VWR avantor Chemi Premium User manual

Version 01 Issue 04/2021
Instruction Manual
VWR®Gel Documentation Imager Chemi Premium
EUROPEAN CATALOGUE NUMBER: 730-1469

2vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Legal address of Manufacturer
Europe
VWR®International bv,
Researchpark Haasrode 2020
Geldenaak sebaan 464
B-3001 Leuven
[phone]
http:be.vwr.com
UK Importer:
VWR International Ltd
Hunter Boulevard, Magna Park
Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4XN
http://uk.vwr.com
Country of origin
UK

10 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Legal Address of Manufacturer
2
Safety Information
13
Unpacking a Imager Chemi Premium System
18
Removing from the Packaging
18
Visual Inspection
18
Unpacking the Main Box
18
Overview
21
Imager Chemi Premium Overview
21
Imager Chemi Premium
22
Gel Doc Image capture Software
23
Software Installation
26
Minimum System Requirements
26
Software Installation
26
Run the Set-up Program
26
Select the Instrument Hardware Information
27
Select if running Gel Doc in a CFR21 part 11 Compliance environment
27
Select the Installation Folder Destination Location
27
Select the Start Menu Folder
28
Install Device Drivers using the Device Driver Installation Wizard
28
Operating
30
Operator Controls
31
Rear Panel
31
Touch Screen PC
31
Connected PC
31
Instrument Set-up - Standard Darkroom
31
Operator Accessories
33
Lights
33
Filters
33
Switching Instrument On
34
Entering Hardware Details
37
Entering Personal Preferences
39
Adjusting Basic Screen Viewing Size
48
Recommended Light / Dye / Accessory and Other Application Tables
49
Loading Test Samples
50
Black Anti-reflective Screen Installed
50
Converter screens
50
Ultra-bright Blue Light LED Transilluminator Installed
50
White Light Pad Installed
50
Automatic Image Capture Mode
51
Automatic Gel Image Capture
51
DNA/RNA Agarose Gel and DNA/RNA Acrylamide Gel
52
Visble Protein Gel
52
Fluorescent Protein Gel
52
Stain free Gel
53
Automatic Blot Image Capture
53
ChemiRapid.
54
Chemi Blot (single image)
54
Chemi Blot (series)
55
Signal Accumulation Calculator (S.A.C)
55
Fluorescent Blot
56
Visble Blot
56
Stain free Blot
56
Sample Positioning and Capture
56
Lighting and Filter options to improve sample positioning
56
Automatic image capture- Image Actions Following Capture
52
Manual Image Capture Mode
63
Manual Image Capture - Start
63
Manual Image Capture - Single Image
64
Manual Image Capture - Series
72
Table of Contents

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Manual Image Capture - Additive Series
77
Manual Image Capture - Multiplex
81
Manual Image Capture - Image Actions Following Capture
86
Protocols - Saving, Opening and Editing
87
Introduction
87
Creating and Saving a Protocol
87
From the Home Screen
87
In Auto Image Capture Mode
89
In Manual Image Capture Mode
90
Using Protocols
91
Opening a Protocol
91
Deleting a Protocol
93
Editing a Saved Protocol
93
Image Functions
94
Load Images Screen
94
Image Actions from Load Images Screen
95
View Images Screen
96
View Images Screen - Single Images
97
View Images Screen - Multiplexed Images
97
View Images Screen - Image Display Options
97
View Images Screen - Combining Single Images into a New Multiplexed Image
101
Image Edit Screen
102
Image Edit Screen - Image Editing Main Options
102
Image Edit Screen - General Option
103
Image Edit Screen - Annotate Option
105
Image Edit Screen - Enhance Option
108
Image Edit Screen - General / Annotate / Enhance Options Common Controls
110
Image Edit Screen - 3D View Option
112
Image Edit Screen - All Options Common Controls
115
Common Screen Functions and Tools
116
Saving Images
116
Printing
120
Operator Maintenance
127
Looking After a Imager Chemi Premium Instrument
127
Cleaning a Imager Chemi Premium Instrument
127
User Replacable accessories and spare parts
127
Contacting VWR International
128
Imager Chemi Premium Troubleshooting
129
Disposal
130
Disposing of a Imager Chemi Premium
130

12 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Safety Instructions
Safety Practices
This document describes the general safety practices and precautions that must be observed when
operating a VWR®Gel Documentation Imager2 System.
This advice is intended to supplement, not supersede, the normal safety codes in the user’s country. The
information provided does not cover every safety procedure that should be followed. Ultimately,
maintenance of a safe laboratory environment is the responsibility of the user and the user’s organisation.
Please consult all documentation supplied with the Imager2 System before starting to work with the
instrument. Carefully read the safety information in this document and in the other documentation supplied.
When setting up the instrument or performing analysis or maintenance procedures, strictly follow the
instructions provided.
Warning Notices
Within this User Guide WARNINGS are used to highlight information or instructions that must be followed
in order to avoid personal injury to yourself or other people in the vicinity, e.g. switch off the mains voltage
and remove the mains cord before cleaning.
Warnings appear below:
WARNING
Switch off the mains voltage and remove the mains cord before cleaning.
WARNING
Ensure that all instrument users read and understand the precautions listed below.
WARNING
You are advised to post a copy of the precautions near to or on the instrument itself.
Precautions
The following precautions must be observed when using a Imager Chemi Premium System:
Be sure that the voltage of the Imager Chemi Premium System corresponds to the voltage
available where it is to be installed.
Never remove the side or back panels of the Imager Chemi Premium System without first shutting
down the instrument and disconnecting the mains cord.
General Operating Conditions
Imager Chemi Premium Systems have been designed and tested in accordance with the safety
requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Imager Chemi Premium Systems
conform to IEC61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use) as it applies to IEC Class 1 (earthed) appliances, and therefore meet the requirements of
EC directive 2006/95/EC.

13 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
If possible, avoid any adjustment, maintenance or repair to the instrument while it is open and operative.
However, if any adjustment, maintenance or repair is necessary while the instrument is open, this must be
done by a skilled person who is aware of the hazards involved.
Whenever circumstances arise that mean a Imager Chemi Premium System may be unsafe, make it
inoperative. In particular, a Imager Chemi Premium System may be unsafe if it:
Shows visible damage.
Fails to perform the intended measurement.
Has been subjected to severe transport stresses.
Has been subjected to prolonged storage in unfavorable conditions.
Environmental Conditions
Imager Chemi Premium Systems should only be used under the following conditions:
Indoors.
At altitudes below 2000m.
In ambient temperatures between 5°C and 40°C.
With relative humidity below 80% for temperatures up to 31°C, decreasing linearly to 50% relative
humidity at 40°C.
Electrical supply fluctuations not exceeding +10% of the nominal voltage.
WARNING
The protection provided by the equipment may be impaired if the environmental
conditions do not lie within these parameters.

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Electrical Safety
Imager Chemi Premium Systems are designed to protect the user from potential electrical hazards. This
section describes some recommended electrical safety practices.
WARNING
Lethal voltages are present at certain points within the instrument.
When the instrument is connected to mains power, removing the instrument covers
is likely to expose live parts.
Even when the power switch is off, high voltages can still be present –capacitors
within the instrument may still be charged even if the instrument has been
disconnected from all live voltage sources.
The Imager Chemi Premium System must be correctly connected to a suitable electrical supply. The supply
must have a correctly installed protective conductor (earth or ground) and must be installed and checked by
a qualified electrician before connecting the instrument.
WARNING
Any interruption of the protective conductor inside or outside the Imager Chemi
Premium System, or disconnection of the protective conductor terminal is likely to
make the instrument dangerous.
Intentional interruption of the protective conductor is prohibited.
WARNING
Ensure that the mains supply socket on the instrument is not obstructed, i.e. leave a
gap to allow easy disconnection of the mains cord.
WARNING
If the mains power cord has to be replaced, ensure that the replacement cord is
appropriately rated and approved for the intended use.
When working with the Imager Chemi Premium System:
Connect the instrument to a correctly installed mains power outlet that has a protective conductor
connection.
Do not operate the instrument with any covers or internal parts removed.
Do not attempt to make internal adjustments or replacements except as directed in the Imager
Chemi Premkium System documentation.
Disconnect the instrument from all live voltage sources before opening it to make any
adjustments, replacements, maintenance or repair. If the opened instrument must be operated for
further adjustment, maintenance or repair, this must only be done by a supplier’s Service
Engineer.
If it is possible that the instrument is no longer electrically safe for use, make the instrument
inoperative and secure it against any unauthorised or unintentional operation. The electrical
safety of the instrument is likely to be impaired if:
It has any signs of visible damage.
If it has been subjected to prolonged storage in unfavourable conditions.
If it has been subjected to severe stress during transportation.

15 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Changing a Fuse
There are two User accessible fuses that may need to be replaced:
These are located in the mains power socket on the rear panel of the Imager Chemi Premium
instrument and are only accessible when the mains power cord has been removed.
To change the fuses:
WARNING
Switch off the instrument and unplug the mains power cord from the electrical
supply.
Gently pull out the fuse holder.
Replace the fuses with new fuses of the same type and rating. The fuse type is 20 mm x 5 mm
IEC 60127-1:2006, AMD1:2011 and AMD2:2015 CSV for instruments in all countries.
Replace the fuse holder.
Note: Accessories such as the Transilluminator may have their own fuse.
Note: If the instrument still does not work correctly after replacing the fuses with the correct
replacements, or if the fuses blow repeatedly, contact the supplier’s Office or Representative.
Electrical Protection
Insulation: Class I rating for external circuits. Only connect equipment that meets the
requirements of IEC 61010-1:2010, IEC 60950-1:2005, AMD1:2009 and AMD2:2013 CSV or
equivalent standards.
Installation Category: The instruments are able to withstand transient overvoltages typically
present on the mains supply. The normal level of transient overvoltages is impulse withstand
(overvoltage) category II of IEC 60664-1:2007.
Pollution Degree 2: Normally only non-conductive pollution occurs. Occasionally, however,
temporary conductivity caused by condensation must be expected.
EMC Compliance
EC Directive
The Imager Chemi Premium System is designed and tested to meet the requirements of the EC directive
2004/108/EC and 93/68/EEC. The instrument complies with the EMC standard EN61326-1:2013 (EMC
standard for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use) and EN 55011:2009 and
A1:2010 (ISM) class A (rf emissions).
FCC Rules and Regulations
The Imager Chemi Premium System is classified as a digital device used exclusively as industrial,
commercial or medical test equipment. It is exempt from the technical standards specified in Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and Regulations based on Section 15.103 (c).
UV Safety
The Imager Chemi Premium System uses epi mid wave UV tubes and UV transilluminator. If the door is
opened the image capture software will automatically switch off the UV light.

16 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
To override the UV light when the door is open for cutting bands out of your gel please follow the
instructions listed below;
1. Open the Imager Chemi Premium door and locate the top white switch under the black square
button. Pull the top white switch out.
2. Then press the black square button and hold for a few seconds until you hear the UV
transilluminator switch on.
Warning Labels
Warning labels attached to the instrument draw attention to specific hazards - refer to this User Guide and
other documentation provided with the instrument for more details concerning potential hazards and any
precautions or other actions that must be taken.
WARNING
To prevent potential personal injury and damage to the instrument, switch OFF all
components in the system and disconnect them from the mains power supply
before altering, or making any new electrical connections.
WARNING
Please ensure that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used
when overriding UV light source.
It is recommended that a laboratory coat , a UV visor and gloves
are worn.
UV override
switch
Top white switch needs
to be pulled out to
override UV light.

17 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Unpacking a VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
System
Removing from the Packaging
Visual Inspection
Upon taking delivery of a new Imager Chemi Premium Instrument:
Check the contents of the cartons as they are unpacked against the contents listed on the
packing list
Check each item on the packing list for damage and document any damage carefully
If any items are missing or damaged, contact your local distributor immediately
Unpacking the Main Box
The Imager Chemi Premium Instrument is packaged in a large carton which is securely strapped. Some
Instruments may be shipped as a carton only, others may be shipped with the carton strapped onto a
wooden pallet. Accessories are shipped in one or more separate cartons.
To unpack a typical Imager Chemi Premium Instrument:
WARNING
A Imager Chemi Premium Instrument requires two people to lift it safely. A Imager
Chemi Premium Instrument complete weighs approximately 37kg.
UNPACKING A Imager Chemi Premium
Original packing of Imager Chemi Premium
Remove the strapping and tape

18 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Open the cardboard carton top flaps
Remove the carton and gently lift the Imager
Chemi Premium out
Attach the camera, slide the transilluminator into
place, and put on the camera cover
Imager Chemi Premium ready for use

19 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
6. Carefully unpack the accessories.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Mains power cord - suitable for country of use
Darkroom to camera power lead (9-way D-type to jack)
Darkroom to lens lead (15-way D-type female to 15-way D-type male)
Camera to PC lead (USB Mini-B to USB Type A)
Darkroom to PC lead; serial lead (9-way D-type male to 9-way D-type female) plus
serial/USB converter (9-way D-type male to USB Type A)
Pre-ordered Emission Filters
Pre-ordered epi LED Modules (in pairs)
Transilluminator
UltraBright LED blue light transilluminator
Visible light converter screen
Black anti-reflective screen
White light pad

20 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Overview
Imager Chemi Premium Overview
The Imager Chemi Premium range are high resolution, multi-application image analysis systems. Imager
Chemi Premium can be used for a wide range of imaging applications including; chemiluminescence,
fluorescent blots and gels, visible blots and gels.
The basic Imager Chemi Premium Instrument comprises two main components:
Darkroom - this provides a completely black environment into which the sample to be imaged is
enclosed. Samples can be placed into the Darkroom directly onto a screen, a transilluminator or a
white light pad.
Imaging System - samples are illuminated with a specified light source or sources and imaged
directly or through specified filters. Six types of light source are available:
LED lights of known wavelengths (red, green, blue and IR) located high up on the sides of
the Darkroom. These illuminate the sample from above. These are modular units,
replaceable by the operator.
UV lamps of known wavelengths (254-nm, 302-nm and 365-nm) located above the LED
light modules on either side of the instrument. These illuminate the sample from above.
Blue LED lights on transilluminators, providing side and through lighting of samples.
UV lights on transilluminators, providing side and through lighting of samples.
A white light pad , an alternative to using a visible light converter screen over the UV
transilluminator.
In addition, white LED lights are provided on each side of the Darkroom to provide general
illumination when positioning and setting up samples.
Between the Darkroom and the lens/camera there is a rotating screen with spaces for up to 7 filters
to be inserted. The screen is indexed, enabling the location and specification of each installed filter
to be specified to the Gel Doc image capture software.
Imager Chemi Premium system has a new generation of camera - having 4 million pixels, giving
the system outstanding sensitivity and versatility.

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Imager Chemi Premium
SPECIFICATIONS
Imager Chemi Premium
Image resolution (megapixels)
4
Effective resolution (megapixels)
16
A/D
16 bit
Greyscales
65 536
Quantum efficiency @ 425nm
73%
Cooling
Peltier
Lens (motor driven)
f1.2 with feedback
Filter wheel (7 position)
●
UV filter*
●
Use with external PC
●
Darkroom - standard
●
Darkroom - extended with motor driven
stage
EPI LED white lights
●
EPI UV 302nm**
●
EPI red Hi-LED
●
EPI blue Hi-LED
●
EPI green Hi- LED
●
EPI Far Red HI-LED
●
EPI IR Hi- LED
●
Visible light converter (33 x 31 cm)
●
White light pad for visible stains (20 x
14 or 20 x 30 cm)
●
UltraBright LED blue light
transilluminator (20 x 16 cm)
●
Edge lighting unit (26.5 x 20 cm)
UV transilluminator 302nm (20 x 20
cm)***
●
Maximum image area (cm)
30.5 x 22.7
Minimum image area (cm)
5.0 x 3.7
W x H x D (cm)
57 x 84 x 45
Weight (kg)
37
Supply voltage (V ac)
115 / 240
* other emission filters are available
** other wavelengths are available
*** other sizes and wavelengths are available including dual wavelength

22 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
The Imager Chemi Premium are suited to the applications detailed below:
APPLICATIONS
Imager Chemi Premium
Affordable system for fluorescent and visible gels and chemiluminescent Western
blots.
High resolution, high QE (73% @ 425nm), 4MP camera with enhanced cooling for
longer exposure times - suitable for chemiluminescence.
Effective resolution up to 16MP.
Motor driven lens with feedback.
Integral white LED lighting for sample positioning, visible light applications and
colorimetric markers.
Motor driven 7-position filter wheel with UV filter to extend applications.
Automatic or manual control using Gel Doc image capture software.
Pre-defined 1-click protocols for rapid imaging.
Unlimited user saveable protocols.
Use with UV transilluminator for DNA imaging.
Use converter screen for visible light applications such as protein gels.
Use with blue LED UltraBright transilluminator for safe-dye applications.
Includes unlimited copies of Gel Doc analysis software.
IQ/OQ qualification protocols as available.
Built-in light gantries for Hi- LED EPI illumination options. RGB, and IR
APPLICATIONS INDEX
Imager Chemi Premium
DNA gels
●
Protein gels
●
Multiplex gels - 3 or more colours
●
Colony counting
●
2D Gels (DIGE)
Chemiluminescence blots
●
Colorimetric blots
●
Stain free imaging
●
Films
●
IR imaging
●
Bioluminescence
●
GFP plant imaging
●
Gel Doc Image capture Software
The Gel Docs image capture software runs in a standard Windows environment and provides an application
driven and time-saving workflow for running a variety of life science applications.
The Imager Chemi Premium Instrument is controlled and operated by the Gel Doc image capture software
running on an external PC operating a standard Microsoft Windows environment. Two cable connections
are required between the PC and the Imager Chemi Premium Instrument; one for the Darkroom, and one
for the Camera.
The raw data recorded by the digital camera is processed by the Gel Doc image capture software to
generate the images and technical files which are the Imager Chemi Premium Instrument's basic outputs.
The Gel Doc image capture software provides both automatic and manual modes of control of the Imager
Chemi Premium hardware and has an inbuilt database of application specific data which it uses in

23 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
automatic capture mode to optimise the hardware configuration in order to obtain the optimal sample image.
The database contains information relating to:
Sample format; Gel, Blot, Other
Blot type; Chemiluminescence, Fluorescence, Visible
Sample type; Protein, DNA, RNA
Matrix type; Acrylamide, Agarose
Dye types
Lighting types
TYPICAL IMAGER CHEMI PREMIUM–FRONT
CAMERA COVER
INDICATOR LIGHTS
DARKROOM DOOR
DARKROOM DOOR
MANUAL RELEASE
BUTTON

24 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
TYPICAL IMAGER CHEMIN PREMIUM - DARKROOM DOOR OPEN
INDICATOR LIGHTS
CAMERA MODULE
TRANSILLUMINATOR
UNIT
ELECTROMAGNETIC
DOOR CATCH
UPPER LIGHT UNITS -
BOTH SIDES

25 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Software Installation
Minimum System Requirements
The Gel Doc image capture software can operate on the following Microsoft Windows Operating Systems:
Windows 7 Professional SP3 (32 bit and 64 bit versions),Windows 8 Professional and Windows 10
Note: Home versions of the Windows Operating Systems are not supported.
.
Software Installation
A Imager Chemi Premium Instrument needs to have the Gel doc software installed on the associated PC
from which the instrument is to be controlled.
The Gel Doc software can only be installed from a Windows account that has Administrator rights.
Installation is performed in the following order:
1. Run the Set-up Program
2. Select the Instrument Hardware Information
3. Select the Installation Folder Destination Location
4. Select the Start Menu Folder
5. Install Device Drivers using the Device Driver Installation Wizard
Run the Set-up Program
6. Insert the VWR USB stick and run the Set-Up Program. The following screen will appear:
SETUP –Gel Doc - WELCOME TO THE Gel Doc SETUP WIZARD SCREEN
7. Click on the Next > button. The first Hardware Information screen will appear.

26 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
Select the Instrument Hardware Information
SETUP –Gel Doc - FIRST HARDWARE INFORMATION SCREEN - INSTRUMENT TYPE
8. Select the instrument type that you have by selecting the appropriate radio button, i.e. Imager
Chemi Premium.
9. Click on the Next > button. The Setup –Gel Doc CFR compliance creen will appear.
Select if running Gel Doc software in a CFR21 part 11 Compliance
environment
SETUP –Gel Doc –CFR COMPLIANCE
Select the Installation Folder Destination Location
SETUP –Gel Doc - SELECT DESTINATION LOCATION SCREEN
10. Select the folder in which you would like the Gel Doc image capture software to be installed:
To accept the displayed default folder click on the Next > button.

27 vwr.com Instruction manual VWR®Imager Chemi Premium
To choose a different folder click on the Browse... button and navigate to the desired
folder or create a new folder. Then click on the Next > button.
Note: The Gel Doc software installation requires free space of at least 80.7 MB.
11. The Setup –Gel Doc Select Start Menu Folder screen will appear.
Select the Start Menu Folder
SETUP –Gel Doc - SELECT START MENU FOLDER SCREEN
12. Select the folder in which you would like Gel Doc program start shortcut to be installed:
To accept the displayed default folder click on the Next > button.
To choose a different folder click on the Browse... button and navigate to the desired
folder or create a new folder. Then click on the Next > button.
13. The Ready to Install screen will appear. Click on the Install button to start the installation
process.
SETUP –Gel Doc - SELECT START MENU FOLDER SCREEN
14. The Device Driver Installation Wizard screen will appear.
Install Device Drivers using the Device Driver Installation Wizard
This part of the installation process installs the software drivers that some computers need in order to
complete the installation.