBlue software is used to control the epMotion. epBlue consists of several components.

Which modules are available depends on the features of your epMotion and the specification of the software.

2.1.1 epBlue

Module Description Operating manual

Application Editor • Create applications.

• Manage applications.

Application Runner • Execute applications. (see epBlue Application Runner - Carrying

Application Simulator • Simulate applications. (see epBlue simulation - Simulating

ID list management • Manage ID lists. (see epBlue ID - Working with ID tracking

Labware Editor • Manage labware. (see epBlue Labware Editor - Creating and

Log Viewer • Display and print logs. (see epBlue LogViewer - Managing logs on

Settings • Check components of the device.

• Perform basic settings.

• User administration.

• Backup database.

• Perform basic settings for ID tracking.

(see epBlue Application Editor - Creating

and editing applications on p. 39) (see epBlue Application Editor - Managing applications and folders on p. 85)

out the application on p. 25)

applications on p. 109)

on p. 111)

managing labware on p. 91)

p. 37)

(see epBlue settings - Checking components and making the basic settings on p. 119) (see epBlue settings - Creating and managing users on p. 131) (see epBlue Settings - Saving data and creating print templates on p. 139) (see epBlue ID - Working with ID tracking on p. 111)

Product description

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

2.1.2 Assistants

Assistants are programs for a specific application. Assistants are optionally available and described in separate operating manuals. The following assistants are available for epBlue:

Prep Assistant

• Nucleic acid preparation with Eppendorf MagSep kits. After that, a PCR setup can be performed.

PCR Assistant

• Create PCR master mixes and dilution series for quantification standards, normalization of sample concentrations, and setting up PCR reactions.

LH assistant

• Create Liquid Handling applications such as assay setup, pooling and reformatting of samples; cherry picking.

epBlue™ with MultiCon

3 Operation

3.1 Starting and exiting epBlue

3.1.1 Starting epBlue

Prerequisites

• The device does not show any sign of external damage.

 Switch on the epMotion using the mains/power switch.

 Switch on the MultiCon.

 To start epBlue, double-click on the epBlue symbol on the desktop.

 Alternatively, open the Windows start menu and select Programs >Eppendorf > epBlue.

epBlue is started. The login screen appears.

3.1.2 Starting epBlue for the first time

Operation

English (EN)

Prerequisites

• epMotion and MultiCon were installed by a service technician.

• epBlue has been started (see p. 19).

• epBlue displays the login screen.

1. Log in as an administrator (see Logging in as administrator in epBlue on p. 131).

2. Create user accounts (see Creating a user account on p. 134).

3. Log off as administrator.

4. Log on to epBlue as a user (see Logging in as User. on p. 19).

3.1.3 Logging in as User.

Prerequisites

• epBlue has been started (see p. 19).

• epBlue displays the login screen.

• The administrator has created a user account for the user.

1. Enter the name of the user account and the password.

If you have forgotten your password, please contact your administrator (see p. 136).

2. Press the Login button.

The epBlue start screen appears. The symbols that are displayed depend on your user rights and the features of your epMotion.

Operation

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

Abb. 3-1: epBlue start screen

Fig. 3-1: epBlue start screen

1 Eppendorf menu

Exit the program.

2 Menu bar

Contains functions that can be accessed in all

4 Status area

epMotion status.

5 Working range

Contents and applications.

applications.

3 Information area

Contains information on the open file.

3.1.4 Logging off as a user

You can only log off if all applications started from your user account have been exited. If you want to log off before completing an application, the application has to be ended manually.

Prerequisites

• All applications have been ended and saved.

• Changes to the labware have been saved.

 In the File menu, select the Log off entry.

You are logged out of your account. The login screen appears.

Operation

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

3.1.5 Exiting epBlue and switching off MultiCon

1. In the Eppendorf menu, select Close.

2. When the program is ended, shut down MultiCon.

3. Switch off the epMotion using the mains power switch.

3.2 Initial steps

3.2.1 Using the touch screen and mouse

You can operate the MultiCon by using the touch screen or a USB mouse.

 Connect the mouse to a USB interface on the MultiCon.

Tab. 3-1: Touch screen/mouse comparison

Touch screen Mouse

Tap Click using the left mouse button

Tap and hold 2 s Click using the right mouse button

Drag Drag with the left mouse button pressed down

Tap twice Double click using the left mouse button

3.2.2 Using the screen key pad

Enter the numbers and letters using the screen key pad.

Abb. 3-2: Screen key pad

Fig. 3-2: Screen key pad

Automatically show the screen key pad.

 epBlue automatically shows a key pad if you have selected an input field.

Manually show the screen key pad.

 In the File menu, select the Show keyboard entry.

Operation

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

Switch the automatic display of the screen key pad on and off.

 In the File menu, select the Show keyboard automatically entry.

Tab. 3-2: epBlue key combinations

Enter special characters.

 Press the letter key for 2 s.

Confirm your entry.

Switch between lowercase letters and capital letters.

Switch the key pad.

Show the screen key pad.

3.2.3 File menu

Abb. 3-3: File drop-down menu

 Press the key once.

 To enter a capital letter, press the key once. Then press

the letter.

 To switch the key pad to all capital letters, press the key

twice.

 To switch between the English and German key pads,

press the key once.

 Press the key once.

Fig. 3-3: File drop-down menu

Exit to start screen entry

Show the epBlue start screen.

Menu – Show keyboard

Manually show the screen key pad.

Menu – Show keyboard automatically

Switch the automatic display of the screen key pad on and off.

Sound enabled entry

Switch the system sound on or off.

Log Off entry

User is logged out. The login window appears.

Abb. 3-4: Help drop-down menu

Fig. 3-4: Help drop-down menu

Operation

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

Device manuals entry

Open the operating manual of the device.

About epBlue entry

Show the epBlue version.

Software manuals entry

Open the operating manual of the software.

3.2.4 Status area

The status area is located in the top right of the screen.

If you click on the epMotion in the status area, the following information will be displayed:

• Serial number of the epMotion

• Features of the epMotion

• Firmware version

• epMotion status

• Actual temperature of a thermal module or Thermomixer. Example Info: C3:21°C. The thermal module in location C3 has a temperature of 21°C.

Operation

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon

4 epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

This chapter describes how to carry out an application on the epMotion.

4.1 Opening an application

Abb. 4-1: Selecting an application

English (EN)

Fig. 4-1: Selecting an application

Prerequisites

• epMotion is ready for operation.

• Application Runner is started.

1. Select the application in the Select application area.

Recently used applications can be found in the Recently used area. Open applications in the Select application area have a red padlock . The Properties area displays the properties of the selected application.

2. Press the Next button.

The application is opened.

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

4.2 Preparing the application run

4.2.1 Selecting the device

Abb. 4-2: Selection of an available device

Fig. 4-2: Selection of an available device

NOTICE! Tool collisions with incorrectly positioned labware.

Labware must be positioned on the epMotion worktable as defined in the application. Tools and labware become damaged in a collision. A collision can lead to sample loss.

 Check the positioning of the labware before starting the application.

In the Available devices area, the connected epMotion is displayed.

Prerequisites

epMotion is ready for operation.

1. Select the device for the application run.

2. Press the Next button.

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon

4.2.2 Entering the sample quantity

Abb. 4-3: Process control window

Fig. 4-3: Process control window

The window Process control appears if the sample quantity in the application is variable.

1. Enter the sample quantity for the current run.

2. Press the OK button.

English (EN)

4.2.3 Setting the HEPA air filter and the UV lamp

Abb. 4-4: Setting the parameters for the HEPA air filter and the UV lamp

Fig. 4-4: Setting the parameters for the HEPA air filter and the UV lamp

If your epMotion is equipped with a HEPA air filter and UV lamp, you can define the settings for the HEPA air filter and the UV lamp.

 Activate or deactivate the HEPA air filter.

 Define whether a decontamination is to be carried out before the application.

The worktable may only be decontaminated if no labware or tools are present on the worktable.

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

4.2.4 Placing the labware on the epMotion worktable

 Position the labware on the epMotion worktable according to the application.

Additional information on positioning the labware can be found in the hardware operating manual.

4.2.5 Setting the run parameters for the optical sensor

If you have the epBlue ID module, the Use bar codes checkbox will appear in the window.

In the application, you defined the application parameters for the optical sensor. You can enter run parameters to use other settings of the optical sensor for an individual run. The run parameters overwrite the application parameters for this run only (see Optical sensor on p. 80).

Abb. 4-5: Setting the run parameters

Fig. 4-5: Setting the run parameters

Use Barcodes checkbox

Activate ID tracking.

Detect volumes radio button

Activate the Detect volumes function. The parameters set in the application for the labware are used.

Use required minimum volumes radio button

epBlue assumes that all vessels are filled with the minimum required volume for this run. Use this function for dry runs.

Input volumes manually radio button

Deactivate the Detect volumes function. You have to enter the sample volume manually.

Detect tips checkbox

Activate the Detect tips function.

Check labware placement checkbox

Activate the Check labware placement function.

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon

English (EN)

1. Set the functions of the optical sensor.

2. Activate ID tracking, if required.

3. Press the Run button.

4.2.6 Setting the ID tracking parameters

If you have the epBlue ID module and ID tracking is activated for the labware, a window appears. In the labware settings, you defined whether the IDs are entered manually or read in via the entry list. The window displays the corresponding option.

4.2.6.1 Entering IDs manually

Abb. 4-6: Entering IDs manually

Fig. 4-6: Entering IDs manually

Prerequisites

• Labware ID tracking is activated.

• The manual scan option is activated for the labware.

1. Press the Next button.

You are prompted to enter the IDs for the labware. The labware is marked with a red border.

2. Enter the name for the ID list that is created during the application for this labware in the List name field.

3. Read the ID with the barcode reader or enter it manually.

4. If 2 IDs are to be assigned for a reagent, 2 entry fields appear. If you are using only one ID, press the

Use only one ID button.

epBlue Application Runner - Carrying out the application

epBlue™ with MultiCon English (EN)

5. Confirm your entry with the OK button.

6. Press the Next button to enter the ID for the next labware.

7. When all IDs have been entered, the application starts.

4.2.6.2 Reading the IDs with an entry list

Prerequisites

• Labware ID tracking is activated.

• The Entry list option is activated for the labware.

1. Press the Next button.

You are prompted to enter the IDs for the labware. The labware is marked with a border.

2. Press the Select ID list button.

The Select ID list window appears. By default, the window shows all compatible entry lists.

3. Import the entry list, if required (see p. 115)

4. Select the entry list to be imported.

5. Press the OK button.

6. Enter the ID for the selected position.

epBlue compares the entered ID with the ID of the entry list.

7. If the ID does not correspond to the ID of the entry list, an error message appears. Correct the corresponding ID.

8. When all IDs have been entered, the application starts.

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