FloPro-1.5P - FLOPRO-1.5P

Description

Fluid handling and sample preparation is a time consuming and manually intensive step in many analyses.  High throughput systems have addressed this issue for labs that have large numbers of samples, but in many instances, the throughput does not warrant these costly and space hungry systems.  For these situations, the FloPro 1.5P also called the mini‑FloPro is the ideal solution.

 Using familiar concepts from SIA and Zone Fluidics, the mini-FloPro efficiently and in a repeatable manner processes samples preparing them for detection by one of a host of flow through detection systems.  The mini FloPro can be equipped with various reactors, incubators, separation devices (including solid phase, membrane based and solvent extraction), and mixing devices.

By making use of the latest technology for controlling stepper motors, the mini‑FloPro has been packaged in a compact enclosure that makes it one of the smallest flow-based fluid handlers available on the market with a tiny 150 mm x 150 mm footprint.

Its convenient single USB communication port allows it to be quickly hooked up to a computer a USB port.  Commands are simple ASCII strings that can be entered via a Terminal emulation program, LabView or Global FIA’s FloZF device control package.  The mini-FloPro is powered by 24VDC.

Reagent and sample usage has also been minimized in the mini-FloPro by employing Zone Fluidics principles and by reducing dead volume and lag times in the flow manifold.  Consequently, the size of reagent reservoirs can be reduced frequently making it possible to use 1.5 mL Sarstedt vials as reagent reservoirs.

The mini-FloPro will find application in any laboratory where FIA or SIA is currently employed.  Biologists with their requirement for multi-step sample prep assays will find the mini-FloPro to be an invaluable tool.  Its usefulness as a front-end for MS, ICP, and AA instruments will soon become evident.  Packaged in this compact system smaller than many peristaltic pumps is a full sample preparation instrument.  One successful application uses the mini-FloPro as an automated front end to CE.  Another envisages employing the mini-FloPro to cleanup real world DNA samples prior to carrying out a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The mini-FloPro can be configured to meet the user’s requirements.  The basic system has an 18-port and 10-port selection valves and Global FIA’s milliGAT pump.  This configuration lends itself as well to being plumbed to give a versatile dispenser with flexibility far beyond the more familiar “sip and spit” dispensers.