BN ProSpec® System Software and Basic Operations Online Training

The BN ProSpec® System software runs on a Windows NT® operating system. Double-click the BN ProSpec Viiewer icon to start the applications software. On the desktop, you’ll see icons for My Computer, Network Neighborhood, Internet Explorer, and Recycle Bin. These programs are embedded into the Windows software and can’t be removed. However, you should only use this computer for operating the BN ProSpec® System. This course does not contain audio.   Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Identify the operating system and desktop icons Describe the layout of the software dialogs Identify the main topic dialogs of the software Perform basic operations and maintenance Congratulations. You’ve completed the BN ProSpec® System Software and Basic Operation course. In this online training course, you’ve learned how to: Identify the operating system and the desktop icons You’ve learned that the BN ProSpec® System runs on a Windows NT® operating system. You now can identify the BN ProSpec Viewer icon on the desktop, as well as other icons. Describe the layout of the software dialogs You’ve learned that most of the software’s six main topic dialogs have a Title bar and a Navigation bar at the top, an Action bar on the left, a Status bar on the right, and a Status line at the bottom. You’ve also learned about the Help button in the upper-right corner of most dialogs. Identify the main topics You’ve learned that the software has six main topics: Status, Lab Journal, Loading, Calibration, System, and QC. Perform basic operations using the software You’ve learned steps for preparing the analyzer and for processing calibrations, controls, and both barcoded and non-barcoded samples. You also know how to use the Lab Journal and the options in the System dialog, including system maintenance. Use buttons on the Navigation bar to open the BN ProSpec® System’s six main topics—Status, Lab Journal, Loading, Calibration, System, and QC—or the system's online Help. .  Most of the main topics have similiar structures and multiple dialogs. When you click a button, the corresponding topic opens, displaying a dialog, and the button becomes unavailable. The buttons on this bar remain the same in all of the main topic dialogs. Title bar: indicates name of dialog currently displayed Navigation bar: contains buttons for opening the six main topics Action bar: contain buttons for available activities for each main topic Status bar: contains buttons indicating status of five areas of the analyzer and estimated time to completion Status line: displays information on what the system is currently doing Click Status on the Navigation bar to open the Status dialog. This dialog is the main software dialog, where you can monitor the status of the analyzer. The border around the central part of the dialog shown here is green, indicating that all systems are go. If the border turns yellow, the system has a need, but can continue to process samples. If the border turns red, the system needs your immediate attention. The center area of the screen displays real-time statistical information about the analyzer, such as the number of samples loaded on the analyzer, the number of available cuvettes, and the number of reagents in the reagent rotor. The Information section at lower right displays system status information, such as the status of the system liquids and the walk away time while the analyzer is processing. The Status dialog is the only main topic dialog with an Exit button. Click Exit if you want to close the applications software or shut down the analyzer. A dialog box appears giving you three options: Click Yes to close the software AND shut down the analyzer Click No to close only the software Click Cancel to return to the Status dialog Click Lab journal on the Navigation bar to open the Lab Journal topic. The Lab journal dialog displays a list of sample and quality control results. The buttons on the Action bar on the left allow you to perform many tasks. New: Enter an identification (ID) and requests for a new sample Delete: Remove a request Add request: Program assays to be run on selected sample IDs Repeat: Request a re-run Release: Send the results to a host computer Request control: Program a control run  Print: Print a report Click Loading on the Navigation bar to open the Loading dialog. The initial Loading dialog shows a graphic of the sample rotor. From this dialog, you can view information about samples, reagents, and controls, as well as access the reagent rotor, cuvettes, and dilution cups. Reagents: View a list of reagents and controls Cuv & Dil Cups: Load cuvettes and dilution cups Auto Loading: Assign positions for non-barcoded samples Level detection: Request level detection on a sample Print: Print a list of assigned positions for non-barcoded samples Click Calibration on the Navigation bar to open the Calibration dialog. In this dialog, you can measure, repeat, review, print, and delete calibration (reference) curves. Delete: Permanently erase a calibration Show curve: View a calibration curve Measure: Request a calibration for a new lot number of reagent Repeat: Request a calibration for a lot number of reagent that has at least one stored curve Click System on the Navigation bar to open the System dialog. This dialog allows you to perform a variety of tasks. Maintenance: Perform the menu-driven routine maintenance procedures Access: Replace system liquids, cuvettes, dilution cups, and samples Hardware check: Not in use Initialization: Reset the hardware components of the system individually or collectively Update and backup Software: Facilitate the transfer of control and standard values from a diskette or CD and enable printing of raw data for measurements Reset analyzer: Reinitialize the system Configuration: Access special options that you can enable or disable, such as Automatic Release and Automatic Remeasurement Logbook: Access a list of events and error messages primarily used for troubleshooting Definitions: Access user-definable options that include profiles, reference ranges, units of measure, and controls Click QC on the Navigation bar to launch the PASS QC program. New control results are displayed automatically in the QC Journal dialog, the first of this program's three main dialogs.   Click Help in the upper-right corner of any of the main topic dialogs (except PASS QC dialogs) to access explanations of the main topics of the software and each Action bar button. You can also use this online Help as a handy reference for the definitions of buttons and flags that appear throughout the software dialogs.   Press the F1 key to access context-specific Help. This will take you directly to the appropriate topic for the dialog that your are currently using. Except for the Status dialog, all of the main topic dialogs have a Status bar on the right.  If a Status bar button is green, there is no problem or need in that area of the system, and the button is inactive. If it is yellow or red, it becomes active.   .Status Bar Buttons Learn about Status Bar Buttons. Walk Away Time Approximate time to complete jobs currently processing Number of assays to be processed Analyzer button Samples & Standards Green - sufficient volumes available Yellow - insufficient amounts for processing requests Red - item missing or empty Reagents & Controls Green - sufficient volumes available Yellow - insufficient amoutns for processing requests Red - item missing or empty Cuvettes & Dilution Green - sufficient number available Yellow - only 1 cuvette segment or 1 dilution strip available Red - no cuvettes or dilution cups available Ref curves & contr results Green - all required reference curves available; valid and control results are valid Yellow - at least 1 required reference curve missing or invalid or 1 control result invalid Information Green - system okay Yellow - warm up phase; at least 1 system liquid or cleaner low; waste container getting full; at least 1 temperature on edge of tolerance range Red - emergency stop triggered; at least 1 system liquid or cleaner is empty; waste container is full; system cannot cotininue processing; at least 1 temperature is outside tolerance range   Performing periodic maintenance procedures is critical to keeping your BN ProSpec® System running smoothly. To access many of these procedures, select from the buttons in the Maintenance row of the System dialog. There is no daily maintenance, but you'll need to perform maintenance weekly, monthly, and every six months. Update the Maintenance Log after completing each task. Weekly Maintenance Learn about weekly maintenance. Tab TitleTextProbe Check the probe's function (left) and clean the probe (above). Wet Station/Fountain Clean the wet station Clean the fountain Syringe Check syringe for leaks Tubing Check tubing for kinds and debris Water Container Disinfect the distilled water container Power Shut down and restart the analyzer and CPU Reagent Rotor Vessel Clean the reagent rotor vessel Monthly Maintenace Learn about monthly maintenance. Tab TitleTextWater Tubing Disinfect the distilled water tubing with 3% hypochlorite Water Filter Replace distilled water filter Level Sensors Clean level sensors with alcohol swabs Six-Month Maintenance Learn about six-month maintenance. Tab TitleTextSyringe Replace syringe Tubing Replace tubing for system liquids and waste The BN ProSpec® system does not require daily maintenance. However, there are tasks that may be required to prepare the analyzer for processing. In this section, you'll learn how to:  Check the system liquids, cleaner, and waste Exchange used cuvettes and dilution strips Load additional reagents and controls if needed Load standards and samples Check System Liquids and Waste Learn how to check system liquids and waste. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentCheck Liquids and WasteHTML The level sensors will detect if the system liquids need to be replaced or the waste needs to be emptied. But if you're preparing for a large workload, you can replace the system liquids and cleaner, and empty the waste container. To maintain quality, never pool old and new containers of system liquids, cleaner, standards, reagents, or controls. Select SystemHTML Start by selecting System on the Navigation bar. Select System Liquid and WasteHTML In the System dialog, select System liquid and waste. Select OptionsHTML In the Replace system liquid and empty waste container dialog that appears, select the appropriate check boxes. In this example, Diluent has been selected. Select Additional OptionsHTML In this example, the drained option is selected next. Select SaveHTML The Save button on the Action bar is now active. Select Save, and the system will perform the selected actions. Select OKHTML A dialog box displays to notify the update is completed. Select OK. Exchange Cuvettes and Dilutions Strips Learn how to exchange cuvettes and dilutions strips. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentChange Used Cuvettes and Dilutions CupsHTML The BN ProSpec® System keeps an inventory of the used and available cuvettes and dilution cups. When a new job is processed, the system uses the next available cuvette and dilution cup. However, before starting a large workload, you can exchange the used cuvettes and dilution cups. Select SystemHTML Select System on the Navigation bar.   Select Cuvettes and Dilutions CupsHTML In the System dialog, select Cuvettes & dilution cups. Select OKHTML The System – Access cuvettes and dilution cups dialog displays a graphic of the dilution strips in the dilution station and the cuvette segments on the cuvette rotor. Each rectangle represents one dilution cup or cuvette. An X indicates that a cup or cuvette is no longer needed. When all of the cups in a dilution strip or all cuvettes in a  segment are marked with an X, you can replace that strip or segment. For cups and cuvettes that don't have an X, the color indicates the status: blue (cup or cuvette in use or been assigned), white (cup or cuvette available but not assigned) or gray (no strip or segment inserted).  Select OK to access the cuvettes and dilution cups. Open Right CoverHTML   A message indicates that you can now replace the cuvettes and dilution strips. Raise the right cover of the analyzer to access the dilution station and cuvette rotor area. Replace Used Dilution StripHTML Replace the used dilution strips in the dilution tray with new ones. Remove Cuvette Rotor LidHTML Remove the cuvette rotor lid. Replace Used Cuvette SegmentHTML Replace the used cuvette segments on the cuvette rotor. Select AllHTML Click Select all on the Action bar. Select SaveHTML The backgrounds of the cuvettes and strips are gray, indicating that they are all selected. Select Save on the Action bar. Close CoverHTML A message prompts you to close the right cover. Replace the cuvette rotor lid then close the right cover of the analyzer. The probe checks for the presence of the dilution strips, and blank readings of the cuvettes are taken. Load Samples and Standards Learn how to load samples and standards. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentPrepare SegmentsHTML Prepare samples according to the package insert sheet. Check all samples for signs of turbidity. Replace the barcode label on the sample tube if it is worn or dirty. Remove the caps from the tubes and vials of the samples and standards. Place primary and secondary sample tubes in sample segments. Place standards in a standard segment. Align barcode labels facing out in the segment adapters. Select SystemHTML Select System on the Navigation bar. Select Replace SamplesHTML Select Replace samples in the Access row. A dialog box will appear to request confirmation you want to access the samples. Select Ok. A follow-up message displays to confirm access to the sample is available. Lift Left CoverHTML Raise the left cover on the analyzer to access the sample rotor. Place Segments on RotorHTML Please the sample and standard segments on the sample rotor. Close CoversHTML Close the cover then select Close in the software. A confirmation message displays to confirm reloading of samples has been completed. Load Reagents and Controls Learn how to load reagents and controls. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentPrepare Samples and StandardsHTML Reagents and controls can be added while the system is running or idle. This example demostrates how to load reagents. Follow the same steps to load controls. Remove the vials' caps and stoppers, and place the appropriate evaporation cap on each vial. White caps are for reagent vials, and yellow caps are for control vials. Make sure the ribbed part of the cap is above the vial's barcode. Place the reagent vials in the white-gripped segments. Place the control vials in the yellow-gripped segments. Be sure the barcode labels on the vials face outward.   Load Samples and StandardsHTML Select Loading on the Navigation bar. Select ReagentsHTML The Loading samples dialog displays a graphic of the sample rotor. Click Reagents on the Action bar. Select GraphicHTML   The initial Reagents loading dialog displays a list of reagents and controls already on the reagent rotor. Select Graphic on the Action bar.   Select AccessHTML A black dot indicates that at least one vial position in the segment is available. A green background indicates that a segment is present and all vials in the segment have been identified. A gray background indicates that the segment position is available. A yellow background indicates at least one vial on the segment could not be identified. The segment position number is displayed in larger text when selected. Select Access on the Action bar. A dialog box appears asking if you want to access the reagents. Select Ok.   Raise Cover and LidHTML A Load reagents now message appears. When you see this message, you can raise the analyzer's right cover to access the reagent rotor. Raise the right cover, and then raise the reagent rotor's access lid.   Load SegmentHTML The position you selected on the rotor is available, and you can load the reagent segment you've prepared. Load Multiple SegmentsHTML If you are loading multiple segments, you can simply rotate the rotor to another available position. You can place segments anywhere on the rotor because when the barcoded vials are scanned, their locations will be stored in memory. An alternate method for loading more than one segment is to also raise the analyzer's left cover and remove the reagent rotor lid. This exposes the entire reagent rotor, and you can load multiple segments. Select CloseHTML Close the reagent rotor access lid (or replace the reagent rotor lid) and then close the analyzer's cover(s). Click Close on the Action bar. Select OKHTML A dialog box appears notifying you that reloading has been completed. Click Ok. View Reagent ListHTML When the analyzer has scanned the controls and reagents, the Reagent list will be updated. It now shows that the segment you loaded is in segment position 4 on the rotor, and a vial of IgA reagent is in position 1 on that segment. When do you need to calibrate? When you begin using a new lot of reagent When your quality control results have significantly shifted within the range of confidence or are outside of the range of confidence For most assays, you can have three reagent lot numbers calibrated and two cuves per lot number. Standards and reagents required for calibration can be found the the Table of Assay Protocols and package insert sheets.   Perform Calibration Learn how to perform calibration. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentSelect CalibrationHTML Select Calibration on the Navigation bar. Select AssayHTML The Calibration dialog displays an Assays list. Click on the assay you want to perform calibration. Select Lot NumberHTML In the Reagents list, click the lot number for the reagent selected for calibration. Select MeasureHTML If the reagent lot is being calibrated for the first time, select Measure from the Action bar. If the reagent lot has at least one store calibration curve, select Repeat. In this example, Measure is selected. Calibration ProcessHTML The analyzer automatically begins processing the calibration. When processing is completed, the system records the calibration curve. Review Calibration Curve Learn how to review a calibration curve. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentSelect CalibrationHTML The second step in processing calibration is reviewing your calibration (reference) curve. Select Calibration on the Navigation bar. Select AssayHTML Select an assay for the calibration curve you wish to view. Select Lot NumberHTML Select the lot numer for the calibration curve you wish to view. Select Show curveHTML Select Show curve on the Action bar. View CurveHTML The Calibration - Show curve dialog displays the calibration curve for the selected assay and reagent lot number. Mean DeviationHTML The curve is released automatically (stored) if the mean deviation is acceptable. For most assays, the mean deviation should be less than or equal to 5% Calibration Curve OptionsHTML Use the buttons on the Action bar to delete, repeat, manually release and print the calibration curve. When should you process controls? After calibrating a reagent Periodically, to check the performance of the system A successful QC run indicates that your calibration curve is valid, the system is working well, and samples can be analyzed. The appropriate controls and reagents must be loaded on the analyzer prior to requesting control processing. Check the reagents and controls list in the initial Reagents loading dialog and load any that are needed. Processing Controls Learn how to process controls. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentSelect Lab JournalHTML Select Lab journal on the Navigation bar. Select Req. Ctrl.HTML Select Req. Ctrl. on the Action bar. Select Assay and ControlHTML The Lab journal - Request controls dialog displays all active assays that have a valid reference curve at the top. Control that have been defined in the software are listed in the left column. A white cell in an intersection of the column and row indicates that combination of assay and control can be selected. An X symbol is displayed in the select cell. Select MeasureHTML Select Measure on the Action bar. View Lab Journal DialogHTML The Lab journal dialog displays control requests. The analyzer automatically begins processing the controls. Review Control Results Learn how to review control results. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentView Lab Journal DialogHTML The Lab journal dialog updates automatically when control results are completed. View ValuesHTML The value in parentheses represents the percent deviation. For most controls, the acceptale percent devation has been defined as ±15% or ±20% from the control mean   View FlagsHTML An h (high) or l (low) flag is displayed in the Flag column if the control result is outside of the acceptable confidence range. Select QCHTML Select QC on the Naviation bar to launch the PASS QC program to further analyze control results. The BN ProSpec® System can process samples of serum, plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. The sample rotor can hold up to 45 samples, and you can use a variety of primary and secondary sample tubes, including 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-mL sizes. You can process samples in both barcoded and non-barcoded tubes, although the steps for processing differ a bit. Barcoded samples offer not only positive sample identification, but also ease of use for your laboratory. You can process barcoded samples when the system is interfaced online to a host computer or when offline. A different process is required when sample tubes do not have barcode labels or when using a special segment, such as the Eppendorf cup segment. Process Barcoded Samples Online Learn how to process barcoded samples online. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentLoad SamplesHTML Load the samples with the labels facing outward. The analyzer automatically scans the barcodes and enters the sample IDs into a job list. Test requests are acquired from the host computer. Select Lab JournalHTML Select Lab journal to review the job list. View Job ListHTML The Lab journal display a job list for the loaded samples. The system automatically starts sample processing. Process Barcoded Samples Offline Learn how to process barcoded samples offline. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentLoad SamplesHTML Load the samples with the labels facing outward. The analyzer automatically scans the barcodes and enters the sample IDs into the Lab Journal. Select Lab JournalHTML Select Lab journal on the Navigation bar. Select Sample IDHTML The Lab journal dialog displays the Sample ID for the sample just loaded. Click on the Sample ID to select it. Add RequestHTML Select Add request on the Action bar. View ProfileHTML The Lab Journal - Add Request dialog opens. The Sample ID is displayed in the Sample ID box. Under Assays, you can view individual assays or a profile. In this example, the GAM profile is selected, and its three assays are highlighted. View Multiple SamplesHTML A set of arrow buttons appear on the Action bar if several samples are loaded and selected in the Lab Journal. The right arrow button is used to advance to the next sample number to enter the requests. Select ApplyHTML Select Apply on the Action bar when all requests have been completed. Select CloseHTML Select Close on the Action bar. The system automatically begins processing the samples. View Lab JournalHTML The Lab journal dialog displays the sample ID with the requested tests. View Sample ResultsHTML The list updates automatically when the sample resutls are completed. Process NonBarcoded Samples Learn how to process nonbarcoded samples online. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentSelect Lab JournalHTML Select Lab Journal on the Navigation bar. Select NewHTML Select New on the Action bar. Input Sample IDHTML Enter the ID for the new non-barcoded sample in the Sample ID box. Select Assay or ProfileHTML Select an assay or profile. For this example, the GAM profile is selected. Select ApplyHTML The profile and associated assays are highlighted. Select Apply on the Action bar then select Close. Select CloseHTML The Lab journal - New dialog is ready to enter another sample ID and more test requests. As only one sample is being processed in this example, the Close option is selected. Select LoadingHTML The sample ID and request are displayed now in the Lab journal dialog. Symbols in the first and last columns indicate the sample is not on the analyzer. The red Samples & Standards button on the Status bar indicates that samples are missing. The next step is to assign a segment position for the non-barcoded sample using the automatic pre-loading feature. Click Loading on the Navigation bar. Select Sample IDHTML Select the Sample ID. Select Auto LoadingHTML Assign the sample to a segment by selecting Auto Loading on the Action bar. Select Segment IDHTML The Loading sample - Pre-loading dialog displays a list of segment IDs and the number of free positions on each. Selct the segment ID that matched the number on the grip of the segment on which you want to load the sample. Select Save on the Action bar. Select ID for PreLoadHTML In the Segment ID list, select the ID for the pre-loaded segment. The graphic of the pre-loaded segment displays the assigned position.  Place SampleHTML Place the sample in the segment according to the display then load the sample segment on the analyzer. The system automatically starts processing the sample.  Delete Pre-loading Assigned Positions Learn how to delete pre-loading assigned positions. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentRemove SegmentHTML Remove the segment from the sample rotor Select LoadingHTML Select Loading on the Navigation bar. Select IDHTML Select the ID of the pre-loaded segment in the Segment ID list. Select PositionHTML Double-click the assigned position with the right mouse button. Select YesHTML A dialog box appears requesting confirmation to delete the pre-loading assignments for the selected segment. Click Yes. Select ApplyHTML The sample ID is displayed in the ID list again, indicating it is no longer assigned to a segment. Click Apply on the Action bar. New Enter new sample IDs and requests Delete Remove requests from Lab Journal Add request Make assay requests when processing barcoded samples offline Repeat Add a request to a sample that already is entered, running or completed Release Manually release results or send results to host computer Req. Ctrl. Process quality control Print Print selected results in the Lab Journal The Lab journal dialog displays the results for samples and controls. It also displays symbols and flags that indicate processing status, problems or information for a result of sample. Lab Journal Headers Learn about Lab journal headers. Tab TitleTextSymbol Symbol (left) Indicates sample or control has been processed; also may display a STAT sample flag or missing sample flag. ID  ID Sample identification or six-digit number of control Name Name Sample name if entered in Patient Data or control name MP MP (Manual predilution) Displays an A (:5 dilution) or B (1:20 dilution) indicating the sample was manually diluted before being placed on the analyzer AD AD (Assay dilution) Letter indicates if the dilution used if a sample or control is run at a dilution different from the assay's initial dilution ( a = 1:1, b = 1.5, c = 1:20, d = 1;100, e = 1;400, f = 1:2, g = 1:8,000, h = 1:32,000) Assay Assay Abbreviation of the requested assay Result Result/Unit Result and units of measure; for controls the percentage of deviation is shown in parentheses Flag Flag Inidcates an error or additional information about the control or sample result Status Status Indicates current condition of sample or control, job or result