IsoPure™ Mini Automated Purification System Operation Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the IsoPure™ Mini Automated Purification System. This user manual details the instrument's features, specifications, as well as complete operating instructions; please read it carefully before operation. Keep this user manual for later use.

Important:

Please keep the box and packaging material for this instrument. If service is required, the box will be needed to ship the instrument to our Service Department.

Initial Inspection

Please inspect the instrument as well as all included accessories when you first open the packaging. If you find anything damaged or missing, please contact Benchmark Scientific or your local distributor immediately.

Contact Information:

BENCHMARK SCIENTIFIC / ACCURIS INSTRUMENTS
PO Box 709
Edison, NJ 08818
USA
Phone: 908-769-5555
Website: www.benchmarkscientific.com / www.accuris-usa.com
Email: info@benchmarkscientific.com / info@accuris-usa.com

Safety Warnings and Guidelines

1. Important information for safe use

Users should understand how to use this instrument before operating. Please read this manual carefully prior to operation.

⚠️ Any improper operation may cause injury. Please read this manual carefully and operate safely according to the guidelines.

2. Operation and Maintenance

The operation and maintenance of the instrument should comply with the basic guidelines and warnings below. Incorrect operation or maintenance will have detrimental effects on the life, performance, and safety features of the instrument.

• The instrument is a normal indoor instrument which conforms to class I of the GB 4793.1 standard.
• This instrument is designed for use in a laboratory environment. The device must be operated by skilled laboratory personnel with appropriate training.

To prevent injury or voiding the warranty, the operator should not attempt to repair the instrument without explicit guidance from Accuris Instruments. If service is required, please contact Accuris Instruments or your local distributor for repair.

Before powering on, confirm that the voltage used meets the electrical requirements of the instrument as stated on the rating plate. If the electric cord is damaged, replace it with the same type of cord. Hold the socket firmly before pulling the plug from an outlet. Do not pull the electric cord.

The temperature of the heating block can be high; please do not touch it while it is in use to prevent injury.

The instrument should be installed in an environment of standard room temperature, low dust, low humidity, and away from direct sunlight, electromagnetic interference, and heat sources. Do not block the vents on the instrument.

Always power off the instrument when you are finished using it. Unplug the power cord and cover the instrument with a cloth or plastic sheet to prevent excessive dust from entering the housing.

Pull the connector plug from the electrical outlet immediately and contact the vendor in the event of:

• ⚠️ Liquid entering the housing.
• ⚠️ Abnormal operation: such as any abnormal sound or smell.
• ⚠️ The instrument is dropped or there is any damage to the housing.
• ⚠️ Any malfunction.

3. Maintenance

The instrument should be cleaned regularly using a soft cloth dampened with a small amount of alcohol.

4. Transportation and storage requirements

• Ambient temperature: 10°C ~ 35°C
• Relative humidity: ≤ 80%
• Atmosphere pressure range: 500 ~ 1060hpa

Place in a well-ventilated room, away from corrosive gas.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 Specifications
• Chapter 3 Instrument Overview
• Chapter 4 Instrument Setup
• Chapter 5 Programming & Operation
• Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

Chapter 1 Introduction

The IsoPure™ Mini is an automated purification system for DNA/RNA, proteins, and cells. It can bind, transfer and release magnetic beads by using moveable magnetic rods. Users can extract 1~16 samples simultaneously with appropriate magnetic bead kits and reagents available from many suppliers. The IsoPure™ series can be used with samples from animal/plant tissue, blood, and body fluids.

1. Key Features

• User-Friendly Input & Operation - Touch screen, 3 operation shortcut keys, included mouse.
• Android™ app and PC software included for programming.
• Internal LED Lighting for visualization of sample processing chamber
• Open software system - Editable protocols with storage for up to 100 protocols.
• Heating function - Heating strips for lysis and elution.
• UV Sterilization function (3W UVC bulb) to reduce risk of cross-contamination.
• Safe and reliable - Fully automated with disposable consumables.
• Fast extraction - 10 ~ 60min depending on protocol & optimization.

Chapter 2 Specifications

1. Required Installation Environment

• Environmental Temperature: 10°C~40°C
• Relative Humidity: ≤ 80%
• Input Voltage: AC 100~240V, 50Hz/60Hz

2. Specifications

3. Dimensions

Dimensions (W×D×H): 7.9x10.2x11.8 in / 208×258×315mm

Diagram Description: The diagram shows the instrument's dimensions. 'W' (Width) is 208mm / 7.9 in. 'D' (Depth) is 258mm / 10.2 in. 'H' (Height) is 315mm / 11.8 in.

Chapter 3 Instrument Overview

1. Structure

Front View:

Diagram Description: The front view shows the instrument with an "Operational LED Indicator" at the top and a "Chamber Door".

Back View:

Diagram Description: The back view shows a "Fan", a "Power Switch", a "Power Socket Fuse", and a "Port For QR code Scanning System".

Side View:

Diagram Description: The side view shows a "USB Port" and a "PC Port".

Sample Processing Chamber

Diagram Description: The sample processing chamber view shows the internal components: "UV lamp", "LED lamp (top of processing chamber)", "Magnetic rod assembly", "Tip Combs", "Cooling fan (underneath heating block)", "Tip Comb holder", and "96 deep well plate".

2. Control Panel

Diagram Description: The control panel features a 4.3-inch touch screen with three buttons: "TAB", "RUN", and "STOP".

• Touch screen: For operational control (mouse also can be connected for operation).
• TAB: Switch between protocols.
• RUN: Start the protocol.
• STOP: Stop the protocol.

Chapter 4 Instrument Setup

1. Preparation before use

Remove the instrument from the shipping box. To release the horizontal motor, unscrew the shipping screw found underneath the instrument. Remove the tape holding the chamber door to open the door. Remove the zip ties and protective foam between the magnetic rod assembly and the tip comb holder.

Diagram Description: Diagrams show the location of M6 screws and zip ties to be removed.

Note: Do NOT power the instrument on prior to removing the shipping screw, zip ties and foam. Please be careful with the magnetic rods when removing the zip ties to prevent damage.

2. Plate Installation

96 Deep Well Plate Installation

Open the chamber door. First, place the plate in the position according to the blue arrow ➀. Then press the plate into the heating block according to the arrow ➁. Note the orientation of the plate (plate corner A1 should correspond with the mark A1 on the base of the processing chamber) to avoid the wrong sequence of reagents. After the plate is in place, close the door.

Diagram Description: Shows a 96 deep well plate being inserted.

Aluminum Sample Rack Installation

The Aluminum Sample Rack is inserted in the same way as deep well plates. The difference is that the Aluminum Sample Rack can process 1~8 samples using 6-well sample strips.

Diagram Description: Shows an Aluminum Sample Rack with 6-well sample strips being inserted.

3. Tip Comb Installation

Slide the tip combs into the grooves of the tip comb holder following the arrow in Fig. 11.

Diagram Description: Shows tip combs being slid into the holder.

4. Removing Tip Combs

Press down the tab found on the tip comb's handle according to the blue arrow ➀. While pressing down the tab, pull the tip combs in the direction of the blue arrow ➁.

Diagram Description: Shows how to press a tab and pull tip combs.

Chapter 5 Programming & Operation

Protocol programming is done using the Android App software which is saved on the included USB flash drive. Protocols are then transferred to the instrument where they are saved in the internal memory and can be selected for operation. For users that do not have an Android device, PC software can also be used for protocol programming. The PC software is also saved on the included USB flash drive.

1. Android App Installation:

Connect the included USB flash drive and the Android device to a computer. On the Android device: Please make sure that downloading from unknown sources is allowed on your “Files” app setting (Settings→Apps & Notifications→Advanced→Special App Access→ Install Unknown Apps→Files→ Grant permission), and that “File Transfer" is selected under “USB Preferences" in the device's settings (Settings→Connected Devices→USB→Use USB for "File Transfer"). Copy the .APK file from the USB flash drive and transfer it into the downloads folder under the internal storage of the Android device. On the Android device, find the .APK file in the "Files" app under “Downloads", and click the .APK file to install (Fig. 13).

Diagram Description: Shows the IsoPure™ Mini App location and an app installation prompt.

2. App Main Interface

After the app has been installed and the startup has completed, the main interface will be displayed. Four main functions are available: Protocol select and transmit, Create new protocol, Acquire protocol from instrument, and Instrument Bluetooth Connection.

Diagram Description: Shows the main interface of the app with the four functions.

3. Protocol Select and Transmit Interface

Click the "Protocol select and transmit” button on the main interface. This interface offers options for local creation and instrument acquisition (Fig. 16).

Local Creation: Shows a list of protocols saved in the memory on the Android device. Or click the "➕" icon to create and edit a new protocol. Protocols can be selected for modification.

Instrument Acquisition: Shows a list of protocols saved in the internal memory of the instrument. Protocols can be selected for transmission to the app.

Diagram Description: Shows the "Protocol Select and Transmit Interface" and examples of "One Protocol selected" and "Multiple protocols selected" with options like Transmit, Delete, Display QR Code, and Save as.

Transmit: Transfer the selected protocols from the app to the instrument.

Delete: Remove protocols from app memory.

Display QR Code: Generate the protocol specific QR code. Use the included handheld scanner to instantly transfer the protocol to the instrument. Press “Save” when the code is displayed to save the code to the photo gallery on the Android device (Fig. 19).

Save as: The selected protocol can be saved under a new name

Note: "Display QR Code” and “Save as” buttons can only be used when only 1 protocol is selected. When multiple protocols are selected, only Transmit and Delete can be performed.

Diagram Description: Shows QR Codes generated for protocols.

Preview: Select the blue “Preview” button to the right of a protocol to see the protocol steps with details (Fig. 20).

New protocol: Click the "New" icon on the "Protocol select and transmit" interface to create a new protocol (Fig. 21). Set the name of the protocol. The default protocol name is the current time. For example, the current time is 14:46, so the first protocol is 14461; a second protocol created within the same minute would be named 14462.

Diagram Description: Shows the process of creating and naming a new protocol.

After the new protocol is named, the interface will allow for the addition of new steps (Fig. 22). Users can add, delete, or copy a step. After the protocol steps have been set, users can preview, edit, and rearrange protocol steps.

Note: A new protocol can also be created from the “Create new protocol” icon on the app main interface.

Add step: To create a new protocol step, users can choose to either add the preset default steps (Lysis, Collect Beads, Pause, etc.) or add a “Custom” step (Fig. 22).

Preview: View details of a protocol after its steps have been set (Fig. 20).

Delete or copy: Select the circle to the right of a protocol step to delete or copy that step. Users can select single or multiple steps for deleting or copying (Fig. 23). When deleting step, a prompt box will be displayed to confirm the step deletion.

Diagram Description: Shows selecting steps for deletion or copying, and moving the sequence of steps.

Step parameters settings: Select a step from the list of steps of a protocol (press the middle of the bar) to enter the parameter settings interface (Fig. 25). At the top, the current sample-well position is shown (position 1-6). To change the position of the step, highlight another position number in orange. Parameters can be adjusted for “General”, “Magnet”, and "Advanced" settings (Fig. 26, Fig. 27). Note that in the "General" parameter settings interface, the temperature can only be adjusted if position 1 or 6 is selected; these are the locations of the heating block and typically correspond to lysis and elution steps.

Diagram Description: Shows "General parameter settings", "Magnet parameter settings", and "Advanced parameter settings" interfaces.

Option settings: Select the "..." icon on the top right of the protocol step interface to enter the options setting interface.

Diagram Description: Shows "Option settings" with Heating, Cooling, and Dry settings.

Action parameter: Includes Horizontal velocity, Vertical velocity of magnetic rods, and Vertical velocity of tip combs.

4. Create New Protocol Interface

Select the "Create new protocol" icon on the app main interface to quickly create a new protocol. The relevant settings are identical to those under “Local Creation" in the "Protocol Select and Transmit” interface (Fig.32).

Diagram Description: Shows the "Create new protocol" interface.

5. Acquire Protocol from Instrument Interface

Before acquiring a protocol from the instrument onto the app, the Android device must be connected to the instrument via Bluetooth. After establishing a Bluetooth connection, the app allows viewing and downloading the saved protocols and the running logs from the instrument. The downloaded protocols/logs can be viewed and edited in the " Acquire protocol from instrument" interface.

Diagram Description: Shows "Connect to Bluetooth" and "View protocol list or running log" interfaces.

Fig. 31 displays the current protocols saved in the instrument's internal memory. Users can select protocols to download onto the app (Fig. 32).

Running log: Select the "Running log" tab and a log to download onto the app. Click the “Download running log" button to download the log (Fig. 33). After downloading the log, click to preview it. The log is transmitted to the app in a .CSV format. The app will convert the .CSV to a .PDF format for viewing it (Fig. 34).

Diagram Description: Shows "Download protocol from instrument to app", "Log download", and "Log preview".

6. Instrument Bluetooth Connection Interface

When the Bluetooth is turned on for the Android device, the app can directly open the "Instrument Bluetooth Connection" interface.

The "My instruments” section displays each IsoPure Mini the Android device has connected to. The right side of the screen will indicate which instrument the app is currently connected to.

Click one of the instruments to establish a connection between the app and the instrument (Fig. 35).

Diagram Description: Shows "Instrument Bluetooth Connection Interface" and "Connect to Instrument via Bluetooth".

Note: The default Bluetooth ID of the instrument is its serial number.

Modify instrument information

In the "Instrument Bluetooth Connection" interface. Select the "?" icon to rename the instrument's Bluetooth ID or to disconnect the Bluetooth connection.

Diagram Description: Shows "Modify instrument information" and "Instrument Bluetooth information".

Click "Disconnect" to disconnect the Bluetooth connection between the Android device and the instrument. Click "Delete this instrument" to remove the selected instrument from the “My instrument" section.

Chapter 7 Instrument Software

Start-up Interface

Upon powering on the instrument, the start-up screen will be displayed (Fig. 39).

Diagram Description: Shows the "Start-up Screen".

Run Interface

Select "Run" to enter the Run interface. This interface is divided into two views: Shortcut View and List View. (Fig. 40, Fig. 41).

Press the icons: "?️" or "?" to toggle between views.

Diagram Description: Shows "Shortcut View" and "List View" of the Run Interface.

Click the "?" icon to preview the selected protocol, as shown in figure 42 below.

Diagram Description: Shows "Preview protocol".

Running a protocol

Click the "▶️" icon to start a protocol run, and "⏸️" icon to pause. (Fig. 43). During a protocol run, a progress bar at the bottom of the screen provides an indication of the process. Remaining time, temperature of the heating blocks, current step name and details of the current step are also displayed.

Diagram Description: Shows "Running a protocol" interface with progress and details.

Log interface

The instrument automatically generates and stores a log of each protocol run. The report contains the name of the protocol, date and time of the protocol run, parameter settings for each step, instrument information, and more. The instrument can store reports of up to 1000 protocol runs, which can be exported via a USB flash drive. The most recent report will display at the top of the list in the “Report” interface (Fig. 44).

Diagram Description: Shows "Protocol Logs".

Settings interface

The settings interface has 4 tabs: “UV”, “Fan”, “System” and “Maintenance”.

UV:

The time of sterilization can be set. Click the start button to begin the process. The UV light will turn off automatically after the timer has ended.

Diagram Description: Shows "UV Sterilization Settings".

Fan:

The internal fan can be turned on or off during a protocol run.

Diagram Description: Shows "Internal fan settings".

System:

Settings for "System” interface is divided into "Time", "Language", "Transfer”, "Bluetooth" and "Version", as shown in figure 48 and 49.

Diagram Description: Shows "System settings" and "System settings page 2".

Time: Change the currently displayed time on the instrument.

Diagram Description: Shows "System time" settings.

Transfer: Import/Export protocols from/to a USB flash drive.

Diagram Description: Shows "Import/Export Protocols".

To import/export a protocol via USB, insert the included USB flash drive into the IsoPure™ Mini. If importing a protocol, the file must be saved in the USB drive under a folder labeled "items". Then, select the "Import " (or "Export") button to enter the flash drive directory. Select the required protocols for transfer and press "Ok" to import/export.

Bluetooth: Turn Bluetooth on/off; the Bluetooth ID is the serial number of the IsoPure Mini.

Diagram Description: Shows "Bluetooth Setting".

Internal LED Lighting

In the lower left corner of the general instrument interface, there is a lamp icon "?". Select the icon to turn the Internal LED lamp on/off (Fig. 52).

Diagram Description: Shows "Turn internal LED lighting on/off".

Maintenance:

Please contact Accuris Instruments with regards to maintenance of the instrument. The instrument is calibrated prior to shipping to ensure proper function.

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

Software Error Codes