ISCO CombiFlash EZ Prep Integrated Medium- and High-Pressure Preparative Liquid Chromatography System
| Brand | ISCO |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | CombiFlash EZ Prep |
| Application Level | Laboratory Grade |
| Instrument Type | High-Pressure Preparative Liquid Chromatography System |
| Flow Rate Range | 0–200 mL/min |
| Flow Rate Precision | RSD ≤ 1% |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 3500 psi (240 bar) |
| Wavelength Range | 200–400 nm (UV), 200–800 nm (UV-VIS) |
| Wavelength Accuracy | ±1 nm |
| Baseline Noise | 1 × 10⁻⁵ AU |
| Data Acquisition Rate | 200 Hz |
| Column Compatibility | Up to 50 mm ID, down to 5 µm particle size packing |
| Solvent Switching | Fully Automated, User-Initiated or Method-Triggered (Normal-Phase to Reversed-Phase) |
Overview
The ISCO CombiFlash EZ Prep is an integrated medium- and high-pressure preparative liquid chromatography (PLC) system engineered for seamless method translation and scalable purification in synthetic chemistry laboratories. Unlike conventional single-mode preparative systems, the EZ Prep implements a dual-pressure architecture grounded in unified fluidic design and synchronized gradient control—enabling sequential or parallel operation across both medium-pressure flash chromatography (typically 50–200 psi) and high-pressure preparative HPLC (up to 3500 psi). This architecture leverages classical partition chromatography principles under controlled laminar flow, with precise dwell volume management and low dispersion manifold design to preserve peak integrity during scale-up. The system is purpose-built for chemists performing iterative synthesis-purification cycles, where reproducible isolation of milligram-to-gram quantities of intermediates and final compounds is critical prior to structural elucidation (NMR, HRMS), physicochemical characterization (melting point, logP), or biological screening.
Key Features
- Dual-pressure workflow integration: Automatically transitions from medium-pressure flash purification (10 mg–33 g load range) to high-pressure preparative HPLC refinement without column or hardware reconfiguration.
- Compact footprint engineering: Height-optimized chassis minimizes benchtop occupancy while maintaining full service access to pumps, detectors, fraction collector, and solvent selection valves.
- Sub-5 µm column compatibility: Supports preparative HPLC columns up to 50 mm internal diameter packed with 5 µm stationary phases—delivering enhanced resolution and loading capacity over traditional flash media.
- Automated solvent polarity switching: Enables unattended transition between normal-phase (e.g., hexane/EtOAc) and reversed-phase (e.g., water/acetonitrile) mobile phases within a single run—critical for orthogonal purification strategies.
- Modular detector ecosystem: Interchangeable detection modules include UV (200–400 nm), UV-VIS (200–800 nm), ELSD, and the CombiFlash PurIon mass-directed detector—each natively supported by PeakTrak® software with real-time spectral alignment.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The EZ Prep accommodates diverse sample matrices common in organic, medicinal, and natural product chemistry—including polar heterocycles, metallocomplexes, peptides, and thermally labile alkaloids—without requiring derivatization. Its low-dead-volume flow path and inert wetted materials (316L stainless steel, PEEK, sapphire) ensure compatibility with aggressive solvents (TFA, HFIP, DCM) and acidic/basic modifiers. From a regulatory standpoint, the system supports GLP-compliant workflows through audit-trail-enabled method logging, electronic signature-capable user authentication, and instrument state verification per ASTM E2500-22 and USP . While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its PeakTrak® software architecture permits configuration to meet Part 11 requirements when deployed with validated IT infrastructure and procedural controls.
Software & Data Management
PeakTrak® is a Windows-based, touchscreen-optimized control platform designed for intuitive method development and execution. It provides synchronized control of dual-gradient pumps, variable-wavelength UV/VIS detection, automated fraction triggering (by time, volume, or threshold), and real-time chromatogram overlay for method optimization. All acquisition parameters—including wavelength setpoints, baseline correction algorithms, and peak integration rules—are stored as encrypted XML method files. Raw data (.chd) and processed reports (.pdf, .csv) are timestamped, version-controlled, and exportable in formats compatible with LIMS integration (e.g., ASTM E1394, ANSI/NIST ITL 1702). Optional add-ons include spectral library matching (for UV-VIS), mass-triggered collection logic (with PurIon), and remote monitoring via secure HTTPS API endpoints.
Applications
- Medicinal chemistry: Rapid purification of combinatorial libraries and SAR-enabling analogs following solid-phase or solution-phase synthesis.
- Natural products isolation: Multi-step fractionation of crude extracts—first by medium-pressure silica flash, then by reversed-phase C18 HPLC—to isolate low-abundance bioactive constituents.
- Process chemistry support: Method scouting and early-stage impurity isolation at 10–50× preparative scale versus analytical HPLC, facilitating ICH Q5A/Q5B comparability studies.
- Polymer and dendrimer purification: Size- and polarity-based separation of macromolecular mixtures using mixed-mode or SEC-compatible columns.
- Pesticide and petrochemical analysis: Fractionation of complex hydrocarbon mixtures or halogenated degradation products prior to GC-MS or elemental analysis.
FAQ
Can the EZ Prep operate fully unattended for overnight purification runs?
Yes—equipped with programmable fraction collection, solvent level monitoring, pressure fault handling, and auto-shutdown protocols, the system supports extended unattended operation when paired with appropriate solvent reservoirs and waste management.
Is method transfer from analytical HPLC to EZ Prep preparative conditions supported?
PeakTrak® includes a built-in scaling calculator that converts analytical gradient methods (e.g., 4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 µm) to preparative equivalents (e.g., 21.2 mm × 250 mm, 5 µm) using linear velocity and column volume normalization principles.
What validation documentation is provided with the system?
ISCO supplies Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports, IQ/OQ templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025, and a comprehensive instrument qualification guide covering pump accuracy, detector linearity, and gradient composition verification.
Does the system support GMP-regulated environments?
While the base configuration meets general laboratory use standards, GMP deployment requires additional configuration—including electronic signature enforcement, change control logs, and periodic performance verification per ASTM E2656—and must be implemented under site-specific validation protocols.
How is maintenance access designed for routine service?
All major components—including dual piston pumps, UV flow cell, six-port injection valve, and fraction collector belts—are accessible via front-panel hinged doors without tools; consumables (seals, frits, lamp) feature standardized part numbers traceable to ISCO’s global spare parts database.
