Ultra-Micro PrepTip™

Overview

The Ultra-Micro PrepTip™ is a precision-engineered, disposable solid-phase extraction (SPE) microtip designed for ultra-low-volume sample preparation in proteomics, metabolomics, and clinical biomarker workflows. Based on the principle of reversed-phase chromatography with hydrophobic C18 or hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) sorbent chemistries (configurable per application), each tip operates via capillary-driven binding, washing, and elution—enabling reproducible enrichment, desalting, and cleanup of peptides, small molecules, and post-translationally modified analytes from volumes as low as 1 µL. Its architecture integrates a tightly packed, high-surface-area sorbent bed within a tapered polypropylene tip housing, ensuring minimal dead volume, negligible carryover, and compatibility with standard pipettors and automated liquid handlers. The device is not an analytical instrument per se but a critical front-end consumable engineered to enhance downstream analytical performance—particularly for nanoLC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF, and capillary electrophoresis platforms requiring nanogram-level sensitivity and high recovery fidelity.

Key Features

• Ultra-low sample input range: 1–10 µL—optimized for precious clinical specimens (e.g., microdissected tissue lysates, single-cell supernatants, dried blood spot extracts)
• High binding capacity: 0.5 µg per tip for standard peptides (e.g., angiotensin II, bradykinin); capacity varies predictably with analyte hydrophobicity and matrix complexity
• Consistent sorbent packing density and bed geometry—validated by batch-certified chromatographic performance (breakthrough volume, retention time stability, % recovery across ≥5 consecutive runs)
• Low non-specific binding surface chemistry—minimizes loss of low-abundance phosphopeptides and glycopeptides
• Autoclavable polypropylene housing and integrated filter frit—compatible with centrifugation (max 1,500 × g) and positive-pressure manifold systems
• Individually racked in sterile, low-binding PCR-style tubes—traceable lot numbering and certificate of analysis provided with each shipment

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Ultra-Micro PrepTip™ demonstrates robust performance across diverse biological matrices including plasma, CSF, urine, cell culture supernatants, and laser-capture microdissection (LCM) eluates. It is validated for use in workflows compliant with ISO 15189:2022 (medical laboratories — requirements for quality and competence) and supports GLP/GCP-aligned sample prep documentation when integrated into LIMS-tracked protocols. While the tip itself carries no CE-IVD or FDA 510(k) designation (as a Class I exempt consumable under 21 CFR §862.2100), its manufacturing adheres to ISO 13485:2016 quality management standards. Sorbent lots undergo rigorous QC testing per ASTM D7802-21 (standard guide for evaluating SPE cartridge performance) and meet USP chromatographic system suitability criteria for resolution and tailing factor in peptide desalting validation runs.

Software & Data Management

As a passive consumable, the Ultra-Micro PrepTip™ does not incorporate embedded electronics or firmware. However, its integration into digital laboratory ecosystems is fully supported: tip lot numbers are scannable (1D/2D barcodes) and interoperable with major LIMS platforms (e.g., LabVantage, STARLIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager) for audit-trail generation. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tip-based sample prep—including equilibration volumes, wash stringency, and elution solvent gradients—are documented in accordance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed in regulated bioanalytical labs. Optional SOP templates and validation checklists are available upon request to support method transfer and regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Nano-scale proteomic sample cleanup prior to LC-MS/MS—reducing ion suppression from salts and detergents in bottom-up workflows
• Enrichment of low-femtomole-level phosphopeptides from kinase assay mixtures or immunoprecipitated complexes
• Desalting of oligonucleotides and synthetic aptamers prior to MALDI-TOF mass calibration
• Concentration and buffer exchange of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes for functional delivery assays
• Preparative fractionation of metabolite classes (e.g., acylcarnitines, bile acids) from neonatal dried blood spots using sequential pH- and polarity-selective tips

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended centrifugal force for processing Ultra-Micro PrepTips™?
1,500 × g is the validated upper limit; exceeding this may compromise frit integrity or cause sorbent displacement.
Can Ultra-Micro PrepTips™ be reused?
No—each tip is designed for single-use only to ensure reproducibility, prevent cross-contamination, and maintain binding capacity integrity.
Are different sorbent chemistries available beyond C18 and HLB?
Yes—custom configurations including SCX, WCX, and mixed-mode (e.g., C8/SCX) are available under OEM agreement with minimum order quantities.
How should I validate the tip for my specific analyte class?
We recommend spiking recovery experiments (n = 6) using isotopically labeled internal standards at three concentration levels across the 1–10 µL range, followed by assessment of %RSD (≤15%) and absolute recovery (70–110%).
Is technical support available for method development?
Yes—our application scientists provide complimentary protocol optimization guidance, including solvent selection, flow rate calibration, and troubleshooting for low-recovery scenarios.