Lifecanvas Technologies SmartBatch+ User manual

SmartBatch+
User’s Manual v1.11

1
Contents
Components & Accessories 2
Equipment Ratings 4
Installation 5
User Interface 9
Graphing & History 11
Operation 12
Clearing Mode 12
Labeling Mode 13
Switching Between Modes 14
Device Washing 14
Temperature Calibration 14
Replacing Electrodes 15
Replacing Fuse 15
Troubleshooting 16
Warranty 17
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

2
Components & Accessories
The SmartBatch+ is a single device that electrophoretically delipidates and immunolabels
biological samples. During processing the samples are loaded into the Sample Chamber, where
an electric field is formed between the Electrodes to drive charged molecules into the samples.
For each operation, unique buffers are poured into the Sample Chamber (and drained out using
the Drain Valve). Finally, electrophoresis can only be applied once the Case Lid is closed.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

3
SmartBatch+ comes with the following accessories:
●1 x Clearing Cup (A)
●1 x Single Sample Staining Cup (B)
●1 x Medium Staining Cup (C)
●Power cord (D)
●1 x Batch Staining Cup (E)
●2 x Incubation Jar (F)
●1 x Extended Drain Tube (G)
●2 x Ring Stand (H)
●2 x Sample Ring and 2 x Lock Ring (I)
●2 x Extra Fuses (J)
●2 x Mesh Bag Set (K) - 2 x 12 bags for mouse brain size samples
●2 x Large Mesh Bag Set (L) - 2 x 4 bags for rat brain size samples
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

4
Equipment Ratings
General Data:
Temperature Control
20-50°C
Electrophoresis Voltage
0-90 VDC
Electrophoresis Current Limit
0-1500 mA
Sample Specimen Size
30mm x 30mm x 20mm
Sample Specimen Capacity
Up to 12 mouse brains or 4 rat brains
Ambient Conditions:
Operating Temperature Range
18-26°C
Relative Humidity
80% Max
Storage Temperature
18-26°C
Storage Humidity
80% Max
Altitude
< 2,000 m
Electrical Data:
Rated Voltage Range (± 10%)
100-240 VAC
Rated Frequency (± 10%):
50-60 Hz
Power Consumption:
500W Max
Power Fuses:
T 10A 250V
Pollution Degree:
2
Electrical Overload Protection:
Yes
Dimensions:
L x W x H
250mm x 450mm x 350mm
Weight
~ 40 lbs
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

5
Installation
Please take note of the following before installation:
●Do not use the instrument for purposes other than those indicated by the manufacturer.
●At least two people are required to move the instrument.
●The instrument must be placed in a stable and level location on a non-metal surface.
●The instrument must be placed such that the power cord and switch are easily
accessible at any time.
●Follow instructions contained in the manual when setting up and operating the
instrument, and when changing consumables.
●If deemed necessary, ask the manufacturer or your sales agent for help when setting up
the system.
●Connect the instrument to an electrical outlet according to local or country standard.
●Do not switch on the instrument without having waited at least 10 seconds after
switching it off.
●Only use buffers, sample cups, and parameter ranges provided by LifeCanvas
Technologies. See product warranty for further information.
●Use the volumes recommended by LifeCanvas Technologies.
●Do not leave the instrument in humid or wet conditions, as doing so could cause an
electrical short.
●Do not use the instrument outdoors.
●Leave at least 1 foot (30 cm) of space on the left and right sides of the device to allow for
proper airflow.
●Power requirements: 100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz, 5A
Note: In the event of unexpected problems, please contact your service representative or
LifeCanvas Technologies immediately:
[e-mail]
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

6
1. Carefully remove the device from the box, using one hand to grab the front of the device
and another hand to grab the back.
2. Remove the foam side panels and place the device down on a stable, level surface with
at least one foot of space (~30cm) on each side to allow for proper airflow.
Image:
3. Plug the power cord into the power entry module on the back of the device and then
plug it into the appropriate wall outlet.
4. Flip the power switch to the On position. The device will startup and the screen will turn
on.
5. Ensure that the drainage tube is in the closed position (the valve handle is perpendicular
to the tube as in image below):
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

7
6. Remove the paper towels from the chamber and dispose of them. These are only here
to soak up any remaining liquid during shipping.
7. Pour ~400 mL distilled water directly into the Chamber.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

8
8. Ensure that there is water in the device and do not run the pump dry. Press “Auxiliary
Power” on the touchscreen. This will turn on the liquid pump, sample cup mixing, and
sample cup rotation. Upon startup the Chamber Hex Piece will rotate faster than normal
for 5 seconds to allow you to visually verify that the Hex Piece is indeed rotating. The
software will also deactivate so that power cannot be cycled too quickly for some
components.
9. If you wish to use the optional Extended Drain Tube, simply press the hard plastic end
into the bottom of the Drain Valve.
10. The device is now fully installed and you are ready to proceed!
11. If you will not be using the device immediately, turn off the Auxiliary Power, main power
switch and drain out the liquid in the chamber using the Drainage Valve.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

9
User Interface
The screen displays set values and present readings for various parameters of device
functionality. From this screen, the user can view and has control of: Voltage,Current Limit,
Timer Settings, and Temperature. The user can change between preset values for clearing and
labeling by pressing the “Preset” button. A display to the right of that button will indicate the
preset setting. To customize any of these settings, the user can enter a number into the main
keypad and press the “Set” button in the region of interest. Be aware of the number of decimal
places when changing these values for temperature, and the hours : minutes template for
changing the timer.
Complete description of UI used to control SmartBatch+ operation:
This is the Temperature panel. The top number shows the current
temperature reading as measured by the IR sensor on the lid on
top of the chamber. This directly measures the temperature of the
surface of the liquid underneath it. The device displays a rolling
average of measured temperatures, so it will take several seconds
to display the correct value on startup.
The bottom number shows the Set Temperature of the system.
The “Set” button will change the Set Temperature to the value that
is currently displayed in the keypad. If an invalid temperature
setting is input, a sound will play and the value will not change.
Note: The device is only heated by the electrophoresis, so without
that turned on the temperature will not increase. If the
temperature exceeds 60°C, the electrophoresis power will turn off
to prevent overheating.
This is the Voltage panel. The top number indicates the voltage that
is presently being applied across the electrodes. The bottom
number is the Set Voltage. The device normally operates in voltage
set, current limit mode. So, it will apply the Set Voltage unless the
current exceeds the Current Limit. If that is the case the Voltage
will decrease such that the Current Limit is not exceeded. To
change the Set Voltage, enter in the desired value in the keypad
and then press the “Set” button. If an invalid Set Voltage is input, a
sound will play and the value will go to the maximum allowable
value.
Note: The amount of heat generated is dependent on the power of
the electrophoresis. Exceeding the recommended values can
increase the thermal load too much and lead to overheating.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

10
This is the Current panel. The top number indicates the current
that is currently passing through the chamber. The bottom number
is the Current Limit. During operation the device will apply the Set
Voltage unless the current exceeds the Current Limit. If that is the
case the Voltage will decrease such that the Current Limit is not
exceeded. If an invalid Current Limit is input, a sound will play and
the value will go to the maximum allowable value.
Note: The amount of heat generated is dependent on the power of
the electrophoresis. Exceeding the recommended values can
increase the thermal load too much and lead to overheating.
This is the Timer panel. The number indicates the current time
remaining on the timer when using the Timed Shutdown function.
The number displays in HH:MM format. To change the Timer, enter
in the desired value in the keypad and then press the “Set” button.
If an invalid Timer value is input, a sound will play and the value
will go to the maximum allowable value.
This is the Keypad. The number at the top is the current value
stored in the keypad. Pressing the numbers will modify this value.
The “Clear” button will erase that value, and the “Back” button will
erase the last number entered.
This is the main functions panel. The “Auxiliary Power” button will
turn on the liquid pump, sample rotation and sample mixing. Note:
Do not turn on the Auxiliary Power unless there is liquid in the
tank. Doing so with a dry tank could damage the pump.
The “Electrophoresis” button turns on the Electrophoresis Power.
It cannot be turned on unless the Auxiliary Power is already turned
on.
The “Timed Shutdown” button will activate the timed shutdown
based on the value shown in the Timer panel. It will count down
the timer, and upon reaching 00:00 will turn off the Electrophoresis
Power. The Auxiliary Power will remain on to keep the sample
cups hydrated.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

11
The “History” button will bring up a graph showing the values from
the current experiment.
The “Mode” button will allow the user to toggle between Run
Mode and Calibration Mode. This is used to calibrate the
temperature sensors. See the Temperature Calibration section for
more information.
The “Preset” button allows the user to toggle between preset
Clearing, Labeling 1, and Labeling 2 modes. The current preset will
be displayed to the right of the button. If the user changes any of
the values, the mode will automatically update to User.
This is the Faults Panel. When the Case Lid is open, the “Cover
Open” indicator will light up. When the lid is open, the device will
halt any Electrophoresis Power. To turn this back on, close the lid
and press the “Reset Faults” button.
Any other errors will be indicated the the “Error” indicator. See the
Troubleshooting section for more information on displayed errors.
Graphing & History
SmartBatch+ stores the Voltage, Current, Cup Temperature and Tank Temperature for each
active experiment and displays them in a rolling graph like an oscilloscope. To see each value in
more detail with labeled axes, press on their individual buttons. This data is overwritten each
time the electrophoresis is switched on.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

12
Operation
Clearing Mode
For more detailed information regarding sample preparation, please refer to the Full Active
Pipeline Protocol. This will show the basic information on running the system to delipidate
samples.
1. Insert SHIELD fixed samples in the Mesh Bags, taking note of which sample is in which
bag. When inserting mouse brains into the bags put the cerebellum facing down to avoid
damaging olfactory bulbs.
2. Place the Sample Ring on the Ring Stand.
3. Hang the Mesh Bags on the Sample Ring and secure them with the Lock Ring.
4. Place Ring Stand in Incubation Jar and incubate samples in Delipidation Buffer overnight
at RT.
5. Wash the device and turn off the Auxiliary Power.
6. Drain out any liquid from the device and ensure the Drainage Valve is closed. Soak up
any remaining liquid from the Chamber using a paper towel.
7. Pour a whole bottle of SmartBatch+ Conduction Buffer into the Chamber.
8. Remove the Clearing Cup from its storage container, and wash carefully with a gentle
stream of water.
9. Place the Clearing Cup into a beaker of distilled water for several minutes to finish
washing the cup.
10. Remove the Clearing Cup from the liquid and dump out any water. Carefully use a
kimwipe to soak up any remaining water inside the cup.
11. Fill the cup with 32mL of Delipidation Buffer.
12.
13. Place the Sample Ring on top of the Clearing Cup with the samples inside. Add more
Delipidation Buffer if the samples are not fully submerged.
14. Insert the cup in the Chamber, lining up the pegs on the bottom with those in the
Chamber Hex Piece. The cup will fit in snugly.
15. Turn on the Auxiliary Power.
16. Close the Chamber Lid and secure it with the thumbscrew.
17. Close the Case Lid.
18. Press “Preset” until it indicates Clearing Mode. Change any settings or apply the timer if
desired. The preset settings are the recommended settings for mouse brains.
19. Turn on the Electrophoresis Power.
20. Wait for your samples to clear.
21. Once fully delipidated, turn off Electrophoresis Power and Auxiliary Power.
22. Open the Case Lid and Chamber Lid and remove the Clearing Cup from the Chamber.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

13
23. Remove Sample Ring from the Clearing Cup and wash samples with PBSN (PBS with
0.02% sodium azide) in the Incubation Jar. Carefully rinse the Clearing Cup with distilled
water and store it in its storage solution. It is important to keep the membrane hydrated
at all times.
24. When done clearing samples, or every 10 days (whichever comes first) wash the system
and replace the buffer in the device. We recommend refreshing the Delipidation Buffer
when adding new samples, or every ~3 days, whichever comes first.
25. Wash the device before turning it off to prevent detergent buildup.
Labeling Mode
1. Wash the device and turn off the Auxiliary Power.
2. Drain out any liquid from the device and ensure the Drainage Valve is closed. Soak up
any remaining liquid from the Chamber using a paper towel.
3. Pour a whole bottle of SmartBatch+ Primary Device Buffer into the Chamber.
4. Remove the Batch Staining Cup from its storage container, and wash carefully with a
gentle stream of water. (If you are running a single sample experiment use the Single
Sample Staining Cup instead).
5. Place the Batch Staining Cup into a beaker of distilled water to finish washing it.
6. Remove the Batch Staining Cup from the liquid and dump out any water. Carefully use a
kimwipe to soak up any remaining water inside the cup.
7. Rinse out the cup twice with Primary Sample Buffer.
8. Fill the cup with 40mL of Primary Sample Buffer and add the appropriate molecular
probes.
9. Insert the Sample Ring into the Batch Staining Cup with the samples on their Mesh
Bags. Ensure samples are properly pre-incubated.
10. Insert the cup in the Chamber, lining up the pegs on the bottom with those in the
Chamber Hex Piece. The cup will fit in snugly.
11. Turn on the Auxiliary Power. The buffer should begin to flow and the stirrer should
begin spinning. The cup will initially rotate relatively quickly but will slow down prior to
the experimental run.
12. Close and seal the Chamber Lid and the Case Lid.
13. Press “Preset” until it indicates Labeling 1 or Labeling 2 Mode for primary and
secondary antibodies accordingly.Change any settings or apply the timer if desired. The
preset settings are the recommended settings.
14. From here, please follow the instructions in the Labeling section of the Full Pipeline
Protocol to finish the experiment.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

14
15. Always wash the device after use before turning off the power to prevent detergent
buildup.
Switching Between Modes
It is simple to switch between labeling and clearing modes.
1. Remove any Sample Cups and samples from the system.
2. Wash the device.
3. Begin processing samples with your new mode following the instructions for that
particular function.
Device Washing
Follow these steps to wash the device.
During these steps it is important to not run the Auxiliary Power without any liquid in the
system. It could potentially damage the pump.
1. Turn off Auxiliary Power.
2. Drain any liquid out of the system with the Drainage Valve and close the valve.
3. Pour 400 mL distilled water into the Chamber.
4. Turn on Auxiliary Power and run the pump for several minutes.
5. Turn off Auxiliary Power and drain the liquid.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 at least 3 more times, or until the liquid in the Chamber is no longer
bubbly.
Temperature Calibration
We recommend re-calibrating the temperature sensors every 6 months to maintain proper
system function and to ensure the best results. For the best results, use a well calibrated digital
thermometer to collect temperature measurements.
1. Fill the device with 400 mL distilled water and turn on the Auxiliary Power.
2. Open the Case Lid and Chamber Lid.
3. Put the thermometer into the Chamber at an angle and close the Chamber Lid such that
the thermometer is still in the liquid, and the sensor on top of the Chamber Lid points
down into the liquid.
4. Wait ~30 seconds for the temperature to stabilize.
5. Press the “Mode” button so the indicator shows “Cal”. This means that the device is in
calibration mode.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

15
6. Type the measured temperature into the keypad.
7. Press the “Set” button in the Temperature panel. This will set the current temperature
to the value you are measuring.
8. Press the “Mode” button again to re-enter calibration mode.
9. Press the “Cal Stats” button.
10. Press the “Save” button.
11. Press “Return” to go back to the main screen.
12. The device temperature is now calibrated!
13. If there are any errors with temperature calibration, you can reset to the Factory
Calibration from the “Cal Stats” page in calibration mode.
Replacing Electrodes
The platinum wire electrodes get thinner over time and eventually will form a break in the wire.
This can take months - years but is expected behavior. Please contact LifeCanvas at
[e-mail] to purchase replacement electrodes. The replacement procedure is
simple:
1. Power off the device and unplug the power cord from the wall. This will ensure that the
electrode swap is safe.
2. Drain out any liquid from the device.
3. Pull the red or black wire out from the Electrode Assembly.
4. Unscrew the 4 bolts that secure the Electrode Assembly to the Chamber.
5. Wipe up any liquid with a paper towel.
6. Place the new electrode assembly in the Chamber slot.
7. Secure the Electrode Assembly with the bolts using a hex key. All 4 bolts should be
finger tight.
8. Plug the wire into the new Electrode Assembly.
9. Power on the device and fill it with 400 mL of distilled water.
10. Turn on the Auxiliary Power and let the system run for ~5 minutes to confirm the
electrode assembly is well sealed to the Chamber.
Replacing Fuse
Caution: Always unplug the power supply before replacing the fuse.
1. Power off the device and unplug the power cord from the device.
2. Remove the Fuse Drawer by pushing a small screwdriver into the slots on the left and
pulling the drawer out.
3. Remove the defective fuse and replace it with the replacement fuse (T 10A 250V).
4. Reinsert the Fuse Drawer by pushing it into the slot until you hear it click into place.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

16
Troubleshooting
Errors during device operation are displayed in the Faults Panel in the lower right corner of the
screen. The table below shows the possible faults:
Error
Observation
Function
Fix
Lid 1 / Lid 2
Case Lid is open.
Electrophoresis Power turns
off when Case Lid is opened
for safety.
Close Case Lid and press
“Reset Faults” button to
turn electrophoresis back
on.
Overheat
Measured tank
temperature is
above 50°C.
Auxiliary Power and
Electrophoresis Power are
turned off to prevent
further heating.
Contact support at:
[e-mail]
No spin
Sample mixing is not
happening.
Stirring motor is stalled or
unable to rotate.
Contact support at:
[e-mail]
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]

17
Warranty
We warrant the product you have purchased for one calendar year after the date of delivery. In
the case of any manufacturer-originated malfunctions that arise during this period of time,
LifeCanvas Technologies will be responsible for repair or replacement of failed parts. However,
this warranty is guaranteed when only LifeCanvas consumables (buffers, sample holders, and
any other consumables) are used with the SmartLabel Pro system and excludes the following
conditions:
●When the system is used outside of recommended setting ranges (temperature higher
than 50° C, voltage higher than 90V, current higher than 1500mA).
•Any damages due to fire, earthquake, rainstorm, or other catastrophic events, as well as
damages arising from pollution or abnormal electrical supply.
•Any damages due to unofficial repair, adjustment, calibration, and modification.
•Any damages due to improper usage or mishandling.
•Any damages caused by moving, dropping, or transporting of the instrument.
•Repair of expendables and consumables.
For service, please contact the agent that you have purchased the instrument from or
LifeCanvas Technologies. LifeCanvas Technologies offers direct support.
Warranty is valid only if the installation is done by trained people and in accordance with
instructions provided in this manual.
www.lifecanvastech.com [e-mail]