Chapter 1:

Basics of the miniVIDAS Instrument

and VIDAS Assays

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Identify the two operating sections of the miniVIDAS
• Differentiate between the various status light indicators for
Sections A and B
• Identify components of the miniVIDAS system
• Describe functions of each miniVIDAS component
• Identify items that come in a complete Startup Kit
• Describe items that come in a complete Assay Kit

PRINTING & VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS

Print (preferably in color) and read the objectives and questions for
each chapter prior to viewing the associated video. Questions may be
answered as you view the video. Please bring your completed online
workbook to the miniVIDAS instructor led training class in Durham,
North Carolina. For specific instructions on video viewing, please refer
to the Getting Started link.

GUIDED VIEWING QUESTIONS

The miniVIDAS from bioMérieux is an automated immunoassay
analyzer that uses enzyme-linked fluorescent assay, or ELFA,
technology to provide your lab with fast, reliable test results.

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 bioMérieux, Inc., Customer Education
Chapter 1, Page 1 of 1
Read the statements below and circle the correct letter for each
answer.

1. How many independent operating sections are found within the

miniVIDAS®?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

2. How many reagent strips can each operating section hold?

A. 4
B. 6
C. 3
D. 9

3. Each operating section consists of a reagent strip tray and a _____.

A. master lot entry card
B. barcode wand
C. solid phase receptacle block
D. roll of printer paper

4. A status light above each SPR compartment door indicates the

section’s operating status. A solid green status light indicates ____.
A. tests are running
B. tests are complete
C. section is idle
D. printer is out to paper

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Chapter 1, Page 2 of 2
5. If the status light for Section A is flashing green and the status light
for Section B is off, what does that indicate?
A. The tests are complete for Section A and Section B is idle.
B. The tests are complete for Section A and Section B is running.
C. The tests are running for Section A and Section B tests are
complete.
D. The tests are complete for Section B and something is wrong
with Section A.

Determine whether each statement is correct or incorrect by circling

either “True” or “False”.

6. On all system screens, an option or function may be selected using

the option selection keys if a marker is visible beside the option or
an extended line connects to the corresponding option selection
key.

True False

7. The keypad and screen convey communications to and from the

internal computer.

True False

8. The Enter key cannot be used as a quick return to the Main Menu.

True False

9. The ‘?’ key is the Help key and can generate information about the
error on the screen.

True False

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Chapter 1, Page 3 of 3
10. Below is a photo of the miniVIDAS keypad with selected keys
labeled with a letter. In the table to the left of the photo, write the
letter in the Letter column that corresponds to each key’s name.
Keys Letter
B D
Arrow C
Keys
Undo Key E
Page
Back Key
Help Key
Enter Key A

11. Each component on the miniVIDAS system has a specific function.

Below match each graphic with the component description.
Component Function
____ A Memory Card Slot – used for
software updates.

____ B Internal Printer – used for printing

test results and error messages;
located directly above the keypad
and screen.
____ C Barcode Wand Port – used for
connecting a barcode wand.

____ D Power Switch – used for powering up

and shutting down the miniVIDAS
instrument.

____ E External Printer Port – used for

connecting an optional external
Epson compatible printer.

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12. The Startup Kit contains many items. To test your understanding of
what can be found in a Startup Kit, review the list below and place a
√’ next to the items included in the kit.
check mark ‘√

____ Two adjustable-volume pipetters and pipette tips

____ Sample collection tubes

____ A VIDAS transport tray

____ One external Epson printer

____ Laboratory Information System (LIS)

____ One pair of powder-free gloves

____ One CLIA Manual

____ Reagent strips

____ Master Lot Entry (MLE) cardholders

____ Master Lot Entry (MLE) cards

____ Thermal printer paper

____ Dacron swabs

____ Cleaning cubes

____ Quality Control VIDAS (QCV) strips

____ Hemostats

____ The miniVIDAS Operator’s Manual

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BioMérieux, Inc., offers a large variety of Assay Kits for the miniVIDAS.
Each Assay Kit includes a package insert, reagent strips, SPRs,
standard or calibrator and an MLE card.

Determine whether each statement is correct or incorrect by circling

either “True” or “False”.

13. The package insert contains all the necessary information for
running the assay.

True False

14. Three reagent strips are used per sample to be tested.

True False

15. SPRs are shaped like a pipette tip and are beveled so that they will
puncture the foil on the reagent strip wells and cuvettes.

True False

16. MLE card data must be read and stored in the miniVIDAS system
before tests can be run using that lot of reagents.

True False

Read the statements below and circle the correct answer.

17. The MLE card contains important data. Read the list below and
circle items that are found on the MLE card.

Lot number Linear range

Expiration date Control group
Error Standard data
messages
Control data Patient name

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18. Look at the image below and determine the component highlighted
in the green box. Circle the letter that corresponds to the
highlighted image.

A. Optical Cuvette

B. Sample Cuvette

C. Reagent Well

D. Assay Code

19. Look at the image below and determine the purpose of the item
highlighted in the green box. Circle the letter that corresponds to
the highlighted image.

A. Hemostats are used when

performing preventive
maintenance on the
miniVIDAS instrument.

B. Pipette tips are for pipetting

patient samples into the assay
reagent strips.
C. An adjustable-volume pipettor
is for reconstituting assay kit
components and pipetting
patient samples into the assay
reagent strips.

D. The SPR is used to puncture

the foil and serves as the
sample and reagent
transporter.

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Chapter 1, Page 7 of 7