Abstract
Artel
MVS Multichannel Verification System
The MVS is an objective performance assessment tool that enables users to modify, improve, and optimize the performance of any liquid-handling device with up to 384 channels. According to Artel, this enhanced version of MVS makes use even easier across a broader range of assay protocols. Enhancements allow laboratories to ensure that their automated liquid handlers are dispensing volumes even in the nanoliter range to controlled specifications, maximizing efficiency and assay productivity. The enhancements to the MVS enable volume measurements with an even higher degree of accuracy and precision. For devices using 384-well plates, MVS precision and accuracy tolerances have been reduced to 0.8%–1.4% and ±2.5%–3.5% respectively, depending on the volume range. For devices dispensing into 96-well plates, the precision and accuracy specifications have been tightened to 0.4%–0.5% and ±2%–3%, respectively, depending on the volume range. These new specifications are designed to enable users to reduce the uncertainty in their liquid-handling operations and enjoy overall improvements in data quality.
Using Ratiometric Photometry technology, the MVS measures the volumes dispensed by any 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 24-, 96-, or 384-channel liquid delivery device in just minutes. It automatically produces and documents accuracy and precision data tip-by-tip and well-by-well, with results traceable to the International System of Units (SI) through reference standards developed and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Able to function within a volume range of 10 nL to 350 µL for aqueous or user-defined solvents, the MVS can be fully integrated into existing laboratory workflows and implemented by a technician of any skill level.
More: www.artel-usa.com
Biotage
RapidTrace + SPE Workstation
Based on the RapidTrace platform, the RapidTrace+ is an automated system for developing rugged, reliable solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods in regulated pharmaceutical, clinical, and forensic laboratories. The high-throughput system is dedicated specifically for SPE and can eliminate bottlenecks.
RapidTrace+ is fully compatible with 1-, 3-, and 6-mL SPE columns, offering flexibility for SPE formats, including all Biotage ISOLUTE and EVOLUTE products. Productivity is increased with a new five-position rack for 40-mL scintillation vials, allowing for larger sample volumes to be processed. With the Delay Start feature, an operator can schedule specific start and completion times. The modular design of the RapidTrace+ allows for up to 10 workstations to be linked and controlled by one computer. In its full modular configuration, these units can process up to 100 samples per hour. Customers have reported a 92% reduction in analyst time and a 72% reduction in extraction time for a 75-sample extraction compared with a manual vacuum manifold. Modules within a group can process different methods independently, allowing a user to interrupt operation of one module while the remaining units continue to process.
BioTek Instruments
405 Touch Microplate Washer
According to BioTek, a new high-resolution LED backlit touch-screen interface provides intuitive and flexible protocol creation and implementation and instrument maintenance, supporting all gloved environments. Two integrated flash drives enable convenient file storage, transfer, and operation. Instructional videos provide clear direction on instrument setup and basic use, and the context-sensitive help system, complete with recommendations, diagrams, and images, is available at the touch of a finger.
The 405 Touch maintains the same features as BioTek’s industry-leading ELx405 washers, including 96- and 384-well compatibility, Dual-Action manifold, Ultrasonic Advantage, and vacuum filtration and biomagnetic separation for bead-based assays. All models include automated internal buffer switching, quick-release manifolds, and optimized cell washing with gentle, low-flow rates that are considered ideal for loosely adherent cell monolayers. The 405 Touch is powered by Liquid Handling Control software and can be coupled with BioTek’s BioStack Microplate Stacker for unattended batch processing.
More: www.biotek.com
Hamilton Robotics
MICROLAB NIMBUS Enclosed Workstation
This new workstation is a protected, multifunctional benchtop workstation that enables gripper movements and a range of pipetting capabilities for tubes and plate within a secure environment. The NIMBUS Enclosed accommodates either the Hamilton CO-RE (compressed O-ring expansion) 96-probe multichannel head or four independent 1-mL channels, all within a locked cover. The new enclosure design includes rear expansion and side integration bays for storage and third-party devices. An optional gripper arm handles single or stacked plates, lids, and tip racks. The arm’s extended reach and 270-degree rotation allow seamless integration with devices on and off the workstation deck. This is Hamilton’s second-generation NIMBUS enclosure, now accommodating the 96-channel head and gripper movements.
More: www.hamiltonrobotics.com
Shift-N-Scan Tube Bar Code Scanner Module for the Microlab NIMBUS Automated Liquid-Handling Platform
This new module enables hands-free barcode reading of sample tubes. Compatible with the NIMBUS4 benchtop system, Shift-N-Scan provides time savings while reducing errors inherent in manual tube scanning. Shift-N-Scan moves rows of tubes to positions on either side of the scanner, quickly recording the barcodes for accurate sample tracking.
The new tool also detects and records errors if a tube cannot be scanned and reports empty spots in the rack.
More: www.hamiltonrobotics.com
Microfluidic Innovations
PloC and AssayMark System for Experiments at Sub-Millimeter Scale
According to Microfluidic Innovations, it now offers a system to help users perform experiments at a microfluidic scale using the company’s Programmable Lab on a Chip (PloC) device and its AssayMark controller and software. Microfluidic Innovations’ system is programmable and offers variable volume/variable ratio mixing, cascaded/extreme ratio mixing, incubation, automatic fluid routing and on-chip pumping, and compatibility with optical detection devices.
More: www.microfluidicinnovations.com
PlateCentric Solutions
Multi Stacker 400 Microplate Dispenser
The MS400 is a compact rotary-based ambient carousel with four hotel stacks (25 or 50 plates each). Each hotel stack can be easily accessed via swing-open doors for quick loading and unloading or can be completely removed from the stacker. This stacker enables extended walk-away time to liquid handlers, readers, washers, and so on. The MS400 can tend to two instruments at the same time with a bidirectional gripper arm that passes through the unit itself and can access both the left and right sides. The ability to tend to two instruments can eliminate the need for external robots and cumbersome plate rails and better enables bench-top automation solutions. The gripper also senses plate presence/absence.
More: www.platecentric.com
Sartorius Biohit
Biohit Roboline
According to Sartorius Biohit, its new, personal robotic workstation, the Biohit Roboline, is a simple, small, and easy-to-use automated liquid-handling instrument that enables users to automate a single work stage or a whole application. The Biohit Roboline is considered easy to use because of its simple working area and easy programmability; flexible because it can adapt to nearly any tubes, plates, and applications; and reliable because it offers liquid level-sensing tips and a precise and reproducible dispensing module.
Stäubli Robotics
TP80 Fast Picker
According to Stäubli, this new series of high-speed pickers delivers up to 200 picks per minute. The TP80 robot is available in a four-axis version. Standard features include a maximum payload of 1 kg, 200 picks per minute (sustained), an 800-mm reach, and a Z axis stroke of 100 mm. Additional features include very high rigidity, repeatability of ±0.05 mm, and IP65 Protection Class when equipped with bellows. User lines such as pneumatic (4 and 6 mm) and electrical lines (4 twisted shielded pairs) are protected inside the arm and are available at the tool flange. Optional features include two solenoid valves, user installation, and bellows. The TP80 is controlled by the CS8 controller series, a single-control platform able to pilot all Stäubli robots. Various VAL software packages are available for end users, integrators, OEMs, and machine builders.
More: www.staubli.com
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Orbitor BenchTrak Plate Mover
This fully customizable plate mover with quick-connect modules extends the functionality and versatility of the Orbitor RS plate mover—either “on-bench” or “in-bench.” Multiple Orbitor BenchTraks can connect to form complex system layouts and a range of “click-in” components, such as instrument loading platforms, mezzanines, guarding, and microplate stores. The PC-driven Orbitor Benchtrak features Thermo Scientific Momentum 3 software, which enables users to configure it for a wide variety of bench-top workflows, including sample preparation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), nucleic acid and protein purification, cell or biochemical assays, quantitative PCR, and next-generation sequencing. A new Thermo Scientific LOCaMotion touchscreen teaching wizard guides users through the configuration process. The Orbitor BenchTrak is available for both new systems and field upgrades for existing Orbitor RS workstations.
More: www.thermoscientific.com/Orbitor
TTP Labtech
mosquito HV
The new mosquito HV allows users to accurately handle low-volume serial dilutions and assay plate preparations across the 500-nL to 5-µL range. In addition, it can rapidly perform serial dilutions in the 2- to 8-µL final volume range and can stamp from a mother plate directly to assay plates as part of the same protocol. mosquito HV retains all the features of TTP Labtech’s mosquito range of nanoliter liquid handlers, including its positive displacement pipetting technology for rapid, accurate dispensing of sample volumes, regardless of viscosity. The mosquito HV’s larger disposable micropipettes ensure zero cross-contamination and reach right to the bottom of wells, minimizing dead volume to under 50 nL per well. mosquito HV also offers accuracy to within 2% of target volume. It is available in a high-throughput screening format for screening and an X1 format for hit-picking applications.
The mosquito HV offers further flexibility in the low-volume range for accurate sample dispensing and handling for a wide range of chemical- and biological-based applications beyond serial dilutions and plate reformatting. These include compound and small-molecule screening, cell- or bead-based assays, enzyme kinetics assays, ELISAs, molecular biology applications such as PCR, RNAi screening, and single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping.
More: www.ttplabtech.com
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