INNOTEG MicroDry-96 96-Well Plate Nitrogen Evaporator

Overview

The INNOTEG MicroDry-96 is a high-precision, dual-plate nitrogen evaporation system engineered for parallel concentration of biological, pharmaceutical, and environmental samples in standard 96-well microtiter formats. Unlike traditional single-plate evaporators, the MicroDry-96 accommodates two 96-well plates simultaneously—enabling 192-sample throughput per run—while maintaining strict thermal and pneumatic uniformity across all positions. It operates on the principle of controlled nitrogen gas flow directed vertically onto sample surfaces within sealed wells, accelerating solvent removal without thermal degradation. The system employs dry block heating with optional water bath or gas-heated module integration, supporting method flexibility across volatile organic solvents (e.g., acetonitrile, methanol, ethyl acetate) and aqueous matrices. Its architecture conforms to fundamental requirements for GLP-compliant sample preparation workflows, including traceable temperature control, pressure monitoring, and mechanical reproducibility.

Key Features

• Dual 96-well plate capacity (192 total positions) with independent positional alignment verification
• Stainless steel 6 mm guide tubes ensuring nozzle verticality within ±1 mm tolerance relative to well center—critical for minimizing wall contact and cross-contamination
• Integrated flow-limiting nozzles with disposable pipette tips; eliminates need for needle cleaning and prevents tip ejection at elevated pressures
• PID-controlled dry block heating delivering ±1°C inter-well temperature uniformity and ±2°C stability over time
• Motorized, programmable needle descent (0.1–10 mm/min) with automatic endpoint detection—reducing operator variability and enabling unattended operation
• Low-flow nitrogen design: 0.3–0.4 L/min per channel, reducing compressed gas consumption by >40% versus conventional systems
• Real-time pressure monitoring with audible/visual high/low pressure alarms compliant with ISO 5355:2019 safety guidelines for laboratory gas systems
• Modular accessory compatibility—including 2 mL HPLC vials, 1.5/2/5 mL microcentrifuge tubes, and EasyVAP-compatible nitrogen needles

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MicroDry-96 supports common 96-well plate formats (U-, V-, and flat-bottom), as well as deep-well plates up to 2.2 mL volume. It is validated for use with methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, hexane, and aqueous buffers containing ≤10% organic modifier. All wetted components meet USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. The system’s thermal and pneumatic performance aligns with ASTM D7097–22 (standard practice for quantitative recovery of volatile analytes) and supports audit-ready documentation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated LIMS or ELN software. Its mechanical repeatability (<2% RSD in evaporation time across 192 wells) satisfies internal QC thresholds for regulated bioanalytical laboratories operating under ICH M10 and EMA Guideline on Bioanalytical Method Validation.

Software & Data Management

While the base MicroDry-96 operates via intuitive front-panel controls, optional RS-232/USB connectivity enables integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or electronic lab notebooks (ELN). Method parameters—including target temperature, pressure setpoint, descent speed, and hold time—are stored with timestamped execution logs. Audit trail functionality records operator ID, parameter changes, alarm events, and runtime deviations—meeting ALCOA+ data integrity principles. For GxP environments, optional IQ/OQ documentation packages are available, including calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards and validation protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025.

Applications

• High-throughput sample prep prior to LC-MS/MS analysis in clinical toxicology and doping control labs
• Concentration of extracted metabolites from plasma, urine, and tissue homogenates in pharmacokinetic studies
• Parallel cleanup of pesticide residues in food safety testing (AOAC 2007.01, QuEChERS)
• Pre-concentration of PFAS and emerging contaminants in environmental water analysis (EPA Method 537.1)
• Automated derivatization support where precise solvent removal precedes silylation or acylation steps

FAQ

Can the MicroDry-96 be used with deep-well 96-well plates?

Yes—it accommodates standard and deep-well 96-well plates up to 2.2 mL depth when configured with extended nozzles and appropriate plate holders.
Is the system compatible with nitrogen generators?

Yes; its 3–100 psi operating range matches output specifications of most laboratory-grade nitrogen generators, including those meeting ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 1 purity requirements.
Does it support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance out of the box?

The hardware includes essential controls for auditability; full Part 11 compliance requires optional software integration with validated third-party ELN/LIMS platforms.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?

Annual verification of temperature uniformity (per ASTM E220) and pressure sensor calibration is recommended; stainless steel nozzles require no routine cleaning due to disposable tip interface.
Can I retrofit an existing EasyVAP system with MicroDry-96 nozzles?

Mechanically compatible with EasyVAP Series II and III manifolds; however, firmware updates may be required to enable motorized descent control and pressure feedback loops.