AM Aspirate (Bravo)

Description

The AM Aspirate (Bravo) () task is designed for aspirating fluids through AssayMAP Bravo cartridges that are mounted on the Bravo 96AM Head.

 

Task is available for...	Task is available in...
Bravo Platform with Bravo 96AM Head	Main Protocol, Bravo Subprocess

The AM Aspirate (Bravo) task has the same task parameters as the Aspirate (Bravo) task, except for the following parameters:

•	Override aspirate flow rate from liquid class

Precise flow-rate control is critical for the performance of the AssayMAP Bravo cartridges. The option to override the aspirate flow rate (velocity) in the liquid class enables an operator to change the flow rate from experiment to experiment for rapid method development without modifying the liquid class. Likewise, the flow rate can vary for different AM Aspirate tasks that use the same liquid class in a given protocol.

•	Distance from well bottom (-20–100 mm)

The range includes negative values, which is critical for steps that require using the bare probes to aspirate from the top portion of unmounted cartridges.

Figure. Liquid class velocity setting in the Liquid Library Editor and flow rate override option

 

Task parameters

After adding the AM Aspirate task at the desired point in the protocol, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area.

 

 

 

 

Parameter	Description
Location, plate	The labware involved in the AM Aspirate task.
Location, location	The location at which the AM Aspirate task occurs. <auto-select> automatically places the labware at the first-available or appropriate location for the task. If accessories are installed on the deck, the software uses the accessory configuration information in Bravo Diagnostics to determine the correct location for the task.
Volume (µL)	The volume of liquid to be drawn into each probe, cartridge, or tip.
Pre-aspirate volume (µL)	The volume of air to be drawn before the probes, cartridges, or tips enter the liquid.
Post-aspirate volume (µL)	The volume of air to be drawn after the liquid is drawn.
Liquid class	The pipetting speed and accuracy. IMPORTANT To ensure consistent pipetting, always select a liquid class for liquid-handling tasks.
Override aspirate flow rate from liquid class	The option to override the aspirate velocity in the specified liquid class. Selecting this option enables you to specify a value for the aspirate flow rate without changing the liquid class.
Aspirate flow rate (0–500 µL/s)	The numerical value or the JavaScript variable that will override the aspirate velocity setting in the liquid class. A JavaScript variable enables the value to be assigned later. For example, using a VWorks form, an operator could easily change the flow rate for an aspirate step in increments from as low as 1 µL/min up to 2000 µL/min or more using the same liquid class. If the task is included in a VWorks macro, a JavaScript variable enables you to change the value for the task at the macro level. IMPORTANT The software requires that the flow rate value be in microliters per second (µL/s) at run time. If you want an operator to enter the value in microliters per minute (µL/min), you can use scripting to convert the values for the software to use.
Distance from well bottom (-20–100 mm)	The distance between the tips of the probes, cartridges, or disposable tips and the well bottoms during the AM Aspirate task. If you specify dynamic tip extension, this is the distance at the end of the AM Aspirate task. Use a positive number for tasks that are performed with mounted cartridges, mounted tips, or bare probes at labware other than a cartridge rack. If the task is performed in the upper cup of unmounted cartridges, you can use a negative number for the parameter value. In this case, the well bottom is the top of the cartridge cup, as shown in the following figure. For example, a negative number enables a cup wash step while the cartridges are in the cartridge rack before they are mounted on the Bravo 96AM Head. IMPORTANT You can use a negative number for this parameter only if the AM Aspirate task is performed in cartridges that are located in a cartridge rack. IMPORTANT The labware definition must be accurate and the teachpoint must be precise in order for the system to position the tips at the correct distance from the well bottom.
Dynamic tip extension (0–20 mm/µL)	The rate at which the Bravo 96AM Head moves during the AM Aspirate task. The software calculates the distance over which the tips will move without crashing. Use dynamic tip extension to prevent spills as the pipette tips displace the liquid. To move the tips: • At the same rate as the volume change. Calculate dynamic tip extension (DTE) as follows: DTE = (well depth)/(well vol) = 1/A, where A is the cross-sectional area of a well with straight walls • Faster than the volume change. DTE > 1/A • Slower than the volume change. DTE < 1/A The starting and ending positions can be calculated as follows: (Vaspirated * DTE) + Distancewell bottom Note: Instead of a negative aspirated volume, the software automatically moves downward toward the well bottom with each aspirate action.
Well selection	The wells at which the AM Aspirate task occurs. Click in the parameter box, and then click the Browse button to select the wells in the Well Selection dialog box. Use this parameter only if the Bravo 96AM Head has fewer tips than the number of wells in the microplate, or if you are in single-row or single-column mode.
Pipette technique	The pipette location offset you want to use for the AM Aspirate task. The list of pipette techniques are defined in the Pipette Technique Editor.
Perform tip touch	The option to touch the pipette tip on one or more sides of the well.
Which sides to use for tip touch	The side or sides of the well to use during tip touch: North, South, East, West, North/South, West/East, West/East/South/North.
Tip touch retract distance (–20 to 50 mm)	The vertical distance for the pipette tips to rise before touching the sides of the wells.
Tip touch horizontal offset (–5 to 5 mm)	The horizontal distance the tips move. The value is based on the well diameter specified by the labware definition. For example, if you set a value of: • 0, the tips move a horizontal distance equal to the well radius • > 0, the tips attempt to move past the well radius, which results in a more forceful tip touch • < 0, the tips move a distance less than the radius of the well, resulting in a lighter tip touch

 

 

Quadrant pattern well selection

A quadrant is an evenly spaced array of locations that are accessible by the tips on a pipette head.

IMPORTANT For the Bravo 96AM Head, the quadrant pattern option is available only if you are using 384-well microplates.

 

 

Instead of a column- or row-wise pattern, you can select a quadrant pattern during well selection.

The quadrant pattern option is available only if:

•	The number of channels in the pipette head (or pins in a pin tool) is fewer than the number of wells in the microplate. For example, you can use a 96-channel pipette head to dispense liquid into a 384-well microplate or 1536-well microplate.

•	All the channels are selected in the Set Head Mode task when using a pipette head. (The Set Head Mode task is not an option when using a pin tool).

•	The liquid-handling task is inside a loop.

IMPORTANT If you select a quadrant pattern, specifications in the Well Selection dialog box will override task.Wellselection values assigned in the Advanced Settings area.

To select a quadrant pattern:

1	In the Task Parameters area, click the Well selection parameter box, and then click the Browse button. The Well Selection dialog box opens. By default, the Normal well selection option is selected. This option is used for column- and row-wise liquid-handling patterns.

 

2	Select Quadrant pattern in a loop. The contents of the dialog box change. Notice the following:

•	Red numbers (1 through 4) appear on wells A1, A2, B1, and B2. The numbers indicate the pipetting sequence: 1 is the starting well, and 4 is the last well. In the following example, the sequence is A1, A2, B1, B2.

•	Green wells indicate the starting well in the pipetting sequence.

•	Pattern buttons at the bottom of the dialog box indicate the movement of the pipette channels. The movement description is provided in the text box above the buttons.

Note: The last two patterns are unavailable if a group contains 16 wells. For example, the last two patterns are not available if you have a 96-well pipette head and a 1536-well microplate.

 

3	Select the starting well. The well becomes green and is labeled 1.

In the following example, the third quadrant (B1 well) is selected.

 

4	Click a pattern button to specify the pipette channel movement. After you click a pattern, the red numbers in the graphic are updated to show the sequence.

In the following example, the second pattern is selected (right-to-left, then top-to-bottom). The third quadrant (B1) is the starting well. The resulting movement is:

Quadrant 3 (B1)

Quadrant 2 (A2)

Quadrant 1 (A1)

Quadrant 4 (B2)

 

5	When you are finished, click OK to save the changes and return to the VWorks window.

 

 

Example: Allowing an operator to change the aspirate flow rate using an edit control on a VWorks form

Goal

Allow an operator to change the aspirate flow rate easily from run to run without modifying the liquid class.

Implementation

In the protocol, the AM Aspirate task is added. In the task parameters, the Override aspirate flow rate from liquid class check box is selected, and the Aspirate flow rate is specified as a variable, for example =AspFlowRate.

In the VWorks form, an edit control is added for the aspirate flow rate using the =AspFlowRate variable. The operator can enter values within a specified range in the form and run the protocol using the form. For details on how to design VWorks forms to run protocols, see Creating protocol forms for operators.

Figure. Flow rate parameter as JavaScript variable that appears as edit control in a VWorks form

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Using the Bravo 96AM Head	Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform User Guide
AM Dispense task	AM Dispense (Bravo)
Aspirate task	Aspirate (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)
Dispense task	Dispense (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)
AM Cartridges On	AM Cartridges On (Bravo)
AM Cartridges Off	AM Cartridges Off (Bravo)
Task macros	Using macros to create protocols
Protocol forms	Creating protocol forms for operators
Using JavaScript variables	Using simple variables