# Make QC vial

You mix QC stock and dilution liquid to make a QC vial. The components are simple but the workflow still requires attention to detail.

## Get things ready

You need these items:

* 1 × SBT [dilution vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/dilution-vial) (bundled as `DV01`)
* 1 × [QC stock](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/qc-stock-1-ml)
* 1 × vortex mixer (not part of packaging)
* 1 × P200 pipette (not part of packaging)

{% hint style="success" %}

## Always use an SBT dilution vial to make a QC vial

It may be tempting to use in-house or third-party diluent or vials. However, this introduces an element of uncertainty that you don't want for the qualification procedure.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}

## Do *not* use a DIY[^1] dilution vial to make a QC vial

That is, do *not* use a [dilution vial made with the dilution dispenser](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/make-diy-dilution-vial).
{% endhint %}

## Step by step

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Shake QC stock

Shake the QC stock vigorously for at least **30 seconds** to uniformly suspend the microspheres[^2] within.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Quick clip ⚡️" %}

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FS9kwVqkypn5MEaunsGLV%2Fshake-qc-stock--short.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=1b2a6c79-b04c-4095-8294-8f19d727ff29" alt=""><figcaption><p>Shake QC stock by hand for at least <strong>30 seconds</strong>.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Figure" %}

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2F7EsPo6ShHvY1nSUNBIIx%2Fqc-stock--simple-outline--shake-by-hand.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6fc55114-b3d2-4201-ab4f-badfc6666a7c" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Shake QC stock by hand for at least <strong>30 seconds</strong>.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="success" %}

## Shake the QC stock by hand

Shake the QC stock by hand for at least **30 seconds**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}

## Do not use a vortex mixer on the QC stock

A vortex mixer does not properly suspend the microspheres[^2] within.\
\ <img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2F9QDCIuBMi62vzozIPIQm%2Fno-vortex-mixer.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9179dd79-f9a1-4d86-a16b-5a990ec45489" alt="" data-size="original">
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Transfer QC stock

Use a P200 pipette to transfer 101 µL of QC stock to the dilution vial. Label the vial “QC”.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Quick clip ⚡️" %}

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FX2QRrsAZcy51i90uPf13%2FMake_QC_vial.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=dfb4391f-5526-4399-bc14-c467fce581bf" alt=""><figcaption><p>Transfer from QC stock to dilution vial. <br>For precise pipetting, aspirate twice in the QC stock with a P200 pipette.<br>Suspend two times in the dilution vial to rinse out the beads from the pipette tip.<br>Put a "QC" label on the vial.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Figure" %}

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
The P200 pipette is *not* part of the packaging. You must acquire a P200 pipette yourself.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Mix QC vial

Mix the QC vial to suspend the microspheres[^2]. You have two options. Mix with a vortex mixer, or mix by hand.

{% hint style="success" %}
We recommend that you use a vortex mixer to mix the QC vial.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Mix with vortex mixer (quick clip ⚡️)" %}
Place QC vial on vortex mixer and mix for **30 seconds** at max RPM[^3]

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2Fe5MqBfioS333qjvCQV7w%2Fmix-qc-vial--short.avif?alt=media&#x26;token=cfa9a79e-3a6c-4152-b7ba-402010aac16b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
Ensure that a vortex/cyclone forms in the liquid.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
The vortex mixer is *not* part of the packaging. You must acquire a vortex mixer yourself.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Mix with vortex mixer (figure)" %}
Place QC vial on vortex mixer and mix for **30 seconds** at max RPM[^3].

<div><figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FwPeMZGcuG5MvgAw35Ijs%2Fvortex-mixer--simple-outline--front.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2e746fa7-90c4-44f3-a592-ea9b15432a98" alt="" width="319"><figcaption><p>Vortex mixer</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FQaXC9SAFQQPkwdNSALMK%2Fvortex-mixer--simple-outline--use-on-qc-vial.png?alt=media&#x26;token=14ed5b88-097d-4fb6-814d-93d3502aa99a" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>QC vial on vortex mixer</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="success" %}
Ensure that a vortex/cyclone forms in the liquid.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
The vortex mixer is *not* part of the packaging. You must acquire a vortex mixer yourself.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Mix by shaking" %}
{% hint style="warning" %}

## Only as a last resort

Only shake the QC vial by hand if you don't have a vortex mixer.
{% endhint %}

Shake the QC vial vigorously for at least **30 seconds**.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### That is it!

You now have a QC vial. Use it to [run a QC test](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qc-test/run-qc-test).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

## The QC vial is for *single use* only

Once the liquid passes through BactoBox®, its properties may change. Trace residues of disinfection liquid from the previous cleaning cycle can lower both the conductivity and the concentration of microspheres[^4].

**Always discard the QC vial after use!**
{% endhint %}

[^1]: Do it yourself

[^2]: Microspheres are spherical (1 µm diameter) silica particles.

[^3]: Rotations per minute

[^4]: Microspheres are spherical (1 μm diameter) silica particles.


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