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Absorbance Plate Reader Module

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Additional Documentation

For complete instructions on module installation and use, see the Absorbance Plate Reader Instruction Manual.

Plate reader features

The Opentrons Absorbance Plate Reader Module is a deck-mounted, fully automated spectrophotometer. It uses light absorbance to determine sample concentrations. This module is ideal for a broad array of applications, including protein quantification, sample normalization, cell viability assays, and bacterial growth monitoring. The plate reader is designed for indoor laboratory research and other non-in-vitro diagnostic analyses.

Note

The Opentrons Flex Absorbance Plate Reader Module may currently not be offered, used or put on the market in any European Patent Convention States due to a third-party patent application.

Measurement capabilities

The plate reader uses 96 separate detection units for rapid sample analysis. The detection units use light in the 400–700 nanometer (nm) range to determine sample concentrations.

Gripper compatibility

The Opentrons Flex Gripper is required when using the plate reader. The gripper is needed to move labware and the plate reader's lid, onto and off the module.

Deck placement

The plate reader fits in deck slots A3–D3 only. It comes preinstalled in a caddy, which helps secure the unit to the deck. This module does not require calibration, but you can run Labware Position Check on any installed labware.

Software control

The plate reader is fully programmable in Protocol Designer and the Python Protocol API.

Plate reader specifications

Specification Description
Dimensions 155.3 mm L x 95.5 mm W x 57 mm H
Weight ~790 g
Module power
  • Input: USB 5 VDC, 3 A
  • Consumption: 2.5 W
  • Fuse: 1 A (very fast acting)
Detection
  • Hardware: 96 photodiodes
  • Wavelengths: The plate reader emits light in the visible spectrum at 450 nm (blue), 562 nm (green), 600 nm (orange) and 650 nm (red).
Measurement methods
  • Method: Absorbance
  • Techniques: Endpoint and kinetic
  • Range: 0–4.0 OD
  • Resolution: 0.001 OD
Accuracy The maximum deviation between the determined value and the true value.

At 405 nm:
  • ≤ 1.5% + 0.010 OD from 0.0–2.0 OD
  • ≤ 3% + 0.010 OD from 2.0–3.0 OD
At or above 450 nm:
  • ≤ 1% + 0.010 OD from 0.0–2.0 OD
  • 1.5% + 0.010 OD from 2.0–3.0 OD
Linearity The maximum deviation between the true and determined increase of the value.

At 405 nm:
  • ≤ 1.5% from 0.0–2.0 OD
  • ≤ 3% 2.0–3.0 OD
At or above 450 nm:
  • ≤ 1% from 0.0–2.0 OD
  • ≤ 1.5% from 2.0–3.0 OD
Reproducibility The maximum deviation between the determined values when the measurement is repeated directly.
  • ≤ 0.5% + 0.005 OD from 0.0–2.0 OD
  • ≤ 1% + 0.010 OD from 2.0–3.0 OD