Luminex 100 IS User Manual, Version 2.3 - Manual (Page 27)

PN 89-00002-00-071 Rev. C 3 - 1
The System
Theory of Operation
Luminex 100 IS technology is based on flow cell fluorometry with
Luminex-developed innovations. The fluidics, optics, robotics,
temperature control, software, and xMAP microspheres work
together to enable simultaneous analysis of up to 100 analytes in a
single test sample. Assay analysis requiring temperature control is
provided through the Luminex XYP instrument heater block.
There are two fluidics paths in the Luminex 100 analyzer. The first
path involves a syringe-driven mechanism that controls the sample
uptake. This mechanism permits small sample uptake volumes from
small reaction volumes. The syringe-driven system transports a
specified volume of sample from a sample container to the cuvette.
The sample is injected into the cuvette at a steady rate for analysis.
Following analysis, the sample path is automatically purged with
sheath buffer by the second fluidics path. This process removes
residual sample within the tubing, valves, and probe. The second
fluidics path is driven by positive air pressure and supplies sheath
fluid to the cuvette and sample path.
Sheath fluid is the delivery medium of the sample to the optics
component. The analysis sample is acquired using a sample probe
from a 96-well microtiter plate via the Luminex XYP instrument and
injected into the base of the cuvette. The sample then passes through
with sheath fluid at a reduced rate resulting in a narrow sample core
to ensure that each microsphere is illuminated individually. The
sample injection rate is such that the xMAP microspheres are
introduced to the optics path as a series of single events. The
Luminex SD system lets you run samples continuously without
refilling sheath bottles. It automatically draws sheath from a non
pressurized bulk sheath container to constantly maintain a reservoir
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