GE ImageQuant LAS 4000 User manual

GE Healthcare
Getting Started with
ImageQuant™ LAS 4000
Original instructions


Table of Contents
51 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................
51.1 Important user information ............................................................................................................................................
71.2 Regulatory information ....................................................................................................................................................
81.3 The ImageQuant LAS 4000 .............................................................................................................................................
101.4 ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software .................................................................................................................
122 Safety instructions ...........................................................................................................................................
122.1 Safety precautions ..............................................................................................................................................................
182.2 Labels ........................................................................................................................................................................................
242.3 Emergency procedure ......................................................................................................................................................
242.4 Recycling information .......................................................................................................................................................
263 Installation ........................................................................................................................................................
263.1 Site requirements ................................................................................................................................................................
263.2 Transport .................................................................................................................................................................................
263.3 Unpacking ..............................................................................................................................................................................
273.4 Installation of the software .............................................................................................................................................
273.4.1 Installation (Windows XP) ..............................................................................................................................................
303.4.2 Installation (Windows Vista) .........................................................................................................................................
333.5 Installation of hardware ...................................................................................................................................................
343.5.1 Attaching the camera head ..........................................................................................................................................
353.5.2 Connecting the camera head to the computer ....................................................................................................
353.5.3 Installing the lens ..............................................................................................................................................................
373.5.4 Attaching a filter to the filter changer ......................................................................................................................
393.5.5 Installing a transmitted light source .........................................................................................................................
403.5.6 Installing Epi light sources .............................................................................................................................................
424 Operation ..........................................................................................................................................................
424.1 Operation overview ............................................................................................................................................................
424.2 Preparation ............................................................................................................................................................................
424.2.1 Starting the ImageQuant LAS 4000 and Control Software ............................................................................
434.2.2 Preparing the ImageQuant LAS 4000 for exposure ...........................................................................................
494.2.3 Placing the sample ...........................................................................................................................................................
524.3 Performing an exposure ..................................................................................................................................................
524.3.1 Workflow ...............................................................................................................................................................................
534.3.2 Choose method and tray position .............................................................................................................................
554.3.3 Focus adjustment ..............................................................................................................................................................
554.3.4 Set exposure type and exposure time ......................................................................................................................
564.3.5 Set exposure sensitivity ..................................................................................................................................................
574.3.6 Exposure ...............................................................................................................................................................................
584.3.7 Save the image ...................................................................................................................................................................
594.4 After exposure ......................................................................................................................................................................
615 Maintenance .....................................................................................................................................................
615.1 ImageQuant LAS 4000 ......................................................................................................................................................
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 3
Table of Contents

615.2 Sample trays ..........................................................................................................................................................................
625.3 Lens, filters, NP tray and Epi light sources ...............................................................................................................
625.4 UV transilluminator and white light table ................................................................................................................
625.5 Regular inspections ............................................................................................................................................................
646 Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................................................................
656.1 Problems with the exposed image ..............................................................................................................................
666.2 Strange sounds or odors are perceived ...................................................................................................................
676.3 Problems with ImageQuant LAS 4000 ......................................................................................................................
686.4 Problems with ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software ..................................................................................
696.5 Message “ImageQuant LAS 4000 hardware error occurred" ........................................................................
716.6 Error messages and countermeasures ....................................................................................................................
797 Reference information ....................................................................................................................................
797.1 Main specifications .............................................................................................................................................................
847.2 Minimum computer requirements ..............................................................................................................................
847.3 Literature .................................................................................................................................................................................
847.4 Ordering information .........................................................................................................................................................
4 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
Table of Contents

1 Introduction
Purpose of this manual
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 provides instructions needed to handle the ImageQuant
LAS 4000 in a safe way. Basic operating instructions are also provided. For details, refer to the
ImageQuant LAS 4000 User Manual.
Prerequisites
In order to operate the ImageQuant LAS 4000 in the way it is intended, the following prerequisites must
be fulfilled:
•You should have a general understanding of how a PC and Windows™ work.
•You must read the safety instructions outlined in the user documentation.
•You should be acquainted with the use of general laboratory equipment and with handling of
biological materials.
In this chapter
This chapter contains important user information, a general description of the ImageQuant LAS 4000
and its intended use.
1.1 Important user information
Read this before using the ImageQuant LAS 4000
All users must read the safety instructions in the ImageQuant LAS 4000 user documentation before
installing, using or maintaining the equipment.
Do not operate the ImageQuant LAS 4000 in any other way than described in the user documentation.
Otherwise, you may be exposed to hazards that can lead to personal injury and you may cause damage
to the equipment.
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 5
1 Introduction

Intended use
The ImageQuant LAS 4000 is a camera system that produces digital images of chemiluminescent,
dyed or fluorescent gels and membranes. The ImageQuant LAS 4000 is intended for research use only,
and shall not be used in any clinical procedures, or for diagnostic purposes.
Safety notices
This user documentation contains WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTICES concerning the safe use of the
product. See definitions below.
Warnings
WARNING
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury. It is important not to proceed until all stated conditions are met
and clearly understood.
Cautions
CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury. It is important not to proceed until all stated conditions are met
and clearly understood.
Notices
NOTICE
NOTICE indicates instructions that must be followed to avoid damage to the product
or other equipment.
Notes and tips
Note: A Note is used to indicate information that is important for trouble-free and optimal use
of the product.
TIP: A tip contains useful information that can improve or optimize your procedures.
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
(e.g., Power switch).
6 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
1 Introduction
1.1 Important user information

1.2 Regulatory information
This section describes the directives and standards that are fulfilled by the ImageQuant LAS 4000.
Manufacturing information
The Declaration of Conformity includes the following information:
ContentRequirement
GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences ABName and address of manufacturer
Björkgatan 30, SE-751 84 Uppsala, Sweden
INTERTEK SEMKO AB, NB 0413Name and ID of notified body
Uppsala, Sweden, May 2009Place and date of declaration
See EC Declaration of ConformityIdentity of person authorized to sign Declaration
of Conformity
CE Conformity
This product complies with the European directives listed in the table, by fulfilling the corresponding
harmonized standards. A copy of the Declaration of Conformity is available on request.
TitleDirective
Machinery Directive (MD)2006/42/EC
Low Voltage Directive (LVD)2006/95/EC
ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive2004/108/EC
International standards
This product fulfills the requirements of the following standards:
NotesDescriptionStandard
Safety requirements for electrical equip-
ment for measurement, control, and lab-
oratory use
EN 61010-1, IEC 61010-1, UL
61010-1, IEC 61010-2-81,
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1
Harmonized with
2004/108/EC
EMC emissions and immunity require-
ments for electrical equipment for mea-
surement, control and laboratory use
EN 61326-1
VCCI Class A
FCC Part 15 B Class A
ICES-003 Class A
Harmonized with
2006/42/EC
Safety of machinery - Basic concepts,
general principles for design
EN-ISO 12100-1, 12100-2
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 7
1 Introduction
1.2 Regulatory information

NotesDescriptionStandard
Harmonized with
2006/42/EC
Safety of machinery - Principles of risk
assessment
EN-ISO 14121-1, 14121-2
CE Marking
The CE marking and the corresponding Declaration of Conformity is valid for the instrument when it
is:
•used as a stand-alone unit, or
•connected to other CE marked GE Healthcare instruments, or
•connected to other products recommended or described in the user documentation, and
•used in the same state as it was delivered from GE Healthcare, except for alterations described in
the user documentation.
Regulatory compliance of connected equipment
Any equipment connected to the ProductNameHW should meet the safety requirements of EN
61010-1/IEC 61010-1, or relevant harmonized standards. Within EU, connected equipment must be
CE marked.
1.3 The ImageQuant LAS 4000
Feature overview
The following features are offered by the ImageQuant LAS 4000:
•Digitized images of stained gels, membranes or films can be obtained by white light illumination.
•A super CCD camera of 3.2 megapixels is used. An effective resolution of 6.3 megapixels can be
obtained by the image processing procedure.
•Internal cooling of the CCD contributes to a low thermal noise level resulting in greater sensitivity.
•The F0.85 LAS High Sens. lens has remote focus and iris.
•Chemiluminescence is detected at high sensitivity using a four-step binning algorithm.
•Fluorescence is detected at high sensitivity using either a UV transilluminator or one of several Epi
light sources.
8 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
1 Introduction
1.2 Regulatory information

•Image capture and analysis is simplified using the ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software in
combination with GE Healthcare's analysis software, ImageQuant TL.
ImageQuant LAS 4000 hardware components
The following illustrations and table show the main hardware components of the ImageQuant LAS
4000.
5
3
6
4
7
1
2
8
IDX interiorIntelligent dark box (IDX)
DescriptionNamePart
CCD cooling and image data outputCamera head1
Dark boxIntelligent dark box (IDX)2
F0.85/43 mm LAS High Sens. lens, orLens3
F1.8/24 mm wide view lens
NIR Epi light (710 nm)Epi light source4
Red Epi light (630 nm)
Green Epi light (520 nm)
Blue Epi light (460 nm)
UV Epi light (365 nm)
White Epi light
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 9
1 Introduction
1.3 The ImageQuant LAS 4000

DescriptionNamePart
312 nm UV transilluminatorTrans light source5
White light table
IR785 Alexa (filter for NIR LED)Filter6
R670 Cy5 (filter for red LED)
575DF20 Cy3 (filter for green LED)
605DF40 EtBr (filter for detecting EtBr)
510DF10 (filter for detecting GFP)
Y515 (filter for blue LED)
L41 UV (filter for UV LED)
Epi tray (for chemiluminescence and Epi lights)Sample tray7
White trans tray (for white light table)
UV trans tray (for UV transilluminator)
NP tray (for titer plates)
Turn the ImageQuant LAS 4000 on or offPower switch8
Computer
The ImageQuant LAS 4000 is operated using a PC running Windows XP or VISTA. It is not designed for
standalone operation.
Note: The computer used should be certified according to IEC/UL 60950.
1.4 ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software
Exposure and exposure settings are controlled by the ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software. The
software user interface is described below.
10 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
1 Introduction
1.3 The ImageQuant LAS 4000

1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8 9 10
DescriptionNamePart
Access to program functionsMenu bar1
Set the exposure methodExposure Type2
Set the exposure timeExposure Time3
Set the sensitivity and resolutionSensitivity/Resolution4
Add a white light exposure to a chemiluminescent exposure (used
for overlaying a marker image)
Add Digitization Image5
The state of the CCD and exposure typeSetting state, CCD6
Current settings of tray position and illumination inside the dark
box
Setting state, IDX7
Set the detection method and tray positionMethod/Tray position8
Adjust the focusFocusing9
Start the exposureStart10
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 11
1 Introduction
1.4 ImageQuant LAS 4000 Control Software

2 Safety instructions
This chapter describes safety precautions, safety labels and emergency procedures for the ImageQuant
LAS 4000, in addition to information on the safe disposal of the instrument.
2.1 Safety precautions
Introduction
The ImageQuant LAS 4000 is powered by mains voltage and is used to image samples that may be
hazardous. Before installing, operating or maintaining the equipment, you must be aware of the hazards
described in the user documentation. Follow the instructions provided to avoid personal injury or
damage to the equipment.
General precautions
WARNING
Do not use the equipment if smoke, strange noises or strange odors can be perceived,
or if the equipment becomes unusually hot. This may result in fire or electric shock.
Stop using immediately, turn off the power switch and unplug the equipment from
the power outlet. Contact your local GE Healthcare representative to request repair.
WARNING
Do not allow liquids, flammable materials or metallic objects to get into the camera
head or the ImageQuant LAS 4000. This may result in fire or electric shock.
Turn off the power switch, unplug the equipment from the power outlet, then contact
you local GE Healthcare representative.
WARNING
Do not drop or otherwise damage the camera head or ImageQuant LAS 4000. This
may result in fire or electric shock.
Turn off the power switch, unplug the equipment from the power outlet, then contact
you local GE Healthcare representative.
12 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
2 Safety instructions

WARNING
Do not damage the power supply cord by bending, twisting, heating or allowing
them to become pinned under the equipment. Using damaged power cords could
result in fire or electric shock.
If the power supply cords are damaged, contact your local GE Healthcare
representative for replacements.
WARNING
Do not place the equipment on unstable tables or on inclined surfaces, as the
equipment could be dropped or fall, resulting in injury.
CAUTION
Do not place the equipment or parts in direct sunlight. This may degrade performance
or result in overheating and fire.
CAUTION
Do not scratch or drop parts containing glass such as lenses, filters or lights.
Personal protection
WARNING
Parts of this equipment emit UV radiation. Avoid exposure. Wear protective clothing
and eyewear. UV radiation can cause severe burns and long-term injury to the skin
and eyes.
Excessive exposure of the skin can cause premature aging, allergic reactions and
cancer. Medication or cosmetics may increase sensitivity to UV radiation. Consult a
physician before using this product if using medication, if you have known skin
disorders or if you are especially sensitive to sunlight.
Excessive exposure of the eyes can result in permanent damage to your vision.
CAUTION
Do not stare at the light emitted from the LED lights sources. This may impair vision.
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 13
2 Safety instructions
2.1 Safety precautions

Operation
WARNING
Do not use the equipment with a power supply other than that recommended. Fire
and electric shock could result.
WARNING
Do not use the equipment within or near a sink, or in humid or dusty environments.
Fire and electric shock could result.
WARNING
If thunder can be heard, do not touch the power supply plug, or electric shock could
result.
WARNING
Connect the power supply directly to a grounded wall power outlet. The use of
extension cords or multiple loads on one electrical outlet could result in fire and
electric shock.
CAUTION
Do not use the same power supply as that of large equipment such as an air
conditioner or centrifuge. Malfunction could result.
CAUTION
Do not block the vents and ensure that the vents are kept free of dust and dirt.
Blockage of the vents can result in overheating of the equipment and malfunction.
Place the instrument at least 20 cm away from walls or other equipment to ensure
adequate cooling.
CAUTION
Do not open the door of the instrument too wide, and do not apply excessive force
to it.
14 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
2 Safety instructions
2.1 Safety precautions

CAUTION
When opening or closing the door use the opening lever. Take care not to catch
objects or fingers in the door when closing.
CAUTION
Do not place heavy objects on the equipment. These may fall and cause injury.
CAUTION
Only one ImageQuant LAS 4000 should be connected to a particular PC. Connecting
more than one may result in malfunction.
CAUTION
Turn the power switch off before connecting or disconnecting cables, otherwise the
equipment may malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not connect any lens or light source other than those recommended by GE
Healthcare.
CAUTION
Turn the power switch off before attaching or detaching a lens, otherwise the
equipment may malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not leave the lens hanging from the lens guide. It may fall and damage the
equipment.
CAUTION
Do not touch the shutter on the camera head. Damage to the shutter will impede
correct operation.
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 15
2 Safety instructions
2.1 Safety precautions

CAUTION
Do not repeatedly turn the power switch on and off unnecessarily. This may cause
malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not leave samples in the equipment after exposure. If left, these may degrade
and cause damage.
CAUTION
The Epi lights are in sets of two for the left and right sides. Ensure that they are
correctly installed. Do not mix light sources of differing types.
CAUTION
Ensure that the Epi lights are connected and locked in position before turning the
power on.
CAUTION
Keep the windows of the light sources clean and avoid touching them.
NOTICE
The UV trans tray will deteriorate with repeated UV radiation. This is normal. Replace
the UV trans tray when this deterioration becomes noticable in exposed images.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the USB cable while the Control Software is running.
16 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
2 Safety instructions
2.1 Safety precautions

Maintenance
WARNING
Do not remove the covers of the camera head or the ImageQuant LAS 4000. High
temperature and high voltage parts could result in burns or electric shock.
Contact your local GE Healthcare representative to request internal inspection,
servicing, and repairs.
WARNING
Do not attempt to modify the equipment, or fire and electric shock could result.
CAUTION
Take care when connecting the power supply cable. Do not tug on the cable, and
do not handle the connection plugs with wet hands.
CAUTION
Connect the computer hardware on the same power circuit, otherwise the equipment
may be influenced by electrical nosie.
CAUTION
Turn off the power switch and remove connecting cables before moving the
equipment.
CAUTION
Turn the power switch off before cleaning the inside of the equipment.
CAUTION
Unplug the equipment if it will not be used for an extended period.
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 17
2 Safety instructions
2.1 Safety precautions

2.2 Labels
On the exterior of the ImageQuant LAS 4000 there are a number of labels describing equipment
specifications as well as precautions necessary to safely use the ImageQuant LAS 4000. This section
lists the symbols used on the safety labels and shows the location of labels on each component. The
names of parts on the components are also shown.
ImageQuant LAS 4000 serial number
The ImageQuant LAS 4000 serial number is located on a label on the back of the instrument.
123456
Symbols used in safety labels
MeaningLabel
Warning! Read the user documentation before using the system. Do not open any
covers or replace parts unless specifically stated in the user documentation.
The system complies with the requirements for electromagnetic compliance (EMC) in
Australia and New Zealand.
The system complies with applicable European directives.
Labels concerning use of hazardous substances
MeaningLabel
This symbol indicates that the waste of electrical and electronic equipment must not
be disposed as unsorted municipal waste and must be collected separately. Please
contact an authorized representative of the manufacturer for information concerning
the decommissioning of equipment.
18 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
2 Safety instructions
2.2 Labels

MeaningLabel
This symbol indicates that the product contains hazardous materials in excess of the
limits established by the Chinese standard SJ/T11363-2006 Requirements for Concen-
tration Limits for Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronics.
Intelligent dark box (IDX)
Camera cable
Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB 19
2 Safety instructions
2.2 Labels

Camera head
Bottom
Connector for IDX
Mechanical
shutter
Lens mount
LAS High Sens. lens
Lens cap
Lens control connector
Mount
End cap
Label (Back side)
F0.85 43mm LAS High Sens. Lens
20 Getting Started with ImageQuant LAS 4000 28-9607-59 AB
2 Safety instructions
2.2 Labels
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