image025.jpg

Figure 21 – Typical multi-well plate

Figure 23 illustrates a commonly used 96-well format multi-well plate—utilized in numerous laboratory processes and instruments. Each plate, functioning as a sample container, possesses a distinct identifier, such as the barcode visible on its front surface. The wells within the plate, designated to accommodate the samples, are differentiated by their respective row and column positions. This grid-like arrangement is akin to the cells in a spreadsheet, albeit with a reversed schema where rows are denoted by letters and columns by numbers.

An example is provided below, presenting an instance of a Samples list that serves as an argument for the StartProgram() method. In this scenario, each well contains an individual sample, as detailed in the subsequent table:

Table 149 – Example multi-well plate with individual samples

Array Index

ContainerId

SampleId

Position

CustomData

0

1118642

S0815001

A1

Sample

1

1118642

S0815002

A2

Sample

..

..

..

..

..

95

1118642

S0815096

H12

Sample

As all samples are housed within a single container, each element within the Samples list shares the identical container identifier. Nonetheless, individual samples are distinguishable through their unique sample identifiers, coupled with the respective well positions they occupy within the container. In this example the implementor decided to utilize the SampleInfoType structure’s CustomData property to communicate the role of the fluid within each well from the application to the instrument. The specific usage of this attribute, however, extends beyond the scope of this LADS specification. Detailed specifications are likely to be outlined in a complementary specification utilizing LADS. Such specifications could potentially furnish more detailed information, possibly conveyed in formats like JSON.

The next example depicts a situation in which individual samples needed to be distributed across multiple wells to accommodate volume limitations. Additionally, calibration standards are introduced in this context.

Table 150 – Example multi-well plate with partial samples

Array Index

ContainerId

SampleId

Position

CustomData

0

1118642

S081500A

A1

Sample

1

1118642

S081500A

A2

Sample

2

1118642

S081500B

A3

Sample

3

1118642

S081500B

A4

Sample

..

..

..

..

..

94

1118642

Cal0

H11

Standard

95

1118642

Cal1

H12

Standard