Tecan’s Freedom EVO® Meets the Demands of Automated LC-MS Sample Preparation

The Freedom EVO platform offers fully automated liquid handling and robotics for life sciences and diagnostics. This flexible system offers virtually unlimited options, which can be tailored to provide individual solutions.

The PosID (Positive Identification System) enables barcodes on standard labware such as tubes, microplates, deep-well plates, and gel cards to be decoded prior to and during processing. System components can be used to complement security requirements in any application in Clinical Diagnostics or in Biopharma research. The PosID is mounted at the rear of the worktable on Freedom EVO® 100, 150 or 200 platforms. The module can identify barcodes mounted on labware carriers, identifying in the first instance which labware type is present on the carrier. The unique pull-back mechanism then automatically moves the carrier across the path of the barcode scanner which orientates itself automatically to decode barcodes mounted vertically or horizontally on microplates, tubes, gel cards or reagent troughs. The PosID can indicate if a position is empty, for example a sample tube position that has not been loaded will receive the status “no tube” and will not be processed. A barcode that is obscured or missing will be logged as unidentifiable and not processed. The PosID offers users easy, additional process control with its ability to indicate to the operator, at a glance, which racks have been processed and may be removed by shifting these carriers to a unique position at the front of the worktable. The barcode scanner is capable of decoding a broad range of code types and densities, in fact more than 20 code types normally found in the laboratory. The entire Tecan Positive Identification concept comprises any combination of the following options: PosID – a robotic barcode scanner mounted at the rear of the Freedom EVO with free range to monitor labware carrier positions and to automatically identify the codes of numerous labware types. Barcode Reader – a stand-alone barcode reader scans codes on labware during transfer actions by the Tecan Robotic manipulator. Logistic barcode reader – scans codes automatically on labware at the loading ports of Tecan’s high speed Carousel HS™ and Stacker modules.

The Te-VacS system is a versatile vacuum separation module for Tecan pipetting platforms. It is designed to fully automate cartridge-based filtration and/or solid phase extraction (SPE) processes. Te-VacS is able to host different types of SPE plates and SPE cartridges from various suppliers. It can be operated singly or in combination with other modules on Tecan pipetting platforms thereby eliminating cost-intensive hands-on time by lab personnel in the life science industry. The Te-VacS module provides two separate vacuum positions connected to a high performance vacuum pump. The module can easily be integrated into Freedom EVO® workstations. No external power supply is necessary. Straightforward operating and control of the device is enabled by Tecan’s Pipetting Software Packages. Te-VacS highlights: Te-VacS can easily be configured to host different types of SPE plates and SPE cartridges from various suppliers. Separate vent lines for each vacuum position prevent aerosol-caused cross-contamination. Automated exchange of tubes or plates on the Te-VacS allows multiple batch processes without user intervention. Process scale-up can be realized by parallel use of multiple Te-VacS systems on one single workstation. Te-VacS technology is compatible with vacuum-based reagent kits from numerous vendors such as Millipore®, Promega®, MACHEREY-NAGEL and others. Te-VacS applications: Extraction of plasmid DNA Purification of PCR products and cycle sequencing products Purification of genomic DNA from blood, body fluids, cells, tissue, micro-organisms, food or plants Isolation of viral nucleic acids from blood plasma or serum Extraction of drugs from blood plasma Filtration and ultra-filtration