TouchScience THS-100 Fully Automated Static Headspace Sampler
| Brand | TouchScience |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Instrument Type | Static Headspace Sampler |
| Automation Level | Fully Automatic |
| Vial Heating Range | Ambient to 220 °C |
| Valve Temperature Control Range | Ambient to 220 °C |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±0.1 °C |
| Sample Loop Volume | 1 mL |
| Sample Capacity | 100 positions |
| Vial Sizes Supported | 10 mL and 20 mL (20 mL standard, 10 mL optional) |
| Timing Range | 0.01–500 minutes |
| Timing Accuracy | <0.1% |
| Pneumatic Pressure Rating | >0.4 MPa |
| Synchronization Outputs | Two TTL-compatible switch signals (1–2 s duration) |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 460 mm × 605 mm × 860 mm |
| Display | 7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface |
| Motion System | XYZ three-axis robotic positioning platform |
| Pressure Control | Electronic Pressure Control (EPC) |
| Leak Detection | Automated vial and line integrity verification |
| Sample Transfer Path | Heated, inert-surface tubing and needle (no cold spots) |
| Agitation | Heated-position orbital shaking |
| Data Traceability | Built-in audit-trail-capable method and event logging |
Overview
The TouchScience THS-100 is a fully automated static headspace sampler engineered for high-throughput, regulatory-compliant volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis in environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, food safety, and forensic laboratories. It operates on the principle of static headspace equilibrium: sealed sample vials are heated to a precise temperature, allowing analytes to partition into the vapor phase above the matrix; after equilibration, a defined volume of headspace gas is withdrawn via a heated, inert sampling loop and transferred directly to a coupled gas chromatograph (GC) or GC-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). This technique eliminates matrix interference, reduces column contamination, and delivers exceptional reproducibility for trace-level VOC quantification—particularly critical for compliance with EPA, ISO, and Chinese national standards such as HJ 736-2015, HJ 741-2015, GA/T 842-2019, HJ 1067-2019, and HJ 810-2016.
Key Features
- 100-position autosampling capacity: Accommodates standard 20 mL headspace vials (10 mL vials supported via optional adapter), enabling unattended batch processing for large-scale monitoring programs.
- Multi-zone heated sample tray with orbital agitation: Independent heating zones allow staggered equilibration and concurrent processing of multiple samples; integrated shaking enhances mass transfer kinetics and shortens equilibrium time without compromising precision.
- Full thermal management architecture: All critical fluidic pathways—including sample loop, transfer lines, and injection needle—are actively heated and maintained at user-defined temperatures up to 220 °C, eliminating condensation artifacts and ensuring quantitative transfer of high-boiling-point volatiles.
- Electronic Pressure Control (EPC): Provides stable, programmable carrier gas pressure regulation across the entire analytical cycle, improving retention time stability and peak shape reproducibility—especially essential for multi-method sequences and GC-MS applications.
- XYZ robotic motion system: High-precision stepper-driven positioning ensures repeatable vial access, valve actuation, and loop filling with sub-millimeter accuracy and minimal mechanical wear over extended operation.
- Real-time system diagnostics & leak detection: Automatic integrity checks of vial crimp seals and pneumatic pathways prior to each injection prevent failed runs and preserve data integrity.
- 7-inch industrial-grade touchscreen interface: Intuitive graphical user interface displays live instrument status, dynamic process visualization, per-vial run progress, and parameter configuration—all accessible without external PC dependency.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The THS-100 supports aqueous, semi-solid, and solid matrices—including soil, sediment, blood, wastewater, food homogenates, and pharmaceutical excipients—without derivatization or extraction. Its design aligns with GLP/GMP data integrity expectations: all method parameters, run logs, error events, and calibration records are timestamped and stored internally with immutable audit trails. The instrument meets functional requirements outlined in USP , ISO 17025 clause 5.9.1 (method validation), and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when operated with compliant LIMS or CDS software. Its compatibility with third-party GC and GC-MS platforms—including Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, and PerkinElmer systems—is ensured through standardized analog/digital I/O (TTL synchronization, RS-232/USB control) and vendor-agnostic method export protocols.
Software & Data Management
Local operation is managed entirely through the embedded Linux-based firmware, supporting method creation, sequence definition, real-time monitoring, and diagnostic reporting. For enterprise integration, the THS-100 provides ASCII-formatted log exports (CSV/TSV) compatible with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and chromatography data systems (CDS). Event logs include operator ID, method name, vial position, start/stop timestamps, temperature setpoints, pressure values, and pass/fail status for each leak test and injection cycle—enabling full traceability during regulatory audits. Remote monitoring and method push are achievable via optional Ethernet module (not included by default).
Applications
- Environmental testing: Quantification of BTEX, chlorinated solvents, and halogenated hydrocarbons in soil, groundwater, and air samples per HJ 736-2015 and HJ 810-2016.
- Clinical toxicology: Blood ethanol and volatile metabolite profiling per GA/T 842-2019.
- Pharmaceutical quality control: Residual solvent analysis in APIs and final drug products according to ICH Q3C guidelines.
- Food safety: Detection of off-flavor compounds, fermentation volatiles, and packaging migrants in beverages, dairy, and packaged foods.
- Forensic chemistry: Rapid screening of ignitable liquids and accelerants in fire debris analysis.
FAQ
Is the THS-100 compatible with my existing GC or GC-MS system?
Yes. The THS-100 features universal analog/digital triggering and pressure-controlled gas delivery, enabling seamless integration with any GC or GC-MS platform that accepts external start signals and headspace injection protocols.
Does the instrument support method validation documentation?
Yes. All operational parameters, calibration events, and run logs are recorded with timestamps and operator IDs. Exportable CSV reports satisfy ALCOA+ principles for data integrity and support IQ/OQ/PQ documentation packages.
Can I use both 10 mL and 20 mL vials in the same sequence?
The standard configuration accommodates 20 mL vials. 10 mL vials require an optional vial holder insert and must be loaded in dedicated zones; mixed-size sequencing is not supported within a single batch.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
Routine maintenance includes quarterly inspection of O-rings, annual EPC recalibration, and biannual cleaning of the needle and transfer lines using certified solvents. No consumables beyond septa and vials are required under normal operating conditions.
