Spectradyne nCS1 User manual

Spectradyne nCS1TM
Quick Start Guide
© Spectradyne LLC
www.NanoparticleAnalyzer.com

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 2Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Contents
Purpose of the Quick Start Guide.............................................................................................................................3
The nCS1 Instrument: Overview & Specifications...............................................................................................3
Specifications ...............................................................................................................................................................3
Running the nCS1 ...........................................................................................................................................................4
Workflow Process.......................................................................................................................................................4
1. Startup Instrument and Software................................................................................................................4
2. Prime the Instrument.......................................................................................................................................4
3. Load the Sample................................................................................................................................................5
Prepare the sample ...............................................................................................................................................5
Load the analyte into the cartridge.................................................................................................................5
Load the cartridge into the nCS1.....................................................................................................................6
4. Acquire Data........................................................................................................................................................8
Enter run details .....................................................................................................................................................8
Priming the cartridge............................................................................................................................................8
5. End the Measurement Run......................................................................................................................... 11
6. Shutdown the Instrument ........................................................................................................................... 11
Data Analysis.................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Cartridge Size and Concentration Coverage..................................................................................................... 12
More Information and Technical Support .......................................................................................................... 12

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 3Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Purpose of the Quick Start Guide
The purpose of this guide is to get the user quickly familiarized with the instrument operation and
data acquisition. For more detailed information on software features and in-depth data analysis,
refer to the Operation Manual.
The nCS1 Instrument: Overview & Specifications
The nCS1 is a powerful tool for obtaining detailed size and concentration information about
particle distributions in liquids. The core technology utilized in the nCS1 is called Resistive Pulse
Sensing (RPS). A clean disposable cartridge targets a specific size range of particles for each
analysis, eliminating concerns of contamination between samples.
Specifications
•Dimensions: 12” x 12” x 15” (30.5cm x 30.5cm x 38.1cm)
•Weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
•Power: North America: 110V, 5A, 60 Hz;
Europe: 230V, 16 A, 50 Hz
•Nitrogen or CDA: 15 to 30 psi regulated supply
•Min. analyte volume: 3 µl
•Min. ionic strength of analyte: 1-10 mM
•Size Range: 50 nm –10 µm (Refer to cartridge coverage on page 12)
•Concentration range: 1x104 –5x1011 particles per ml, cartridge dependent
•Running buffer: PBS buffer + 1% polysorbate 20 filtered to 0.2 µm
A computer is required to interface with the nCS1 through a standard USB link.
Figure 1. The nCS1 instrument and analysis cartridges.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 4Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Running the nCS1
Workflow Process
A typical process flow for a measurement run is as follows:
1. Startup instrument and software
2. Prime the instrument
3. Load the sample
4. Acquire data
5. End the measurement run
6. Shut down the instrument
1. Startup Instrument and Software
➢Make sure the instrument is connected to a source of clean inert gas (e.g., filtered nitrogen
or air) with input pressures 15-30 PSI.
➢Load the running buffer:
❖Add approximately 50 mL of running buffer to each of the two bottles labeled
“Buffer” on the right side of the instrument.
❖NOTE: Ensure all outer bottle caps and fittings are tight.
➢Turn ON the instrument with the switch located on the rear panel. The power indicator
light (green) on the front of the instrument should be illuminated.
➢Run the “nCS1”software on the computer.
❖Make sure the cartridge calibration file is up-to-date, please contact
[e-mail] for the latest version.
➢NOTE: The instrument should be turned on before running the nCS1 software. If the
instrument is powered off, the software will need to be restarted before next use.
2. Prime the Instrument
This sequence should be performed to prepare the instrument for running the first cartridge on
startup.
➢Load the cleaning cartridge into the instrument following the correct cartridge loading
procedure on page 6.
➢In the nCS1 control software, click on the “Instrument Prime” button (Utilities, Figure 2)
and follow the prompts from the software.
❖Lower the stage
❖Remove the reusable cleaning cartridge and store it in a safe place.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 5Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
3. Load the Sample
Prepare the sample
Prepare the sample according to specifications and cartridge coverage, refer to cartridge coverage
map on page 12.
For further details on method development, refer to the Operation Manual or contact
Spectradyne’s support team at [e-mail].
Load the analyte into the cartridge
A video demonstrating cartridge loading is available on Spectradyne’s website:
www.nanoparticleanalyzer.com.
➢Pipette 3-5 microliters of the sample to be measured into the analyte reservoir on the
analysis cartridge (Figure 3).
➢IMPORTANT:
❖Ensure that any air bubbles in the sample are acceptably positioned in the reservoir
(see Figure 3).
❖Gently tap the cartridge on a flat surface to shift/remove any bubbles if necessary.
Figure 3. Any air bubbles in the analyte must not occlude the bottom of the reservoir.
Figure 2. Utilities frame

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 6Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Load the cartridge into the nCS1
➢Determine your hardware version, click on the “More” button in the nCS1 control software
(Utilities frame, Figure 2).
❖Click on “About this instrument…” under Manual Utilities frame, see Figure 5.
➢Load the cartridge into the socket in the front of the nCS1 following the specific hardware
version instructions below.
Figure 4. Left: The sample pipetted into the analysis cartridge. Right: The front panel of the
Spectradyne nCS1: On the left side is the cartridge insertion socket (Hardware Version 1),
and on the right are the cartridge engage button and indicator lights.
Figure 5. Manual Utilities frame

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 7Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Hardware Version 1 or higher:
➢IMPORTANT:
❖The cartridge must sit flat on the bottom of the
holder. Refer to Figure 6.
Hardware Version 0:
➢IMPORTANT:
❖The outer glass edge of the cartridge MUST be flush
with the edge of the shelf on which it sits.
All Hardware Versions:
➢Refer to Figure 4 for button and indicator light locations.
➢The middle indicator light (blue), and the button ring light (blue) on the front panel of
the instrument must be illuminated before proceeding.
➢Press the cartridge engage button on the front of the nCS1 to raise the cartridge into the
instrument. The top indicator light (white) will illuminate to indicate that the stage has
reached the top of its range of motion and that the cartridge is ready for priming.
➢IMPORTANT (Hardware Version 0):
❖If the white light does not illuminate when the stage is raised to the top of its travel,
immediately depress the cartridge engage button to lower the stage.
❖Call your customer service contact before continuing, or email
[e-mail] for assistance.
➢After this point, the nCS1 and data acquisition process are controlled entirely through the
Spectradyne “nCS1” acquisition software on the computer.
Figure 6. Guidelines for cartridge
insertion.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 8Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
4. Acquire Data
Enter run details
Fill out the appropriate fields under Run Details frame, see Figure 7.
➢“Cartridge Mold ID”should be printed on cartridge box: e.g., P15.2.3, or E16.1.2.
➢“Box Number”: Six-digit date code printed on the cartridge box (e.g., 190915-NN).
Priming the cartridge
➢Press “GO!” to prime the cartridge (Run Control frame, Figure 8).
➢After normal priming, the fill monitors should have approximately the pattern shown in
Figure 8.
➢When the routine is complete, the Acquisition frame (Figure 9) will be activated and data
acquisition will begin automatically.
Figure 7. Run Details frame.
Figure 8. Run Control frame and fill monitors status.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 9Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
➢Raw data should have the form shown in Figure 10—it has a smooth baseline with
particle detection events appearing as downward spikes from the baseline.
➢If the raw data shows too many steps, or poor display of calibration particles, click on the
“Clear Constriction” button, wait for completion, then reattempt acquisition.
➢The particle concentration (with error) measured over any user-defined size range can be
obtained in real time (Figure 12) using the Live CSD feature of the Auto-analysis Engine
(Figure 11).
Figure 9. Acquisition frame.
Figure 10. Exemplary raw data: Smooth baseline with particle detection events appearing as
downward spikes.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 10 Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Figure 12. An example of the Live CSD plot.
Figure 11. Auto-analysis Engine Interface.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 11 Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
5. End the Measurement Run
➢Determine a suitable data stop point by the statistical error on the integrated
concentration or by the number of particles.
➢After acquiring sufficient data, press “End Run” (Run Control frame, Figure 8).
➢IMPORTANT: DO NOT lower the stage until the End Run routine is completed and
the next cartridge is ready for insertion.
➢Create a combined file and generate a Run Report for the acquisitions displayed in the
Live CSD for the current measurement run.
➢If necessary, prepare the next analysis cartridge and follow above steps 3-5.
6. Shutdown the Instrument
➢Press the “Instrument Shutdown” button (Utilities frame, Figure 2) and follow the
instructions.
➢Wait for first stage of process to complete. Follow the prompt to replace running buffer
with DI water (bottles 1 and 3):
oDisconnect the running buffer bottles from the fluid lines using the quick-connect
tube fittings.
oAdd 25-50 mL of fresh deionized water to running buffer bottles or separate DI
water bottles and replace in the instrument.
➢Follow the next prompt to remove the cleaning cartridge and store it in a safe place for
re-use.
➢Power off the instrument during long periods of inactivity (e.g., overnight).
➢IMPORTANT: Refrigerate buffer bottles and DI water bottles after use

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 12 Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
Data Analysis
Refer to the Operation Manual for Viewer software features and data analysis.
Cartridge Size and Concentration Coverage
A more up-to-date cartridge size coverage can be found on our website.

© Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved 13 Version 2.5.0 Revision 1, July 2020
More Information and Technical Support
More detailed information on the operation of the nCS1 and its software can be obtained by
sending email to [e-mail].
At Spectradyne we are eager to help with your particle analysis. Please contact us for help with
specific measurement challenges and for help with the analysis of specific particle populations.
[e-mail]
www.NanoparticleAnalyzer.com