Run QC test

Get things ready

You need these items:

• 1 × BactoBox® setup

• 1 × disinfection vial

• 1 × QC vial (see Make QC vial)

• 1 × certificate of analysis for the QC vial

• 1 × dilution vial (see the info box below)

Difference between QC test and qualification

When you qualify your BactoBox® setup, always use an SBT dilution vial (bundled as DV01).

For the regular (weekly) QC test, use the dilution vial that you intend to use going forward for your own measurements. This depends on your use case and may be either of:

• SBT dilution vial (bundled as DV01)

• DIY dilution vial (made with the dilution dispenser)

Besides the choice of dilution vial, qualification and QC test are the same.

Step by step

1

Start the QC test program

You do this with three button presses.

Enter the Programs menu

First, press and hold Measure until the Programs menu appears.

Press and hold Measure until the Programs menu appears.

Enter the QC test screen

Second, press Measure again briefly to select the QC test program.

Press Measure again briefly to select QC test program.

2

Set the target concentration

Check the sticker on the QC stock or the certificate of analysis and find the value for Concentration in prepared 1x QC test sample.

In this example, the value is 2 080 000 particles/mL (highlighted with a green circle).

Input the target concentration in million particles/mL.

Enter the value in million particles/mL

Convert the particle concentration from particles/mL to million particles/mL.

For example, 2 080 000 particles/mL becomes 2.08 million particles/mL.

Press OK to submit the target concentration.

Does your QC test program look different?

Update your BactoBox® software. We introduced the Input target concentration screen in software v2025.10.

3

Clean the setup

Transfer the tubing kit to the disinfection vial.

Press OK to start the Clean program.

If you already followed Clean, BactoBox® automatically skips this step.

4

Measure on QC vial

Transfer the tubing kit to the QC vial.

Press OK to start the measurement.

Status: Pass

BactoBox® checks if total/mL is within ±15 % of the certificate value. If it is, the program moves to the next step.

Status: Fail

If an error occurs, or if total/mL is outside the limits, the program returns to the previous step.

See QC vial fails for a troubleshooting guide.

5

Clean the setup

Transfer the tubing kit to the disinfection vial and press OK to clean.

6

Measure on dilution vial

Transfer the tubing kit to the dilution vial and press OK to measure.

Status: Pass

The concentrations are below 30 000 cells/mL and below 100 000 total/mL.

Status: Fail

If any error occurs, or, if the concentrations are outside the requirements, BactoBox® moves back to previous step.

See Dilution vial fails for a troubleshooting guide.

7

That is it!

Discard the QC vial and the dilution vial. They are for single use only.

When to perform a QC test

Perform a QC test in these cases:

• At least once a week.

• After a deep clean (of any length).

• When you change your BactoBox® setup. Example: You replace the flow cell. Example: You replace the external filter. Example: You replace the tubing kit.

• When you switch from the SBT dilution vial to the DIY dilution vial.

• As part of qualification.

See Maintenance for more information.