Hygiena Dualo 32 Dualo32 Real Time PCR Cycler Instructions
- June 16, 2024
- Hygiena
Table of Contents
Hygiena Dualo 32 Dualo32 Real Time PCR Cycler
Specifications
- Product No.: MCH230008
- Product Instructions: Revision A, September 2023
SETUP
Installing your Dualo 32
You should have the following items in the Dualo 32 flight case:
- Dualo 32 qPCR Instrument
- Power Supply Unit and Mains Cable
- Ethernet Cable
- USB Drive
Please keep the flight case and outer box the Dualo 32 came in, in case you need to protect your Dualo 32 during storage or shipment in future.
Lid
The lid ensures that tubes are seated correctly in the wells, provides optical
isolation, includes a heated lid to reduce condensation, and prevents dust
falling into empty wells.
USB Port
Insert the USB drive here to run an experiment from the USB drive.
Display LEDs
The Dualo 32 uses display LEDs to help you understand what the instrument is
doing. Here is a summary of these display LEDs.
Dualo 32 Connections
The Dualo 32 has three connections. One in the front and two in the back as
shown below:
Power
This is to connect your Dualo 32 to the provided power supply unit.
Ethernet Port
This is for connecting your Dualo 32 to your LAN or computer
Powering on your Dualo 32
Place the Dualo 32 on your lab bench and then connect AC power to the power
supply unit. After a few seconds, your instrument will turn on. The display
LEDs will light up blue and then turn green if a lid is closed or red if not.
Your Dualo 32 is ready to run. The Dualo 32 uses a 3-pin IEC mains connector.
If you are not using a grounded supply, then you must provide an additional
ground connection.
Connecting your Dualo 32 to a Network, PC or Laptop
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the instrument and the other end to a
LAN port, or directly to your computer. Once your Dualo 32 is connected to a
LAN, you can connect to your instrument via Wi Fi if your network supports it.
Dualo 32 Connection Modes
Dualo 32 Heated Lid
The Dualo 32 heated lid will get hot. Please do not touch it. The heated lid
will be preheated to 105 ºC if user activity is detected. This enables your
run to start as soon as possible. After 5 minutes of inactivity, the heated
lid will be turned off to conserve energy.
Installing your Dualo 32 Software
WINDOWS (MAC OS X also available)
Double-click on the Dualo 32-Windows-Installer and follow the on-screen
instructions to install your Dualo 32 software on Windows.
Configuring your Dualo 32
TIPS
Here are some great tips to keep in mind while running the Dualo 32
instrument.
- Lid gets warm
- Do not leave the lid open
- Spin the tubes
- Remove all bubbles
- Keep the lab clean
- Keep the instrument clean
- PC settings
Lid gets warm
The Dualo 32 lid can get warm during operation. This is completely normal.
Do not leave the lid open
If the lid is open dust may fall into the wells and affect the performance of
the instrument.
Spin the tubes
This will ensure all well contents are at the bottom of the wells and will
improve performance.
Remove all bubbles
Bubbles can cause optical artifacts as shown in the graph below. Ensure that
no bubbles are present in reaction volumes.
Keep the lab clean
Please keep your work space clean, including all lab equipment like surfaces,
pipettes and tube racks. This will keep the instrument clean and help maintain
good results.
Keep the instrument clean
We recommend a routine cleaning of the instrument. To do so, follow the
cleaning guide in the Maintenance Section.
PC settings
Please disable all power-saving settings e.g., sleep and hibernate.
EXPERIMENT
This section will teach you everything you need to know to get started with Dualo 32 experiments. You will learn how to create, save, open, and close experiments. You will also learn how to set up sample information. Finally, we will show you how to run your new experiment from the software, and the USB drive provided.
Choose a New Experiment
Below is the Dualo 32 home screen.
EXPERIMENT
Experiment Summary
Once you have chosen a new experiment from a template, the Experiment
Summary will be displayed as shown below:
Open an Experiment
By selecting Open, you can open an experiment as shown below:
USB Run
To open a USB run, navigate to the USB location using the Open dialog window
shown below. Select Experiment File in the Files of Type drop-down menu and
then double-click on the USB run.
Saving an Experiment
Once a run has finished, it can either be automatically saved to a pre-set
location on your computer or manually saved by you. The experiment must be
saved before the software is closed to ensure that data is not lost.
Automatic Saving
When starting a run, you will be prompted with the window displayed below.
To automatically save your data when the run has finished, click Browse and
choose the location to save your run to.
Make sure the first checkbox is selected and your experiments will be
automatically saved. To prevent the software from showing this dialog again,
select the second checkbox. You can change these settings later by clicking
Configuration and selecting General Config.
Manual Saving
Once your run has finished, you can save your experiment manually by clicking
Save or Save As. The first time an experiment is saved, you will be prompted
to select a location and filename to use. After this, you can click Save to
use the same location, overwrite the previous version, or Save As to choose a
new location.
Closing an Experiment
To close an experiment, select Close. If the experiment has not been saved,
the following dialog box will appear:
Samples
- You will now learn how to set up samples which can be defined as follows:
- Samples or targets do not need to be defined before starting a run. They can be added to an experiment, while it is running or once it has finished. With a new experiment created, please select the Samples tab as shown below:
Assigning Samples to Wells
Assign wells by selecting them and clicking Set. Samples can also be
unassigned by selecting the wells you wish to un-assign and clicking Clear.
Assigning Targets to Wells
Targets can be assigned to wells as a Standard, Unknown or Negative by
clicking Std., Unk, or Neg., respectively. Assignments can be cleared by
clicking Clear with the targets and wells you wish to clear selected. For more
information about different types of standard controls, please contact
technical support.
Starting a Run from the Software
To start a run from the Dualo 32 software, select Start Run. You will be
presented with the auto-save options (unless you have chosen not to be
prompted) and then be asked to choose an instrument from the list of
Registered Instruments. Select an instrument and press Select to begin the
run.
Starting a Run from a USB Drive
- To start a run using a USB drive, select Start Run. When you are asked to choose an instrument, select Start run from USB. You will then be prompted to find the location of your USB drive. Once selected, press Save and safely remove your USB drive as normal. The USB drive can now be placed into the instrument and your experiment will start automatically.
Loading Strips into your Dualo 32
To ensure that the heated lid is balanced, please make sure that the mount
contains at least a strip in rows A and D (as shown in blue below) or single
tubes in wells A1, A8, D1, and D8. These positions can be filled with tubes
containing reagents, or empty tubes.
ANALYSIS
Depending on the chosen template, different types of analysis are pre-set.
Auto Quantification
Quantifiers
If you have assigned standards with different known quantifiers to your
experiment, for example, a dilution series, you will be able to see your
reaction efficiency by selecting Quantifiers. Here you will be shown the
relationship between Cq and input template quantity, plus a variety of
statistics derived from the standards.
Auto Tm Calling (Melting)
Select the analysis Automatic Tm Calling to identify and characterize melting
peaks. You can see the results below.
EXPORT
When you have finished analyzing your data in the Dualo 32 software, you can export the results in a variety of ways, from raw data to user-defined custom reports.
Data Export
You can export data from panes with results in tabular format by clicking
the Export button.
Data can be exported in the following formats:
CSV This is an editable data file that can be opened in many spreadsheet
applications. PDF This file format is suitable for archiving, printing and
presentations, but cannot be edited.
Report Generation
Customizable reports can be generated from your experiment by selecting
Experiment Report under the Experiment tab.
MAINTENANCE
This section will help you take care of your Dualo 32. It covers the following areas:
- Cleaning
- Environmental Conditions
- Disassembly
Cleaning
Day-to-Day
For day-to-day cleaning, wipe the external surface of your instrument with a
damp, soft, lint-free cloth. Dry your instrument with another soft, lint-free
cloth.
Notes: Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, and similar items
that might cause damage. Before cleaning your instrument, unplug all external
power sources, devices and cables. Do not get moisture into any openings.
Deep Cleaning Wells
Automated background subtraction processes mean that low levels of
fluorescence contamination in the wells of your instrument will not affect
system performance. Should one or more wells of your instrument become
contaminated with high levels of fluorescent substances, and need cleaning,
please contact technical support for guidance.
MAINTENANCE
Environmental Conditions
Your Work Space
- Your Dualo 32 should be placed on a surface that is flat, dry, and not subject to drafts. Do not install your Dualo 32 instrument directly in the flow of air from an air conditioner or fan. Do not install your Dualo 32 instrument in a dusty environment.
- Do not cover or obstruct airflow around any part of the instrument, including the heated lid and the vents on the instrument base and back.
Environmental Operating Conditions
Environmental Storing / Transporting / Packing Conditions
Disassembly
Please note that your Dualo 32 contains no user-serviceable components inside.
Any disassembly of your Dualo 32 instrument will void all warranties.
Consumables
- Product No. MLD 230049, 0.1 mL thin-wall 8 tube-strips
- Product No. MLD 230048, optical wide area 8-Cap lid strip, natural
TROUBLESHOOTING
This section will help you troubleshoot your Dualo 32 if you think something is wrong.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Can I leave my Dualo 32 powered on overnight?
Yes. It is safe to leave your Dualo 32 overnight. It will enter a low-power
standby mode.
Where is the threshold for determining Cq values in Auto Quant?
Modern methods of determining Cq values are not based on simple thresholds.
Modern methods of Cq determination are model-based. Auto Quant fits a model of
a PCR amplification to the fluorescence data observed. This model fit then
enables the estimation of some important parameters including Cq values.
Error Messages
Your Dualo 32 will let you know when something is wrong by displaying an error. Most errors are reported as messages in the Status Bar in the Dualo 32 software. Some errors are reported by the instrument display LEDs.
If you encounter an error, please make sure that the instrument is running in
a lab within the specified environmental conditions, tubes have been loaded
correctly, the lid has been fitted correctly and all cables are attached
correctly and securely. If the error still occurs, you may need to contact
technical support with the following actions described below.
Error Messages – Displayed in Status Bar
| Message | Action |
|---|
Run Prepare Error
(followed by one of the following messages)
a) No tubes loaded.
b) Instrument has had a hardware error and is in failsafe mode.
c) Instrument is not yet ready to run.
d) Instrument has finished a run and is waiting for tubes to be removed.
e) Open lid, remove tubes and then add new ones.
| Please follows the instructions in the error message and continue as normal.
FAILURE| This message will be followed by a short code. Please contact
Technical Support.
Instrument connection too slow| May be reported at the start of a run. Please
check that your network is properly configured and is operating at 100Mb/s or
more.
Network error| Please check that your network is properly configured and is
operating at 100Mb/s or more. Always leave your laptop or PC turned on
throughout the run and do not use any sleep, power-save or hibernate function.
Do not close laptop lid. Alternatively, perform the run using a USB drive.
Error Log Files
In the unlikely event that you encounter a problem, the software can
produce log files. These files help to diagnose the problem.
Software Errors
For software issues, go to Configuration > About and select Save Software Logs
to File.
Hardware Errors
For Hardware faults, go to Configuration > Dualo 32 and select Retrieve
Instrument Report Files. Once exported, please make sure you send the error
file, the serial number and the experiment file that contained the error to
Technical Support. It is OK to send experiments that have not been completed
and/or were aborted.
WARRANTY
WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Limited Warranty and Disclaimer of Liability. Hygiena® Diagnostics GmbH
warrants that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship
for 12 months and only if the following are complied with:
- The product is used according to the guidelines and instructions outlined in the product literature.
- Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH does not warrant its product against any defects when: the defect is as a result of material or workmanship not provided by Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH; defects caused by misuse or use contrary to the instructions supplied, or if the product is contaminated by improper storage or handling.
- All warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, written, oral, expressed or implied, shall extend only for one year from the date of manufacture. There are no other warranties that extend beyond those described on the face of this warranty.
- Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH does not undertake responsibility to any purchaser of its product for any undertaking, representation or warranty made by any dealers or distributors selling its products beyond those herein unless expressed in writing by an officer of Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH.
- Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH does not assume responsibility for incidental or consequential damages, including, but not limited to responsibility for loss of use of this product, removal or replacement labor, loss of time, inconvenience, expense for telephone calls, shipping expenses, loss or damage to property or loss of revenue, personal injuries or wrongful death.
- Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH reserves the right to replace or allow credit for any modules returned under this warranty.
Ordering Information
Contact your local Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH representative for ordering
information.
Order Number
MCH230008
Product Name
Dualo 32® real-time PCR instrument
Trademarks
- Dualo 32® is a registered trademark of Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH. Hygiena® is a registered trademark of Hygiena.
- Other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
Change Index
- Version 1, October 2020:
- The first version of the package insert.
- Revision A, September 2023:
- Rebranding
Hygiena®
Camarillo, CA 93012
USA:
diagnostics.support@hygiena.com
Manufactured by Hygiena Diagnostics GmbH
Hermannswerder 17 14473 Potsdam Germany
www.hygiena.com
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>