Load Stations General Information

Overview

The Panther system contains three load stations

Amp Load Station

The Amp Load Station is heated and used for the addition of amplification and enzyme reagents. It is a pre-amplification station. Temperature control is important to assure enzyme addition is performed under controlled thermal conditions. It also integrates an orbital mixer feature needed for tube homogeneity.

HPA Load Station

The HPAHybridization protection assay—The Hologic HPA technique uses a specific DNA probe, labeled with an acridinium ester detector molecule that emits a chemiluminescent signal. load station is heated and used for addition of probe and selection reagents. It is the post-amplification station. Temperature control here is important to minimize nearest neighbor effects after reagent addition and insertion of the MTUMulti-tube unit—Container used to process tests in the instrument. An MTU contains five separate reaction tubes. The MTU is moved through the instrument by the linear distributor and includes five tiplets for pipettiing to be used in the mag wash station. into the 63 °C incubator. It also integrates an orbital mixer feature needed for tube homogeneity.

Sample Mix Station

The Sample Mix Station is not heated (equilibrates to ambient temperature) and is used for sample mixing. It is a pre-amplification station. It also has an orbital mixer feature needed for tube homogeneity.

Interfacing Modules

The Distributor interfaces with the load stations by inserting and removing MTUs. The Reagent Pipettor arm interfaces with the load stations (but not the Sample Mix Station) by dispensing reagents into the MTUs.

Theory/Sequence of Operation

The Distributor places an MTU into a station. The reagent pipettor arm aspirates and dispenses the appropriate reagents into the MTU at the load stations (except the Sample Mix Station where no liquid transfer occurs).

The load station mixes at the appropriate frequency and time.

The Distributor retrieves the MTU to be further processed. Usually an incubator step follows.

Load Stations Module Safety

Module specific safety considerations.

• Basic electromechanical safety concerns.
• Use caution if the module is hot.
• Clean the module surface and tools.