Agilent BioTek MicroFill Microplate Dispenser

Overview

The Agilent BioTek MicroFill Microplate Dispenser is a benchtop, single-channel positive-displacement liquid handler engineered for high-reproducibility dispensing across diverse microplate formats. Leveraging a microprocessor-controlled syringe pump architecture, the MicroFill delivers precise volumetric transfer via calibrated piston displacement—eliminating reliance on air displacement or gravimetric feedback loops. This design ensures consistent delivery performance independent of liquid viscosity, surface tension, or vapor pressure—critical for aqueous buffers, cell suspensions, serum-containing media, and low-volume organic solvents. Its compact footprint (W × D × H: 28 × 33 × 25 cm) enables seamless integration into laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets, supporting aseptic workflows without compromising ergonomic access or operational stability. As a purpose-built solution for routine plate filling, assay setup, and reagent pre-aliquoting, the MicroFill bridges the gap between manual pipetting and high-throughput robotic systems—offering laboratory-grade accuracy without system complexity or recurring calibration overhead.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-controlled syringe pump delivering true positive-displacement dispensing with traceable volume control
• Adjustable dispensing speed: programmable flow rates from 10 µL/s to 500 µL/s to accommodate shear-sensitive cells or viscous reagents
• No recalibration required between routine operations—factory-calibrated piston geometry and sealed drive train ensure long-term metrological stability
• Autoclavable fluid path components (including syringe barrel, plunger, and dispensing tip assembly) validated for 121 °C, 20-minute steam sterilization per ISO 17665-1
• Front-panel interface with intuitive menu navigation, real-time status display, and multilingual support (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese)
• Onboard memory stores up to 75 user-defined dispensing protocols—including plate map configuration, volume per well, aspiration/dispense dwell times, and tip rinse cycles
• Low-maintenance architecture: no disposable cartridges, no tubing replacement schedules, and minimal moving parts subject to wear

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MicroFill accommodates standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates—including flat-bottom, round-bottom, V-bottom, and deep-well formats—with height adjustment for low-profile (14.5 mm), standard (20 mm), and deep-well (44 mm) configurations. It supports single-reagent dispensing only, making it ideal for homogeneous assay preparation, ELISA plate coating, cell seeding, and QC sample dilution series. All wetted materials comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are non-pyrogenic. The autoclavable design meets ISO 13485 requirements for medical device manufacturing environments and supports GLP/GMP-aligned documentation practices—including audit-trail-capable protocol versioning and operator ID logging when integrated with external LIMS via RS-232 or USB serial emulation.

Software & Data Management

Operation is managed through an embedded firmware platform—not PC-dependent software—ensuring deterministic response time and immunity to OS-level interruptions. Each stored protocol includes metadata fields for operator name, date/time stamp, and revision number. Exportable logs (via USB flash drive) record dispense events with timestamp, volume delivered, plate position, and error flags (e.g., air bubble detection, motor stall, or tip clog). While the MicroFill does not natively support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures, its audit-ready log structure facilitates third-party validation packages compliant with ICH GCP and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited testing laboratories.

Applications

• Primary and secondary antibody coating in immunoassay development
• Cell suspension dispensing for 3D spheroid formation and high-content screening
• Preparation of serial dilution plates for potency assays and dose-response studies
• Buffer and wash solution loading in automated ELISA and lateral flow workflows
• QC sample aliquoting for stability testing under ICH Q5C conditions
• Reagent priming for downstream integration with Agilent BioTek Cytation or Synergy readers

FAQ

Is the MicroFill compatible with 1536-well plates?
No—the MicroFill is designed for 24-, 96-, and 384-well formats only. Its mechanical stage and tip alignment system do not support the reduced well pitch and height tolerances of 1536-well plates.
Can the dispensing tip be replaced with a custom stainless-steel or PEEK variant?
Only Agilent BioTek–certified consumables are supported. Third-party tips may compromise volumetric accuracy and invalidate autoclave validation.
Does the MicroFill support multi-step dispensing (e.g., prime → aspirate → dispense → rinse)?
Yes—each stored protocol can define up to five sequential actions per well, including pre-wet, aspiration, dispense, post-dispense delay, and tip rinse using the same reagent reservoir.
What maintenance is required beyond autoclaving?
Annual verification of syringe seal integrity and drive motor torque is recommended. No lubrication, belt replacement, or optical sensor cleaning is necessary under normal usage conditions.
How is volume accuracy verified during installation qualification (IQ)?
Agilent provides a certified gravimetric verification kit (PN: MF-IQ-KIT) containing NIST-traceable balance, calibration weights, and test protocol aligned with ASTM E2758–19 for liquid handler performance assessment.