# Run QC test

## Get things ready

You need these items:

* 1 × [BactoBox® setup](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/bactobox-r#bactobox-r-setup)
* 1 × [disinfection vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/disinfection-vial)
* 1 × [QC vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/qc-vial) (see [make-qc-vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qc-test/make-qc-vial "mention"))
* 1 × certificate of analysis for the QC vial
* 1 × [dilution vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/dilution-vial) (see the info box below)

{% hint style="info" %}

## Difference between QC test and qualification

**When you** [***qualify***](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qualification) **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[^1] dilution vial ([made with the dilution dispenser](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/make-diy-dilution-vial))

Besides the choice of dilution vial, qualification and QC test are the same.
{% endhint %}

## Step by step

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Start the *QC test* program

You do this with three button presses.

#### Enter the *Programs* menu

First, press and hold <kbd><mark style="background-color:purple;">Measure<mark style="background-color:purple;"></kbd> until the *Programs* menu appears.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FeJ4b2wLaIcM1TH3gFZYR%2FBactoBox--simple-outline--press-measure--hold-1-sec.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d47414d8-6772-40d5-86df-0ab447f33d83" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Press and hold <kbd><mark style="background-color:purple;">Measure</mark></kbd> until the <em>Programs</em> menu appears.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Enter the *QC test* screen

Second, press <kbd><mark style="background-color:purple;">Measure<mark style="background-color:purple;"></kbd> again briefly to select the *QC test* program.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FE24AfchyARZkBqNzoCKU%2FBactoBox--simple-outline--press-measure--measure-qc-vial-message.png?alt=media&#x26;token=539f617d-4e01-457f-86c9-3340c83fa16a" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Press <kbd><mark style="background-color:purple;">Measure</mark></kbd> again briefly to select <em>QC test</em> program.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set the target concentration

Check the sticker on the [QC stock](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/vials-flasks-and-liquids/qc-stock-1-ml) or the certificate of analysis and find the value for *Concentration in prepared 1x QC test sample.*

<img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FHblddYCMlbT6wnIGC9dm%2Ffile.excalidraw.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=03838251-9a73-45f0-bcd3-479da30ea840" alt="In this example, the value is 2 080 000 particles/mL (highlighted with a green circle)." class="gitbook-drawing">

Input the target concentration in million particles/mL.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FVGdPKyYNa811gxznqTIX%2Fset-target-concentration_edited.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a8e4a26b-79d9-42c5-97c0-5befbd972496" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}

## 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.
{% endhint %}

Press <kbd>OK</kbd> to submit the target concentration.

{% hint style="info" %}

## Does your *QC test* program look different?

[Update your BactoBox® software](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/update-bactobox-r-software). We introduced the *Input target concentration* screen in software v2025.10.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Clean the setup

Transfer the tubing kit to the disinfection vial.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2Fb1SnE1M7q9fNVwRRFn05%2FBactoBox--simple-outline--switch-to-disinfection-vial.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0c3ea9e8-c69a-4bd1-8264-1ad63fb3b9f7" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Press <kbd>OK</kbd> to start the *Clean* program.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FRByjPXykEAJomAQmhzX4%2Fstart-clean_edited.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a9e40b83-3ad6-4981-a3ab-68263aa6723c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If you already followed [clean-the-setup](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/clean-the-setup "mention"), BactoBox® automatically skips this step.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Measure on QC vial

Transfer the tubing kit to the QC vial.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2F9Bcz8hhilXj9nGWDKzHq%2Fvial-rack--simple-outline--3-vials--1-qc.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cde6f66a-00ab-480c-a4a3-20235bb9eb7f" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Press <kbd>OK</kbd> to start the measurement.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FgQiv365Gdnz9R17Z2roo%2Fstart-qc_edited.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e37244d9-1bf1-43f8-b59f-aa91079322b7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}

## Status: Pass

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

{% hint style="danger" %}

## Status: Fail

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

See [i-get-error-40xx](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/troubleshooting/qualification-fails/i-get-error-40xx "mention") for a troubleshooting guide.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Clean the setup

Transfer the tubing kit to the disinfection vial and press <kbd>OK</kbd> to clean.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FbSu8ZN4QIl3jW3IXCFAe%2Fclean-again_edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=25e0c8f8-a867-4e29-bb24-85cb02989c92" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Measure on dilution vial

Transfer the tubing kit to the dilution vial and press <kbd>OK</kbd> to measure.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FVFpaomjBzwXRC4cOsBBj%2Fmeasure-dilution-vial_edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6dee86d7-528d-445e-8688-f02fe0f76328" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}

## Status: Pass

The concentrations are *below* **30 000 cells/mL** and *below* **100 000 total/mL**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}

## Status: Fail

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

See [dilution-vial-is-outside..](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/troubleshooting/qualification-fails/dilution-vial-is-outside.. "mention") for a troubleshooting guide.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### That is it!

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2Fdkmd6Vcg7otXQOrySuNl%2Fpassed-screen_edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=05e97db1-f548-4492-acb7-e081b9d790f3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Discard the QC vial and the dilution vial**. They are for *single use* only.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## When to perform a QC test

Perform a [QC test](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qc-test) in these cases:

* **At least once a week.**
* After a [deep clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/deep-clean-1) (of any length).
* When you change your BactoBox® setup.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the flow cell.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the external filter.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the tubing kit.</mark>
* When you switch from the SBT dilution vial to the [DIY dilution vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser).
* As part of [qualification](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qualification).

See [maintenance](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/maintenance "mention") for more information.

[^1]: Do it yourself


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