TIANLONG PANA 9600X Fully Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and PCR Setup Workstation

Overview

The TIANLONG PANA 9600X is a fully integrated, walk-away nucleic acid workstation engineered for high-throughput clinical molecular laboratories and centralized testing facilities. It implements a proprietary rotary magnetic bead-based nucleic acid isolation principle—patented under CN ZL201710435931.8—to achieve consistent, automatable purification from diverse primary sample formats including capped blood collection tubes, nasopharyngeal swab eluates, serum, plasma, urine, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Unlike conventional linear-tip-based extractors, the PANA 9600X employs rotational agitation during binding and washing steps to enhance binding kinetics and reduce carryover risk, resulting in higher recovery yields and improved reproducibility across variable sample viscosities and inhibitor loads. The system concurrently performs downstream PCR reaction setup—including master mix pre-aliquoting, template addition, and plate sealing—within a single, unattended workflow cycle. Its architecture complies with ISO 13485:2016 design controls and supports integration into GLP/GMP-compliant environments when configured with audit-trail-enabled software.

Key Features

• Rotary magnetic bead mixing technology: Enables uniform particle suspension and efficient nucleic acid binding without vortexing or pipette-induced shear stress.
• Cap-piercing and auto-decap functionality: Accepts primary sample tubes with intact screw caps (e.g., EDTA-K2 vacutainers), eliminating manual decapping and reducing biohazard exposure.
• Four independent high-precision air-displacement pipetting modules: Each equipped with real-time pressure-sensing liquid level detection, dynamic aspiration/dispense compensation, and “one-aspirate-multiple-dispense” capability.
• Dual-zone thermal control: Independent 4–8 °C reagent cooling compartment and ambient-temperature processing deck ensure reagent stability and minimize condensation during prolonged runs.
• Integrated contamination mitigation suite: Includes UV-C irradiation (254 nm), HEPA-filtered negative-pressure laminar airflow, physical workspace partitioning, and automated droplet capture via capacitive liquid sensing at tip ejection zones.
• Full traceability engine: Barcode scanning at every stage—from sample tube, carrier rack, deep-well plate, to PCR strip—enables end-to-end digital chain-of-custody compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and CLIA requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PANA 9600X accepts standard 1.5–2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes, 5–10 mL conical tubes, and 96-well deep-well plates (V-bottom or U-bottom). It is validated for use with TIANLONG’s CE-IVD–marked viral DNA/RNA extraction kits (Version 4.0), HBV quantitative detection kits, and Gentier 96E real-time PCR systems. All workflows meet analytical performance criteria per CLSI EP12-A2 and EP17-A2 guidelines: inter-run CV% ≤ 3.32% (low-concentration panel) and ≤ 0.78% (high-concentration panel), satisfying US FDA-recommended precision thresholds for IVD assay support. The instrument platform supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures and audit trails when deployed with optional secure software licensing.

Software & Data Management

The embedded Linux-based operating system features an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) with role-based access control (RBAC), multi-language support (English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese), and context-aware error guidance. Workflow configuration includes predefined protocols (e.g., “Respiratory Panel Extraction + RT-qPCR Setup”) and customizable method templates. All run logs—including timestamps, operator ID, module status, error codes, and raw sensor data—are stored locally and exportable in CSV/JSON format. Optional cloud synchronization enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, and LIMS interoperability via HL7 v2.5.3 and ASTM E1384 interfaces.

Applications

• Clinical virology testing: High-volume SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, RSV, and enterovirus RNA extraction with seamless handoff to RT-qPCR platforms.
• Transplant monitoring: Quantitative HBV and HCV DNA/RNA isolation from serum/plasma with minimal cross-contamination risk.
• Microbiology reference labs: Automated extraction from complex matrices (e.g., stool suspensions, sputum digests) prior to multiplex PCR or sequencing library prep.
• Blood donor screening: Batched nucleic acid testing (NAT) on mini-pool samples with full traceability to individual donation units.
• Public health emergency response: Rapid deployment in mobile labs or field hospitals due to compact footprint (≤ 1.2 m²) and low power consumption (< 850 W).

FAQ

Does the PANA 9600X require external ventilation or dedicated exhaust ducting?

No—the built-in HEPA filtration and internal UV decontamination cycle eliminate the need for external ducting. Installation only requires standard laboratory electrical supply (220 V ±10%, 50/60 Hz) and ambient temperature control (15–30 °C).
Can third-party reagents be used with this platform?

While the system is optimized for TIANLONG’s CE-IVD–certified kits, open protocol mode allows method adaptation for validated non-TIANLONG magnetic bead chemistries, subject to user-performed verification per ISO 15189 Annex A.4.
What is the mean time between failures (MTBF) under continuous operation?

Based on accelerated life testing and field data from >1,200 installed units, MTBF exceeds 12,000 hours with scheduled preventive maintenance every 6 months.
Is remote diagnostics supported?

Yes—via encrypted TLS 1.3 connection, technicians can initiate secure remote sessions for firmware updates, calibration validation, and fault root-cause analysis without compromising data integrity.
How does the system handle viscous or clotted samples?

The rotary mixing mechanism combined with adaptive aspiration pressure profiling ensures reliable handling of hemolyzed blood, mucoid sputum, and fibrin-rich plasma without clogging or volume inaccuracy.