Transfer Protocols

The LHC lets you upload and download programs to and from the washer/dispenser:

Download sends protocols from the computer to the instrument for stand-alone operation.

Upload imports protocols from the instrument to the computer.

Disable Editing of transferred protocols: use this control in either transfer direction. When it is engaged, downloaded protocols will be locked onboard the instrument, i.e., users will not be able to edit the parameters. Uploaded protocols will open in the LHC with "Disable Editing" on (except this is not applicable to LHC Secure which limits editing based on User Groups ). To modify an uploaded protocol users must first "enable editing." Conversely, when this control is not selected, users are free to edit the protocol's parameters onboard the instrument. And, when uploaded protocols are opened in the LHC, they are instantly editable.

LHC Secure does not support protocol revision control when using the keypad. The ability to lock the keypad is provided specifically for compliance with 21 CFR Part 11. Administrators and Power Users are advised to always control the instrument using the LHC or to restrict protocol transfers to downloads, i.e. do not upload protocols from the instrument.

Limitations and Requirements

Some limitations or requirements on transferring protocols from the computer to the instrument are imposed by the instrument's basecode. These limitations apply to most instruments, except the 405™ TS:

Action Steps Only: Only protocols with action steps, like wash and dispense, can be downloaded to an instrument. The LHC-provided supporting steps, like Delay and Loop, cannot be downloaded. You must keep the instrument connected to the computer to run protocols with these LHC steps.

You must define a Protocol or on-board Name to download the protocol to the instrument.

On-board Name: Most liquid handlers limit the protocol or "on-board" name to 16 alpha-numeric characters. Some instruments allow inclusion of these symbols: - / : _, but two of them conflict with Microsoft Windows file-naming limitations, i.e., filenames cannot contain so-called offending characters: \ /*: # ? ” < > |. The LHC will require you to rename a protocol with an offending filename. The Protocol Name or "on-board name" can only be defined or modified in the LHC's main view. Also, for some instruments the protocol name is case sensitive. The LHC assigns a filename to uploaded protocols, adding the .LHC filename extension to the on-board name.
Protocol Information: Some information in the LHC protocol file is ignored by the instrument. The User Protocol Version, Archive Revision, Protocol Comments, and any BioStack commands are not saved when the protocol is downloaded to the instrument and erased or replaced by default information when uploaded to the computer. LCH Secure: Archive Revision is always set to zero when a protocol is uploaded from the instrument.
ELx405 Protocols: The ELx405 only allows protocols with one step to be downloaded. Similarly, the ELx405's "Link" programs cannot be uploaded to the computer. To work around this limitation, you can download one-step protocols and then, manually link them on the washer.
405 TS and ELx405 Maintenance Protocols: Agilent's liquid handling instruments are shipped from the factory with one or more maintenance programs loaded on-board, e.g., Overnight_Loop. The 405 TS and ELx405 washers cannot upload these programs to the computer. Instead, Agilent ships pre-programmed LHC protocols that mimic the onboard maintenance routines. Find these predefined protocols in Windows' Common Application Data Folder.
Only the onboard programs that are eligible for upload are displayed on the Instrument side of the Transfer Protocol screen. Contrarily, all the protocols in the selected Protocol Folder, regardless of their eligibility for download, are displayed on the This computer side of the screen.
Instrument Selection: The washer/dispenser and host computer must be communicating for the on-board protocols to be displayed on the Instrument side of the screen. When running more than one instrument, click the Name link to change the currently selected instrument.
Protocol Folder: Click this link to make sure the This computer side of the screen is showing the desired protocol files.