tecan HYDROFLEX PLUS User manual

Instructions for Use for
HYDROFLEX PLUS
Document Part No.
30199906
2022-01
Document Revision No.
1.1
Firmware Level:
4.22

2 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
Tecan Customer Support
If you have any questions or need technical support for your Tecan product,
contact your local Tecan Customer Support organization. Go to
http://www.tecan.com/ for contact information.
Prior to contacting Tecan for product support, prepare the following information
for the best possible technical support (see name plate):
•Model name of your product
•Serial number (SN) of your product
•Software and software version (if applicable)
•Description of the problem and contact person
•Date and time when the problem occurred
•Steps that you have already taken to correct the problem
•Your contact information (phone number, fax number, e-mail address, etc.)

2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 3
WARNING
CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED
IN THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE OPERATING THE INSTRUMENT.
Notice
Every effort has been made to avoid errors in text and diagrams; however,
Tecan Austria GmbH assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in
this publication.
It is the policy of Tecan Austria GmbH to improve products as new techniques
and components become available. Tecan Austria GmbH therefore reserves the
right to change specifications at any time with appropriate validation, verification,
and approvals.
We would appreciate any comments on this publication.
Manufacturer
Tecan Austria GmbH
Untersbergstr. 1A
A-5082 Grödig, Austria
T: [phone]
F: [phone]
www.tecan.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
Copyright Information
The contents of this document are the property of Tecan Austria GmbH and are
not to be copied, reproduced, or transferred to another person or persons without
our prior written permission.
Copyright ©Tecan Austria GmbH
All rights reserved.
Printed in Austria.
Declaration for EU Certificate
See the last page of these Instructions for Use.
Intended Use of Instrument
See chapter 2.2.1 HYDROFLEX PLUS Intended Use.
About the Instructions for Use (IFU)
Original instructions. This document describes the HYDROFLEX PLUS, designed
to wash microplates.
It contains instruction for the use of the instrument and is intended as a reference
for the user. It contains information about the following:
1. Installing the instrument
2. Operating the instrument
3. Programming of wash procedures
4. Defining of wash parameters
5. Cleaning and maintenance procedures

4 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
Trademarks
The following product names and any registered or unregistered trademarks
mentioned in this document are used for identification purposes only and remain
the exclusive property of their respective owners:
•[Product Name]TM
Tecan® and the Tecan Logo are registered trademarks of Tecan Group Ltd.,
Männedorf, Switzerland
•DNA ExpertTM is a registered trademark of Techcomp Ltd., Hong Kong, China
•Agilent® is a registered trademark of Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA
•AIR LIQUIDETM is a registered trademark of AIR LIQUIDE, S.A., Paris, France
•Aseptisol® is a registered trademark of BODE Chemie GmbH & Co. KG,
Hamburg, Germany
•Bacillol® is a registered trademark of BODE Chemie GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg,
Germany
•Costar®, Corning® and NBSTM are registered trademarks of Corning Incorporated,
Corning, NY, USA
•Greiner®, µClear®, LumitracTM and FluotracTM are registered trademarks
of Greiner Labortechnik GmbH, Frickenhausen, Germany
•HTRF® is a registered trademark of Cisbio International, France
•InvitrogenTM is a registered trademark of Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, USA
•Lysetol® and Gigasept Intru AF® (formerly Lysetol) are registered trademarks of
Schülke & Mayr GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany
•Microcide® is a registered trademark of Global Biotechnologies Inc., Portland, Maine,
USA
•Microman® is a registered trademark of Gilson, Inc., Middleton, WI, USA
•Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA, USA
•Invitrogen® and PanVera® are registered trademarks of Invitrogen Corporation
Carlsbad, CA, USA
•Windows®, MS DOS®, Visual Basic® and Excel® are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA
•Hamamatsu® is a registered trademark of HAMAMATSU Photonics K.K. [IR],
Hamamatsu City, Japan
•NUNCTM and Matrix are registered trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific,
Waltham, MA, USA
•Polyfiltronics® is a registered trademark of Whatman International Ltd.
•Dynex® is a registered trademark of Magellan Biosciences, Chelmsford, MA, USA
•Labsystem® is a registered trademark of Labsystem kft., Budapest, Hungary
•BRET2®, DeepBlueC® and PerkinElmer® are registered trademarks of PerkinElmer,
Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
•Chroma-GloTM is a registered trademark of Promega Corporation, Madison, WI 53711
USA
•MycoAlert® is a registered trademark of Cambrex Corporation, East Rutherford, NJ,
USA

2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 5
Symbols
Manufacturer
Date of Manufacturing
In vitro diagnostic medical device
Biological risks
Indicates the possible presence of a strong magnetic field.
Consult instructions for use
CE conformity marking
United Kingdom Conformity Assessed marking shows that the labeled
product is following the applicable regulation in Great Britain.
Catalogue number
Serial number
Unique Device Identification
The UDI symbol identifies the data carrier on the label.
WEEE symbol
China ROHS symbol
TÜV SÜD MARK
MAXIMUM FILLING LEVEL
WARNING! HEAVY WHEN FULL
WASTE

6 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
Liquid 1, Liquid 2, Liquid 3, Liquid 4,
Warnings, Cautions and Notes
The following types of notices are used in this publication to highlight important
information or to warn the user of a potentially dangerous situation:
Note
Gives helpful information.
CAUTION
INDICATES A POSSIBILITY OF INSTRUMENT DAMAGE OR DATA LOSS
IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED.
WARNING
INDICATES THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY,
LOSS OF LIFE OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE IF THE INSTRUCTIONS
ARE NOT FOLLOWED.
WARNING
THIS SYMBOL INDICATES THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF
BIOLOGICALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.
PROPER LABORATORY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST BE
OBSERVED.
ATTENTION
NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
TREATMENT OF WASTE.
•DO NOT TREAT ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
AS UNSORTED MUNICIPAL WASTE.
•COLLECT WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
SEPARATELY.
WARNING
RISK OF FIRE AND EXPLOSION!
ETHANOL IS FLAMMABLE AND WHEN IMPROPERLY HANDLED CAN
LEAD TO EXPLOSIONS. PROPER LABORATORY SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS MUST BE OBSERVED.

2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 7
Abbreviations
Abbreviation
A
Ampere
°C
Degrees Celsius
CE
CE conformity marking
cm
Centimeter
CV
Coefficient of Variation
ELISA
Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay
EN
European Norm: a voluntary European standard of the European Committee for
Standardization or Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN)
°F
Degrees Fahrenheit
hPa
Hectopascal
Hz
Hertz
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
IFU
Instructions for Use
in.
Inch
inHg
Inches of mercury
IVD
In vitro diagnostics
IVD-D
In Vitro Diagnostics Directive
IVDR
In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) (EU) 2017/746
kg
Kilogram
l; L
Liter
m
Meter
mBar
Millibar
ml
Milliliter
mm
Millimeter
mS
Millisiemens
µl
Microliter
PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction
ppm
Parts per million
QC
Quality Control
REF
Reference number/ Order number
s
Second
SN
Serial number
T
Träge (Slow Blow Fuse)
torr
Torr –millimeter of mercury (mmHg)
TYPE
Name and type of instrument
USB
Universal Serial Bus
V
Volt
VA
Volt ampere
WEEE
Waste electrical and electronic equipment

8 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
Table of Contents
1. Safety................................................................................................................................................11
1.1 Instrument Safety................................................................................................................................ 11
2. General.............................................................................................................................................15
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 15
2.2 Area of Application............................................................................................................................. 16
2.2.1 HYDROFLEX PLUS Intended Use....................................................................................... 16
2.2.2 Principle of Operation........................................................................................................... 16
2.2.3 User Profile .......................................................................................................................... 17
2.2.4 HYDROFLEX PLUS Configurations and Options................................................................. 17
2.3 Instrument Specifications .................................................................................................................. 18
2.4 Instrument Description....................................................................................................................... 20
2.4.1 Instrument Dimensions ........................................................................................................ 21
2.4.2 Rear Panel Connections ...................................................................................................... 22
2.4.3 Liquid System Diagram........................................................................................................ 23
2.5 HYDROFLEX PLUS Option................................................................................................................. 23
2.5.1 Liquid Level Detection (LLD)................................................................................................ 23
2.5.2 Fitting and Connecting the Liquid Level Detection (LLD) (Optional)..................................... 24
2.6 Microplate Requirements................................................................................................................... 24
3. Installation .......................................................................................................................................25
3.1 Installation Requirements .................................................................................................................. 25
3.1.1 Required Working Area........................................................................................................ 25
3.1.2 Power Requirements............................................................................................................ 25
3.2 Unpacking and Inspection ................................................................................................................. 25
3.2.1 Unpacking and Inspection Checklist .................................................................................... 26
3.3 Installation Procedure ........................................................................................................................ 27
3.3.1 Connection Diagram ............................................................................................................ 28
4. Operating Instructions....................................................................................................................29
4.1 Switching the Instrument On ............................................................................................................. 29
4.2 Instrument Firmware........................................................................................................................... 30
4.2.1 Instrument Firmware Menus................................................................................................. 30
4.3 Operating Instructions........................................................................................................................ 33
4.3.1 Performing a Wash Procedure............................................................................................. 33
4.4 Wash Modes........................................................................................................................................ 34
4.5 Washing Positions.............................................................................................................................. 34
4.6 Aspirating Modes................................................................................................................................ 35
4.7 Drip Mode ............................................................................................................................................ 36
4.8 End of Operation................................................................................................................................. 38
4.8.1 Instrument Left Switched On................................................................................................ 38
4.8.2 Instrument Switched Off....................................................................................................... 38
5. Programming Procedure................................................................................................................39
5.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 39
5.2 Program Menu..................................................................................................................................... 39
5.2.1 Starting a Program............................................................................................................... 40
5.2.2 Define/Edit a Program (Define/Edit Menu)........................................................................... 41
5.2.3 Process Step: Aspirate......................................................................................................... 42
5.2.4 Process Step: Dispense....................................................................................................... 43
5.2.5 Process Step: Wash............................................................................................................. 44
5.2.6 Process Step: Soak.............................................................................................................. 45
5.2.7 Process Step: User Prompt.................................................................................................. 45
5.3 Show Program..................................................................................................................................... 46
5.4 Clear Program ..................................................................................................................................... 47
6. Settings Menu..................................................................................................................................49
6.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 49
6.1.1 Edit Plates............................................................................................................................ 49
6.1.2 Options Submenu ................................................................................................................ 50

2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 9
6.1.3 Bubble Sensor...................................................................................................................... 50
6.2 Procedures Menu................................................................................................................................ 51
6.2.1 Rinse.................................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.2 Prime.................................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.3 Empty Prime Tray ................................................................................................................ 51
7. Performance Testing/ Quality Control ..........................................................................................53
8. Maintenance and Cleaning.............................................................................................................57
8.1 Rinsing................................................................................................................................................. 57
8.1.1 Rinse Menu.......................................................................................................................... 57
8.2 Priming................................................................................................................................................. 60
8.3 Cleaning Procedures.......................................................................................................................... 62
8.3.1 Cleaning the Cover and Display........................................................................................... 62
8.3.2 Cleaning the Liquid System.................................................................................................. 62
8.4 Liquid or Foam Spills.......................................................................................................................... 64
8.5 Preventive Maintenance Plan............................................................................................................. 65
8.5.1 Daily..................................................................................................................................... 65
8.5.2 Weekly ................................................................................................................................. 65
8.5.3 Every Six Months................................................................................................................. 66
8.5.4 Yearly (Service Engineer Required)..................................................................................... 66
8.6 Replacing the Manifold....................................................................................................................... 66
8.6.1 General Description of the Manifold..................................................................................... 67
8.6.2 Removing the Manifold ........................................................................................................ 68
8.6.3 Installing the Manifold .......................................................................................................... 69
8.7 Replacing the Plate Carrier ................................................................................................................ 70
8.8 Instrument Disinfection...................................................................................................................... 71
8.8.1 Disinfection Solutions........................................................................................................... 71
8.8.2 Disinfection Procedure......................................................................................................... 72
8.9 Disposal of Instrument....................................................................................................................... 74
8.9.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 74
8.9.2 Disposal of Packing Material................................................................................................ 74
8.9.3 Disposal of Operating Material............................................................................................. 75
8.9.4 Disposal of the HYDROFLEX PLUS.................................................................................... 75
9. Trouble Shooting and Error Messages.........................................................................................77
9.1 Errors................................................................................................................................................... 77
9.2 Error Messages................................................................................................................................... 77
9.2.1 Standard Instrument: Error Messages ................................................................................. 77
9.2.2 Liquid Level Detection: Error Messages............................................................................... 78
Index ...........................................................................................................................................................81

1. Safety
2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 11
1. Safety
1.1 Instrument Safety
1. Always follow basic safety precautions when using this product to reduce the
risk of injury, fire, or electrical shock.
2. Read and understand all information in the IFU. Failure to read, understand,
and follow the instructions may result in damage to the product, injury to
operating personnel or poor instrument performance.
3. Observe all Warning and Caution notices in the IFU (see Warnings, Cautions
and Notes on page 6 for a description of the notices used in this document).
4. Never open the HYDROFLEX PLUS while the instrument is plugged into a
power source.
5. Observe proper laboratory safety precautions, such as wearing protective
clothing and using approved laboratory safety procedures.
Note
Suitable Compact Microplates
The HYDROFLEX PLUS supports the processing of flat, round, or
v-shaped bottom microplates in 96-well format typically used for EIA,
which conform to the standard defined by the Society of Biomolecular
Screening. Other plate types in 96-well format such as deep-well plates
and PCR-plates cannot be used with the HYDROFLEX PLUS.
CAUTION
BE CAREFUL WHEN USING STRIP PLATES THAT THE STRIPS ARE
POSITIONED IN THE MICROPLATE AS DEFINED IN THE PROGRAM
USED FOR PLATE WASHING, OTHERWISE SPILLING CAN OCCUR AND
THE INSTRUMENT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED (SEE 4.4 WASH
MODES AND 5.2.2 DEFINE/EDIT A PROGRAM (DEFINE/EDIT MENU)).
Note
Suitable Strip Plates
To achieve proper wash-performance with strip plates ensure that:
All strips have been properly inserted into the frame of the strip-plate
to give a level surface.
The number of strips used, matches the type of manifold used (8-way
manifold: use minimum of one strip, 16-way manifold: use minimum
of two strips).
The current position of the strips within a strip plate matches the
position of the strips as defined in program used for plate washing.
See chapter 5.2.2 Define/Edit a Program (Define/Edit Menu).

1. Safety
12 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
WARNING
TO ENSURE PROPER WASH PERFORMANCE IT IS MANDATORY TO
ADJUST THE HYDROFLEX PLUS TO THE TYPE / MANUFACTURER
OF MICROPLATE OR STRIP-PLATE USED. THIS ALSO APPLIES FOR
ANY PRE-DEFINED PLATE FILE, THAT WILL ALWAYS CONTAIN
AVERAGE PLATE PARAMETERS ONLY, THAT HAVE TO BE
VERIFIED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PLATE TYPE AND IF
NECESSARY CORRECTED BEFORE PUTTING THE
HYDROFLEX PLUS INTO USE.
IF THIS ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE IS NOT PERFORMED
PROPERLY, THIS MIGHT RESULT IN HIGH LEVELS OF RESIDUAL
VOLUME PER WELL, AS WELL AS INSUFFICIENT WASHING OF THE
WELLS AND MAY SERIOUSLY AFFECT ASSAY PERFORMANCE.
FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO ADJUST THE HYDROFLEX PLUS TO THE
TYPE OF MICROPLATE OR STRIP-PLATE USED, SEE CHAPTER
6 SETTINGS MENU IN THIS MANUAL.
WARNING
WASTE BOTTLE –LIQUID LEVEL
MAKE SURE THAT THE LIQUID LEVEL OF THE WASTE BOTTLE IS
ALWAYS KEPT BELOW THE MAXIMUM LEVEL INDICATED ON THE
BOTTLE TO AVOID POTENTIAL OVERFLOW. AS THE CONTENTS OF
THE WASTE BOTTLE ARE POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS; WEAR
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (GLOVES, LAB COAT AND SAFETY
GLASSES) WHEN EMPTYING / HANDLING A WASTE BOTTLE (SEE
8.3.2 CLEANING THE LIQUID SYSTEM).
INQUIRE ABOUT APPROPRIATE COLLECTING POINTS AND
APPROVED METHODS OF DISPOSAL IN YOUR COUNTRY, STATE
OR REGION.
WARNING
THE INSTRUMENT COMPLIES WITH THE EMISSION AND IMMUNITY
REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN IEC 61326-2-6; HOWEVER, THE
ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE EVALUATED
PRIOR TO THE OPERATION OF THE INSTRUMENT.
IT IS THE OPERATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT A
COMPATIBLE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THE
INSTRUMENT IS MAINTAINED, SO THAT THE INSTRUMENT
PERFORMS AS INTENDED.
DO NOT OPERATE THE INSTRUMENT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO
SOURCES OF STRONG ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION (E.G.
UNSHIELDED INTENTIONAL RF SOURCES) AS THIS MAY
INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE
INSTRUMENT AND MAY ALSO LEAD TO INCORRECT RESULTS.

1. Safety
2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 13
WARNING
WHEN USING WASH BUFFERS THAT SHOW A STRONG TENDENCY
OF FOAMING, EMPTY THE WASTE BOTTLE AS SOON AS THE
FOAM-LEVEL HAS REACHED THE MAXIMUM FILLING LEVEL
INDICATED ON THE WASTE BOTTLE. ADDITIONALLY, ADD A
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ANTI-FOAMING AGENT (SUCH AS
SILICONE OIL) TO THE EMPTY WASTE BOTTLE TO REDUCE
FOAMING.
IF FOAMING CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM, WE RECOMMEND
SWITCHING TO A LARGER WASTE BOTTLE (NOT PROVIDED WITH
THE HYDROFLEX PLUS) AND ADDITIONALLY INCREASE THE
CONCENTRATION OF ANTI-FOAMING AGENT IN THE WASTE
BOTTLE. TO HELP FACILITATE BREAKDOWN OF THE FOAM IN THE
WASTE BOTTLE, CAREFULLY SWIRL THE WASTE BOTTLE FROM
TIME-TO-TIME TO IMPROVE MIXING BETWEEN FOAM LAYER AND
ANTI-FOAMING AGENT.
REFILL ANTI-FOAMING AGENT AFTER EMPTYING WASTE BOTTLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN USING THE WACKER ANTI-FOAM EMULSION
SE47 (WACKER ARTICLE CODE 21640582), THE RECOMMENDED
CONCENTRATION IS 1ML OF ANTIFOAMING AGENT FOR 1 LITER
OF WASTE SOLUTION.
FOR ANTIFOAMING AGENTS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS, USE
CONCENTRATIONS AS RECOMMENDED BY CORRESPONDING
MANUFACTURERS.

2. General
2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 15
2. General
2.1 Introduction
The HYDROFLEX PLUS is an instrument for strip-wise processing of microplates
in the 96-well format. The instrument is designed for professional use only and
should only be operated by trained personnel.
CAUTION
THE WASH RESULTS OBTAINED WITH THE HYDROFLEX PLUS ARE
INFLUENCED BY THE CORRECT USE OF THE INSTRUMENT,
ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THIS IFU, AS WELL AS
THE LIQUID COMPOUNDS USED (REAGENTS, WASH BUFFER,
CHEMICAL COMPONENTS). THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE, STORAGE,
AND OTHER HANDLING IN CONNECTION WITH SAMPLES OR
REAGENTS MUST BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED. TAKING THESE FACTS
INTO CONSIDERATION, RESULTS MUST BE INTERPRETED
CAREFULLY.
CAUTION
BEFORE THE INSTRUMENT IS INSTALLED AND SWITCHED ON
IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO STAND FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS, SO
THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF CONDENSATION CAUSING A SHORT
CIRCUIT.
CAUTION
BEFORE WASHING PROCEDURES ARE STARTED, MAKE SURE THAT
THE MICROPLATE POSITION A1 IS INSERTED CORRECTLY.

2. General
16 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
2.2 Area of Application
2.2.1 HYDROFLEX PLUS Intended Use
The HYDROFLEX PLUS is a plate washer for professional use in a laboratory, for
automated washing of 96-well microplates.
The instrument is intended primarily for in-vitro diagnostic use in Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the semi-automation of plate washing-steps.
The scheduled wash procedure, as well as the type of specimen is defined by the
user selected assay.
The HYDROFLEX PLUS is intended for processing of qualitative and quantitative
assays according to scheduled wash parameters and instrument specifications.
The product is intended for professional laboratory use by trained personnel. The
product is not for home or lay person use.
CAUTION
MANDATORY SYSTEM VALIDATION BY OPERATING AUTHORITY
THE HYDROFLEX PLUS HAS BEEN VALIDATED ON REPRESENTATIVE
ENZYME IMMUNO ASSAYS (EIA) ONLY IN EUROPE. IT IS THEREFORE
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY OPERATING AUTHORITY TO ENSURE
THAT THE HYDROFLEX PLUS HAS BEEN VALIDATED ACCORDING TO
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS FOR EACH SPECIFIC ASSAY USED ON
THE INSTRUMENT.
If the HYDROFLEX PLUS plate washer is used differently from the intended use
mentioned above, the instrument is no longer IVD conform; the user is
responsible for the respective use and the necessary validation.
2.2.2 Principle of Operation
The HYDROFLEX PLUS can be used to wash plates for a variety of test routines,
mainly in ELISA applications.
The HYDROFLEX PLUS is a microplate strip washer for automated washing,
aspiration, dispensing, and shaking of 96-well microplates.
It can be configured with an 8-way manifold for washing one column of a 96-well
plate at a time, or with a 16-way manifold for washing two columns of the plate
simultaneously.
Each manifold is equipped with a set of aspiration needles to remove liquid from
the wells, as well as with a set of dispense needles to fill wash buffer-solution into
the wells.
An automated plate carrier is used for transporting a 96-well microplate from a
plate-loading position to a wash-position underneath the manifold.
The HYDROFLEX PLUS can be configured with 1-, 2-, or 4-inlet channels for
connecting one-, two-, or four wash buffer-solutions.
During the wash-step, liquid is removed from the wells using the manifold in
combination with an integrated aspiration pump. This pump is running
continuously while the aspiration needles are descending until they reach the
bottom of the wells and the liquid has been removed. For efficient crosswise
aspiration the HYDROFLEX PLUS can use two aspiration positions per well in
96-well plates with a flat-bottom surface.
When the manifold is in the upper position the desired volume of wash buffer-
solution is dispensed into the wells, using the dispense needles in combination
with a dispense pump. For efficient washing of the wells use larger dispense

2. General
2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 17
volumes. The HYDROFLEX PLUS is running both the aspiration pump and the
dispense pump in parallel.
During a soak-step the HYDROFLEX PLUS supports linear shaking of the plate
carrier.
2.2.3 User Profile
Professional User - Administrator Level
The administrator is a person who has suitable technical training and
corresponding skills and experiences. If the product is used as intended, the
person is able to recognize and avoid dangers.
The administrator has extensive skills and is able to instruct the end user or the
routine user in assay protocols in connection with a Tecan product within the
bounds of the intended use.
Computer application skills and good English skills are required.
End User or Routine User
The end user or routine user is a person who has suitable technical training and
corresponding skills and experiences. If the product is used as intended, the
person is able to recognize and avoid dangers.
Computer application skills and good language skills for the respective national
language at the installation site and English are required.
Service Technician
The service technician is a person who has suitable technical training and
corresponding skills and experiences. If the product needs to be serviced or
maintained, the person is able to recognize and avoid dangers.
Computer application skills and good English skills are required.
Note
Training dates, their duration and frequency are available at your
customer support.
Address and phone number can be found in the web:
http://www.tecan.com/customersupport
2.2.4 HYDROFLEX PLUS Configurations and Options
The following instrument configurations and options are available for the
HYDROFLEX PLUS:
HYDROFLEX PLUS configurations include:
•HYDROFLEX PLUS with 8-way manifold and 1, 2 or 4 inlet channels
•HYDROFLEX PLUS with 16-way manifold and 1, 2 or 4 inlet channels
Option for factory-installation on HYDROFLEX PLUS models include:
•Liquid Level Detection (LLD) –online monitoring of the liquid level of the
liquid and waste bottles.

2. General
18 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
CAUTION
UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION OF THE HYDROFLEX PLUS, ANY OF
ITS OPTIONS AND/OR COMPONENTS AS WELL AS ON ANY
CORRESPONDING SOFTWARE OR SPARE PARTS WILL RESULT IN A
LOSS OF WARRANTY AND A POTENTIAL LOSS IN INSTRUMENT
PERFORMANCE.
CAUTION
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROPER INSTALLATION
OF THE INSTRUMENT AND HYDROCONTROL SOFTWARE ALONE WILL
NOT ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR LOCAL
REGULATIONS. A RANGE OF POLICIES AND STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE REGULATIONS MUST
ADDITIONALLY BE ESTABLISHED.
2.3 Instrument Specifications
Note
Instrument specifications have been defined using Greiner flat-bottom
compact 96-well microplates and may vary using other 96-well plates or
96-well strip-plates.
The table below lists the specifications for the instrument. All specifications listed
below are based on the following instrument settings:
Dispense/Wash rate:
250 µl/s
Aspiration rate:
3
PARAMETERS
CHARACTERISTICS
General
Display unit
Liquid Crystal Display with two rows of sixteen digits
Keyboard
Four key membrane keyboard
Number of dispensing
channels
Up to four channels
Manifold types
8 and 16-way manifold
USB Interface
All connected devices must be approved and listed as per IEC 60950-1
Information Technology Equipment –Safety or equivalent local standards.
Variable
Volume of solution
dispensed
50 - 3000 µl in 50 µl increments for washing
50 - 400 µl in 50 µl increments for dispensing
Dispensing accuracy
<= 2 %
Measured under following conditions:
8-way manifold, 300 µl, dispensing rate 3 (250 µl/s/well), wash buffer, Greiner
96 well flat bottom plate

2. General
2022-01 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 19
PARAMETERS
CHARACTERISTICS
Dispensing uniformity
<= 4 % CV
Measured under following conditions:
8-way manifold, 300 µl, dispensing rate 3 (250 µl/s/well), wash buffer, Greiner
96 well flat bottom plate
Residual volume
Measured under following conditions:
<= 2 µl / well (Greiner 96-well flat bottom plate)
-Crosswise aspiration, 8-way manifold, aspiration rate: 3, aspiration time: 4 s,
head speed: 10 mm/s, wash buffer.
-Residual volume of <= 2 µl / well cannot be guaranteed if a 16-way manifold is
used and if not, all wells are filled with liquid.
<= 5 µl / well (Greiner 96-well round bottom and V-shaped bottom plates)
-Single aspiration, 8-way manifold, aspiration rate: 3, aspiration time: 4 s, head
speed: 10 mm/s, wash buffer.
-Residual volume of <= 5 µl / well cannot be guaranteed if a 16-way manifold is
used and if not, all wells are filled with liquid.
Carry over
between wells
<= 1 ppm
The Carry over between wells <= 1 ppm cannot be guaranteed if not all wells
are filled with liquid.
Power
Supply
Auto-sensing
100 - 120 V or 220 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Consumption
< 65 VA
Physical
Outside dimensions
Width: 275 mm, Depth: 366 mm, Height: 180.5 mm
(Width: 10.8 inches, Depth: 14.4 inches, Height: 7.1 inches)
Weight
6.6 kg
Environmental
Ambient temperature
Operation
15°C to 35°C (59°F to 95°F)
Storage
-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Relative Humidity
Operation
20 % to 80 % non-condensing
Storage
10 % to 80 % non-condensing
Others
Overvoltage category
II
Pollution degree
2
Method of disposal
Electronic waste (infectious waste)

2. General
20 HYDROFLEX PLUS No. 30199906 Rev. No. 1.1 2022-01
2.4 Instrument Description
The diagram below shows the main components of the instrument:
Keyboard and
Display Unit
Manifold Arm
Manifold
Prime Tray
Plate Support
Guide Bar
Power ON
LED
power
TECAN
hydroFLEX