Reservoirs and wash trays for autofilling

 

 

About this topic

This topic describes the following reservoirs and wash stations that can be automatically filled and emptied using the Pump Module:

•	Agilent Auto Filling Reservoir

•	Agilent Tip Wash Station (formerly known as the MicroWash Reservoir)

•	Agilent Open Wash Reservoir

Agilent reservoirs are approved for use with most reagents and solvents. If you have questions on the use of a particular chemical or solvent, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support before use.

Auto Filling Reservoir

The Auto Filling Reservoir is an open tray that can be installed on a platepad or a Weigh Station for precision liquid-level control. The reservoir can supply reagents to single-channel pipettors and multichannel pipette heads.

Figure. Auto Filling Reservoir

 

 

Item	Description
1	Inlet ports. Connects to the input tubing from the Pump Module that fills the reservoir.
2	Outlet port. Connects to the output tubing from the Pump Module that empties the reservoir.
3	Overflow drain. Uses gravity to drain excess fluid.

When properly configured in the automation software, the Pump Module automatically fills and drains the Auto Filling Reservoir. As the figure shows, two inlet ports are available to supply reagents to the reservoir. An outlet port is used to pump the waste and excess fluid from the reservoir. An overflow drain port can also be connected to drain the excess fluid. If the overflow port is not connected, it must be plugged.

Tip Wash Station

The Tip Wash Station is available in 96‑chimney or 384-chimney formats.

Figure. Tip Wash Station: 96‑chimney (left) and 384-chimney (right)

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Item	Description
1	Inlet ports. Fills the wash station. Liquid flows up through the chimneys.
2	Outlet ports. Empties the wash station. The overflow of the chimneys flows out through the two upper output ports.

You can use the 96- and 384-chimney Tip Wash Stations with any of the Agilent 96-channel pipette heads. However, the 384-channel pipette head is limited to the 384-chimney Tip Wash Station.

Note: The AssayMAP Bravo Platform uses a 96-chimney Tip Wash Station that is scaled for the 96AM head as part of the AssayMAP Bravo Platform.

 

CAUTION Attempting to use the 384-channel pipette head with a Tip Wash Station other than the 384-chimney format can cause equipment damage.

Make sure the pipette tips do not touch the bottom of the Tip Wash Station. To adjust the distance from the bottom, you can set parameters in the automation software. For instructions, see the user documentation for the device automation software.

 

CAUTION To prevent potential damage to the tips, ensure that the pipette tips do not touch the bottom of a reservoir.

The chimneys in the wash station prevent carryover and reduce contamination. The Pump Module pumps wash liquid into the Tip Wash Station through two inlet ports. The wash liquid flows up through the chimneys in the Tip Wash Station to wash the tips. The waste overflows from the chimneys and is removed through two outlet ports.

The Tip Wash Station can be installed on a platepad or on a Vertical Pipetting Station shelf. Optionally, the Tip Wash Station can be used on a Weigh Station or Weigh Shelf for precision liquid-level control.

 

Open Wash Reservoir

The Open Wash Reservoir is an open tray that can be installed on a platepad or on a Vertical Pipetting Station shelf. For precision liquid-level control, you can install the Open Wash Reservoir on a Weigh Station or Weigh Shelf.

 

CAUTION Vertical Pipetting Station only. Ensure that the baffles are installed in the reservoir to prevent potential splashing when the shelf moves.

Figure. Open Wash Reservoir

 

 

Item	Description	Overflow mode	Fill and empty mode
1	Inlet ports	Connected to input (fill) tubing	Connected to input (fill) tubing
2	Outlet ports	Connected to output (empty) tubing	Plugged
3	Bottom center port	Plugged	Connected to output (empty) tubing

When properly configured in the automation software, the Pump Module automatically fills and drains the reservoir. The Open Wash Reservoir can be set up to run in either of two modes:

•	Overflow mode. Fresh wash solution enters the reservoir from the two inlet ports (1), overflows into the overflow trough, and is pumped through the two outlet ports (2) to waste.

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Fill and empty mode. Fresh wash solution enters the reservoir from the two inlet ports (1), but is drained via the bottom center port (3). In this mode the reservoir is filled and emptied one or more times between each wash cycle. The reservoir design ensures maximal emptying to reduce the contamination load in the wash fluid between each cycle.

 

 

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Weigh Shelf	Installing and calibrating a Weigh Shelf
Connecting the Pump Module	Setting up a Pump Module
Configuring the autofilling functions	Configuring the autofilling function