Luminex MAGPIX Installation and Hardware User (IVD) - Manual (Page 43)

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CHAPTER 4
Technical Overview
This chapter describes the operation, components, subsystems, and technical
specifications of MAGPIX.
How MAGPIX Operates
MAGPIX combines a fluidics system, a mechanical system, an electronic system and an
optical system with magnetic microspheres and complex computer analysis to perform
multiplex assays.
The mechanical system begins the process. An operator places a 96-well microtiter plate
on the plate carrier, which transports the plate into the instrument. The carrier moves
along the y axis, to allow the sample probe access to each column of the microtiter plate.
The sample probe assembly moves along the x and z axes, allowing it to access each row
of the microtiter plate. Between the y-axis movement of the carrier and the x-axis
movement of the sample probe, all wells of the microtiter plate are accessible.
The fluidics system handles the acquisition and transportation of the sample. The sample
probe descends into each well, drawing a sample for testing and drawing Drive Fluid from
the Drive Fluid container. The sample moves through the fluid tubing to the optics module,
transported by the Drive Fluid.
In the optics module, a magnet holds the magnetic microspheres in place while first a red
(classification) LED and then a green (reporter) LED illuminate them. They are imaged
during each illumination. After the images are recorded, the magnet withdraws, releasing
the microspheres for transport to the waste fluid container and to clear the way for the next
sample.
xPONENT software analyzes the images, the red-illuminated images to classify the
microspheres and the green-illuminated images to determine what elements of the sample
have bonded to their surfaces. It reports the results to the operator.