Unloading Undeactivated MTUs from Incubators

Purpose

To explain the method for removing and deactivating MTUs from the Incubator in the event of a failure.

Note—The incubators are not to be pulled out of the system when performing this procedure. If it is necessary to remove an incubator, follow this procedure first to remove undeactivated MTUs. Refer to Appendix A on incubator module removal.

Parts and Materials Required

• Proper PPE
• Panther Tool Kit
• Squirt Bottle with recommended sodium hypochlorite concentration
  • Procleix Assays: 0.5 to 0.7%
  • AptimaAutomated Probe Transcription Mediated Amplification. Trade name for amplified NAT infectious disease assays and reagents designed for use with Hologic's instrument platforms. and other diagnostic assays: 2.5 to 3.5%
• Absorbent Bench Pads
• Hex Wrench Set

Procedure

1. Put on proper PPE.
2. Power down the Panther System.
3. Dispose of 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. waste bag and replace with a new waste bag.
4. Change Gloves.
5. Open the right and left side panel doors.
6. Verify that both pipettor arms are up. Manually push them up if they are not.
7. Remove the Luminometer injectors by unscrewing the two screws that secure the injectors to the luminometer module.

   

8. Unlock the Mid Bay drawers (left and right side) and pull the Mid Bay all the way out.
9. Use a 4mm Allen wrench to loosen the 4 screws that secure the Mid Bay front panel.
10. Remove the Mid Bay front panel.
11. Slide the rubber bands off the incubator cover and remove the incubator cover.

    

12. Move the carousel until the slot with an MTU is lined up with the door.

    

13. Slide the carousel door open, with the other hand pull the MTU slowly out of the incubator.

    Caution— Have a bleach bottle nearby to decontaminate the MTUs.

    

14. Dispense bleach into each tube of the MTU as the MTU is being pulled out of the incubator.

    Note—The MTU will hold the door open as you pull it out.

15. Dispose of the MTU in the waste bag and let it sit for 15 minutes.

    

16. Remove the waste bag and dispose in a bio-hazard waste container.