Thermo Scientific Multidrop® 384 - Lab Equipment, Industrial ...

6.7 How to prime
Chapter 6: Routine Operation
Note: Ensure that the instrument is sufficiently level on the table to prevent liquids from
overspilling when priming.
Note: Ensure that the liquid temperature is close to the calibration temperature of 22°C.
Differences greater than ± 2°C will cause an error in the results.
Note: Silicon tubing (silicon rubber) is resistant to a number of chemical liquids. Most
water solutions typically used in a medical laboratory can be dispensed with the Multidrop
384. Some strong substances may, however, harm the silicone tubing and cause swelling
or breaking. If the substance has even a slight effect on silicone, the calibration of the
cassette may be affected and the cassette may become unusable.
1. Place the eight tube ends into the same liquid reservoir or into different reservoirs taking care
that all tube ends are below the liquid level. Use the tubing weight provided if possible.
2. Check that the priming vessel is firmly inserted next to the plate carrier. The Multidrop 384 will
not operate if the priming vessel is not completely inserted into its slot.
3. Press the prime/drop key until all eight channels are dispensing continuously into the priming
vessel and there are no more air bubbles in the tubes. It is recommended you fill the priming
vessel two or three times with the reagent to be used before starting the actual dispensing in
order to bring the tubes into working condition.
6.8 Dispensing
Note: If you press the prime/drop key at the same time as the rotor cover is pulled over
the rotor, the program enters into the volumetric calibration mode.
Note: You can empty the contents of the priming vessel back into the reagent reservoir by
pulling the priming vessel out of its slot if necessary. It is recommended you do this if you
use expensive reagents. Therefore, wash the priming vessel always after each use to
avoid any cross contamination. If you use several liquids at the same time in different rows,
you can order a special eight-cavity priming vessel for this purpose to prevent mixing the
liquids. Also a self-draining (flow-through) priming vessel is available. Refer to section 11.4
Priming vessels (consumables).
6.8.1 How to dispense automatically
1. Set the required reagent volume per well. The permitted volume range is 5 ― 100 µl for 384-well
plates and 5 ― 395 µl for 96-well plates.
2. Set the required number of columns to be dispensed per plate.
3. Place the microplate onto the plate carrier equipped with a suitable plate adapter. Refer to
section 6.4 How to insert and adjust the plate adapter.
4. Press the prime/drop key to prime the tubes. Refer to section 6.7 How to prime.
Thermo Scientific Multidrop ® 384 User Manual; Rev. 3.4, Cat. no. 1507010 32