Agilent BioTek 50TS Microplate Washer
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Agilent Technologies |
| Product Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | 50TS |
| Instrument Type | Multifunctional Plate Washer |
| Wash Head Configurations | 4-, 8-, 12-, or 16-channel selectable |
| Wash Fluid Ports | 4-, 8-, 12-, or 16-needle manifold |
| Soak Time | User-definable |
| Wash Cycles | 1–10 cycles |
| Orbital Shaking | Programmable intensity (5 levels) and duration |
Overview
The Agilent BioTek 50TS Microplate Washer is an engineered solution for high-fidelity microplate washing in life science laboratories requiring reproducible, low-variability processing across diverse assay formats. Based on positive-displacement syringe pump technology, the system delivers precise fluid delivery and aspiration with minimal cross-contamination risk—critical for ELISA, cell-based assays, magnetic bead separation, and vacuum filtration workflows. Its modular architecture supports interchangeable wash heads (4–16 channels) and fluid manifolds, enabling adaptation to 24-, 96-, 384-, and deep-well plate formats without hardware reconfiguration. Designed for integration within automated microplate handling ecosystems—including pairing with the Agilent BioTek 800 TS Absorbance Reader—the 50TS functions as a validated node in end-to-end assay pipelines compliant with GLP and GMP-aligned laboratory practices.
Key Features
- Precision syringe-pump-driven fluidics ensuring consistent dispense/aspirate volumes across all channel configurations (CV < 3% at standard operating ranges)
- Programmable orbital shaking with five discrete intensity levels and user-defined duration, optimized for gentle yet effective cell monolayer detachment or bead resuspension
- Configurable soak time and cycle count (1–10 wash iterations), supporting stringent protocols such as high-stringency antibody elution or low-background cytokine detection
- Automated maintenance routines—including daily flush and overnight deep-cleaning cycles—designed to prevent salt crystallization, protein fouling, or detergent residue buildup in fluidic pathways
- Onboard touchscreen interface with menu-driven software architecture, enabling rapid creation of multi-step wash protocols without external PC dependency
- Triple-buffer switching capability (up to three reservoirs) for sequential use of wash buffer, stop solution, and rinse solution within a single run—eliminating manual intervention during complex multi-reagent workflows
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 50TS accommodates standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates from 24- to 384-well formats, including flat-bottom, U-bottom, V-bottom, and deep-well configurations. It supports vacuum-assisted filtration plates and magnetic separation plates compatible with paramagnetic bead-based immunoassays (e.g., Luminex xMAP®-compatible workflows). All firmware and software operations adhere to data integrity principles aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, including electronic signature support, audit trail logging, and user-access-level permissions. The system is validated for use in environments governed by ISO/IEC 17025, CLIA, and CAP standards when operated under documented SOPs.
Software & Data Management
The embedded software provides intuitive protocol authoring via hierarchical menus and real-time parameter validation. Predefined templates cover common applications—including ELISA strip-wash, whole-plate aspiration, row-wise dispensing, and magnetic bead pelleting—and are editable to meet assay-specific needs. All method files include metadata stamping (date/time, operator ID, instrument serial number) and support export in CSV and XML formats for LIMS integration. Audit trails record every user action—including protocol modification, maintenance execution, and calibration event—with immutable timestamps. Remote monitoring and method synchronization are supported via secure Ethernet connectivity and optional BioStack™ stacker integration.
Applications
- High-sensitivity ELISA and multiplex immunoassays requiring low carryover and uniform well-to-well washing
- Cell-based functional assays (e.g., calcium flux, cAMP, reporter gene) where gentle yet complete media exchange is critical to viability
- Magnetic bead isolation workflows—including immunoprecipitation, nucleic acid purification, and exosome capture—leveraging programmable vortexing and timed pellet resuspension
- Vacuum filtration of lysates, supernatants, or binding reactions using compatible filter-bottom plates
- High-throughput screening (HTS) platforms where walk-away automation and minimal operator input reduce inter-run variability
FAQ
What plate formats does the 50TS support?
The system handles 24-, 96-, 384-, and deep-well microplates conforming to ANSI/SLAS dimensional standards.
Can the 50TS perform vacuum filtration?
Yes—when equipped with the optional vacuum filtration module, it supports controlled vacuum pressure application for rapid, uniform filtration across all wells.
Is the software compliant with 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes—audit trail, electronic signatures, and role-based access control are implemented per ALCOA+ principles and fully configurable for regulated environments.
How often must maintenance cycles be performed?
Daily flush cycles are recommended after each use; overnight cleaning is scheduled automatically if the instrument remains idle for >8 hours.
Does the 50TS support third-party plate stackers?
It integrates natively with BioStack™ stackers and supports custom robotic interfaces via RS-232 and Ethernet APIs for broader automation compatibility.
