16
B). Correct positioning of the capillaries on the tray is ensured by the capillary chip
format.
Place the chip onto the thermal element with the capillaries facing upward (see
Use the number
imprinted on the chip for orientation, for example to load your sample
number 1. Use the symbols next to the thermal element for correct chip placement. It is
recommended to place the capillary chip with the imprinted number
toward the user, since
the c
apillary closest to the user will be designated “capillary 1” by the software.
The arrow imprinted on the chip indicates the capillary type. An arrow pointing upward (toward
the
) designates standard capillaries while an arrow pointing left (away from the capillaries)
designates high sensitivity capillaries. See 3.2 for recommendations on which capillaries to
use.
Next, place the lid slowly and evenly inside of the guiding structures (see
weight of the lid holds the capillaries in place. Slight movements of the lid (and the capillary
chip) inside of the guiding structures are normal and will not affect the measurement.
CAUTION:
Careless, hasty or diagonal placement of the lid can lead to damage of capillaries
or the thermal element. Keep hands away from the instrument when closing the sample
drawer. Especially, be careful not to get caught between capillary lid and instrument, since this
can lead to injury and instrument damage. If necessary, push the ‘Cancel’ button on the touch
display of the instrument to stop the drawer from closing.
Figure 4:
Manual sample loading for the Prometheus NT.Plex. (A) When placed correctly, the plastic chip structure
frames the thermal element and the capillaries rest on top of the thermal element. The metal lid is then placed
slowly and evenly inside of the guiding structures, with the rubber padding securing the capillaries in place. The red
arrow indicates the imprinted number
on the capillary chip. (B) The Capillary Chip Filling Station is recommended
for manual loading of capillary chips from microtiter plates.
3.2.3. Automated Sample Loading for the Prometheus NT.Plex
The Prometheus NT.Plex instrument can be coupled with the NT.Robotic Autosampler for
automated sample loading. For details, please see the NT.Robotic Autosampler manual.