Opentrons Labworks Absorbance Plate Reader Module
Product and Manufacturer Description
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Opentrons Absorbance Plate Reader Module is an on-deck microplate spectrophotometer that works with the Flex liquid handling robot. It uses light absorbance to determine sample concentrations. The module accepts ANSI/SBS-standard 96-well plates and has 96 separate detection units, which allows for rapid endpoint or kinetic sample analysis. The Absorbance Plate Reader is designed for laboratory research and other
non-in-vitro diagnostic analyses.
MANUFACTURER DESCRIPTION
Opentrons Labworks Inc
- 45-18 Ct Square W
- Long Island City, NY 11101
The Opentrons Flex Absorbance Plate Reader may currently not be offered, used or put on the market in any European Patent Convention States due to a third party patent application.
Safety Information
Opentrons recommends that you follow the safe use specifications listed in this section and throughout this manual.
SAFE USE SPECIFICATIONS
The Absorbance Plate Reader is designed for use with the Flex liquid handling robot. It cannot be used with an OT-2 robot or as standalone equipment. Follow the installation instructions to ensure proper and safe operation.
Warning: Always use the Opentrons Flex Gripper to move the illumination unit onto or off of the detection unit. Do not move the illumination unit by hand.
The Absorbance Plate Reader should only be used indoors in an environment with stable ambient conditions. The following table lists and defines the environmental operating conditions for recommended use, transportation, and storage of your plate reader.
Note: The module should not be powered on or used in conditions outside of the recommended operating conditions.
Environmental Conditions Recommended Transportation Storage
- Ambient Temperatures +5 to +40 °C –10 to 50 °C +5 to +40 °C
- Relative Humidity Up to 70% Up to 70% Up to 70%
The following table lists and defines standards for recommended use, transportation, and storage.
- Operating Conditions Description Recommended Opentrons has validated the performance of the Absorbance Plate Reader in the conditions recommended for system operation. Operating the module in these conditions provides optimal results.
- Transportation and storage Storage and transportation conditions only apply when the device is completely disconnected from power and other equipment.
INSTRUMENT SAFETY WARNINGS
CAUTIONS:
- Protect the module from moisture, heat, and dust during long-term storage.
- Avoid operating or letting the module sit in direct sunlight.
- Don’t store well plates filled with reagents in the module. Evaporating gases could damage it.
- Check for and remove well plates from the module before transport or storage. This helps avoid spillage and contamination.
Product Specifications
INCLUDED PARTS
- (1) Absorbance Plate Reader Module
- (1) Caddy for deck mounting
- (1) USB cable
- (2) Spare deck slot screws (M4x10 mm socket head)
- (1) Cleaning cloth
- (1) Test certificate
Physical Specifications
Specification Description
- Module dimensions 155.3 mm L x 95.5 mm W x 57 mm H
- Module weight ~790 g
- Composition Aluminum
- Pollution degree 2
- Service life 10 years with average use of 4 hours per day
Measurement Specifications
| Measurement method | Absorbance |
| Measurement techniques | Endpoint and kinetic |
| Detection | 96 photodiodes |
| Measurement range | 0–4.0 optical density (OD) |
| Resolution | 0.001 OD |
| Accuracy | The maximum deviation between the determined value and the true value.At 405 nm:
|
| Reproducibility | The maximum deviation between the determined values when the measurement is repeated directly.
|
| Linearity | The maximum deviation between the true and the determined increase of the value.At 405 nm:
At or above 450 nm:
|
Input and O\utput Connections
- Input: Power from a USB port with 5 VDC and a maximum of 3 A.
- Power consumption: 2.5 W
- Fuse: 1 A (very fast acting)
Detection Wavelengths
The Absorbance Plate Reader emits light in the visible spectrum at 450 nm (blue), 562 nm (green), 600 nm (orange), and 650 nm (red).
Status Light
The Absorbance Plate Reader has a single status light on the lid. It illuminates in different colors and patterns to indicate various operating conditions.
|
Color |
Pattern | Status |
 White |
Solid | The module is on and ready. |
| Pulsing | Self-test after connecting to power. | |
 Various |
Solid | Initialization/measurement in progress. The status light color corresponds to the selected light wavelength used for analysis. |
 Yellow |
Pulsing | A well plate is inside the reader. |
 Red |
Blinking | An error has occurred. |
Deck Placement
You can put the plate reader in deck slots A3–D3 only. The module comes pre-installed in its own caddy, which attaches the unit to the deck.
Note: Other deck components may need one of these slots. For example, the default location for the internal trash bin is slot A3, but this component can go in any one of multiple deck locations. The external waste chute requires slot D3 so you’ll have to remove it (if installed) to put the plate reader in this location.
Installation Steps
To attach the Absorbance Plate Reader to your Flex:
- Use a 2.5 mm hex screwdriver to remove the deck slot you want to use for the module. Retain the screws.
- Insert the module into the open deck slot and secure it with the screws you removed in Step 1.
- Route the USB cable under the deck and attach it to a USB port on the right side of the robot.
When connected, the Absorbance Plate Reader appears in the Instruments and Modules section on your robot’s device details page in the Opentrons App. It does not require positional calibration after installation. You can use the Absorbance Plate Reader as soon as the robot detects it.
Using Plate Reader Data
Plate reader data is available on the Recent Protocol Runs screen in the Opentrons App. To download your data from the app, click Devices and select your Flex from the list. Next, find the protocol that used the plate reader. Expand that protocol and click the Download link to retrieve your data. The robot formats plate reader data as a comma-separated value (.csv) file.
You can also use plate reader data immediately in a Python protocol. See the Python Protocol API documentation for more information.
Maintenance
There are no user-repairable parts on the Absorbance Plate Reader. Contact Opentrons Support if the unit is damaged.
Cleaning
Use a soft cloth dampened with water to wipe off all exterior surfaces. You can also use a mild soap and water solution to clean heavily soiled areas or to remove tenacious residue. Use the included cleaning cloth or compressed air to remove dust or dirt from the interior surfaces of the illumination and detection units. You can also use a cloth dampened with 80% ethanol if a light dusting does not clean these parts of the plate reader sufficiently.
Warning:
- Do not spray cleaning liquids directly onto the plate reader.
- Never clean the device with stiff, coarse brushes, abrasives, detergents, or harsh solvents.
- Wear protective gloves if cleaning involves potential contact with hazardous materials or liquids.
Additional Product Information
WARRANTY
All hardware purchased from Opentrons is covered under a 1-year standard warranty. Opentrons warrants to the end-user of the products that they will be free of manufacturing defects due to part quality issues or poor workmanship and also warrants that the products will materially conform to Opentrons’ published specifications.
SUPPORT
Opentrons Support can help you with questions about our products and services. If you discover a defect, or believe your product is not functioning to published specifications, contact us at support@opentrons.com. Please have the module’s serial number available when contacting support. You can find the serial number on the side of the detection unit or in the Opentrons App. On the plate reader card in the Instruments and Modules section of your robot’s device detail page, click the three-dot menu (⋮) and then About.
APP DOWNLOAD
Control your liquid handling robot and module using the Opentrons App. Download the app for Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu at https://opentrons.com/ot-app/.
Post-sales service & contacting Opentrons If you have any questions about the use of the system, abnormal phenomena, or special needs, please contact: support@opentrons.com. Also visit www.opentrons.com.
Trademarks: Opentrons®, Opentrons drop logo (Opentrons Labworks, Inc.). Registered names, trademarks, etc. used in this document, even when not specifically marked as such, are not to be considered unprotected by law.
OCT 2024 © OPENTRONS 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Documents / Resources
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Opentrons Labworks Absorbance Plate Reader Module [pdf] Instruction Manual Absorbance Plate Reader Module, Absorbance, Plate Reader Module, Reader Module, Module |
