FREESTYLE SPE UNIQUE POSSIBILITIES FOR SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION

FREESTYLE SPE UNIQUE POSSIBILITIES FOR SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION

ONE DEVICE MANY OPTIONS Modular and amazingly independent. The FREESTYLE system is a fully automated sample preparation system for the unsupervised processing of food, animal feed, environmental and pharmaceutical samples. The base unit FREESTYLE BASIC can be expanded with almost any module. For the processing of SPE columns between 1 ml and ca. 15 ml, the following configuration is required: robotic unit FREESTYLE BASIC SPE module If evaporation or a solvent exchange needs to be performed, an evaporation module can be added to the system. Combination possibilities that will amaze you. When several modules are installed, each unit can be utilized individually or in combination. This is determined exclusively via method selection in the software. The unit itself doesn t need to be changed. All there is to do is to insert the required, configured racks employed in the method. The injection pump, which is fitted to the device sucks the liquid into the needle and the subsequent sample loop and releases it again. Thereby, a minimal dead volume is achieved warranting excellent reproducibility and recovery rate. Through application of the appropriate rinsing steps to tubes, gripper and needle, whose outer surface is also washed, any cross contamination is avoided. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

HAVE YOU EVER COME ACROSS A MORE FLEXIBLE SYSTEM? WE CERTAINLY HAVEN T. Nearly unlimited freedom exists in the way the FREESTYLE system is used. At any time, different columns can be inserted and different racks can be used. Samples can be mixed within the sequence list and others can be added. All changes can be made quickly and easily. The usage is defined through selection within the software alone. Technical intervention or alteration of the equipment is not necessary. KONFIGURATION CONFIGURATION 1/2 2/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

NOTHING BUT ADVANTAGES FROM 1 ML TO 1 L Many racks, many containers, great success! An array of different racks is available, which is suitable for containers from 1.0 ml to 1 L. All racks are already integrated in the system software. They can be put together according to the requirements of the next sample sequence forming a new robotic platform. This is a software-based routine procedure. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

FLEXIBILITY IS OUR CREDO INCLUDING THE SPE COLUMNS Combine and configure to your needs. Reusable adapter facilitate an easily changeable and mixed configuration for all column types, such that only one single universal rack is needed. The bandwidth of usable columns ranges from the 1mL-SPE column to large-volume glass columns: All SPE columns 1 ml, 3 ml, 6 ml up to 15 ml All standard immunoaffinity columns (1 ml, 3 ml) Glass columns for maximum dimensions of 105 x 17.5 mm inr.d (length x diameter); ca. 19 ml Automated Processing of Immunoaffinity columns. Columns that are stored containing a buffer, such as immunoaffinity columns, are opened at the outlet, the original cap stays on tight, and they are then placed into the system. In this way, the columns will not leak and they can even be left in the system for processing over the weekend without reduction in performance through potential drying out. The SPE module integrated needle will drive through the lid when the column is used; at that point the storage buffer will be released from the column leaving it prepared for further usage. For each column the same rack, only the adapter changes. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE-SÄULEN COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

RINSING, CLEANING, DRYING ONLY MAKING CUPS OF TEA IS NOT POSSIBLE. The particular flexible sample loading will spark your enthusiasm. Many different possible applications arise through the very flexible sample loading: from large-volume of up to 100 ml in mycotoxin analysis to only a few ml e.g. in forensics. FREESTLYE technology offers for each application a suitable solution. And to top this: how do we deal with quantitative or qualitative sample transfer? no problem: The sample container can be rinsed to minimise a possible loss of analytes. The sample residues washed from the inner container wall can also be loaded onto the column. Different techniques can be applied to different volumes and purposes! Before clean-up During clean-up After clean-up CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS PROBENAUFGABE SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

RINSING, CLEANING, DRYING ONLY MAKING CUPS OF TEA IS NOT POSSIBLE. An option for sample loading in the FREESTYLE system (the quoted volumes are used for illustrative purposes only): Loading of large-volume samples. Ideally, these are sucked via the needle (first Z-axis) into the sample loop (potentially repeated several times) and then loaded onto the SPE column (second Z-axis). This is the standard procedure. Customers use this procedure e.g. for mycotoxin samples, river water containing suspended particles, or for samples with partial gel formation. By applying pressure of up to 4 bar, the samples can be pushed through the columns in these processes. Suck up sample Into sample loop Discharge into waste or collection in a container Ready for further processing steps CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS PROBENAUFGABE SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 2/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

RINSING, CLEANING, DRYING ONLY MAKING CUPS OF TEA IS NOT POSSIBLE. An option for sample loading in the FREESTYLE system (the quoted volumes are used for illustrative purposes only): Loading of small-volume samples. If small sample volumes, e.g. 250 ml, are to be processed because of a small given sample quantity or for chromatographic purposes, it is recommended that the sample is loaded directly onto the column using the sample needle. Obviously, the column will be conditioned before loading and received by the SPE gripper after loading; and the column will be further processed accordingly. Gripper grabs SPE column puts it in the cleaning port Absorption of sample from prepared sample Transfer in SPE column Transfer into waste Gripper grabs column again, ready for further processing CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS PROBENAUFGABE SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 3/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

RINSING, CLEANING, DRYING ONLY MAKING CUPS OF TEA IS NOT POSSIBLE. An option for sample loading in the FREESTYLE system (the quoted volumes are used for illustrative purposes only): Sample loading for samples with a particular small volume. Nothing should be lost with smallest sample volumes! With the FREESTYLE SPE module, small sample volumes can be sucked directly into the SPE column with a needle and then expelled again. The sample passes the SPE phase twice through sucking in and expelling. The advantages of this procedure are easily explained: The smallest sample quantity can be used, from which nothing remains in the tubes or pipetting needle. The sample only comes into contact with the single-use SPE column, but not with the system; contamination is thereby ruled out. Absorption of sample from prepared sample Draining in waste in the waste port Ready for further processing CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS PROBENAUFGABE SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 4/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: POSITIVE PRESSURE IN DOPING CONTROL High throughput without any restrictions. Many laboratories have to be able to cope with large numbers of samples. All systems are running round the clock. Since SPE column and the FREESTYLE system are tightly connected, samples can be pushed through the column with a relatively high pressure of up to 4 bar. This feature is exploited e.g. for analysis of river water containing suspended particles, or for the clean-up of urine of racing horses in doping control. The latter contains occasionally jelly-like or filamentous structures. Should a sample block the SPE column, processing of this sample will be terminated once a defined pressure is reached and the system will continue processing the next samples. The non-processed sample will be marked in the sequence list. Consequently, both usage of equipment and throughput, including difficult samples, are optimized during the round-the-clock operation. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS PROBENAUFGABE SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 5/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

MANUAL WORK BECOMES SUPERFLUOUS ANY MANUAL STEPS CAN BE AUTOMATIC STEPS. Elution from the SPE column can be performed in many ways. Even quite complex elution procedures can be realised. Generally, nearly all manually performed methods can be automated with this system. The options are as follows: Standard procedures: Elution with one solvent into one container Elution with several solvents into different containers Special procedures: Elution with one solvent into several containers of the same size (up to 10 containers). Each vial is filled to its maximum before the next vial is filled. Elution with several solvents into one container. This option is only possible with FREESTYLE: Elution of the sample directly into the EVAporation chamber with subsequent concentration and if required with solvent exchange. The concentration is possible under a nitrogen stream / heating or with vacuum / heating (Principle: rotary evaporator) Direct elution into evaporation chamber CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: CHALLENGING ELUTION IN GEOLOGY ACHIEVABLE WITH A STANDARD DEVICE Example of a particularly challenging elution profile: Preparation of raw extracts of geological samples via an SPE-silica column with separation of the individual classes of organic substances by elution with an eluotropic series. The Challenge: The elutions need to be done cleanly separated, i.e. on the one hand elution solvents must not mix, and on the other hand the silica gel in the column must not run dry. Different solvents, different elution volumes and different receptacles are in use. Conditioning of the SPE column Loading Load 250 µl samples directly onto SPE column. Elution with cleanly separated phases 1. Fraction: Elution of the aliphatic hydrocarbons with 5 ml n-pentane. 2. Fraction: Elution of the aromatic hydrocarbons with 10 ml n-pentane/dichloromethane (80/20; v/v). 3. Fraction: Elution of the ethers/ketones with 5 ml n-pentane/dichloromethane (60/40; v/v). 4. Fraction: Elution of the alcohols with 5 ml dichloromethane 5. Fraction: Elution of the acids with 5 ml slightly acid methanol Isn t it good to know that such challenging and complex tasks can be mastered with just one standard system without any additional investments to be made. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 2/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

SOFTWARE THE CORE OF THE FREESTYLE SYSTEM Sustainable, intuitive software. The FREESTLYE software is included in the basic price of the system and will be continually developed. Updates as well as upgrades are always free of charge. The operation is very easy and intuitive. The software turns nearly every manual method directly into an automated process. The individual steps (macros) can be selected within a method and be used in any combination and repetition. Using the Drag and Drop facility, drag macros into the window in the desired order and find your method already defined as a coherent process. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

SOFTWARE THE CORE OF THE FREESTYLE SYSTEM Use different methods within one sequence. This is real freedom. The system allows all parameters, such as sample volume, elution volume, flow rates, choice of solvents, repetitions, waiting times and many other parameters to be defined individually. Thereby, the method will be optimised in a very precise manner. Different methods can be used within one sample sequence: A virtually unlimited freedom in the daily routine with different requirements. SPE Schritte: 6 Gesamt: 25,4 min The parameter change causes a change in the processing time shown as real-time display. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 2/2 EVAPORATION

THE NEW WAY TO EVAPORATE COMBINE SAMPLES AND METHODS IN ONE SEQUENCE Unrivalled Flexibility, hardly found anywhere else. Using the EVAporation module, samples can be concentrated in a reliable and precise manner. The sample is either directly eluted from the SPE column or from any other sample container into the EVAporation chamber. The initial volume is arbitrary (max. 380 ml/glass). The end volume is defined in the method. Any volume between 0.2 ml and 5.0 ml can be chosen in 0.1 ml increments. The final volume is detected via a moveable filling level sensor. This calibrates itself at the push of a button. Without further ado, samples/methods with different final volumes can be combined within one sample sequence. Combine methods without alteration of the hardware. There are two different methods for evaporation, which may be combined in a method, but don t have to be. This is controlled only by the software; no modification of the hardware is required. Vacuum with controlled heating of the EVAporation chamber Blow-off with nitrogen (e.g. for particularly sensitive analytes) A solvent exchange can follow. The result is a concentrated sample, which the needle takes up directly from the EVAporation chamber and fills it into one or several vials (also sealed with septa, e.g. GC vials). Loss of sample is minimal, since the sample is not transported through tubes. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION

Contact LCTech GmbH Bahnweg 41 84405 Dorfen Germany Tel.: +49 (0)8081-9368-0 Fax: +49 (0)8081-9368-10 We are looking forward to your call. This brochure illustrates the technical possibilities of the FREESTYLE SPE. Each particular application must be determined by the user. LCTech is ISO 9001:2008 certified. CONFIGURATION 1/2 RACKS SPE COLUMNS SAMPLE LOADING 1/5 ELUTION 1/2 SOFTWARE 1/2 EVAPORATION