MVS® Frequently Asked Questions
What is MVS?
MVS stands for Multichannel Verification System. MVS is the first commercially-available volume verification system. It includes equipment, software, Sample Solutions and characterized microtiter plates to allow operators to quickly and easily verify the liquid delivery performance for automated liquid handlers and multichannel pipettes within minutes. The system is suitable for liquid volume measurements from 0.01 µL to 350 µL and dilution measurements up to 1:2048 of the starting material. The MVS is positioned on a mobile workstation to allow for portable, convenient volume verification of pipettors in multiple locations.
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How does MVS work?
MVS employs a dual-dye, dual-wavelength, ratiometric absorbance-based measurement method for calculating the volume of sample dispensed into a well of a microtiter plate. The results of the verification tests are traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Specially formulated Sample Solutions containing dyes of known concentration are dispensed into dimensionally-characterized microtiter plate wells. The plate is mixed on a microtiter plate shaker to ensure homogeneity of samples. Absorbance readings are taken in the plate reader at 520 nm and 730 nm. The system software, MVS Data Manager, creates a summary report containing the calculated dispensed volume for each dispensing tip. Accuracy and precision of the dispensed volumes are measured against user-defined tolerance limits and failing values are flagged in the report. Summary statistics by well, by row, and by column are also contained in the summary report. Results are saved in a secured database using the MVS Data Manager software and are available for printout or export in HTML or XML format.
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Can MVS be used for any liquid handler?
ARTEL has designed the MVS to be universally applicable to virtually any liquid handler. Currently, any 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, 96- and 384-channel device, such as handheld pipettes or automated liquid handlers, may be checked for volume dispensing performance. These devices must be capable of dispensing into a standard 96- or 384-well microtiter plate.
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What type of equipment will I need to purchase?
The MVS is sold as a complete system. The system components include a customized plate reader, a unique Calibrator Plate, a microtiter plate shaker, a bar code reader, a portable computer with the MVS Data Manager system software, a mobile workstation and a user guide. On-site system installation and validation are included with an MVS purchase.
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Can I use my own microtiter plate reader?
Yes, other qualified plate readers can be employed with the MVS for volume verification measurements. The plate reader included in the MVS package has been modified by including highly-precise interference filters at wavelengths specific to the dyes in the Sample Solutions used in testing. These filters are custom manufactured for ARTEL to ensure performance meets our QC specifications. In order to use other plate readers with the MVS, appropriate filters must be installed if they are required for reader function. Before being employed for MVS measurements, ARTEL must perform qualification tests to ensure proper plate reader performance. For more information, we are available to answer your questions from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time at 888-406-3463 x109 or you may e-mail Technical Support.
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Is the MVS designed to be mobile?
The MVS includes a mobile workstation for convenient verification of equipment in multiple locations throughout a laboratory or facility.
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What are the MVS performance specifications for accuracy and precision?
The MVS performance claims using the Artel Verification Plate (96-well) for accuracy and precision are less than 3% and less than 1.5% CV, respectively. For a detailed uncertainty budget, contact Technical Support from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time at 888-406-3463 x109 or via e-mail.
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Can the MVS be used to calibrate hand-held multichannel pipettes?
Yes, the MVS is a convenient way to verify the accuracy and precision performance of each independent channel at the same time.
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What are the advantages of MVS over other volume verification methods?
The MVS allows for analysis of accuracy and precision for each independent dispensing channel simultaneously, which saves labor and liquid handler down-time. It is relatively immune to environmental conditions and provides measurements traceable to NIST. The MVS Sample Solutions are manufactured by ARTEL to tight tolerances using ISO-acknowledged methods. There is no need to generate standard curves. MVS provides standardized results making it possible to compare instrument performance between makes and models of liquid handlers as well as between locations, i.e., 2 µL dispensed by liquid handler X on Tuesday in Boston can be directly compared to 2 µL dispensed by liquid handler Y on Friday in San Diego.
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Is the MVS FDA approved?
The MVS does not require FDA approval because it is not directly associated with human samples or specimens. The MVS results are traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology).
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Does the MVS require regular maintenance?
The only regular maintenance required is the recertification of the MVS Calibrator Plate, which has a shelf-life of 1-year. At the one year mark, the Calibrator Plate must be shipped back to ARTEL for the recertification process. Aside from Calibrator Plate recertification, the only other routine maintenance required is the occasional replacement of the plate reader lamp (dependent on plate reader use), which can be easily completed by the user.
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Does the MVS require a skilled technician?
No. The MVS can be easily used by technicians and scientists of any education level. ARTEL has done all the work for liquid handler QC to make volume verification fast, easy, and reliable. MVS Data Manager system software guides the user through the entire volume verification process and all the Sample Solutions are prepared by ARTEL. The user simply pours the solutions into a reservoir, dispenses the solution with the liquid handler under test, and measures the tip-by-tip volume values using the MVS. ARTEL performs on-site MVS training on the day the MVS is installed and our Technical Support team is available (by phone, email and/or future support visits).
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What types of laboratories use the MVS?
The MVS is used by many different types of laboratories serving many different fields. Basically, it is used wherever laboratories have liquid handlers and wherever they are serious about liquid handling quality control. Customers and laboratories using the MVS include: (1) research and development labs (including HTS, compound management, lead optimization); (2) clinical and reference labs; (3) governmental labs; (4) forensic labs; (5) manufacturers of automated liquid handlers; (6) liquid handling (or automation) engineers; (7) manufacturing labs; and (8) production support labs.
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What kind of impact does the MVS have in my laboratory?
The MVS will have a tremendous impact on liquid handler QC in any environment. Concentration of reagents in microtiter plates is volume dependent. If the right volume is not being dispensed, the reagent concentrations could be different as compared to the theoretical values. Without the right concentrations, the assay results might be called into question or could be falsely interpreted. The MVS offers an advantage for liquid handling QC so that users can trust their assay results. Here are a few of the many ways the MVS can impact a laboratory or company: (1) parallel efforts within and between labs/sites can be streamlined; (2) experimental, assay and data integrity preserved; (3) laboratory productivity, motivation, and confidence are maintained; (4) GMP/GLP compliance and documentation facilitated; (5) method transfer and setting up automated tasks to deliver the proper (correct) volume facilitated; (6) equipment downtime and costs reduced; and (7) the volume verification results are standardized meaning they can be compared regardless of make, model, manufacturer or location of the liquid handler.
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How can I learn more about MVS?
Contact ARTEL toll free at 888-406-3463 and speak with one of our Sales Representatives.
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Why is liquid handling quality assurance important?
Superior liquid handling quality assurance leads to superior assay data. Read more about the importance of liquid handling quality assurance.
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