A simple method for validation and verification of pipettes mounted on automated liquid handlers

TY - CONF

T1 - A simple method for validation and verification of pipettes mounted on automated liquid handlers

AU - Stangegaard, Michael

AU - Hansen, Anders Johannes

AU - Frøslev, Tobias Guldberg

AU - Morling, Niels

N1 - Titel på proceedings: LabAutomation2009 Sider: 134

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 -  We have implemented a simple method for validation and verification of the performance of pipettes mounted on automated liquid handlers as necessary for laboratories accredited under ISO 17025. An 8-step serial dilution of Orange G was prepared in quadruplicates in a flat bottom 96-well microtiter plate (BD Falcon) manually by means of calibrated pipettes. Each pipette of the liquid handler (1 up to 8) dispensed a selected volume (1 to 200µl) of Orange G 8 times into the wells of the microtiter plate. All wells contained a total of 200µL liquid. The optical density (OD) was read at 490 nm, and the dispensed volume of each pipette was calculated based on a plot of volume and OD of a known set of Orange G dilutions. Finally, the percent inaccuracy (%d) and the imprecision (%CV) of each pipette was calculated. Using pre-defined acceptance criteria, each pipette was then either approved or failed. Failed pipettes were either repaired or the volume deviation was compensated for by applying a calibration curve in the liquid handler software. We have implemented the method on a Sias Xantus, an MWGt TheONYX, three Tecan Freedom EVO, a Biomek NX Span-8 and four Biomek 3000 robots, and the scripts are freely available. In conclusion, we have set up a simple solution for the continuous validation of automated liquid handlers used for accredited work. The method is cheap, simple and easy to use for aqueous solutions but requires a spectrophotometer that can read microtiter plates.

AB -  We have implemented a simple method for validation and verification of the performance of pipettes mounted on automated liquid handlers as necessary for laboratories accredited under ISO 17025. An 8-step serial dilution of Orange G was prepared in quadruplicates in a flat bottom 96-well microtiter plate (BD Falcon) manually by means of calibrated pipettes. Each pipette of the liquid handler (1 up to 8) dispensed a selected volume (1 to 200µl) of Orange G 8 times into the wells of the microtiter plate. All wells contained a total of 200µL liquid. The optical density (OD) was read at 490 nm, and the dispensed volume of each pipette was calculated based on a plot of volume and OD of a known set of Orange G dilutions. Finally, the percent inaccuracy (%d) and the imprecision (%CV) of each pipette was calculated. Using pre-defined acceptance criteria, each pipette was then either approved or failed. Failed pipettes were either repaired or the volume deviation was compensated for by applying a calibration curve in the liquid handler software. We have implemented the method on a Sias Xantus, an MWGt TheONYX, three Tecan Freedom EVO, a Biomek NX Span-8 and four Biomek 3000 robots, and the scripts are freely available. In conclusion, we have set up a simple solution for the continuous validation of automated liquid handlers used for accredited work. The method is cheap, simple and easy to use for aqueous solutions but requires a spectrophotometer that can read microtiter plates.

KW - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

M3 - Poster

T2 - LabAutomation2009

Y2 - 25 January 2009 through 28 January 2009

ER -