BioProfile FLEX2 combines Nova’s groundbreaking MicroSensor™ Card technology with optical measurement and freezing point osmometry for an automated and comprehensive cell culture analyzer that eliminates chemistry sensor maintenance, increases analyzer speed, and reduces sample volume. The full 16 cell culture test menu includes: Gluc, Lac, Gln, Glu, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca++, pH, PCO2, PO2, total cell density, viable cell density, viability, cell diameter, and osmolality.
Compared to the previous generation BioProfile FLEX there is no maintenance for any of the 11 chemistry and gas sensors, sample volume for the full test menu is reduced by 75% to 275 microliters, and testing time is reduced to just 4.5 minutes. Automated sampling from 96-well plates, syringes, or a 24-position external “load-and-go” sample tray provides maximum workflow flexibility and efficiency for cell culture monitoring.
BioProfile FLEX2 is capable of automated online sampling. Nova’s FLEX2 On-Line Autosampler (OLS) provides fully automated sampling from virtually all culture systems from single-use bench scale bioreactors to large production bioreactors. When connected to an OPC-compatible control system, FLEX2 wih OLS provides real-time data transmission for automated sampling, analysis, and feedback control of all measured parameters. The OLS can connect up to 10 vessels and setup time for a full bench of 10-bioreactors can be completed in less than 20 minutes.
Nova has also integrated the FLEX2 analyzer with ambr 15 and 250 microbioreactors to provide a fully automated system. FLEX2’s optional External Sampling Module (ESM) automatically delivers cell culture samples from ambr® 250 and ambr® 15 microbioreactor systems to FLEX2 for analysis.
Module | Analysis Time | Sample Size |
Gas Module: |
120 sec | 275 μl |
Chemistry Module: Gluc, Lac, Gln, Glu, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca++ |
120 sec | 135 μl |
Osmometry Module: Osmolality |
240 sec | 145 μl |
Cell Density/Viability Module: Total cell density, viability, cell diameter |
240 sec | 135 μl |
All Modules-All Tests | 270 sec | 275 μl |
FLEX2’s high capacity, 48-position osmometer enables walkaway, automated sampling of up to 48 samples without any user intervention, significantly prolonging maintenance intervals. The high capacity tray also enables completely automated sampling for all tests, including osmometry, for automated culture systems such as the Sartorius ambr®15. This eliminates the need to replace osmometer tubes in the middle of a sampling set and allows for sample scheduling in the middle of the night, on weekends, and holidays, without the need to perform any maintenance during the full batch of automated samples. This capability frees the instrument to perform regular sampling of non-automated cultures during normal business hours.
Onboard liquid QC provides true verification of FLEX2 performance and saves hours of labor each week compared to manual QC testing. QC cartridges contain a 30-day supply of QC material. Controls are run automatically at user-selected intervals and QC data is automatically logged and filed in a variety of formats.
An external load-and-go sample tray allows for continuous loading of cell culture samples for the most flexible and efficient sample throughput.
FLEX2 is the only cell culture analyzer to offer automated sampling from 96-well plates.
Individual samples also can be analyzed directly from syringes or cups. Batch sampling via the 96-well plate and/or external “load-and-go” sample tray runs can be interrupted at any time to run critical gas syringe samples.
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