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ARTiMiS Device

Fixes for physical and optical issues — fluidics and tubing, focus and leveling, microfluidic chips, illumination, and color balance.

Hardware Troubleshooting

This guide provides solutions to common physical and optical issues encountered during the operation of ARTiMiS. Follow the troubleshooting steps in the order presented before proceeding to more invasive corrective actions.

Tip: For software and connectivity problems — power, connecting to the control app, a black preview, full storage, or reporting a problem — see Troubleshooting.

No sample flow while the pump is running

Possible causes

  • Inlet tube not submerged
  • Valve closed
  • Channel clog
  • Pinched tubing
  • Tube leakage or tear

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Verify that the inlet tube is fully submerged in the sample.
  2. Confirm that the pinch valve is in the Open (ON) position.
  3. If a channel clog is suspected:
    1. Reverse the pump flow direction.
    2. Run the pump in reverse for approximately 5 seconds.
    3. Resume normal flow.
  4. Inspect the tubing for pinching:
    1. Slide the tubing slightly forward or backward.
    2. Examine the section compressed by the valve.
    3. If the tubing remains pinched, gently rub the affected section between two fingers until its shape is restored.
  5. Remove the tubing from the valve and inspect it for obstructions or damage before reinstalling.
  6. Check for leakage where the tubing connects to the microfluidic chip. Small tears can cause pressure loss and prevent fluid flow. If a tear is found, trim off the damaged section and reconnect the tubing securely.

Channel cannot be brought into focus

Possible cause: The microfluidic channel is outside the objective’s focus adjustment range.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Adjust the three leveling screws supporting the camera and objective assembly.
  2. Rotate all three screws by the same amount and in the same direction to move the camera assembly closer to or farther from the microfluidic chip.
  3. Continue adjusting until the channel falls within the autofocus adjustment range.

Only part of the field of view is in focus

Possible cause: The camera assembly is not level with the microfluidic channel.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Introduce small calibration beads or cells into the channel.

  2. Allow the particles to settle so they lie in a single focal plane.

  3. Level the imaging system using the three leveling screws:

    1. Adjust the two parallel leveling screws. Adjust the two parallel screws until particles across the left-to-right (lateral) direction reach the same focus.
    2. Adjust the third leveling screw. Adjust the remaining leveling screw until particles are uniformly focused from the bottom to the top of the image.

    Repeat both adjustments until the entire field of view is simultaneously in focus.

Scratch marks appear during the focus sweep

Possible cause: Scratches on the surface of the microfluidic chip lie within the focus sweep range.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Adjust the channel depth (focus sweep range) parameters.
  2. Shift the focus range so that the scratch marks lie either above or below the imaging range.

Display remains blank after startup

Possible cause: The HDMI cable was connected after ARTiMiS completed the boot sequence.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop.
  2. Select Exit from the menu.
  3. The display should refresh and become visible.

Bubbles present in the microfluidic channel

Possible causes

  • Improper tubing placement
  • Air leak
  • Contaminated channel
  • Valve closed during pumping
  • Damaged microfluidic channel

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Verify that the inlet and outlet tubes are well separated. Position the outlet tube entry point higher than the inlet tube whenever possible.
  2. Run a cleaning cycle using the recommended cleaning solution, followed by DI water.
  3. Inspect the tubing for small tears — at the chip connection and at the pump connection. If a tear is found:
    1. Trim the damaged section.
    2. Reinstall the tubing securely.
  4. Confirm that the pinch valve is open while the pump is operating.
  5. If bubbles persist, replace the microfluidic channel with another channel.

Particle stuck in the channel

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Perform a standard cleaning cycle using cleaning solution followed by DI water.
  2. Perform a deep cleaning by alternating the pump flow direction several times.
  3. If the particle cannot be removed and it covers a large area within the field of view, switch to a different microfluidic channel.

Channel clogging

Possible cause: Particles clogging the channel and preventing fluid flow.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Perform a backwash by pumping DI water in the reverse direction.
  2. If the clog remains:
    1. Remove the microfluidic chip.
    2. Disconnect the tubing.
    3. Flush the channel with DI water using a syringe fitted with a needle.
  3. Reinstall the chip and tubing, then verify normal flow before resuming operation.

Uneven darkfield illumination

Possible cause: One or more LEDs in the darkfield illumination ring have failed.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Inspect the outer ring of darkfield LEDs.
  2. Verify that all LEDs emit the same color and brightness.
  3. If one or more LEDs differ in color or are not illuminated, replace the LED module.

Image data saved to the wrong folder

Possible cause: An incorrect file path has been specified.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Verify the image save path in the software settings.
  2. Ensure the directory path is entered correctly.
  3. Check for missing path separators (/) or typographical errors in the folder name.
  4. Save a test image to confirm that data are being written to the intended directory.

Channel wall appears in the field of view

Possible cause: The microfluidic chip is not positioned correctly beneath the objective lens.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Reposition the microfluidic chip on the chip holder.
  2. Ensure that the imaging region is centered within the microfluidic channel.
  3. Verify that the channel wall remains outside the field of view throughout the entire focus adjustment range.
  4. Repeat the adjustment if necessary before beginning image acquisition.

Fluid is flowing but no particles are visible

Possible cause: The objective lens is positioned over the wrong microfluidic channel.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Verify that the selected microfluidic channel is aligned beneath the objective lens.
  2. If necessary, reposition the chip so the correct channel is centered in the field of view.
  3. Confirm particle flow by observing the channel before starting image acquisition.

Fluid level decreases in the sample tube

Possible causes

  • Leakage in the fluidic system
  • Tubing disconnected from the pump or microfluidic chip
  • Inlet and outlet tubes connected to different microfluidic channels

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Inspect the entire fluidic system for leaks, paying particular attention to the tubing connections at the pump and the microfluidic chip.
  2. Check the tubing for small tears or damage that may cause fluid leakage. If a microtear is found, trim the damaged section and reconnect the tubing securely.
  3. Verify that all tubing connections are firmly attached to the pump and the microfluidic chip. Reconnect any loose or disconnected tubing.
  4. Confirm that both the inlet and outlet tubes are connected to the same microfluidic channel. If they are connected to different channels, reconnect them correctly.
  5. Wipe up any spilled liquid before resuming operation to prevent damage to the instrument and maintain a clean working environment.
  6. Restart the pump and verify that the fluid level remains stable and that the sample flows normally through the channel.

Tubing frequently disconnects from the pump or microfluidic chip

Possible causes

  • Clogging in the microfluidic channel causing excessive fluid pressure
  • Pinched or obstructed tubing restricting fluid flow

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Inspect the microfluidic channel for clogging.
  2. If a clog is present, clear it by performing a backwash with DI water or follow the procedure in Channel clogging.
  3. Inspect the tubing for pinching or obstructions.
  4. Remove any pinched sections by gently restoring the tubing shape, or replace the damaged section if necessary.
  5. Verify that fluid flows freely through the system before introducing the sample.
  6. Reconnect the tubing securely to the pump and the microfluidic chip.
  7. Run the pump with DI water to confirm stable flow and ensure the tubing remains securely connected before proceeding with sample acquisition.

Brightfield image background has a red, blue, or green tint

Possible cause: The camera color channel gains are not properly balanced.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Adjust the camera’s Red Channel Gain and Blue Channel Gain to achieve a neutral background.
  2. Apply the following corrections based on the observed color cast:
    • Red background tint: Reduce the Red Channel Gain.
    • Blue background tint: Reduce the Blue Channel Gain.
    • Green background tint: Increase both the Red Channel Gain and Blue Channel Gain until the background appears neutral.
  3. Capture a test image after each adjustment and repeat as necessary until the background is free of color tint.

Darkfield image has a red, blue, or green tint

Possible cause: The darkfield illumination is not color balanced.

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Adjust the darkfield illumination settings to balance the image color.
  2. Apply the following corrections based on the observed color cast:
    • Red image tint: Reduce the Red illumination intensity.
    • Blue image tint: Reduce the Blue illumination intensity.
    • Green image tint: Reduce the Green illumination intensity.
  3. Capture a test image after each adjustment and repeat until the darkfield image appears color balanced.

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