Practical Guide to Sony SH800 Sorter

Chapter 3: Standard Startup Process - Success or Failure Determined by Order

Incorrect startup sequence may damage microfluidic chips or cause unstable liquid flow.

3.1 Hardware Power On

Firstly, turn on the power supply of the compression pump (located on the right side of the back of the equipment). This step is crucial: the compression pump must first provide about 6 bar of air pressure before proceeding with subsequent operations, especially opening the front cover of the host.

Press the power button on the right side of the front panel of the SH800 host. The green indicator light is on, and the system starts to initialize. After about 30 seconds, the screen displays "Standby".

Open the computer, log in with username fcm and password fcm.

3.2 Software Startup and Login

After SH800 completes initialization and the monitor displays "Standby", double-click the desktop SH800 icon to start the software.

Button functions in the interface:

Maintenance: Enter the maintenance program for cleaning or replacing the sample line.

Shutdown: Execute the shutdown procedure.

After entering the username and password, click Login to enter the system settings interface.

Chapter 4: Registration and Loading of Microfluidic Chips

SH800 uses disposable microfluidic chips, each chip can be used for 24 hours from registration. The registration of chips must be completed through QR code scanning.

4.1 Registration steps

Aim the QR code on the chip packaging at the built-in camera on the top of the host computer.

After the screen displays the chip information, click Next and the "Chip Loading" window will appear.

4.2 Loading Chip

Open the flip door above the front panel of the host.

If there is an old chip in the slot, it will automatically pop out and be removed.

Insert newly registered chip: Do not touch the surface of the chip. Place the side of the chip labeled with "100 μ m" (or corresponding specification) facing yourself and partially insert it into the slot. The chip loader will automatically suck the chip into place. Do not push hard to avoid damaging the chip or slot.

Click Next to enter the laser settings window.

4.3 Laser configuration and liquid flow self-test

Select the laser combination required for the experiment. The 488 nm blue laser is necessary for system setup, and other lasers can be changed later.

Confirm that the physical filter configuration is consistent with the filter mode displayed on the screen. By default, the middle option (including 405 nm laser) is selected.

After clicking Next, the instrument automatically starts the liquid flow check, which takes about 5 minutes. This process includes starting the liquid circuit, repeatedly removing bubbles from the chip, and stabilizing pressure and flow rate.

Important reminder: After the fluid flow check begins, immediately perform the defoaming operation of the sheath fluid filter (see Chapter 5). The liquid flow startup will continue in the background.

Chapter 5: Defoaming Operation of Sheath Fluid Filter

Bubbles are the main cause of unstable liquid flow, which can directly lead to sorting deviation. Even if the instrument automatically removes bubbles, it is necessary to manually check and eliminate the air inside the sheath fluid filter.

5.1 Inspection and Manual Exhaust

Open the left flow maintenance door and remove the sheath fluid filter from the fixing clip (without disconnecting the connector).

Lightly tap the side of the filter 2-3 times with your hand and observe if there are any bubbles inside. If there are no bubbles, reinstall the filter, ensuring that the arrow on the side of the filter is facing upwards, and re tighten the clip.

If there are bubbles, open the exhaust port at the top of the filter and wrap a tissue around the exhaust port to collect the spilled sheath fluid. After exhausting the air, turn the filter upside down and repeat the exhaust operation (there is also an exhaust port at the bottom).

Reinstall the filter (arrow pointing upwards) and fasten the clip.

5.2 Verification of Liquid Flow Stability

Return to the liquid flow inspection window and observe if the droplet shape is stable. If the droplet jumps, deforms, or breaks unevenly, the sheath fluid filter needs to be defoamed again until the fluid flow is in a stable straight line.

Chapter 6: Automatic Calibration - The Core to Ensure Data Accuracy

Automatic calibration uses specialized calibration microbeads (Auto Setup Beads) to optimize parameters such as laser delay and droplet deflection.

6.1 Preparation of calibration samples

Check if there are ready-made calibration tubes in the 4 ℃ refrigerator. If available and the preparation time does not exceed 7 days, it can be used directly. Remove the original calibration bead bottle, shake it thoroughly (do not vortex or shake), and add the bead solution to the scale line of the test tube.

If it has been more than 7 days, it needs to be prepared again: take a new 5 ml FACS tube, drop 10 drops of calibration beads, mark the date and liquid level on the tube wall.

6.2 Perform Calibration

Place the calibration tube into the sample holder (using the correct tube holder) and click OK.