MSD MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 User manual

INSTRUMENT MANUAL
www.mesoscale.com®
MESO®QuickPlex SQ 120

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.
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MESO SCALE DIAGNOSTICS, LLC. (“MSD”) MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY
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(THIS “MANUAL”), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS
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USE OF THIS MANUAL.
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The information contained in this Manual is subject to change without notice.
Unauthorized Use of Manual Material
No part of this Manual may be duplicated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, translated, transcribed, or transmitted in any form or
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Unauthorized Use of Trademarks or Service Marks
MESO SCALE DISCOVERY, MESO SCALE DIAGNOSTICS, MSD, MSD GOLD, DISCOVERY WORKBENCH, MULTI-ARRAY, MULTI-
SPOT, QUICKPLEX, SECTOR, SECTOR PR, SECTOR HTS, SULFO-TAG, N-PLEX, R-PLEX, S-PLEX, T-PLEX, U-PLEX, V-PLEX,
STREPTAVIDIN GOLD, MESO, www.mesoscale.com, SMALL SPOT (design), 96 WELL 1, 4, 7, 9, & 10-SPOT (designs), 384 WELL 1 &
4-SPOT (designs), MSD (design), N-PLEX (design), R-PLEX (design), S-PLEX (design), T-PLEX (design), U-PLEX (design), V-PLEX
(design), It’s All About U, and SPOT THE DIFFERENCE are trademarks and/or service marks of Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC.
All other trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2013, 2017 Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC. All rights reserved.
Manual part number: 3-1300-0B0002-F
July 2018
Printed in USA

iii
Table of Contents
1Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................7
1.1 Intended Audience..........................................................................................................................................7
1.2 How to Use This Manual................................................................................................................................. 7
1.3 Warnings and Caution Symbols ......................................................................................................................8
1.4 Formatting Information ...................................................................................................................................8
2Safety Information................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Regulatory and Safety Certifications .............................................................................................................. 10
2.1.1 Laser............................................................................................................................................. 10
2.1.2 WEEE Compliance.......................................................................................................................... 10
2.1.3 Hazardous Substances ................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Symbols and Labels ..................................................................................................................................... 11
2.3General Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 12
2.4 Hazards ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.1 Electrical ....................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.2 Chemical and Biological................................................................................................................. 14
2.4.3 Visual............................................................................................................................................ 14
2.4.4 Mechanical.................................................................................................................................... 15
2.4.5 ESD Sensitivity .............................................................................................................................. 15
2.4.6 Electromagnetic Interference and Susceptibility ............................................................................... 15
2.5 Software and Operating System Compatibility................................................................................................ 16
2.6 Decontamination Prior to Shipping or Servicing ............................................................................................ 16
3System Description................................................................................................................................................. 18
3.1 Intended Use................................................................................................................................................ 18
3.2 Specifications Overview................................................................................................................................ 18
3.3 Plate Compatibility....................................................................................................................................... 18
3.4 System Components..................................................................................................................................... 18
3.5 MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 Instrument ............................................................................................................. 19
3.5.1 CCD Camera and Telecentric Lens .................................................................................................. 20
3.5.2 Motion Control System .................................................................................................................. 20
3.5.3 Plate Barcode Reader ..................................................................................................................... 20
3.5.4 Integrated Assay Plate Stacker ........................................................................................................ 21
3.5.5 Status LEDs................................................................................................................................... 22
3.5.6 Power Switch and Input/Output (I/O) Panel...................................................................................... 23
3.6 Microsoft Windows-Compatible Computer..................................................................................................... 24
3.7 MSD DISCOVERY WORKBENCH Software ..................................................................................................... 24
3.8 Operational Modes ....................................................................................................................................... 24
3.9 Image Readout ............................................................................................................................................. 24
3.9.1 Reading Partial Plates .................................................................................................................... 26
3.10 Electronic Test Plate..................................................................................................................................... 26
3.11 Uninterruptible Power Supply ....................................................................................................................... 26
4Installation, Quick Start, and General Use................................................................................................................. 28
4.1 Installation................................................................................................................................................... 28
4.2 Quick Start................................................................................................................................................... 28
4.2.1 Start-up......................................................................................................................................... 29
4.2.2 Setup ............................................................................................................................................ 29

iv
4.2.3 Run ............................................................................................................................................... 30
4.2.4 Results.......................................................................................................................................... 32
4.3 Run Multiple Plates...................................................................................................................................... 32
4.4 Robotics Integration ..................................................................................................................................... 32
5Maintenance........................................................................................................................................................... 34
5.1 User Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................ 34
5.1.1 Computer Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 34
5.1.2 Performance Qualification .............................................................................................................. 34
5.1.3 Cleaning and Exterior Decontamination........................................................................................... 34
5.2 Preventive Maintenance................................................................................................................................ 34
6Appendix ................................................................................................................................................................ 36
6.1 Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................................................................. 36
6.2 Specifications .............................................................................................................................................. 38
6.2.1 MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 Instrument Specifications ......................................................................... 38
6.2.2 MSD Plate Specifications ............................................................................................................... 39
7Technical Support................................................................................................................................................... 41
7.1 Bug Reports and Suggestions ....................................................................................................................... 41
7.2 Problems Running the QuickPlex SQ 120 ...................................................................................................... 41
7.3 How to Contact Us ....................................................................................................................................... 41

v
List of Figures
Figure 2:1 User hazards.................................................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 3:1 The QuickPlex SQ 120 imager and computer ................................................................................................... 19
Figure 3:2 Cutaway view of the imager ............................................................................................................................ 20
Figure 3:3 MSD and custom barcode label locations........................................................................................................ 21
Figure 3:4 Custom Barcode Reader Selection Dialog........................................................................................................ 21
Figure 3:5 Status LEDs................................................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 3:6 Power switch, power entry port, and USB port on the back of the instrument ..................................................... 23
Figure 3:7 Electrical Noise Filter ..................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 3:8 Notebook computer cable attachments (USB and power) .................................................................................. 24
Figure 3:9 SECTOR plate showing 24, 4-well sectors ....................................................................................................... 25
Figure 3:10 Reading QUICKPLEX plates in sectors, 1 well at a time .................................................................................. 25
Figure 3:11 The electronic test plate................................................................................................................................ 26
Figure 4:1 Status window ............................................................................................................................................... 28
Figure 4:2 MSD DISCOVERY WORKBENCH splash screen................................................................................................ 29
Figure 4:3 MSD DISCOVERY WORKBENCH desktop icon ................................................................................................. 29
Figure 4:4 Setup window ................................................................................................................................................ 30
Figure 4:5 Loading an electronic plate............................................................................................................................. 30
Figure 4:6 Run Options dialog box.................................................................................................................................. 31
Figure 4:7 Electronic test plate results, Color Map layer................................................................................................... 32
List of Tables
Table 2:1 Hazardous Substances..................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 2:2 Symbols and labels ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 6:1 Troubleshooting Guide .................................................................................................................................... 36
Table 6:2 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................. 38

1
Introduction

Introduction 7
Introduction
MESO SCALE DISCOVERY (MSD) develops, manufactures, and markets biological assays that provide cost-effective and valuable
information to scientists in drug discovery, therapeutic screening, and life science research. MSD's product portfolio is based on MULTI-
ARRAY®technology, a proprietary combination of patterned arrays and electrochemiluminescence detection that results in exceptional
sensitivity, speed, dynamic range, and convenience.
MSD develops, manufactures, and markets detection instrument systems as well as a line of assay kits for use with these instruments, a
proprietary line of reagents, and custom microplate printing and assay development services. MSD®MULTI-ARRAY microplates are
available for the MESO QuickPlex®SQ 120 instrument in a 96-well format with standard or high-binding surfaces. MSD plates may be
purchased uncoated or coated with proteins such as streptavidin or avidin, with anti-species antibodies such as goat anti-mouse or goat
anti-rabbit, or with antibodies against specific analytes. Custom coatings and surface treatments are available.
MSD MULTI-ARRAY plates are available as single spot (single assay) plates and as MULTI-SPOT®plates with patterned spot arrays in
each well. MULTI-SPOT plates measure multiple analytes simultaneously in a single well, increasing throughput and enabling novel
assay panels.
For more details and information about applications, please visit the MSD website at www.mesoscale.com.
1.1 Intended Audience
This manual is for users of the MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument. Users should have an understanding of general computer and
Microsoft®Windows terminology and be familiar with standard laboratory practices.
This manual describes how to operate the MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument and acquire data using both SECTOR®and QUICKPLEX®
plates. The analysis of this data is treated in a separate manual: DISCOVERY WORKBENCH®User’s Guide.
1.2 How to Use This Manual
This manual is organized by chapters containing main topics and subsections. Use the hyperlinked Table of Contents to find topics of
interest quickly. The List of Figures and List of Tables hyperlink to the images and tables that enhance understanding of written
information in the manual. The Appendix contains supplemental information on troubleshooting, instrument specifications, regulatory
information, and safety symbols and labels.
Tips
Symbol 
Tips provide extra information or details that help users perform functions more efficiently.
Notes
Notes provide supplemental information on the proper use of the QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument and its software.

Introduction 8
1.3 Warnings and Caution Symbols
WARNING
General warnings advise operators of potential hazards and highlight the procedures or information necessary to avoid personal injury
during use of the QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument.
Symbol
Explanation
Risk exists for a mechanical, chemical, or safety hazard
Risk exists for an electrical hazard
Risk of exposure to biohazards
CAUTION
A caution note highlights procedures or information necessary to avoid damage to equipment, corruption of software, loss of data, or
invalid test results.
CAUTION:Carefully read and understand all information in this document. Failure to read, understand, and follow the
instructions in this publication may result in damage to the product, injury to operating personnel or poor instrument performance.
1.4 Formatting Information
This guide uses the following formatting conventions:
Internal hyperlinks are formatted bold/gray. Click to jump instantly to the referenced section or figure.
External hyperlinks are formatted underlined/blue. Click to create an email message or open an external web page.
Clickstreams are indicated with arrows and always start with a top-level menu item: Select Tools Plate Data
History.
Information to be entered by the user is shown in italics: Enter Administrator.
When referring to a term as it appears in the software, we capitalize it exactly as it is capitalized on-screen: Select
Read from Bar Code from the Plate Type menu.

2
Safety Information

Safety Information 10
Safety Information
2.1 Regulatory and Safety Certifications
The QuickPlex SQ 120 has been tested to comply with applicable regulatory standards; it carries the cSGSus mark and is CE marked.
Regarding EN 61326-1: 2013 Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use – EMC Requirements:
•The QuickPlex SQ 120 instrument is designed for operation in a controlled electromagnetic environment. Transmitters of RF
energy such as mobile (cellular) telephones should not be used in close proximity.
Regarding FCC Rules, Part 15, Subpart B, a Class A digital device:
•This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC
rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
in a commercial environment. The equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
Regarding Industry Canada Interference-Causing Equipment Standard:
•This Class A digital apparatus complies with CAN ICES-001(A).
•Cet appareil numérique de la Classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-001(A) du Canada.
Contact MSD Scientific Support with inquiries about the regulatory compliance of MSD instrumentation.
2.1.1 Laser
The MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 is classified per CFR Title 21 part 1040.10 and part 1040.11 as a Class 1 laser product with a built-in
barcode reader classified as Class 2. The QuickPlex SQ 120 is classified as Class 1 in accordance with IEC 60825-1:2014.
The MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 complies with FDA performance standards for laser products except for deviations pursuant to Laser
Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007.
2.1.2 WEEE Compliance
The MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 was placed on the market after 2005 in compliance with European Union (EU) directive 2012/19/EU, the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.
For all inquiries regarding recycling of shipping materials and instrument disposal, contact MSD Instrument Service.