Supelco Visiprep DL 12-Position Manual Solid Phase Extraction Vacuum Manifold

Overview

The Supelco Visiprep DL 12-Position Manual Solid Phase Extraction Vacuum Manifold is an engineered platform for reproducible, low-contamination sample preparation in analytical laboratories. It operates on the fundamental principle of solid-phase extraction—selective retention and elution of analytes based on physicochemical interactions (e.g., reversed-phase hydrophobicity, ion exchange, or polar adsorption) between the sample matrix, target analytes, and sorbent-packed cartridges. Unlike liquid–liquid extraction, SPE minimizes organic solvent consumption by up to 90%, reduces emulsion formation, and improves analyte recovery and method robustness. This manifold is optimized for use with standard 1–60 mL SPE cartridges (including 1 mL, 3 mL, 6 mL, 12 mL, and 20 mL formats), supporting both routine QC and regulated bioanalytical workflows requiring trace-level quantitation.

Key Features

• 12-channel parallel processing architecture enabling batch handling of up to 12 samples without cross-contamination—each port features independent vacuum sealing and flow path isolation
• Integrated adjustable vacuum control valve per channel, allowing precise, stepwise flow rate modulation during conditioning, loading, washing, and elution steps
• Chemically resistant polypropylene (PP) construction ensures long-term compatibility with acetonitrile, methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexane, and aqueous buffers across pH 1–12
• Ergonomic, low-profile design with recessed cartridge slots and tapered alignment guides to prevent cartridge tilt or leakage during vacuum application
• Compatible with optional accessories including large-volume samplers (for direct transfer from sample vials), nitrogen drying manifolds, buffer flasks, and inert gas purge modules
• No electrical components or moving parts—fully manual operation ensures intrinsic safety in solvent-rich environments and eliminates calibration drift or firmware dependencies

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Visiprep DL manifold accommodates diverse sample matrices requiring pre-concentration and cleanup prior to HPLC, UHPLC, GC, GC-MS, or LC-MS/MS analysis. Validated applications include aqueous environmental samples (drinking water, wastewater, groundwater), biological fluids (serum, plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid), food extracts (juices, dairy, alcoholic beverages), and solid homogenates (soil, sediment, tissue digests). All wetted surfaces comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are free of leachable plasticizers or heavy metals. The system supports audit-ready workflows aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (when paired with electronic lab notebook integration), ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, and EPA Method 500/600-series validation criteria.

Software & Data Management

As a fully manual hardware platform, the Visiprep DL manifold does not incorporate embedded software or digital interfaces. However, it is designed for seamless integration into validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELN). Standardized SOP documentation—including cartridge lot traceability, solvent batch logs, vacuum pressure settings, and elapsed time per step—can be recorded manually or via barcode-scanned metadata capture. When used in conjunction with Supelco’s certified SPE cartridges (e.g., C18, SCX, SAX, Florisil), full chain-of-custody documentation meets GLP/GMP data integrity expectations for regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Environmental monitoring: Extraction and concentration of PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues from surface water and wastewater
• Clinical toxicology: Cleanup of serum and urine prior to LC-MS/MS analysis of opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants
• Food safety: Isolation of pesticide residues (e.g., chlorpyrifos, thiabendazole) and veterinary drug contaminants (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides) from fruit, vegetable, and dairy matrices
• Pharmaceutical development: Desalting and buffer exchange of peptide fractions; removal of excipients from oral dosage form extracts
• Forensic chemistry: Selective enrichment of illicit drugs and metabolites from complex biological specimens under chain-of-custody protocols

FAQ

What types of SPE cartridges are compatible with this manifold?
Standard 1 mL, 3 mL, 6 mL, 12 mL, and 20 mL polypropylene or polyethylene cartridges with fritted beds—including reversed-phase (C18, C8), ion-exchange (SCX, SAX), and adsorptive (silica, Florisil, alumina) chemistries.
Can this manifold be used under positive pressure?
No—it is engineered exclusively for vacuum-driven operation; positive pressure requires a separate syringe pump or pressurized manifold system.
Is the manifold autoclavable?
No—polypropylene components are not rated for steam sterilization; cleaning is performed with solvent rinsing followed by air-drying in a fume hood.
How is cross-contamination prevented during multi-sample processing?
Each of the 12 ports has an independent vacuum seal and isolated flow path; no shared internal channels exist between positions, eliminating carryover risk even when processing high-concentration and low-concentration samples simultaneously.
Does Supelco provide method development support for this system?
Yes—application notes, validated protocols (e.g., EPA 525.3, AOAC 2007.01), and technical bulletins are available through the Sigma-Aldrich technical resources portal and regional application specialists.