Is there a way to use offsets in the Virtual NTR Library? I am processing a lot of plates with the MPH96 that needs a lot of tips on deck (NTR). However, some plates may be partially processed (i.e. half plates) compared to others (full plates).
I got the library to work if I am only processing full plates but I am struggling when trying to implement offsets. My initial thought was to combine with the STAR MPH96 Tools but it seems incompatible?
Below is the screenshot of my protocol using both libraries. In the first loop, it transfers the NTR to the tip support, offsets, and then performs the aspiration and dispensation steps just fine.
However, when it loops back for the second time, this error appears, presumably from the MPH_TipCounter_Write step? Not sure if there is a way around this or an alternative approach.
Any advices, suggestions or feedbacks are always welcomed!
I wanted to provide an update to this forum in case anyone runs into this problem. Without diving into too much detail, from what I gathered, the tip counters in the Visual_NTR_library and STAR MPH96 Tools are sorted and counted differently from each other. There are other issues with the compatibility but that’s just one of them. Instead, I created my own library to serve my purpose.
I called it the NTR_Offset_library that needs to be used with the Visual_NTR_library. The library is definitely not as fancy as the STAR MPH96 Tools library with the limitation of only offsetting by rows (as I don’t have the need to do column offsets yet). How the library works is that it utilizes three sequences: the NTR stacks, tip support, and an empty blister rack.
The NTR stack is where the MPH will pick up fresh tips to reload for tip offsets, if needed. Basically, it will transfer tips from the stack to the tip support for offset. If no tips need to be offset (aka full plate), then it will skip this step.
Tip support is where offset happens, though you could also replace it with an empty fixed NTR depending on your deck layout.
An empty blister rack is where extra tips are condensed and held as backup. You only need one as it will use every backup tips when needed. Likewise, you can also use an empty, fixed NTR instead depending on your deck layout.
I’m surprised there isn’t an official library for this, but I made it possible for my case. Happy library building everyone!
