RWD AS-700 Automated Sample Injector
| Brand | RWD |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | AS-700 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The RWD AS-700 Automated Sample Injector is a precision-engineered laboratory automation system designed for high-throughput, low-volume microsampling in neurochemical, pharmacokinetic, and clinical research applications. Built upon a robust electromechanical architecture with stepper-motor-driven XYZ positioning and pneumatic liquid handling, the AS-700 operates on the principle of positive displacement sampling—ensuring consistent aspiration and dispensing of volumes as low as 10 µL without carryover or cross-contamination. Its core function is to automate sequential injection of samples into analytical instruments such as HPLC systems, electrochemical detectors (e.g., Eicom ECD-300), or mass spectrometers—enabling unattended operation over extended timeframes, including overnight acquisition protocols. The system integrates seamlessly into existing workflows where reproducibility, traceability, and minimal manual intervention are critical—particularly in microdialysis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and serial plasma/serum profiling.
Key Features
- Frozen sample compatibility: Supports direct loading of two standard 96-well microtiter plates stored at –20 °C or –80 °C; integrated thermal shielding prevents condensation and ice crystal formation during plate handling.
- Sub-10 µL precision sampling: Utilizes low-dead-volume PTFE-coated syringes and calibrated air-displacement pipetting to achieve ±3% volumetric accuracy at 10 µL, validated per ISO 8655-5.
- Flexible sample carrier configuration: Accommodates dual 96-well plates (SBS format), 48-tube racks (1.5 mL or 2.0 mL), or custom tube arrays via interchangeable tray adapters.
- Low-maintenance operational design: Sealed fluid path, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel guide rails, and self-lubricating linear actuators reduce required cleaning frequency to ≤ once per 200 runs—minimizing downtime and technician burden.
- Unattended 24/7 operation: Programmable run schedules support multi-day acquisition; built-in power-fail recovery resumes from last completed injection position upon system reboot.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AS-700 is compatible with aqueous, organic, and mildly acidic/basic biological matrices—including microdialysates, plasma ultrafiltrates, tissue homogenates, and CSF. All wetted materials (syringe barrels, tubing, needle tips) comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are certified non-pyrogenic. The system supports GLP-compliant data integrity through hardware-enforced audit trails: every sample event (aspiration time, volume, well address, instrument response code) is timestamped and logged to non-volatile memory. When operated with Eicom’s EPC-300 control software or third-party platforms supporting ASCII/RS-232 or USB CDC protocols, the AS-700 meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed with appropriate organizational SOPs and access controls.
Software & Data Management
The AS-700 communicates via bidirectional serial protocol (9600 baud, 8N1) or USB virtual COM port, enabling native integration with Eicom’s EPC-300 acquisition suite as well as LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (pySerial), or chromatography data systems (CDS) such as Chromeleon or Empower. Configuration files (.asf) define plate layout, injection order, rinse cycles, and delay intervals—all editable without firmware modification. Raw log files export in CSV format with ISO 8601 timestamps, supporting automated ingestion into LIMS or statistical analysis pipelines. Optional firmware upgrade enables encrypted local storage of up to 10,000 injection events with SHA-256 hash verification for forensic traceability.
Applications
- Neurotransmitter monitoring: Automated quantification of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and metabolites in real-time microdialysis experiments.
- Preclinical PK/PD studies: High-frequency plasma sampling across dose cohorts with temporal resolution down to 2-minute intervals.
- Biomarker validation: Reproducible processing of large-scale biobank specimens under standardized cold-chain conditions.
- Method development for LC-EC and LC-MS/MS: Systematic optimization of injection volume, wash stringency, and carryover mitigation strategies.
- Regulatory submission support: Generation of ALCOA+ compliant data packages for IND/NDA filings requiring full instrument traceability and environmental condition logging.
FAQ
Does the AS-700 require external refrigeration for frozen plate storage?
No—the AS-700 does not include active cooling; it is designed to accept pre-chilled 96-well plates stored in external ultra-low temperature freezers. Ambient operation ensures mechanical stability and avoids condensation-related electrical hazards.
Can the AS-700 be used with non-Eicom detection systems?
Yes—provided the target instrument accepts TTL-triggered start commands or RS-232/USB-based injection initiation signals, the AS-700 can be synchronized using user-defined handshake protocols.
Is calibration documentation provided with the system?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate (traceable to NIST SRM 2194) covering syringe linearity, positional repeatability (±0.05 mm), and temperature drift compensation performance across 15–30 °C ambient range.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Visual inspection and syringe lubrication every 500 injections; full fluid path flush with 70% ethanol and deionized water every 2,000 injections or quarterly—whichever occurs first.
How is sample carryover mitigated during high-sensitivity assays?
The AS-700 implements three-stage post-injection wash: (1) air purge, (2) solvent flush (user-selectable: water, methanol, or acetonitrile), and (3) dry nitrogen blow-off—configurable per well or per plate segment.
