Locate the task in the fluid path first
Arrows indicate task relationships, not that every component is connected in series in one tube. Check valve positions, pump wetted boundaries and operating states for each branch.
Translate recovery targets and contamination limits into receiving volume, residual-liquid limits, aspiration height and consumable choices. Measure nucleic-acid losses on surfaces and through connections over the complete workflow; material names alone cannot establish recovery.
Common product roles and application guides
| Product category | Role in this instrument |
|---|---|
| Syringe pump | Reagent metering in fixed flow paths |
| Air-displacement pipetting pump | Tip-based transfer of samples, reagents and products |
| Multiport rotary valve | Reagent-source and transfer-destination selection |
| Bubble and pressure detection | Detecting loss of liquid supply and bubbles during transfer |
| Tubing and fittings | Build a complete path for recovery assessment |
Operating requirements differ by step
| Stage | Task category | Operating conditions to define |
|---|---|---|
| Sample preparation: record retained fractions, waste and reagents | Dispensing operating conditions | Dose per operation, total cycle volume, replenishment/bottle-change interval, backpressure and receiving geometry |
| Washing and elution: retain the solid phase and recover the product | Solid-phase retention, washing and recovery | Solid-phase location and retention target, wash cycles, aspiration height, residue, destination and downstream assay requirements |
| Path switching: isolate eluate and waste | Valve-path requirements | All ports, valve states, pressures in each state, shared volume and flushing volume |
| Connection materials: validate recovery through the complete path | Connection requirements | Tubing ID/OD, length, interface geometry, pressure, materials and maintenance method |
Sample preparation: record retained fractions, waste and reagents
Assign container identities and destinations to each step, and establish programs for the actual lysis and binding formulations. After an interruption, confirm whether the product has already been transferred before deciding whether to complete the step or stop.
Washing and elution: retain the solid phase and recover the product
Adjust aspiration height to the solid-phase position and vessel geometry, and assess low-volume collection separately for elution. Evaluate recovery, residual liquid and the next reaction. Volume accuracy alone does not establish washing effectiveness.
Path switching: isolate eluate and waste
Use a port-state table to verify product-channel connections during operation, cleaning and shutdown. Define the destination of liquid displaced from shared sections.
Connection materials: validate recovery through the complete path
Include tubing, probes, valves and fittings in recovery tests. Before shortening tubing, confirm that installation, maintenance access and receiving geometry remain feasible.
Explore configurations through product application guides
Validate the complete cycle through application results
Record product volume, recovery and downstream results, and check sample-to-sample contamination.
| Step to validate | Measurements or observations | Priority troubleshooting checks |
|---|---|---|
| Sample preparation: record retained fractions, waste and reagents | 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 |
| Washing and elution: retain the solid phase and recover the product | Evaluate solid-phase loss, post-wash residue and downstream assay background or nucleic-acid recovery together | Insufficient capture, incorrect aspiration height, uneven coverage or pooling may impair washing and recovery |
| Path switching: isolate eluate and waste | Check unintended connections, leakage, backflow and post-switching residue in each state; measure flushing volume and arrival delay through the complete path | Misalignment, shared-segment residue or abnormal switching pressure may affect the next task |
| Connection materials: validate recovery through the complete path | Test sealing and actual delivery, and compare analyte recovery and blanks through the complete flow path. | Adsorption, hold-up or maintenance contamination can reduce recovery despite acceptable volume |
Extraction and library-preparation liquid handling differ in contamination and outcome requirements. Confirm research workflows and clinical diagnostic methods separately.
Common selection and recovery questions
Does removing more wash liquid always improve recovery?
Assess solid-phase loss, residual wash liquid and subsequent elution together. Establish the method's permitted residual volume and what must be retained before adjusting height and motion. Emptying alone cannot establish process performance.
What should be checked when volume passes but downstream reactions fail?
Check product recovery, residual wash liquid or inhibitors, and contamination blanks separately to identify whether the change occurs during extraction, transfer or mixture preparation.