Matrix WellMate User Manual
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Matrix WellMate User Manual

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  • Page 2 ® & WellMate Stacker User Manual Matrix Technologies Corporation 22 Friars Drive Hudson, NH 03051 USA Phone: (800) 345-0206 www.matrixtechcorp.com Rev. 1.6 May 2006...
  • Page 3 Matrix Technologies Corporation. WellMate is a trademark and Matrix Technologies Corp. and the Matrix logo are registered trademarks of Matrix Technologies Corp.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Table of Contents A. INTRODUCTION ............1 B. INSTRUMENT OVERVIEW ........2 1. General Description ............2 2. Keypad and LED Display ..........6 3. Stacker Unit ..............8 4. Specifi cations..............9 5. Hazards/Precautions ...........12 C. CONFIGURING THE DEVICE ........ 13 1. Install the Tubing Cartridge ..........13 2.
  • Page 5 H. APPENDICES ............47 1. Plate Setup ..............47 2. Chemical Compatibility ..........51 3. RS-232 ASCII Commands for Remote Device Activation ................53 4. WellMate Schematic .............64 5. Customer Service ............65 WARRANTY ..............66 PACKING LIST .............. 69 LIST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES ............

  • Page 6: Introduction

    A. Introduction The WellMate instrument from Matrix Technologies is a high-speed, small footprint, 8-channel fl uid dispenser for 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384-well microplates. It repetitively dispenses samples and reagents into microplates, with high accuracy and effi ciency. An optional stacker unit provides higher throughput and walk-away capability.

  • Page 7: Instrument Overview

    Operators can adjust nozzle height to customize use of the instrument for different plate confi gurations (for example, fl at-bottom plates or V-bottom plates). Your WellMate instrument package provides these items: • Base unit. • AC power cord. • Two disposable 8-channel tube assemblies, with silicone-based tubing and polypropylene nozzles.
  • Page 8 • Universal-microplate removable stage. • Waste-fl uid vessel with tubing. • Sample Microplate Starter Kit. • Manual. You can also purchase the optional WellMate Stacker unit, which contains: • Power Cord. • Connection Cable. • Priming trough with tubing and hardware.
  • Page 9 Keypad Disposable Tubing Cartidges Removable Plate Carriage/Stage w/Spacer Guide Waste-Fluid Plate-type Nozzle Head Vessel Selector The WellMate base unit also comes with the following components: Nozzle Height Spacer Guide; Allen Wrench Power Cord Removable Plate Carriage/Stage Waste-Fluid Vessel Nozzle Head...
  • Page 10 Note: Only one disposable tubing cartridge appears in the previous photograph; however, two disposable tubing cartridges are included in the initial system package: one standard-bore tubing and one small-bore tubing. The WellMate Stacker package comes with the following components: Power Cord...

  • Page 11: Keypad And Led Display

    Instrument Overview 2. Keypad and LED Display The keypad allows the operator to program and execute dispense operations. You can also execute “manual operations” (without using a preprogrammed dispense volume) by pressing and releasing the PRIME and EMPTY keys on the keypad. Instructions for using the keypad are described under Setting up and Running the Instrument beginning on page 24.
  • Page 12 Instrument Overview START and STOP — Allows you to start and stop the run of a program. Also, you press STOP to stop the program when an error occurs and an alarm sounds. After you press STOP, the operation (dispense) of the currently selected channel will fi...

  • Page 13: Stacker Unit

    Instrument Overview 3. Stacker Unit Stacker base unit: Attaches to the standard WellMate unit to accommodate stacker chimneys. Used in conjunction with the WellMate instrument to automate the liquid dispensing and plate handling process. Optical plate sensors: Allows the stacker unit to run until the stacker chimney is empty, then stops the run.

  • Page 14: Specifi Cations

    Instrument Overview 4. Specifi cations Table 1. Specifi cations WellMate Power supply AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz 40VA Dimensions 14.75* x 11.5 x 8.5 in (37.5 x 30 x 21.6 cm) (HxWxd) (*Allow at least 3 more inches [7.62 cm] in width for extension of tubing and ~6 more inches [15.24 cm]...
  • Page 15 Instrument Overview Table 3. Small-bore Tubing Cartridge Specifi cations (item no. 201-30002) 8-channel, pre-sterilized, small-bore Description disposable tubing cartridge. Inner diameter nozzle orifi ce = 0.015 in (0.38 mm) Recommended dispense 1µl to 200µl volumes With 96-well or 384-well (shallow- or deep- well) plates, for: Recommended •...
  • Page 16 Instrument Overview Table 5. Stacker Unit Specifi cations WellMate (item no. 201-20001) Stacker base unit with plate sensors and built-in waste reservoir; two chimney sizes Description available, 50 or 25 plates (501-30005 or 501- 30006) Input Voltage 100V AC or 240V AC...

  • Page 17: Hazards/Precautions

    Instrument Overview 5. Hazards/Precautions Note the following hazards and precautions for setup, operation, and maintenance of the WellMate instrument: Operator protection • Always unplug the unit from the power outlet before you perform any service or maintenance task that does not require power.

  • Page 18: Configuring The Device

    C. Confi guring the Device 1. Install the Tubing Cartridge To install a tubing cartridge: 1. When installing the tube set, make sure that the adjustment screws are accessible. To do this, have the screws on the top half when you lay out the tube set so the adjustment screws will be toward the middle of the pump when presented on the machine.
  • Page 19 Confi guring the Device 3. When installing the tubing, place the left-hand tube holder onto the arm fi rst. Then place the other holder into position. Rotate the arm so the tubing is set into position.
  • Page 20 Confi guring the Device Adjustment screws are towards middle of pump 4. Push the cover on the pump mechanism to the closed position. 5. Insert the nozzle tip head as shown in the following: ®...

  • Page 21: Attach The Removable Plate Carriage/Stage

    Confi guring the Device 2. Attach the Removable Plate Carriage/Stage 1. Tilt the plate carriage/stage so that its front edge is slightly higher than its back edge. Slide the notch in the plate carriage piece up under the spring-loaded plunger. Push the stage in gently and fi rmly until the two posts on either side of the back edge of the stage slide completely into the slots on the base unit.

  • Page 22: Attach The Waste-Fluid Vessel

    Confi guring the Device If you are using 384-well plates and the stage is not level with the nozzle tips, the nozzles might not be properly targeted with all the columns in the plate. Slide the stage left and right. Then use a fl athead screwdriver to adjust the nylon screws as described above.

  • Page 23: Set Up Plates

    Confi guring the Device Waste-fl uid vessle and tubing 4. Set Up Plates For each type of plate you plan to use, set up a sample plate as follows: 1. Set the plate type by moving the plate type slide in toward the machine for 384-well plates and out and away from the machine for 96-well plates.
  • Page 24 Confi guring the Device 2. Move the nozzle head down until it is just above the openings of the fi rst column of wells in the plate. 3. Visually check to see that the nozzle tips are straight and centered over the wells. If the tips are not centered, adjust the front to back position by turning the knob on the Y-axis arm.
  • Page 25 Confi guring the Device 5. Optional: Peel the covering off the adhesive tape on the back of the nozzle-height reference scale and attach it to the instrument, to the left of the plate-type lever. When you have set the tips for a particular plate to the height you want to dispense from, mark the reference scale for that plate and height.

  • Page 26: Install Stackers (Optional)

    2. Place the WellMate instrument onto the stacker base unit in the space provided. The four rubber feet on the bottom of the WellMate instrument should be placed in the 4 holes of the stacker platform. See the following fi gure.
  • Page 27 Confi guring the Device 3. Attach the Chimney support brackets to the base of the stacker unit in the space provided. Each bracket comes with 2 Allen hex key screws. 4. Once the screws are in place, but not completely tightened, put the stacker chimney in place.

  • Page 28: Attach The Power Cord

    Confi guring the Device 7. Connect the stacker base to the WellMate with the connection cable provided. The stacker unit will use the COM 1 port (see following fi gure) while the WellMate uses the COM 2 port. Stacker Back Panel...

  • Page 29: Setting Up And Running The Instrument

    D. Setting up and Running the Instrument Turn the instrument on by pressing the power switch on the back of the instrument to ON. You will need to prime the tubing cartridge whenever you install a different cartridge on the instrument. Note: The tubing cartridge is already calibrated when you receive it;...

  • Page 30: Create, Load And Save A Program In Memory

    Setting up and running the Instrument 4. Press and hold the PRIME key until a continuous fl ow moves through all the channel tubes. See page 38 for instructions on programming a timed prime. Note: Prime new tube sets for 1 to 2 minutes with water before using them for dispensing.
  • Page 31 Setting up and running the Instrument Verify that the plate type LED for your plate lights up on the keypad. For 6, 12, 24, 48 or 96-well plates, make sure the 96 LED is illuminated; for 384-well plates, make sure the 384 LED is illuminated.

  • Page 32: Run A Program From Memory

    Setting up and running the Instrument b. To change the current selection of the column used from on to off or off to on, press SELECT. The digit will be toggled to the other value, either “0” or “1”. c. Press the up or down arrow to move to another column.
  • Page 33 Setting up and running the Instrument 3. Place the plate in the plate carriage. 4. Verify that the READY light and the correct LED for your plate type are lit on the keypad. 5. Test that the nozzle-tips height is correct by using the nozzle-height guide.

  • Page 34: Program Lock Freature Instructions

    Setting up and running the Instrument 3. Program Lock Feature Instructions 1. Follow the steps above for creating the program. 2. Save and lock the program. a. Press MODE. The memory LED lights up. b. Press the up or down arrow to move to the program number you want to save the program to.

  • Page 35: Overwrite A Locked Program

    Setting up and running the Instrument 3. Press SELECT. “LoAd” appears on the display. b. Press START. The volume set for that program will appear on the display. c. Press START again, this will run the selected program. 5. Overwrite a Locked Program 1.

  • Page 36: Set Up And Operate Stacker Base Unit

    1. Turn the WellMate unit and the WellMate stacker base unit on. 2. Align the 96-well plate. a. Turn the WellMate off and place a 96-well plate onto the plate shuttle. Keep the WellMate stacker powered on throughout this procedure.
  • Page 37 3. Align the 384-well plate. a. Replace the 96-well plate with a 384-well plate. Push in the dispense nozzle arm and verify that the “384” indicator light on the WellMate is illuminated. b. Press the START button. The plate shuttle should move until column 13, row set 1 of the plate is under the dispense nozzle.

  • Page 38: Operate The Instrument Manually

    The stage shuttle will move to its home position under the right stacker. 4. Turn the WellMate unit off, then turn it on. The WellMate stacker is ready for use. When you press START during manual operation, the fi rst plate in the stacker will be moved to the dispense position.

  • Page 39: Adjust The X-Axis Stage Position

    8. Adjust the X-Axis Stage Position for WellMate Unit This feature allows the operator to “teach” the stage position for dispensing. Use this feature to fi ne-tune the...
  • Page 40 Setting up and running the Instrument Note: Liquids tend to adhere to the walls of small tubing (such as tube sets for 384-well plate), especially when dispensing smaller volumes (9µl or less). To minimize the amount of liquid retained in the tubing, make sure that the Y-axis arm positions the tips directly over the middle of the wells (see page 18 for Y-axis arm adjustment) and the height gauge is used to set the nozzle over the plate.

  • Page 41: Adjust The Dispensing Speed

    Setting up and running the Instrument 9. Adjust the Dispensing Speed Please note, the tubing cartridge specifi cations are set using the highest speed (S-1) 1. Press the PRIME and EMPTY keys simultaneously and turn on the instrument. 2. Press SELECT to cycle through the three pump- speed choices as they appear in the LED Display.

  • Page 42: Additional Functions

    Setting up and running the Instrument 10. Additional Functions The following functions are accessible through a special program mode (available with WellMate EPROM version 3.5 or higher): • Pump Pause (PP): to initiate a pause after the dispense in-between each column.
  • Page 43 Setting up and running the Instrument a. Use the UP or DOWN arrows to select the duration of the pause. The default pause duration is set to .01 milliseconds. b. Press the SELECT button to save your setting. Pump Count (PC): The number on the display represents how many revolutions the pump has made.

  • Page 44: Tubing Cartridge Maintenance And Recalibration

    Tubing Cartridge Maintenance and Recalibration E. Tubing Cartridge Maintenance and Recalibration This section describes how to care for the tubing cartridge and then also how to recalibrate the cartridge if you wish to do so. Note: Recalibration is generally not necessary. The tubing cartridges that come with your system have already been calibrated.

  • Page 45: Recalibrate The Tubing Cartridge If Necessary

    Use a gravimetric test or optical scanning with a plate reader to determine whether a particular channel needs to be recalibrated. 1. Turn on the WellMate unit and set the volume to 50µl. 2. Verify that the dispense mode is set for (ten) columns of dispense, with 1-10 ON and with 11-12 OFF.
  • Page 46 Tubing Cartridge Maintenance and Recalibration A clockwise turn will DECREASE the volume dispensed. A counter-clockwise turn will INCREASE the volume dispensed. Each FULL Revolution of the screw will adjust the volume level by approximately 8 mg for the ten shots dispensed (or 0.8 mg/dispense).
  • Page 47 Tubing Cartridge Maintenance and Recalibration 9. Select a program to fi ll the whole plate to the appropriate volume and press the START key to begin the dispense. 10. After the dispense operation has fi nished, insert the fi lled plate into the plate reader for evaluation. 11.

  • Page 48: Helpful Hints

    F. Helpful Hints • Liquid tends to adhere to the walls of small tubing (such as tube sets for 384-well plate), especially when dispensing smaller volumes (9 uL or less). To minimize the amount of liquid retained in the tubing, make sure that the Y-axis arm positions the tips directly over the middle of the wells and the height gauge is used to set the nozzle over the plate.

  • Page 49: Troubleshooting

    Note: If you do not fi nd the answer to your question in the following table, contact your equipment provider. See page 65 for details on contact information. Table 7. Troubleshooting: Issues and Solutions WellMate Error Issue Solution E001 Stage doesn’t move OR Press STOP to cancel the alarm.
  • Page 50 Troubleshooting C001 PRIME or EMPTY key has Press STOP to cancel the alarm. been pressed while stage is Press RESET to return the stage not at home position. to home position. Press PRIME or EMPTY to continue the operation. E005 Jaw opened during Tubing safety bar is open.
  • Page 51 Table 8. Stacker Troubleshooting: Issues and Solutions Error Issue Solution E101 Plate stage on the Turn off WellMate and Stacker unit. Make sure the plate stage on WellMate is not at home position. WellMate is all the way to the right in its home position.

  • Page 52: Appendices

    Troubleshooting Appendices 1. Plate Setup The following graphics and tables illustrate the plate setup for 6, 12, 24, and 48 well plates. 6-Well Plate Setup ®...
  • Page 53 Appendices 12-Well Plate Setup...
  • Page 54 Appendices 24-Well Plate Setup ®...
  • Page 55 Appendices 48-Well Plate Setup...

  • Page 56: Chemical Compatibility

    WellMate tubing cartridges. Please be advised that some of these chemicals may damage the WellMate housing, base plate, or stage, and to use caution when using these chemicals. If you have questions about the use of any chemicals with your WellMate instrument, please contact your equipment provider.
  • Page 57 Appendices Chemical Conc. Temp. (° C) Result Acetic anhydride — ▀ ▀ Ethanol — ▲ Hydrofl uoric acid ● Glycol — ▀ Glycerol — ▀ Hexane — ▲ Saline solution ▀ Methanol — ▀ (1) ▲(1) Sodium chlorate ▀ Phosphoric acid ▀...

  • Page 58: Rs-232 Ascii Commands For Remote Device Activation

    Dsub-connector RS-232 cable (to order from Matrix: use item number 501-30019) and a Windows computer. Connect the cable from the COM 1 port on the back of the WellMate instrument to your computer. This section lists •...
  • Page 59 Correct receive b. Transmit Incorrect receive No response 2 seconds delay Re-transmit Correct receive c. Transmission error with repeated “no response” is to be judged by the transmitting side. d. PC does not return “ACK” against “R” transmission from WellMate.
  • Page 60 Positive Response STX ACK ETX ACK (06H) Table 9 lists the ASCII commands you can send from the PC to the WellMate instrument. Table 10 lists communication error messages. Some sample commands follow Table. Table 9. RS-232 Commands Syntax...
  • Page 61 Appendices Syntax DATA Function Comment COM OPEN Open is not allowed during a plate-fi lling operation; instrument must be idle. P±xxxxx xxxxx Pump action: Programs volume to + = dispense; dispense into plate (+) or - = pump motor returned to supply container runs in reverse (-).
  • Page 62 Appendices Syntax DATA Function Comment Stores program 00 or 10 to pp, depending on See PAW ppvvvvvx...x Write a volume pp - program to write to (00 & pattern to memory. vvvvv - volume (00001 Length of x - 20000) depends on pp x - 12 ‘1’...
  • Page 63 Appendices Query: Is 0 = Stage not at home stage at home 1 = Stage at home position? Syntax DATA Function Comment Query: Is 0 = Stage not at start stage at start 1 = Stage at start position? (384-well plate position, left- most position for stage)
  • Page 64 - Volume, cc count of tttt table data for tweaks, tttt - tweak data, fi rst 1 volume to character is a sign (+/-) last three are decimal digits WellMate Wait time: (xxx * Min. delay time = .002 10) mSEC (20mSEC) Possible values: Wait time = time that the 002–999...
  • Page 65 Appendices xxxxx Stage: Set Pulses per sec/range. Possible stage speed Standard (normal) operating values: Lowest number speed = XS01685. 00400– represents the 20000 fastest speed; highest number represents the slowest speed. Syntax DATA Function Comment Stage: Move Moves to specifi ed column. to “xx”...
  • Page 66 384-well microplate. Comment lines appear with asterisks at the beginning and end of the line. In the following commands: • Tx = Transmitted command from PC to WellMate instrument. • Rx = Response from WellMate instrument to PC. • Each “ACK” is an acknowledgement that a command has been received.
  • Page 67 Appendices *Response to command QA, which was sent after COM close command was sent, is error E99.* . C . . OK . . QA. . E99 . *COM open and COM close commands sent.* . O . . 2. 1, A1, B0, C1, D0, XW00+000 . .
  • Page 68 Appendices *Initializing* . R . . R . *Dispense into the reservoir and 384-well microplate; dispense vol. = 100μL. Wait 20mSEC before pump motor turns on and pump moves in dispense direction. NOTE: 0.025xxxxx = value inµl; e.g., P+04000 = 100μL to be dispensed into plate. * .X0X2P0XW01W002P+04000XW02W002 P+04000XW03W002P+04000XW04W002 P+04000XW05W002P+04000XW06W002...

  • Page 69: Wellmate Schematic

    Appendices 4. WellMate Schematic THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF MATRIX TECHNOLOGIES CORP. ANY DISTRIBUTION OF THIS DRAWING, DISCLOSURE OR USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, OR REPRODUCTION IN PART OR WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN...

  • Page 70: Customer Service

    We also appreciate your comments and suggestions for improving this manual. If you have any questions about your WellMate instrument, contact your equipment provider. If your instrument was provided by a distributor not listed here, contact that distributor.

  • Page 71: Warranty

    Parts subject to normal wear, such as tubing sets, are excluded. Do not try to service or repair a WellMate instrument under warranty before fi rst contacting your equipment provider. See page 65 for contact information.
  • Page 72 If you do not have the original shipping containers and package, you must purchase them. See the price list on the Matrix Technologies website at www.matrixtechcorp.com or contact your equipment provider. 4. Ship the returned material by 2-day air service.

  • Page 73: Packing List

    Packing List The following items have been provided with your WellMate system. Contact your equipment provider if items are missing. • Base unit • AC power cord • Two disposable 8-channel tube assemblies, with silicone-based tubing and polypropylene nozzles. One each of: •...

  • Page 74: List Of Replacement Parts And Accessories

    You can purchase additional tubing assemblies as well as other replacement parts and accessories for the WellMate instrument. See the latest price lists, contact your equipment provider, or check the product list on the Matrix Technologies website at www.matrixtechcorp.com. Item...
  • Page 75 Index Index 384-well plate, aligning for E02, 60 stackers, 32 E03, 60 96-well plate, aligning for E04, 60 stackers, 31 E99, 60 accessories, 69 plate type change, 44 adjust dispensing speed, 36 plate type change, RS-232 adjust stage X-position, 34 comm, 53-60 back step, 37, 38, 55 pump cover open, 44...
  • Page 76 Index nozzle-height spacer guide, small-bore tubing, using, 20 specifi cations, 10 operaterating manually, 33 specifi cations, 9 programmatic, 25 instrument, 4 Optical plate sensors, 8 small-bore tubing cartridge, 10 packing list, 68 stacker unit, 8 plate carriage. See stage standard-bore tubing, 9 plate setup specifi...
  • Page 77 Index standard bore, precision limit waste-fl uid vessel, attaching, for, 9 standard bore, specifi cations wells, plate, selecting for for, 9 fi ll, 26 wait time, between RS-232 X-axis stage position, 25, commands, 59 31, 34 warnings, 12 Y-axis arm, 3, 19, 32, 40, 68 warranty, 66 Y-axis stage, aligning for waste reservoir, 8, 17, 21...
  • Page 78 Notes ®...
  • Page 79 Notes...
  • Page 80 & WellMate Stacker Item Description Unit 201-10001 WellMate Microplate Dispenser Each 201-20001 WellMate Stacker Base Unit Each Removable Stacker Chimney, Tall *501-30005 Each (2 required) Removable Stacker Chimney, Short *501-30006 Each (2 required) 8-channel standard bore disposable tubing 201-30001 5 per Case...

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