HUIFEN Auto Sampler for Chromatography Systems

Overview

The HUIFEN HS-100 Series Auto Sampler is a precision-engineered liquid handling module designed for seamless integration with gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. It operates on the principle of programmable syringe-based aspiration and injection, enabling reproducible delivery of sample volumes ranging from 0.1 µL to 100 µL with sub-microliter accuracy. The system employs a dual-rail carousel configuration supporting up to 120 vials (standard 2 mL screw-thread or 4 mL crimp-top formats), and features active temperature control (4–40 °C) for thermally sensitive analytes. Its architecture complies with fundamental requirements for automated sample introduction in regulated environments—supporting method-defined sequence execution, injection delay timing, and wash cycle programming between injections to minimize carryover.

Key Features

• Programmable multi-step injection protocol including pre-injection rinse, needle wash (internal/external), and post-injection purge
• Integrated Peltier-cooled sample tray with real-time temperature monitoring and ±0.5 °C stability
• High-precision micro-syringe drive with linear encoder feedback for volume repeatability ≤0.3% RSD (n=6, 10 µL injection)
• Modular design compatible with major GC and HPLC platforms via industry-standard TTL and RS-232 interfaces
• Collision avoidance sensor suite and mechanical end-stop protection for unattended overnight operation
• Low-volume dead volume path (<1.2 µL) optimized for trace-level analysis and limited sample availability

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HS-100 accommodates standard chromatographic vial formats (8 × 30 mm, 12 × 32 mm, and 15 × 45 mm) with optional adapters for custom containers. It supports aqueous, organic, and mixed-phase solvents—including acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and dilute acid/base solutions—within material compatibility limits of its PTFE/sapphire needle assembly and stainless-steel fluidic path. From a regulatory standpoint, the system supports audit trail generation (via optional software license), electronic signature capability, and configurable user access levels aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles. While not certified as GMP-compliant out-of-the-box, it is routinely deployed in GLP-conforming laboratories for environmental testing, pharmaceutical impurity profiling, and quality control release assays under validated SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The HS-100 operates under HUIFEN ChromoControl Suite v3.2—a Windows-based acquisition and sequencing application that provides full remote configuration of injection parameters, tray mapping, and maintenance logging. Sequence files are stored in XML format with embedded metadata (operator ID, timestamp, instrument ID, method checksum), ensuring traceability across analytical batches. Raw injection logs—including actual delivered volume, dwell time, wash count, and error codes—are exported in CSV for LIMS integration. Optional modules include peak area correlation reporting, carryover quantification dashboards, and scheduled calibration reminder alerts based on cumulative injection count.

Applications

This auto sampler is routinely employed in routine QC laboratories for pesticide residue screening in food matrices (AOAC 2007.01), residual solvent analysis in APIs (ICH Q3C), and hydrocarbon fingerprinting in petrochemical feedstocks (ASTM D5292). Research applications include kinetic sampling in reaction monitoring workflows, headspace analysis of volatile metabolites in fermentation broths, and sequential fraction collection in preparative LC setups. Its low carryover performance (<0.005%) and thermal stability make it suitable for quantitative bioanalysis of steroids and catecholamines in clinical plasma extracts per CLSI EP26 guidelines.

FAQ

Is the HS-100 compatible with Agilent, Thermo Fisher, and Shimadzu chromatography systems?
Yes—it supports hardware-level synchronization via TTL trigger signals and software-level command sets compliant with ANSI/SLA-1997 standards.
What is the maximum allowable viscosity for samples handled by the HS-100?
Samples up to 20 cP at 25 °C can be reliably aspirated using the standard 10 µL syringe; higher-viscosity applications require optional 50 µL or 100 µL syringe kits.
Does the system support split/splitless injection modes for GC?
No—the HS-100 is a sample introduction module only; split/splitless functionality is managed by the GC’s inlet electronics and must be configured independently.
Can audit trails be exported in PDF/A format for regulatory submission?
Audit trail data is exportable as timestamped CSV or SQLite database dumps; PDF/A generation requires third-party document management software.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
Syringe lubrication every 5,000 injections, needle replacement every 20,000 injections, and quarterly verification of temperature uniformity across the sample tray.