In this tutorial, I will show you how to configure components of a vacuum filtration station in Bravo Diagnostics.
In addition, I will explain how to use the Assemble, Disassemble, and Move to Filter tasks for vacuum filtration.
This video assumes that you already know how to create a device file in the VWorks software and have basic protocol-writing skills.
If you do not have this background, please view the Device File video first before continuing.
You can also learn about device files and writing basic protocols in the VWorks Automation Control User Guide.
To accommodate different assay types, the Bravo Platform supports the vacuum filtration station configurations shown in this diagram.
In configuration A, the assembly consists of the components in the order shown: the base, the collection plate (because the filtrate will be kept), the filter plate, and the collar.
In configuration B, the assembly consists of the components in the order shown: the base, the collection plate (because the filtrate will be kept), the collar, and the filter plate.
In configuration C, the assembly consists of the base, the collar, and the filter plate, which sits on top of the collar.
There is no collection plate, so the filtrate will be discarded.
On the Bravo Platform, the vacuum filtration station is an accessory that must be configured in Bravo Diagnostics. The station consists of the base and the collar.
If the collar sits directly on top of the base, as in configuration C, the filtration station is considered assembled.
During the protocol, I only have to move the filter plate to the station for filtration.
If the base and collar have labware between them, as in configurations A and B, the filtration station is considered disassembled.
During the protocol, I have to move the labware and collar to the base in the desired sequence for the filtration process,
and remove them from the base after the filtration is finished
These assembly and disassembly steps can be automated, and I will show how this is done in a minute.
In my protocol, I’m using configuration B.
Let’s assume that I have already placed the vacuum filtration base at deck location 1 and the collar at deck location 2.
Now I’m ready to configure the vacuum filtration station, the base and collar, in Bravo Diagnostics. So, I'll open my device file that already has the Bravo device…
and open Bravo Diagnostics.
I will select the profile I want to use…
and go to the Configuration tab.
I will select deck location 1, …
and select Accessory.
In the Bravo Accessories Wizard, …
first I'll make sure I have the correct deck location.
Then I will select the accessory I want to configure. In this case, it’s the vacuum filtration station.
Next, I must set its properties.
First, I'll select the serial port.
Next I have to indicate whether the station is assembled or disassembled.
Remember that I am using configuration B, which has some labware between the base and the collar. So, I'll select Starts disassembled.
In this case, I’m saying that the base is at location 1. I will have to specify where the collar is on the next page.
I am using a standard pump, so I'll select that.
Next, I have to specify the location of the collar.
Remember that I physically placed the collar at location 2, so I'll select 2.
I have to specify the type of collar it is. I have a standard collar, so I'll select that.
And with that, I’m done with the configuration step.
Here, the software is letting me know that locations 1 and 2 have been changed.
I do not need to reteach locations 1 and 2, and I do not want to move to a safe Z height right now, so I will click No.
In the Configuration tab, the graphic is updated.
I see that the vacuum filtration station base is at location 1 and the collar is at location 2.
Back in the Profiles tab, I'll verify that locations 1 and 2 have been configured correctly.
Everything looks good, so I will update this profile to save the changes…
and then initialize the profile.
I'll click OK to return to the VWorks window.
Now I’m ready to add the tasks to assemble the filtration station and perform vacuum filtration in my protocol.
Let’s say I created the protocol. I’ll open it right now and show you the tasks that I added.
My protocol is called vacuum filtration protocol, so I will select it.
Let me expand the protocol area and select the Vacuum Filtration subprocess.
The graphic shows the deck layout of my Bravo Platform.
I’ve got a tipbox, a reservoir containing wash buffer, a filter plate, and a collection plate.
Note that locations 1 and 2 are reserved for the vacuum filtration base and collar, respectively.
In the Vacuum Filtration subprocess, before the filtration can begin, I have to assemble the filtration station. So I have an Assemble task here.
In the Assemble task, I selected the assembly order. Remember that the configuration consists of the base, collection plate, and collar.
So I selected that. Now the software knows the order in which to assemble the components.
I also selected the collection plate I want to use…
and its location on the deck, which I left as , because I’ve previously specified its location.
Notice that the filter plate parameters are grayed out.
That’s because I selected an assembly order that does not include the filter plate.
One last parameter I want to point out… The Vacuum Filtration base parameter shows that I have the base at location 1, which is correct.
After the filtration station is assembled, I can press on the tips.
move some solution into the filter plate, …
and then move the filter plate to the assembled filtration station.
I selected the filter plate I want to move, …
chose for the location, …
and selected the vacuum timing mode. I selected Timed, …
then specified the amount of time the vacuum should stay on, in seconds. In this case, the vacuum will stay on for 60 seconds.
I want the robot to hold down the filter plate when the vacuum is on, to ensure a vacuum seal. So I selected this option.
After the filtration process is finished, I can remove the tips…
And disassemble the filtration station.
I selected the filter plate that must be removed, …
where it should go (in this case, return to its original location), …
and where the filtration station is currently located.
During the Disassemble task, the robot will first remove the filter plate and return it to the specified location.
Then, the robot will remove and return the other components to the locations specified in the Assemble Vacuum task.
And that’s how you automate the assembly and disassembly of the filtration station and perform vacuum filtration.
For more information about how to configure the vacuum filtration station on the Bravo deck, see the Bravo User Guide.
For more information about the Assemble, Disassemble, and Move to Filter tasks, see the VWorks Automation Control User Guide.