General Information

The MikroWin PlateProcessor supports the user performing a manual pipetting in microtiter plates. The procedure here is comparable with the functionality of an automatic sample distributor. Starting point is a worklist. It contains information about the tests that must be performed for each sample. The worklist is made available either by the MikroWin Database module, or by a general data processing system (LIMS, host system). At program start, the MikroWin PlateProcessor will import the worklist and determines herewith the amount of samples as well as the amount of different tests to perform.

In the first step the user selects those tests, which he would like to pipette. Usually a single test per microtiter plate is processed. However, also a combination of tests on a single microtiter plate (e.g. IgG / IgM) is possible. If the tests, that should be performed, are selected, MikroWin PlateProcessor will show for each selected test an appropriate representation of the microtiter plate. The representation shows both, the control and the sample positions. Also replicates are visually indicated.

All test information, necessary for the plate visual representation as well as for pipetting the plate are taken over from MikroWin 2000 test evaluation software. The amount of samples as well as the number of necessary microtiter plates per test will be determined for each selected test. The user has the possibility to reduce the number of microtiter plates to perform. Before the actual pipetting procedure can be started, a plate ID must be assigned to the first microtiter plate of each test in use. This ID can be entered by the keyboard or can be scanned by an automatic barcode scanner.

In the second step, the actual pipetting procedure is performed. It is initiated by clicking on the Start button. Now, the input of a sample ID is expected either by the keyboard or barcode scanner. If a barcode scanner is used, no further MikroWin PlateProcessor operation is required during the pipetting procedure. Therefore, the user has both hands free for the pipetting procedure. As soon as a new sample number is entered / scanned, the program indicates the positions of the plates (tests), the sample must be pipetted to. So the user can work on up to three (six) tests in parallel, without touching the sample tubes several times. If all samples of a microtiter plate are performed, the MikroWin PlateProcessor automatically creates a file with all the necessary sample ID information. Later, this file is used by MikroWin 2000 test evaluation software when measuring the plate for positive sample identification.

Overview

The MikroWin PlateProcessor can be used in combination with the MikroWin 2000 test evaluation software only. On one hand, the MikroWin PlateProcessor requires test parameters provided by MikroWin 2000 for the visual representation of the microtiter plate (overlay and partition) as well as for calculating the amount of samples per plate. On the other hand, the sample ID information files generated by the MikroWin PlateProcessor are used by MikroWin 2000 for positive sample identification during plate measurement. Of course, an automatic sample distributor can also be integrated into a system with MikroWin PlateProcessor.

However, first of all, a worklist is necessary, so that the MikroWin PlateProcessor is able to support the manual pipetting procedure and enables the positive sample identification during the measurement of the microtiter plate. The worklist is usually created by the MikroWin Database module. However, it is also possible to take over a worklist created by a general data processing system (e.g. LIMS, host system).

The data exchange between the individual modules (MikroWin Database, MikroWin PlateProcessor and MikroWin 2000) is taken place by files. Because of this, it is possible to use the different modules on different workstations (computers) and to realize the coupling of the modules over the computer network. However, it is also possible to install and operate two or all of the modules on an individual computer.