Agilent 1290 Infinity II Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Diode Array Detection

Overview

The Agilent 1290 Infinity II Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (UHPLC) with integrated Diode Array Detection (DAD) represents the culmination of over two decades of Agilent’s chromatographic engineering expertise. Built on a modular, high-pressure platform capable of sustained operation up to 1200 bar, this system enables resolution enhancement through sub-2-µm particle-packed columns while maintaining robustness across diverse mobile phase chemistries and pH ranges (1–12). Its core architecture is grounded in microfluidic precision: the binary pump employs a patented Jet Weaver mixer utilizing multilayer laminar flow principles to achieve near-zero gradient delay (<10 µL), critical for reproducible method transfer between HPLC and UHPLC platforms. The system operates on a unified fluidic path design—eliminating dead volume accumulation—and supports both narrow-bore (e.g., 2.1 mm ID) and standard (4.6 mm ID) columns without hardware modification. As a second-hand instrument, this unit has undergone full functional validation per Agilent’s Field Service Protocol, including pressure integrity testing, gradient accuracy verification (±0.2% RSD), and DAD photometric linearity assessment (NIST-traceable standards), ensuring metrological continuity with new-system performance expectations.

Key Features

• Binary solvent delivery system with active damping and ceramic piston technology, delivering stable flow from 0.001 to 5.0 mL/min at pressures up to 1200 bar
• Integrated degasser with real-time vacuum monitoring and automatic purge sequence scheduling
• High-precision autosampler featuring a single high-pressure valve architecture, enabling 0.1–100 µL injection volumes without loop replacement or sample loss
• FlexCube accessory module supporting dual operational modes: fixed-loop ultrafast injection (≤10 s cycle time) and needle seat backflush to reduce carryover to <0.005% (measured with caffeine standard)
• Thermostatted column compartment with rapid thermal equilibration (<1 min to ±0.1 °C stability) and user-replaceable valve heads for extended service life
• DAD with maximum-light-intensity cartridge flow cell, leveraging total internal reflection optics to minimize dispersion and refractive index artifacts
• Real-time system diagnostics via Agilent Lab Advisor software, providing predictive alerts for pump seal wear, detector lamp intensity decay, and autosampler rotor leakage

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC-DAD accommodates a broad spectrum of analyte classes—including small-molecule pharmaceuticals, peptides, oligonucleotides, natural products, and polar metabolites—across reversed-phase, HILIC, ion-pairing, and size-exclusion chromatographic modes. It is fully compatible with ZORBAX RRHD (1.8 µm), Poroshell 120, and AdvanceBio columns, enabling direct method translation from legacy HPLC systems without re-optimization. From a regulatory standpoint, the instrument meets the foundational hardware requirements for GLP and GMP environments when deployed with compliant software (e.g., OpenLab CDS v2.5+), audit trail logging, electronic signature support, and instrument qualification documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ templates available upon request). It aligns with key analytical standards including USP for system suitability, ASTM D7832 for hydrocarbon speciation, and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.7 regarding equipment calibration traceability.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and processing are managed through Agilent OpenLab CDS (ChemStation Edition or EZChrom Edition), configured for full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when enabled with role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails. Raw data files (.D format) are stored in a structured, timestamped hierarchy with embedded metadata (method parameters, instrument configuration, environmental logs). The Lab Advisor diagnostic suite continuously monitors >30 system health indicators—including pump pulsation amplitude, detector baseline noise (RMS <0.5 mAU), and column oven temperature hysteresis—and generates automated service advisories prior to performance drift. All firmware versions are documented and validated; this unit ships with firmware revision A.08.09 or later, supporting secure remote diagnostics via Agilent’s authorized service network.

Applications

This system is routinely deployed in QC laboratories for release testing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines, where its low detection limits (LOD 120,000 enhance impurity profiling resolution. In metabolomics workflows, its 160 Hz spectral acquisition rate captures co-eluting isobaric species across fast-gradients (≤2 min run times), enabling reliable deconvolution using spectral library matching (NIST/EPA/NIH libraries supported). For biopharmaceutical characterization, it supports intact mass analysis coupling (via post-column flow splitting) and peptide mapping under denaturing conditions, achieving <1.5% RSD in retention time over 200 injections. Method transfer success rates exceed 94% when migrating from Agilent 1100/1200-series HPLC systems using the built-in Method Translation Tool.

FAQ

Is this unit eligible for Agilent’s Extended Warranty Program?

Yes—qualified second-hand Agilent 1290 Infinity II systems may be enrolled in Agilent’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, extending coverage to 3 years with priority response SLAs.
Does the system include original factory calibration certificates?

All critical modules (pump, DAD, autosampler) are supplied with recalibration records issued by Agilent-certified field engineers, traceable to NIST standards.
Can it interface with third-party mass spectrometers?

Yes—the system features standard analog/digital I/O ports and supports LC-MS synchronization via TTL triggers; common integrations include Waters Xevo TQ-S, Thermo Q Exactive HF, and SCIEX TripleTOF 6600.
What consumables and spare parts are included?

The package includes one set of pump seals, two DAD flow cells, one autosampler rotor seal kit, and a 12-month supply of degasser membrane cartridges.
Is method validation support provided?

Agilent-certified application specialists provide remote protocol review and UHPLC-specific validation guidance (including specificity, linearity, LOD/LOQ, ruggedness) at no additional cost for the first 90 days post-installation.