Click Scan to start the scan.

After the scan, the software saves each image in the folder you selected.

• If you used unique names, the folder contains an image file for each file

name.

• If you used a base file name, the software appends a number to each file

name to make the names unique. For example, the file name for sample one will be basefilename1, where basefilename is the name you entered in the Base File Name box. All the files have the .gel file extension.

6.6.3 The initialization process

Before the Typhoon instrument begins the scan, an initialization process occurs. Depending on the state of the instrument and the scan parameters you selected in Scanner Control, the initialization can take as long as 5 minutes. A timer displays the time estimated for initialization. The timer counts down as the initialization proceeds.

The initialization procedures include—

• Moving the scan head into position

• Changing the filters to match the scan parameters

• Stabilizing the laser if the laser has been idle, shut down, or recently

turned on

• Lowering the inner lid of the Typhoon instrument to hold the screen flat

against the glass platen

Note: To avoid the extra 5 minutes of initialization time used to stabilize the lasers when the instrument has been in the Sleep state, click the Initialize Scanner button in the Scanner Control window several minutes before you plan to start the scan.

6.6.4 Canceling the scan

If you decide you need to cancel the scan, click Cancel Scan in the ImageQuant Preview window. Scanner Control saves the data collected before you canceled the scan.

6.6.5 Monitoring the scan progress

After you start the scan, the ImageQuant Preview window appears (figure 6-9), and the green Scan indicator light on the top of the instrument blinks. As the Typhoon instrument scans the storage phosphor screen, Scanner Control displays an image in the ImageQuant Preview window. In addition, Scanner Control displays the number of data lines scanned and the total scan time remaining (excluding initialization). Scanner messages can also appear as the scan progresses.

Figure 6-9. The ImageQuant Preview window during a scan of a storage phosphor screen that has one scan area defined.

A More Info button appears in the ImageQuant Preview window when the Typhoon instrument reports errors. Click the More Info button to view the error message.

• If the error is a nonfatal error, the instrument continues to scan, and

Scanner Control saves the file when the scan is finished. You should check the image in ImageQuant to make sure the data are not corrupted.

• If the error is a fatal error, the instrument aborts the scan, and Scanner

Control saves the data collected before the fatal error occurred. You should check the image in ImageQuant. Depending on where the fatal error occurred in the scan, you might be able to use the data. If you cannot use the image for quantitation, you must repeat the exposure and scan again.

If the instrument is scanning multiple scan areas, you see the Preview Sample box at the top of the window, which lists the number of scan areas. To view the progress of a different scan area, select the scan area from the list.

6.6.6 Viewing the preview image for saturated data

While the instrument is scanning, an image appears in the ImageQuant Preview window. The image shows the part of the sample that has been scanned. Saturated data appear in red in the image. If the data portions of the image appear saturated, you will not be able to perform quantitative analysis on the portions of the image that are saturated. Because saturation causes a total loss of the ability to distinguish the signal intensity fluctuations, a saturated image can be used only for viewing the shapes and positions of the spots on the sample.

Because the scanning process destroys the signal on the storage phosphor screen, you should finish the scan. If the image appears unusable, expose a clean, erased storage phosphor screen to the original sample and expose the screen for a shorter time. Alternatively, you can prepare a new sample and expose a clean, erased storage phosphor screen to the new sample.

Important Before repeating the exposure and the scan, verify in ImageQuant that the image is saturated and that you cannot perform accurate quantitation.

6.6.7 Completing the scan

Scanner Control saves the image using the file name you typed in the Save as or Multiple Sample Naming window. The ImageQuant Preview window displays a Complete message and then closes. The Scan indicator light on the Typhoon instrument turns off.

At the end of the scan, an image of the sample appears automatically in the software you selected from the Image Analysis list. If you selected None, the Scanner Control window remains active for more scanning.

6.7 Cleaning up after the scan

After the Typhoon instrument completes the scan, open the sample lid and remove the storage phosphor screen. Avoid touching the white side of the screen.

To lift a large mounted screen, pull up on the round tabs attached to the metal plate, and then slide a finger under the edge of the metal backing. If your screen does not have tabs or the tabs are damaged, you should replace the tabs. Contact Technical Support. See Assistance in the preface for contact information.

After each scan, you should—

• Remove the sample from the exposure cassette and dispose of the sample

using the established procedure in your laboratory.

• Check the storage phosphor screen for contamination (section 5.2.2).

• Clean the storage phosphor screen (section 5.2.3).

• Erase the storage phosphor screen (section 5.2.4).

• Check the Image Eraser for contamination and clean the eraser

(section 14.1).

• Check the glass platen and sample lid for contamination and clean the

glass platen and sample lid of the Typhoon instrument (section 6.1).

• Check the exposure cassette for contamination and clean the exposure

cassette (section 14.4).

6.8 Storing the storage phosphor screen

Before storing the storage phosphor screen, you should clean, decontaminate (if necessary), and erase the screen. Then store the screen—

• At room temperature.

• Away from sources of radiation, such as strong beta or gamma emitters or

x-ray machines.

• In a protective box or in a clean exposure cassette. Damaged screens are

6.9 Analyzing or preprocessing the scanned image

You should display the image of the sample to determine the quality of the scan. If you selected an image analysis software in the Scanner Control window, the software starts and displays the image. For information about how to use the selected software, see the Help within the software or the software documentation.