System Startup/Shutdown v2.2

The System Startup/Shutdown utility consists of two protocols:

•	Startup. Prepares the AssayMAP Bravo Platform for use by:

–	Initializing the device if this is the first time the Startup utility is run after powering up the AssayMAP Bravo Platform.

–	Dispensing any remaining liquid in the syringes to the wash station.

Note: The w-axis (aspirate/dispense axis) is the up-and-down motion of the piston. The w-axis initialization results in emptying the syringes.

–	Priming the wash station lines.

–	Washing the syringes the specified number of wash cycles.

You should run Startup when you first start up the AssayMAP Bravo Platform, before running an AssayMAP Bravo application or utility if the Shutdown procedure was performed after the last AssayMAP run, or to return the AssayMAP Bravo to a known state.

•	Shutdown. Prepares the AssayMAP Bravo Platform for idle time by:

–	Washing the syringes the specified number of wash cycles.

–	Aspirating 200 µL of Syringe Storage Liquid into the syringes. The Syringe Storage Liquid prevents residual reagents from forming salts and corroding the syringe seals.

You should run Shutdown after every application protocol run, if the AssayMAP Bravo Platform will not be in use for at least 1 hour, and before turning off the device.

Before you start

Before you run the Startup protocol:

1	Check the liquid levels of the source and waste bottles for the wash station. Fill the source bottle and empty the waste bottle, as required.

Verify that the flip-top cover on each pump head is closed and that the tubing connections are secure.

Figure. Wash station fill line (A) and empty line (B)

 

2	Turn on the Pump Module and Peltier Thermal Station Controller.

3	Ensure the following items are in position on the AssayMAP Bravo deck:

•	96AM Wash Station or the later model 96 Channel Wash Station at deck location 1

•	Empty 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station at deck location 2

4	Turn on the AssayMAP Bravo Platform.

5	Open the System Startup/Shutdown utility.

Before you run the Shutdown protocol:

1	If more rigorous syringe washing is desired, run the Syringe Wash utility before running the Shutdown protocol. For instructions, see Syringe Wash v2.1.

2	Check the liquid levels of the source and waste bottles for the wash station. Fill the source bottle and empty the waste bottle, as required. Verify that the tubing connections are secure.

3	Ensure the following items are in position on the AssayMAP Bravo deck:

•	96AM Wash Station or the later model 96 Channel Wash Station at deck location 1

•	Empty 96AM Cartridge & Tip Seating Station at deck location 2

•	Optional. Acceptable reservoir containing an appropriate Syringe Storage Liquid at deck location 7

4	Open the System Startup/Shutdown utility.

 

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Accessing the System Startup/Shutdown utility

To access the Startup/Shutdown utility:

In the Utility Library, locate the System Startup/Shutdown utility, and then click Utility.

Note: To open the Utility Library. See Accessing a utility.

 

The following figure shows the interface for the System Startup/Shutdown utility.

 

 

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Running the Startup protocol

To run the Startup protocol:

1	In the Startup Options area of the AssayMAP Startup & Shutdown form, enter the values for the following properties:

 

Property	Description
Number of Syringe Wash Cycles	Specifies the number of syringe wash cycles that will be conducted at the wash station at deck location 1. Default: 3 Range: 0–10
Wash Station Prime Duration (sec)	Specifies how long (seconds) to run the wash station pumps in order to prime the tubing lines and wash station chimneys. If the tubing lines are dry, set this value to 60 seconds. Default: 10 Range: 0–300

2	Confirm that the physical layout on the AssayMAP Bravo deck matches the display in the Deck Layout area.

 

3	Click Run Startup.

•	If this is the first time the Startup utility has been run after powering up the AssayMAP Bravo Platform, the device initialization process begins. Proceed to step 4.

•	If the platform is already initialized, skip to step 6.

4	When the following message appears, click Ignore and Continue, leaving device in current state to proceed to initialize the grippers.

 

5	When the following message appears, click Ignore and Continue, leaving device in current state to delay initializing the w-axis. The w-axis will automatically initialize in a later step when the Bravo 96AM Head is positioned over the wash station at deck location 1.

 

When the initialization process is finished, the orange lights on the Bravo Platform light panel flicker briefly and then begin to flash.

The Bravo 96AM Head does the following:

•	Moves to deck location 2 and ejects the cartridges, if present.

•	Moves to the wash station at deck location 1 and initializes the w-axis, causing the fluid in the syringes to dispense into the wash station.

•	Washes the syringes the number of times that you specified in step 1.

The priming step begins after the syringe wash.

6	During the priming step, ensure that fluid flows out of the top of each chimney. Check for any damaged chimneys in the wash station.

Click Continue to complete the Startup protocol.

 

Troubleshooting problems	Probable cause and solution
Fluid does not flow out of a chimney.	A trapped air bubble can block the fluid flow out of a chimney. To clear the bubble: 1 Form a seal between the top of the problematic chimney and a 1000‑µL pipette, and then draw the liquid out at a medium speed. 2 Run the Startup protocol again to determine if the bubble was successfully removed. 3 Repeat if necessary.
Chimney deformity or irregularity	Chimney irregularities can result from a collision between the head and the wash station. For additional troubleshooting guidelines or to replace damaged chimneys, see the 96 Channel Wash Station Maintenance Guide.

When all the chimneys are flowing evenly, the device is ready for operation.

 

If you change the composition of the solution in the source bottle between runs, ensure that the tubing between the source bottle and the wash station fills with the new solution.

 

To troubleshoot errors, see the Error Recovery Guide and the Bravo Platform User Guide in the Literature Library page of the Protein Sample Prep Workbench.

 

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Running the Shutdown protocol

To run the Shutdown protocol:

1	In the Shutdown Options area of the AssayMAP Startup & Shutdown form, enter the values for the following properties:

 

Property	Description
Number of Syringe Wash Cycles	Specifies the number of syringe wash cycles to conduct at the wash station at deck location 1. Default: 3 Range: 0–10
Syringe Storage Liquid Source	Determines the location from which to aspirate the syringe storage liquid. The options are: • 96AM Wash Station. The liquid is aspirated from the chimneys of the wash station at deck location 1. • Syringe Storage Liquid. The liquid is aspirated from the labware that you specified at deck location 7. For this option, ensure that you: – Select the labware type for deck location 7 in the Labware Table area. – Provide the minimal volume overage required for the labware type being used, plus 200 µL per syringe. For the labware overage requirements, see the Labware Reference Guide (Workbench Literature Library page).

2	Confirm that the physical layout on the AssayMAP Bravo deck matches the display in the Deck Layout area.

 

3	Confirm that the labware on the AssayMAP Bravo deck match those in the Labware Table area.

4	Click . The shutdown process begins. You should observe the Bravo 96AM Head do the following:

•	Move to deck location 2 and eject the cartridges, if present.

•	Move to the wash station at deck location 1 and dispense the remaining fluid in the syringes.

•	Wash the syringes the number of times that you specified in step 1.

•	Aspirate 200 µL of Syringe Storage Solution into the syringes from the location that you specified in step 1.

5	When the protocol finishes:

a	Remove all labware from the AssayMAP Bravo deck.

b	Discard the excess Syringe Storage Liquid, if necessary.

c	Empty the waste bottle.

 

Make sure you discard the chemical waste according to your lab’s waste disposal procedures and in compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations.

 

6	If the AssayMAP Bravo Platform will remain unused overnight:

a	Exit the Protein Sample Prep Workbench.

b	Shut down and turn off the computer.

c	Turn off the Bravo Platform.

d	Turn off the accessories.

e	At the Pump Module, lift the flip-top cover on each pump head to prevent flattening the tubing and to help maximize the tubing life.

 

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Automation movements — Startup protocol

The following table lists the basic movements of the AssayMAP Bravo Platform during the Startup protocol.

 

Protocol	Head moves to deck location...	Action
Startup protocol	2	Ejects the cartridges, if present.
	1	Dispenses the remaining fluid at the wash station.
	1	Washes the syringes at the wash station for the specified number of wash cycles.
	2	Moves the Bravo 96AM Head to a safe height above deck location 2 to enable user observation of the wash station at deck location 1.
	1	Primes the wash line and fills the wash station with liquid from the wash buffer reservoir for the specified duration.
	1	Moves the Bravo 96AM Head to a safe height above deck location 1.

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Automation movements — Shutdown protocol

The following table lists the basic movements of the AssayMAP Bravo Platform during the Shutdown protocol.

 

Protocol	Head moves to deck location...	Action
Shutdown protocol	2	Ejects the cartridges or pipette tips, if present.
	1	Dispenses the remaining fluid at the wash station.
	1	Wash the syringes for the specified number of wash cycles, using 250 µL of DI water for each wash cycle.
	1	Fills the wash station with DI water.
	1 or 7	Aspirates 200 µL of DI water from the wash station into the syringes.
		Aspirates 200 µL of Syringe Storage Liquid from the reservoir at deck location 7 into the syringes.
	1	Moves the Bravo 96AM Head to a safe height above deck location 1.

 

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