Enhancing SPR instrument performance

Biotech Fluidics AB reports that it is supplying key microfluidic and degassing components to BioNavis Oy (Tampere, Finland) for its range of Multi-Parametric Surface Plasmon Resonance (MP-SPR) instruments.

Surface Plasmon Resonance is the ‘go to’ technique for the measurement of molecular interactions in fluidics including serum, saliva, and organic solvents. SPR technology beneficially allows evaluation of affinity and kinetics of molecular binding reactions without the burdens of labelling as the technique is label-free.
The BioNavis Navi™ range of advanced MP-SPR instruments provide superior features and performance enabling both studies of surface interactions as well as nanolayer characterization. Navi MP-SPR instruments are helping scientists with antibody characterization through drug uptake routes, controlled drug release strategies, small molecule measurements, nanoparticle targeting up to drug internalization by living cells.

Jussi Tuppurainen, Technical Director of BioNavis commented “The key part of our MP-SPR fluidics systems are IDEX port selection valves supplied by Biotech Fluidics. These high-quality valves contribute to precise handling of samples, allowing researchers to control the timing, volume, and flow rate of injected liquids. This precision is vital for achieving reproducible results and minimizing variations in sample concentration. Additionally, the Degasser system supplied by Biotech Fluidics helps maintain sample integrity by preventing the introduction of air bubbles, which can disrupt measurements. Careful fluidic design and efficient degassing techniques eliminate bubbles and preserve the stability of the sample, ensuring reliable data”.

In conclusion – Jussi Tuppurainen said “BioNavis has been a satisfied customer of Biotech Fluidics for many years. We highly recommend them not only for their top-quality products, but also because of the consistently professional and friendly customer service they provide.”

For more information on fluidic components for SPR instruments please visit https://www.biotechfluidics.com/products/idex-catalogue/.
For further information on a degasser for your SPR system please visit www.biotechfluidics.com/products/degassing-debubbling/ or contact Biotech Fluidics on + 46 300 56 91 80 / + 612-703-5718 / info@biotechfluidics.com.

For further information on the Navi™ range of advanced MP-SPR instruments please visit https://www.bionavis.com/en/.

Periodic table of fittings

Finding and selecting the best fitting for a particular fluid flow path design can be a tedious task. Which fittings can tolerate my pressure ratings? Which fittings have the right thread for my port design? Which fittings match the size of my tubing? Which fitting is available in my preferred material?

The Periodic Table of The Analytical Fittings can help you to answer all these questions. Download the high-resolution image and scrutinize it on your computer or print it in any size you prefer. Or contact Biotech Fluidics to get your free 70 x 100 cm hardcopy poster to hang on your laboratory wall.

If you rather have Biotech Fluidics assist with finding the best fitting for your application, you are most welcome to send an email or use the form below describing your requirements. We are always happy to help!

 

 

Learn more at: https://www.biotechfluidics.com/products/periodic-table-fittings/

MarvelXACT-Tight with a Click

MarvelXACT click

Reliable high-pressure connections every time

Reliable and reproducible fluid path connections is a fundamental requirement for meeting system suitability criteria in chemical analysis performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC & UHPLC) equipment. Poor connections may lead to retention variability and decreased separation efficiency, thus ultimately determining if the analysis will satisfy regulatory demands including pharmacopoeia requirements, or instead fail. Since unreliable analytical results have no value at all and the samples then must be fully reprocessed, a poor fluid connection could even have impact on laboratory economy.

MarvelXACT achieves perfect leak-free fluid connections in HPLC & UHPLC by using a combination of innovative features. The pre-cut polished tube end seals efficiently and eliminates dead volumes. Moreover, the complete lack of any deforming ferrules ensures that the connection will fit to and can be moved between different port designs. Finally, the patented torque-limiting mechanism with “click” feedback ensures that every connection will have the same high performance. Built from sturdy, bioinert PEEK and stainless steel, the MarvelXACT fitting can be reconnected more than 100 times even at the most demanding positions such as column inlet.

In summary, MarvelXACT is the most cost-effective way to achieve perfect fluid column connection every time, thus increasing the probability that system suitability criteria can be met and that reliable analysis results can be delivered in a timely manner from your laboratory.

Learn more

 

 

Biotech Liquid Flow Meter

Determination of flow rates in liquid chromatography has traditionally been a tedious, inexact and manual task.
But not any longer. The new Biotech Liquid Flowmeter can continuously and accurately determine inline flow rates in any mode of liquid chromatography without interfering with the system. Being compatible with most solvents, a wide pH range, and pressures up to 3 MPa (435 psi), it is the perfect tool for high-precision measurement of flow rates ranging from 0.001 to 5 mL/min. Since it also is very easy to use, small enough to fit into your hand or lab coat pocket, and not weighing more than a cell phone, it might just become your best laboratory friend.
The Biotech Liquid Flowmeter comes pre-calibrated and can be connected inline in any orientation to continuously measure inline flow rates of liquids for instance during qualification of chromatography instruments. Via its USB interface and modern PC application, data can also be recorded as time series, which may be very helpful when identifying flow rate variations during troubleshooting of pumps, check valves or other malfunctioning components in liquid chromatography equipment.

Read more

Degassing Applications

Image Degassing Application

 

In the article below, written by the research scientist Lars Borm, you see an example of how our valves, degassers and connectors are used in a laboratory environment and how they can be adapted to different customer requirements.

 

Degassing in a unique automated RNA imaging instrumentation

Our work aims to make high resolution atlases of the mouse and human brain, where we know the location and type of every individual cell in the brain. We do this by imaging the RNA molecules that are present in each cell of the brain with a microscope. The RNA can be seen as an intermediate between the cells’ DNA and the proteins. The information of which specific RNA molecules are present in a cell tells us about the function of the cell. There are thousands of different RNA molecules that can be present in the cell which determine the identity of the cell, and in order to visualize such a high number of targets we perform many cycles of labeling and imaging on the same brain sample.

This takes an enormous amount of work and therefore we have automated the process, by building a fluidic machine that can dispense all the required liquids to the sample and start the imaging. We build three machines that are performing these experiments around the clock and there are many things that can go wrong in such a complex experiment. Air bubbles in the flow cell that holds the brain sample was a common reason why our experiments failed. By putting a bubble-trap and a degasser we can virtually catch and prevent air bubbles going into the flow cell. The degassing is especially important because the samples need to be incubated at different temperatures, and a liquid can quickly out-gas at higher temperatures, forming air bubbles that would have a detrimental effect on the system performance.

Apparatus: A modified analytical DEGASi PLUS standalone degasser with different channel size to optimize degassing efficiency and system dead volume.The valves shown in the photo are IDEX MX Series II™ 10 Position/11 Port Selector Valves.
Author and system designer: Lars Borm | PhD student Linnarsson Lab, Karolinska Institute, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Unit of Molecular Neurobiology, Stockholm, Sweden, web link http://linnarssonlab.org/

Fittings 101 – A Guide to the World of Fittings

Welcome to the World of Fittings!
In this guide you will learn all about the fundamentals of scientific fluidic fittings, accessories and some basics about HPLC as an analytical technique. You probably know a lot about the subjects in this book, but we have found that there is a lack of a publication that provides an overview of the subject and we believe that this handbook can be useful to you in your professional practice. There is also a glossary that covers common words and concepts in the field of fluidics, to make it easier for us all to communicate.

Whether you work with chromatography, SPR technology or any other kind of scientific fluidic system, we hope that this publication will help you understand how fittings works, where they are most suitable and how to choose the right one depending on your fluidic solution.

Below there is a link where you either can read, download a pdf or apply for the printed version.

Go to Page

 

IDEX PEEK Tubing

Average of theoretical plate (n=3)
Inner diameter of tubing0.06mm0.12mm0.25mm
Peak (1)792785246
Peak (2)779076523535
Peak (3)10704103457998
Peak (4)1011397727689
  • Column: SunShell C18, 2.6 μm 50 x 2.1 mm
  • Mobile phase: CH3CN/H2O=60/40
  • Flow rate: 0.3 mL/min
  • Temperature: Ambient
  • Tube length: 30 cm (PEEK, from the column to the flow cell)
  • Instrument: X-LC (JASCO) Response time: 0.01 sec

The theoretical plates were compared after changing the inner diameter of the tubing between the column and the flow cell of the detector. A tubing with larger inner diameter has a larger dead volume, which makes the peak width to be wider. As a result, the theoretical plate decreases. We recommend using tubing with ID 0.12 mm or less for core shell columns for maximum efficiency. As can be seen there was little advantage to go to 0.06 mm ID tubing, but the back pressure increases, so ID 0.12 mm is the preferred choice.

P/N 1535L, PEEK tubing 1/16” OD x 0.125mm ID, 50 feet

 

No troubles with bubbles

DEGASSING

Degassers improve fluidic instrument precision and reliability by removing dissolved gases from fluids before they outgas and form problem causing bubbles. Three main types of bubble removing products are available:

  • Teflon AF based degassers offer the widest range of chemical compatibility and are used to eliminate retention shifts and baseline fluctuations.
  • Silicone based degassers offer the highest flow rate capabilities for water based systems such as diagnostic and life science instrumentation to improve dispense accuracy and reliability.
  • Poridex based products provide rapid bubble remove for locations where bubble introduction cannot be avoided.

  • Degassing process

  • Degassing chamber

    Dissolved gases are actively removed from a flowing liquid stream by vacuum via the IDEX Health & Science AF® membrane.

Degassing - How it works

Dissolved gasses in a fluidic system can often cause troubles. When the pressure or the temperature changes, the dissolved gasses can form bubbles which affect the accuracy, precision and performance of your equipment. On-line degassing is a very efficient way of removing dissolved gasses from the liquid and preventing bubble formation.

Why Degas Your Mobile Phase?

Dissolved air in HPLC mobile phases can result in flow rate instability and baseline disturbance.
Flow rate instability: Non-degassed mobile phase can outgas in the pump head, causing bubbles to be formed and trapped inside the head or check valves. These bubbles can cause flow disturbances and pressure fluctuations, resulting in flow rate instability.
Baseline disturbance: As the mobile phase passes through the column, it experiences a large pressure drop. Non-degassed mobile phase can outgas due to this pressure differential, causing air bubbles to form. Air bubbles passing through or lodging in the
flow cell cause detection disturbances, exhibited as baseline noise.

No Troubles with Bubbles

Biotech AB is specialized in degassing of liquids. With Systec components you can be sure to get degassers with the latest cutting edge technology. Except for our unique range of DEGASi® Standalone degassers, Biotech offers custom made degassing modules to fit your need. Biotech supplies degassing modules to some of the world’s largest instrument manufacturers.


DEBUBBLING

In many low pressure systems, such as diagnostic instruments, bubbles in the fluid stream can cause false detection readings and dispense anomalies. For these systems, the Systec Active Debubbler captures and removes bubbles before they can affect the instrument or the results. Unlike passive bubble traps where bubble removal is dependent on backpressure, the Active Debubbler can be installed before or after a pump and provides consistent debubbling regardless of the system conditions.

Watch Video

Debubbler implementation Debubbler implementation

Debubbling - How it works

Dissolved gases and bubbles in system liquids cause dispense volume anomalies in many instruments, negatively affecting both dispense precision and analytical accuracy. Now you have a choice of components for actively removing bubbles with or without also removing dissolved system gases. Online Vacuum Degassing offers operating convenience, high efficiency and low operating costs compared to other common degassing technologies.

Why Debubbling?

In medical analyzers, bubbles interfere with critical volumetric reagent dispenses and cause sample failures, wasting time and money. Because bubbles adhere to nearly every part of a dispensing system, high velocity or induced turbulent flow is often used to displace and discharge bubbles from the flow stream and into a waste area. These alternative processes waste reagents and are time consuming, unpredictable, and may additionally require designing the system to recognize bubbles are present.

No troubles with Bubbles

Biotech AB proudly presents a DEBUBBLER for removal of bubbles in liquids. Improve the precision and accuracy in your instrumentation with our new line of debubblers. The new debubbler can be used in every liquid transferring system where bubbles may occur; Dispensing, DNA-sequencing etc. Custom designed modules upon request. We offer total systems responsibility in the field of degassing and debubbling.



    “The world’s first high flow rate,
    in-line degasser, for organic solvents”
    • Degassi-Prep-Plus

    • DEGASi® PREP+

    • DEGASi PREP+

    DEGASi PREP PLUS uses a revolutionary new technology that makes it possible to degass organic solutions with higher flows in a cost effective manner. This means that you can increase your capacity at a lower price. The DEGASi® PREP+ is the perfect choice for efficient degassing of many types of liquids at high flow rates, up to 75-100 ml/min per chamber. With four chambers coupled in parallel, a flow of 300-400 ml/min can be used.


    "It´s small, smart & silent..."
    • Degasi PLUS

    • DEGASi® PREP+ SERIES

    • Biotech_DEGASi_PLUS Series

    Our latest addition to the DEGASi® standalone series is the DEGASi® PLUS. It can be equipped for a wide range of applications, depending on what kind of performance you need.

    • THE FIRST CHOICE
      DEGASi® PLUS is a further development of degassers such as:
      • DEGASi®Classic
      • DEGASi®Micro
      • DEGASi®GPC
      • DEGASi®Semi-Prep
    • FEATURES
      • Much smaller footprint, height and weight
      • New vacuum pump using a smart board
      • Allmost silent
      • Available with 1-6 channels
    • H

      • Parallel connected vacuum chambers
      • Easier accessibility and visibility
      • Easier troubleshooting and replacement of parts
      • Short leadtime

    Product News – Spare Parts

    Spare parts supply in a very short time

    We keep an extensive stock to support our customers. Supplying spare parts and replacements to a wide range of instruments and brands in the shortest time possible. We always keep a wide variety of vacuum pumps, degassing chambers, control boards and other accessories on stock to simplify replacement and maintenance for our customers. As an alternative to a repair we can also offer a suitable Degassers from our comprehensive DEGASi-line of Stand Alone Degassers.

    Prep degasserDegassing chamber

    Analytical Degassing Chambers

    The Mini degassing chamber is used in our degassing equipment made for the largest analytical instrument manufacturers in the world. Since quality can’t be compromised the same components are also used in our DEGASi® series of stand-alone degassers.

    Prep degassing

    Preparative Degassing Chamber

    The standard preparative degassing chamber was designed to be easy to prime, and is configured with a Teflon® AF degassing membrane (tubing) to provide maximum degassing capacity with the absolute minimum internal volume (less than 3% of PTFE designs with comparable degassing capacity) and a chemically inert, metal free flow path. Degassed mobile phase is available in less than a minute!

    Systec ZHCR Pump

    Systec ZHCR Pump

    We introduce the ZHCR® Zero Hysteresis / Constant Run stepper motor driven vacuum pump, specifically designed and developed for membrane degassing of HPLC mobile phase. Employing a micro-stepping RPM control strategy permits the pump to run continuously, cycling between low and high speeds. The high speed provides quick pull-down, while the low speed sustains a consistent vacuum level.