Tecan Fluent Biobank Automated Sample Banking System
| Brand | Tecan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | Fluent 780 / Fluent 1080 |
| Deck Capacity | 30 / 48 / 72 positions (excluding expandable deck modules) |
| Pipetting Range | 0.5–1000 µL |
| Dimensions | Model-specific |
| Compliance | Designed for GLP/GMP-aligned biobanking workflows, supports 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements via FluentControl™ software |
Overview
The Tecan Fluent Biobank Automated Sample Banking System is a high-precision, modular liquid handling workstation engineered specifically for scalable, compliant, and reproducible processing of biological specimens in biorepository environments. Built on Tecan’s proven Fluent platform, it integrates air-displacement pipetting technology with advanced motion control, temperature-regulated deck options, and intelligent phase detection algorithms to automate critical pre-analytical steps—including whole blood fractionation, plasma/serum isolation, buffy coat harvesting, and cryovial aliquoting. Its architecture follows the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), supporting traceability, version-controlled protocols, and electronic signature workflows required for ISO 20387-accredited biobanks and clinical trial sample management.
Key Features
- Modular deck architecture accommodating 30, 48, or 72 standard SBS-format positions—expandable via optional deck modules for integrated centrifugation, refrigerated storage, or barcode scanning stations.
- High-accuracy Air FCA (Flexible Carrier Arm) pipetting system with dual-channel or 8-channel heads, delivering consistent aspiration and dispensing across the full 0.5–1000 µL range with CV ≤ 2% at 10 µL and ≤ 0.5% at 100 µL (per ISO 8655-6).
- PPD (PMP-AI based Phase Detection) technology: real-time, AI-assisted liquid–liquid interface recognition during aspiration—enabling simultaneous, contactless separation of plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells from up to 16 centrifuged tubes per cycle without manual intervention or optical calibration.
- Integrated FluentControl™ software with built-in audit trail, electronic signatures, protocol versioning, and user-role-based access control—fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.
- Optional environmental control modules: cooled deck (4–10 °C), ambient deck with humidity monitoring, and CO₂-controlled incubation zones for live-cell or primary tissue processing extensions.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Fluent Biobank system handles a broad spectrum of primary biospecimens—including EDTA, citrate, and heparin anticoagulated whole blood; serum separator tubes (SST); urine; saliva; PBMC suspensions; and cryopreserved cell pellets—in formats ranging from 0.5 mL microtubes to 50 mL conical tubes and 96-well plates. All liquid handling operations are validated per ISO/IEC 17025 principles and aligned with ISBER Best Practices, CAP Biorepository Accreditation standards, and ISO 20387:2018 for biobanking quality management systems. Instrument qualification documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ) templates and risk assessments are provided as part of Tecan’s GxP Support Package.
Software & Data Management
FluentControl™ serves as the central orchestration engine—supporting drag-and-drop protocol design, real-time run monitoring, and automatic log generation for every pipetting event, deck movement, and sensor reading. Raw data export is available in CSV and XML formats compatible with LIMS integration (e.g., LabVantage, STARLIMS, OpenText). The software includes embedded validation tools for pipette performance verification (gravimetric and photometric), thermal mapping reports for temperature-controlled decks, and configurable alert thresholds for volume deviation, tip collision, or barcode read failure. All audit trails are immutable, time-stamped, and encrypted at rest.
Applications
- Automated blood fractionation workflows: plasma, serum, buffy coat, and RBC separation with direct transfer into cryovials or storage plates.
- Standardized aliquoting of biospecimens into secondary containers under controlled temperature conditions to minimize freeze-thaw cycles.
- Pre-analytical processing for omics studies—DNA/RNA extraction prep, protein precipitation, and metabolite stabilization.
- High-throughput biobank inventory management via integrated 2D barcode readers and sample tracking synchronization with upstream LIMS.
- Scalable support for longitudinal cohort studies requiring repeatable, low-variance processing across thousands of samples over multi-year timelines.
FAQ
Does the Fluent Biobank system support integration with third-party LIMS or ELN platforms?
Yes—via RESTful API and HL7-compliant interfaces, enabling bidirectional sample status updates, protocol push, and audit log synchronization.
Can PPD technology detect non-blood liquid–liquid interfaces, such as organic–aqueous phases in extraction protocols?
Yes—PPD has been validated for density-differentiated immiscible layers including chloroform–water, ethyl acetate–buffer, and hexane–plasma supernatant interfaces.
Is IQ/OQ/PQ documentation included with the system delivery?
Tecan provides standardized qualification templates and on-site OQ execution services; PQ is performed collaboratively with the end user using site-specific acceptance criteria.
What level of service and technical support is available post-installation?
Tecan offers global 24/7 remote diagnostics, annual preventive maintenance contracts, certified application scientist consultation, and on-demand training for operators and system administrators.
Are there regulatory restrictions on deploying Fluent Biobank in CLIA-certified or CAP-accredited laboratories?
No—systems deployed in diagnostic labs routinely undergo validation per CLIA §493.1253 and CAP GEN.40500, with FluentControl™ audit logs satisfying documentation requirements for inspection readiness.
