Kehua Nova 9600 Fully Automated Sample Preparation System for Clinical Mass Spectrometry
| Brand | KHB |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | Nova 9600 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The Kehua Nova 9600 Fully Automated Sample Preparation System is an integrated, walk-away platform engineered specifically for high-throughput, reproducible sample preparation in clinical mass spectrometry laboratories. It implements magnetic bead–based solid-phase extraction (SPE) as its core purification methodology—leveraging surface-functionalized paramagnetic particles to selectively capture target analytes from complex biological matrices (e.g., serum, plasma, urine). Under controlled magnetic fields, beads bind analytes via affinity-driven interactions (e.g., hydrophobic, ion-exchange, or chelation), followed by sequential on-deck washing with optimized buffers and elution under low-volume, high-recovery conditions. Unlike conventional workflows requiring centrifugation, nitrogen drying, vacuum manifolds, or positive/negative pressure systems, the Nova 9600 executes all steps—including tube rack loading, cap piercing, aspiration/dispensing, bead immobilization, wash/elution cycles, and final transfer to MS-compatible microplates—in a single, unattended run. This eliminates manual intervention across 1–96 samples per batch, significantly reducing hands-on time, inter-operator variability, and contamination risk.
Key Features
- Fully automated 1–96 sample processing in one run, including primary tube handling, cap opening/closing, liquid dispensing, magnetic separation, and plate output
- Magnetic bead–centric architecture eliminating reliance on centrifuges, nitrogen gas, vacuum pumps, or pressure-based fluidics
- Integrated thermal control module (4–40 °C) for temperature-sensitive analyte stabilization during incubation and elution steps
- High-precision liquid handling system with dual-channel pipetting arms, adjustable tip spacing, and low-volume accuracy down to 5 µL
- Onboard barcode scanning for sample tracking and LIMS integration via ASTM E1714-compliant data export protocols
- Modular design supporting method-specific deck configurations and future expansion with optional reagent coolers or UV decontamination modules
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Nova 9600 accommodates standard 13 mm round-bottom tubes (1.1–15 mL), 96-well deep-well plates (0.5–2.2 mL), and PCR-style skirted plates for direct MS injection compatibility. It supports common clinical sample types—including whole blood derivatives, dried blood spots (DBS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and saliva—with validated protocols for vitamin D metabolites, acylcarnitines, amino acids, bile acids, and steroid hormones. The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for testing laboratories and supports audit-ready documentation per CLIA, CAP, and GLP guidelines. All software logs—including user actions, reagent lot numbers, timestamps, and error events—are stored with immutable timestamps and meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 criteria for electronic records and signatures when deployed with validated authentication and audit trail settings.
Software & Data Management
The NovaControl™ software suite provides intuitive graphical workflow programming, real-time status monitoring, and method versioning with rollback capability. Users define protocols using drag-and-drop step sequencing—specifying magnetic hold times, mixing speeds, aspiration heights, and wash volumes—with built-in validation checks for volume consistency and tip collision avoidance. Raw instrument logs are exported in CSV and XML formats compliant with LIS/LIMS interfaces (HL7 v2.x, ASTM E1384). Audit trails record every operator login, protocol modification, run initiation, and critical event—including door openings, power interruptions, and magnetic field calibration cycles. Software updates are delivered via secure HTTPS channels with SHA-256 signature verification and require dual-factor authorization for installation.
Applications
The Nova 9600 is routinely deployed in clinical reference laboratories performing targeted quantitative analysis by LC-MS/MS. Validated applications include newborn screening (acylcarnitine and amino acid profiling), therapeutic drug monitoring (tacrolimus, sirolimus), endocrinology (cortisol, testosterone, vitamin D3), and toxicology (opioids, benzodiazepines). Its ability to deliver consistent recovery (>92%) and low intra-run CVs (<6.5%) across diverse analyte classes makes it suitable for CAP-accredited testing environments. Method transfer studies demonstrate full equivalence to manual magnetic bead protocols while reducing total turnaround time from 8 hours to <2.5 hours per 96-sample batch—including QC/QA review.
FAQ
Does the Nova 9600 support third-party magnetic bead kits?
Yes—the system accepts commercially available magnetic bead reagents from major suppliers (e.g., Thermo Fisher, Bio-Rad, Agilent) provided they conform to standard suspension volumes and magnetic responsiveness specifications.
Can the system be integrated into an existing laboratory automation framework?
Yes—it features RS-232, Ethernet, and USB interfaces compatible with middleware platforms such as STARLIMS, LabVantage, and Orchard Harvest via configurable API endpoints.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Preventive maintenance includes quarterly calibration of pipetting accuracy and magnetic field strength, biannual inspection of sealing gaskets and cap-piercing mechanisms, and annual firmware validation against KHB’s certified reference protocols.
Is training and technical support available internationally?
Kehua provides remote and on-site installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and user training packages aligned with GxP expectations; regional service centers operate in North America, EU, and APAC regions.
