Qiagen QIAsymphony SP User manual

Sample to Insight__
December 2017
QIAsymphony®SP/AS
Consolidated Operating
Guide
For use with software versions 4.0 and 4.1
Version 1
QIAGEN GmbH, QIAGEN Strasse 1, 40724 Hilden
GERMANY
R2 1112127

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Contents
1Introduction ...........................................................................................................10
1.1 General information......................................................................................10
1.1.1 Technical assistance..............................................................................10
1.1.2 Policy statement....................................................................................10
1.1.3 Version management ............................................................................11
1.2 Intended use of QIAsymphony SP/AS .............................................................11
1.2.1 QIAsymphony SP..................................................................................11
1.2.2 QIAsymphony AS.................................................................................11
1.3 Requirements for QIAsymphony SP/AS users ...................................................12
1.3.1 Training for QIAsymphony SP/AS users ..................................................12
1.4 QIAsymphony Cabinet SP/AS .......................................................................12
1.5 User manual references.................................................................................13
1.6 Glossary......................................................................................................13
1.7 QIAsymphony SP/AS accessories ..................................................................13
2Safety Information ..................................................................................................14
2.1 Proper use ...................................................................................................14
2.2 Electrical safety ............................................................................................15
2.3 Environment.................................................................................................16
2.3.1 Operating conditions ............................................................................16
2.4 Waste disposal ............................................................................................17
2.5 Biological safety...........................................................................................17
2.5.1 Samples ..............................................................................................17
2.6 Chemicals....................................................................................................18
2.6.1 Toxic fumes..........................................................................................18
2.7 Mechanical hazards .....................................................................................19
2.8 Heat hazard ................................................................................................19
2.9 Maintenance safety ......................................................................................19
2.10 Radiation safety .......................................................................................21
2.11 Symbols on the QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments.........................................22

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3Startup Procedure...................................................................................................24
3.1 Site requirements..........................................................................................24
3.1.1 Workbench..........................................................................................24
3.2 General features...........................................................................................25
3.2.1 Hood(s) ...............................................................................................25
3.2.2 Touchscreen.........................................................................................25
3.2.3 USB ports ............................................................................................25
3.2.4 Network interface.................................................................................26
3.2.5 Status LEDs ..........................................................................................26
3.3 Switching on the QIAsymphony SP/AS ...........................................................26
3.3.1 Getting started .....................................................................................26
3.3.2 Logging out .........................................................................................27
3.3.3 Switching off the QIAsymphony SP/AS ...................................................28
4User Settings..........................................................................................................29
4.1 Configuration settings ...................................................................................29
4.2 User accounts ..............................................................................................29
4.2.1 Create new users..................................................................................30
4.2.2 Activate/inactivate user accounts ...........................................................31
4.2.3 System request for password change ......................................................32
4.2.4 User request for password change..........................................................33
4.3 Language package installation.......................................................................34
4.3.1 Setting up the USB stick and transferring language files from the USB stick..34
4.3.2 Transferring files using the QMC ............................................................35
4.3.3 Changing the language on QIAsymphony SP/AS ....................................35
4.3.4 Changing the language in QIAsymphony Management Console (QMC).....36
5QIAsymphony SP/AS User Interface.........................................................................37
5.1 QIAsymphony SP/AS screen layout ................................................................37
5.1.1 Status bar ............................................................................................37
5.1.2 Tab menus ...........................................................................................39
5.2 Software symbols .........................................................................................40

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6Handling Files........................................................................................................41
6.1 Transfer options............................................................................................41
6.2 Data transfer via the USB stick .......................................................................42
6.3 File transfer from QIAsymphony instruments to the USB stick ..............................42
6.4 Transferring files from the USB stick ................................................................44
6.5 Synchronizing files .......................................................................................45
6.5.1Synchronizing files on instruments with files on the USB stick .....................46
6.5.2 Synchronizing files on the USB stick with files on instruments .....................46
6.6 Deleting files ................................................................................................47
7QIAsymphony SP Features.......................................................................................48
7.1 Workflow principle.......................................................................................48
7.1.1 Basic principle .....................................................................................49
7.2 Instrument features ........................................................................................49
7.2.1 Magnetic head.....................................................................................49
7.2.2 Lysis station..........................................................................................50
7.2.3 Robotic arm .........................................................................................50
7.3 Bar code reader ...........................................................................................52
7.3.1 Sample input bar code reader ...............................................................52
7.3.2 Reagents and consumables 2D bar code reader ......................................52
7.3.3 Bar code types .....................................................................................53
7.3.4 Handheld scanner ................................................................................53
8Loading QIAsymphony SP Drawers ..........................................................................54
8.1 Using the software Wizard............................................................................54
8.2 Loading the “Waste” drawer .........................................................................55
8.2.1 Tip park station ....................................................................................56
8.2.2 Liquid waste container ..........................................................................56
8.2.3 Tip chute .............................................................................................57
8.2.4 Tip waste collection ..............................................................................57
8.2.5 Unit boxes ...........................................................................................58
8.2.6 Closing the “Waste” drawer..................................................................59

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8.3 Loading the “Eluate” drawer ..........................................................................59
8.3.1 Features of the “Eluate” drawer ..............................................................59
8.3.2 Loading procedure ...............................................................................61
8.3.3Transfer module....................................................................................63
8.3.4 Unloading the “Eluate” drawer...............................................................64
8.4 Loading the “Reagents and Consumables” drawer ...........................................66
8.4.1 Loading consumables............................................................................67
8.4.2 Reagent cartridges................................................................................70
8.4.3 Buffer bottle .........................................................................................71
8.4.4 Accessory Trough .................................................................................72
8.4.5 Unloading reagents and consumables.....................................................73
8.5 Loading the “Sample” drawer ........................................................................74
8.5.1 Loading tube carriers ............................................................................74
8.5.2 Loading the plate carrier .......................................................................83
8.6 Performing inventory scans (SP)......................................................................83
8.6.1 Inventory scan of the “Reagents and Consumables” drawer.......................83
8.6.2 Inventory scan of the “Waste” drawer.....................................................85
8.6.3 Inventory scan of the “Eluate” drawer .....................................................86
8.7 Starting, pausing, resuming, and stopping a run ..............................................86
8.7.1 Starting a run.......................................................................................86
8.7.2 Pausing a run.......................................................................................86
8.7.3 Resuming a run ....................................................................................87
8.7.4 Stopping a run .....................................................................................87
8.8 End of batch processing or run.......................................................................88
8.9 End of working day ......................................................................................88
9QIAsymphony SP Run Definitions .............................................................................89
9.1 Configuring a sample type ............................................................................89
9.2 Use of virtual bar codes ................................................................................89
9.3 Defining a batch/run (queuing)......................................................................90
9.3.1 Samples loaded in the tube carrier .........................................................90

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10 QIAsymphony AS Features......................................................................................95
10.1 QIAsymphony AS principle........................................................................95
10.2 Instrument features ....................................................................................96
10.2.1 QIAsymphony AS hood.........................................................................96
10.2.2 QIAsymphony status LEDs......................................................................97
10.2.3 Robotic arm .........................................................................................97
11 QIAsymphony AS Drawers......................................................................................98
11.1 “Eluate and Reagents” drawer ...................................................................98
11.1.1 Filter-tips..............................................................................................98
11.2 “Assays” drawer ......................................................................................99
12 QIAsymphony AS Basic Functions ......................................................................... 100
12.1 Definitions ............................................................................................ 100
12.1.1 Independent operation ....................................................................... 100
12.1.2 Integrated operation .......................................................................... 101
12.1.3 Run with normalization....................................................................... 101
12.1.4 Standard curve.................................................................................. 101
12.2 Preparing a run ..................................................................................... 102
12.2.1 Assay favorites.................................................................................. 102
12.3 Integrated run ....................................................................................... 103
12.3.1 Defining an integrated run.................................................................. 104
12.3.2 Loading an integrated run .................................................................. 113
12.3.3 Checking cooling temperatures ........................................................... 123
12.3.4 Starting an integrated run................................................................... 124
12.3.5 Removing assays after an AS run ........................................................ 125
12.3.6 Procedure after run completion............................................................ 126
12.3.7 Pausing, resuming, and stopping an integrated run ............................... 126
12.4 Independent run .................................................................................... 128
12.4.1 Defining an independent assay run...................................................... 128
12.4.2 Defining/checking sample rack(s)........................................................ 132
12.4.3 Defining assay(s) to be processed in the run ......................................... 136
12.4.4 Assigning selected assays to sample positions....................................... 139

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12.4.5 Modifying assay parameters............................................................... 141
12.4.6 Queuing an independent assay run ..................................................... 143
12.4.7 Validating the assay run..................................................................... 143
12.4.8 Loading an independent run ............................................................... 144
12.4.9 Checking cooling temperatures ........................................................... 145
12.4.10 Starting an independent run............................................................ 145
12.4.11 Removing assays after an independent run ....................................... 146
12.4.12 Pausing, resuming, and stopping an independent run ........................ 150
12.5 Performing inventory scans (AS) .............................................................. 151
12.5.1 Inventory scan of “Eluate and Reagents” drawer ................................... 152
12.5.2 Inventory scan of the “Assays” drawer ................................................. 153
12.5.3 Transfer to a PCR cycler ..................................................................... 153
13 Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 154
13.1 Error messages and warnings ................................................................. 154
13.1.1 Errors indicated in the status bar ......................................................... 154
13.1.2 Errors indicated in the tab headers ...................................................... 154
13.1.3 Errors indicated in the command bar ................................................... 154
13.1.4 Messages with Help button ................................................................. 155
13.1.5 Messages without Help button............................................................. 156
13.2 Software help boxes .............................................................................. 156
13.2.1 Structure of software help boxes.......................................................... 157
13.3 Contacting QIAGEN Technical Services................................................... 158
13.3.1 Make a record of the incident............................................................. 158
13.3.2 Creating an instrument report file......................................................... 159
13.4 Error codes ........................................................................................... 160
13.5 General errors that do not have error codes ............................................. 166
13.5.1 File handling errors............................................................................ 167
13.5.2 File errors ......................................................................................... 167
13.5.3 Tip waste errors................................................................................. 170
13.5.4 Maintenance errors............................................................................ 170
13.5.5 Configuration menu errors .................................................................. 170

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13.6 QIAsymphony SP errors that do not have error codes ................................ 170
13.6.1 “Eluate” drawer ................................................................................ 170
13.6.2 “Sample” drawer .............................................................................. 171
13.6.3 “Waste” drawer................................................................................ 172
13.6.4 “Reagents and Consumables” drawer.................................................. 172
13.6.5 Errors that may occur when starting a batch/run ................................... 173
13.6.6 Protocol errors................................................................................... 173
13.6.7 Errors that may occur while operating the QIAsymphony SP ................... 173
13.6.8 Protocol interruption........................................................................... 174
13.6.9 Inventory scan errors.......................................................................... 174
13.7 QIAsymphony AS errors that do not have error codes................................ 175
13.7.1 Assay definition errors ....................................................................... 175
13.7.2 Inventory scan errors.......................................................................... 176
13.7.3 Errors occurring during an assay run ................................................... 177
13.7.4 Data analysis errors........................................................................... 178
13.8 Integrated run errors that do not have error codes ..................................... 179
13.8.1 “Eluate” drawer ................................................................................ 179
13.8.2 Removal of an integrated run .............................................................. 179
13.8.3 Maintenance, service, and configuration.............................................. 179
14 Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 180
14.1 Cleaning .............................................................................................. 180
14.2 Servicing .............................................................................................. 182
14.3 Regular maintenance ............................................................................. 182
14.3.1 Regular disposal of tips ...................................................................... 182
14.3.2 Regular maintenance procedure for the QIAsymphony SP ...................... 183
14.3.3 Regular maintenance procedure for the QIAsymphony AS...................... 184
14.4 Daily maintenance (SP/AS) .................................................................... 184
14.4.1 Pipetting system tip guards (SP/AS) ..................................................... 185
14.4.2 Tip disposal chute.............................................................................. 185
14.4.3 Drawers and lysis station (SP).............................................................. 186
14.4.4 Drawers (AS) .................................................................................... 186

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14.4.5 Conveyor base tray (SP) — optional .................................................... 186
14.4.6 Robotic gripper (SP)........................................................................... 187
14.4.7 Liquid waste container (SP) ................................................................. 187
14.5 Weekly maintenance (SP/AS)................................................................. 187
14.5.1 File management............................................................................... 187
14.5.2 Cleaning the touchscreen ................................................................... 187
14.5.3 Cleaning the QIAsymphony SP/AS hoods............................................ 188
14.5.4 Cleaning the tube carriers (SP) ............................................................ 188
14.5.5 Cleaning the optical sensor (SP) .......................................................... 188
14.5.6 Magnetic head (SP) ........................................................................... 188
14.5.7 Liquid waste container (SP) ................................................................. 189
14.5.8 Cleaning adapters (AS)...................................................................... 189
14.6 UV decontamination of the worktable ...................................................... 189
14.7 Maintenance of the tip adapter O-ring ..................................................... 191
15 Technical Data.................................................................................................... 192
15.1 Environmental conditions........................................................................ 192
15.2 Mechanical data and hardware features .................................................. 193
16 User Interface Addendum..................................................................................... 194
Appendix A .................................................................................................................. 205
Declaration of Conformity .................................................................................... 205
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) ................................................. 206
FCC declaration.................................................................................................. 207
Liability clause .................................................................................................... 208
Wen Quan Yi Micro Hei font................................................................................ 209
Index ........................................................................................................................... 211

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1Introduction
Thank you for choosing QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments. We are confident that they will
become an integral part of your laboratory.
This consolidated operating guide gives you basic information about operating the QIAsymphony
SP and AS instruments.
Before using the instruments, it is essential to read this consolidated operating guide carefully. The
instructions and safety information in the consolidated operating guide must be followed to ensure
safe operation of the instruments and to maintain the instruments in a safe condition.
1.1 General information
1.1.1 Technical assistance
At QIAGEN, we pride ourselves on the quality and availability of our technical support. Our
Technical Services Departments are staffed by experienced scientists with extensive practical and
theoretical expertise in molecular biology and the use of QIAGEN®products. If you have any
questions or experience any difficulties regarding the QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments or
QIAGEN products in general, do not hesitate to contact us.
QIAGEN customers are a major source of information regarding advanced or specialized uses of
our products. This information is helpful to other scientists as well as to the researchers at
QIAGEN. We therefore encourage you to contact us if you have any suggestions about product
performance or new applications and techniques.
For technical assistance, contact QIAGEN Technical Services.
For up-to-date information about QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments, visit
www.qiagen.com/goto/QIAsymphony.
1.1.2 Policy statement
It is the policy of QIAGEN to improve products as new techniques and components become
available. QIAGEN reserves the right to change the specifications of products at any time.