What do these products do in this instrument?
Sampling probes: sample or reagent container interfaces
Aspirate and deliver to reaction vessels in probe-based architectures, coordinated with metering drive and probe washing. Evaluate tip geometry, droplets and cleaning after source changes together.
Custom sampling probes connect source containers to receiving positions. Diameter, tip, surface and interface depend on sample and container. Tip geometry must work with metering drive and motion sequences.
Wash probes: wash addition and aspiration while retaining solid phase
Form supply or aspiration interfaces at separation-washing stations. In magnetic-bead architectures, define height with magnetic capture and container geometry, balancing residual-liquid removal against solid-phase retention.
Custom wash probes form the container interface for wash-fluid entry or residual-liquid extraction. Confirm supply coverage, aspiration height and drainage timing together with actual container shape.
Match component geometry to actual containers
Sampling and wash probes must fit container openings, bottoms, minimum levels and motion strokes. Record actual contact surfaces and permitted positions before defining tips, interfaces and motion space; appearance alone is insufficient for selection.
Further technical reading
Evaluate interfaces by receiving or cleaning results
At the source, check reachable positions and low remaining volume; at the receiver, check actual volume, droplets or permitted residue. Test wetted-surface maintenance and recovery for the next container during consecutive operation. Reconfirm position and delivery after changing probes, tubing length or containers.
Translate actual branch conditions into configuration requirements
| Condition | To confirm |
|---|---|
| Container and position | Provide opening, bottom, minimum level, positioning error and available motion space. |
| Liquid contact and surfaces | Specify sample or reagent, residue requirements and internal/external probe cleaning. |
| Actual function | Check delivery, coverage, residue, solid-phase retention or mixing results according to the task. |
| Operation | Specific operating conditions |
|---|---|
| Sample addition with a fixed probe | Actual sample volume, remaining source volume, probe-tip height, aspiration/dispensing speed and system liquid |
| Multiple-reagent aspiration and dispensing | Dose per operation, total cycle volume, replenishment/bottle-change interval, backpressure and receiving geometry |
| Fluid supply and waste removal for magnetic solid-phase washing | Solid-phase location and retention target, wash cycles, aspiration height, residue, destination and downstream assay requirements |
Compare product configurations by the roles on this page
| Product | Configuration option | Conditions to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Custom sampling probe | Sampling interface between source container and fluidic path | Compare custom geometry by minimum liquid level, probe-tip clearance and actual sample |
| Custom wash probe | Washing interface for probe interiors/exteriors or containers | Confirm contaminated surfaces, coverage, aspiration height and peak waste removal |
Related operations and architecture comparisons
Sample addition with a fixed probe
Sample-volume error affects reaction ratios, while external probe droplets may contaminate the next container. Combine aspiration, delivery and probe washing into a complete sequence and compare recovery after concentrated samples.
Multiple-reagent aspiration and dispensing
Bead suspensions, binding reagents and substrates may have different settling, light and storage requirements. Plan standby, mixing and first-dose recovery by actual formulation, including residual liquid in shared tubing.
Fluid supply and waste removal for magnetic solid-phase washing
Record added volume, residual liquid and bead loss in every wash. If background is abnormal, distinguish inadequate capture, coverage, aspiration positioning and waste pooling before changing pump output.
Confirm product roles in actual operation
| Operation | Measurements and observations | Priority checks |
|---|---|---|
| Sample addition with a fixed probe | Measure actual delivery at the receiver, covering routine small volumes and maximum task volume, first dose after idle, sample changes and high/low concentration sequences | Air aspiration, clots/particles, probe contact with a wall or leakage alter actual delivery |
| Multiple-reagent aspiration and dispensing | Use actual media to check first, middle and last doses and delivery after bottle changes; confirm received volume and timing rather than substituting commanded steps for volume | Empty sources, bubbles, nozzle droplets and backpressure changes affect first or last doses |
| Fluid supply and waste removal for magnetic solid-phase washing | Measure bead loss, post-wash residue and downstream assay background for each wash; do not evaluate washing by volume or recovery alone | Insufficient magnetic capture, misplaced aspiration, wash coverage or waste pooling may increase background |
Evaluate reagent delivery, post-wash residue, bead loss and assay background together.
Can sampling and wash probes be replaced based on similar appearance alone?
Confirm tip, channels, interfaces and operating positions separately, then validate each probe's aspiration/dispensing or cleaning results. Similar appearance does not imply equal wetted volume, coverage or residual-liquid levels.
Pump flow alone does not prove adequate washing; validate magnetic capture, mixing and aspiration position across the whole station.