BIO RAD ChemiDoc Touch User manual

ChemiDoc™Touch Imaging System
with Image Lab™Touch Software
User Guide
Version 1.2

ChemiDoc™ Touch Imaging System
with Image Lab™ Touch Software
User Guide
Version 1.2

Bio-Rad Technical Support
The Bio-Rad Technical Support department in the U.S. is open Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM to 5:00
PM, Pacific time. Go to www.consult.bio-rad.com for worldwide technical support.
Phone: [phone], option 2
Web: www.consult.bio-rad.com
Email: [e-mail] (U.S./Canada only)
For technical assistance outside the U.S. and Canada, contact your local technical support office.
Notice
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without
permission in writing from Bio-Rad.
Bio-Rad reserves the right to modify its products and services at any time. This user guide is subject to
change without notice. Although prepared to ensure accuracy, Bio-Rad assumes no liability for errors or
omissions, or for any damage resulting from the application or use of this information.
Credits
Alexa Fluor, Coomassie Fluor, Qdot, SYBR, and SYPRO are trademarks of Life Technologies
Corporation. Coomassie is a trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft. Cy2 is a trademark of GE Healthcare.
DyLight and Krypton are trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Mac and Numbers are trademarks of Apple Inc. GelGreen and
GelRed are trademarks of Biotium, Inc. Mitsubishi is a trademark of Mitsubishi Companies.
Precision Plus Protein standards are sold under license from Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA,
for use only by the buyer of the product. The buyer is not authorized to sell or resell this product or its
components.
Criterion Stain Free gels are covered by U.S. Pat. No. 7,569,130.
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is licensed by Invitrogen Corporation to sell SYPRO products for research use
only under U.S. Patent Number 5,616,502.
Copyright © 2015 by Bio-Rad Laboratories. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents
Safety and Regulatory Compliance 7
Important Safety Information 7
Warranty 8
General Precautions 9
Regulatory Notices 9
Alert Icons 10
Instrument Safety Warnings 11
Notice 12
Power Safety Information 13
Voltage Setting Information 13
Fuses 13
Chapter 1 Introduction 15
Product Features 15
Front Panel Components 17
Rear Panel Components 18
CCD Camera and Lenses 18
Introduction to Image Lab Touch Software 18
Emission Filters 19
Optional Accessories 19
Printer 19
White Sample Tray 19
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Table of Contents
Blue SampleTray 19
Supported Tray Types 20
Technical Specifications 21
Environmental Requirements 23
Chapter 2 Image Lab Touch Software Overview 25
Starting Image Lab Touch 25
Setting the System Date and Time 26
Touch Screen Actions 29
The Application Interface 29
About the Live View Screen 31
The Image Lab Touch Main Toolbar 32
Tabs 33
About the Image View Screen 34
The Image View Toolbar 36
The Gallery 36
Gallery Screen Components 38
Getting Help 38
Entering Text on Screen 39
Using the On-Screen Keypad 39
Using the On-Screen Keyboard 40
Editing the Welcome Screen 40
Setting the Sound Volume 42
Chapter 3 Acquiring an Image 43
About Sample Trays 43
Workflow for Acquiring a Chemiluminescent Image 46
Specifying the Image Size 46
Choosing the Application 48
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Table of Contents
About Exposure Times for Chemiluminescent Images 48
The Image Resolution/Sensitivity Scale 49
Specifying the Region of Interest for Auto Exposure 54
Setting the Exposure Time for a Chemiluminescent Image 56
Setting the Exposure Automatically 56
Setting the Exposure Manually 58
Signal Accumulation Mode 59
Configuring Signal Accumulation Mode 60
Acquiring Images 60
Workflow for Acquiring Gel and Blot Images 62
Specifying the Image Size 63
Choosing the Application 63
Setting the Exposure Time 64
Acquiring an Image 65
Deleting Images 66
Chapter 4 Viewing Images 67
About Image View 69
About the Gallery 70
Viewing Images in Image View 71
Selecting and Opening Images in the Gallery 72
Adjusting How Images Are Displayed 75
Light Intensity Histogram 75
Restoring Default Settings 78
Checking Intensity Values 79
About Merging Images 80
Comparing Images 81
Searching for Images in the Gallery 84
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Table of Contents
Printing Images 84
Merging Images 85
Naming Merged Images 86
Renaming Images 87
Deleting Images 88
Viewing Image Information 89
Adding Notes to an Image 90
Chapter 5 Excising Bands 91
Excising Bands from Samples 91
Excising Bands on a Chemi/UV/Stain-Free Tray 91
Excising Bands on a White or Blue Tray 97
Chapter 6 Exporting Images 99
Exporting to a USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive 100
Exporting to a Shared Folder 101
Disconnecting from a Shared Folder 103
Appendix A Maintaining the Imaging System 105
Updating Image Lab Touch Software 105
Reinstalling Image Lab Touch 105
About the UV Transilluminator Bulbs 106
When Transilluminator Bulbs Fail 106
Replacing the UV Transilluminator Bulbs 107
Replacing the Fuses 109
Appendix B Ordering Information 113
Appendix C Exporting to a Shared Folder 117
vi | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Important Safety Information
Please read these instructions before operating the ChemiDoc™ imager.
This instrument is suitable for research use only. Therefore, it must be used only by
specialized personnel who know the health risks associated with the reagents that are
normally used with this instrument.
WARNING: The imaging of some applications involves UV illumination.
This instrument should be used only by trained personnel who know the
health risks associated with the UV radiation normally associated with this
instrument. Users should be trained on the appropriate personal protection
gear for working with UV light to minimize UV exposure.
To perform band excision using the Chemi/UV/Stain-Free tray, the transilluminator drawer
is pulled out with the UV source enabled. This exposes the user to UV radiation, which can
cause permanent damage to the eyes and skin. In its lowered position, the instrument’s
acrylic shield provides UV protection. However, in its raised position, it does not provide
complete protection to the user, and it does not protect others who are standing in the area
around the imager.
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Safety and Regulatory Compliance
To protect users and bystanders, these procedures must be followed:
nProtect all skin surfaces (including the neck, ears, and hands). Before performing band
excision, the user and anyone near the imager must put on protective gear including
UV protective safety glasses, a face shield, lab coat, and gloves. A typical and
reasonable expectation of use is three operations per user a day for three minutes
each.
nBystanders without protective gear must stand at least 1.5 meters (five feet) away from
the imager and limit their exposure to no more than one hour per day.
Note: There is no exposure to UV radiation with the blue or white trays. No protective
gear is necessary when excising bands with these trays.
Warranty
The ChemiDoc Touch imaging system is warranted against defects in materials and
workmanship for one year. If any defect occurs in the instrument during this warranty
period, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. will repair or replace the defective parts at its discretion
without charge. The following defects, however, are specifically excluded:
nDefects caused by improper operation
nRepair or modification done by anyone other than Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. or the
company’s authorized agent
nUse of spare parts supplied by anyone other than Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
nDamage caused by accident or misuse
nDamage caused by disaster
nCorrosion caused by improper solvents or samples
8 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

General Precautions
General Precautions
nRead the user guide carefully.
nUse the instrument only for the intended purpose of gel and blot image acquisition in
research laboratories.
nConnect the instrument to a grounded power source and to a circuit breaker.
nDo not pour liquids on or inside the instrument.
nClean the sample tray after use.
Regulatory Notices
The ChemiDoc Touch imaging system is designed and certified to meet EN 61010, the
internationally accepted electrical safety standard, EMC regulations, and TUV
requirements. Certified products are safe to use when operated in accordance with this
user guide. Do not modify or alter this instrument in any way. Modification or alteration of
this instrument will:
nVoid the manufacturer’s warranty
nVoid the regulatory certifications
nCreate a potential safety hazard
Caution: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is not responsible for any injury or
damage caused by use of this instrument for purposes other than those
for which it is intended or by modifications of the instrument not
performed by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., or an authorized agent.
User Guide | 9

Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Alert Icons
Alert icons call attention to caution and warning paragraphs. The icon indicates the type of
hazard addressed.
Icon Explanation
General
Indicates a potential hazard requiring special attention. This icon is
used when the hazard or condition is of a general nature.
Electrical Hazard
Indicates a potential hazard requiring special attention when you are
working with electricity or electrical equipment.
Extreme heat and flammable materials
Indicates a potential hazard requiring special attention when you are
working with extreme heat and flammable materials.
Radiation hazard
Indicates a potential hazard requiring special attention when you are
working with UV radiation.
Table 1. How alert icons are used
Cautions
A caution alerts you to take or avoid a specific action that could result in loss of data or
damage to the instrument. A caution can also indicate that, if the precaution against a
potential hazard is not taken, minor or moderate injury might occur.
10 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

Instrument Safety Warnings
Example
Caution: With the exception of cleaning or replacing light bulbs, refer all
servicing to qualified Bio-Rad personnel or their agents.
Warnings
A warning precedes an action that, if not followed correctly, could cause serious injury or
death to the operator, serious or total loss of data, or serious damage to the instrument.
Example
WARNING! Keep the UV shield open for as little time as
possible.
Instrument Safety Warnings
Before you operate the instrument, carefully read the contents of Table 2.
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Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Icon Explanation
Caution: With the exception of cleaning or
replacing light bulbs, refer all servicing to
qualified Bio-Rad personnel or their agents. If you
experience technical difficulties with the
instrument, contact Bio-Rad to schedule service.
The instrument should not be modified or altered
in any way. Alteration voids the manufacturer’s
warranty and might create a potential safety
hazard for the user.
WARNING! If the tray interlock is defeated, there
is a possibility of UV-B radiation hazard due to
UV-B light exposure. Exercise caution when
servicing the instrument.
WARNING! This instrument must be connected to
an appropriate AC voltage outlet that is properly
grounded.
Table 2. Safety cautions and warnings for the instrument
Notice
The ChemiDoc Touch instrument is intended for laboratory use only. This device is meant
for use by specialized personnel who know the health risks associated with reagents used
in electrophoresis. The UV light source is computer controlled, and proper interlocks are
implemented to avoid users’ accidental exposure to UV radiation. Bio-Rad Laboratories,
Inc. is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by use of this instrument for
purposes other than those for which it is intended, or for instrument modifications not
performed by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. or an authorized agent.
12 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

Power Safety Information
Power Safety Information
Voltage Setting Information
The ChemiDoc Touch imager has a universal power supply that automatically chooses the
correct voltage for your country or region.
Fuses
The imager has two user-serviceable fuses, F1 and F2, which are located on the rear panel
and are a part of the power entry module. See Replacing the Fuses on page 109 for more
information.
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Safety and Regulatory Compliance
14 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

Chapter 1 Introduction
The ChemiDoc™ Touch system is a compact and chemiluminescent-capable gel/blot
imaging instrument. This instrument automates the process of selecting blot detection
parameters and acquires high-quality and high-sensitivity gel and western blot images. It
can do this with the tap of an on-screen button.
The ChemiDoc Touch system uses Bio-Rad’s Image Lab™ Touch software to control
image capture and optimization for selected applications. You interact with the instrument
via an integrated touch screen and a simplified user interface. Position the sample on a
sample tray, choose the image acquisition presets, and acquire the image by tapping a
button.
Note: Image Lab Touch software does not support image analysis. Use Image Lab
software version 5.2 or greater, running on a separate Windows-based computer, to
analyze images acquired with the ChemiDoc Touch instrument.
Product Features
The ChemiDoc Touch instrument supports the acquisition of images from a wide range of
laboratory gels and blots. The instrument uses a supersensitive camera with a charge-
coupled device (CCD) and a large maximum-aperture lens that provides high
chemiluminescent sensitivity. The imager has a built-in UV transilluminator and white LEDs
for epi (reflective) illumination. The imager works with gels and blots stained with a wide
range of dyes and fluorophores. Additional features include
nSupport for chemiluminescent imaging, colorimetric western blotting applications, and
DNA/protein gel visualization
nDynamic flat fielding specific to each application
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Chapter 1 Introduction
nSmart, tray-based imaging that identifies the correct applications and presents
appropriate filter and illumination sources for each
nSupport for imaging applications that require high sensitivity (chemiluminescent
western blots)
nDynamic range of >4 orders of magnitude
16 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System

Product Features
Front Panel Components
1 USB port 6 Transilluminator drawer
2 Touch screen 7 Front door (open position)
3 System on/off button 8 Imaging stage
4 Sample tray 9 Front door open handle
5 Transilluminator drawer handle
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Chapter 1 Introduction
Rear Panel Components
CCD Camera and Lenses
The ChemiDoc Touch camera is installed within a lighttight enclosure. Based on
acquisition settings you select, Image Lab Touch uses a patented* algorithm to adjust the
camera zoom and lens focus automatically. See Technical Specifications on page 21 for
more information.
Introduction to Image Lab Touch Software
The imager comes with Image Lab Touch software installed. You can acquire and view
images, fine tune how images appear, print images, and export them to a computer
running Image Lab software. With Image Lab you can carry out detailed analyses of the
images.
* U.S. patent 8913127
18 | ChemiDoc Touch Imaging System