EZ1 Test Card

From QIAGEN, the EZ1 Test Card is a diagnostic consumable used to evaluate pipetting accuracy and run a leakage test on the BioRobot EZ1 workstation, supporting instrument performance verification between routine samples. According to QIAGEN's supplementary protocol, the card is inserted completely into the EZ1 Card slot, after which the workstation can perform 100 µl or 500 µl pipetting protocols as well as a dedicated leakage test.

The defined pipetting accuracy specifications are ±8 µl for 100 µl, corresponding to pipetted volumes in the range of 92–108 µl, and ±40 µl for 500 µl, corresponding to pipetted volumes in the range of 460–540 µl. The protocol also describes a tip-leakage test: with six filter-tips loaded, the workstation runs for 2 min for the pipetting protocols and 12 min for the leakage test, during which the instrument waits 10 min to check the tightness around the O-rings; no dripping from the tips indicates a pass. Equipment required from the user includes a calibrated laboratory balance with precision of 0.0005 g (0.5 mg), six 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes with caps, six 2 ml microcentrifuge tubes without caps, deionized water, and disposable gloves. Ambient temperature during the procedure should be in the range of 15–32°C, and a related temperature-accuracy test specifies measured temperatures must fall within 57–63°C.

The EZ1 Test Card is described by the manufacturer as general purpose, with performance characteristics not validated for any specific organism; it is the user's responsibility to validate the workstation and card for any particular use, including clinical diagnostic applications after appropriate laboratory validation. It is intended for use within EZ1 automated workflows to help detect deviations in extraction efficiency or reagent handling and to support reliable results and troubleshooting.