Agilent 1260 Infinity II Prime LC System (Used, Dual-Gradient High-Pressure & Quaternary Low-Pressure Configurations)

Overview

The Agilent 1260 Infinity II Prime LC System is a high-performance, modular liquid chromatography platform originally engineered for robust routine analysis and method transfer in regulated and research environments. As a pre-owned instrument sourced directly from Agilent’s North American asset lifecycle programs, this system retains full mechanical integrity and operational fidelity to its original factory specifications. Its core architecture employs either dual-gradient high-pressure solvent delivery (for ultra-stable binary or ternary elution) or quaternary low-pressure mixing (with integrated vacuum degassing), enabling precise gradient formation across a wide range of mobile phase compositions. The system operates at up to 600 bar, supporting conventional 3–5 µm particles as well as sub-2 µm superficially porous and fully porous packings—making it compatible with both legacy HPLC methods and modern UHPLC-capable workflows. All major modules—including the quaternary pump, thermostatted column compartment, autosampler with flow-through needle design, and variable-wavelength or diode-array detector—are designed for interoperability within Agilent’s InfinityLab ecosystem and backward compatibility with established 1200-series methods.

Key Features

• Modular configuration options: Choose between 1260 Dual-Gradient High-Pressure Pump (ideal for reproducible binary/ternary gradients) or 1260 Infinity II Quaternary Low-Pressure Pump (integrated four-channel degasser, optimized for flexible method development)
• Precision flow control: 0.05–5 mL/min at 600 bar; extended range up to 10 mL/min at lower pressures for preparative-scale screening
• Autosampler with non-overflow flow-through injection: Accurate, repeatable sample introduction from 0.1 µL to 100 µL (0.1 µL resolution); supports vial-based and microtiter plate formats
• Thermostatted column compartment: Standard –10 °C to 80 °C operation; optional 1290 Infinity Column Compartment extends range to 100 °C with < ±0.15 °C stability
• Detector flexibility: UV/Vis DAD (80 Hz acquisition, 0.6 µAU/cm noise), fluorescence (74 Hz), or ELSD (60 Hz); all detectors support real-time spectral monitoring and peak purity assessment
• Embedded compliance infrastructure: Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF) logs lamp hours, seal wear, injection counts, and error thresholds; RFID tags on flow cells and UV lamps enable traceable condition logging

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 1260 Infinity II Prime LC accommodates standard 1/16″ OD stainless steel and PEEK capillaries, universal column fittings (including 10–32 UNF), and industry-standard column dimensions (e.g., 50–300 mm length × 2.1–4.6 mm ID). It supports reversed-phase, HILIC, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography without hardware modification. From a regulatory standpoint, the system meets foundational requirements for GLP and GMP environments when operated with Agilent OpenLab CDS (ChemStation Edition or CDS 2.x). Key features include electronic audit trails, user-access controls, data recovery card (DRC) functionality to prevent loss during network interruption, and full 21 CFR Part 11 readiness—including electronic signatures, secure login protocols, and immutable raw data storage. All firmware and module-level diagnostics comply with ISO/IEC 17025 traceability principles when deployed with documented OQ/PV protocols.

Software & Data Management

Instrument control and data acquisition are managed through Agilent OpenLab CDS, which provides native support for method migration from legacy ChemStation platforms. The software enables centralized method deployment across LAN/CAN networks, remote monitoring via web interface, and automated report generation compliant with LIMS integration standards (ASTM E1578, ASTM E2500). Raw data files (.D files) are stored in vendor-neutral, time-stamped directories with embedded metadata (injection sequence, calibration status, detector settings, temperature logs). Optional OpenLab ECM (Enterprise Content Management) adds version-controlled method archiving, change history tracking, and role-based document approval workflows—critical for FDA-inspected laboratories conducting stability studies or QC release testing.

Applications

This system is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical quality control labs for assay validation, impurity profiling, and dissolution testing per USP and ICH Q2(R2) guidelines. It supports food safety applications including pesticide residue quantification (AOAC 2007.01), mycotoxin analysis (EN 14132), and vitamin profiling (ISO 16323). Environmental labs use it for EPA Method 8330B (PAHs), 8082A (PCBs), and ASTM D7097 (hydrocarbon fingerprinting). Academic and contract research organizations leverage its modularity for method scouting, column comparison studies, and hyphenated techniques such as LC–MS interface optimization where consistent retention time stability and low baseline drift are essential.

FAQ

Is this unit certified for use in regulated environments?
Yes—when paired with OpenLab CDS and properly validated (OQ/PV executed per IQ/OQ/SAT templates), the system meets core requirements for GLP, GMP, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
What maintenance history is available?
Each unit undergoes full functional verification prior to resale, including pressure leak testing, flow accuracy calibration, UV lamp intensity verification, and autosampler precision assessment. Full service logs and component replacement records are provided upon request.
Can I upgrade to a 1290 Infinity II detector later?
Yes—the 1260 Infinity II Prime chassis supports plug-and-play integration of 1290-series detectors via CAN bus, preserving existing method parameters and data handling logic.
Does the warranty cover software updates?
The 12-month warranty includes firmware patches and critical security updates for all installed modules, but does not extend to major version upgrades of OpenLab CDS.
Are consumables and spare parts still supported by Agilent?
All core components—including pumps, autosamplers, column ovens, and detectors—remain under active Agilent parts support with ≥7-year minimum availability per Agilent’s End-of-Life policy.