Health Care Professionals/Laboratory:
Getting Started
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The ImmuKnow assay can
be performed within institutional laboratories such as hospitals,
or can be sent to a reference laboratory.
Prior to your
institution’s first order of the test, contact your local reference
laboratory to establish special sample collection and transportation
arrangements that must be observed in order to obtain acceptable
results. You may also refer to the ImmuKnow
Information Card for additional requirements.
For more information about ImmuKnow adoption by your testing laboratory, contact Cylex
Customer Care to discuss laboratory requirements for Cylex training and installation. |
Equipment and Supplies Needed Prior to Cylex On-Site Training and
Installation
- ImmuKnow Test Kit
- ImmuKnow Accessory Pack
- Luminometer (96-well microtiter plate compatible)
- Must measure “glow” luminescence (emission
maximum 562 nm)
- Maintain linearity over measurement range of 5 decades
of light output
- Computer
- Supports luminometer function as needed
- PC compatible with Microsoft® Excel® version 2007
- Siemens microtiter plate shaker (96-well
microtiter plate compatible)
- Standardization and correlation in cell
shaking
- Adjustable speed up to 1100 rpm
- Evenly distributed shaking across entire shaking table
- LCD display for objectivity
- Cylex
Magnet Tray
- ImmuKnow® Data Analysis Calculator™
- Vacuum
Aspiration System
- Vacuum source (electric power requirements
vary by country for this pump)
- Vacuum apparatus with disposable
tubing and receiving flask
- Aspiration
manifold (8-channel tip)
- 37C / 5% CO2 humidified incubator*
- Measurement
Plates
- General laboratory equipment and supplies (pipettes,
timer, etc.)*
*Not available at Cylex™ Inc.
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Equipment Details
Luminometers
ImmuKnow is measurable
on a variety of commercial luminometers. The major differences among
luminometers are software programmability and presence or absence of
injectors. The amount of light measured by a luminometer is proportional
to the concentration of ATP in the biochemiluminescence reaction (luciferin/luciferase).
Because the ATP reaction in the ImmuKnow assay produces a stable glow
reaction, injectors are not required. Therefore, if cost is a concern,
selecting a luminometer without injectors will be an economical choice.
A luminometer that is compatible with the ImmuKnow assay is capable
of measuring chemiluminescence in RLUs to detect ATP generation and
meets the required specifications listed in the Package Insert. There
are several luminometers that will support our assay. We urge you to contact your local Business Development Manager or Cylex
Customer Care when considering a luminometer
purchase.
Microplate Shakers
There are many types of microtiter plate shakers available today.
A plate shaker that is compatible with the ImmuKnow assay is specifically
designed for use with 96-well microtiter plates and has an adjustable
speed up to 1100 rpm. An orbital platform rotator will not suffice.
Because different shaker models have slight differences in mixing efficiency,
the shaker speed which will support the ImmuKnow assay will need to be
in the 800-1100 rpm range.
For these reasons among others, Cylex requires the use of the Siemens
MicroMix5 microtiter plate shaker. If other plate shakers are substituted,
results are likely to be inconsistent. Common problems found when using
another shaker include subjective dial-up rpms (speed) or an
uneven shaking speed across the platform, which is incompatible with our sensitive
assay.
New Customer Set Up
Prior to processing your requests for shipment of equipment
and ImmuKnow product, we will request your institution’s business information and
your testing laboratory’s contact information.
Customer set up
forms can be completed electronically and sent to Customer Care.
Microsoft and Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries. |
