Hygiena Dualo 32 Product Instructions

1. SETUP

Installing your Dualo 32

The Dualo 32 flight case should contain the following items:

1. Dualo 32 qPCR Instrument
2. Power Supply Unit and Mains Cable
3. Ethernet Cable
4. USB Drive

Retain the flight case and outer box for future storage or shipment protection.

Lid

The lid ensures proper tube seating, provides optical isolation, includes a heated lid to reduce condensation, and prevents dust from entering empty wells.

USB Port

Insert a USB drive here to run an experiment.

Display LEDs

The Dualo 32 uses display LEDs to indicate its status:

Dualo 32 Connections

The Dualo 32 has three connections: one in the front and two in the back.

Power: Connects to the provided power supply unit.

Ethernet Port: Connects to your LAN or computer.

Powering on your Dualo 32

Place the Dualo 32 on your lab bench and connect AC power. The instrument will turn on, with display LEDs initially blue, then green if the lid is closed or red if not. The Dualo 32 uses a 3-pin IEC mains connector. Ensure a grounded supply or provide an additional ground connection if necessary.

Connecting your Dualo 32 to a Network, PC or Laptop

Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the instrument and the other end to a LAN port or directly to your computer. Network connectivity allows for Wi-Fi connection if supported.

Dualo 32 Connection Modes

1. Direct network connection: Connects the instrument directly to a computer.
2. Local area network connection: Connects the instrument via a LAN.
3. USB drive connection: Allows experiments to be run from a USB drive.

Dualo 32 Heated Lid

The heated lid can reach up to 105 °C and may be hot. Do not touch it. It preheats upon detecting user activity to expedite run starts and turns off after 5 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy.

Installing your Dualo 32 Software

For Windows (and macOS), double-click the Dualo 32-Windows-Installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Configuring your Dualo 32

After installation, configure your Dualo 32 through the software. Select 'Add' to add your instrument, then choose it from the list of available instruments. Double-click or select the instrument and press 'Select' to add it to the 'Registered Instruments' list.

2. TIPS

Keep these tips in mind for running the Dualo 32 instrument:

1. Lid gets warm
2. Do not leave the lid open
3. Spin the tubes
4. Remove all bubbles
5. Keep the lab clean
6. Keep the instrument clean
7. PC settings

Lid gets warm

The Dualo 32 lid may become warm during operation, which is normal.

Do not leave the lid open

Leaving the lid open can allow dust to enter the wells, potentially affecting instrument performance.

Spin the tubes

Spinning the tubes ensures all contents are at the bottom of the wells, improving performance.

Remove all bubbles

Bubbles can cause optical artefacts. Ensure no bubbles are present in reaction volumes.

Keep the lab clean

Maintain a clean workspace, including lab equipment, to ensure instrument cleanliness and good results.

Keep the instrument clean

Follow the cleaning guide in the Maintenance Section for routine instrument cleaning.

PC settings

Disable power-saving settings such as sleep and hibernate on your PC.

3. EXPERIMENT

This section guides you through creating, saving, opening, and closing experiments, as well as setting up sample information and running experiments.

Choose a New Experiment

The Dualo 32 home screen displays 'No Experiment Selected'. Click 'New' to begin creating an experiment.

Select Template File

Choose a template from the list by highlighting it and clicking 'Select'. Templates provide pre-set parameters like temperature profiles, optical, and analysis settings. You can also add new template files.

Experiment Summary

After selecting a template, the Experiment Summary screen appears, displaying details such as the experiment name (defaulting to 'New Experiment' with a timestamp), instrument type, creation date, run state, settings, profile, analyses, and notes. The experiment name can be edited.

Open an Experiment

Use the 'Open' function to load existing experiment files (.ppf).

USB Run

To run an experiment from a USB drive, navigate to the USB location using the 'Open' dialog, select 'Experiment File' from the 'Files of Type' dropdown, and double-click the desired USB run file.

Saving an Experiment

Experiments can be saved automatically or manually. Ensure experiments are saved before closing the software to prevent data loss.

Automatic Saving

When starting a run, you can configure auto-save settings, including selecting a directory for saving data upon run completion. You can also choose to disable this prompt for future runs.

Manual Saving

After a run, manually save your experiment by clicking 'Save' or 'Save As'. The first save prompts for a location and filename; subsequent saves use the same location or allow a new one.

Closing an Experiment

Select 'Close' to exit an experiment. If unsaved changes exist, a prompt will ask whether to save before closing.

Samples

Set up samples and targets for your experiment. Samples or targets can be added before, during, or after a run. The 'Samples' tab in the software allows for adding/removing samples and reordering them using 'Up' and 'Down' arrows.

Assigning Samples to Wells

Assign samples to wells by selecting them and clicking 'Set'. Unassign wells by selecting them and clicking 'Clear'.

Assigning Targets to Wells

Assign targets as Standard (Std.), Unknown (Unk.), or Negative (Neg.) to wells. Clear assignments by selecting the targets and wells and clicking 'Clear'. Contact technical support for more information on standard controls.

Starting a Run from the Software

Select 'Start Run' in the software. You will be prompted for auto-save options and then asked to choose an instrument from the 'Registered Instruments' list. Select your instrument and press 'Select' to begin.

Starting a Run from a USB Drive

Select 'Start Run', then 'Start run from USB'. Locate your USB drive, press 'Save', and safely remove the drive. Inserting the USB drive into the instrument will automatically start the experiment.

Loading Strips into your Dualo 32

To ensure the heated lid is balanced, place at least one strip in rows A and D, or single tubes in wells A1, A8, D1, and D8. These positions can hold reagents or be left empty.

Diagram Description: A 96-well plate layout is shown, with rows labeled A, B, C, D and columns labeled 1 through 8. Wells are depicted as circles.

4. ANALYSIS

The Dualo 32 offers pre-set analysis types depending on the chosen template.

Auto Quantification

Select 'Auto. Quant.' from the Analysis pane on the left side of the screen to perform auto quantification.

Quantifiers

If standards with known quantities (e.g., a dilution series) are assigned, the 'Quantifiers' option displays reaction efficiency, the relationship between Cq and input quantity, and statistics derived from standards.

Auto Tm Calling (Melting)

Select 'Automatic Tm Calling' to identify and characterize melting peaks. The analysis screen shows melting curves and a table with results like Tm values.

5. EXPORT

After analyzing data, export results in various formats, from raw data to custom reports.

Data Export

Export tabular results by clicking the 'Export' button. Data can be exported as CSV (editable spreadsheet file) or PDF (archiving, printing, presentations).

Report Generation

Generate customizable reports by selecting 'Experiment Report' under the 'Experiment' tab.

6. MAINTENANCE

This section covers the care of your Dualo 32, including cleaning, environmental conditions, and disassembly.

Cleaning

Day-to-Day

Wipe the instrument's external surface with a damp, soft, lint-free cloth, then dry with another soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive materials. Unplug all power sources before cleaning and prevent moisture from entering openings.

Deep Cleaning Wells

Low levels of fluorescence contamination in wells typically do not affect performance due to automated background subtraction. For wells contaminated with high levels of fluorescent substances, contact technical support for guidance.

Environmental Conditions

Your Work Space

Place the Dualo 32 on a flat, dry surface away from drafts, air conditioners, or fans. Avoid dusty environments. Do not obstruct airflow around the instrument, including the heated lid and vents.

Environmental Operating Conditions

Humidity: MAX: 80% at +32 °C, MIN: 30% at +15 to +32 °C

Temperature: +15 °C to +32 °C

Pressure: 0 to 2000 MAMSL (80 to 106 kPa)

Environmental Storing / Transporting / Packing Conditions

Humidity: 10% at 95% (No condensation)

Temperature: -20 °C to +60 °C

Pressure: 0 to 3000 MAMSL (70 to 106 kPa)

Disassembly

The Dualo 32 contains no user-serviceable components. Disassembly will void all warranties.

Consumables

• Product No. MLD 230049: 0.1 mL thin-wall 8 tube-strips
• Product No. MLD 230048: Optical wide area 8-Cap lid strip, natural

7. TROUBLESHOOTING

This section helps troubleshoot issues with your Dualo 32.

FAQs

Can I leave my Dualo 32 powered on overnight?

Yes, it is safe. The instrument will enter a low power standby mode.

Where is the threshold for determining Cq values in Auto Quant?

Modern Cq determination methods are model-based. Auto Quant fits a PCR amplification model to the fluorescence data, enabling estimation of parameters including Cq values, rather than relying on simple thresholds.

Error Messages

Errors are displayed as messages in the Status Bar of the Dualo 32 software or via instrument display LEDs.

Diagram Description: Screenshot of the Dualo 32 Software interface, highlighting the Status Bar at the bottom.

If an error occurs, ensure the instrument is in suitable environmental conditions, tubes are loaded correctly, the lid is fitted properly, and all cables are securely attached. If the error persists, contact technical support.

Error Messages - Displayed in Status Bar

Error Log Files

Log files can help diagnose problems.

Software Errors

For software issues, go to Configuration > About and select 'Save Software Logs to File'.

Hardware Errors

For hardware faults, go to Configuration > Dualo 32 and select 'Retrieve Instrument Report Files'. Send the error file, serial number, and experiment file to Technical Support. It is acceptable to send files for incomplete or aborted experiments.

WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Hygiena® Diagnostics GmbH warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months, provided the product is used according to literature guidelines. Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH does not warrant against defects resulting from materials not provided by them, misuse, improper storage, or handling. All implied warranties are limited to one year from the date of manufacture. Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH is not responsible for undertakings by dealers/distributors beyond this warranty unless in writing. Incidental or consequential damages, including loss of use, labor, time, inconvenience, shipping, property damage, or revenue loss, are not covered. Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH reserves the right to replace or credit returned modules under warranty.

Ordering Information

Contact your local Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH representative for ordering information.

Trademarks

Dualo 32® is a registered trademark of Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH. Hygiena® is a registered trademark of Hygiena. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders.

Change Index

• Version 1, October 2020: First version of the package insert.
• Revision A, September 2023: Rebranding.
• Revision B, October 2024: Updated manufacturing information.