Figure 1. Q-View Software workflow. Q-View™ Software is a tool for the quantitative analysis of multiplexed chemiluminescent planar-based arrays. Analysis is performed in three easy steps (Figure 1) which are covered in detail in this manual:

• Image Processing: Capture or import images and align plate overlay.
• Well Assignment: Group, name and apply dilution factors to wells.
• Data Analysis: Customize and export concentrations, statistics and charts.

• Q-Plex™: The brand name of the multiplex ELISA kits manufactured by Quansys Biosciences.
• Q-View™ Imager LS: The brand name of the life science chemiluminescent imager produced by Quansys Biosciences.
• Q-View™ Imager Pro: The brand name of the clinical-grade chemiluminescent imager produced by Quansys Biosciences.
• Q-View™ Software: The brand name of the multiplex ELISA analysis software produced by Quansys Biosciences.
• Project: A file with the ".Q-View" extension. Projects contain images, plate overlays, well assignments and data of one or more plates.
• Plate Overlay: The well diagram of the plate that is aligned by the user over the plate image comprising the spots within the well.
• Product Card: A product card is included with every Q-Plex kit. This card includes information such as the software product code, the calibrator lot number and calibrator and/or control reconstitution volumes. It also includes a table of the analytes tested by the kit, associated calibrator concentrations and a graphical representation of the spotted array.
• Software Product Code: The alphanumeric code that defines parameters such as the number and position of spots in each well, the concentration of each analyte in the calibrator, the optimal curve fit settings and control ranges when applicable.

Figure 2. Multiple projects opened. Q-View Software stores the images and analyses of related plates together in a file, called a project, with the ".Q-View" extension. As you work, changes to these projects are saved automatically. Multiple projects can be open at the same time (Figure 2).

Before version 3.1, projects were stored as folders. Project folders can still be opened by the software but they will be upgraded to the project file format when opened. Project files are specific to Q-View Software and cannot be viewed or manipulated by 3rd party software.

Project details can be accessed by opening Project > Project Details. The project creator, creation date and a list of users that have opened the project along with associated timestamps are recorded.

Project notes can be recorded and viewed by opening Project > Project Notes. These notes allow users to record read-only messages related to the project.

Whenever a project is closed or a report is exported, the full report is recorded if it has changed in any way. Project history can be viewed by opening Project > Project History.

1. Ensure the computer meets the following minimum specification:
   • Windows® 7, 8 or 10
     Note: The Windows® version of the Q-View Software is required to operate Q-View imagers. The Mac® operating system is not compatible with Q-View imagers.
   • Mac® OS 10.11 or newer
   • 4 GB RAM
   • Screen resolution of 1280x800 or greater
   
   For optimal performance:
   • 8+ GB RAM
   • 2 or more processing cores
2. If you do not have a Q-View Software installer, contact a Quansys representative by email at sales@quansysbio.com or call 1-888-782-6797.
3. Launch Q-View Software. Click either Evaluate Q-View to start a 60 day trial or enter your assigned company name and license key then click Continue. Follow the prompts on the screen to set up user accounts and Q-View imagers. You can change these settings later from the Settings menu.

Figure 3. USB and power sockets.

1. Carefully unpack the Q-View imager and place it on a clean work area.
2. Plug the power cord into the back of the imager (Figure 3) and into a surge protector.
3. Plug the USB cord into the back of the imager (Figure 3) and into the computer. For the Q-View Imager Pro, ensure the power switch is in the on position.
4. Clean the tray glass with a lint-free cloth and ethanol, rubbing alcohol, or window cleaner.
5. Launch Q-View Software and open Settings > Manage Imagers to discover, name and focus the imager and to capture a dark field. Dark field capture takes approximately 15 minutes.

• The Q-View Imager Pro requires drivers that are not bundled with the Q-View Software installer. Please contact Quansys to obtain and install these additional drivers if needed.
• The button on the front of the Q-View Imager Pro opens and closes the tray. Its color represents the following.
  • Green: the imager is on and the tray can be opened
  • Red: the tray is open
  • Yellow: images are being acquired and the tray is locked
  • Flashing Red: the imager is alerting the user to an abnormal condition
• Q-View Software turns the imager on after it is detected and turns it off when the application closes.
• The sensor is cooled to deliver highly reproducible imaging. Cooling will be turned off after one to four hours of inactivity based on your preference. Cooling will be turned back on when image capture begins or sooner if the Activate Now link is clicked.
• If the sensor is not at the optimal temperature when the user attempts to capture an image, image capture will be postponed until the temperature target has been reached (generally about one minute).
• Keep the cooling vents on the bottom, sides and back clear of debris. If the vents are obstructed the imager may overheat. When overheated, the sensor's cooler will be turned off, the open/close button will flash red and image capture will be prevented.

When user accounts are enabled, users are required to log in to use the software. Administrators can manage users during software setup or by opening Settings > Administration > User Accounts (Figure 4).
Figure 4. User accounts.

• New: Create a new user.
• Delete: Delete the selected user(s).
• Change Password: Set the password of the selected user(s).
• Change Role: Set the role of the selected user(s).
• Manage Roles: Open user role management.
• Enable: Enable the selected user(s). Enabled users can log in.
• Disable: Disable the selected user(s). Disabled users cannot log in.

Administrators can set their organization's password policy by opening Settings > Administration > Password Policy (Figure 5). The password policy defines the following password requirements:
Figure 5. Password policy.

• Minimum length: The minimum number of characters.
• Minimum lower case: The minimum number of lower case characters.
• Minimum upper case: The minimum number of upper case characters.
• Minimum numeric: The minimum number of numeric characters.
• Minimum special: The minimum number of special characters.
• Expires after: The number of days from the day the password was set until the password expires. When a user's password expires, the user will be forced to set a new password at the next successful login.
• Disable account after: The number of failed login attempts before the user account is disabled. When a user account is disabled, the user is prevented from logging in until an administrator enables the account. When set to zero, there is no limit to the number of failed login attempts.

Administrators can manage user roles by opening Settings > Administration > User Roles (Figure 6). User roles define permissions which allow or disallow users from accessing various software features.
Figure 6. User roles and associated permissions. By default, users are assigned the Default role which allows all permissions. The default role permissions cannot be modified. Users can view their permissions by opening Settings > Permissions (Figure 7).

• New: Create a new user role.
• Rename: Change the name of the selected user role.
• Delete: Delete the selected user role.
• Role Preferences: Set preferences that are applied to the users assigned to the role.

Permissions are granted by selecting the Allowed check box adjacent to the permission (Figure 6). Permissions are revoked by deselecting the check box. The permissions are described as follows:
Figure 7. User permissions.

• Create projects: Allows users to create new projects.
• Manage imagers: Allows users to manage imagers.
• Perform imager qualification: Allows users to perform imager qualification.
• Perform IQ/OQ: Allows users to perform imager and software IQ/OQ.
• Open blot tools: Allows users to open and use blot tools.
• Technical support upload: Allows users to upload projects and imager databases for customer support.
• Create new plates: Allows users to create new plates.
• Rename plates: Allows users to rename existing plates.
• Delete plates: Allows users to delete existing plates.
• Capture plate images: Allows users to capture plate images.
• Set image capture exposure times: Allows users to set image capture exposure times. When this permission is revoked, the recommended exposure time for the connected imager will be used.
• Import plate images: Allows users to import plate images.
• Rename plate images: Allows users to rename plate images.
• Delete plate images: Allows users to delete plate images.
• Stack plate images: Allows users to stack plate images. Image stacking is a legacy image processing technique that combines multiple images of varying exposure times into a single image.
• Image options: Allows users to access image options which include inverting, rotating and flipping horizontally and vertically.
• Set and adjust plate overlay: Allows users to set and adjust plate overlays which include spot and well adjustment, auto-adjust spots and reset spots.
• Export plate images: Allows users to export plate images as TIF and JPG files.
• Assign well groups: Allows users to assign and modify well groups. Renaming existing wells is always allowed.
• Assign well dilutions: Allows users to assign and modify well dilutions.
• Open well assignment templates: Allows users to open and apply well assignment templates.
• Create new well assignment templates: Allows users to create new well assignment templates.
• Save well assignment templates: Allows users to save well assignment templates.
• Adjust curve fit options: Allows users to adjust curve fit options which include regression models, weighting and negative well subtraction.
• Adjust report statistics: Allows users to adjust report statistics which include pixel intensity, concentration, percent backfit and assay statistics.
• Adjust report assay limits: Allows users to adjust report assay limits which include assay and lot LLD, LLOQ and ULOQ values.
• Mask and unmask spots: Allows users to mask and unmask spots individually or by well.
• Export data analysis: Allows users to export data analysis comprising charts and reports.
• Submit reports for review: Allows users to submit reports for review. This permission only applies when the Require reviewer signature option is selected.
• Approve and reject reports: Allows users to approve or reject reports that have been submitted for review. This permission only applies when the Require reviewer signature option is selected.
• View the data report tab: Allows users to view the data tab. This is the report that shows either pixel intensities or concentrations.
• Open data analysis templates: Allows users to open and apply data analysis templates.
• Save data analysis templates: Allows users to save data analysis templates.
• Adjust user preferences: Allows users to adjust their preferences. Default preferences can be defined in User Roles.

Figure 8. Electronic signature. When documents are saved, electronic signatures (Figure 8) are required if user accounts are enabled. The name of the signee, a reason for the signature and a timestamp are appended to the document. Electronic signatures apply to the following:

• Well assignment templates: When a well assignment template is saved, an electronic signature is required. The template file is encrypted to prevent modification.
• Data analysis templates: When a data analysis template is saved, an electronic signature is required. The template file is encrypted to prevent modification.
• Report review submission: When a report is submitted for review, an electronic signature is required.
• Report approval: When a report is approved, an electronic signature is required.
• Report rejection: When a report is rejected, an electronic signature is required.
• Report exporting: When a report is exported, an electronic signature is required. The signatures are found at the bottom of the exported CSV file.
• Application settings: When settings are exported, an electronic signature is required. The settings file is encrypted to prevent modification.

Figure 9. Electronic signature settings. Electronic signature settings (Figure 9) can be accessed by opening Settings > Administration > Electronic Signature Settings. You can create or delete signature reasons for specific categories. The order of the reasons can by modified by moving them up or down in the list.

When the Include 'other' option is selected, an 'other' option will be included in the reason drop-down list (Figure 8). A free-form text field will be enabled allowing the user to enter a custom reason. When the Require reviewer signature option is selected, exporting reports requires that they first be submitted for review by users with the Submit reports for review permission and subsequently approved by users with the Approve and reject reports permission.

Figure 10. Image acquisition options.

1. Place the plate in the Q-View imager and close the lid/tray. Select the desired imager, exposure time(s) and image name(s) (Figure 10). If the desired imager is not listed, select Refresh from the drop-down to scan for imagers.
   
   The recommended exposure settings for Q-Plex kits are:
   • Q-View Imager Pro: 300 seconds
   • Q-View Imager LS: 270 seconds
2. Capture the image(s) by clicking Capture Image(s). You can continue to Well Assignment while images are being captured.
3. Add a plate tab for each physical plate to be imaged by clicking the + tab (Figure 11). Custom plate names can be set by double clicking the plate name.

Figure 11. Plates organized by tabs. Note: The Enable Internal Illumination option is available for Q-View Imager Pro models when activated in Settings > Preferences. When enabled, the imager's internal focus lights are turned on during image acquisition. This may be useful for quality control but should not be enabled when capturing Q-Plex images.

Before importing an image, ensure that it is grayscale and has a pixel depth of at least 12 bits. Q-View Software can open TIFF, CR2, BMP, PNG and JPEG files. Low bit depth and lossy images (BMP, PNG and JPEG) are insufficient for analysis and should be imported for display purposes only.

To import an image, click Image Processing > Import Image or drag and drop image files onto the list of images.

Figure 12. Image pop-up menu. Images can be renamed, deleted or stacked by right-clicking an image name (Figure 12). Image details can be viewed by selecting properties. Click Export to save an image as a lossless TIFF or compressed JPEG. JPEG files are suitable for display purposes only and should not be used for analysis.

1. Enter the Software Product Code from the product card into the Product Code field.
2. Use Image Options to adjust image gamma, zoom and orientation as desired. Images with black spots on a white background need to be inverted by clicking Image Options > Invert Image.
3. 
   Figure 13. Overlay Options. If you are using the Auto-Set Plate Overlay feature, the initial overlay position will be set automatically. Otherwise, click Overlay Options > Set Plate Overlay, and click and drag the mouse cursor from the center of the top-left well to the center of the bottom-right well. Use the following Overlay Options (Figure 13), if needed, to manually adjust the overlay:
   • Set Plate Overlay: Set the plate overlay by dragging from the center of the top-left well to the center of the bottom-right well.
   • Adjust Plate Overlay: Pivot or expand/contract the entire overlay via clicking and dragging the corner wells highlighted in blue.
   • Adjust Spot and Adjust Well: Click and drag to move either an individual spot in the overlay, or all spots in a well. Use the keyboard arrow keys for more precise adjustments.
   • Auto-Adjust Spots: Automatically adjusts all spots to improve the alignment of the overlay.
   • Reset Spots: Reset all spots in the overlay to their default locations.
   • Hide Plate Overlay: View the image without the plate overlay.

When using a Q-View imager, the Auto-Set Plate Overlay feature, found in Settings > Preferences, can be enabled to cause the software to provide the initial plate overlay position.
Figure 14. Plate overlay. This feature is activated after manually setting a plate overlay for the first time. Once activated, the Auto-Set Plate Overlay feature will automatically set the overlay onto all captured images as soon as the product code is entered. Be sure to review the accuracy of the overlay placement for each captured image.

When using a Q-View Imager Pro or Q-View Imager LS with Q-Plex plates, Auto Spot Finding will be active and will make it easier to accurately set the plate overlay either manually or via the Auto-Set Plate Overlay feature.

For products with defined assay controls, the assay control spots that are in range are outlined in green. Spot(s) and associated well(s) that are out of range are outlined in red (Figure 14).

Figure 15. Well assignment.
Assign well types, names, and dilution factors in either Q-View Software or a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. Use Well Assignment Templates to quickly assign repeat layouts.

To assign well types and names, select the desired wells by clicking and dragging the mouse over the plate image (Figure 15). Hold the control key to select discontiguous groups of wells. Click Groups (Figure 16) and enter custom names if desired. Select one of the well types defined below to register the assignment.
Figure 16. Group tools.

• Calibrator: The kit calibrator (antigen standard).
• Negative: The calibrator curve negative (blank) where only sample diluent was loaded.
• Sample: The biological sample (unknown) being tested.
• Control: User positive control samples. The known concentrations of these samples may be predefined by Quansys with an acceptable range. If an analyte in a predefined control fails to meet the criteria, an error code will be included in the report tab of Data Analysis.
• Rename: Rename well groups without modifying well type.

Calibrators may be assigned dilution factors or grouped by predefined concentrations for each analyte. Predefined concentrations are created by Quansys and assigned by the user by selecting a well group, clicking the Calibrator button (Figure 16) and then choosing from a list of group names in a subsequent pop-up window.

Use Sequential Naming to automatically name groups of wells with sequentially increasing suffixes.


Figure 17. Dilution tools. To assign dilution factors (Figure 17), select the desired wells and click the Dilutions button. Enter the dilution factor of the initial dilution in the Initial Dilution field. For example, enter the number "2" for a 1:2 (50%) dilution. If a dilution series was continued from that initial dilution, enter the series dilution factor. For example, to indicate a 1:10 dilution series from the 1:2 (e.g. 1:20, 1:200, 1:2000), enter "10" in the Dilution Factor field. Press any of the directional buttons, e.g. Top to Bottom, to register the assignment.

To assign well types, names, and dilutions in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel, click Templates > New Template, then name and save the newly created template file. Once saved, a blank well assignment template will open in the default spreadsheet software. Fill this out and save your changes. Apply the template as described below.

To save your current well assignment as a template, click Templates > Save Template. To apply a previously saved template to a plate, either click Templates > Open Template, or drag and drop the template file onto the plate diagram.

Once you have completed Image Processing and Well Assignment, select Data Analysis. Click Perform Analysis to generate charts, concentrations, and statistics based on optimal regression settings provided by the product definition. Click the Curve Fit Options button to customize regression models, weighting, and negative well subtraction settings.

Figure 18. Curve fit regression options. The default 4PL or 5PL regression models are generally recommended for most Q-Plex data, as these are widely considered to provide the best overall fit for immunoassay curves. If your data is abnormal or you are trying to optimize the fit for a particular range, one of the other regression models, along with masking, may better fit your needs. You can choose from the following Curve Fit Options (Figure 18):

Regression Models

• 5 Parameter Logistic (5PL): This non-linear regression model is generally considered the best for fitting sigmoidal immunoassay calibrator curves and is recommended for Q-Plex kits.
• 4 Parameter Logistic (4PL): This non-linear regression model, which is slightly less complex than 5PL, is also considered an acceptable model for analyzing ELISA calibrator curves, particularly if the calibrator curve is symmetric.
  Figure 19. Example 5 Parameter Logistic chart.
• Point to Point: Also known as spline analysis, unknowns are determined by straight lines between each calibrator point in this regression model.
• Qualitative: This option is for kits that do not come with a calibrator; no concentrations are calculated. Bar charts show the average pixel intensity for each well group and dilution.
• Auto Select: This option selects the best regression model and weighting for each assay by fitting and comparing all regression models.

In products with spot replicates, replicates within each well are averaged and treated as single data points. Calibrator curves for assays with spot replicates are fit to the replicate average using the specified regression model.

Calibrator curves for our High Dynamic Range Singleplex assays are automatically fit using the HDR algorithm irrespective of the chosen curve fit option.


Figure 20. Curve fit negative subtraction and weighting options. Weighting

Weighting options are available after selecting Show Advanced Options. Weighting is used to reduce the impact of outliers and offset heteroscedasticity. In ELISA calibrator curves, the residuals (variability) tend to increase as the concentration of the calibrator (y) increases. To improve curve fit, various weighting methods can be applied. General weighting (y) can be applied to normalize the residuals across the curve based on the signal of each calibrator point. Weighting based on residuals (r), reduces the impact of outliers on the curve fit. The larger the number associated with either weighting method, the more variation there will be between the impact of the calibrator points on the final curve fit.

Curve fit can be evaluated by looking at the percent backfit value in the report. When samples fall at the low or high end of the curve, goodness of fit should be prioritized at that end of the curve. Selecting Favor Low or Favor High evaluates the percent backfit across the curve and will automatically select the weighting method that results in the best fit for either the low or high end of the curve.

Negative Well Subtraction

Negative well subtraction (Figure 20) automatically deducts the average signal (pixel intensity) of the negative wells from the signal of all other wells for each analyte. Curve fit and calculated concentrations are not affected by negative well subtraction. The default state, on or off, can be changed in Settings > Preferences.

Concentrations, pixel intensities, and statistics are displayed based on the selected Data Analysis tab (Figure 21), spot masking, and settings in the Statistics and Assay Limits menus.

Results are organized into three tabs for each plate:
Figure 21. Data Analysis tabs.

• Charts Tab: Displays the regression model charts for quantitative assays, or bar graphs for qualitative assays. The selected regression model and weighting are included above each chart when enabled (Statistics > Assay > Show Regression Model). Hover the mouse over a point to view (x, y) values. Right-click to access masking options and chart properties. Click and drag from top-left to bottom-right to zoom in. Click and drag from bottom-right to top-left to zoom out.
• Report Tab: Displays concentrations and other calculations based on settings in the Statistics and Assay Limits menus.
• Data Tab: Displays concentrations or pixel intensity values based on settings in the Statistics and Assay Limits menus.

Other values that may appear in the Report and Data tabs are:

• Incalculable (High/Low): The concentration could not be calculated typically because it fell either above or below the parameters of the curve. The reported value can be customized in Settings > Preferences.
• NA: Not Applicable. Note that certain statistics cannot be calculated if there is only one replicate present or there are no negative wells assigned.
• No Fit: The curve did not fit using the selected curve fit settings.
• Empty: No well assignment was provided by the user for the well.

Figure 22. Masking spots. Select and right-click (Figure 22) data points within the Chart, Report or Data tab to mask (exclude from all calculations) or unmask spots and wells.

Q-View Software can automatically identify and mask outliers in calibrator curve data. To enable this feature, open Settings > Preferences and select mask calibrator outliers by default. When you unmasked an auto-masked outlier, Q-View Software will not auto-mask the point again when fitting curves until you right click a chart or report and select Mask Outliers (Figure 22) from the drop-down menu.

Click Statistics (Figure 23) to select which calculations are shown.


Figure 23. Statistics and Assay Limits. If multiple dilutions of a sample were present, select Auto-Select Dilution to view only the data for the dilution that fell on the most linear part of the calibrator curve, instead of data for every dilution of the sample.

Click Assay Limits (Figure 23) to modify how extrapolated data is displayed:

• ULOQ and LLOQ – Upper and Lower Limits of Quantification: These are the average of the highest/lowest calibrator points with a %backfit of 120%-80%, a %CV of <30%, and a positive mean pixel intensity difference between the calibrator point and the negative control. These are the recommended upper and lower range limits, allowing concentrations only for data within the quantifiable range of the calibrator curve (interpolated) to be displayed.
• LLD – Limit of Detection: The lower limit can alternately be set to the LLD in order to view concentrations down to this value. Note that values below the LLOQ are extrapolated.
• Lot LLD, LLOQ, or ULOQ: The Lot limits, only available for certain products, are the assigned Lot LLD, LLOQ and ULOQ values determined by Quansys.
• No Limit: Q-View Software will display concentrations for all points that can be calculated with the chosen regression model, including those extrapolated below the LLOQ and the LLD.

Backfitting of the calibrator is a practical method for evaluating the quality of the curve fit. This is done by comparing the calculated concentration of each calibrator to its known (theoretical) concentration using the equation: calculated concentration / theoretical concentration x 100%. Q-View Software displays this result in the report as percent backfit. The preferred result for each calibrator point is a backfit value of 80%-120%, although 70%-130% may be acceptable.

Custom curve fit settings, statistics and assay limits can be saved in the Data Analysis Templates section (Figure 24). To save your current settings as a template, click Save Template. To apply a saved template, click Open Template or drag and drop a template file onto the data analysis section.

The error code column in the report alerts you to potential problems with your assay. Error codes are defined at the bottom of the report and include: Assay Controls (AC), Process Controls (PC), Spot Overlay Out of Bounds (SB) and Masked Outliers (MO).

When User Accounts are enabled and the Require reviewer signature option is selected, reports are required to be submitted for review (Figure 25) and subsequently approved before they can be exported. Users are required to have the
Figure 25. Submit for review. Submit reports for review permission to perform this action. If a report changes after it has been submitted for review, resubmission for review is required. This does not apply if the user who modifies the report has the Approve and reject reports permission.

Users with the Approve and reject reports permission can approve or reject reports (Figure 26) submitted for review. Rejected reports must be resubmitted for review and approved before they can be exported. Approved reports can be exported by users who have the Export data analysis permission.

Click Export (Figure 27) to save charts as images, or the currently displayed values in the Report or Data tabs as a spreadsheet (CSV).

The Q-View Qualification Plate produces a constant amount of light at intensities across the dynamic range of the imager. Qualification captures images of the reference plate and evaluates performance based on defined specifications. Performing qualification on a regular basis ensures that the imager consistently meets performance specifications.

Figure 28. Q-View Imager Qualification menu. Q-View Software imager qualification settings (Figure 29) can be accessed from the Qualification > Q-View Imager Qualification > Settings menu (Figure 28). The settings are accessible to only administrators.

• Enable Q-View Imager Qualification: When enabled, image acquisition is restricted based on the qualification settings and status.
• Qualification Expiration: Defines the amount of time that an imager is considered qualified.
  Figure 29. Q-View Imager Qualification settings.
• Disallow image acquisition for non-admin users when qualification expires: When selected, non-administrator users are not allowed to capture images when qualification expires (Figure 30).
• Build Ranges: Builds qualification range parameters by processing a series of qualification plate images.
• Import Ranges: Imports predefined ranges provided by Quansys Biosciences.

Figure 30. Image capture is restricted. Power on the Q-View Qualification Plate and place it in the imager face down in the lower right corner of plate deck. Select Qualification > Q-View Imager Qualification > Perform Qualification from the menu (Figure 28) or click Q-View Imager Qualification has expired (Figure 30) from the Image Acquisition screen. Confirm that the serial number on the qualification plate matches the serial number in the window. The process takes about 5 minutes to complete.

To view and export qualification reports, select Qualification > Q-View Imager Qualification > Reports (Figure 28) from the menu.

Qualification plate certification expires annually. The expiration date is shown on the back of the plate. Once certification has expired, please contact Quansys Biosciences to arrange to have your plate recertified. Once your plate has been recertified and returned to you, it is necessary to rebuild the qualification ranges.

To build qualification ranges, open Qualification > Q-View Imager Qualification > Settings > Build Ranges and follow the instructions provided by the software.

IQ/OQ testing ensures that the installation and operational functions of the imager and software are performing correctly. These tests can be used upon initial evaluation and subsequent evaluations to ensure consistent operation of the Q-View imager and software. Following the IQ/OQ testing, a report is generated that may be used for regulatory compliance and equipment control.

Imager & Software IQ/OQ settings (Figure 32) can be accessed from the Qualification > Imager & Software IQ/OQ > Settings menu (Figure 31). The settings are accessible to only administrators.

• Enable Imager & Software IQ/OQ: When enabled, image acquisition is restricted based on the qualification settings and status.
  Figure 32. Imager & Software IQ/OQ settings.
• IQ/OQ Expiration: Defines the amount of time qualification is considered valid.
• Disallow image acquisition for non-admin users when IQ/OQ expires: When selected, non-administrator users are not allowed to capture images when IQ/OQ expires (Figure 33).

In the Q-View Software, select Qualification > Imager & Software IQ/OQ > Perform Qualification from the menu (Figure 31) or click Imager & Software IQ/OQ has expired (Figure 33) from the Image Acquisition screen. The process takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Figure 33. Image capture is restricted.

To view and export qualification reports, select Qualification > Imager & Software IQ/OQ > Reports (Figure 31) from the menu.

Click Support > Legacy Blot Tools to make custom selections for western blots, northern blots, southern blots, dot blots, and other chemiluminescent images. Click Close to return to the previous Image Processing screen.

Click Selection Options and choose one of the following tools to make a custom selection (Figure 34).


Figure 34. Blot tools. Auto Select: Automatically select a group of similar, contiguous pixels by clicking on the center of the grouping. The number of shades included in the selection correlates to the sensitivity value (0-100) entered in the Sensitivity field.


Figure 35. Auto select tool. On the top, only the outer edge is selected, whereas on the bottom, the entire area is selected. The light red fill indicates the selection boundaries. The selection is indicated by a bright red border and filled with translucent red while unselected areas are indicated by a translucent gray fill. Make sure the intended pixel grouping is selected, rather than just a ring around the grouping (Figure 35).

Rectangle and Ellipse: Create a rectangular or circular selection by clicking and dragging the location where the selection is to be placed.

Polygon: Draw a custom, straight-edged selection by clicking on the image where each vertex is desired. Right-click to close the polygon.

Selections can be moved by dragging with the mouse, cleared with Clear Selection, and exported as a JPEG image by clicking Export As Image.

Manipulate the selection boundaries by clicking and dragging, or use the following keyboard commands.

Tool	Arrow keys move selection	Alt + arrow keys to lengthen/shorten shape	+/- keys to resize
Auto Select	√	—	—
Rectangle	√	√	√
Ellipse	√	√	√
Polygon	√	—	—

Note: Hold shift to amplify actions.

Figure 36. 3D illuminance plot. To create a plot of the illuminance of a selected area (Figure 36), click View 3D Plot. The 3D plot will appear in a new window. The plot can be viewed at any angle by clicking and dragging. Hold control while dragging to move the plot. Roll the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Various plotting options are available on the right side of the window.

The Blot Report is an exportable table that includes custom names, number of pixels selected, mean pixel intensities, and standard deviations. To add a selection to the table, click Add to Report. You can add as many entries as you would like. The information for the current selection is shown at the bottom of the drop-down. The table can be viewed and edited at any time by clicking View Report. To view the pixel coordinates and intensities for a selection, click the blue # Pixels label.

Figure 37. Update options. Both software and product updates can be obtained automatically if set to do so in Settings > Administration > Q-View Updates (Figure 37). If updates are not occurring, your network settings may need to be modified in Settings > Administration > Network Settings.

If your computer does not have Internet access, contact Quansys at sales@quansysbio.com or 1-888-782-6797 to arrange for regular software updates to be sent to you.

To apply product updates manually, go to Settings > Administration > Q-View Updates and select Update product definitions manually, then click the Update product definitions from file button. A file selection window will appear. Navigate to the product definitions file you received from Quansys and select Open.

Figure 38. Administrative options. Use the options under the Settings menu as follows (Figure 38):

• Change Password: Change the password of the currently logged in user.
• Permissions: View the permissions of the currently logged in user.
• Preferences: Set preferences for auto-set plate overlay, negative well subtraction, reporting, Q-View Imager Pro temperature regulation, image stacking, notifications and internal illumination.
• Manage Imagers: Discover, name, focus, capture dark fields and update firmware for Q-View imagers.
• Administration: When logged in as an administrator, you have access to the following settings:
  • Register Q-View: Enter your company name and assigned license key to unlock all of the software's features.
  • User Accounts: Create, delete, or edit user accounts.
  • Disable User Accounts: User login will no longer be required to use Q-View Software.
  • User Roles: Manage user roles and permissions.
  • Password Policy: Manage your organization's password policy.
  • Electronic Signature Settings: Manage electronic signature settings.
  • Archive Settings: Enable or disable automatic image archiving and set the retention period.
  • Network Settings: Specify settings for Internet access for software updates. If the computer running Q-View Software has multiple network devices, you may need to manually select the device that has access to the Internet in order to receive updates. To select a network device, deselect the Auto-select check box and choose the network interface and IP address from which Internet traffic will originate. If access goes through a proxy, click the Internet connection requires proxy check box and enter the IP address or host name and associated port number. If your proxy requires authentication, enter the user name and password.
  • Q-View Updates: Set both software and product definition update preferences.
  • Event Log: View logged application events.
  • Settings Export/Import: To ease the administrative burden of managing multiple installations of Q-View Software, settings from one installation of Q-View Software can be exported as a configuration file and imported into other installations of Q-View Software. This feature is only available when User Accounts are enabled. The applicable settings are user roles, user accounts and preferences, password policy, electronic signature settings, archive settings, Q-View update settings, network settings, Q-View imager qualification settings, and imager & software IQ/OQ settings.

A variety of events and setting modifications are recorded in the event log. The event log (Figure 39) can be accessed under Settings > Administration > Event Log. Events can be filtered by type, user and date. The log can be exported by clicking the Export button.

Whenever a project is closed or a report is exported, the full report is recorded if any changes exist. Project history (Figure 40) can be accessed by opening Project > Project History. By selecting two entries in the history list, you can compare reports to identify differences. Differences are highlighted in yellow. Reports can exported by clicking the associated Export button.

Q-View Software can be uninstalled through your computer’s settings or by opening the Q-View Software installer and clicking Remove.

Figure 41. Help button. This manual is available in the software by clicking the help button (Figure 41), under Support > Q-View Software Manual, and online at www.quansysbio.com/manuals.

Tips for many aspects of using multiplex ELISA's are available online at www.quansysbio.com/tech-tips.

Technical support data such as projects and imager databases can be sent to Quansys Biosciences directly from Q-View Software by opening Support > Technical Support Upload and selecting either Upload Project or Upload Imager Database. If your computer is not connected to the Internet, the upload options will prepare the data for manual upload which is accomplished by moving the produced file(s) to a computer with Internet access and visiting support.quansysbio.com.

To contact Quansys, please:
Call us at 1-888-QUANSYS (888-782-6797)
Chat with us online at www.quansysbio.com
Email us at sales@quansysbio.com for software or other product requests
Email us at support@quansysbio.com for technical and troubleshooting issues
Email us at info@quansysbio.com for other general inquiries