Tecan Cavro Pulssar PBC Piston Pump

Overview

The Tecan Cavro Pulssar PBC Piston Pump is a precision-engineered positive displacement pump designed for demanding OEM integration in automated liquid handling systems. Based on a robust reciprocating piston architecture, it delivers highly reproducible, pulse-free flow across a wide volume range—engineered specifically for applications requiring accurate microfluidic dosing, reagent dispensing, and low-flow aspiration in diagnostic analyzers, clinical chemistry platforms, and point-of-care instrumentation. Unlike peristaltic or diaphragm-based alternatives, the Pulssar PBC employs a sealed, non-contacting piston mechanism with minimal dead volume and no elastomeric tubing wear, ensuring long-term volumetric stability without periodic calibration drift. Its operation relies on closed-loop stepper motor control synchronized with solenoid valve timing to achieve precise stroke positioning and directional flow control—making it particularly suitable for sequential multi-step protocols where timing, volume fidelity, and chemical compatibility are critical.

Key Features

• True constant-flow performance across 100–5000 µL piston volumes, with inherent linearity independent of fluid viscosity within operational pressure limits (≤7 kPa)
• Maintenance-free design: No lubrication, no consumable tubing, and no scheduled replacement parts over typical instrument service life (≥5 million cycles per configuration)
• Chemically resistant wetted path options: Acrylic and PEEK pump bodies; 316L stainless steel or PEEK plungers; UHMWPE seals compatible with aqueous buffers, organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol), and mild acids/bases
• Modular valve integration: Factory-configurable 2/2 or 3/2 solenoid valves with fast switching (<15 ms actuation time) and low power consumption (<1.2 W per valve)
• Standardized mechanical interface: 1/4-28 UNF and M6 threaded mounting holes for direct integration into OEM chassis or printed circuit board assemblies
• Optional integrated pressure sensor (available exclusively on the 500 µL variant) enables real-time backpressure monitoring and fault detection for GLP/GMP-compliant process verification

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Pulssar PBC supports a broad range of sample types including serum, plasma, whole blood (with appropriate filtration), cell lysates, PCR master mixes, and buffered saline solutions. Its inert wetted materials meet USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements and comply with ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity testing. While not certified as an IVD device itself, the pump is widely deployed in FDA 510(k)-cleared and CE-IVD marked instruments. Its design facilitates audit-ready documentation: traceable component lot numbers, RoHS-compliant materials declaration, and full compliance with IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (emissions) for electromagnetic compatibility in laboratory environments.

Software & Data Management

The pump operates via TTL-level step/direction signals or RS-232 serial commands, supporting both standalone operation and synchronization with host controllers. Tecan provides open-source firmware libraries (C/C++ and Python) for integration with common industrial motion control stacks. For regulated environments, optional firmware versions include audit trail logging (per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11), timestamped cycle counters, and error code reporting with persistent non-volatile memory storage. All configurations support deterministic command execution with sub-millisecond jitter—critical for time-synchronized assays such as ELISA wash steps or kinetic absorbance measurements.

Applications

• Automated immunoassay wash stations requiring consistent buffer exchange between microplate wells
• Reagent metering in compact hematology analyzers and urinalysis platforms
• Low-volume calibration standard delivery in environmental water testing systems
• Controlled aspiration in microfluidic cartridge priming sequences
• Dispensing of viscous glycerol-based PCR stabilizers in molecular diagnostics instruments
• Pressure-regulated rinsing in high-throughput tissue staining modules

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous operating pressure?
The rated maximum pressure is 7 kPa (≈0.07 bar or 1.02 psi). Exceeding this limit may compromise seal integrity and volumetric accuracy.
Can the pump handle particulate-containing samples?
Yes—when paired with inline filtration (e.g., 5–10 µm pore size) upstream of the inlet, the Pulssar PBC reliably transports filtered biological fluids without clogging or plunger stiction.
Is firmware update capability available in the field?
Yes. Firmware updates are performed via UART interface using Tecan’s documented bootloader protocol; no hardware modification is required.
Does the pump support bidirectional flow without external plumbing changes?
Yes—by reversing stepper motor direction and coordinating solenoid valve sequencing, the pump achieves fully programmable forward/reverse flow using the same physical port configuration.
Are calibration certificates provided with each unit?
Factory calibration data (stroke volume vs. step count) is supplied per batch; NIST-traceable individual unit calibration is available upon request as a value-added service.