Tecan Resolvex M10-96 Manual Positive-Pressure Solid Phase Extraction System

Overview

The Tecan Resolvex M10-96 is a manually operated, positive-pressure solid phase extraction (SPE) system engineered for high-throughput, reproducible sample preparation in regulated and research-intensive laboratories. Unlike vacuum-driven SPE manifolds—whose flow rates vary significantly across channels due to differential resistance and column clogging—the Resolvex M10-96 applies uniform, controllable nitrogen or compressed air pressure across all 96 positions simultaneously. This ensures consistent elution kinetics, minimizes breakthrough risk, and improves inter- and intra-run precision—particularly critical for viscous biological matrices (e.g., plasma, serum, tissue homogenates) and complex environmental extracts. Its dual-range pressure regulation architecture enables fine-grained control over flow dynamics: low-pressure mode (0.1–5 mL/min) supports gentle conditioning and washing of sensitive sorbents (e.g., mixed-mode ion exchange or hydrophilic-lipophilic balance phases), while high-pressure mode (5–30 mL/min) accelerates solvent displacement during elution without compromising recovery or column integrity.

Key Features

• 96-position parallel processing with independent flow path isolation per channel, eliminating cross-contamination and enabling heterogeneous sample sets (e.g., varying matrix types or analyte concentrations) within a single run
• Dual-range positive-pressure control: precise manual adjustment via calibrated pressure regulators for both low-flow (5 mL/min) SPE steps
• Universal compatibility with standard SPE consumables—including 1 mL, 3 mL, and 6 mL cartridges as well as 96-well format SPE plates—reducing method transfer overhead and consumable inventory complexity
• Chemically inert wetted materials (PTFE seals, PP manifolds, stainless-steel pressure lines) ensure long-term stability with aggressive organic solvents and acidic/basic aqueous mobile phases
• Compact footprint (28 × 35 × 22 cm) and tool-free cartridge/plate mounting design support benchtop integration in space-constrained QC labs and core facilities
• No electrical power or software required—ideal for use in fume hoods, cleanrooms, or field-deployable mobile labs where electromagnetic interference or validation burden must be minimized

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Resolvex M10-96 accommodates diverse sample types ranging from 50 µL to 2 mL per channel, including plasma, urine, milk, honey, soil extracts, wastewater filtrates, and plant tissue digests. Its pressure-stable architecture maintains consistent residence time on sorbent beds—even with high-viscosity or particulate-laden samples—thereby enhancing analyte retention and reducing variability in recovery. The system complies with fundamental requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (clause 7.2.2 on method validation), ASTM D5673 (for environmental water analysis), and USP chromatographic system suitability guidance when used as part of a validated sample preparation workflow. While the instrument itself does not generate electronic records, its mechanical operation supports full traceability when paired with paper-based or LIMS-integrated SOPs—including documented pressure settings, solvent lot numbers, column batch IDs, and operator signatures.

Software & Data Management

As a fully manual, non-electronic platform, the Resolvex M10-96 operates without embedded firmware, touchscreen interfaces, or proprietary software. This eliminates cybersecurity risks, software validation requirements (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11), and version-control dependencies common in automated systems. All operational parameters—including applied pressure, dwell times, solvent sequences, and column lot tracking—are recorded externally using laboratory notebooks, Excel-based run logs, or LIMS modules. For laboratories requiring digital audit trails, the device integrates seamlessly with electronic lab notebook (ELN) platforms via standardized metadata tagging (e.g., “SPE_M10-96_RunID_20240521_A01”) and barcode-scanned consumable identifiers.

Applications

• Clinical and preclinical bioanalysis: robust cleanup of plasma, CSF, and dried blood spot extracts prior to LC-MS/MS quantification of small-molecule drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers
• Multi-omics sample prep: orthogonal fractionation of polar and non-polar metabolites from cell lysates or microbial cultures using sequential SPE chemistries (e.g., WCX → C18)
• Food safety testing: selective isolation of pesticide residues, mycotoxins, and veterinary drug contaminants from composite food matrices (e.g., baby formula, infant cereals, meat homogenates)
• Environmental monitoring: enrichment and cleanup of trace-level PAHs, PCBs, and pharmaceuticals from surface water, sediment pore water, and atmospheric particulate filters
• Forensic toxicology: high-reproducibility extraction of opioids, stimulants, and novel psychoactive substances from hair, oral fluid, and postmortem tissues

FAQ

Is the Resolvex M10-96 compatible with 96-well SPE plates?

Yes—it accepts standard ANSI/SLAS-format 96-well SPE plates with 1 mL or 2 mL well capacity, in addition to individual cartridges.
What pressure source is required?

A regulated nitrogen or compressed air supply (0–100 psi output range) with oil-free filtration is recommended; a standard lab-grade gas regulator with dual-stage pressure control suffices.
Can I use aggressive solvents such as DCM or THF?

Yes—wetted components are constructed from PTFE and polypropylene, which exhibit excellent chemical resistance to halogenated solvents, strong acids (≤6 M HCl), and bases (≤2 M NaOH).
Does Tecan provide validation documentation or IQ/OQ protocols?

Tecan supplies a comprehensive User Manual and Material Declaration (RoHS/REACH); site-specific IQ/OQ templates are available upon request for GxP-regulated environments.
How often should the pressure regulator and seals be maintained?

Under typical usage (≤5 runs/week), PTFE seals require replacement every 12 months; regulators should be calibrated annually per ISO 6145-4 guidelines.