Multiple Devices Manage Liquid Handling Needs Liquid handling does not reside within one analytical device area; there are new products across a broad range of functionalities. by Tim Studt
The SOPHAS Hy system from Zinsser-Analytical is an automatic system for synthesis and sample preparation that comprises liquid handling, heating, cooling and mixing functions with the continuous flow chemistry reactor H-Cube and many optional tools to aid synthesis such as powder handling, weighing, microwave-assisted synthesis, sonication and pH measurement and adjustment. | Handling liquids within the modern research laboratory can involve a variety of devices, including pipettes, syringes, pumps, and automated devices that incorporate all of these. We’ve selected four devices to showcase that have been just introduced over the past two months.
Zinsser-Analytic GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany supplies a range of sophisticated liquid handling systems that include high-precision glass microsyringes for HPLC and GC applications, along with multi-tipped robotic XYZ liquid handling systems and robot-friendly modules for laboratory automation applications.
Zinsser-Analytic and Thales Nano Nanotechnology, Budapest, Hungary, have teamed up to develop a highly flexible automated synthesizer which combines many functions on one platform. Sophas Hy utilizes the functionality of Zinsser’s proven Sophas Synthesizer, such as liquid handling, heating, cooling, and mixing, in line with the continuous flow chemistry reactor H-Cube by Thales Nano, allowing the full automation of sample preparation, batch and flow chemistry.
The HandyStep electronic from BrandTech Scientific is a microprocessor-controlled, motorized repeating pipette that combines broad tip compatibility and user comfort with the efficiency of an electronic pipette. | Many optional tools can be included on a modular basis to fully meet the needs and demands of the work flows required, such as powder handling, weighing, microwave-assisted synthesis, sonication, and pH-measurement and titration. Sophas Hy automates the entire workflow for synthesis on one robotic platform.
BrandTech Scientific, Essex, Ct., designs and manufactures a variety of single and multichannel pipetting devices. These devices are used in a variety of applications, including bacteriological assays, homogeneous assays, and screening assays. Devices are designed to be light, precise, rugged and reliable. Ergonomics and automation are primary design considerations.
BrandTech’s new HandyStep electronic repeating pipette increases productivity and reproducibility for repetitive and serial pipetting tasks. This device is a microprocessor-controlled, motorized repeating pipette that combines broad tip compatibility and user comfort with the convenience and efficiency of an electronic pipette. The instrument automatically recognizes the size of encoded PD-Tip syringe tips and provides continuously adjustable volume selection from 1 µL to 50 mL. It’s also compatible with standard syringe tips from a variety of manufacturers. The HandyStep electronic also features a large LCD screen, which allows left- and right-handed operators to easily reference volume, operating mode, dispensing and aspirating speeds, battery charge, and remaining dispensing steps.
Valco’s Cheminert Model M6 and M50 Liquid Handling Pumps are a new generation of pumps for precision handling of liquids and/or gases, producing bidirectional pulseless flow over six orders of magnitude. | The VICI division of Valco Instruments, Houston, Texas, designs and manufactures various types of liquid handling devices including pumps, valves, syringes, diluters and dispensers, injectors, and fittings. Many of these devices are used in gas and liquid chromatography applications.
VICI Valco’s new ChemInert Model M6 and M50 Liquid Handling Pumps are a new generation of pumps for precision handling of liquids and/or gases, producing a bidirectional pulseless flow with a range of over six orders of magnitude (5 nL/min to 5 mL/min for the M6 pump and 1 uL/min to 25 mL/min for the M50 pump). Designed as a replacement for syringe pumps, the ChemInert pumps offer better performance and eliminate the need for refill cycles and syringe changes.
The M6 and M50 are positive displacement pumps, which means that they are self-priming and tolerant of any gas which may find its way into the fluid lines. There is no separate fill cycle, and the capacity is unlimited.
RS-232 and RS-485 communication protocols are incorporated into the microprocessor-driven controller—USB interfaces requires an adapter. The included software package controls flow rates, flow direction, and metered volumes. While the standard package includes software and instructions to run the M6 as a stand-alone unit, the software can also integrate a multiposition stream selection valve.
KD Scientific, Holliston, Mass., designs and manufactures a variety of liquid handling pumps, with a focus on syringe pumps. These devices are designed to deliver accurate and precise amounts of fluids in such applications as infusing calibrant into a mass spectrometer or reaction chamber, long-term drug infusions into animals, and general infusion applications. These fluid delivery devices are also manufactured with accurate deliveries of picoliter, nanoliter, microliter, and milliliter flows. Microstepping pumps deliver smooth and constant flow over the device’s entire flow range.
The Legato 270 Syringe Pump from KD Scientific has an optimized user configurable syringe mechanism designed to deliver a full volume in infuse and withdraw modes, whether using small or large syringes. | KD Scientific’s Legato 270 Syringe Pump is the first of its type to deliver a full stroke for large syringes continuously. The device has an optimized user configurable syringe mechanism that’s designed to deliver a full volume in infuse and withdraw modes whether using small or large syringes. The reconfigurable mechanism allows the user to change the syringe clamping mechanism to hold from 0.5 µL up to 140 mL syringes. Two removable pins adjust the syringe mechanism to allow a full stroke of the larger syringes.
The Legato 270 features a continuous push and pull pump. When used with check valves, the unit will draw fluid from a reservoir while the opposite side is dispensing fluid. After the user-selected volume is dispensed, the pump will automatically switch through the check valves and refill the empty syringes while dispensing from the other side. This will continuously dispense as long as there is fluid in the reservoir.
This device is one of a family of liquid handling products featuring a touch screen interface and an easy-to-view display. The TFT color display presents all the pump operating parameters in an easy-to-view run screen, eliminating incorrect pump configurations. Flow performance is optimized with a small step angle stepping motor that drives a precision lead screw. Accuracy is ±0.35% and has 0.05% reproducibility.
For more information:
• BrandTech Scientific, Essex, CT, www.brandtech.com, 860-767-2562
• KD Scientific, Holliston, MA, www.kdscientific.com, 508-429-6809
• Valco Instruments, Houston, TX, www.vici.com, 800-367-8424
• Zinsser Analytic NA, Northridge, CA, www.zinsser-analytic.com, 818-341-2906
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