MSD SECTOR Image 2400, Instrument Manual

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Using the SECTOR Imager 39
Using the SECTOR Imager
6
This chapter explains how to prepare and load single or multiple MULTI-ARRAY plates for typical use with SECTOR Imagers.
Additional information is provided to integrate the instrument with an external, third-party robotic system. Please refer to the
DISCOVERY WORKBENCH User Guide for detailed instructions on running MULTI-ARRAY plates on the SECTOR Imager system.
NOTE: This section assumes that a qualified MSD service engineer has installed and configured the instrument, and that the user
has run a demonstration plate as described in the previous section.
6.1 Single Plate Run
To run a single MULTI-ARRAY plate, place the single plate adaptor in the right stacker interface (Section 3.5 SECTOR Imager
Instrument ).
The right stacker interface can act as both input and output locations. If not using the output (left) interface, place the stacker cover
plate over it. The SECTOR Imager will pull and eject plates from/to the input (right) interface. The SECTOR Imager 2400A has a stacker
cover plate preinstalled on the output side and is configured to automatically pull and eject plates from/to the input (right) interface.
If using the output side, install a second single plate adaptor or a stack tube on the output (left) stacker interface plate. The SECTOR
Imager (except the SECTOR Imager 2400A) will automatically pull plates from the right side and eject plates into the left side.
 If the stacker cover plate is present on the output stack, remember to select the Return Plates to Input Stack
checkbox so that the SECTOR Imager will not attempt to place the plate into the covered stack at the end of the
read. (The SECTOR Imager 2400A is configured to automatically Return Plates to the input stacker port.)
Prepare the MULTI-ARRAY plate using the required reagents per the assay protocol. Place the plate into the single plate adapter.
Sensors within the instrument will automatically identify the plate orientation and compensate the data acquisition and analysis
accordingly. Per the detailed instructions in the DISCOVERY WORKBENCH User Guide, configure the options in DISCOVERY
WORKBENCH and run the plate.
6.2 Stack Run—Multiple Plates
Multiple plates may be loaded into SECTOR Imager 6000 and SECTOR Imager 2400 instruments using the standard or high-capacity
stack tubes (
Figure 3:4 ). SECTOR Imagers read plates from the bottom of the stack tube. (The SECTOR Imager 2400A does not use
stack tubes.)
6.2.1
Loading the Stack Tube
Prepare MULTI-ARRAY plates using the required reagents per the assay protocol.
To load prepared plates into the stack tube:
1. Stack plates on a stable surface.
2. Place the stack of plates on top of an extra, standard 96-well MULTI-ARRAY plate. This extra plate serves as a spacer for
loading (
Figure 6:1 ).