The MVS conforms to the Dual-Dye Ratiometric Photometric Method according to ISO 23783-2:2022, and the Ratiometric Photometric Method described in ISO/IWA 15:2015 for automated liquid handling systems. It can be used to fulfill test and calibration requirements of handheld multi-channel pipettes according to ISO 8655-7:2022. The MVS can be used to fulfill test and calibration requirements of handheld or automated liquid handling systems according to CLSI QMS23:2019, ISO 17025, cGMP, and cGLP. ArtelWare Software can be used in laboratories compliant to 21 CFR Part 11.

Artel has evolved our brand to better align with our values and the customers we serve, and to symbolize where we are today. But the Artel mission has remained the same – to help labs achieve their goals for quality, productivity, and compliance. One of the changes made during the transition was consolidating the array of verification solutions under the new QualAssure label. The QualAssure name describes the assurance of accurate, precise, and reproducible data that customers have come to expect from using Artel technology, products and services. The products themselves are the same proven formulations and volumes as users have come to depend on and customers do not need to change their ordering processes.

The MVS Multichannel Verification System is the first commercially-available volume verification system. It includes equipment, software, QualAssure solutions and characterized microtiter plates to allow operators to quickly and easily verify the liquid delivery performance for automated liquid handlers and multichannel pipettes within minutes. The MVS also allows for multichannel pipette operators to be assessed for pipetting competency and then trained accordingly. The system is suitable for liquid volume measurements from 0.01 µL to 350 µL and dilution measurements up to 1:2048 of the starting material. The MVS is positioned on a mobile workstation to allow for portable, convenient volume verification of pipettors in multiple locations.

MVS employs a dual-dye, dual-wavelength, ratiometric absorbance-based measurement method for calculating the volume of sample dispensed into a well of a microtiter plate. The results of the verification tests are traceable to national and international standards. Specially formulated QualAssure solutions containing dyes of known concentration are dispensed into dimensionally-characterized microtiter plate wells. The plate is mixed on a microtiter plate shaker to ensure homogeneity of samples. Absorbance readings are taken in the plate reader at 520 nm and 730 nm. The ArtelWare software creates a summary report containing the calculated dispensed volume for each dispensing tip. Accuracy and precision of the dispensed volumes are measured against user-defined tolerance limits and failing values are flagged in the report. Summary statistics by well, by row, and by column are also contained in the summary report in a secured database.

Artel has designed the MVS to be universally applicable to virtually any liquid handler. These devices must be capable of dispensing into a standard 96- or 384- well microtiter plate.

The MVS is sold as a complete system. The system components include a customized Plate Reader, a unique Calibrator Plate, a microtiter Plate Shaker, a bar code reader, a portable computer with ArtelWare software and a mobile workstation. On-site system installation and validation are also included with an MVS purchase. 

No, we do not support the use of other plate readers at this time.

The MVS includes a mobile workstation for convenient verification of equipment in multiple locations throughout a laboratory or facility.

Yes, the MVS is a convenient way to verify the accuracy and precision performance of each independent channel at the same time.

The MVS allows for analysis of accuracy and precision for each independent dispensing channel simultaneously, which saves labor and liquid handler down-time. It is relatively immune to environmental conditions and provides measurements traceable to national and international standards. The MVS QualAssure solutions are manufactured by Artel to tight tolerances using ISO-acknowledged methods. There is no need to generate standard curves. MVS provides standardized results making it possible to compare instrument performance between makes and models of liquid handlers as well as between locations, i.e., 2 µL dispensed by liquid handler X on Tuesday in Boston can be directly compared to 2 µL dispensed by liquid handler Y on Friday in San Diego. Please refer to the MVS White Paper for more information.

The MVS does not require FDA approval because it is not directly associated with human samples or specimens. The MVS results are traceable to national and international standards.

The only regular maintenance required is the recertification of the MVS Calibrator Plate, which has a shelf-life of 1-year. At the one year mark, the Calibrator Plate must be shipped back to Artel for the recertification process. Aside from Calibrator Plate recertification, the only other routine maintenance required is the occasional replacement of the lamp in the Artel Plate Reader (dependent on plate reader used), which can be easily completed by the user.