Reading Assay Output using LDMS Remote Reader

LDMS Remote Reader acts as a go-between when the computer connected to your assay reader does not have LDMS installer. LDMS Remote Reader reads the device reader output, much like LDMS would read it, and creates an output file that you can transfer to the computer with LDMS.

Figure: LDMS Remote Reader workflow. This diagram shows the basic steps involved in using LDMS Remote Reader to get assay output into LDMS.

After reading the assay output using a device reader, the output file is transferred to the computer with LDMS. Often, this is as simple as putting the output file on a removable USB drive.

Reading assay output using Remote Reader Software:

1. On the computer with LDMS, setup the assay to be read.

2. In LDMS, generate a plate layout report for the assay by clicking the button from the LDMS toolbar while on the assay Preview tab.

   Important:

   The plate layout report is required to use LDMS Remote Reader.

3. On the computer with LDMS Remote Reader, start LDMS Remote Reader.

4. Click Device > Read Device from the menu bar.

5. Verify that the Device is correct.

6. Verify that the Run Date is correct, and adjust it if necessary.

7. In the Run ID field, enter the system generated run ID from the Plate Layout Report.

8. In the Sequence Number field, enter the plate number from your Plate Layout Report.

9. Select the drive where you want the output file to be written from the Output Drive list. For example, if you have a removable USB drive connected as the E:, select that drive.

10. Click OK to begin reading the assay output.

Figure: Reading and assay with LDMS Remote Reader. Reading an assay using LDMS Remote Reader.

Once LDMS Remote Reader has finished reading the assay output from your device reader, a directory called devdata will be created in the drive you selected for the output (e.g. E:\devdata). This directory will contain your assay run data file. Files will be named according to the run ID and sequence number. These are the files that you will need to transfer to the computer with LDMS installed.

Now that you have the assay output, you need to read it using LDMS.

Reading assay output captured by LDMS Remote Reader with LDMS:

1. Copy the desired assay output files from the devdata directory to a removable media, then connect the removable media to the computer running the full version of LDMS.

2. In LDMS, click Tasks > Assays or the button from the LDMS toolbar.

3. On the Assay Selection tab, find the assay that you ran in the Assays list on the left.

4. Select the Runs not Performed/Not Terminated radio button.

5. Enter the run ID into the Run ID field. This number is found on the Plate Layout Report and entered in LDMS Remote Reader.

6. Click the button. All assay runs that were set up but have not been run will be listed under Previous Runs Found.

7. Select the assay for which you will be reading data, and then click the .

8. Change to the Preview tab. (LDMS may change to this tab automatically after selecting an assay).

9. Enter run information as appropriate, depending on the assay.

   • For some assays, complete fields on the Preview tab, such as Tech Initials and Sample Prep. Method, then click the button.

   • For some assays, you don't complete anything on the Preview tab. Instead, click the button. The Enter Run Information window will appear with the fields that you must enter to complete the run. After entering this information, click the button.

10. A window will appear to select the assay output data file. Navigate to the location of your devdata directory (e.g. a USB drive) and select the appropriate file.