Tecan HydroFlex Automated Plate Washer
| Brand | TECAN |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | HydroFlex |
| Instrument Type | Multifunctional Microplate Washer |
| Wash Head Configuration | 8-channel or dual 8-channel (16-channel equivalent) |
| Wash Fluid Channels | 1, 2, or 4 selectable |
| Soaking Time | Programmable |
| Wash Cycles | 1–10 |
| Residual Volume per Well | ≤1.8 µL |
| Orbital Shaking | Linear, 3 adjustable speeds |
Overview
The TECAN HydroFlex Automated Plate Washer is a high-precision, modular microplate processing system engineered for reproducible and protocol-flexible washing of 96-well microplates in life science laboratories. Based on gravimetric fluid handling and vacuum-assisted aspiration principles, the HydroFlex delivers consistent wash performance across diverse assay formats—including ELISA, cell-based assays, protein microarrays, and magnetic bead-based workflows (e.g., Luminex® xMAP®). Its dual-mode aspiration architecture—separate injection and aspiration needles—enables independent control of dispense volume, aspiration rate, and dwell time, minimizing cross-contamination and preserving delicate monolayers during adherent cell washing. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the system meets stringent mechanical reliability standards for continuous operation in regulated environments.
Key Features
- True dual-mode washing: Switch seamlessly between high-stringency ELISA washing and gentle adherent-cell washing—without hardware modification or head replacement.
- Multi-point aspiration: Aspirates from up to four positions per well using calibrated, low-shear vacuum control—reducing residual volume to ≤1.8 µL per well (measured at 300 µL/well dispense).
- Intelligent liquid-level sensing: Real-time detection of meniscus height enables dynamic adjustment of aspiration tip depth—critical for maintaining cell viability during low-volume, soft-wash protocols.
- Configurable wash head: Supports both single 8-channel and dual 8-channel (effectively 16-channel) configurations; injection and aspiration needles are physically separated to prevent carryover.
- Programmable linear shaking: Three intensity levels support uniform resuspension of beads or cells prior to aspiration—optimized for magnetic particle separation and suspension-based assays.
- Modular expandability: Optional vacuum filtration module, magnetic bead separation module, and process control unit enable future upgrades without system replacement.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HydroFlex accommodates standard U-bottom, V-bottom, and flat-bottom 96-well plates without mechanical reconfiguration. Up to 20 plate dimensions can be stored and recalled via software. When equipped with the optional vacuum filtration module, it supports automated vacuum-driven filtration for nucleic acid purification, antibody capture, and sample concentration workflows. The system complies with ISO 13485 design controls for medical device manufacturing and supports GLP/GMP operational requirements through audit-trail-enabled software (HydroControl™), including full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when configured with electronic signatures, user access tiers, and immutable data logging.
Software & Data Management
HydroControl™ software provides intuitive protocol building, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive event logging. Users define dispensing volumes (50–3000 µL in 50 µL increments), aspiration rates (software-adjustable), soak durations, and cycle counts (1–10). Up to 20 custom wash programs—including ELISA, cell wash, bead wash, and vacuum filtration sequences—can be saved with metadata tagging. All parameter changes, operator logins, and run completions are timestamped and archived with checksum-protected integrity. Raw log files export in CSV or XML format for integration into LIMS or ELN platforms.
Applications
- High-throughput ELISA and immunoassay plate washing with minimal background and maximal signal-to-noise ratio.
- Gentle washing of adherent mammalian cells in 96-well culture plates—preserving monolayer integrity during immunostaining or functional assays.
- Magnetic bead handling for multiplexed cytokine profiling (e.g., Luminex®), nucleic acid isolation, and affinity purification.
- Vacuum-assisted filtration in protein chip processing, phosphoprotein enrichment, and solid-phase extraction workflows.
- Automated pre- and post-incubation plate conditioning in high-content screening (HCS) and phenotypic assay pipelines.
FAQ
Does the HydroFlex require different wash heads for U-bottom vs. flat-bottom plates?
No—plate geometry adaptation is fully software-defined; no mechanical head swap is needed.
Can residual volume be validated per plate position?
Yes—gravimetric validation protocols are supported; CV for residual volume across a full 96-well plate is ≤4% (n=6 plates, 300 µL dispense).
Is the vacuum filtration module compatible with standard 96-well filter plates?
Yes—it accepts all commercially available 96-well PVDF, nylon, and mixed-cellulose ester filter plates with standard footprint and height specifications.
What level of traceability does HydroControl™ provide for regulatory submissions?
Full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance is available with optional license: electronic signatures, role-based access, automated audit trails, and tamper-evident data archiving.
How is calibration maintained over time?
The system includes built-in gravimetric verification routines; users can execute daily or weekly volume accuracy checks per channel using certified reference weights and distilled water.
