Overview

All iBright Imaging Systems feature on-board analysis software which is capable of many of the routine post-image capture analysis workflows, including molecular weight estimation, densitometry, and normalization. All analysis inputs are driven directly from the touchscreen interface.

 

Our standalone iBright Analysis Software is a free software for organizing and analyzing blot and gel images captured on iBright Imaging Systems. Our iBright Analysis Software was designed to build upon the on-board analysis workflows, with more functionality and with the added convenience of multiple software formats depending on preference and need.

The standard iBright Analysis Software is available in two formats: a desktop version (both PC and Mac OS compatible) and a cloud-based version accessible via web browser through our Connect platform. We now also offer a third version of iBright Analysis Software called iBright Analysis Software—Secure, designed from the desktop version of our software, and designed to support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance as part of our 21 CFR Part 11 compliance support package.

 

All versions of our iBright Analysis Software utilize four main workspaces: gallery, adjust, analyze, and annotate. Whether making a simple adjustment for a presentation, or to compare subtle differences between important samples, our software has you covered. We regularly update our software to add new features and to continuously improve the user experience.

Software workspace Function Features
Gallery

Explore and organize your images

 View, store, sort, search, select, import, export, and create reports
Adjust Fine-tune and refine your images for meetings and presentations Rotate, straighten, flip, zoom, crop, invert, adjust contrast and gamma levels, apply false colors
Analyze Gain a deeper understanding of the data Auto-analysis (automatically detect lanes and bands), manual analysis (user-defined), quantitation (relative or absolute), and normalization using total lane protein and housekeeping proteins
Annotate Label your image Label analysis objects (Frames, lanes, bands & regions) through data table and/ or add text, boxes and arrows using annotation tools

On-board analysis software

Rather than having to move to a separate computer for post-image capture data analysis, all iBright Imaging Systems offer the convenience of on-board analysis software for routine analysis workflows. The on-board analysis software automatically identifies lanes and bands to streamline this often tedious step of analysis. Molecular weight marker overlay with molecular weight estimation, quantitation, densitometry and normalization analysis can be performed directly on the instrument. Up to four blots or gels can be analyzed simultaneously, greatly increasing throughput.

iBright Analysis Software

Manage your images with ease

The Gallery workspace can be sorted based on mode (application), date, or file name, so your data is readily retrievable and organized. Our iBright Analysis Software provides the capability to import proprietary image files from iBright Imaging Systems and Invitrogen E-Gel Power Snap Plus Electrophoresis Systems (.g2i), as well as Invitrogen Power Snap Electrophoresis Systems (.vit). Additionally, unmodified and uncompressed TIFF files from other imaging instruments can be imported into iBright Analysis Software. This feature is beneficial for labs with multiple western blot and gel imaging instruments, including an iBright, or when users replace a western blot and gel imaging instrument with an iBright instrument and wish to reanalyze their data using our software, helping support consistency in the analysis process. By enabling the import of these file types, iBright Analysis Software offers users the flexibility to work with their existing data and leverage the comprehensive analysis tools and functionalities provided by our software. Image preview is adjustable, so you can scan through closely related data without opening each image individually.

Find, sort, and manage your images in the gallery workspace.

Analyze your data quickly

Image analysis, which can be complicated and cumbersome, can be simplified to only a few clicks in the Image Analysis workspace of iBright Analysis Software. Automatically analyze up to four mini blots or mini gels at a time from a single image for increased throughput. Powerful algorithms are designed to consistently and accurately select and identify lanes and band boundaries for molecular weight estimation, densitometry, or normalization. Adjustments can be made to band display sensitivity to fine-tune the number of bands displayed for analysis. Images can also be analyzed manually if preferred.
 

The line plot option in the manual analysis workflow allows users to obtain an intensity profile along a designated line or a drawn box. This tool can help researchers quickly assess the linearity of signal or confirm the desired outcome of an experiment. By generating a line plot, users can visually examine the distribution of intensities along the designated line, providing valuable insights into the experimental outcomes.

Blots analyzed using automatic analysis feature; in this example, separate blots are identified with four independent analysis frames that can be edited and analyzed separately.

Line plot analysis can help one quickly evaluate an experimental outcome via examination of the distribution of intensities along the designated line or drawn box.

Adjust Image options are highlighted within the Image Analysis workspace, which can be used to straighten, crop, rotate, flip, or invert images according to need and preference.

Use lane profile to adjust bands and leverage rolling-ball background correction. Lane profile is the intensity profile plot of the selected lane. It is plotted with average pixel intensity of all pixels at that location or band if identified on the x-axis and pixel position on the y-axis. The chart also shows the non-specific background detected by the software in gray. By default, rolling-ball background subtraction is performed using an optimal rolling ball radius produced by the software for that image. This helps to more clearly view the band boundaries and more easily adjust the bands according to profile. Hovering over the profile graph provides values for band intensity and relative front.

Label for a more complete picture

The Annotate workspace allows the user to label the image. All annotations will appear in magenta in the viewport. Annotations and lane labels added using the annotation table will be included in the exported image and all annotations are included in the image report.

Annotate workspace—lane and band labels. Lane labels were added through a data table and remaining labels were added using annotation tools.

Bring it all together with a complete report

After analysis, view your images alongside your data report. Data can be filtered to view only desired parameters. Reports can be exported to PDF format, or the raw data can be exported to Excel software for further analysis.

Exportable report helps streamline post-imaging documentation.

iBright Analysis Software—Desktop application

The iBright Analysis Software desktop application is available for anyone to download and is compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems. The desktop application allows you to work without the use of internet while still having access to all the capabilities of our cloud-based application.

 

Make sure your desktop software is up to date!  Download the latest version in addition to instrument firmware updates and patches.

iBright Analysis Software—Cloud-based

Cloud connectivity helps increase productivity. Images captured on the iBright Imaging Systems can be exported directly to Connect, our cloud-based platform. Conveniently access via web wherever an internet connection is available. Furthermore, with Instrument Connect in Thermo Fisher Connect, you can determine instrument status, firmware edition, and usage history, providing an extra degree of control over the monitoring of your investment.

 

Each Connect account offers 1 TB of cloud storage at no charge. Link user accounts on an iBright Imaging System to a Connect account to directly upload data to a personal gallery on Connect.

iBright Analysis Software—Secure

What is 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance?

The FDA released the Electronic Records and Signatures Rule, known as 21 CFR Part 11 in August 1997. This rule defines the requirements for use of electronic documents in place of paper documents. The law specifies the system elements, controls, and procedures that are necessary to ensure the reliability of electronically stored records.

 

21 CFR part 11 compliance is composed of both procedural and technical requirements. Procedural requirements are the standard operating procedures instituted by the end user, and technical requirements are the functional characteristics of the compliance management software used. Satisfying the technical requirements does not guarantee 21 CFR part 11 compliance alone. Compliance is the consequence of the end user’s work process and systems used.

 

For technical details on how the Invitrogen iBright SAE Software Solution for 21 CFR Part 11 Support helps ensure workflows compliant to 21 CFR part 11, review the technical specifications document.

What is the iBright SAE Software Solution for 21 CFR Part 11 Support?

To implement the iBright SAE Software Solution for 21 CFR Part 11 support on iBright Imaging Systems, you need the following components installed, activated, and communicating with each other (Figure 1):

  • SAE Administrator Console Software: used with the iBright Imager and Analysis Application Profile to configure the security, audit and e-signature settings for iBright Imaging Systems 
  • iBright SAE License: used to activate the SAE settings for the iBright instrument and the iBright Analysis Software—Secure desktop software
  • iBright Instrument—SAE Mode: firmware mode that connects the instrument to the SAE Administrator Console 
  • iBright Analysis Software—Secure: desktop analysis software that connects with the SAE Administrator Console

Figure 1: iBright 21CFR11 Software Solution* comprised of (1) Security, Audit and e-signature (SAE) Software (SAE Administrator Console, SAE Server, and SAE Application Profile (i.e. iBright Imager and Analysis Software)), (2a) iBright Instrument – SAE Mode (onboard software), (3) iBright Analysis Software—Secure (desktop analysis software).
*iBright SAE Software License is required for activation of the 21 CFR Part 11 support package

SAE Administrator Console

The SAE Administrator Console is the tool used to configure security, audit, and e-signature settings to meet user-specific requirements for security, audit, and e-signature of a particular instrument and/or analysis software. The instrument and/or analysis software application profile (e.g. iBright Imager and Analysis Software application profile) must be installed in the SAE Administrator Console before the SAE settings can be used on the instrument and/or analysis software (Figure 2). Once the application profile is installed in the SAE Administrator Console, an SAE server is used to connect to the instrument and/or analysis software to the SAE Administrator Console. By default, the SAE server is installed on the same computer as the SAE Administrator Console, which should be a network-connected computer configured with a static IP address.

Figure 2: Interface view from the SAE Administrator Console

iBright SAE License

iBright SAE Software License for 21 CFR Part 11 is required to activate SAE Mode on the iBright Imaging System and to activate the iBright Analysis Software—Secure desktop analysis software.

iBright Imaging System SAE Mode

When SAE Mode is activated, the iBright instrument connects to the SAE Administrator Console via the SAE server. Security, Audit and e-signature settings, as defined in the SAE Administrator Console, are implemented on the iBright instrument (Figure 3). Features include restriction of unauthorized users to the system, password policies and expiration dates, defined user permissions and roles, tracking of all data changes through audit log, available audit reports, and on-board e-signature workflows.  All iBright Imaging Systems can run in SAE Mode through purchase of the iBright SAE Software License.

Fig 3. Visuals from the iBright Imaging System interface showing how to access SAE mode.

iBright Analysis Software—Secure

iBright Analysis Software—Secure is a separate version of our iBright Analysis Software platform to support compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 FDA guidelines for Security, Auditing, and Electronic Signatures when connected to the SAE Administrator Console via the SAE server. The iBright Analysis Software—Secure desktop software can be utilized on computers running Windows or Mac operating systems, and can be configured to:

  • Control access to data using account credentials​
  • Track user actions through audit logs ​
  • Detect data tampering​
  • Sign electronic documents using electronic signatures​

How does the iBright SAE Software Solution for 21 CFR Part 11 Support work?

Functional characteristics of the Invitrogen iBright SAE Software Solution for 21 CFR Part 11 Support

Function Description
System security Controls user access to an application by allowing creation of user account and defining user privileges through roles and defining password policies
Auditing Tracks actions performed by users, changes to the SAE module settings, and creating audit reports
Electronic signature (e-signature) Determines if users are required to fulfill signature requirements before performing specific functions

Additional design features for each function are detailed below:

System Security

1.    Access is restricted to authorized personnel via user ID and password

Figure 4: Interface of the SAE Administrator Console showing new user account creation.

2.       Passwords and user ID must expire after a user-defined number of days (typically 90 days).

3.       Automatic logout after user-defined minutes of inactivity (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Interface of the SAE Administrator Console showing user name and password policy settings. 

4.       ID and password must be re-entered to sign or modify record.

5.       Must have a method to record and automatically report ‘forgery’ attempts (event notification).

6.       Access and manipulation of various software functions are controlled through user role definitions.

7.       Control access to specific areas and options in software (Figure 6).

Figure 6:  Interface of the SAE Administrator Console showing user role settings.

Auditing

Tracks actions performed by users and changes to the SAE settings. The SAE Administrator Console automatically tracks auditable actions silently (including, but not limited to, sign in/sign out, image acquisition, image exported, image deleted, file signed and report generation) (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Interface of SAE Administrator Console showing the audit history tab. (1) audit history available (action records, system configuration records, application object records), (2) application (SAE, iBright Instrument and Analysis Software, or other), (3) action, (4) date and user name (5) export in readable/printable format (PDF or .txt), (6) object ID.

With the auditing functionality, you can:

  • Select to audit specific user actions and specify the audit mode (silent, optional or required)
  • Generate reports for audited user actions and SAE module changes
  • Generate reports for software or instrument actions and events
Committing auditable actions

Auditable actions can be committed onboard the iBright Imaging Systems instrument or in the iBright Analysis Software—Secure software. In order to track changes, changes must be committed and saved. The committed changes made can be viewed under audit tab in the software application.  Every commit creates a new version of metadata and is logged in the audit summary table in the audit tab. All committed actions are sent to SAE Administrator Console and logged under audit action records.

 

In the Commit workflow, select the Reason to commit from the selections displayed (or choose Other/Custom Reason). Enter comments as required and click on Commit (Figures 9 and 10).

Figure 9: iBright Analysis Software—Secure desktop software showing the reason to commit window and function (1) reason field (2) option to add a custom reason (3) comments.

Figure 10: iBright Imager SAE Mode auditable changes screens, displaying reason to commit window and function (1)reason field, touch “Blank reason” box to open audit reason screen (2) Select from options or “Other” to add a custom reason (3) enter comments if needed and touch Save, (4) confirmation screen of changes committed.

Electronic signature

Determines if users are required to fulfill signature requirements before performing specific functions (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Interface of the SAE Administrator Console e-signature settings. (1) customize the meanings of e-signatures (2) customize the number of e-signatures required by meaning and role (3) type of data signed for a specific selected meaning.

With the electronic signature functionality, you can:

  • Configure each e-signature event to require users with specific roles to sign
  • Create separate meanings with customized signature requirements for each meaning

Signing files and generating signed reports

When all the changes are done and committed, the file can be signed as per signature rules set in the SAE Administrator Console. Signature requirements (number of signatures and role required) for the selected meaning will be listed in the table (Figures 11a and 11b). Once all signatures are obtained, the status of the signature rule will be updated in the e-signature table for the corresponding version found in the audit tab from unsigned to signed. A signature log will be added in e-signature summary table.

 

In e-signature workflow, select the applicable e-signature meaning. Required signatures and roles will be listed. Select the applicable role and enter credentials. When all signatures are obtained, the file will be fully signed and locked.

 

Note: iBright Analysis Software—Secure allows partially signed files to be shared across user computers in partially signed state. When all signatures are obtained, the file will lock. iBright Instrument e-signature workflows requires all signatures to be obtained before exiting the e-signature workflow.

Panel A

Panel B

Figure 11: Signature workflow in iBright Analysis Software—Secure (panel A) and iBright Imager SAE Mode (panel B). Select Signature Meaning from available drop down. In iBright Analysis Software—Secure, each required role is listed, and signatures can be provided by clicking on “unsigned” status link for designated role. Partially signed files can be sent to additional users using iBright Analysis Software—Secure to complete all signature requirements. In iBright Imager SAE Mode, signature requirements for the designated Meaning are listed under the user icons. All signatures must be obtained at the same time onboard the iBright.

A report can be created directly from the iBright Imaging Systems instrument or from the iBright Analysis Software—Secure desktop software as either unsigned or signed.  The file must be fully signed by all required roles/signatures prior to generating a signed report (Figure 12).

Figure 12. Export of image analysis report from iBright Analysis Software- Secure desktop software.