System Power Overview

The Panther System is controlled by a collection of intelligent control unit PCBs (CU PCBs) connected together via a Controller Area Network (CAN-Bus) to a master controller called a Communication and Organization Processor (COP). This network configuration allows all sub-modules to communicate in both directions with the master controller. The master controller is interfaced to the PC via a USB connection.

The following figure provides an overview of the CAN and power management.

Download Mode

The system is capable of downloading all module firmware from the COP. All firmware modules can be checked for the correct firmware version and module hardware revision.

Panther System Modules

• Instrument housing
• Distributor
• Sample Bay
• TCRTarget capture reagent—An assay-specific reagent added as part of specimen pipetting. Carousel
• Reagent Bay
• 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. Input Queue
• Universal Fluid Drawer
• Tip Drawers
• Sample Load Station
• Sample Pipettor
• Sample Dispense Slot
• Amp Load Station
• 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
• Reagent Pipettor
• Magnetic Washes
• MTU Barcode Reader
• High Temperature Incubator
• Transition Incubator
• Amplification Incubator
• Chiller Ramp
• Magnetic Parking
• Luminometer
• Output Queue
• Solid Waste Container
• Liquid Waste Bottle
• Vacuum System