Agela ATS-A5 Analytical Multifunctional Autosampler for HPLC and UHPLC Systems
| Brand | Agela |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tianjin, China |
| Model | ATS-A5 |
| Instrument Type | Liquid Chromatography Autosampler |
| Sample Capacity | 108 × 2 mL vials (standard), optional configurations available |
| Injection Modes | Full-loop, Partial-loop, and Needle-in-Loop (NIL) injection |
| Injection Volume Range | 0.1–25 µL (with standard loop) |
| Precision | RSD < 0.25% (full-loop), < 0.5% (partial-loop, >10 µL), < 0.8% (NIL, <5 µL) |
| Carryover | < 0.05% |
| Maximum System Pressure | 40 MPa (standard HPLC), 60 MPa (UHPLC-compatible) |
| Safety Features | Vial-missing detection, needle-strike alarm, tubing blockage detection, leak monitoring |
| Optional | Peltier-based sample cooling module |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 300 × 450 × 320 mm |
| Weight | ~25 kg |
Overview
The Agela ATS-A5 Analytical Multifunctional Autosampler is an engineered solution for high-precision, high-reliability liquid chromatography workflows in regulated and research environments. Designed to interface seamlessly with both conventional HPLC and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) platforms, the ATS-A5 employs a robust syringe-driven injection mechanism coupled with precision stepper motor control and closed-loop position feedback. Its core architecture follows the industry-standard dual-needle configuration—separate sampling and injection needles—to eliminate cross-contamination and support true zero-dead-volume transfer. The fully open, transparent mechanical layout enables real-time visual verification of all actuation sequences (vial tray indexing, needle aspiration, wash cycle, loop filling, and valve switching), supporting operational transparency critical for method validation and troubleshooting. Built for compliance-critical applications, the system supports audit-ready operation when integrated with chromatography data systems (CDS) compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and GLP/GMP requirements.
Key Features
- Three configurable injection modes: full-loop, partial-loop, and needle-in-loop (NIL), enabling method flexibility across trace analysis, high-throughput screening, and gradient-robust quantitation.
- Sub-microliter dispensing capability (0.1 µL minimum) with certified repeatability—RSD < 0.25% under full-loop conditions—validated per ISO 5725-2 and ASTM E2655 guidelines.
- Low carryover design (< 0.05%) achieved through multi-stage needle wash (solvent A/B + air-dry), programmable wash volume and dwell time, and inert flow-path materials (PEEK, sapphire, and fused silica).
- Integrated pressure monitoring up to 60 MPa ensures compatibility with modern sub-2-µm particle column technologies and high-flow UHPLC methods without compromising seal integrity or positional accuracy.
- Comprehensive hardware-level fault detection: vial presence sensing via optical beam break, real-time needle collision detection, pressure-triggered occlusion alerts, and continuous fluidic path leak monitoring using differential pressure transducers.
- Modular thermal management: optional Peltier-cooled sample compartment maintains 4–15 °C stability (±0.5 °C) over extended unattended runs—critical for thermally labile analytes and long-sequence bioanalysis.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ATS-A5 accommodates standard 108-position 2 mL screw-thread or crimp-top vial trays (ANSI/SLAS format), with configurable adapters for 0.3 mL, 1.5 mL, and 4 mL formats. It supports universal vial cap piercing (silicone/PTFE septa) and is compatible with autosampler racks from Agilent, Waters, Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher, and other major CDS vendors via RS-232, USB, or Ethernet command protocols (ASTM E1384-compliant ASCII messaging). All firmware and diagnostic logs are timestamped and stored internally with immutable event tagging, satisfying traceability requirements under ISO/IEC 17025 and USP . Mechanical components—including the syringe plunger, rotary valve stator, and needle guide—exhibit >100,000-cycle service life under routine maintenance intervals, minimizing downtime in GxP laboratories.
Software & Data Management
The ATS-A5 operates natively under Agela’s AutoSampler Control Suite (ASC-S v3.2), offering method editor, sequence scheduler, real-time status dashboard, and automated calibration report generation. It also integrates bidirectionally with third-party CDS platforms (e.g., Empower, Chromeleon, OpenLab CDS) through standardized instrument driver interfaces (IDIS/ICD). Audit trail functionality records every user action, parameter change, and hardware event—including timestamps, operator ID, and reason-for-change fields—enabling full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed with electronic signature modules. Raw diagnostic logs (motor current profiles, pressure waveforms, valve timing traces) are exportable in CSV or HDF5 format for root-cause analysis during method transfer or regulatory inspection.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical QC/QA: Residual solvent analysis, assay validation, impurity profiling, and stability-indicating assays per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines.
- Clinical toxicology: High-sensitivity quantification of drugs-of-abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and metabolite mapping in plasma/urine matrices.
- Environmental testing: Multi-residue pesticide screening in water, soil, and food extracts per EPA Method 531.1 and ISO 17025-accredited protocols.
- Academic & industrial research: Method development for complex natural product fractionation, polymer additive profiling, and chiral separation optimization.
FAQ
Does the ATS-A5 support remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance?
Yes—the embedded controller logs operational parameters (valve cycle count, syringe wear index, wash solvent consumption) and transmits anonymized health metrics to Agela’s secure cloud portal for trend analysis and proactive service scheduling.
Can it be retrofitted into existing HPLC systems with proprietary communication protocols?
Absolutely—the unit includes protocol translation firmware and supports custom handshake scripting for legacy systems; integration typically requires ≤2 engineering hours.
Is the NIL (needle-in-loop) mode validated for quantitative bioanalysis under FDA guidance?
Yes—NIL performance has been verified per FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance (2018) for incurred sample reanalysis (ISR) and matrix effect assessment, with documented linearity (r² ≥ 0.999) down to 0.5 ng/mL in plasma.
What is the recommended maintenance interval for the high-pressure injection valve?
Under normal use (≤500 injections/day), valve maintenance—including rotor seal replacement and stator cleaning—is recommended every 6 months or 15,000 cycles, whichever occurs first.
How does the system handle vial-to-vial carryover during high-concentration sample sequences?
The ATS-A5 implements adaptive wash logic: post-injection rinse volume and solvent strength scale automatically based on preceding injection concentration, reducing carryover to <0.02% even after 1000× concentration gradients.
