SpectraTest

Microplate readers from Molecular Devices are designed to provide consistent performance for many years. In keeping with best practices, instrument performance should still be validated and documented regularly. The SpectraTest® ABS1, FL1, and LM1 validation packages from Molecular Devices provide automated, comprehensive, and traceable validation of optical performance, and automatic verification of SpectraMax®, FlexStation®, VersaMax™, and specified Gemini™ systems.

SpectraTest AB S1 Absorbance Validation Package Performance Tests

Qualify the absorbance performance of SpectraMax® (M5/M5^e, M2/M2^e, Plus³⁸⁴, Plus, 190, 340PC, 340PC³⁸⁴), FlexStation® 3, and VersaMax™ readers by testing the specifications that are absolutely critical to measurements. Eight different automated tests are provided:

• Absorbance accuracy (linearity)
• Precision (reproducibility)
• Stray light
• Wavelength accuracy
• Wavelength repeatability
• Ultimate dark (0% transmittance)
• Optical alignment
• Baseline noise

SpectraTest FL1 Fluorescence Validation Package Performance Tests

Qualify the fluorescence performance of the SpectraMax® M5/M5^e, M2/M2^e, FlexStation® 3, Gemini™ EM, and Gemini XPS readers by testing the specifications that are absolutely critical to measurements. Twelve different automated tests are provided:

• Fluorescence lower limit of detection (LLD)
• Excitation wavelength accuracy
• Emission wavelength accuracy
• Excitation wavelength precision
• Emission wavelength precision
• PMT matching (high vs. medium PMT settings)
• Top-to-bottom bias
• Kinetic noise (low signal)
• Kinetic noise (high signal)
• Well-to-well reproducibility
• Relative fluorescence unit (RFU) linearity
• RFU scale ratio

SpectraTest® LM1 Luminescence Validation Package Performance Tests

Qualify the luminescence performance of the SpectraMax® L, M5/M5^e, and FlexStation® 3 microplate readers by testing the specifications that are absolutely critical to measurements. Thirteen different automated tests are provided:

• Background noise
• Background spike
• Lower limit of detection
• Crosstalk
• Linearity
• Relative luminescence units (RLU)
• Kinetic noise (low signal)
• Kinetic spike (low signal)
• Kinetic drift (low signal)
• Kinetic noise (high signal)
• Kinetic spike (high signal)
• Kinetic drift (high signal)
• Well-to-well precision
• Left-to-right bias
• Top-to-bottom bias

Automated For Ease of Use

All test measurements and calculations are handled automatically by the SoftMax® Pro software protocols. Should any of the measurement parameters fall outside defined limits, a test failure is reported with the suspect parameters identified.

NIST Traceability of SpectraTest® AB S1 validation plate

Each filter is individually tested across all eight channels of the plate. Calibration of the plate's filter standards is accomplished through the use of an instrument calibrated with primary NIST standards.

Recertification Service

To maintain confidence in the standards, Molecular Devices recommends having validation plates recertified at one-year intervals. Validation plates sent to Molecular Devices for recertification are disassembled, cleaned, calibrated, and then returned with a new certificate of calibration.

Additional Validation Tools

In addition to the SpectraTest® ABS1, FL1, and LM1 validation packages, IQ/OQ/PQ validation, SoftMax® Pro software validation, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance tools are available.

Ordering Information

SpectraTest® ABS1 Absorbance Validation Package
Part Number: 0200-6117

SpectraTest FL1 Fluorescence Validation Package
Part Number: 0200-5060

SpectraTest LM1 Luminescence Validation Package
Part Number: 0200-6186

All SpectraTest Validation Packages include:

• Validation plate
• Automated SoftMax® Pro software protocols to run validation tests
• Certificate of calibration
• User guide