CPSA Digest 2002

Proceedings -Tuesday, October 8, 2002

TuOC1

The Autogizer - An Automated Homogenization and Washing System

The Autogizer is an automated tissue homogenization and washing system designed to eliminate the manual component from these necessary tasks. Two models are currently available with a wide range of cutter sizes to choose from:

Instrument model #700 is equipped with five 1/5 hp homogenizers, while model #701 is equipped with four 3/4 hp homogenizers for heavier-duty tasks. The Autogizer may alternatively be supplied with one or two ultrasonic probes substituted for homogenizers. These may be either 20 or 40 kHz depending on the application requirements. A variety of probe sizes and configurations are available.

Tube racks to accommodate either 15mL or 50mL tubes are available as standard; however, virtually any tube can be accommodated into a custom built rack. The racks may be partially or fully filled for automated processing. Programming is columnar and allows the user to run any one or all cutters during processing.

Adjustable cutter speeds and versatile programming allow for quick and efficient homogenizing. The cutters are cleaned using three independently programmable wash stations. The first wash station is an aqueous bulk wash designed to be fed using tap water for abundant washing to clean residual material from the cutters (this station can alternatively be fed from a reservoir using a peristaltic pump if tap is not available). The second wash station is fed by a peristaltic pump and will accommodate use of organic solvents should removal of non-aqueous compounds be a concern. The third wash station incorporates an ultrasonic in an aqueous bath and serves as a final rinse. A peristaltic pump is provided with each instrument to feed the organic and ultrasonic baths. Organic and aqueous wash effluents are plumbed separately, allowing for economical disposal. Cutter motion and residence time are programmable for each wash station. Compound carryover has been field validated as <0.1% after washing.

Product Information: www.tomtec.com/Pages/Autogizer.html
Application Note: www.tomtec.com/Pdfs/slide_autogizer.pdf

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