GE 800 User manual

Amersham™ImageQuant 800
User Manual

Table of Contents
41 Introduction ..........................................................................................................
51.1 About this manual ................................................................................................................................
71.2 The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument .........................................................................
92 System Preparation .............................................................................................
102.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software .....................................................................
112.1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................
122.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software ..............................................
162.1.3 System settings ...............................................................................................................................
222.1.4 Account management .................................................................................................................
292.2 Amersham ImageQuant CONNECT ..............................................................................................
302.2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................
312.2.2 Connect to the instrument .........................................................................................................
363 Handle methods in ImageQuant 800 control software .................................
373.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................
383.2 General settings ....................................................................................................................................
413.3 Advanced settings ................................................................................................................................
453.4 Chemiluminescence image capture ............................................................................................
463.4.1 Chemiluminescence imaging ...................................................................................................
503.4.2 Automatic chemiluminescence exposure ...........................................................................
533.4.3 Manual chemiluminescence exposure .................................................................................
553.4.4 Time series chemiluminescence exposure ..........................................................................
583.4.5 SNOW chemiluminescence exposure ...................................................................................
613.5 Colorimetric image capture .............................................................................................................
623.5.1 Colorimetric imaging ....................................................................................................................
643.5.2 Gel documentation ........................................................................................................................
653.5.3 Optical Densitometry ....................................................................................................................
663.6 Fluorescence image capture ..........................................................................................................
673.6.1 Fluorescence imaging ..................................................................................................................
703.6.2 Automatic fluorescence exposure ..........................................................................................
733.6.3 Manual fluorescence exposure ................................................................................................
763.6.4 SNOW fluorescence exposure ..................................................................................................
794 Manage images in ImageQuant 800 control software ..................................
804.1 View the image after capture .........................................................................................................
864.2 The Image library screen ..................................................................................................................
895 ImageQuant CONNECT operation .....................................................................
905.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................
915.2 Use the scheduler tool .......................................................................................................................
945.3 Manage images .....................................................................................................................................
976 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................
986.1 Instrument problems ..........................................................................................................................
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1016.2 Image problems ....................................................................................................................................
1036.3 Software problems ...............................................................................................................................
1046.4 Error messages ......................................................................................................................................
106Index .......................................................................................................................
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Table of Contents

1 Introduction
About this chapter
This chapter contains important user information and a general description of the
Amersham ImageQuant 800 and its intended use.
In this chapter
See pageSection
51.1 About this manual
71.2 The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument
4 Amersham ImageQuant 800 User Manual 29383813 AA
1 Introduction

1.1 About this manual
About this manual
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 User Manual provides instructions for setting up the
Amersham ImageQuant 800 system, performing image capture, and handling image
files using the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software and Amersham ImageQuant
CONNECT software. For detailed instructions on installing the Amersham ImageQuant
800 system, see the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
Scope of this manual
The User Manual covers the Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument, Amersham
ImageQuant 800 control software and Amersham ImageQuant CONNECT. The illustration
below shows the Amersham ImageQuant 800 system.
Depending on your system configuration, not all options described in this
manual may be available. It is possible to upgrade your system to increase
the range of imaging options. See the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating
Instructions for more information.
Note:
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1 Introduction
1.1 About this manual

Typographical conventions
Software items are identified in the text by bold italic text. A colon separates menu levels,
thus File:Open refers to the Open command in the File menu.
Hardware items are identified in the text by bold text (for example, Power).
Notes and tips
A note is used to indicate information that is important for trouble-free and
optimal use of the product.
Note:
A tip contains useful information that can improve or optimize your procedures.
Tip:
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1 Introduction
1.1 About this manual

1.2 The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument
About the Amersham
ImageQuant 800
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 is an imaging instrument designed to detect and
quantify proteins, DNA, and other biological samples, such as bacterial colonies. A cooled
8.3 megapixel CCD camera is used to capture high resolution digital images of elec-
trophoretically separated protein and DNA bands in gels or membranes obtained through
blotting methods. Use of the optional NP lens also allows for chemiluminescence image
capture from multi-well plates and petri dishes. The instrument can capture images of
chemiluminescent, fluorescent, and colorimetric samples, depending on the system
configuration. It is also possible to capture optical densitometry (OD) images of stained
gels to accurately measure amount of proteins in bands on a gel. Image files obtained
from the instrument can be analyzed with standard image analysis software, such as
GE Healthcare ImageQuant analysis software. Contact your GE Healthcare representative
for more information regarding analysis software.
The instrument is designed to be used for research purposes in life science laboratories
within academia and industry.
Instrument configuration
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 is available in several different configurations, which
can be upgraded to improve functionality. Depending on the configuration of your
Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument, not all of the functions described in this manual
will be available. For more information on Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument con-
figurations and upgrades, see the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
Imaging capabilities
A fully equipped Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument has the following LED light
sources:
Emission wavelengthLight source
365 nmUV Epi
460 nmBlue Epi
535 nmGreen Epi
635 nmRed Epi
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1 Introduction
1.2 The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument

Emission wavelengthLight source
660 nmIRshort Epi
775 nmIRlong Epi
470 to 635 nmWhite Epi
470 to 635 nmWhite Trans
A fully equipped filter turret in the Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument contains the
following emission filters:
DataEmission filter
525BP20Cy2
605BP40Cy3(UV)
705BP40Cy5
715BP30IRshort
836BP46IRlong
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument can be further equipped with
custom emission filters, see Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
Note:
The figure below illustrates how these LED light sources and emission filters cover different
wavelength ranges of the light spectrum.
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1 Introduction
1.2 The Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument

2 System Preparation
About this chapter
This chapter provides information on how to start and set up the Amersham ImageQuant
800 control software and Amersham ImageQuant CONNECT software.
See pageSection
102.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
292.2 Amersham ImageQuant CONNECT
Amersham ImageQuant 800 User Manual 29383813 AA 9
2 System Preparation

2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
About this section
This section contains information on how to start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control
software, adjust settings, and manage user accounts.
In this chapter
See pageSection
112.1.1 Introduction
122.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
162.1.3 System settings
222.1.4 Account management
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software

2.1.1 Introduction
System setup
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 is operated through the Amersham ImageQuant 800
control software either via the touchscreen panel or an external monitor. For information
on the installation process and how to set up the Amersham ImageQuant 800 system,
refer to the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.1 Introduction

2.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
Introduction
This section contains information on how to start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 system
via Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software. For information on how to set up and
install the system, see Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
Start the system
Follow the steps below to start the Amersham ImageQuant 800.
ActionStep
Make sure that the instrument is plugged in to a mains power supply.1
Press the power button on the right side of the instrument to activate it.2
Result: The instrument's self-diagnostic process will initialize.
Note:
The self-diagnostic process will normally take a few minutes.
Turn on the computer and log into Windows.
Note:
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software will auto-start after Win-
dows login.
3
Tap I Agree to agree to the End User License Agreement.
Note:
Uncheck the Show license agreement at startup box to no longer see the
End User License Agreement at startup.
4
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2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software

ActionStep
Enter your Username and Password.
Note:
To disable Log in, see the Turn off password protection, on page 22.
5
Tap Login.6
Wait for the CCD status to turn green, which shows that the CCD has been
cooled to the target temperature.
7
Result: Image capturing can begin.
Start the system using an
external monitor
It is also possible to start the system via the external PC if an external monitor is being
used. To do this, use the following procedure.
ActionStep
Make sure that the instrument is plugged in to a mains power supply.1
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software

ActionStep
Press the power button on the right side of the instrument to activate it.2
Result: The instrument's self-diagnostic process will initialize.
Note:
The self-diagnostic process will normally take a few minutes. Connection to
a network may take longer.
Turn on the computer and log into Windows.3
Double click on the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software icon to
connect to the instrument.
4
If Login is turned On, enter your Username and Password.
Note:
To enable or disable Log in, refer to Turn off password protection, on page 22.
5
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2.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software

ActionStep
Wait for the CCD status to turn green.6
Result: Image capturing can begin.
Start the instrument from sleep
mode
After a set period of inactivity, the instrument enters sleep mode. Tap the touchscreen
to wake the instrument from sleep mode. The Login screen will display. If password
protection has been turned off, the Home screen will display.
The default time until the instrument enters sleep mode is 30 minutes. To
change this setting, refer to the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating
Instructions.
Note:
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.2 Start the Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software

2.1.3 System settings
Introduction
This section describes how to modify the system settings using the Amersham
ImageQuant 800 control software Settings page. This includes adjusting the camera
focus and the screen display, changing fluorescent dye and filter settings, and setting
a default save location for image files.
Adjust focus
The focal distance is by default set at a fixed distance. For thick samples however, or
when imaging multi-well plates or petri dishes, the focus might need to be adjusted. The
image below shows the Focus view in the system settings.
To adjust the focus for a specific imaging mode, follow the steps below.
ActionStep
Open the imaging mode being used.
Note:
In this example, Chemiluminescence imaging mode is used.
1
Open the Settings tab.2
Select Focus from the left side of the screen.3
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2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.3 System settings

ActionStep
Adjust the slider in the Focus box (1) to change the focus. The result can be
seen in the live view window (2).
4
Note:
A precise focal distance can also be typed in the Focus (mm) box.
Note:
Clicking on the live view window will zoom in and out of the image.
Adjust the slider in the Brightness box (3) to change the brightness of the
image.
5
Tap Save to save the focus settings and return to the Chemiluminescence
screen.
Note:
Focus changes will only affect the selected image capture mode. If the user
changes to another mode, for example, Fluorescence, the focal distance will
still be set to the default setting.
6
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.3 System settings

Screen display
If an external monitor is being used to control the Amersham ImageQuant 800 instrument,
the screen settings can be changed in the Settings tab.
FunctionPartFunctionPart
Cancel changes4Return to previous window1
Save changes5Toggle Full screen on and off2
Toggle on-screen keyboard on
and off
6Show or hide mouse cursor3
Add a light-filter combination
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 contains an accessible filter turret that can house up
to seven different filters, including two custom filters. Depending on your system config-
uration, these dye settings for each filter are available for selection within the Amersham
ImageQuant 800 control software. Additional dye settings can be added in the Settings
panel. For more information on which filters are supplied with which system configuration,
see the Amersham ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
To add a new light-filter combination for a fluorescent dye to the Amersham ImageQuant
800 control software, use the following steps.
ActionStep
Open System settings:Fluor dyes.1
Tap Add dye.2
In the Create a dye window, enter the Name of the new dye.3
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2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.3 System settings

ActionStep
Select a Light source for the dye.4
Select which Filter to use with the dye.5
Select whether the Focus is automatic, or manually set a fixed focal distance.6
Select whether the Correction is calculated automatically, or manually apply
a set correction file.
7
Note:
For more information on correction file, see Image correction files, on page 20.
Tap Save.8
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2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.3 System settings

Check filter information
The Amersham ImageQuant 800 holds seven filters. These can be either system filters,
or custom filters. The installed filters depend on the system configuration. A list of installed
filters and their specifications can be seen by tapping the Filter specs button.
For more information on preparing custom filters, see the Amersham
ImageQuant 800 Operating Instructions.
Note:
Delete a fluorescent dye
To delete a fluorescent dye setting, follow the steps below.
ActionStep
In System settings:Fluor dyes, select the dye to be deleted by tapping the
checkbox.
1
Tap Delete.2
Tap OK.3
Image correction files
Image correction files are used to correct image non-uniformity in CCD cameras. Correc-
tion files are provided for each light source. These are applied automatically to each
light source, but can also be set manually by the user when a dye is created, see Add a
light-filter combination, on page 18.
New custom filter combinations might require generation of new correction
files. If new correction files are needed, contact your GE Healthcare represen-
tative for more information.
Note:
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2 System Preparation
2.1 Amersham ImageQuant 800 control software
2.1.3 System settings