What do these products do in this instrument?
Multiport rotary valves: sample, reagent and wash-fluid source selection
Use multiport selection where several liquid sources or destinations must connect to the metering branch. Define which routes may share wetted sections and where old liquid is discharged before a new sample or reagent is delivered to a cuvette.
MRV3 selects sources or destinations and requires a port-state diagram and shared-volume budget. Port count indicates routing options; confirm pressure in each state and independent simultaneous supply requirements separately.
Choose ports from source and destination states
List the required sample, reagent, wash and maintenance connections, including the state needed while the pump aspirates or dispenses. A selectable source is not an independent simultaneous supply path. If two tasks must run together, determine whether the proposed internal connection structure and shared metering branch permit that schedule before choosing a port count.
Further technical reading
Trade shared plumbing against changeover liquid and time
A shared valve-to-probe segment reduces separate tubing but retains the previous liquid after source selection. Establish which switching combinations matter to the assay and where their displacement or cleaning liquid will go. If the permitted sequence cannot clear a shared segment before the next dose, reconsider the route or use a dedicated path rather than assuming another valve command solves the residue.
Translate actual branch conditions into configuration requirements
| Condition | To confirm |
|---|---|
| Operating states | Map source, destination, metering action and permitted pressure for sampling, reagent addition and cleaning, including maintenance positions. |
| Shared-section budget | Identify the retained segment and discharge destination for each relevant change of liquid, with its required renewal and time allowance. |
| Concurrent tasks | Compare requested simultaneous operations with the real port connections and shared resources; include shutoff leakage and power-loss handling. |
| Operation | Specific operating conditions |
|---|---|
| Sample, reagent and wash-path switching | Sample/reagent/wash port map, metering sequence, shared-path volume, intended displacement destination, state pressures and tasks requested at the same time |
Compare product configurations by the roles on this page
| Product | Configuration option | Conditions to verify |
|---|---|---|
| MRV3 multiport rotary valve | Multiple-source selection | Compare 10-, 16- and 24-port options and port diagrams; verify high-pressure suitability separately |
Explore specific operating and validation tasks
Sample, reagent and wash-path switching
A port-state table should include pump actions, receiving containers and permissible pressure. Shared residue remains after the valve reaches position; the next liquid and assay residue requirements determine whether and how much to flush.
Confirm product roles in actual operation
| Operation | Measurements and observations | Priority checks |
|---|---|---|
| Sample, reagent and wash-path switching | Exercise the intended source changes with the actual metering sequence. Verify the selected connection, new-liquid arrival and residue at the receiver, including the first dose after washing or replenishment. | A confirmed valve position may still leave old liquid downstream. Investigate unintended connections, leakage and incomplete renewal before changing the metered amount. |
Choose the valve configuration from the required connection states and accepted changeover sequence. Validate liquid delivery at the cuvette after switching, while the linked task page defines the detailed operating procedure.
When should two reagent sources use separate paths instead of one selector?
Consider separation when the assay cannot tolerate their shared residue, the available changeover liquid or time is inadequate, or the tasks require independent simultaneous supply. Compare those constraints with the actual valve and drive connections rather than port count alone.
The assay determines sample suitability; full-scale metering specifications cannot replace small-dose and complete-instrument results.