Biotech Fluidics SPEedy™: solid phase extraction without a vacuum tank, with full flow control per sample
Many laboratories run into the same problems with solid phase extraction. The vacuum tank requires constant maintenance and is prone to errors. The flow rate is difficult to reproduce per sample. Samples waiting for neighbouring channels dry out. And field sampling is impractical because of the equipment required. The SPEedy™ from Biotech Fluidics solves these problems one by one, with a simple mechanical principle and without external utilities.
The device fits in the breast pocket of your lab coat, yet performs a complete SPE protocol in minutes, including loading, washing and eluting.
SPE without a vacuum tank: how does the SPEedy™ work?
Operation is based on the movement of the plunger. Pulling the plunger up creates a vacuum in the reservoir, drawing liquid through the SPE cartridge. The one-way valve prevents air from flowing back or the sample from evaporating. The liquid collects in the reservoir. Pushing the plunger down then creates overpressure that drives the liquid through the one-way valve into a collection vial or to waste. The SPE cartridge is then immediately ready for the next wash or elution step. This cycle can be repeated as often as needed.
No vacuum tank, no pressure line, no external connection. The SPEedy™ works entirely on the mechanical movement of the plunger, which also makes it ideal for field sampling and on-site work where carrying bulky equipment is not an option.
Do you recognise these problems?
The vacuum tank costs more time than it saves
Installing, checking, maintaining and occasionally fixing a leak: in many labs the vacuum tank is a source of frustration. The SPEedy™ needs no external vacuum source. The plunger movement generates exactly enough vacuum for each step, nothing more.
Monsters drogen in terwijl u wacht
With a classic vacuum manifold, all channels are controlled at the same time. Samples that finish earlier wait for the rest, causing evaporation. With the SPEedy™ you handle each sample separately and at its own pace, so drying out and precipitation are a thing of the past.
Flow rate cannot be reproduced
The interaction between sample and stationary phase depends strongly on the flow rate. With a vacuum manifold this is difficult to control per channel. The SPEedy™ gives you full flow control per sample throughout every step of the process.
Cross-contamination between channels
With shared vacuum systems the risk of cross-contamination can never be fully ruled out. The SPEedy™ has its own closed fluid path per sample. Kruisbesmetting is verwaarloosbaar.
SPE in the field is impractical
Vacuum equipment is heavy, large and fragile. The SPEedy™ fits in the breast pocket of your lab coat and needs no connection or external utility, making field sampling easy.
Motorised SPEedy™
For applications that require the highest reproducibility, the motorised SPEedy™ offers the most accurate flow control available. This version will soon be available as a multi-parallel setup for use in fully automated systems. Contact Inacom for the expected availability.
Product range and ordering
The SPEedy™ 10 is currently available in PP with a working volume of 10 ml. The SPEedy™ can easily be adapted to virtually any format in terms of volume and working diameter. Contact Inacom for your specific requirements or for a quotation.
Properties
- Solid phase extraction without an external vacuum source or pressure supply
- Full flow control per sample, per step
- Each sample has its own closed fluid path: no cross-contamination
- No evaporation: the sample stays in solution at all times
- No drying out while waiting: each sample at its own pace
- Suitable for any type of SPE chemistry and eluent
- Parallel and multi-parallel use possible
- Suitable for automation with the motorised version
- Ideal for field sampling: fits in the breast pocket of your lab coat
- Huidig model: SPEedy™ 10 in PP, werkvolume 10 ml
- Custom volume and diameter on request
- Patented: Swedish patent SE547146.C2
