Methods and systems for instrument validation

A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processor-executable instructions for validating an instrument, the instructions comprising instructions for:

• receiving, at an instrument interface, amplification data from a validation plate, wherein the validation plate includes a sample of a first quantity and a sample of a second quantity;
• generating a plurality of amplification curves based on the received amplification data, wherein each amplification curve includes an exponential region;
• determining a set of fluorescence thresholds based on the exponential regions of the plurality of amplification curves;
• determining, for each fluorescence threshold of the set of fluorescence thresholds, a first set of cycle threshold (Ct) values of amplification curves generated from the sample of the first quantity and a second set of Ct values of amplification curves generated from the sample of the second quantity;
• calculating if the first quantity and the second quantity are sufficiently distinguishable by the instrument based on at least a portion of the first set of Ct values and at least a portion of the second set of Ct values;
• displaying an indication of successful validation of the instrument or failed validation of the instrument based on the calculation;
• and
• in accordance with a successful validation of the instrument, the validated instrument operating to conduct experiments measuring one or more samples.

A system for validating an instrument, the system comprising:

• an instrument interface configured to receive amplification data from a validation plate to generate a plurality of amplification curves, wherein the validation plate includes a sample of a first quantity and a sample of a second quantity, and each amplification curve includes an exponential region;
• a (cycle threshold) Ct calculator configured to:
• determine a set of fluorescence thresholds based on the exponential regions of the plurality of amplification curves, and
• determine, for each fluorescence threshold of the set of fluorescence thresholds, a first set of Ct values of amplification curves generated from the sample of the first quantity and a second set of Ct values of amplification curves generated from the sample of the second quantity;
• a validator configured to calculate if the first quantity and the second quantity are sufficiently distinguishable by the instrument based on at least a portion of the first set of Ct values and at least a portion of the second set of Ct values;
• a display configured to display an indication of successful validation of the instrument or failed validation of the instrument based on the calculation;
• and
• sub-systems of the instrument configured to, in accordance with a successful validation of the instrument, operate to conduct experiments measuring one or more samples.