Tecan Fluent® Fully Automated Liquid Handling Workstation

Overview

The Tecan Fluent® Fully Automated Liquid Handling Workstation is an engineered platform for high-precision, high-throughput liquid manipulation in regulated and research-intensive laboratory environments. Built upon Tecan’s proprietary robotic architecture and modular deck design, the Fluent system implements a dual-arm or triple-arm parallel processing architecture—depending on configuration—to execute pipetting, plate handling, incubation, detection, and peripheral device integration within a single, compact footprint. Its core operational principle relies on gravimetrically calibrated positive-displacement and air-displacement pipetting modules, coupled with real-time liquid level sensing (LLS), capacitive meniscus detection, and adaptive path planning via PathFinder™ motion optimization algorithms. Designed to meet the spatial and functional demands of modern core facilities, QC labs, and drug discovery units, the Fluent platform delivers reproducible liquid transfers across volumes ranging from 1 µL to 1 mL—validated per ISO 8655 and ASTM E2758 standards—with minimal dead volume and maximal sample recovery.

Key Features

• Dynamic Deck™ Architecture: A reconfigurable, three-dimensional workspace enabling vertical and lateral expansion of integrated peripherals—including centrifuges, readers, washers, thermal cyclers, and storage modules—without increasing floor space.
• Robotic Gripper Arm (RGA) with FES: A single multi-functional arm equipped with Finger Exchange System (FES) for rapid switching between plate grippers, tube grippers, and custom end-effectors—enabling seamless transfer of SBS-format microplates (96-, 384-, and 1536-well), tubes, and vials.
• Active Stop and Resume: Hardware-integrated interruption protocol allowing operators to open the instrument door mid-run, manually correct errors (e.g., misaligned plates, clogged tips), and resume execution from the exact step—preserving data integrity and workflow continuity.
• Zero-G One-Touch Positioning: Automated calibration routine that eliminates manual offset adjustments for standard microplate formats, ensuring positional accuracy ≤ ±0.1 mm across all deck positions.
• Integrated Liquid Level Sensing: Real-time capacitive and pressure-based detection during aspiration and dispense cycles, minimizing carryover and enabling low-volume transfers with <5% CV at 1 µL (per ISO 8655-6 validation protocols).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Fluent workstation accommodates standard ANSI/SBS-compliant labware including PCR plates, deep-well plates, assay tubes (1.5–50 mL), cryovials, and custom carriers. All configurations support barcode scanning (1D/2D) for full sample traceability, with optional integration into LIMS via HL7 or RESTful API. The system is engineered for compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements. When deployed with Tecan’s FluentControl™ software and optional 21 CFR Part 11 module, it provides electronic signatures, role-based access control, immutable audit trails, and version-controlled method archiving—fully aligned with FDA and EMA regulatory expectations for automated analytical workflows.

Software & Data Management

FluentControl™ is a Windows-based, drag-and-drop programming environment featuring a real-time 3D simulation view of the deck layout and robotic motion paths. Users define protocols using intuitive command blocks (e.g., “Aspirate”, “Dispense”, “Move Plate”, “Read Barcode”) with parameterized logic (conditional branching, loops, error-handling rules). The software performs automatic syntax and collision-checking prior to execution. Method files (.flc) are portable across Fluent platforms and interoperable with other Tecan instruments (e.g., Spark®, Infinite®), facilitating cross-platform method migration without revalidation. Raw log files—including timestamps, executed commands, sensor events, and user actions—are stored in structured CSV/JSON format for downstream analysis or audit reporting.

Applications

The Fluent platform supports end-to-end automation across diverse life science workflows: high-throughput screening (HTS) assay setup and dose-response testing; NGS library preparation (fragmentation, size selection, indexing); ELISA and immunoassay automation; cell-based assay seeding and reagent addition; qPCR and digital PCR plate setup; biobanking sample aliquoting and metadata annotation; and QC release testing for biologics and small molecules. Its modularity enables deployment in both centralized core labs and decentralized satellite facilities, maintaining consistent performance regardless of throughput tier (480/780/1080 samples per run).

FAQ

What regulatory standards does the Fluent platform support?
The Fluent system supports ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001, and ICH guidelines. With FluentControl™ and optional 21 CFR Part 11 software, it meets FDA requirements for electronic records and signatures in regulated environments.
Can Fluent integrate with third-party instruments not manufactured by Tecan?
Yes—via standardized hardware interfaces (RS232, USB, Ethernet) and software protocols (Tecan Interface Protocol, TIP), Fluent can synchronize with non-Tecan devices including HPLC autosamplers, mass spectrometers, and environmental chambers.
Is remote monitoring and troubleshooting supported?
FluentControl™ includes built-in remote desktop capabilities and diagnostic logging. Optional Tecan Remote Support (TRS) enables secure, encrypted technician access for proactive maintenance and issue resolution.
How is calibration and verification performed?
Calibration is conducted using Tecan-certified gravimetric test kits and follows ISO 8655 procedures. Routine verification is automated via FluentControl™’s built-in calibration check routines, generating PDF reports compliant with internal SOPs and external audits.
What training and documentation resources are available?
Tecan provides comprehensive installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and user training packages—including hands-on workshops, SOP templates, and video-based e-learning modules—all aligned with GxP documentation standards.