Molecular Devices SpectraMax L User Manual
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Molecular Devices SpectraMax L User Manual

Luminescence microplate reader
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SpectraMax® L
Luminescence Microplate Reader
User Guide
0112-0174 C
October 2018

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Summary of Contents for Molecular Devices SpectraMax L

  • Page 1 SpectraMax® L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 0112-0174 C October 2018...
  • Page 2 For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. These trademarks may not be used in any type of promotion or advertising without the prior written permission of Molecular Devices, LLC. Patents: http://www.moleculardevices.com/patents...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Safety Information Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips Chapter 1: Introduction Instrument Features Computer Integration PMT Technology Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Unpacking the Instrument Assembling the Injectors Installing the Filters Installing the Barcode Reader Installing the Software Changing the Plate Aperture Chapter 3: Getting Started Software Ribbon Instrument Calibration...

  • Page 4: Safety Information

    Safety Information Information about the safe use of the instrument from Molecular Devices® includes an understanding of the user-attention statements in this guide, the safety labels on the instrument, precautions to follow before you operate the instrument, and precautions to follow while you operate the instrument.
  • Page 5 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Electrical Safety To prevent electrical injuries and property damage, inspect all electrical equipment before use and report all electrical deficiencies. Contact Molecular Devices technical support for equipment service that requires the removal of covers or panels. WARNING! HIGH VOLTAGE.
  • Page 6 Safety Information Moving Parts Safety The instrument contains moving parts that can cause injury. Under normal conditions, the instrument is designed to protect you from these moving parts. WARNING! If the instrument is used in a manner not specified by Molecular Devices, the protection provided by the equipment might be impaired.

  • Page 7: Chapter 1: Introduction

    Chapter 1: Introduction The extreme flexibility and high sensitivity of the SpectraMax L instrument makes it ideal for applications within the fields of biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbiology. Typical applications include luciferase reporter gene, ATP, , aequorin, and ELISAs.

  • Page 8: Instrument Features

    SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Kinetic: The instrument collects data over time with multiple reads taken in the center of each well at regular intervals. Each well can receive multiple injections and reads. You can specify single injections, followed by single reads, for multiple time points.

  • Page 9: Computer Integration

    Chapter 1: Introduction Computer Integration Each Molecular Devices microplate reader is shipped with a license key for the SoftMax® Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software that you install on the computer that you use to operate the instrument. The SoftMax Pro Software provides integrated instrument control, data display, and statistical data analysis.
  • Page 10 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide PMT Modes The instrument can read PMT values in the following modes: Operating Modes Mode Recommended Use Benefits Dynamic Target Range Calibration (RLU) Wavelength Required Analog Very bright assays. Uses low PMT voltage...

  • Page 11: Chapter 2: Setting Up The Instrument

    Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Before you unpack and set up the SpectraMax L Microplate Reader instrument, prepare a dry, flat work area away from direct sunlight, dust, drafts, vibration, and moisture. Remember to leave sufficient space for the instrument, computer, and required cables.
  • Page 12 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Package Contents for Base Instrument Continued Illustration Part Number Description 8500-1559 M2 Hex Wrench 9000-0133 SpectraMax® Mouse Pad 9000-0972 Package of 5 sample microplates 2400-2464 Dust Cover 5000505 CE Declaration of Conformity 5019680...
  • Page 13 Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Additional Package Contents for Other Instrument Configurations Illustration Part Number Description 4400-0002 or Injector module 4400-0036 Power cord, 115 V or Power cord, 230 V 4200-0900 Injector module Power supply adapter 0310-5238 Waste drain hose 0700-0861 Injector module communication cable 9000-0964...
  • Page 14 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Additional Package Contents for Other Instrument Configurations (continued) Illustration Part Number Description 0310-5705 Tip extractor 5000592 Diagram, Assembly, Canopy and Tray 0310-5677 Barcode reader For a complete list of the contents of the package, see the enclosed packing list.

  • Page 15: Unpacking The Instrument

    Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Unpacking the Instrument The packaging is designed to protect the instrument during transportation. Retain the container and the packing materials for future transport needs. Do not use tools that can damage the packaging or the instrument. CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if improper packing results in damage to the instrument.
  • Page 16 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide CAUTION! Do not touch or loosen any screws or parts other than those specifically described in the instructions. Doing so may cause misalignment and voids the instrument warranty. To unpack the instrument: 1. Check the box for visible damage that occurred during transportation. In case of damage, inform the supplier immediately and keep the damaged packaging.

  • Page 17: Assembling The Injectors

    Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument 8. If the instrument configuration includes an injector module, insert one end of the injector module power supply into the injector module power port on the back of the injector module and the other end into the power cord. Then plug the power cord into a grounded electrical outlet.
  • Page 18 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Injector Ports - Base Configuration Instrument Item Name Description Connection for tubing from the P-reagent bottle. Controlled by P-injector commands in the Reagent SoftMax Pro Software. If plate settings include both a P-injection and a M-injection, the P- injection occurs before the M-injection.

  • Page 19: Installing The Filters

    Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Installing the Filters If you intend to run wavelength-dependent assays, perform the following steps to install filters in the instrument. Required tools: M2 hex wrench Slotted screwdriver Powder-free latex or nitrile gloves To install the filters: 1.
  • Page 20 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 5. Loosen the two flat head screws that secure the filter cover plate to the detector. Detector With Filter Cover Plate Attached Item Name Detector Filter cover plate Flat head screws Detector adapter 6.

  • Page 21: Installing The Barcode Reader

    Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument Installing the Barcode Reader When your instrument configuration includes a barcode reader, the label on the plate must be in the landscape position. To install the barcode reader: 1. Power off the instrument. 2. Loosen the captive screws on the front of the instrument and then raise the top cover up and over the instrument.
  • Page 22 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide To manually change the aperture: 1. In the SoftMax Pro Software, select the Operation tab and click Change Aperture to display a message. 2. Remove any plate from the plate drawer. 3. Loosen the captive screws on the front of the instrument and raise the top cover.

  • Page 23: Chapter 3: Getting Started

    Acquisition and analysis User Guide for more information. Software Ribbon In the SoftMax Pro Software, the SpectraMax L has a unique set of icons on the Ribbon. For a description of each setting, see the SoftMax Pro Software application help.

  • Page 24: Instrument Calibration

    SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Change Aperture - Displays a message when the instrument is ready for you to change the plate aperture from 96-well plates to 384-well plates or vice-versa. The instrument configuration has either a manual aperture or an automatic aperture. For the manual aperture configuration you must use the Change Aperture command when you switch plate formats.
  • Page 25 Chapter 3: Getting Started Auto Calculation This option enables you to use your own assay materials for calibration and have the software automatically calculate a PMT calibration factor. To use auto calculation: 1. Remove any plate from the plate drawer. 2.

  • Page 26: Chapter 4: Protocols

    The SoftMax Pro Software enables you to define the settings required to run protocols on the instrument. The following is a high-level description of the basic workflow to read a plate in a SpectraMax L instrument. For details about the SoftMax Pro Software, see the application online help.
  • Page 27 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 4. Select an option: Select Wash From Wash Bottle to draw the wash liquid from the wash tubing. Select Wash From Reagent Bottle to draw the wash liquid from the reagent tubing. 5. Select the Empty Lines After Wash check box to drain the wash lines.

  • Page 28: Protocol Settings

    To define protocol settings: 1. Start the SoftMax Pro Software. 2. Select the SpectraMax L instrument. Note: When the computer is not physically connected to an instrument, you can select Offline or Simulator On to create documents for later use.
  • Page 29 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 9. Select the Sensitivity category. a. Click the PMT Settings drop-down: Select Auto Range to combine the benefit of both Analog Only (at a higher range) and Photon Counting modes. PMT signals are simultaneously converted to both analog current and digital pulses to achieve high sensitivity and wide dynamic range.
  • Page 30 Chapter 4: Protocols 10. Select the Timing category. For the Endpoint read type, in the Integration Time field, enter the number of seconds required for well measurement. For the Dual Read type, select Normal if the integration times for the read following the P-injection and the M-injection are the same and enter the number of seconds required for well measurement or select Separate if the integration times for the read following the P-injection and the M-injection are different.

  • Page 31: Powering Off The Instrument

    SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 14. Select the PMT Selections category and then select an option: Select Default PMT Selection to use all onboard PMTs to do the read. Select Manual PMT Selection and then select the check box for each PMT to use for the read.

  • Page 32: Chapter 5: Maintenance

    Chapter 5: Maintenance Perform only the maintenance tasks described in this guide. Contact a Molecular Devices service engineer to inspect and perform a preventive maintenance service on the instrument each year. Before operating the instrument or performing maintenance operations, make sure you are familiar with the safety information in this guide.

  • Page 33: Replacing Injector Tips

    SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Replacing Injector Tips Replace the injector tips if performance deteriorates or you suspect contamination. The instrument can use either metal or plastic tips. Required tools: Tip Extractor Tip: Instruments with the automatic aperture switch option can use either a metal or plastic injector tip.
  • Page 34 Chapter 5: Maintenance 4. Remove the injector tip. Metal - Insert the magnetic end of the tip extractor into the injector port and then pull the injector tip and attached adapter out of the port. Plastic - Insert the pointed end of the tip extractor into the injector port and then pull the adapter out of the port.
  • Page 35 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Metal Tip and Adapter Plastic Tip and Adapter 5. Replace the injector tip. Metal - Install the replacement injector tip in the adapter. Make sure the white end of the injector tip fits inside the injector adapter.

  • Page 36: Replacing Injector Tubing

    Chapter 5: Maintenance Replacing Injector Tubing To deliver reagent, the injectors uses peristaltic pumps. Peristaltic pump systems use rotors with rollers that compress and relax flexible tubing. Reagent enters the relaxed tubing and is then pushed through as the rotating roller compresses the tubing. Alternate relaxing and compressing of the tubing results in a continuous stream of reagent passing through the tubing.
  • Page 37 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide 2. Open the injector pump access door. Injector Pump With Access Door Opened Item Name Retaining stop Pump wheel Injector pump access door 3. To remove the tubing from the pump housing, pull the retaining stop away from the injector, and then disconnect the ends of the tubing from the barbed fittings.
  • Page 38 4. Power on the instrument. 5. Power on the control computer. 6. Click Start > Programs > Molecular Devices > SoftMax Pro. 7. Prime the injectors. See Priming Injectors on page 8. Prime the injectors two more times to check for leaks at the reagent ports.
  • Page 39 SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Injector Accuracy Test This gravimetric method tests the accuracy of the injection volume. The method is based on the weight of water dispensed from the injector. Weigh the plate using an electronic balance with an accuracy of 0.01 grams. Because water injected into the plate evaporates, the plate should be sealed following the injection process.
  • Page 40 Chapter 5: Maintenance Calibrate Injectors To calibrate the injectors: 1. In the SoftMax Pro Software, select the Operations tab and click Injector Tubing to display the Injectors Pump Tubing dialog. 2. Click the Associated PMTs drop-down and select PMT pair to display the following information.

  • Page 41: Chapter 6: Before You Move The Instrument

    BIOHAZARD. It is your responsibility to decontaminate components of the instrument before you request service by a service engineer or you return parts to Molecular Devices for repair. Molecular Devices does not accept items that have not been decontaminated where applicable to do so. If parts are returned, they must be enclosed in a sealed plastic bag that states that the contents are safe to handle and are not contaminated.

  • Page 42: Packing The Instrument

    SpectraMax L Luminescence Microplate Reader User Guide Packing the Instrument To minimize the possibility of damage during storage or shipment, the instrument should be repacked in the original packaging materials. CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if improper packing results in damage to the instrument.

  • Page 43: Chapter 7: Opening The Drawer Manually

    Chapter 7: Opening the Drawer Manually Do the following if the plate drawer fails to open when you press the Drawer button or when you click Open Drawer in the SoftMax Pro Software. Required tool: Carriage puller 1. Power off the instrument, wait five seconds, and then power on the instrument. If the plate drawer does not open, complete the following steps.

  • Page 44: Obtaining Support

    7. Lower the top cover and tighten the captive screws. Obtaining Support Molecular Devices is a leading worldwide manufacturer and distributor of analytical instrumentation, software, and reagents. We are committed to the quality of our products and to fully supporting our customers with the highest level of technical service.

  • Page 45: Appendix A: Instrument Specifications

    Appendix A: Instrument Specifications Table A-1: Instrument Specifications Performance Base Configuration Multiple Detectors Detector Low-noise photomultiplier tube with simultaneous photon Same as base counting and analog mode configuration Spectral 380-630 nm Same as base range configuration Limit of < 20 attomol ATP per well Same as base detection configuration...

  • Page 46: Appendix B: Electromagnetic Compatibility

    Appendix B: Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulatory for Canada (ICES/NMB-001:2006) This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001. Cet appareil ISM est confomre à la norme NMB-001 du Canada. ISM Equipment Classification (Group 1, Class A) This equipment is designated as scientific equipment for laboratory use that intentionally generate and/or use conductively coupled radio-frequency energy for internal functioning, and are suitable for use in all establishments, other than domestic and those directly connected to a low voltage power supply network which supply buildings used...
  • Page 47 The trademarks used herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. ©2018 Molecular Devices, LLC. Specifications subject to change without notice. Patents: www.moleculardevices.com/productpatents All rights reserved. FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES...

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