TC-PLUS OPERATOR’S MANUAL VERSION 1.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION BEFORE USE Unpacking SAFETY INFORMATION English Français Deutsch Italiano Español CONTACT INFORMATION TC-PLUS SPECIFICATION INSTALLATION GENERAL PROGRAMMING FEATURES Introduction Template programs Incremented/decremented time and temperature Gradient Oligonucleotide Tm calculator Text entry Temperature entry Time entry INSTRUMENT SETTINGS AND DEFAULTS User preferences Instrument settings Program defaults Service settings Gradient calculator Oligonucleotide Tm calculator CREATE A NEW P
Searching for a program not in the shortcut list Running a program not on the shortcut list EDITING A PROGRAM Editing saved programs Editing templates Editing password-protected programs CURRENT STATUS VIEW FILES File searching Viewing a program file Viewing a temperature log file Copying files Deleting files UPDATING THE TC-PLUS SOFTWARE REMOVING AND EXCHANGING BLOCKS FAQs TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION User Maintenance Fault Finding Fuses Insulation Testing ACCESSORIES REPLACEMENT
INTRODUCTION The TC-PLUS is an advanced gradient thermal cycler designed to accurately and rapidly control the temperatures of samples between 0ºC (or 20°C below ambient) and 100°C. It has many scientific 1 applications including PCR , reverse transcription, ligation and sequencing. It has userinterchangeable blocks to allow for most commonly used consumables including 0.2ml x 96 well plates and 0.2ml tubes, 0.5ml tubes and 384 well plates.
BEFORE USE Before using the TC-PLUS please make sure you have read this manual carefully. If there is any doubt relating to the proper use of this equipment, the staff at Bibby Scientific Ltd. or your supplier will be happy to assist you.
SAFETY INFORMATION Please read all the information in this manual before using the TC-PLUS. WARNING HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DANGEROUS: they can cause serious burns to operators and ignite combustible material.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The TC-PLUS is designed operate under the following conditions: • Indoor use • Ambient temperature range +5ºC to +40ºC • Altitude to 2000m • Relative humidity not exceeding 80% • Mains supply fluctuations not exceeding 10% • Over voltage category II IEC 60364-4-443 • Pollution degree 2 Note: The control specifications are quoted at an ambient temperature of 20ºC. The specification may deteriorate outside an ambient temperature of between 10ºC and 30ºC.
L'INFORMATION DE SÛRETÉ Veuillez lire attentivement toutes les instructions de ce document avant d’utiliser le TC-PLUS. AVERTISSEMENT Les TEMPÉRATURES ÉLEVÉES SONT DANGEREUSES car elles peuvent provoquer de graves brûlures chez l’opérateur et enflammer les matériaux combustibles. Les utilisateurs doivent porter une attention toute particulière aux points suivants : • PROCEDER AVEC PRUDENCE ET PORTER DES GANTS POUR SE PROTEGER LES MAINS • NE PAS utiliser de matériaux combustibles auprès d’objets chauds.
Câble de rechange S’il s’avère nécessaire de remplacer le cordon d’alimentation, utiliser un câble de 1 mm² conforme à la norme H05VV-F relié à une prise IEC320. EN CAS DE DOUTE, CONSULTER UN ELECTRICIEN QUALIFIE.
SICHERHEITS- INFORMATIONEN Lesen Sie diese Anleitung vor Verwendung des TC-PLUS bitte sorgfältig durch. ACHTUNG HOHE TEMPERATUREN STELLEN EINE GEFAHRENQUELLE DAR. Sie können schwere Brandverletzung verursachen und brennbare Stoffe entzünden.
Ersatzkabel 2 Bei einem eventuellen Austausch des Netzkabels wird ein Kabel vom Typ H05VV-F mit 1 mm Adernquerschnitt und Europastecker (IEC 320) benötigt. IM ZWEIFELSFALL EINEN ELEKTROFACHMANN HINZUZIEHEN.
INFORMAZIONI DI SICUREZZA Leggere attentamente il presente manuale prima di usare il TC-PLUS. AVVERTENZA Le ALTE TEMPERATURE SONO PERICOLOSE in quanto possono provocare serie ustioni agli operatori e dare fuoco al materiale combustibile.
7. Accendere lo strumento per mezzo dell'interruttore situato sulla parte anteriore dell'unità. Cavo di ricambio 2 Qualora occorra sostituire il cavo di rete, si dovrà utilizzare un cavo di 1mm codice armonizzato H05VV-F collegato ad una spina IEC 320. IN CASO DI DUBBIO, RIVOLGERSI A UN ELETTRICISTA QUALIFICATO. CONDIZIONI AMBIENTALI Il TC-PLUS è stato progettato per funzionare nelle seguenti condizioni: • uso interno • range di temperatura ambiente da +5ºC a +40ºC • altitudine massima 2000 m.
INFORMACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD Lea atentamente este manual antes de utilizar el TC-PLUS. ADVERTENCIA LAS ALTAS TEMPERATURAS SON PELIGROSAS, ya que pueden ocasionar quemaduras graves a los operarios y prender el material combustible.
Cable de repuesto 2 Si es necesario sustituir el cable de alimentación, se debe utilizar un cable de 1mm de código armonizado H05VV, conectado a un enchufe IEC320. EN CASO DE DUDA, PÓNGASE EN CONTACTO CON UN ELECTRICISTA.
CONTACT INFORMATION For technical, sales or servicing information, contact your local Techne dealer or: UK Bibby Scientific Ltd. Beacon Road, Stone Staffordshire, ST15 0SA Tel: +44 (0)1785 812121 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 e-mail: sales@bibby-scientific.com www.techne.com North and South America Bibby Scientific US Inc. t/a Techne Inc. 3 Terri Lane, Suite 10 Burlington, N.J. 08016 USA Toll Free (in NA): 800-225-9243 Tel: +1 609 589 2560 Fax: +1 609 589 2571 e-mail: labproducts@techneusa.com www.techneusa.
TC-PLUS SPECIFICATION TEMPERATURE Block temperature range Block uniformity Temperature accuracy Gradient availability Maximum gradient Minimum gradient Column uniformity with a 10ºC gradient Pre-run sample cooling Temperature set point adjustment 4ºC (or 20ºC below ambient) to 100ºC <±0.3ºC <±0.2ºC Across the full temperature range 30ºC (16ºC with the 384-well block) 1ºC <±0.3ºC Yes, 4ºC 0.1ºC HEATING/COOLING RATE Maximum heating rate Minimum heating rate Maximum cooling rate Minimum cooling rate 5.
INTERCONNECTIVITY Connection to PC control software Software updates Yes (Satellite units only) Free of charge from www.techne.
INSTALLATION See also the Safety Information sections on pages 5 to 14. Front view 1 5 2 3 4 TC-PLUS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. TC-PLUS Satellite TC-PLUS 5.7” colour VGA LCD touch screen display. Drawer release push panel. TC-PLUS USB port for memory stick. Power on/off TC-PLUS Satellite ID and status indicator. Rear view 1 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 18 3 4 Lifting Handle. USB ports for connection of Satellite units (TC-PLUS only). USB port for connection to PC or TC-PLUS (Satellite units only). Mains cable inlet.
Installation 1. Place the unit on a suitable flat bench, ensuring that the air inlet vents on the front and rear are free from obstruction. Two units may be stacked one on top of the other (TC-PLUS on a Satellite or two Satellites). 2. Plug the mains cable into the socket on the back of the instrument. 3. Connect to the mains electricity supply with the plug provided or one wired correctly for the supply. Switch the power ON using the switch located on the front of the unit.
GENERAL PROGRAMMING FEATURES INTRODUCTION The TC-PLUS software allows the user to quickly and easily create thermal cycling programs using a simple and clear touch screen format. The software is structured into five modules which are accessed from the Home Screen. These allow the user to: • Run an existing program, selecting from templates or programs saved on the unit. • Create a new program. • Set instrument and program defaults and preferences. Includes calculator tools.
The Ice Bucket and Ligation programs are simple temperature holds, with the former having an infinite hold at 4ºC and the latter at 15ºC. In both of these programs the heated lid is switched off and the initial denaturation, hot start and final extension functions disabled. INCREMENTED/DECREMENTED TIME AND TEMPERATURE The software allows the user to either increment or decrement the time and/or temperature of a step within a cycling stage.
OLIGONUCLEOTIDE TM CALCULATOR One of the most important parameters in a PCR is the annealing temperature of the reaction. This can be determined theoretically using various software programmes to calculate the melting temperature (Tm) of the primers. The Tm is defined as the temperature at which half the DNA strands are single stranded and half are double stranded when base paired to a complimentary strand.
TEMPERATURE ENTRY When touching a temperature parameter a temperature entry screen will open. There are two forms of temperature entry screen: • A simple form for adjusting the temperature of the instrument parameters such as the heated lid and program parameters such as initial denaturation and final extension.
A new screen will open which is similar to the simple temperature entry screen. The maximum increase in temperature per cycle (based on the number of cycles and the temperature limits of the unit) will be shown. • Enter the required value. • Touch DEL to clear the entry. • If an entered incremented temperature is invalid, a prompt will indicate the acceptable range. • Touch OK to accept and return to the previous screen. The increase in temperature per cycle will now be displayed.
A new screen will open which is similar to the simple temperature entry screen. The maximum decrease in temperature per cycle (based on the number of cycles and the temperature limits of the unit) will be shown. • Enter the required value. • Touch DEL to clear the entry. • If an entered decremented temperature is invalid, a prompt will indicate the acceptable range. • Touch OK to return to the previous screen. The decrease in temperature per cycle will now be displayed.
A new screen will open which is similar to the simple temperature entry screen. The maximum temperature gradient (based on the set hold temperature and the temperature limits of the unit) will be shown. • Enter the required value. • Touch DEL to clear the entry. • If an entered gradient temperature is invalid, a prompt will indicate the acceptable range. • Touch OK to return to the previous screen. The temperature gradient for the step will now be displayed.
• Touch Cancel to return to the previous screen if no changes are required. Advanced time entry • First ensure the number of cycles for the stage has been set then enter the required hold time as described above. Note: Increase/Decrease Per Cycle will be inactive unless the number of cycles set is greater than 1. To increase the step hold time per cycle: • For an increase in hold time per cycle, touch the button below Increase Per Cycle to turn this function on. Next touch the time entry button below this.
The time value will now appear orange in the programming screen indicating that it contains a modified function. To decrease the step hold time per cycle: • For a decrease in hold time per cycle, touch the button below Decrease Per Cycle to turn this function on. Next touch the time entry button below this. A new screen will open which is similar to the simple time entry screen. The maximum decrease in hold time per cycle (based on the number of cycles and the time limits of the unit) will be shown.
The time value will now appear orange in the programming screen indicating that it contains a modified function. Note: It is not possible to both increase and decrease the time of the same step.
INSTRUMENT SETTINGS AND DEFAULTS Touch the Settings button to access the instrument Settings menu. • Touch any of the buttons to view and edit the settings. • Touch More Settings to access further options. • Once all the settings and defaults have been set as required, touch Save to save the changes and return to the Home Screen. • If you do not wish to change any settings, touch Cancel to return to the Home Screen. USER PREFERENCES Language • Touch the language button to set the required language.
INSTRUMENT SETTINGS Temperature Log Recording To record the temperature logs (block temperature profile) of each run, touch the button to set this to Always. If temperature logs are not required, set to Never. Auto Resume On Power Loss This determines the time limit after which the unit will restart after a power failure.
Time • Touch Time in order to enter the current time using the 24 hour clock. • Use the + and – keys to set the time values. • When the correct time has been set, touch OK to return to the previous screen. • Touch Cancel to return to the previous screen if no changes are required. Date Format Touch the date button to set the required date format. The options are dd/mm/yy or mm/dd/yy. • Touch More Settings for further date and time settings or Back to return to the Settings menu.
Remove Passwords • From the Administrator menu touch Remove Passwords. • Touch the file with the password to be removed. • Touch Remove Password. The password will now be removed and the program can be deleted if required. • Touch Close to return to the menu. Change Administrator Password This allows the administrator to change the default password (2401). • From the Administrator menu touch Change Administrator Password. • Touch None entered and enter the new password.
PROGRAM DEFAULTS The program default settings will apply to every new program created on the TC-PLUS. However individual programs can be edited as required. Heated Lid Use this to set the heated lid temperature to approximately 10ºC higher than the hottest block temperature in the program. • Touch On/Off to toggle between settings. • Touch the temperature button to set the required lid temperature (35 to 115ºC).
temperature. • Touch More Settings for further program defaults or Back to return to the Settings menu. Final Extension Use this to add a final extension step to the program to ensure complete amplification of the products. • Touch On/Off to toggle between settings. • Touch the time button to set the required hold time. • Touch the temperature button to set the required temperature. Final Hold This will hold the block at the set temperature at the end of a program until the user manually stops the unit.
OLIGO TM CALCULATOR The oligo Tm calculator can be used to estimate the Tm of the PCR primers and help in selecting an appropriate annealing temperature for the thermal cycling program. • Touch Enter The Oligo Sequence in order to input the sequence of the primer. • Touch the A C G T buttons to enter the primer sequence. • Touch DEL to delete the last character. • Touch CLR to delete the whole sequence. • Use the arrow keys to scroll through the sequence. • Touch OK to return to the calculator screen.
• To check the Tm of another primer with the same primer and salt concentrations, touch Back and enter the new primer sequence. • Touch Reset to clear the entries. • Touch Back to return to the Settings menu. • Once all the settings and defaults have been set as required, touch Save to save the changes and return to the Home Screen. • If you do not wish to change any settings, touch Cancel to return to the Home Screen.
CREATE A NEW PROGRAM From the Home Screen, touch the Create A New Program button. This will open a screen where you can build a program by adding stages and steps and define the temperatures and hold times. The function of each of the buttons on this screen is described below. NAME THE PROGRAM • Touch this button to give the program a name. • Type in the required name using the text entry screen. • Once the name is complete, touch OK to return to the programming screen.
INSERT/DELETE A STAGE A stage is a section of a program that consists of a number of individual steps that can be cycled (repeated) a defined number of times. Insert a new stage • To insert a stage in a program, touch Insert a new stage. A stage with one step will be inserted. Stage 1 • Touch this to give the stage a name (optional). Enter the name using the text entry screen. 1 cycle • Touch this to edit the number of cycles (repeats) for the stage. Enter the required number of cycles then touch OK.
INSERT/DELETE A STEP Insert a new step • Touch Insert a new step to insert the next step in the current stage. • Edit the new step temperature, hold time and ramp rate as required. Delete a step • To delete a step, touch the step area to highlight it and then touch Delete. INSERT/DELETE A PAUSE Insert a pause • To insert a pause between stages, touch Insert a pause. The hold temperature will be that of the previous step.
User User names can be entered and linked to the program to help in searching and identifying programs. • To enter a user name, touch the None selected button next to User. • User names that have already been created will be listed. • To create a new user name, touch the Create a new user button. • Type in the user name and touch OK. The new user name will be added to the list. • To select a user name, touch the button to highlight it. Touch it again to de-select it.
Keywords Keywords can be entered and linked to the program to help in searching for related programs. • To enter a keyword, touch the None selected button next to Keywords. • Other keywords that have already created will be listed. • To create a new keyword, touch the Create a new keyword button. • Type in the keyword and touch OK. The new key word will be added to the list. • To select a keyword, touch the button to highlight it. Touch it again to de-select it.
Passwords A password can be created to protect the program from being edited and deleted by other users. The password will be requested if a user attempts to edit or delete the program. • To create a password, touch the None button next to Password. • Enter the required password then touch OK. The password is case-sensitive. • Touch Cancel to return to Program Options without entering a password. • Touch the Program button to return to the Programming screen.
SETTINGS • Touch the Settings button to view the instrument defaults as set up in the instrument Settings module. Any of these parameters can be edited by touching the appropriate button and will be saved for the current program only. • Touch Program to return to the programming screen. VIEW • Touch View to see a graphical representation of the program. • If the program has more stages and steps that are displayed on the screen, scroll through the program by dragging a finger across the touch screen.
DELETE This is used to delete an entry. First touch the required segment followed by Delete. UP AND DOWN ARROWS Use these buttons to scroll through a program. SAVE Touch this button to save the program. CANCEL Touch this button to cancel changes to the program and return to the Home Screen.
RUN A PROGRAM From the Home Screen, touch one of the shortcuts to run one of the listed programs, or touch Run a Program to search and select from other programs and templates saved on the unit. Selected programs can be run directly or edited before running. RUNNING A PROGRAM FROM THE SHORTCUT LIST On the Home Screen, the Run a program area displays shortcuts to four programs.
Note: If the user attempts to send a program to unit while it is already running, the warning screen shown opposite will be displayed. • Touch OK to exit. THE PRE-RUN SCREEN The Pre-run Screen shows a graphical representation of the program allowing for a rapid check of the temperature parameters. The centre of the screen shows each temperature step and hold time (not to scale). Stages are indicated by a white bar spanning the steps within the stage.
THE RUN SCREEN The Run Screen will be displayed after a program has been started. It shows the instrument status and the progress of a run. Once the program has been started, the timers in the top right hand corner of the screen will indicate how long the program has been running and the total run time. The progress bar at the top of the screen also indicates how far the run has progressed.
Once the run has finished, Program Finished will be displayed instead of End time. Viewing a running program From the Home Screen: • Touch Current status. • Touch the area for the required instrument. • Touch View. SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM NOT IN THE SHORTCUT LIST There are four ways to search for a program if it is not in the shortcut list: • • • • Search from the complete list of saved programs. Search by keyword. Search by user. Search by both keyword and user.
Search the programs by user • Touch Search by User and this will open the list of user names stored on the unit. • Select the required user name by touching the appropriate button to highlight it. Touch again to de-select. • When the user name has been selected, touch Done to return to the Program selection screen. Only the programs with the selected user name saved with them will be listed. • To clear the user name search, touch Clear User Search.
RUNNING A PROGRAM NOT ON THE SHORTCUT LIST • Once the required program has been identified, touch it to highlight it. The Program Selector Screen will show a summary of the program, the instrument settings and a graphical representation of the thermal cycling program. • Touch Edit to edit the program if required. • Touch Back to return to the Home Screen. • Touch Start to proceed to the Pre-run Screen.
Note: If the user attempts to send a program to unit while it is already running, the warning screen shown opposite will be displayed. • Touch OK to exit. • From the Pre-run Screen, touch Start to run the program. See THE RUN SCREEN on page 48 for further information on instrument status and progress during a run.
EDITING A PROGRAM EDITING SAVED PROGRAMS First select the required program by searching the Run a program module. • To edit a selected program, touch the Edit button. Any of the Program Options, Settings or thermal cycling parameters can be edited. • Once all the required changes have been made, touch Save. Note: this will overwrite the existing program. To copy a program for editing, please see section VIEW FILES.
EDITING PASSWORD PROTECTED PROGRAMS If the edited program is password protected, touching Save will open the message box shown opposite. To save the changes either: • Touch the None button next to Password and enter the correct password followed by Save. Note: this will overwrite the existing program. or • Touch the None button next to New Program Name and enter a new name for the edited program, followed by Save as a New Program.
CURRENT STATUS The Current Status area of the Home Screen provides status information on the TC-PLUS and any connected Satellite units. On the Home Screen, the Current status area shows the versions of software and firmware loaded on the unit. • Touch the Current status button to view the status of the TC-PLUS and any connected units. The TC-PLUS and any satellite units connected to it will be listed.
VIEW FILES The View files module opens the File Manager and allows access to all the program and temperature log files. From here it is possible to copy program files to the unit for editing. Files can also be deleted or copied to a USB memory stick for transfer to a PC or storage. FILE SEARCHING There are four ways to search for a file: • Search program files or temperature logs from the complete list of saved files. • Search by keyword. • Search by user. • Search by keyword and user.
Search the files by user • Touch Search By User and this will open the list of user names stored on the unit. • Select the required user name by touching the appropriate button to highlight it. Touch again to de-select. • When the user name has been selected, touch Done to return to the File Manager screen. Only the programs with the selected user name saved with them will be listed. • To clear the user name search, touch Clear User Search.
VIEWING A PROGRAM FILE • Touch Programs And Logs to display Only Programs. • Search for the required program file and touch it to highlight it. • Touch View to open the temperature profile (Prerun Screen) of the program. • Touch Start to start the program. Note: It is not possible to send a program to a connected Satellite unit from the View screen. • Touch Edit to edit the program. • Touch Back to return to the previous screen.
When opening a temperature log file, the Temperature Log Monitor screen will be displayed. To view the complete temperature log, drag the mouse across the screen to scroll through the data points. The view will show a graphical representation of the actual temperature changes, second by second, throughout thermal cycling program. Clicking on the Program View button of this screen will display the program that generated the temperature log.
To copy files to a USB memory stick: • Insert a USB memory stick into the port on the front of the unit. A message screen will appear confirming that the USB memory stick has been inserted. • Touch Cancel to return to the File Manager Screen. • Select one or more files for copying by touching the appropriate file button. or • Touch Select All to select all files. • Touch Copy. A message screen will appear giving the option of saving the files to the unit or to the USB memory stick.
DELETING FILES Unused or old files can be permanently deleted from the unit or a USB memory stick. • Select one or more files for deleting by touching the appropriate file button. Note: Multiple file selection is optional and can be set up in the User Preferences section of the Settings Module. or • Touch Select All to select all files. • Touch Delete. A message box will appear asking for confirmation of delete. • Touch Yes to confirm the delete. • Touch Cancel to abort the delete.
UPDATING THE TC-PLUS SOFTWARE The TC-PLUS software can be updated by downloading the latest version from the Techne website www.techne.com. You will need a USB memory stick on which to save the update. Note that the update tool requires at least Windows XP SP2 and the Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1, which, if needed, can be downloaded from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.
REMOVING AND EXCHANGING BLOCKS The thermal cycling block can be removed and exchanged for one of a different format or for detailed cleaning. • First ensure that the unit is disconnected from the power supply and has been allowed to cool if previously in use. • Open the drawer by pushing on the front drawer panel then pull the drawer forwards to access the block. • Remove the collar from the block by unscrewing the four screws at the edges and lift off the block.
FAQS Q1 A1 How do I adjust the pressure of the heated lid for my tubes or plates? No adjustment is necessary. The lid automatically applies the correct pressure. Ensure that all consumables used in the block are of the same height. Q2 A2 Do I need a different block for fully skirted plates? No. The TC-PLUS 96-well block will accommodate fully skirted as well as half-skirted and non-skirted PCR plates. Q3 A3 What is “Sample Cooling”? Sample cooling can be applied during the lid pre-heat phase.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICING If you require further technical or application assistance please contact Techne at: E-mail: technehelp@bibby-scientific.com. Phone: +44 (0)1785 810433 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 For servicing information please contact: Service Department Bibby Scientific Ltd. Beacon Road Stone Staffordshire ST15 0SA E-mail: service@bibby-scientific.com. Phone: +44 (0)1785 810475 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 We are continually striving to improve our products and software.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION USER MAINTENANCE Before cleaning your unit, disconnect it from the power supply. The outer case of the TC-PLUS may be cleaned with a cloth dipped in water or ethanol (hexane or 50% methanol can also be used). No part of the case or cover should be immersed in the solvents. Do not use aggressive solvents such as acetone or abrasive cleaners. The block may be wiped with water, ethanol or propan-2-ol and may be decontaminated by wiping with 2% Neutracon or 1% bleach solution.
ACCESSORIES The following consumables and accessories can be obtained from Bibby Scientific Ltd. Or your Techne distributor: Product code FTCPLUS/02/B FTCPLUS/05/B FTCPLUS/384/B FTUB02TW FTUB05TW F96PLFS F96PLFSB F96PLFSW F96PLNS F96PLNSB F96PLNSW F96T02 FHSEAL FHSFILM FHSEALSD FHSPA96 FHSPA384 Description TC-PLUS gradient block for 96 x 0.2ml micro tubes or plates TC-PLUS gradient block for 60 x 0.5ml micro tubes TC-PLUS gradient block for 384 well plates 0.
REPLACEMENT PARTS The following replacement parts can be obtained from Bibby Scientific Ltd.
