2 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
WARNING
CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN
Notice
Every effort has been made to avoid errors in text and diagrams, however, Tecan
Austria GmbH assumes no responsibility for any errors which may appear in this
publication.
It is the policy of Tecan Austria GmbH to improve products as new techniques
and components become available. Tecan Austria GmbH therefore reserves
the right to change specifications at any time.
We would appreciate any comments on this publication.
Tecan Austria GmbH
Untersbergstraße 1A
A-5082 Grödig/Salzburg
AUSTRIA / EUROPE
Telephone: 0043 (0) 6246 8933
FAX: 0043 (0) 6246 72770
E-mail: office.austria@tecan.com
THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE OPERATING THE INSTRUMENT.
Copyright Information
The contents of this document are the property of Tecan Austria GmbH and are
not to be copied, reproduced, or transferred to another person or persons without
prior written permission.
This publication is intended as Instructions for Use for the LS Series Scanner
instruments, which are designed to detect highly quantitative fluorescence
images that have been read from microarray slides or other compatible sample
formats.
This document provides information about:
• Installing the instrument
• Operating the instrument
• Cleaning and maintenance routines
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3
Warnings, Cautions and Notes
There are four types of notices used in this publication. These notices highlight
important information or warn the user of a potentially dangerous situation.
The notices appear below:
Note
Gives helpful information.
Caution
Indicates a possibility of instrument damage or data loss if instructions
are not followed.
WARNING
INDICATES THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS
OF LIFE OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE IF THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT
FOLLOWED.
WARNING
INDICATES LASER. DO NOT STARE INTO THE BEAM!
WARNING
INDICATES THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF BIOLOGICALLY
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. PROPER LABORATORY SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS MUST BE OBSERVED.
4 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
8.8 Disposal of Instrument ..................................................................8-8
8.8.1 Disposal of Packing Material............................................................8-8
8.8.2 Disposal of Operating Material.........................................................8-8
Index
6 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
1. Safety
1. Safety
1.1 Instrument Safety
1. Always follow basic safety precautions when using this product to reduce the risk of
injury, fire, or electrical shock.
2. Read and understand all information in the Operating manual. Failure to read,
understand, and follow the instructions in the manual may result in damage to the
product, injury to operating personnel or poor instrument performance.
3. Observe all WARNING and CAUTION statements in the manual.
4. Never open the LS SERIES SCANNER while the instrument is plugged into a power
source. The instrument contains class 2, 3a and 3b lasers inside.
5. Never force a slide or another sample into the instrument.
6. LS SERIES SCANNERS are intended for laboratory research use only. Observe
proper laboratory safety precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and using
approved laboratory safety procedures.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 1-1
2. General
2. General
2.1 Instrument Features
The LS SERIES SCANNERS are laser-scanning instruments designed to detect
highly quantitative fluorescence images. The scanners are designed to read
microarray slides as well as other customer specific sample formats. They have
exceptional flexibility with respect to sample formats and measurement modes.
They can read samples up to the size of microplates as well as thick samples like
gels or, for instance, liquid cells. They can read both in confocal and in nonconfocal mode and a selection of up to 4 excitation wavelengths (lasers) and an
almost unlimited number (28) of emission wavelengths or emission filters.
Automation friendliness is another key feature of the LS SERIES SCANNERS.
The design allows the use of standard microplate equipment to load very high
numbers of slides automatically. For instance, with a Connect, up to 200 slides or
50 microplates can be loaded and processed automatically within one run.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2-1
2. General
2.1.1 Samples
Slide adapters
Its special microplate/slide adapters accommodate 4 slides at once and loading is
easily automated with standard microplate equipment.
Other formats
Due to its flexible design, other sample formats can be measured as well.
The software allows special formats to be defined and special scanning areas to
be processed. Due to an exceptionally high working distance of 6.5 mm,
‘thick’ samples, well structures, samples within a liquid cell or even gels can be
measured. An automatic autofocus system is able to bring all of these samples
into the proper focal plane. If you are in doubt whether a special sample format
can be measured with the LS SERIES SCANNERS, please contact a Tecan
representative.
2-2 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
2. General
2.1.2 Modes of operation
Confocal or non-confocal
The LS SERIES SCANNERS are equipped with 3 different user selectable
pinholes for selection of the appropriate depth of focus. The smaller the pinhole
the higher is the confocality of the optical system and the shorter the depth of
field. A small pinhole typically gives a better signal to background ratio, because
all background contributions from outside the focal plane, e.g. the glass material
or the backside of the slide are rejected. However for bulkier samples or samples
with an uneven or a slightly bent surface confocality can result in lower signals or
in a poor reproducibility. Here a larger pinhole is more appropriate. That’s why the
LS SERIES SCANNERS offer the choice. Just choose the degree of confocality
that is best suited for the samples.
Excitation wavelengths
• The LS Scanner can be equipped with up to 4lasers.
• Every Scanner has a HeNe laser with 633nm.
• Lasers with the wavelengths 488nm, 532nm and 694 nm are optional.
Emission wavelengths
Filters are located in special filter slides. The standard configuration comes with
one filter for each excitation wavelength or laser respectively.
Additional filters can be added into the filter slides. The filter slides can be
exchanged by the user. The ‘identity’ of each filter slide is automatically detected
by the instrument when it is inserted into the slot.
Dual scanning
In order to increase the overall scan speed, two colors can be measured
simultaneously with a dual channel instrument. A calibration algorithm takes care
of the crosstalk between the two colors and corrects for it online. If you have
purchased a single channel instrument, or if the wavelengths are too close to
each other, the instrument can measure the two colors sequentially as well.
Resolution
The standard resolution is 10 µm.
For larger sample features there is the option to scan with 20 µm or 40 µm thus
both increasing scan speed and decreasing the amount of data.
Smaller structures can be better resolved with 6 µm or 4 µm pixel resolution.
Scan widths for a single path scan are 22 mm for 10 µm, 20 µm and 40 µm, 6 µm
pixels and 15 mm for 4 µm pixels.
Optimize sensitivity
For smaller scanning areas, there is a user selectable option to increase
sensitivity without changing the scan time.
Another way to increase sensitivity is to scan transparent slides upside down.
The reason is because surface bound molecules emit the greater part of their
fluorescence into the medium with higher refractive index (e.g. glass).
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2-3
2. General
2.1.3 Automation friendliness
Because the LS SERIES SCANNERS are designed to interface with microplate
technology, they are very well prepared for automation using existing microplate
equipment. Four slides can be loaded in an adapter with the outer dimensions of
a microplate. The number of slides is limited only by the stacking capacity of the
external microplate device.
2.1.4 Integrated Image Analysis Software Array Pro
The LS SERIES SCANNERS come with an integrated array analysis software
package.
Caution
If the instructions given in this manual are not correctly carried out, the
instrument May either become damaged or May no Longer be Able to
perform Its Procedures correctly and the Accuracy of the instrument
can no longer be guaranteed.
Note
In order to obtain reliable results it is strongly recommended to place
reference spots onto your sample for quality control. These spots should
represent every dye of your experiment and it is recommended that they
are distributed in a non symmetric pattern across your sample. It is also
recommended to place ‘blank’ spots onto your arrays in order to check
for the variation of the background in your experiment.
2-4 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
3. Installation
3. Installation
3.1 Unpacking & Inspection
The delivered container includes the following:
• Instrument
• PC
• PC Monitor
• Manual
• Software: Driver LS Series Scanner (1 CD-ROM)
• Cables (RS232 cable and 1 interface cable)
• Slide Adapters
• Filter Slide
• Reference slides (histological section of mouse; spots)
• Array Pro Software
• Hardware Key Array Pro SW
• Installation CD Array Pro SW
• Array Pro User Manual
• Scattered light glass slide
• Filter Slide for Calibration
• 2 Filter Slides
Caution
Before the instrument is installed and switched on, it should be left to
stand for at least three hours, so there is no possibility of condensation
causing a short circuit.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3-1
3. Installation
Visually inspect the container for damage before it is opened.
Report any damage immediately.
Select a location to place the instrument that is flat, level, vibration free, away
from direct sunlight, and free from dust, solvents and acid vapors. Allow at least
10 cm between the instrument and the wall or any other equipment.
Remove transportation locks.
Caution
The LS Series Scanners are precision instruments
and are very heavy. At least two people
3-2 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
must carefully lift the instrument from the box.
3. Installation
Visually inspect the instrument for loose, bent or broken parts.
Report any damage immediately.
Compare the serial number on the rear panel of the instrument with the serial
number on the packing slip.
Report any discrepancy immediately.
Check the instrument accessories against the packing list.
Save packing materials and transport locks (see next section) for further
transportation purposes.
Caution
Do not try to open or close
the instrument flap manually.
Ensure that the flap cannot be accidentally hit when it is opened automatically.
Ensure that the main switch and the main cable can be reached at all times
and are in no way obstructed.
Caution
The maximum load for the top of the housing
of an LS Series Scanner is 3 kg.
Caution
Keep fingers away from the flap when it is closing
or when a scan has been started.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3-3
3. Installation
Place the PC with monitor, keyboard and mouse next to the instrument.
Ensure the computer is switched OFF and the instrument's main power switch on
the back panel of the instrument is in the OFF position.
Check the voltage specifications on the computer and ensure that the voltage
supplied to the computer is correct according to the specification input range
selector (red button) at the power supply.
Caution
Check voltage specification on the computer BEFORE switching ON. If
computer is switched ON with the incorrect voltage supply it will be
Connect the computer to the instrument with the delivered RS 232 interface
cable.
Connect the computer to the instrument with the delivered special interface cable.
The pictures below show the connection of the interface cables
to the rearof the instrument:
damaged.
Data cable to
connector box
RS232 to
computer
3-4 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
RS232 to
instrument
3. Installation
The pictures below show the connection of the interface cables
to the back of the computer:
Connection
for monitor
cables
Digital
monitor
cables
Connector
box
Data cable to
instrument
Analog
monitor
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3-5
3. Installation
Insert the power cable (with protective ground connection) into the main power
socket in the back panel of the instrument.
All connected devices must be approved and listed with regulations EN 60950,
UL 1950 or CSA C22.2 No. 950 for Data Processing Devices.
Switch the computer ON.
Switch the instrument ON using the switch on the back panel of the instrument.
Caution
Keep fingers away from the flap when it is closing
or when a scan has been started.
3-6 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
3. Installation
3.2 Remove Transport Lock
Start LS Scanner Shell.
Select Instrument and click Connect.
A message appears that instrument is locked.
For more information on removing the transport lock see chapter 6.4.10 The
Transport Unlock Wizard.
Do not try to open or close
Save packing materials and transport locks
for further transportation purposes. The LS series scanners must be
and the transport locks must be installed.
the instrument flap manually.
shipped with the original packing
Caution
Caution
Caution
Before Transportation
Place the instrument carefully in the indicated orientation before fixing the
transportation locks, otherwise the instrument will become damaged.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3-7
3. Installation
3.3 Filter Installation
Insert the Filter Slides into Filter Channel 1(vertical orientation) and Filter Channel
2 (horizontalorientation)and make sure that the filters are oriented properly, (see
pictures below).
Filter Channel 1 Filter Channel 2
Note
Both filter slides are only necessary in dual channel instruments.
• Close the filter compartment
3-8 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
3. Installation
3.4 Power Requirements
The instrument is auto sensing and it is, therefore, unnecessary to make any
changes to the voltage range.
Check the voltage specifications on the rear panel of the instrument to ensure
that the voltage supplied to the instrument is correct according to the
specification.
The voltage range is 100-120 / 220-240 V.
If the voltage is not correct, please contact your distributor.
Ensure that a fuse of the correct type and rating is fitted.
Fuse = T 2.0 A / 250 V (slow blow) UL recognized
WARNING
RISK OF FIRE!
REPLACE ONLY WITH FUSES
OF THE SAME TYPE AND RATING.
Caution
When installing or uninstalling the instrument ensure that the instrument
and the computer are both switched off and disconnected from the main
power supply before the RS 232 interface cable or the special connector
cable is connected or removed.
Caution
If the instructions given in this manual are not correctly carried out, the
instrument May either become damaged or May no Longer be Able to
perform Its Procedures correctly and the Accuracy of the instrument
can no longer be guaranteed.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 3-9
4. Technical Description
4. Technical Description
4.1 Optical System
Figure 4.1
For excitation of fluorescence signals up to 4 lasers are installed. The lasers for
633 nm, and 594 nm are Helium Neon lasers; the lasers for 488 nm and 532nm
are solid state lasers. Both of these laser types have excellent beam quality and
stability.
Laser beams are combined with dichroic elements to enter the scanner in a
collinear alignment.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 4-1
4. Technical Description
Scanning is done in a first direction with the excitation beam. This very fast
scanning mechanism scans 40 lines per second. The overall scanning speed and
scanning time in this direction is independent from both pixel resolution and scan
width. The second scanning dimension is achieved by moving the sample in a
perpendicular direction. This movement is exactly synchronized with the first scan
axis to create a 2-dimensional fluorescence image. For example at 10 µm
resolution 4 mm are scanned within 10 s ((4 mm / 40 lines / s) * (100 lines / mm
10 µm pixel size)
) = 10 s). For this second direction the scanning speed is reciprocal
to the resolution and the overall scanning time depends linearly on the scan
length.
Fluorescence light is collected with a highaperture lens with exceptional working
distance (up to 6.5 mm). This long working distance is the key for the ability to
measure flexible sample formats other than slides.
A second lens refocuses the collected light onto a pinhole, thus creating a
confocal detection scheme.
Three pinholes of different sizes are mounted on an automatic slide carrier. The
smaller the pinhole, the lower the focal depth of the detected volume. The larger
pinholes typically create images with a slightly lower signal to background ratio
but offer the choice to measure bulky samples or uneven surfaces as well.
Behind the pinhole the fluorescence light passes through a bandpass filter that
rejects light of the excitation wavelength and all other spectral contributions that
are not within the detection bandwidth of the selected filter. Filters are arranged in
filter slides that can hold up to four different filters. Each filter slide has five
positions, but one of them has to stay open for autofocus purposes.
Filter slides can easily be removed or exchanged; up to 8different slides can be
automatically identified by the instrument firmware when they are inserted in the
filter slots.
In the dual channel instrument a dichroic beamsplitter separates the two emission
wavelengths of the first and the second dye (e.g. Cy3 and Cy5) and lets them
pass trough two different emission filters and to two different photomultiplier tubes
(PMT’s). The two different filters are located on two different filter slides in that
case.
A reference diode monitors laser power before each measurement.
(=
Figure 4.2
4-2 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
4. Technical Description
4.2 Autofocus
A key element for the flexibility of the instrument is the autofocus system. It allows
every sample individually to be adjusted - exactly in the focal plane of the optics.
Because this is done immediately before each scan, out of focus images due to
long term drifts of the optical alignment are not an issue with the LS SERIES
SCANNERS.
Before each scan two z-scans are done across user defined lines in the sample.
This way two short ‘vertical’ images are recorded typically close to both ends of
the slide or the sample. (z-axis is moved instead of x-axis). These z-scan images
are taken to calculate the exact position and the orientation of the sample.
Orientation of the sample is also calculated because slight amounts of tilt could
give poor results with a confocal measurement scheme.
The sample is then brought into the exact focal plane both with regard to z as well
as the two angles of tilt. This process is fully automated. Signals are recorded in
reflection mode and with a dimmed beam (4 orders) to prevent bleaching.
To realize this functionality a high precision 5-axis transport system is
implemented in the LS SERIES SCANNERS. The five axis are: X (scan axis), Y
(moves sample tray between different slides or different areas on larger
samples), Z (brings sample into focal position), ϑ and Φ (correct for angles of tilt
of the sample or tolerances of the adapters). Precisions for the axis’ are in the
range of 1-2µm.
4.3 Data Processing
Further data processing is done by an analog amplifier PCB and fast 16 bit data
acquisition boards. The latter ones are plugged into the PC and connected to the
instrument with a special interface cable.
An internal Main-CPU takes control of all the actuators and data acquisition steps
during scan. It is interfaced with a RS232 cable with the PC.
On the PC the Array Pro software is an integrated package both for instrument
control and for array processing.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 4-3
5. Operation
5. Operation
The LS SERIES SCANNER is operated using personal computer based software
control. The Array Pro Software is used both for instrument control and data
analysis.
This chapter describes the instrument and the instrument control software. It is
intended for a general understanding of instrument parameters and operation.
For details of the data analysis see the corresponding Array Pro software manual.
Suggestions are made on how to optimize the instrument parameters for your
applications.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the instrument will work correctly even
if the default parameters are not appropriate for a particular application
- with an important exception:
When placing a sample into the sample carrier,
always make sure that the correct slide and slide carrier definitions are
Wrong definitions, especially with special samples can lead to damage of
the instrument or the sample.
Caution
selected in the software.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 5-1
5. Operation
5.1 General Operating Features
The LS Series Scanner has some general behavior and options, which are
independent from particularly selected measurement techniques.
5.1.1 Instrument Start Up
Before the instrument is powered ON, ensure that both of the interface cables are
connected.
Caution
When the serial interface cable
or the special interface cable
is being plugged in or unplugged,
the instrument and the PC should be powered off.
5.1.2 Instrument Power On
When switching the instrument ON, the following actions are induced:
• The filter slides move into the reference position
• The dichroic filter carrier moves into the reference position
• The pinhole carrier moves into the reference position
• The microplate transport moves into the reference position
• The cooling fans start to ventilate
At the beginning of each session the user is requested to choose the lasers to be
used in this session. Only the selected lasers will be switched on. This is done to
increase the lifetime of the lasers.
The lasers need a warm up time of 20 minutes. The instrument is already
functional before that time, but performance according to the
specifications is guaranteed only after the warm up time has elapsed.
Scans can be done before that time.
Note
5-2 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
5. Operation
5.1.3 Connect to Instrument
When the software connects to the instrument, communication is established
between the instrument and the user interface. The instrument is ready for
operation.
5.1.4 Finish a Measurement Session
Disconnect from Instrument
When disconnecting, communication between the instrument and the PC is
terminated.
Please remove the recently measured sample before disconnect.
Instrument Shut Down
Note
Upon shut down, the instrument activity is stopped immediately. Normally, you
should disconnect before shut down. In the rare case of an unexpected hardware
error, immediate instrument shut down will reduce the risk of possible damage.
2004-11 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 5-3
5. Operation
5.2 Insert Slide(s) into Slide Adapter
Insert slide(s) into slide adapter as shown below:
Figure 5.5 a
Caution
Ensure that the slide is placed tightly on its support And in the right
orientation in the adapter. If it is not placed correctly in the adapter the
Place slide adapter on the plate transport in the same orientation as shown below
(Fig. 5.5 b): - moveable spring should be located in the front
autofocus algorithm might fail to find a focal plane.
Figure 5.5 b
Note
The adapter is semi-disposable. The clamps that secure the slide might
5-4 Operating Manual for the LS Series Scanner No. 30001798 Rev. No. 1.5 2004-11
wear and the slides might become too loose in the adapter. Please call
your Tecan sales representative to order new adapters.
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