iSystem Hardware : iSystem Fluidics

Screen 1
The goal of this module is to provide a basic understanding of the fluidics system.
You will learn to:
x Recognize the function of components in the fluidics system.
x And recognize the function of components used in waste handling.

Screen 2
The fluidics system consists of two sub-systems: the liquid sub-system and the
vacuum sub-system.

Within the liquid sub-system, the sample, STAT and reagent probes are used to
aspirate and dispense samples, reagents, and wash buffer.
The probes move these fluids from sample containers and reagent bottles into
reaction vessels on the process path. To ensure the probes properly access fluid
locations, the pipettors are calibrated using various targets on the wash cup,
process path and sample positions.

The liquid sub-system also primes and flushes wash buffer, pre-trigger and
trigger fluid systems.

Screen 3
The vacuum sub-system supplies vacuum to the instrument to extract liquid
waste from the system wash zones and waste aspiration arm. Vacuum is also
supplied to the reagent 1 pipettor and reagent 2 pipettor active wash stations to
remove waste from the wash cups.

Screen 4
The fluidics system utilizes many hardware components including:
x Pipettor probes
x Syringe assemblies
x Probe wash stations
x Pumps
x Wash zone assemblies
x Waste aspirate arm probe
x Pre-trigger/Trigger manifold
x Vacuum system including;
o Vacuum accumulator assembly
o Vacuum vessel assemblies
o Vacuum pump with filter
o Vacuum active wash cups, wash zones and aspirate probe

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 x Liquid waste manifold assembly
x Wash buffer reservoir
x Buffer transfer pump
x And the Buffer flow sensor

In the following screens, we will examine several of these devices individually.

For a more detailed description, please see iSystem Robotics.

Screen 5
The R1 and R2 pipettor probes, together with syringes and valves, are used to
aspirate reagent from the reagent bottles and dispense it into RVs. Following
each aspiration and dispense cycle, the R1 and R2 probes are washed with
wash buffer solution in the active wash cups.

Screen 6
The sample pipettor probe is used to aspirate sample from a sample container
and dispense it into RVs. The sample pipettor probe is washed with wash buffer
in a passive wash cup.
For pre-treatment assay protocols, the sample pipettor is also used to move
reaction solution from an RV in process path position 24 to an RV in process
path position 1.

Screen 7
The STAT pipettor probe is used to aspirate sample from a sample container and
dispense it into RVs. The STAT pipettor probe is washed with wash buffer in a
passive wash cup.

Screen 8
The syringe assemblies are used to accurately aspirate and dispense liquid
volumes by means of positive displacement of a plunger within a barrel.
The system utilizes a single syringe design and has a separate one for each of
the pipettors.

Screen 9
Between each aspiration and dispense cycle, the probes are washed. For the
sample and STAT probes, the wash is performed in a passive wash station.
During the wash cycle, the probe will be moved over to the wash station and
lowered into a small cup located in the center of the wash station. While in the
cup, the interior of the probe is cleaned by forcing buffer through the probe via
the syringe. The shape of the cup causes fluid to flush around the cup and
across the exterior of the probe. The waste fluid is drained by gravity routed to
the external waste.

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For the reagent probes, the wash is performed in an active wash station. During
the wash cycle, the probe will be moved over to the wash station and lowered
into a small cup located in the center of the wash station. While in the station,
the interior of the probe is cleaned by forcing buffer through the probe via the
syringe. Additional cleaning is performed by pumping buffer around the exterior
of the probe. The waste fluid is removed from the active station using vacuum.

Screen 10
The pump bay is located at the right rear side of the system. Within the bay,
there is an inner and outer rack of pumps. These pumps provide metered
volumes of fluid, including buffer, pre-trigger and trigger, to their designated
dispense locations. Each pump within the bay dispenses the fluid at a specific
rate and volume.

Pop-Up Graphic:
The table shown is a list of the pumps and volumes.

Screen 11
The two wash zone assemblies consist of a manifold with dispense nozzles,
valves and wash aspirate probes. The wash zones are used to dispense wash
buffer into reaction vessels and to aspirate fluid from reaction vessels.

Screen 12
The waste aspirate arm probe is used to aspirate liquid waste from RVs prior to
discarding them into the solid waste. The waste aspirate probe is attached to an
arm that is mounted to the side of the wash zone 2 assembly. The probe is
located at process path position 100.

Screen 13
The pre-trigger/trigger manifold supports the CMIA read process by dispensing
measured quantities of heated pre-trigger and trigger solutions into RVs. After
the pre-trigger solution is dispensed, the RV is mixed by vortexer #3.

Screen 14
The vacuum system consists of the vacuum accumulator assembly, vacuum
vessel assemblies and the vacuum pump with filter.

The vacuum system is used to supply vacuum to the active wash cups, wash
zone probes and the waste aspirate probe. Vacuum is supplied utilizing a
vacuum reservoir and vacuum vessels. Solenoid valves are opened, allowing the
vacuum to aspirate liquid from the reaction vessel. The liquid is drawn into the

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vacuum vessel where it is held until the vacuum cycle is complete. When the
vacuum cycle is complete, the solenoid valve closes and the liquid drains into the
laboratory drain or liquid waste reservoir.

Screen 15
The liquid waste is moved to a waste manifold, which can be connected to a floor
drain, a waste container, or an external sump pump. If the liquid waste path is
blocked, the liquid will be moved to the solid waste container.

Screen 16
Wash buffer is stored in the wash buffer reservoir in the supply and waste center.
Wash buffer is pumped to the sample, STAT and reagent pipettors and to wash
zones. Wash buffer is also used in the probe wash stations.

The wash buffer reservoir contains a float sensor that monitors the level of the
fluid in the container. The sensor detects when the reservoir is full, 40% and
empty. It holds a maximum of 25 liters of wash buffer.

The wash buffer reservoir can be filled in two ways. The first method is to
manually dilute the concentrated wash buffer and to load the buffer using transfer
tubing. The second method is automatic dilution and filling using the Automated
Reconstitution Module or ARM.

The buffer valve is used to control the buffer flow from either the manual fill quick
disconnect port on the front of the analyzer or from the ARM input located on the
back of the system.

In the manual loading process, the buffer transfer pump loads buffer solution into
the wash buffer reservoir from a container of manually diluted buffer. As the
buffer transfer pump loads fluid, the buffer flow sensor monitors the fluid flow.
When the sensor detects either a low or no flow condition, the pump is turned off.

Screen 17
The aspiration and dispense process consists of the following steps:
1. The probe is moved to the aspiration location.
2. The probe is moved down in the Z direction until fluid is contacted.
3. A fluid sense signal is generated and the Z motion is halted.
4. The aspiration process continues until the aspiration volume is reached.
5. The probe is moved from the aspiration location to the dispense location.
6. The probe is moved down in the Z direction to the dispense height.
7. The dispense process begins.

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8. When the dispense is complete the syringe motor is stopped. The probe is
then moved to the wash station.
9. The probe is washed at the wash station.
10. Once the washing process is complete the probe is raised to the Z-clear
height which is the idle position.
11. The aspiration/dispense process is complete.

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