Molecular Devices FLIPR Tetra, User Manual

Page: 237 / 302

FLIPR
®
Tetra High Throughput Cellular Screening System User Guide
0112-0109 H 237
Instrument Startup
When the instrument is powered on, it performs a series of initialization
steps which may take several minutes. These steps include:
• Configuring the camera
• Initializing the pipettor
• Initializing the plate handler and automatic door (if included)
• Determining and checking the installed LEDs
• Determining the installed emission filters
• Initializing the tip washer
• Communicating with the chiller
By default, the instrument will be in manual mode upon startup. In this
mode, the main manual access door is unlocked, the outer automated
door is closed, and the
TETRAcycler is moved outside the instrument, above the automation
landing pad. As long as the instrument is in manual mode, the outer
automated door and plate handler will not move from these positions
(except during an instrument reset).
Software Startup
In order to use the instrument, the host computer must be started and
ScreenWorks Software must be run. ScreenWorks Software will
establish communication with the instrument and determine the
instrument status and configuration. The instrument status and
configuration can be determined by looking at the Instrument Status
toolbar. This toolbar has two tabs. The Instrument Status tab shows
the current instrument status including the status of assays in
progress. The Instrument Config tab shows which LED modules,
emission filters, and heads are installed.
Protocol Creation
The user must create assay protocols in manual mode. They do not
need to load these protocols prior to placing the instrument into remote
mode, but any protocol that will be used in remote mode must be
created and saved with a valid protocol file name prior to entering
remote mode.
Users should test all protocols in manual mode prior to attempting to
run them in remote mode.
Instrument Setup
Prior to placing the instrument into remote mode, the user may want to
load tips or plates into the instrument. These actions may be performed
in remote mode but in certain conditions it is advisable to do this
through the main manual door prior to entering remote mode.